Nairobi - “The City in the Sun”

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. Nairobi is a city at ease with its natural surroundings. From a safari into the world's only urban National Park to white water rafting, forest birds walks or a day spent exploring the city's colorful history; No other city on Earth has a major National Park lying at the edge of its limits where lions, rhino, giraffe and large herds of plains game roam wild and free within view of the city skyline.

The city is known as the 'city in the sun'. But its more enthusiastic fans proudly call it the 'green city in the sun’. It is filled with many things to do during the day and the night.

Amongst the cities in Africa, Nairobi has curved a niche in terms of cultural diversity and heritage. Even if you are on a short stay, there will be something for you to do. You will not fail to notice the energy and vitality of this city of almost 4 million souls.

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).

This combination of a modern cosmopolitan city and beautiful natural environs makes Nairobi a perfect home, business and holiday destination.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Nairobi National Park: This is a one of a kind tourist attraction- Nairobi National Park stands out for its vast variety of wildlife situated in close proximity and co-existence with the urban setting of the capital city.

With its diverse environments, it is home to over 400 species of birds, animals including the buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, baboon, zebra, wildebeest and cheetah and 100 mammal species. Additional attractions include: the Ivory burning site Monument, Nairobi Safari Walk, the Orphanage and the walking trails at hippo pools. The animals are in their simulated natural habitats with strict adherence to the highest standards in wild animal husbandry.

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, close to the Nairobi National Park. This Orphanage takes in elephant calves and rhinos from all over Kenya which were orphaned by poaching.


Mamba Village: Nairobi Mamba Village has over recent months earned emergent status as an important environmental education centre. Tourists and School groups i.e. wildlife & science clubs from all parts of the country regularly visit the village to discover, explore and learn about crocodiles and ostrich birds on different days throughout the week. By virtue of its widespread range of medicinal tree and plant species found in its botanical garden - Nairobi Mamba Village boasts a yet-to-be fully tapped potential, as a resource centre capable of creating environmental awareness to a broad spectrum of people.

Giraffe Center: The Giraffe Centre was started as a sanctuary for the endangered sub-species of the Giraffe known as the Rothschild - the project proved to be a great success, and now it is an environmental educational centre where the giraffe can be closely observed. One is awarded the privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world's tallest animals and even feed them by hand. By visiting the Giraffe Center, you will support the noble cause of bringing the severely endangered Rothschild Giraffe species back from the brink of extinction. It also has many warthogs.

Nairobi Snake Park.: The Nairobi Snake Park was started in January, 1961 to meet a popular attraction and to provide a research facility on reptiles, breeding of snakes. Live snakes were exhibited on experimental basis at the entrance of the Museum in 1958 which later became a popular attraction. It also offers services such as rescue and rehabilitation centre for reptiles (abandoned, confiscated, illegal collection), dissemination of information on aquarium fishes and reptiles as well as specialized talks on the same

The parks also hosts public programmes like octopus exhibition, interactive sessions with harmless reptiles and amphibians, exhibition on the birds of the Snake Park and feeding of crocodiles with live fish..

Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, 65 km from Nairobi, is centred around a 2,146-m (7,141 ft) mountain. This is a mountain forest and plain land, with a large population of Buffalo. It also serves as a refuge for Colobus monkeys, bushbuck, duiker, leopard, and a large variety of bird species.

National Treasures and Attractions

Museums
If you want to put Nairobi's rich culture into perspective, be sure to visit the several museums located in the city.

The Nairobi National Museum
The National Museum in Nairobi is the country's National Museum and largest in the city. It is home to a variety of cultural and natural history exhibits on the origin of man. The displays include prehistoric artifacts discovered by the Leakeys, over 900 stuffed birds and animals, fossils from Lake Turkana, ethnic displays from various Kenyan tribal groups as well as local artistic exhibits.

One of the major attractions at the National Museum is the People of Kenya tribal portraits by Joy Adamson (author of Born Free) and her watercolors of Kenyan flowers and plants.

The Hominid Vault contains the 'early man' section and collection of bones and fossils from the pre-historic era. A fossil of an elephant almost preserved in its entirety and a near-complete skeleton of a 12 year old homo erectus boy are also featured. Skulls of Homo Sapiens and Homo Habilis as well as a cast of the famous 'Oldpai' hominid's footprints are of particular note. The Casting Department at the National Museum in Nairobi makes cast of important fossil findings to distribute to other museums around the world.

The Nairobi Railway Museum: The Nairobi Railway Museum situated on Station Road, a short distance past the Central Railway Station, is of particular interest - the historic steam engines show the history of how the railway was constructed. On display are impressive collections of old photographs showing the first plans and maps of the city. Old plates and cutlery used in the dining cars are exhibited in the first train menu during those good old days.
An example is seen from the collection of old locomotives that form the history of the Uganda Railway - of special interest is the first class coach number 12, which was used in the filming of Out of Africa. It is the same coach from which Superintendent of Police Ryall was grabbed, dragged and devoured by the man eating lions of Tsavo in 1900.

Karen Blixen Museum: The Karen Blixen Museum located in the Karen suburb is another popular spot to include on a tour of Nairobi. Built in 1912, this Museum is actually the former house occupied by Danish Author, poet and Artist- Karen Blixen, the author of the bestselling Out of Africa novel that was later turned into an Oscar Award winning film. It is here that the Hollywood movie was based - the home -established as a museum in 1986 by the National Museums of Kenya-.is a beautiful wooden house with a magnificently kept garden at the foot of Ngong Hills which epitomizes colonial life in Africa. The museum continues to captivate visitors inspired by Karen’s life story.

Bomas of Kenya: If you want to experience the vibrant Kenyan culture but don't have to time to visit an upcountry homestead, be sure to make a date with the Bomas of Kenya. Different aspects of the local culture such as traditional villages, crafts, music and dancing are showcased at this Nairobi Tourist Destination.


Nairobi Gallery, P.O.Box 40658-00100, ☎ +25420216566. This is a museum housing only special exhibits, so the featured artwork is always changing.
Uhuru Gardens, built in remembrance of the struggle for independence, which Kenya was granted in 1963. The monument is a 24-m (79 ft) high triumphal column supporting a pair of clasped hands and the dove of peace, high over a statue of freedom fighter raising the flag. The monument is surround by fountains and lush-landscaped gardens.


US Embassy Memorial Site, (Central District), In 1998 a blast rocked downtown Nairobi. A truck had exploded next to the US Embassy building, reducing it to rubble and killing 212 people some on staff, most bystanders. The former embassy site today contains a memorial that can be visited.

Jamia Mosque, (Central District), While Jamia Mosque is tucked away in between other buildings there are striking views to be glimpsed of its intricate structure from many different angles. Easily the most impressive religious structure in the capital, the interior is off-limits to non believers


Stepping Out/Eating Out
Nairobi has top restaurants offering a diversity of cuisines, in keeping with its cosmopolitan character. The varieties you can taste here include Traditional Kenyan dishes, Ethiopian, Lebanese, Thai, Japanese, Continental, African, Indian, Italian, French, Chinese- you name it. The thrifty are well served by a variety of American type fast food outlets and small restaurants serving local foods that are scattered all over the city.

Westlands by night, Visit the bustling and hip Westlands district, which has turned into the new nightlife center of Nairobi. Many restaurants and bars line the busy Woodvale Grove and Mpaka Road. Traffic can become hectic, well into the early hours. Security is generally tight and the action spills out from packed clubs into the street.

Shopping
A day out shopping is a good way to interact with the Kenyan people. Within the city centre, you will find shops offering unique local artifacts, jewellery and paintings. Around the city, at alternate venues on alternate days, the legendary Maasai Markets offer a good bargain on cultural artifacts. Kariakor market, just outside town, is a good place for shop for authentic kiondos- sisal basketwork.

Nairobi hosts some international standard shopping malls- popular with the more affluent. The original of these include Village Market -at Gigiri near the UN offices, Sarit Centre at Westlands and Yaya Centre in the Hurling ham area. Recently however, there has been an upsurge of even more elegant and extravagant world class shopping malls, the likes of which are situated around the city.

Examples include Westgate situated in Westlands, Nakumatt Galleria located in Karen and Junction found on Ngong Road just to name a few. At these malls you will find a variety of elegant boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, Bowling alleys, cinemas and cyber cafés.


Things to Do

• Safari in central Nairobi park.
• Try the many excellent restaurants in Nairobi.
• Go dancing and be apart of Nairobi's excellent nightlife
• Go ice-skating at Panari
• Visit Village Market and Sherlocks with your friends
• Go to Maasai market and buy keepsakes for yourself and friends: On Saturday it is at Nairobi High Court parking lot, Village Market on Friday, Capital Centre on Wednesday. Prepare to haggle and as a guide, pay about half to two thirds of the asking price.
• Do something different visit Kibera, the slums of Nairobi. Guided walks are arranged by Kiberatours.
• Go-Down Arts Centre, (South of Center), ☎ +254 (0)20 555770, [6]. 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.

Smoking
Smoking is against the law out on the streets in the city center (the downtown grid area with numerous skyscrapers). There are certain smoking zones, and outside of the city center it becomes much easier to find locations where it is acceptable. However, a general rule would be to not smoke along the side of any roads or streets with pedestrians and/or vehicles. Be observant and take your cues from other smokers - if there are no smokers or cigarette butts on the ground, it is likely a non-smoking location.

Getting Out of Nairobi

Lake Naivasha: Situated 45 minutes alongside the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, the town is worth at least a day's visit and has enough to keep you occupied for two or three days. Lakeshore country clubs are a good place for lunch. You can take a boat ride on the lake to see hippos, go for a walk among zebra and giraffes on Crescent Island, ride thoroughbred horses among zebra, giraffes and wildebeest at the Sanctuary Farm, and ride bicycles among wildlife and dramatic scenery at Hell's Gate National Park.

Further afield, Nakuru National Park deservedly warrants a 1-night stay for a late-afternoon and early-morning game drive.

14 Falls, a waterfall at Thika, 35 km from Nairobi.