A plan for Nairobi

History

The word Nairobi is derived from a water hole known in Maasai as Enkare Nyorobi, which means "cool waters". Nairobi, which had been a swamp area, was founded in 1899 as a railway camp for the Uganda Railway. By 1905, the city had become the capital of Kenya (then the British East Africa Protectorate), supplanting Mombasa and Machakos, the previous capitals. With the spread of plagues in the early 1900s, the town was burnt down and had to be rebuilt. Having a railway helped it to grow rapidly, becoming the second largest city in Kenya behind Mombasa. Nairobi also grew due to administration and tourism businesses (mostly big game hunting).

The British presence led to the creation of big hotels primarily for the British hunters. After independence, some descendants of the British settlers remained in Nairobi and obtained Kenyan citizenship, and today form Kenya's white community. Nairobi also has an East Indian community, who are the descendants of the labourers who built the railway and the merchants who set up shop during colonial times. After independence, Nairobi airport became the principal entrance point to Kenya and it still is today, although it has lost some of its importance to Mombasa.

Climate

Nairobi has a subtropical highland climate. At 1,795 metres above sea level, evenings may be cool, especially in the June/July season, when the temperature can drop to 9 °C.

The sunniest and warmest part of the year is from December to March, when temperatures average in the mid-twenties Celsius during the day. The mean maximum temperature for this period is 24 °C.

Tourist information

There does not seem to be a physical general tourist office in Nairobi. The Kenyan Tourist Board's website Magical Kenya has information about the capital too.

Nairobi is known as the safari capital of Africa; however, the city has still managed to keep up with modernization. Unlike other cities, Nairobi is surrounded by 113 km² (70 mi²) of plains, cliffs and forest that makes up the city’s Nairobi National Park. The city is filled with many things to do during the day and the night. Tourists can have their pick from numerous safaris (wildlife, cultural, sport, adventure, scenic and specialist), ecotourism tours, restaurants, culture, shopping and entertainment. While in Nairobi, tourists can also engage in numerous sports from golf, rugby, athletics, polo, horse-racing, cricket and football (soccer).

1 Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) (Central District). The best place to get that far ranging view over the sprawling, congested metropolis that is Nairobi. You can go up to the saucer-shaped top of the conference centre's round viewing tower and depending on smog and fog, you might be able to see as far as the slums and the national park. Ksh 500 (non-citizens). (updated Dec 2025)

2 August 7 Memorial Park (US Embassy Bombings Memorial Site) (Central District). In 1998 a truck bomb blast rocked downtown Nairobi. The US Embassy building had been the target of a terrorist attack, reducing it to rubble and killing 213 people, mostly bystanders, and leaving more than 4,000 injured. On the same day, the US embassy in Dar es Salaam was also subject to a similar attack which killed 11 people and injured 85. 21 people were charged, including Osama Bin Laden. The former embassy site today contains a memorial park, with a monument engraved with the names of every victim. Ksh 30. (updated Dec 2025)

3 Westlands by night. Visit the bustling and hip Westlands district, which has turned into the new nightlife centre of Nairobi. Many restaurants and bars line the busy Woodvale Grove and Mpaka Road. A visit to 'Tree house' club is a must if you are looking for a spacious one and crowd outnumbered with expats, rather than the otherwise congested natives dominated ones. Traffic can become hectic, well into the early hours. Security is generally tight and the action spills out from packed clubs into the street. (updated Dec 2025)

Art and shopping

1 Go-Down Arts Centre (South of Centre), ☏ +254 20 555770. A former warehouse turned arts centre - this has also happened in Nairobi and this spot allows you to get a glimpse of what contemporary Kenyan artists are up to, including exhibitions, performances and discussions.

2 Kazuri Beads shop. Started in 1977 the workshop of beads is adjacent to Karen Blixen's Museum. It was started by an English woman to provide sustainable income to poor Kenyan women. Has beautiful jewellery created of clay brought from the areas surrounding Mt. Kenya.

3 Village Market. Visit Village Market and Sherlocks.

Food and drink

Try excellent food. Nairobi has a great variety of international food. For more information see the Eat section.

Nightlife. Go dancing and be a part of Nairobi's excellent nightlife. For more information see the Drink-section.

Local life

4 Oloo’s Children Center (OCC) (Kibera), ☏ +1 616 987-1106. Lend a hand at the volunteer-operated school, take a tour of Kibera, and have a cup of tea with the OCC Founder. The founder of the school lives in Kibera and works to provide children in need with education and meals.

Sports and physical activities

Ice-skating. Go ice-skating at Panari.

The 5 Ngong Racecourse - Horse flat-racing takes place three Sundays a month, and is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Hiking: there are several good hiking places near Nairobi, e.g. in the Chyulu Hills or Ngong Hills.

The Ngong Forest Reserve is 25 km south west of Nairobi. It is a popular walking and picnicking venue. In Ngong is a station where you have to pay the park entry fee, and those who want to also for a guide. There is only one route, the walk from Ngong to Corner Baridi (Kiserian), which takes about 4–5 hr; you hardly can get lost. Also organized hiking tours are offered.

Other nice places for hiking are the Mount Longonot National Park and the Menengai Crater, a massive shield volcano with one of the biggest calderas in the world, in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya. It is the largest volcano caldera in Kenya and the second largest volcano caldera in Africa

Safari

Nairobi is the capital of safaris in Kenya. There are tour operators from budget to world class all over the city. Yet it is not easy find the best fitting. For important things to consider when booking, see Kenya#Safaris.

Nairobi has a wide range of Indian restaurants that speaks to the significant South Asian community in Kenya. The city also offers other restaurants specializing in different European and Asian cuisine. Restaurants serving international cuisines can be found in downtown and in the areas of Westlands, Hurlingham, Kilimiani, and Lavington. Among the many cuisines available are Italian, Brazilian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, German and French restaurants.

In addition, there are several local restaurants that cater to local cuisine like sukuma wiki (green spinach-like vegetable, 'Kale' in English), ugali (corn bread, ground maize flour and made to a tasty white bread/porridge form), nyama choma (literally: meat roast), chapati and other specialities.

There are also many of the internationally well-known fast-food chains in the city and they are also very popular with the Kenyan youth.

Budget

1 Hot dishes (5 restaurants around Nairobi). A chain restaurant serving local food. Several venues in Nairobi CBD. Spacious with ample seating, reasonably clean. Mains Ksh 180-450 ksh. (updated Dec 2025)

2 KK Restaurant, Koinange Street and Standard Street (in CBD of Nairobi), ☏ +254 718210110. 06:00-19:00. A downtown eatery well-known for featuring economical African fare such as beef stew with managu, goat meat, grilled tilapia, porridge, maize, njahi, minji, kienyeji, etc, plus breakfasts. Sometimes service can be a bit slow, but it is a well-liked place. (updated Dec 2025)

3 Roast House, Ngariama Lane. In the city centre facing the matatu station on Tom Mboya Rd. Regular local prices with more selection, excellent food, friendly service. Very busy at lunchtime. (updated Dec 2025)

4 Habesha, Arwings Kodek Road. daily 9AM-11PM. Near Yaya centre- great Ethiopian food for around USD5-6, although they serve Nescafé coffee rather than the traditional Ethiopian freshly-roasted beans. around Ksh 1000. (updated Dec 2025)

5 Red Sea, Mbono Road. An authentic Eritrean restaurant located on the top floor of China Centre on Ngong Road near the Chinese embassy. Meals cost around Ksh 500 and the food is excellent, with nice traditional coffee ceremony. (updated Dec 2025)

Mid-range

Nairobi has a fantastic array of mid-range eateries.

1 New Florida Clubs (F1), Kenyatta Avenue/Koinage Street. The New Florida, locally known as Madhouse or Madi, is in the heart of Nairobi on Koinange Street. (updated Dec 2025)

2 Pango (F3):, Harambee Avenue, ☏ +254 20 229-036, info@floridaclubskenya.com. Commerce House, 1st Floor. The latest addition to the Florida Group. (updated Dec 2025)

3 Shooters & Dips Cocktail Lounge, Mombasa Road (Panari Sky Centre,Mombasa Road opp Simba Colt Offices,5km from JKIA), ☏ +254 787 637948. Daily from 17:00. Handpicked music by the DJ. The bar offers a varied food menu along with a long list of signature cocktails, fine wines and liquors. Ksh 250. (updated Dec 2025)

4 Mercury Lounge ABC, ABC Place (Off Waiyaki Way), ☏ +254 722 309947. Daily 16:00-late. An upmarket modern cocktail and tapas bar. A delicious tapas and bitings menu, and the best cocktails and high end spirits array in Nairobi. All major imported and local wine and beers are available chilled to perfection. A popular hangout for expats, well to do locals and local business leaders. Ample parking and good security make this one of Nairobi's more popular spots. Shooters and cocktails range US$3-6 with shooters and high end, globally popular wines and spirits USD6-15. All major credit cards accepted.. (updated Dec 2025)

5 Klub House 1 (K1), Ojijo Road (is located along Ojijo Road in Parklands), ☏ +254 20 374 9870, info@klubhouse.co.ke. Live music, cocktails. (updated Dec 2025)

6 Choices Lounge and Restaurant, Karen Road, ☏ +254 72 648 5228, mmuchami@yahoo.com. Great place to watch Formula 1. (updated Dec 2025)

7 Black Diamond (Mradi). Many expats and travellers and has a cover band that plays very good music. A lot of ladies of the night here, always after the expats. (updated Dec 2025)

Be careful getting around Nairobi. Traffic is very bad like any other major city, but if you use common sense and a local or guide you should be able to get where you want.

By car

Hiring a car is convenient as it allows you the freedom to explore Nairobi at your own pace. Most rental companies in Nairobi offer self-drive and chauffeured options respectively. You will find that a large fleet of cars available for hire are Japanese: Toyota, Nissan or Mitsubishi. You can hire both automatic and manual transmission. All rental cars are right-hand drive. Hiring a vehicle with a driver or chauffeur is advisable due to the generally lower standards of driving, average to poor road conditions and the overall cost effectiveness of not having to pay a deposit on hiring a vehicle which is the case with a self drive vehicle.

The car rental rates are often determined by the number of days and estimated mileage per day. Some car hire companies will give you a rate that is 50% cheaper but either give you a contract with a clause limiting you to visit the specific locations, an old car or require a hefty deposit. The rates are cheaper if you are hiring the car for a week, a month or are looking for a lease. Most car rental rates include unlimited mileage, PSV comprehensive insurance, theft and damage waivers.

The driver and fuel are charged separately with some companies requiring that you hire a driver if you are taking a large 4X4/4WD (e.g. a Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser j70, Range Rover, Land Cruiser VX, Land Rover discovery).

Although a good number of local car hire companies are reliable, you should either take photos of the car before the hire, or carefully note the dents or scratches on the car and agree. In addition, carefully read the rental contract to check for rules on insurance liabilities in case of accident or theft of the vehicle.

Here are some reliable car hire companies in Kenya:

Nairobi Car Hire offer good services for 4x4 and other categories of cars.

Nairobi has a reputation for thievery. Beware of snatch and grab, con artists, or groups of people following you. Scams are elaborate and can involve up to 10 or more people working together. The best advice for a tourist is to stay in the city centre, know where you are at all times, and pretend you know where you're going (even if you don't). If you find yourself in an unfamiliar area your best bet is to find a taxi (although you will probably pay dearly if the driver suspects a panicked westerner!) Don't carry large quantities of money or passports on the street, and assume that anyone trying to engage you is up to no good or trying to sell you something. If you stay smart and play safe, without going around much after dark, Nairobi can be a safe place to stay. Most locals are honest people who will happily help you if you approach them. The areas where you have to take special care are: Globe Roundabout, Archives, Ambassadeur, Muthurwa Market, around Nation Centre, Landies Road, Nyamakima, Kirinyaga Road, and Uhuru.

Kenyans are proud people and there is not a lot of begging like you find in some other countries. Some opportunistic people will hang around shopping centres and beg, but they will generally accept a simple 'sorry' and leave you alone if you do not give. Many of these 'beggars' are middle-class kids or adults who have realised they can profit from exploiting white guilt, and should not be encouraged. If you are ever lucky enough to visit a slum as a local (not on some perverse tourist safari) you will discover the poorest of the poor do not even beg.

Outside of tourist and expat communities, young children will become excited at the sight of a white person and may come running towards you to try to shake your hand while yelling out 'mzungu' (white person) or 'how are you?'. Older kids are more reserved, and you should be wary of kids who are older than 9 or 10 who are trying to distract or get close to you.

Slums should be avoided by tourists as you will attract a lot of attention which can quickly turn into a dangerous situation.