Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel
Nairobi, ke
9.03,914 reviews
US$69
per night
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.
At a glance
- East Africa's air-hub + safari gateway — Nairobi NP + Sheldrick + Giraffe Centre + Karen.
- Uber/Bolt from JKIA to Karen KES2,500 (45–75 min traffic-dependent).
- eTA required for all visitors — US$32.50 at etakenya.go.ke, apply 3+ days ahead.
- Jul–Oct dry cool + Great Migration; Jan–Feb dry hot + Amboseli calving; avoid Apr–May long rains.
- Currency KES; Type G 240V plugs; bottled water; altitude 1,795 m keeps evenings cool.
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When to visit
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.
Getting around
Uber + Bolt + Little Cab all reliable in Nairobi (KES500–1,500 per ride). Traffic notorious — allow 2× time 7–9am + 5–8pm. Matatus (minibuses) local + cheap KES50–100 but crowded — use only with local. Domestic safari flights (Safarilink, AirKenya, Jambo Jet) from Wilson Airport hop to Mara + Amboseli + Nanyuki + Diani in 45–75 min.
Where to stay
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.
Your Marhaba Trip Plan
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.
Book your trip
Do I need a visa for Nairobi?
- Policy
- e-Visa
- Typical stay
- 90 days
All visitors require the electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) at etakenya.go.ke — US$32.50, applied 3+ days ahead. Replaced 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.
Official government sourceHow do I get to Nairobi?
Airports
- NBO · Jomo Kenyatta International · 18 km
Uber/Bolt to Karen KES2,500 (45–75 min); Westlands KES2,000; hotel transfer US$40–60. Do NOT use unlicensed touts inside terminals.
- WIL · Wilson Airport (domestic safari) · 6 km
Safarilink + AirKenya + Governor's flights to Mara + Amboseli + Nanyuki + Diani US$150–350 one-way.
By rail
SGR Madaraka Express from Mombasa to Nairobi (Syokimau station) 4h30 KES1,500 first class — scenic Tsavo route with wildlife sightings.
Immigration + biometrics 30–60 min. Yellow-fever proof at desk if applicable.
How do I get around Nairobi?
- Uber / Bolt / Little Cab — All reliable — KES500–2,500 per ride; safer than street taxis.
- Matatu (minibus) — KES50–100 local + cheap but crowded — use only with local guide.
- Domestic safari flights (Wilson) — Safarilink + AirKenya + Jambo Jet to Mara + Amboseli + Diani 45–75 min.
- SGR train — Nairobi ↔ Mombasa 4h30 KES1,500 first class — safe + scenic alternative to flying.
Passes & tickets
None for city; airport departure tax now included in ticket.
Traffic notorious 7–9am + 5–8pm — allow 2× time. Never walk after dark anywhere. Hide phones in traffic (window smash-and-grab possible).
What should I eat and know about food culture in Nairobi?
Signature dishes
- Nyama choma (grilled meat) — Kenyatta Market local + Carnivore Langata tourist classic — KES500–3,000.
- Ugali + sukuma wiki + tilapia — Kenyan staple — Talisman (Karen) + Mama Oliech + local canteens KES400–1,200.
- Chapati + beef stew + pilau — Swahili-Kenyan comfort food — KES500–800 at local restaurants.
- Kenyan coffee + Kenyan tea — Java House + Artcaffé + Connect Coffee — KES200–400 per cup.
Etiquette
- Tipping 10% at restaurants + KES200–500 per bag for porters + US$10–15 per day for safari guides.
- Learn 'jambo' (hello) + 'asante' (thank you) — Swahili greetings appreciated.
- Never photograph government buildings, military, or people without asking.
Bottled water only. Tusker lager is national beer. Dawa (vodka + honey + lime) is signature cocktail. Kenyan AA coffee + purple tea + chai masala classic. Best coffee at Connect + Vermont + Point Zero.
Is Nairobi safe for travelers?
Overall risk: ModerateEmergency: 999
- 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; keep windows up in stop-and-go.
- Emergency 999 or 112.
Frequently asked questions
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.
You may also like
More ways to extend or combine your Nairobi trip.
Morocco ↔ Kenya direct
Casablanca ↔ Nairobi 7h — one of few direct Africa-Africa routes (Royal Air Maroc + Kenya Airways). Marhaba's Africa Grand Loop foundation.
Kenya safari + Zanzibar
45-min flight Precision/Coastal — safari + beach 10 nights.
Kenya safari + Seychelles
Kenya Airways 4h — safari + private island 10 nights.
Cape Town ↔ Nairobi
4h30 direct Kenya Airways / SAA — dual Africa flagship pair.
