Nairobi Holidays
Nairobi
Holidays
Africa's most dynamic capital — giraffes in the city, orphaned elephants and the gateway to Kenya's greatest safari parks
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Flight Time
8–9h from London (direct on Kenya Airways & British Airways)
Best Time
Year-round (pleasant climate at 1,795m altitude)
Country
Kenya
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Nairobi Holiday Guide
Nairobi is Africa's most dynamic capital city and the gateway to Kenya's greatest safari parks. Most Kenya holidays begin and end in Nairobi — allow at least 1-2 nights to explore the city's extraordinary wildlife attractions, food scene and cultural sites.
The Karen and Langata suburbs are the best areas to stay — quieter and greener than the city centre, close to the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Elephant Trust and Karen Blixen Museum, and 15 minutes from Wilson Airport (domestic flights). The Westlands neighbourhood has the best restaurants and nightlife.
Nairobi National Park is unmissable — a morning game drive in the park (lions, rhino, giraffe against the city skyline) is one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences in Africa. Book the Sheldrick Elephant Trust visiting hour (11am daily) in advance online — it sells out weeks ahead.
Nairobi is at 1,795m altitude — the climate is pleasant year-round (18-25°C), never too hot and rarely cold. The long rains (April-May) and short rains (November) bring afternoon showers but mornings are usually clear.
We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best Kenya holiday deals including Nairobi city breaks.
Popular Areas in Nairobi
Average Temperatures
Jan
24°C
Feb
25°C
Mar
24°C
Apr
22°C
May
20°C
Jun
19°C
Jul
18°C
Aug
19°C
Sep
21°C
Oct
22°C
Nov
22°C
Dec
23°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Nairobi
The urban wildlife, elephant orphans, colonial history and vibrant food scene that make Nairobi one of Africa's most surprising and rewarding city destinations.
Nairobi National Park — Wildlife & City Skyline
Nairobi National Park is one of the most extraordinary wildlife areas in the world — a 117 square kilometre national park on the southern edge of the city, where lions, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and over 400 bird species roam against the backdrop of Nairobi's skyscrapers. The park is the only national park in the world within a capital city. Black rhino are regularly seen — Nairobi NP has one of the highest densities of black rhino in Kenya.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust — Elephant Orphans
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi National Park is one of the most moving wildlife experiences in Africa — a rescue and rehabilitation centre for orphaned baby elephants (orphaned by poaching or human-wildlife conflict). The daily public visiting hour (11am) allows visitors to watch the baby elephants being bottle-fed, mud-bathing and playing — an extraordinary and emotional experience. The trust has rescued and rehabilitated over 250 elephants since 1977.
Giraffe Centre — Hand-Feed Rothschild Giraffes
The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Giraffe Centre in the Karen suburb is one of Nairobi's most popular attractions — a breeding centre for the endangered Rothschild giraffe (one of the rarest giraffe subspecies) where visitors can hand-feed the giraffes from an elevated platform at eye level. The giraffes are completely habituated to humans and will take food pellets directly from your hand (or mouth, if you're brave). The centre has successfully bred and released over 40 Rothschild giraffes into the wild.
Karen Blixen Museum — Out of Africa
The Karen Blixen Museum in the Karen suburb (named after the author) is the former home of Karen Blixen (pen name Isak Dinesen), author of Out of Africa — the memoir of her life on a coffee farm in Kenya from 1914 to 1931. The house has been preserved as it was during Blixen's time and contains original furniture, photographs and memorabilia. The beautiful gardens and views of the Ngong Hills make it one of the most atmospheric sites in Nairobi.
Bomas of Kenya — Cultural Village
The Bomas of Kenya in Langata is a living cultural village showcasing the traditional homesteads, music and dance of Kenya's 42 ethnic groups. Daily performances of traditional dances (including the extraordinary acrobatic Giriama dance and the Maasai warrior jumping dance) are held in the main theatre. The homesteads (bomas) of different ethnic groups — Kikuyu, Luo, Maasai, Samburu, Turkana — are open for guided tours.
Nairobi Food Scene — Africa's Best
Nairobi has the best restaurant scene in East Africa — a cosmopolitan city of 4 million people with excellent Kenyan, Indian, Ethiopian, Lebanese, Japanese and European restaurants. The Westlands and Kilimani neighbourhoods have the best concentration of restaurants and bars. Carnivore Restaurant (game meat barbecue, a Nairobi institution since 1980), Talisman (Karen, excellent Kenyan-fusion), Habesha (Ethiopian, Westlands) and Java House (Kenyan coffee chain, excellent breakfast) are all recommended.
Maasai Market — Crafts & Souvenirs
The Maasai Market is a rotating outdoor craft market held on different days of the week at various locations around Nairobi (Village Market on Fridays, Yaya Centre on Saturdays, ABC Place on Sundays). The market has the best selection of Kenyan crafts in the country — Maasai beadwork, Kikuyu baskets, Kisii soapstone carvings, Makonde wood carvings, batik fabrics and semi-precious stone jewellery. Bargaining is expected and part of the experience.
Nairobi — Gateway to Kenya's Safari Parks
Nairobi is the hub for all Kenya safari travel — all domestic flights to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and the coast depart from Wilson Airport (15 minutes from the city centre). Most Kenya safaris begin and end in Nairobi with 1-2 nights in the city. The Karen and Langata suburbs (home to the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Trust and Karen Blixen Museum) are the most pleasant areas to stay — quieter, greener and closer to the national park than the city centre.
Explore Nairobi on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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