Travel to Nairobi
Travel to Nairobi
Located in southern Kenya, Nairobi is East Africa's largest urban centre, with a population approaching four million people. It was founded in 1899 as a railway camp and has since grown into one of Africa's cultural and economic hubs. Today, Nairobi is the largest city in Kenya, with the busiest airport, and it serves many tourists as a gateway into Eastern Africa.
Transportation to Nairobi
Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta Airport is the largest East African airport, with an annual throughput of four million passengers. Inbound flights to this airport hail from multiple countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
The Kenya Railway's train station is located near the city centre and handles mostly freight shipping, with a few passenger trains embarking after dark. Most of these passenger trains head to Mombasa and Kisumu. A few local lines also head into the Kenyan suburbs.
Buses are a popular form of travel in Nairobi. The recently overhauled Matatu buses adhere to safer regulations than they used to; and these colourful vehicles handle the burden of local transportation. Larger coaches travel to outlying cities, with the bulk of the traffic heading to Mombasa and the out-lying villages.
The A104 and the A109 are the citys two principal highways. The A104 connects Nairobi to Namanga and Tanzania, while the A109 runs southeast to Mombasa and the Tsavo National Park. Taxis are available to hire in Nairobi, if not a little expensive. Generally, driving alone after dark is not advisable.
What to see
Nairobi gives visitors a chance to experience a large, urban centre which is juxtaposed against the African landscape of big game. Nairobi National Park is one of the city's quintessential attractions, where visitors can come and view Kenyan wildlife in a setting that is very close to the city. Another wildlife centre, the AFEW Giraffe Centre, is dedicated to rehabilitating the Eastern African Rothschild's giraffe.
There are many interesting museums to see in Nairobi. The National Archives at the city centre contain all manner of documents and reference materials related to the Nairobi region. The National Museum is located just outside of Nairobi and holds exhibits on the regions art, culture, history and geology. Finally, the exhibits at the Railway Museum relate to the city's foundation as a railway town in the early 20th century.
Daytrips
There are many places to explore in Nairobi's immediate surrounding areas and suburbs. Karen Blixen's house is located in the suburb by the same name, Karen. This author wrote the book Out of Africa in 1937 and once lived in Nairobi on a coffee plantation. Today, her home has been converted into a museum and a garden with accommodation on-site.
Many safari operators offer day and overnight trips into the parks and reserves. These tours are fully equipped with a guide, vehicle and all camping equipment so that tourists can fully enjoy this unique experience without the burden of bringing in or purchasing their own supplies.
Activities and leisure
Nairobi has all the offerings of a large urban centre. A wide range of restaurants serve local and international cuisine in a variety of settings. Any sort of big game makes a popular dish for visitors. The city's bars and discos are open nearly all night, and many of the more reputable establishments can be found inside the larger hotels.
There's a festival in October, which is primarily attended by locals, the Nairobi Agricultural Show. It's also possible to embark on outdoor excursions and safaris from the city.
Safety issues
Nairobi has its fair share of violence and crime, enough to have captured the attention of the UN in 2001. Tourists are warned to always be on their guard, not only against more serious crime, but also against petty theft and pick-pocketing.
It's best not to venture out after dark, even in groups, except in the most populous areas. We strongly advise that you take out a travel insurance policy to protect you, your family and your assets against potential loss and injury.