Nairobi City, Kenya, East Africa

Basic Facts - Nairobi City, Kenya

Nairobi, city, capital of Kenya. It is situated in the south-central part of the country, in the highlands at an elevation of about 5,500 feet (1,680 metres). The city lies 300 miles (480 km) northwest of Mombasa, Kenya’s major port on the Indian Ocean. Nairobi started simply as a depot stop on the East African Railway constructed from Mombasa to Kampala, Uganda. As the railroad developed, so did Nairobi and before long it was the administrative center of operations of the British Protectorate. In those early days the overnight trains ran from Nairobi going east to Mombassa or west to Kampala. The East African Railway is no more since it was broken up in the 1970's but Nairobi is still the main tourist doorway city to East Africa. Today's Nairobi boasts a population of over 4 million people and it is one of the most contemporary cities in sub-Sahara Africa. Today, the Nairobi's skyline is dominated by ultra-modern high rise buildings and is a tourism and commercial hub. Nairobi is now a vibrant city with a mix of races and cultures, providing the visitor with several sightseeing options such as museums, a national park, golf courses, world-class hotels and resorts, stylish restaurants and posh night clubs. Nairobi can now be confidently described as a lively, interesting and pleasant cosmopolitan city. Its central business district is a great place to tune into modern urban African life.

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More About The City of Nairobi, Kenya

The modern Nairobi is still the safari capital of the Africa, but the modern world has quickly caught up with the city. A frontier town no more, Nairobi has become one of Africa’s largest, and most interesting cities. The city has not lost its sense of the past, with an excellent museum and the historical home of Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa open to visitors. This is not a modern capital separated from the great wilderness that surrounds it. Just outside the city is Nairobi National Park, 113 sq kms of plains, cliffs and forest. The park is home to large herds of Zebra, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Giraffe and more. Rhino, Cheetah, and a large number of Lions are all found here, living wild within 20 minutes of the centre of town.

The city is well served by roads and railways. The main routes are southeast and south to Mombasa and Tanzania and northwest via the highlands to Lake Victoria and Uganda. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, 9 miles (15 km) to the southwest, is one of the chief international airports in Africa. Nairobi is served by highways that link Mombasa to Kampala in Uganda and Arusha in Tanzania. These are earmarked to ease the daily motor traffic within and surrounding the metro area. Major plans are being implemented in the need to decongest the city's traffic and the completion of Thika Road has given the city a much needed face-lift attributed to road's enhancement of global standards. Several projects have been completed (Syokimau Rail Station, the Eastern and Northern Bypasses) while numerous other projects are still underway. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the largest airport in Kenya. Domestic travelers made up 40% of overall passengers. In February 2017, JKIA received a Category One Status from the FAA boosting the airport's status as a Regional Aviation hub. A number of morning and evening commuter trains connect the centre with the suburbs, but the city has no proper light rail, tramway, or rapid transit lines. A proposal has been passed for the construction of a commuter rail line.

Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city. In addition to its urban set-up, the city has the Nairobi National Park, a large game reserve known for breeding endangered black rhinos and home to giraffes, zebras and lions. Next to it is a well-regarded elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Nairobi is also often used as a starting point for safari trips elsewhere in Kenya. Below are some of the most notable places of interest for visitors;

Nairobi National Park was established in 1946, and is world famous for being the only National Park to be found within a capital city in the whole world. Being a mere 8 miles from the city centre, the parks vegetation is primarily savannah and plains and has areas of highland forest, acacia and riverine environments. It hosts over 100 animal species such as the rhino, lions, cheetahs (with an exception of the elephant) and an amazing 500 plus bird species.

The Kenya National Museum is located within Nairobi City and is an excellent place to visit while in the city. The museum is famous the Leakey prehistoric artefacts plus some of Kenya's best preserved tribal artefacts that date back hundreds of years. Other sights within the museum include well preserved birds, butterflies, wildlife remains and snakes.

Karen Blixen Museum, the historic house of Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke, (17 April 1885 – 7 September 1962), a Danish author also known by her pen name Isak Dinesen. Karen Blixen is best known for Out of Africa, her account of living in Kenya, and one of her stories, Babette's Feast, both of which have been adapted into highly acclaimed, Academy Award-winning motion pictures. Karen Blixen, at which the movie ‘Out of Africa’ was based, is located in the outskirts of the city within serene gardens. A visit to this museum provides an opportunity to step back in time and gain an insight into this remarkable woman's life. Views of the Ngong Hills can be admired from the beautifully landscaped gardens of the museum. The house is ideally located near the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden Restaurant, gallery and gift shop which echo themes of the museum.

Boma means house or homestead and Bomas of Kenya here simply means tribes of Kenya. There are over 40 ethinic tribes in Kenya and it is at Bomas of Kenya where you can learn about the traditional way of life of each of these tribes. A walk to the numerous "bomas" (homesteads) reflecting Kenya's cocktail of cultures have been re-created for visitors to experience the traditional village life of the People of Kenya. The highlight of this tour is the colorful display of folk dances from various tribes performed in a splendid arena.

The Giraffe Manor Africa's pride of international celebrity. Since its founders, Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville, rescued a baby giraffe named Daisy from a heavily-poached area of western Kenya in 1974, their home has become a household name among wildlife lovers world-wide - and Daisy a star in her own right. Today, Daisy's home has been opened to the world - and provides what is felt is the very best place to begin or end your safari or if in a conference or transit it worth coming close to wildlife from the bustle of the city where you feed giraffes with your own hands and have the closest touch!

David Sheldrick Elephant orphanage where you come close to elephant calves! Daphne Sheldrick As part of the David Sheldrick Conservation Foundation rehabilitates baby elephants and other wildlife here at her home just outside of Nairobi National Park. These babies have lost their mothers to poaching, death, injuries, on getting lost in the wild or other tragedies. Daphne and her dedicated staff raise them to be released back into the wild when they are ready. Its worth visiting and see humanitarian care to the wildlife and the heart it takes to care. They charge a small entrance fees instead you can buy a souvenir or donate for the conservation.

The Carnivore Gourmet Experience also described as 'Meat Eaters Paradise' or Africa's Greatest Eating Experence! The restaurant is voted as one of the top 50 best restaurants in the world. It's recommended for dinner at start or end of your safari or a treat out from your hotel. Carnivore is a 'must visit' for anyone who loves Barbeque. This is a Barbeque Restaurant with a difference in that not only do they serve your normal beef, pork and chicken but Game meat as well!!!. Gazelle, Giraffe, Gnu, Zebra, Crocodile, Hartebeest and Ostrich are some of the specials that you will find on the menu. The meat is roasted on a huge charcoal BBQ right at the entrance to the restaurant. The meat comes with special sauces which are Carnivore's secret. Carnivore is an 'eat to your full' restaurant and you are guaranteed very good wining and dining.

AfriChoice operates a wide range of carefully designed tours and excursions in and around Nairobi City by providing transport and experienced guide for you. Our safari consultants will always be at your assistance should you need a tailor-made tour of Nairobi. NB: For more information regarding Nairobi visits and tours, DO NOT hesitate to Contact Us.