Nairobi

Kenya’s capital Nairobi is East Africa’s most cosmopolitan city. It is affectionately known as the ‘Safari Capital of Africa’. Nairobi is a city that never seems to sleep. With boundless energy 5-star hotels, restaurants, clubs and a thriving art scene.

Nairobi seems to be quite overlooked when guests come to visit Kenya. However, with so many activities on offer, guests should plan to stay a few days and discover the city. From feeding the giraffes, fostering orphaned elephants to city tours with Nairobi’s storytellers. Nairobi also has a vibrant arts and crafts scene. Visit some of the local art galleries and factories to learn more about the natural talents of local Kenyans.

This is a place of great contrasts where race, tribe and origin all become facets of the unique Nairobi character.

highlights

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

One of Nairobi’s most popular attractions, and one that will most certainly touch your heart. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is an elephant nursery. They offers a safe haven to orphaned baby elephants, rescued from parks and reserves in Kenya. Every day for one hour from 11:00am visitors can come and watch these delightful young elephants. It’s fascinating to watch their feeding and play time with their keepers. The experience is wonderful and educational. Visitors also have an opportunity to ‘adopt’ one of the elephants. Adopting an elephant gives you access to their 5:00pm feeding and bedtime.

Nairobi National Park

In the heart of the city lies a gem – the Nairobi National Park. Wide open grass plains and scattered acacia bush, with the backdrop of the city skyscrapers, play host to a wide variety of wildlife. At 117 sq km this is one of Africa’s smallest parks. It is also the only wildlife park bordering a capital city, separated only by a wire fence. The park is home to more than 50 black rhinos as well as large herds of Zebra, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Giraffe and more. Cheetah, Leopard and a large number of Lions are all found here, living wild within 20 minutes of the centre of town. Besides the wildlife, the park’s wetland areas also sustain approximately 400 bird species.

Giraffe Center

The Giraffe Centre protects the highly endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. It combines serious conservation with enjoyable activities. Visitors can observe and hand-feed the giraffes from a raised wooden structure! This is quite an incredible hands on experience. Be sure to look out for the warthogs snuffling about in the mud. There’s also an interesting self-guided forest walk through the adjacent Gogo River Bird Sanctuary.

Karen Blixen Museum

Jump into the life of the famous Danish Author, Karen Blixen, who lived in the farmhouse at the foothills of the Ngong Hills. Karen left Africa after a series of personal tragedies. But,her lovely colonial house in the leafy suburbs has been preserved as a museum. Set in expansive gardens with beautiful views of the Ngong Hills, the museum is an interesting place to wander around.

The Academy Award winning film ‘Out of Africa’ is based on the life of Karen Blixen, however, the movie was actually shot at a nearby location, so don’t be surprised if things don’t look entirely as you expect!

Matbronze Art Gallery

For the perfect souvenir with a wildlife touch, a visit to the Matbronze gallery is a must!
Situated in historical Karen, a suburb of Nairobi – originally Karen Blixen’s coffee farm, Matbronze is conveniently located between Nairobi’s two main tourist attractions: The Giraffe Centre and the Elephant Orphanage. Matbronze gallery has one of the largest displays of wildlife bronzes in Africa. Over six hundred pieces, ranging from cuff-links to life size crocodiles, from cute cub footprints to large lion track trays as well as jewelry.
The Matbronze cafe offers light lunches and all day refreshments in a beautiful garden setting.

Kazuri Beads

KAZURI, which means “small and beautiful” in Swahili, specialises in handmade ceramic beads jewellery. The factory is located in what used to be part of the Karen Blixen Estate (of the Academy Award winning film “Out of Africa” fame). KAZURI started with two Kenyan women experimenting on making handmade beads but soon discovered that there were many other women in the villages around Nairobi, most of whom were single mothers, who were in great need of regular employment. Driven by the desire to provide them with opportunities, Kazuri now has a large workforce of local women skilled in the making of handmade jewelry.

Nai Nami Nairobi Experience

A social enterprise with the aim of giving former street kids a future in life. See and experience Nairobi through the eyes of a street kid. During the three-hour walking tour in downtown Nairobi with a personal ‘street kid’ guide for each participant, the guides will share their life stories of how they ended up on the streets, where they lived, how they survived and get to know who they were and what they’ve become through Nai Nami. Local lunch is included at the end of the experience.

Nairobi

Nairobi

highlights

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Nairobi National Park

Giraffe Center

Karen Blixen Museum

Matbronze Art Gallery

Kazuri Beads

Nai Nami Nairobi Experience

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