Nairobi: what to see in Kenya's gateway city

Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, sits at about 1,800 m above sea level, and it is where most travellers land before a safari. The city can be covered in one or two days: it has a national park a few kilometres from the centre, a giraffe centre, an elephant orphanage, museums and Karen Blixen's house. The business district is dense and congested; most of the sights are in the south-west, towards Langata and Karen.

Highlights

The downtown towers

The business district seen from a distance, in contrast with the savannah of the neighbouring park.

Nairobi National Park

A real safari park a few kilometres from the centre: see Nairobi National Park.

Giraffes and elephants

The Giraffe Centre and the Sheldrick elephant orphanage are the two most popular visits.

The museums

The Nairobi National Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum.

Our guides that feature it

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