Nairobi is an excellent starting point for your great
African Safari - read our free guide to the 'Green City In The Sun'
Get up close and personal to a giraffe, dance for your
dinner with the natives and skate on thin ice - Nairobi offers it all
Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya. It is also the only capital
city in the world which borders a National Park - called, not
unsurprisingly, the Nairobi National Park. This park contains the
so-called 'Big Five' animals; rhino, lions, leopards, elephants and
buffalo as well as over 400 species of birds.
Nairobi is a cosmopolitan and multicultural city. Many foreigners
from British colonies settled there and greatly contributed to the
economy of Kenya. It is one of the most influential cities in Africa and
is the regional headquarters of several international companies.
Nairobi has a number of popular tourist destinations. At the Bomas of
Kenya, it is possible to experience traditional culture with different
Kenyan tribal homesteads displayed. At the amphitheatre, Enjoy watching
tribal dances at the amphitheatre and, if the mood takes you, just join
in with the dancers.
Apart from the traditional attractions of spotting wild game or viewing
displays of traditional African culture, the Panari Sky Centre with its
high-tech skating rink is close at hand. The Solar Ice Rink in the
centre is the largest in Africa. For art lovers, galleries such as Mzizi
Arts Center and Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art offer the opportunity to
see the work of notable and upcoming artists. The Snake Park and the
Animal Orphanage offer tourists a chance to see snakes and wild animals
respectively in captivity. The Snake Park has a variety of snakes that
are found in Africa and the Animal Orphanage is Nairobi’s world-class
zoo.
The Karen Blixen Museum and the National Museum of Kenya offer
invaluable information regarding the history of Kenya. The National
Museum has artefacts such as the remains of a Homo erectus boy. At the
Giraffe Centre, one can look at a giraffe eye-to-eye and even feed them.
Other attractions include an Ostrich Farm and the Maasai Market where
curios and interesting gifts can be bought.
The standard of hotels in Nairobi varies. Five-star accommodation can be
found in various world class hotels such as the Norfolk which is located
within easy reach of the main tourist attractions and the shops. The
Nairobi Safari Club provides guests with ample private space with each
room being a suite. Also consider staying at the Stanley Hotel which
cultivates the atmosphere of a London hotel. The Grand Regency located
on Uhuru Highway can easily be mistaken for a European hotel. The foyer
is made up of marble art and it has a splendid atrium mural. Furnished
with African workmanship, the Nairobi Serena offers an African touch for
those who would like the full African effect. Other hotels worth
considering include the Landmark Hotel, Holiday Inn, Mayfair Court, and
the Fairview Hotel.
Travel to Nairobi is easy since the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
is a major transit hub serving passengers from all over the world. From
the airport, hire a taxi or take a hotel shuttle. Book a
reasonably-priced seat on a tour bus to see the National Park. Wilson
Airport is also in Nairobi and caters for smaller planes on domestic
flights. Charter one from there to see Kenya by air.
Nairobi is a 'must-see' destination for anyone looking for an African
Safari - book a tour to Tsavo National Park, Amboseli, Serengeti and
Maasai Mara. During August, the wildebeest migration is a spectacle that
draws visitors from all over the world.
Enjoy your visit to Nairobi!
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