41 things to do in Nairobi
From lions at dawn to rooftop views, markets and nightlife, here is how to spend your days in Kenya's capital.
The best things to do in Nairobi are a morning game drive in Nairobi National Park, the Sheldrick baby elephants, feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, the Karen Blixen Museum, a city walking tour, the Maasai Market and the KICC rooftop. Beyond the city, Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate and Amboseli make great day or overnight trips.
This guide covers 30 attractions in Nairobi and 11 trips beyond the city, 41 in total, with what each is, why to go, where it is and how long to allow. If you want a guide, transport or a ticket arranged, message us on WhatsApp.
Quick comparison
| Attraction | Area | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi National Park game drive | Main Gate on Lang'ata Road | Half day (about 4 to 5 hours) or a full day. |
| David Sheldrick elephant orphanage | Inside the south-west corner of Nairobi National Park | One hour, the public visit runs 11:00 to 12:00. |
| Giraffe Centre | Duma Road | About one hour. |
| Karen Blixen Museum | Karen Road | About one hour. |
| Nairobi Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage | Main Gate | One to two hours. |
| Nairobi city walking tour | Nairobi CBD | About three hours. |
| Maasai Market | It moves between venues on set days of the week | One to two hours. |
| KICC rooftop | City Square | About one hour. |
| Kibera community tour | South-west Nairobi | Two to three hours. |
| City Market | Muindi Mbingu Street | About one hour. |
| Westlands nightlife | Westlands | An evening. |
| Madaraka Express (SGR) train | Nairobi Terminus at Syokimau | A one-way journey to Mombasa takes most of a day. |
| Nairobi National Museum | Museum Hill | Two to three hours. |
| Nairobi Snake Park | Museum Hill | About 45 minutes. |
| Nairobi Railway Museum | Station Road | One to two hours. |
| Bomas of Kenya | Forest Edge Road | Two to three hours. |
| Kazuri Beads | Mbagathi Ridge | About one hour. |
| Nairobi Arboretum | State House Road | One to two hours. |
| Karura Forest | Limuru Road and Kiambu Road | Two to four hours. |
| Oloolua Forest | Karen | One to three hours. |
| Ngong Road Forest | Ngong Road | One to two hours. |
| Uhuru Park | Uhuru Highway | About one hour. |
| Nairobi Gallery | Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway corner | About 45 minutes. |
| Carnivore restaurant | Lang'ata Road | Two hours. |
| Village Market | Limuru Road | Two to three hours. |
| Two Rivers Mall | Limuru Road | Two to three hours. |
| Parliament Buildings | Parliament Road | About 30 minutes outside. |
| Jamia Mosque | Banda Street | About 30 minutes outside. |
| Museum of Illusions Nairobi | Laxcon Court and Plaza | One to two hours. |
| Ngong Hills hike | Ngong town | Half a day. |
| Hell's Gate National Park | Near Lake Naivasha | A full day. |
| Lake Naivasha | Rift Valley | A full day. |
| Crescent Island | Lake Naivasha | Two hours. |
| Lake Nakuru National Park | Nakuru | A full day or overnight. |
| Amboseli National Park | South-east of Nairobi on the Tanzania border | Two days or more. |
| Mount Longonot | Above Lake Naivasha | A full day. |
| Fourteen Falls, Thika | Near Thika | Half a day. |
| Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park | Near Thika | Half a day. |
| Masai Mara | South-west Kenya | Two to four days. |
| Lake Magadi | South of Nairobi on the Magadi road | A full day. |
| Olorgesailie prehistoric site | Magadi Road | Half a day. |
Things to do in Nairobi
Nairobi National Park game drive
Kenya's first national park, a fenced savannah of 117 km² on the city's southern edge with lion, black rhino, buffalo, giraffe and zebra.
Why go: Nowhere else can you watch rhinos graze with skyscrapers behind them, and be back in town for lunch.
- Where: Main Gate on Lang'ata Road, about 8 km from the CBD; East Gate near JKIA.
- How long: Half day (about 4 to 5 hours) or a full day.
- Cost: Private half day $300 per group, full day $380 per group (1 to 6 guests); shared weekday tour from $75 per person. Park fees separate.
- Best time: Early morning. Gates open 06:00, and our pickup is at 05:00.
- Tip: Bring a warm layer: the open vehicle is cold at dawn.
David Sheldrick elephant orphanage
The nursery of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, founded in 1977, where orphaned baby elephants and rhinos are raised before returning to the wild.
Why go: You watch keepers bottle-feed the calves and hear each orphan's rescue story. It is the only place near Nairobi to see elephants up close.
- Where: Inside the south-west corner of Nairobi National Park, reached through Mbagathi Gate on Magadi Road.
- How long: One hour, the public visit runs 11:00 to 12:00.
- Cost: $20 for non-residents, KSh 2,000 for residents, booked in advance with the Trust.
- Best time: Arrive by 10:45; the hour starts on time.
- Tip: Pair it with a morning game drive and the Giraffe Centre.
Book the park, Sheldrick and Giraffe Centre tour
Giraffe Centre
A conservation centre founded in 1979 by Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville to breed the endangered Rothschild's giraffe.
Why go: You feed the giraffes from a raised platform at head height, a favourite with children.
- Where: Duma Road, Lang'ata, close to Karen.
- How long: About one hour.
- Cost: KSh 1,500 for non-residents, KSh 400 for Kenyan citizens. Open 09:00 to 17:00.
- Best time: Late morning, after a game drive, or mid afternoon when it is quieter.
- Tip: Walk the nature trail opposite the centre too.
Karen Blixen Museum
The farmhouse of the Danish author Karen Blixen, whose memoir Out of Africa made it famous. The suburb of Karen takes its name from her.
Why go: Guided tours of the house, gardens and old coffee machinery bring the colonial period and the film story to life.
- Where: Karen Road, Karen, below the Ngong Hills.
- How long: About one hour.
- Best time: Any time of day.
- Tip: Combine it with the Giraffe Centre, 15 minutes away.
Email Want to visit Karen Blixen Museum? Book it with us
Nairobi Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage
A KWS boardwalk through wetland, forest and savannah enclosures next to Main Gate, with a rescue orphanage beside it.
Why go: A short, easy way to see Kenyan animals and habitats up close, ideal for young children and anyone with limited time.
- Where: Main Gate, Lang'ata Road.
- How long: One to two hours.
- Cost: $25 for non-residents, KSh 405 for residents.
- Best time: Mornings, before the midday heat.
- Tip: Add it to the end of a half-day game drive.
Nairobi city walking tour
A guided walk through the Central Business District, past colonial buildings, markets, monuments and the places where Kenya's modern history was made.
Why go: A local guide makes sense of a busy city and shows you corners you would not find alone.
- Where: Nairobi CBD.
- How long: About three hours.
- Best time: Weekday mornings, when the city is lively but not yet hot.
- Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and keep valuables in a front pocket.
Maasai Market
An open-air craft market where traders sell beadwork, kikoys, carvings, soapstone, baskets and paintings.
Why go: The best place to shop for Kenyan crafts and souvenirs, with plenty of choice and room to bargain.
- Where: It moves between venues on set days of the week, including shopping malls and the city centre.
- How long: One to two hours.
- Best time: Late morning, once all the stalls are set up.
- Tip: Bargain politely and carry small notes.
Email Want to visit Maasai Market? Book it with us
KICC rooftop
The Kenyatta International Convention Centre, the cylindrical tower on City Square that is Nairobi's best-known landmark.
Why go: The rooftop helipad gives a 360-degree view across the city and, on clear days, out to Nairobi National Park.
- Where: City Square, Harambee Avenue, CBD.
- How long: About one hour.
- Best time: Late afternoon for the light, or a clear morning.
- Tip: Bring photo ID for the security check.
Email Want to visit KICC rooftop? Book it with us
Kibera community tour
A walking tour of Kibera, one of the largest informal settlements in Africa, about 6.6 km from the city centre.
Why go: Led by residents, a good tour shows community projects, small businesses, schools and artists, not just hardship.
- Where: South-west Nairobi, between Lang'ata and Ngong Road.
- How long: Two to three hours.
- Best time: Weekday mornings.
- Tip: Choose a community-run tour, and ask before you photograph anyone.
Email Want to visit Kibera community tour? Book it with us
City Market
A 1930s covered market hall in the CBD selling flowers, fruit, fish, meat and crafts.
Why go: A slice of everyday Nairobi, with bright flower stalls and curio sellers under one roof.
- Where: Muindi Mbingu Street, CBD.
- How long: About one hour.
- Best time: Morning, when the produce is fresh.
- Tip: Agree prices before you buy.
Email Want to visit City Market? Book it with us
Westlands nightlife
Westlands is the city's main nightlife district, packed with bars, rooftop lounges, live music and clubs.
Why go: Nairobi has one of the liveliest night scenes in East Africa, from Afrobeats and gengetone to jazz.
- Where: Westlands, about 4 km north-west of the CBD.
- How long: An evening.
- Best time: Thursday to Saturday nights.
- Tip: Use a registered taxi or ride app after dark, and keep it in mind before a 05:00 safari pickup.
Email Want to visit Westlands nightlife? Book it with us
Madaraka Express (SGR) train
The Madaraka Express runs on the Standard Gauge Railway between Nairobi and Mombasa, completed in 2017.
Why go: A comfortable way to reach the coast, and the line crosses Nairobi National Park on a bridge and passes Tsavo.
- Where: Nairobi Terminus at Syokimau, off Mombasa Road.
- How long: A one-way journey to Mombasa takes most of a day.
- Best time: Morning departures give the best daylight views.
- Tip: Book through the official Kenya Railways channels and arrive early for security.
Email Want to visit Madaraka Express (SGR) train? Book it with us
Nairobi National Museum
Kenya's national museum on Museum Hill, with fossils, cultural galleries, art and natural history.
Why go: The early human fossils and the bird and mammal halls give context to everything you will see on safari.
- Where: Museum Hill, off Museum Hill Road, near Westlands.
- How long: Two to three hours.
- Best time: Any day; mornings are calm.
- Tip: The botanic garden and Snake Park are on the same site.
Email Want to visit Nairobi National Museum? Book it with us
Nairobi Snake Park
A reptile park on the National Museum grounds with snakes, crocodiles, tortoises and lizards.
Why go: A safe way to see the species you hope not to meet on safari, including mambas and cobras.
- Where: Museum Hill, beside the National Museum.
- How long: About 45 minutes.
- Best time: Warm late mornings when reptiles are active.
- Tip: Do both the museum and Snake Park in one visit.
Email Want to visit Nairobi Snake Park? Book it with us
Nairobi Railway Museum
A museum beside Nairobi station, opened in 1971, telling the story of the railway that founded the city.
Why go: Climb aboard old steam engines and carriages from the Uganda Railway era, and see the photos and records of how the line was built.
- Where: Station Road, next to the old Nairobi Railway Station, CBD.
- How long: One to two hours.
- Best time: Mornings.
- Tip: Great for railway fans and children.
Email Want to visit Nairobi Railway Museum? Book it with us
Bomas of Kenya
A cultural centre opened in 1971 with traditional homesteads of Kenya's communities and a dance troupe.
Why go: The daily dance show is a lively introduction to Kenyan music and culture.
- Where: Forest Edge Road, Lang'ata, about 10 km from the CBD.
- How long: Two to three hours.
- Best time: Afternoon, for the performance.
- Tip: Close to Main Gate, so easy after a game drive.
Email Want to visit Bomas of Kenya? Book it with us
Kazuri Beads
A workshop in Karen where local women hand-make and paint ceramic beads and pottery.
Why go: A short workshop tour where you see each step of the craft, with a shop at the end.
- Where: Mbagathi Ridge, Karen.
- How long: About one hour.
- Best time: Weekday working hours.
- Tip: Combine with the Karen Blixen Museum next door.
Email Want to visit Kazuri Beads? Book it with us
Nairobi Arboretum
A wooded park founded in 1907 by Batiscombe to test trees for forestry, now a calm public space.
Why go: Shaded paths, monkeys and birds, minutes from the city centre.
- Where: State House Road, Kilimani.
- How long: One to two hours.
- Best time: Early morning or weekend afternoon.
- Tip: Join the joggers and picnickers on a Sunday.
Email Want to visit Nairobi Arboretum? Book it with us
Karura Forest
A 1,041 hectare urban forest gazetted in 1932, with trails, a waterfall, caves and bike paths.
Why go: One of the largest forests inside any city, perfect for a walk, run or ride.
- Where: Limuru Road and Kiambu Road, north of Westlands and Gigiri.
- How long: Two to four hours.
- Best time: Mornings.
- Tip: Hire a bike at the gate and ride to the waterfall.
Email Want to visit Karura Forest? Book it with us
Oloolua Forest
A 618 hectare forest in Karen, gazetted in 1932, with a waterfall, caves and a nature trail along the Mbagathi River.
Why go: Quieter than Karura, with good birding.
- Where: Karen, next to the old Blixen farm lands.
- How long: One to three hours.
- Best time: Mornings.
- Tip: Wear grippy shoes for the waterfall path.
Email Want to visit Oloolua Forest? Book it with us
Ngong Road Forest
A forest sanctuary about 6 km from the CBD with walking and cycling trails.
Why go: An easy green escape between Kilimani and Karen.
- Where: Ngong Road, between Dagoretti and Karen.
- How long: One to two hours.
- Best time: Mornings.
- Tip: Go with a group or guide.
Email Want to visit Ngong Road Forest? Book it with us
Uhuru Park
A 12.9 hectare park beside the CBD, opened on 23 May 1969, with a boating lake and lawns.
Why go: The city's public meeting ground and a good place to watch Nairobians at leisure.
- Where: Uhuru Highway, beside the CBD.
- How long: About one hour.
- Best time: Weekend afternoons.
- Tip: Walk on to Central Park next door.
Email Want to visit Uhuru Park? Book it with us
Nairobi Gallery
An art gallery in a 1913 building at Kipande House corner, a national monument since 1995.
Why go: Small, peaceful and right in the CBD, with Kenyan art and heritage exhibits.
- Where: Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway corner, CBD.
- How long: About 45 minutes.
- Best time: Midday break from the city.
- Tip: Pair with the city walking tour.
Email Want to visit Nairobi Gallery? Book it with us
Carnivore restaurant
A restaurant famous for its open charcoal pit and waiters carving roast meat from Maasai swords at your table.
Why go: A classic Nairobi night out. Game meat is no longer served, following the 2004 ban.
- Where: Lang'ata Road, near Wilson Airport.
- How long: Two hours.
- Cost: The "Beast of a Feast" set menu is a fixed price of 4,950 per person on the official site.
- Best time: Dinner, from 18:00.
- Tip: Lower the flag on your table when you have had enough. Official site.
Email Want to visit Carnivore restaurant? Book it with us
Village Market
An open-air shopping and dining centre in Gigiri, near the UN offices.
Why go: Shops, restaurants and a regular Maasai Market in one place.
- Where: Limuru Road, Gigiri.
- How long: Two to three hours.
- Best time: Afternoons and weekends.
- Tip: Combine with Karura Forest across the road.
Email Want to visit Village Market? Book it with us
Two Rivers Mall
A mall opened in February 2017 with shops, restaurants and an observation wheel.
Why go: A family day out with rides and dining in the north of the city.
- Where: Limuru Road, Ruaka.
- How long: Two to three hours.
- Best time: Evenings, when the wheel is lit.
- Tip: Close to Gigiri and Runda hotels.
Email Want to visit Two Rivers Mall? Book it with us
Parliament Buildings
The seat of Kenya's Parliament, with its clock tower on Parliament Road.
Why go: A landmark of the CBD, best seen on a city walking tour.
- Where: Parliament Road, CBD.
- How long: About 30 minutes outside.
- Best time: Daytime.
- Tip: Public galleries need advance arrangements. Do not photograph security staff.
Email Want to visit Parliament Buildings? Book it with us
Jamia Mosque
Nairobi's main mosque, with silver domes and minarets in the heart of the CBD.
Why go: A striking building and a reminder of the city's long coastal and Asian links.
- Where: Banda Street, CBD.
- How long: About 30 minutes outside.
- Best time: Outside prayer times.
- Tip: Dress modestly if you are invited inside.
Email Want to visit Jamia Mosque? Book it with us
Museum of Illusions Nairobi
An interactive museum of optical illusions, mirror rooms and photo set-ups.
Why go: Fun for families and anyone who likes photos, and a good rainy-day option.
- Where: Laxcon Court and Plaza, Swaminarayan Road, Parklands.
- How long: One to two hours.
- Best time: Any time; weekdays are quieter.
- Tip: Official site.
Email Want to visit Museum of Illusions Nairobi? Book it with us
Ngong Hills hike
A ridge of peaks south-west of Nairobi rising to about 2,460 m, famous from Out of Africa.
Why go: A ridge walk with views over the Rift Valley on one side and Nairobi on the other.
- Where: Ngong town, about an hour from the CBD.
- How long: Half a day.
- Best time: Early morning, before the wind and cloud.
- Tip: Hike with a ranger or a guided group.
Email Want to visit Ngong Hills hike? Book it with us
Day trips beyond Nairobi
The Rift Valley lakes, Hell's Gate and the hills around Thika are all within a day's drive. Amboseli and the Masai Mara need at least an overnight.
Hell's Gate National Park
A park gazetted in 1984 with cliffs, Fischer's Tower, a gorge and geothermal steam at Olkaria.
Why go: One of the few parks where you can cycle and walk among zebra and giraffe.
- Where: Near Lake Naivasha, in the Rift Valley.
- How long: A full day.
- Best time: Dry months.
- Tip: Walk the gorge with a local guide.
Lake Naivasha
A freshwater lake in the Rift Valley known for hippos and birdlife.
Why go: Boat rides, birding and easy access from Nairobi.
- Where: Rift Valley, north-west of Nairobi.
- How long: A full day.
- Best time: Any season.
- Tip: Leave early to beat the Rift Valley road traffic.
Crescent Island
A peninsula sanctuary in Lake Naivasha where you walk among giraffe, zebra and wildebeest.
Why go: A walking safari without predators.
- Where: Lake Naivasha, reached by boat.
- How long: Two hours.
- Best time: Mornings.
- Tip: Pair it with a boat ride.
Lake Nakuru National Park
A Rift Valley park with rhinos, lions and flocks of flamingos when water levels suit them.
Why go: Excellent rhino viewing.
- Where: Nakuru, north-west of Nairobi.
- How long: A full day or overnight.
- Best time: Dry months.
- Tip: Ask about current flamingo numbers before you go.
Amboseli National Park
A 392 km² park famous for big elephant herds below Kilimanjaro.
Why go: The place for wild elephants, which Nairobi National Park does not have.
- Where: South-east of Nairobi on the Tanzania border.
- How long: Two days or more.
- Best time: Dry months, clear mornings for the mountain.
- Tip: Visit our Amboseli safari site.
Mount Longonot
A dormant volcano in the Rift Valley with a hike up to the crater rim.
Why go: A demanding hike with huge views.
- Where: Above Lake Naivasha.
- How long: A full day.
- Best time: Dry months, early start.
- Tip: Carry plenty of water.
Email Want to visit Mount Longonot? Book it with us
Fourteen Falls, Thika
A wide waterfall on the Athi River near Thika, about 42 km north-east of Nairobi.
Why go: An easy half-day escape.
- Where: Near Thika.
- How long: Half a day.
- Best time: After the rains, when the falls are full.
- Tip: Combine with Ol Donyo Sabuk.
Email Want to visit Fourteen Falls, Thika? Book it with us
Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park
A forested mountain park rising to 2,145 m, with buffalo and views over the Athi plains.
Why go: Quiet forest drives near the city.
- Where: Near Thika.
- How long: Half a day.
- Best time: Dry months.
- Tip: Pair it with Fourteen Falls.
Email Want to visit Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park? Book it with us
Masai Mara
Kenya's most famous reserve, home of the great migration.
Why go: Big cats and huge herds.
- Where: South-west Kenya.
- How long: Two to four days.
- Best time: July to October for the migration.
- Tip: Fly or drive from Nairobi.
Lake Magadi
A soda lake in the southern Rift with pink flats and flamingos.
Why go: Dramatic landscapes and hot springs.
- Where: South of Nairobi on the Magadi road.
- How long: A full day.
- Best time: Dry months.
- Tip: It is very hot; go early.
Email Want to visit Lake Magadi? Book it with us
Olorgesailie prehistoric site
An archaeological site 67 km south-west of Nairobi on the Magadi road, famous for Acheulean hand axes.
Why go: Stand where early humans made tools.
- Where: Magadi Road.
- How long: Half a day.
- Best time: Mornings.
- Tip: Combine with Lake Magadi.
Email Want to visit Olorgesailie prehistoric site? Book it with us
Getting around Nairobi
Most visitors get around Nairobi by private driver, registered taxi or ride app. Traffic is heavy at rush hour, roughly 06:30 to 09:30 and 16:30 to 20:00 on weekdays, so group sights by area.
Lang'ata and Karen hold the park, the Sheldrick nursery, the Giraffe Centre, the Karen Blixen Museum, Kazuri and Bomas, so they fit neatly into one day. The CBD holds KICC, City Market, the Railway Museum, the Nairobi Gallery, Parliament and Jamia Mosque, all walkable with a guide. Westlands, Parklands and Gigiri hold the National Museum, the Museum of Illusions, Karura Forest, Village Market and most of the nightlife. The Nairobi Expressway speeds up trips between JKIA and Westlands. Matatus, the colourful minibuses, are cheap and part of the city's culture, but they are best tried with a local guide on your first ride.
Plan your days
With one day, do a 05:00 pickup and morning game drive, then the Sheldrick nursery at 11:00 and the Giraffe Centre after lunch. With two days, add a city walking tour, the KICC rooftop and the Maasai Market. With three or more, add a day trip to Lake Naivasha or Hell's Gate.
Where you sleep affects your pickup time. See where to stay in Nairobi, arrange JKIA airport transfers, and read the park guide before your drive. Short on time between flights? Try a JKIA layover safari.
Want us to plan your Nairobi days?
Tell us your dates, hotel and interests. We arrange guides, transport and tickets.
Start your days in the park with the park guide, choose a base with where to stay in Nairobi, and if you are only passing through, read the JKIA layover guide and JKIA airport transfers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Nairobi?
A morning game drive in Nairobi National Park. It is the only national park inside a capital city, with lions and rhinos minutes from the CBD.
Can I see the Sheldrick elephants, the Giraffe Centre and the park in one day?
Yes. Start with the game drive at 06:00, reach the Sheldrick nursery for 11:00 and the Giraffe Centre after lunch.
Is a Kibera tour respectful?
It can be, if you choose a community-led tour run by residents and ask before taking photos.
What can I do in Nairobi at night?
Westlands has the city's busiest bars and clubs, and Carnivore on Lang'ata Road is a classic dinner. There are no night game drives in the park.
What are the best day trips from Nairobi?
Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate, Crescent Island, Lake Nakuru, Fourteen Falls and Ol Donyo Sabuk all work as day trips.
Where is the Maasai Market?
It moves between venues across the city on different days. Ask us for the current day and place.
Updated 24 October 2026.
Book this safari
Send the date, the group, and the pickup. We confirm availability on WhatsApp or email, with the tour price and the park fees to budget. See our deposit and cancellation policy.