More Than Meets The Eye
Welcome to Nairobi, Kenya. This buzzing capital is where city life meets nature. It started as a small railway stop in 1899 but has grown into a significant hub in East Africa, with a mix of cultures and people from all over. What’s really unique about Nairobi is that, despite all the urban hustle, you can drive a few minutes out and be in wildlife with lions and rhinos in the national park!
The city is known for its lively vibe, fun nightlife, great food, and, most famously, wildlife. It’s a pretty cool city to explore, but like any big city, it has its issues with political and social troubles. However, Nairobi is a fantastic African Destination, with opportunities to learn about their roots.
I went on a mum-and-daughter trip to Nairobi for a wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, and we really had a chance to indulge in African culture. We stayed in several hotels and checked out some of the city’s major attractions. In this short blog, I’ll recommend things you need to know, activities to add to your itinerary, and some cool places to stay.
Mum and I flew to Nairobi, Kenya, to support love!
Language & Currency In Nairobi
Language: Due to Nairobi’s diverse population, various Kenyan ethnic languages are spoken. Swahili (or Kiswahili) and English are Kenya’s official languages. English is mainly used in government, education, and tourism, which makes it convenient for tourists visiting this African destination.
Currency: The currency used in Nairobi is the Kenyan Shilling, usually abbreviated as KES, KSh, or Sh. Although cards are accepted in places like hotels, bringing some cash is a good idea. You can find ATMs in shopping malls; however, many machines have withdrawal limits or insufficient money to withdraw.
Safety & Getting Around Nairobi
We assumed that as we were of mixed heritage (my parents are half Jamaican and half British), we would be more comfortable there than in other countries we visited. However, that was not the case. It wasn’t as welcoming, but we felt SAFE. Saying this, we went shopping at malls (I forgot my outfit for the wedding) and went out for food, but we always had our driver with us to assist.
Having a private driver is useful. I initially booked a taxi from Booking, from the airport to our resort. We got to know him and felt safe with him along the way, so we asked if he would be our private driver for the week. I would advise setting a fixed fee if you are on a tighter budget. However, our driver allowed us to pay whatever we wanted (which worked better for him as we gave tips).
We also treated him along the way by paying for him to join attractions with us and having him join us for meals out, gaining a friendship. This benefits both parties, as he earns a great salary for the week, and we have the guide and security of a local. I highly recommend it!
Our private driver introduced us to Ugali, fish and greens, a traditional Kenyan dish
Alternative Ways To Get Around
We didn’t catch buses or experience the Matatus (shared bus/taxi), but based on research, the private driver option is better. Renting a car can be challenging as you have to go through processes to be able to drive in Kenya legally.
Even if you successfully manage this, the streets are not Western-standard, so I wouldn’t recommend it. Check out East African Travel Tips, a blog written by Anthony. He is an African local with an awesome guide covering safety tips on walking, renting, sharing, and other great recommendations.
Popular Areas To Stay
Westlands: This location is known for its vibrant nightlife, upscale shopping malls, and many restaurants and hotels. Staying here puts you close to the Nairobi National Museum. You’ll find high-end hotels like Sankara Nairobi and Villa Rosa Kempinski.
Karen: This quieter, suburban location is on Nairobi’s outskirts. It’s ideal for travellers seeking more relaxation and proximity to nature and wildlife. The Giraffe Center and Wildlife Trust (Elephant Orphanage) are some attractions near this location. You can find luxurious lodges like Hemingways Nairobi and guesthouses around Karen.
Hotels We Stayed At
Some 5-star hotels in Nairobi are not the typical 5-star rated by Western standards. The first two hotels we stayed at would be classified more as 4-star, with our final hotel being an actual 5-star western-rated stay.
Nairobi Serena Hotel
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This 5-star hotel is a great base just a short walk from the Central Business District. The Nairobi Serena Hotel is a 4-minute walk to the Nairobi Gallery, featuring rich African heritage displays and All Saints Cathedral. The hotel has a restaurant, fitness centre, wellness centre, and pool. We enjoyed this hotel, but it gave us business vibes rather than holiday vibes. This option may be ideal if you plan to spend all day exploring.
Safari Park Hotel & Casino
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We loved the entrance to this rustic 5-star hotel. Upon arriving at the Safari Park Hotel & Casino, we were impressed by the green and spaciousness. The reception was cool, with a big elephant statue in the centre, and we were impressed with how welcoming the staff was. Restaurants, bars, casinos, entertainment areas, and a gym exist. They also have a big lovely designed pool, however during our stay it was dirty so we couldn’t swim. It’s a popular wedding resort, so you’ll sometimes see large volumes of guests. We had a great stay here and loved the vibes.
Radisson Blu Hotel
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Our final stay was at the 5-star rated Radisson Blu Hotel. We loved the sophistication and boujee vibes of this place. Our room was upgraded, so we had a nice, spacious studio. We were impressed by the food and the live band playing in the centre of the hotel. Also in the centre is a pool, which was a nice touch, but not ideal for those wanting to swim in peace as the restaurant also has outdoor seats, so there will be all eyes on you. It’s very Western with African influences. The hotel has a fitness and wellness centre, making it a fabulous hotel to vibe in.
Explore More Africa!
Nairobi National Museum
We had a fun time exploring the Nairobi National Museum. If you are planning to go, I recommend getting your private driver or doing a guided tour to take you there so they can help you with the entry, as there’s no way to pay in cash or by card. Alternatively, you can apply via the eCitizen way; however, there have been reports of issues signing up.
Once inside, you’ll get lost in the amazing history, geography, culture, language, and evolution displays. The museum is quite big, and the entrance can be slow, so allow enough time if you have other plans. There are also opportunities to access Snake Park. You’ll find a few cafes on site, but food service can be slow.
Visiting the Nairobi National Museum
Nairobi Safari National Park
We visited the Nairobi National Park on a guided tour, which is a MUST whilst in Kenya. We did the half-day tour, which starts early as it’s the best chance to see the wild animals. Wi-Fi is available, so you can pay the additional $43 per person fee to enter the park. We had never done a safari, so this was super fun. We saw so many different wildlife, and spotting them was super fun. From giffares, hippos, crocodiles, and black rhinos to lions and even two cheetas, which was amazing, the Nairobi Safari National Park was an experience we’d never forget.
Nairobi Safari National Park
The Nairobi Festival 14th December
If you happen to be in Nairobi in mid-December, check out the Nairobi festival. While at the first hotel, we noticed some music blazing, which we were familiar with. So, as curious as we were, we asked around, only to discover there was a free festival! We had to go back and change at the hotel as we were advised to wear something more appropriate – long trousers and a cover-up, but when we returned, we had an epic time.
We loved watching the artists; although we didn’t understand much of the language, we definitely understood the vibe. There were pop-up food stalls and drink vendors to enjoy. It was such an experience to spend part of our day mixing with locals and watching them all have fun.
Enjoying Nairobi Festival
Other Tours
National Safari + Baby Elephant Orphanage + Giraffe Center: This multi-bundle tour is a great alternative to the standard National Safari Tour. After an epic morning of sightseeing wildlife, you’ll go to the baby elephant orphanage, mingling with these adorable baby and teenage elephants. Your final stop will be at the giraffe centre, where you can feed these! This is a cool bundle tour if you want to spend most of the day with nature and animals.
Amboseli Safari National Park: If you fancy seeing other types of wildlife, such as African bush elephants, cape buffalos, impalas, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, Masai giraffes, Grant’s zebra, and blue wildebeest, then the Amboseli National Tour is the one to go for. You’ll spend the day on this private tour spotting cool animals, with a lunch break, which is also included.
Cooking tour: After introducing you to a local market to pick fresh ingredients, your guide will teach you how to make a Kenyan main dish and side dish. The cooking tour is a great way to learn more about African culture and agriculture and a fabulous experience you’ll cherish for life!
Hell’s Gate National Park: This Hell’s Gate Tour is great for fitness enthusiasts, as it requires you to ride a bike through the national park, which is included. You’ll get up close with wildlife, such as giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and gazelles, and visit Lake Naivasha, where you’ll have an opportunity to cruise to see birds and hippos.
That’s A Wrap!
So there you have it: ways to spend your time in Nairobi. From many national parks to historical museums, Nairobi is a perfect way to enjoy the best of what Kenya’s capital city offers. Before booking your trip, make sure to read up on GOV.UK for news and travel advice for Kenya. So, are you going? What are you waiting for? Go have that trip of a lifetime!
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