Best Time to Visit
July to October (dry season, Great Migration in Masai Mara), also Jan-Feb
Language
English and Swahili (both official)
Currency
Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Time Zone
East Africa Time (UTC+3)
Airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Population
5.3 million (metro area)
Climate
Subtropical highland, avg 12-26°C, two rainy seasons (Mar-May and Oct-Dec)
Safety Rating
Exercise Increased Caution (Level 2) — tourist areas are safe with normal precautions
Elevation
1,795 meters (5,889 ft) — mild and pleasant climate
The world's only national park within a capital city — 117 km² of savanna with lions, giraffes, rhinos, and buffalo against the Nairobi skyline. Entry: $60 USD for foreign adults (pay via eCitizen portal). Open 6AM-6PM. Self-drive or hire a guide at the gate (~KES 3,000). Best wildlife viewing at dawn.
A world-renowned elephant and rhino rescue center in Nairobi National Park. Public visiting hour: 11AM-12PM daily only. Entry: $15 USD (book at sheldrickwildlifetrust.org). Watch orphaned baby elephants being bottle-fed and mud-bathing. Foster an elephant for $50 USD/year. Arrive 30 min early — it fills up.
An endangered Rothschild's giraffe breeding and education center in Langata. Entry: KES 1,500 (~$11 USD) for foreign adults. Open daily 9AM-5PM. Hand-feed giraffes from an elevated platform — they'll give you a 'giraffe kiss' for food pellets. 15-minute drive from the city center. Allow 1 hour.
East Africa's premier safari destination, 270 km from Nairobi (5-6 hour drive or 1-hour flight). Conservancy fees: $70-120 USD/day. The Great Migration (1.5 million wildebeest) crosses July-October. Budget lodges from $150/night, luxury tented camps $500+. Book through licensed operators only.
The farmhouse of 'Out of Africa' author Karen Blixen, set against the Ngong Hills. Entry: KES 1,200 (~$9 USD). Open daily 9:30AM-6PM. Guided tours of the colonial farmhouse and surrounding grounds. The Ngong Hills behind the property offer a beautiful 2-3 hour ridge hike.
Kenya's flagship museum covering natural history, culture, and paleontology, including early human fossils. Entry: KES 1,200 (~$9 USD). Open daily 8:30AM-5:30PM. The adjacent Snake Park (KES 600) houses East African reptiles. The Botanical Garden behind the museum is a quiet escape. Allow 2-3 hours.
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and transfer to your hotel in Karen, Westlands, or Kilimani. These neighborhoods are safe and well-connected.
Transfer from NBO to hotel(45 minutes)
Use Uber or Bolt (~KES 1,500-3,000 / ~$11-22 USD depending on area). The Nairobi Expressway (toll KES 200-600) bypasses traffic. Avoid arriving during rush hour 5-8PM
Check-in and orientation(1 hour)
Karen area for wildlife proximity, Westlands for dining and nightlife, Kilimani for central access. Get a Safaricom SIM + M-Pesa at the airport (KES 200)
Dinner at Talisman in Karen(1.5 hours)
Garden restaurant with pan-African cuisine. Their slow-roasted lamb and cocktails are excellent. Mains ~KES 1,500-3,000 (~$11-22 USD). Book ahead — it fills every night
Morning safari in the world's only national park inside a capital city, then watch orphaned baby elephants getting bottle-fed.
Nairobi National Park morning game drive(4 hours)
Entry $60 USD (pay via eCitizen portal). 6AM-10AM is best for wildlife. Lions, giraffes, rhinos, and buffalo against the Nairobi skyline. Self-drive or hire a guide at the gate (~KES 3,000)
David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage(1 hour)
Public visiting 11AM-12PM daily only. Entry $15 USD (book at sheldrickwildlifetrust.org). Orphaned baby elephants being bottle-fed and mud-bathing. Arrive 30 min early
Lunch at Carnivore Restaurant(1.5 hours)
The legendary Nairobi game meat experience — crocodile, ostrich, and camel on rotating swords. All-you-can-eat ~KES 5,000 (~$37 USD). They lower the flag when you surrender
Giraffe Centre in Langata(1 hour)
Endangered Rothschild's giraffes. Entry KES 1,500 (~$11 USD). Hand-feed giraffes from an elevated platform — they'll give you a 'giraffe kiss.' 15 min from Sheldrick
The 'Out of Africa' author's farmhouse, the national museum, and an evening of Nairobi's food scene.
Karen Blixen Museum(1.5 hours)
Entry KES 1,200 (~$9 USD). The colonial farmhouse with Ngong Hills backdrop. Guided tours of her personal artifacts and the surrounding grounds. Open 9:30AM-6PM
Nairobi National Museum(2 hours)
Entry KES 1,200 (~$9 USD). Natural history, early human fossils, and Kenyan art. Adjacent Snake Park (KES 600). Botanical Garden behind the museum. Allow 2-3 hours
Lunch at K'Osewe in the CBD(1 hour)
The best Luo-style fish in Nairobi. Tilapia and ugali. ~KES 500-1,000 (~$4-7 USD). A local institution
Walk through Karura Forest(2 hours)
Entry KES 600. 1,041-hectare urban forest with caves, waterfalls, and 5+ walking trails. Popular with joggers and cyclists. 10 min from Westlands
Dinner at Mama Oliech in Kilimani(1 hour)
No-frills Kenyan institution. Their fried fish with ugali and sukuma wiki is legendary. ~KES 700 per person. Cash only. Don't be fooled by the simple setting — it's a Nairobi rite of passage
Fly or drive to the Masai Mara, East Africa's premier safari destination. Afternoon game drive to start spotting the Big Five.
Morning flight to Masai Mara(1 hour)
Safarilink or AirKenya from Wilson Airport (~$150-250 USD one-way). Or 5-6 hour drive. Flying saves a full day of travel
Check-in at safari camp/lodge(1 hour)
Budget: Mara Explorers Camp (~$150/night). Mid-range: Basecamp Masai Mara (~$300/night). Luxury: Angama Mara (~$1,500/night). All-inclusive rates
Afternoon game drive(3 hours)
Conservancy fees $70-120/day. Your guide knows where the lions, leopards, and elephants were last spotted. The golden hour light on the savanna is magical
Sundowner drinks on the savanna(1 hour)
Most camps arrange drinks at a scenic viewpoint as the sun sets. Gin and tonic overlooking the Mara plains
Full day on the Mara — dawn drive for predator activity, Masai village visit, and a second drive at golden hour.
Dawn game drive(3 hours)
Leave camp at 6AM. Predators are most active at dawn — lions hunting, cheetahs scanning the plains. July-October: the Great Migration river crossings at the Mara River
Bush breakfast(1 hour)
Many lodges arrange breakfast in the bush — white tablecloths, eggs, and coffee surrounded by savanna. A surreal experience
Masai village visit(1.5 hours)
~$20-30 USD per person. Warriors demonstrate traditional jumping dance, show their homes, and sell beadwork. Photos welcome after negotiating. Ask before photographing individuals
Afternoon game drive(3 hours)
Different routes each drive. Hippo pools, elephant herds with calves, giraffe crossing the plains. The Mara has the highest density of lions in Africa
Campfire dinner(1.5 hours)
Many camps serve dinner under the stars by a fire. The sounds of the African night — hyenas, lions, hippos — are unforgettable
Morning flight back to Nairobi. Spend the afternoon recovering and enjoying the city's café culture.
Final dawn game drive(2 hours)
One last early morning on the Mara before your flight
Flight to Nairobi(1 hour)
Safarilink or AirKenya back to Wilson Airport
Late lunch at About Thyme in Westlands(1.5 hours)
European-Kenyan fusion in a garden setting. Great salads, pasta, and fresh juices. Mains ~KES 1,200-2,000
Rest and shopping at Village Market(2 hours)
Upscale mall in Gigiri with craft shops, restaurants, and a food court. Good for Kenyan coffee, Maasai jewelry, and soapstone carvings
Last Nairobi experiences before your international flight from JKIA.
Morning at Kazuri Beads in Karen(1 hour)
Watch women hand-make ceramic beads — a social enterprise since 1977. Factory tour free. Beautiful jewelry from KES 500. Great last-minute gifts
Brunch at The Greenhouse in Karen(1 hour)
Farm-to-table in a garden setting. Eggs, pancakes, and Kenyan coffee. ~KES 1,000-1,500
Transfer to NBO airport(45 minutes)
Uber or Bolt. Use the Nairobi Expressway. Allow 3 hours for international flights. Buy Kenyan coffee and Maasai crafts at duty-free
As of January 2024, Kenya replaced visas with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Apply at etakenya.go.ke at least 72 hours before travel. Cost: $30 USD. Valid for 90 days, 3 entries. Processing takes 24-72 hours. You'll need a passport photo, travel itinerary, and accommodation details.
Use Uber or Bolt instead of hailing taxis — prices are fixed and drivers are tracked. A ride across Nairobi costs KES 500-1,500 (~$4-11 USD). Avoid walking with valuables, especially phones. Don't walk alone after dark in unfamiliar areas. The Westlands, Karen, and Kilimani neighborhoods are safest for tourists.
Never book safaris from random people at the airport or hotel lobbies. Use KWS-licensed operators — check registrations at tourism.go.ke. Budget group safaris to Masai Mara: $200-400 per person for 3 days. Solo/private tours: $400-800. Very cheap offers often mean poor vehicles and unlicensed guides.
Rush hour traffic (7-9AM, 5-8PM) can turn a 10 km drive into 2 hours. Schedule morning game drives, museum visits, and flights outside these windows. The Nairobi Expressway (toll road, KES 200-600) bypasses the worst congestion between the airport and Westlands.
Kenya's mobile money system M-Pesa is used everywhere — from restaurants to market stalls. Tourists can get a Safaricom SIM + M-Pesa at the airport (passport required, KES 200 for SIM). Load money at any Safaricom agent. This is often easier than card payments, which aren't always accepted outside malls.
Nyama choma (grilled meat), ugali (maize meal), and sukuma wiki (collard greens) cost KES 300-600 (~$2-5 USD) at local eateries. Try Carnivore restaurant for the signature game meat experience (~KES 5,000). K'Osewe in the CBD has the best Luo-style fish. Drink bottled water only.
The Masai and other communities near tourist areas will pose for photos but expect payment (KES 200-500 per person). Always negotiate before taking the photo. In cities, don't photograph military installations, government buildings, or the presidential motorcade — it's illegal and you can be detained.
SeasonalJuly marks the start of the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, Nairobi's weather is at its best, and Kenya's safari season hits full stride.
StoriesMost travelers treat Nairobi as a layover on the way to safari. That's a mistake. The city has a national park inside its borders, baby elephants being bottle-fed, and breakfast with giraffes.
