Marhaba Travel Guide🇰🇪 Kenya · Africa

Nairobi

East Africa's safari gateway with in-city national park and Karen colonial heritage.

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Planning your trip to Nairobi?

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How many days do I need in Nairobi?

We recommend 2–3 days (safari wrapper) to see the highlights without rushing.

When is the best time to visit Nairobi?

January–March is dry hot — 26–29°C, best game viewing (concentrated water). July–October is dry cool — 20–26°C, Great Migration in Masai Mara peaks August–September. April–May long rains, November short rains — safari lodges cheaper, roads muddy. Nairobi altitude 1,795 m keeps evenings cool year-round.

Who is Nairobi best for?

Nairobi is a great fit for first-time africa safari, family safari intro, morocco combo travellers, wildlife photographers.

I'm a first-time visitor — what should I know?

2 nights Nairobi (Sheldrick + Giraffe + city) + 3 nights Masai Mara + optional 2 nights Diani/Zanzibar beach cap.

About Nairobi

Nairobi is East Africa's air-hub + safari gateway — Nairobi National Park (lions + rhinos with skyline backdrop), David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, and cosmopolitan Westlands + Karen dining. Most travellers use it as a 2-night wrapper for Masai Mara / Amboseli / Samburu safaris + Diani / Watamu / Lamu beach flights. Kenya is a Marhaba priority destination for Morocco → Africa customers.

Why visit Nairobi?

Nairobi is the only capital on Earth with a national park inside its limits, plus the world's most famous elephant orphanage — perfect 2-night wrap for Masai Mara + Amboseli safaris and the direct Morocco ↔ Kenya route.

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Nairobi at a glance

Recommended trip: 2–3 days (safari wrapper)
Best time to visit: January–March is dry hot — 26–29°C, best game viewing (concentrated water).
Getting around: Uber + Bolt + Little Cab all reliable in Nairobi (KES500–1,500 per ride).
Recommended areas: Karen · Westlands / Parklands · Kilimani / Upper Hill

Top experiences

Nairobi National Park half-day safari — Only capital-city national park in world — lions, rhinos, giraffes with skyline — US$43 entry + US$40 vehicle.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust — Orphan elephant feeding 11am–12pm daily — KES1,500 (US$12), pre-book online, extremely popular.
Giraffe Centre (Karen) — Feed endangered Rothschild giraffes from raised platform — KES1,500, 20 min from Sheldrick, easy combo.
Karen Blixen Museum — Out of Africa farmhouse restored to 1930s — KES1,500, 30-min guided tour.

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Top things to do in Nairobi

Nairobi National Park half-day safari

Only capital-city national park in world — lions, rhinos, giraffes with skyline — US$43 entry + US$40 vehicle.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Orphan elephant feeding 11am–12pm daily — KES1,500 (US$12), pre-book online, extremely popular.

Giraffe Centre (Karen)

Feed endangered Rothschild giraffes from raised platform — KES1,500, 20 min from Sheldrick, easy combo.

Karen Blixen Museum

Out of Africa farmhouse restored to 1930s — KES1,500, 30-min guided tour.

Bomas of Kenya

42 tribes represented in cultural village + afternoon dance performance — KES1,200.

Where to stay in Nairobi

Karen

Leafy colonial suburb — Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre, Elephant Orphanage — Hemingways Nairobi, Giraffe Manor, House of Waine.

Westlands / Parklands

Restaurants, nightlife, shopping — Sankara Nairobi, Villa Rosa Kempinski, Trademark Hotel.

Kilimani / Upper Hill

Business district + embassies — Radisson Blu Upper Hill, Fairmont Norfolk, DusitD2.

Gigiri / Runda

UN + diplomatic zone, safest at night — Tribe Hotel, Trademark Hotel Village Market.

Nairobi CBD

Government + Kenyatta Conference Centre — day-time only, Sarova Stanley heritage hotel.

Nairobi National Park

Only capital-city national park in world — 117 km² with lions, rhinos, giraffes 20 min from Downtown.

Travel tips for Nairobi

Apply eTA at etakenya.go.ke 3+ days before arrival — US$32.50; old visa system discontinued Jan 2024.
Traffic murderous 7–9am + 5–8pm — allow 2× time or plan flights around it.
Yellow-fever certificate mandatory if arriving from endemic country; malaria prophylaxis for Mara + coast add-ons.

Who is Nairobi best for?

Tips tailored to how you travel.

First-time visitors

2 nights Nairobi (Sheldrick + Giraffe + city) + 3 nights Masai Mara + optional 2 nights Diani/Zanzibar beach cap.

Family travel

Sheldrick elephants + Giraffe Centre + Karura Forest + Nairobi National Park + Bomas cultural show cover 2–3 days easily.

Luxury travel

Giraffe Manor (book 12+ months), Hemingways, Villa Rosa Kempinski, Fairmont Norfolk, Sankara, House of Waine.

Budget travel

Budget hotels KES3,000–5,000, nyama choma KES500, self-drive Nairobi NP US$50 vehicle rental = cheap safari intro.

Nairobi travel FAQ

Do I need a visa for Kenya?

Yes — all visitors now require the electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) at etakenya.go.ke, US$32.50, applied 3 days+ ahead. Replaced the old eVisa system in January 2024. Valid 90 days single-entry. East African Community citizens exempt. Yellow-fever certificate required if arriving from endemic country.

How do I combine Nairobi with Morocco?

Direct Casablanca ↔ Nairobi 7h (Kenya Airways + Royal Air Maroc — one of few Africa-Africa direct routes). Marhaba's Africa Grand Loop is 5 nights Morocco (Marrakech + Fes + Sahara) + 6 nights Kenya (2 Nairobi + 3 Masai Mara + 1 Diani) + optional Zanzibar cap. The definitive African two-country trip.

Is Nairobi good for families?

Yes — David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage (11am feeding), Giraffe Centre (feed from platform), Nairobi National Park half-day safari, Karura Forest walks + waterfall, Bomas of Kenya cultural show, Nairobi National Museum. Great intro to Africa for kids before Mara game drives.

What's the best luxury stay in Nairobi?

Giraffe Manor (Karen — feed giraffes at breakfast, book 12+ months ahead), Hemingways Nairobi (Karen), Villa Rosa Kempinski, Fairmont Norfolk (heritage 1904), Sankara Nairobi (Westlands), House of Waine (Karen boutique), Tribe Hotel (Gigiri). Add Angama Mara for the safari half.

Can I visit Nairobi on a budget?

Yes — budget hotels KES3,000–5,000, matatus KES50, nyama choma (grilled meat) at Kenyatta Market KES500. Nairobi National Park US$43 non-resident entry — self-drive rental US$50 makes it cheap safari. Combined 4-day Mara camping safari US$500–800 from Nairobi is entry-point Africa safari.

How do I get from NBO airport to my hotel?

JKIA (Jomo Kenyatta) 18 km from CBD. Uber/Bolt to Karen KES2,500 in 45–75 min (traffic-dependent), Westlands KES2,000. Hotel-arranged transfer US$40–60. Do not use unlicensed touts. SGR train from Mombasa arrives at separate Syokimau station — Uber to city KES1,500.

Is Nairobi safe for tourists?

Karen, Gigiri, Runda, Westlands (day + main areas), Kilimani, Upper Hill safe. Avoid Downtown CBD after dark, avoid walking anywhere at night — Uber everywhere. Do not display phone/jewellery in traffic (window smash-and-grab possible). Emergency 999 or 112. Yellow-fever cert if from endemic country; malaria prophylaxis for coastal + Mara add-ons.

When is the best time to visit Nairobi + Kenya?

July–October for cool dry + Great Migration in Masai Mara (river crossings Aug–Sep peak). January–February for hot dry + wildlife concentration + calving in Amboseli. Avoid April–May long rains + November short rains for safaris. Nairobi itself is comfortable year-round at altitude.

Suggested itineraries for Nairobi

Editorial trip templates — a starting point for your own planning.

3 days

Nairobi city + Karen wildlife

Day 1 — Nairobi National Park morning safari + Nairobi National Museum.
Day 2 — Sheldrick elephants 11am + Giraffe Centre + Karen Blixen Museum + Talisman lunch.
Day 3 — Bomas of Kenya cultural show + Kazuri beads + Westlands dinner.

5 days