Nairobi walking tour & city guide

Wildlife

Nairobi National Park has lions, rhinos and giraffes just minutes from downtown. The Giraffe Centre lets visitors feed endangered Rothschild giraffes, and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust cares for orphaned baby elephants.

The city

The Kenyatta International Convention Centre has a rooftop viewpoint. The Karen Blixen Museum was the home of the author of Out of Africa. The Maasai Market sells crafts.

A day in Nairobi

Start early in Nairobi National Park, the only national park in the world within a capital city, where giraffes, rhinos, lions and zebras roam with skyscrapers in the background. Then visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage at feeding time, late morning, to watch baby elephants drink from giant bottles.

In the afternoon, visit the Giraffe Centre, where you can feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform, and the Karen Blixen Museum, the house of the author of Out of Africa. In the evening, try nyama choma, Kenya's grilled meat.

Good to know

Nairobi is the main gateway for safaris to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and beyond. Traffic is heavy, so allow plenty of time. Use ride-hailing apps rather than walking at night.

At about 1,800 meters, Nairobi has a pleasant climate, with cool mornings and evenings. The dry seasons, June to October and January to February, are best for wildlife.