Nairobi: The Green City in the Sun
Nairobi is the capital and the largest city of Kenya, and is one of the better developed cities in Africa. The name Nairobi is derived from the Maasai phrase “Enkare Nyirobi”, which translates into “the place of cool waters”. Today, however, the city is popularly known as the “Green City in the Sun”. Nairobi is located on the banks of the Nairobi River and is situated at an altitude of 1795 meters above sea-level. Situated in the vicinity of the Nairobi National Park, the city is full of life and optimism, and perhaps, the most underrated of all the Nairobi tourist attractions is the city’s excellent nightlife.
Places to Visit in Nairobi
Nairobi is home to a plethora of tourist attractions from both the colonial and the modern day eras. The Nairobi National Park (spread over 113 sq kms), Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park (centred around a 2,146 metre mountain), Tana River and 14 Falls (a waterfall at nearby Thika) are excellent choices if you want to catch a glimpse of the African wildlife and nature.
Other prominent destinations include:
- Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
- Giraffe Centre
- Nairobi National Museum
- National Railway Museum
- Karen Blixen Museum
- Bomas of Kenya
- Uhuru Gardens
Nairobi: Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
Nairobi is generally safe for tourists, but it is advisable that certain areas be avoided after dark. Needless to stay, usual precautions such as keeping valuables out of sight, etc., need to be taken. While visiting game areas, one should (and rightly so) follow the guide’s instructions and not feed anything to wild animals. Unlike many of its African peers, Nairobi is a fairly developed metropolis and has a decent skyline. The city is vibrant and has a very good nightlife as it is home to a multitude of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, bars, discos, etc. Nairobi is also home to many casinos.
Swahili is one of the two official languages of Kenya and is also the most widely spoken language in Nairobi; Kikuyu, Luo, Kalenjin and Kambabeside are the other languages that are spoken in Nairobi and Kenya. English is the other official language of Kenya and as such, is fairly common. The local currency is Kenyan shillings (KES). The local cuisine is rich and draws influences from a variety of cuisines and places. What’s more, it freely is available at very affordable prices. Nairobi has a large number of medium-scale eateries for all types of cuisines, and is also home to some of the continent’s best and most prolific restaurants.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Nairobi is from December to February and from July to August. Nairobi is at its greenest best from March to October.
Best way to reach Nairobi
- By Air: Nairobi has a well-equipped international airport, and is one of the regional air-travel hubs.
- By Rail: Nairobi is one of the more important railway stations in Kenya.
- By Road: Nairobi is well connected to all national and regional destinations and popular attractions. Further, Nairobi is also the centre of Kenya’s very-reliable bus system and as such also offers comfortable transport options for almost all of the nearby Kenya attractions.
Accommodation
The Nairobi accommodation scene is very active and wide enough to cater to all budgets and needs. Further, many local and international tour operators offer Nairobi vacation package tours. These tours cover most of the Nairobi tourist destinations, but do not carry the element of risk and adventure that going solo does.