Safari
Tours to parks and animal orphanages
National Park within Nairobi City, the capital of Kenya
Has a Safari walk to see animals which is suitable for children who may not be comfortable being in a long drive within the park
To view animals by car in the park, early morning or when temperatures are cool is a good time. check out Kenya Wildlife Service online for park fees and logistics
419 locals recommend
Nairobi National Park
Animal Orphanage RoadNational Park within Nairobi City, the capital of Kenya
Has a Safari walk to see animals which is suitable for children who may not be comfortable being in a long drive within the park
To view animals by car in the park, early morning or when temperatures are cool is a good time. check out Kenya Wildlife Service online for park fees and logistics
The Nairobi Animal Orphanage is located in the Nairobi National Park. It serves a treatments and rehabilitation centre for wild animals. Also gives you close up view of the animals.
72 locals recommend
Nairobi Animal Orphanage
Langata RoadThe Nairobi Animal Orphanage is located in the Nairobi National Park. It serves a treatments and rehabilitation centre for wild animals. Also gives you close up view of the animals.
Giraffe Centre
Duma RoadFeed the giraffes, my favourite
Sightseeing
Machakos was the first capital city of Kenya
Good break away from Nairobi. Mlolongo is very close to Nairobi (20 min without traffic) as it borders Nairobi county.
People's park is great for picnic, zip line and boat ride. Also for jogging and relaxation.
10 locals recommend
Machakos Peoples Park
Machakos was the first capital city of Kenya
Good break away from Nairobi. Mlolongo is very close to Nairobi (20 min without traffic) as it borders Nairobi county.
People's park is great for picnic, zip line and boat ride. Also for jogging and relaxation.
Historic Building, has access ramps therefore friendly entry access, your visit is to the roof top which used to have a revolving restaurant. Now its hired out for private functions and can be revolved at the time. The rooftop has a helipad with breath taking views. Carry your camera, note book best view of Nairobi Sky line. on the ground floor there is a small coffee shop and at the end of the building a local restaurant well priced serving local delicacies. check the website for access times for the rooftop visit Kenyatta International Conference Centre online
47 locals recommend
Kenyatta International Convention Centre
Harambee AvenueHistoric Building, has access ramps therefore friendly entry access, your visit is to the roof top which used to have a revolving restaurant. Now its hired out for private functions and can be revolved at the time. The rooftop has a helipad with breath taking views. Carry your camera, note book best view of Nairobi Sky line. on the ground floor there is a small coffee shop and at the end of the building a local restaurant well priced serving local delicacies. check the website for access times for the rooftop visit Kenyatta International Conference Centre online
African Heritage House
Mombasa RoadHistoric cultural you'll love it
Shopping
The mall has a large supermarket to get your conveniences of what you will not have found in the estate mini market.
There is a restaurant mavericks with great food and coffee
There are hospital clinics and pharmacies, banks, and a variety of shops
40 locals recommend
Gateway Mall
Airport Road+Mombasa RoadThe mall has a large supermarket to get your conveniences of what you will not have found in the estate mini market.
There is a restaurant mavericks with great food and coffee
There are hospital clinics and pharmacies, banks, and a variety of shops
I reccomend the Shopping mall for the Maasai Market which is open every Wednesday at the car park. This a market with locally made items such as clothing, jewellery, bags, sandles, decor and souvenir items. Cheaper than the airport shops. There is a supermarket and 3 great restaurants, Art Cafe great for coffee, dessert, salads; Nyama Mama great food; Java coffe house. Healthy U health shop; banks;
57 locals recommend
Capital Centre
Mombasa RoadI reccomend the Shopping mall for the Maasai Market which is open every Wednesday at the car park. This a market with locally made items such as clothing, jewellery, bags, sandles, decor and souvenir items. Cheaper than the airport shops. There is a supermarket and 3 great restaurants, Art Cafe great for coffee, dessert, salads; Nyama Mama great food; Java coffe house. Healthy U health shop; banks;
Maasai Market every thursday and saturday to buy locally made items such as clothing, bags, sandles, curios, jewellery, souveniors.
The mall has restaurants, hospital clinic, pharmacies and is near the airport
19 locals recommend
Southfield Mall
Eastern BypassMaasai Market every thursday and saturday to buy locally made items such as clothing, bags, sandles, curios, jewellery, souveniors.
The mall has restaurants, hospital clinic, pharmacies and is near the airport
Swimming or conference
This is a hotel close to the apartment and has a swimming pool and garden. the rooftop restaurant has a view of the national park.
If you are traveling for business the hotel also has conference facilities
7 locals recommend
67 Airport Hotel
Muthama Access RoadThis is a hotel close to the apartment and has a swimming pool and garden. the rooftop restaurant has a view of the national park.
If you are traveling for business the hotel also has conference facilities
Food scene or conference
You can order a la carte, have a buffet or simply check in for a drink or coffee. Has great ambience and would serve as a great evening out within the neighborhood
If you are traveling for business the hotel also has conference facilities
7 locals recommend
Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport
You can order a la carte, have a buffet or simply check in for a drink or coffee. Has great ambience and would serve as a great evening out within the neighborhood
If you are traveling for business the hotel also has conference facilities
Food scene and Sight seeing
Its located in Nairobi about 20 minutes from the apartment without traffic. has a 3 restaurants with close up view of national park. each of the 3 restaurants is differently priced. Enjoy pizza, sandwich or coffee overlooking the park at the waterhole snack bar which is your entry level priced restaurant at the hotel . The sunday brunch is also great at the big five restaurant . Fine dining at Eagle steakhouse though you could have a drink or coffee early evening.
Please note, if you want to enjoy the park tour, I highly recommend you proceed with your journey to KWS Nairobi National park gate.
Emara Hotel Ole Sereni
Its located in Nairobi about 20 minutes from the apartment without traffic. has a 3 restaurants with close up view of national park. each of the 3 restaurants is differently priced. Enjoy pizza, sandwich or coffee overlooking the park at the waterhole snack bar which is your entry level priced restaurant at the hotel . The sunday brunch is also great at the big five restaurant . Fine dining at Eagle steakhouse though you could have a drink or coffee early evening.
Please note, if you want to enjoy the park tour, I highly recommend you proceed with your journey to KWS Nairobi National park gate.
Maasai Ostrich Farm
Food, see ostriches
Traveler advice
Getting around
Public matatu. Littlecab, Uber & Taxify app better
The apps will give you different travel options and are highly recommended and will pick you up at the estate.
Matatu mini buses are popular but don't always stop at designated stops. Ask price before boarding usually Kshs. 60 to town (nairobi) off peak, peak hours (Kshs. 70 to 100). Boda boda can take you to bus stop on the mombasa rd at Ksh. 30 roughly. Please note you can choose to walk to the bus stop as its 10 minutes away. If you plan to be out past 7pm I recommend using a cab to get around. Airport transfers use taxi apps or yellow airport taxi
Customs and culture
Modest dressing is welcomed, say hallo and thankyou
Whether in the estate or hotels, modesty is welcomed.
Ways to save
Eating out
If you are on a budget, enjoy home cooked food now that you've got access to the Kitchen.
Then go out to have a drink or dessert at the hotels around check out EatOut online for offers
Westlands and Karen arent too far off if you are adventurous to try out restaurants and places to visit. see magicalkenya official destination website for Kenya
Useful phrases
Useful Phrases English, French, Kiswahili
Hallo,Bonjour, Jambo, Habari (Kiswahili - see google translate for pronounciation)
Thank you, Merci, Asante
Please, s'il vous plait, tafadhali
Good bye, au revoir, kwaheri
Food, nouriture, chakula
Drink, a boire, kinyuaji
Toilet, toilette, mahali pa kujisaidia OR musaalani
Traveling with kids
Trains have space for trollers
Cab/ taxi or car hire is best to use when traveling with kids. use the apps. For full day car hire get in touch for more options.
Don't miss
Saturday Maasai Market in town has the best variety
located in Nairobi town at the High court parking. can be crowded therefore early morning is best. Otherwise go for the Maasai Markets in the malls on designated days. There it will be hassle free.
Getting around
SGR Train Service
It is nearby check their schedules. Takes 5 hours to Mombasa and approx 1 hour and a Half to Naivasha by Train. Both are tourist destinations with lots to offer.
Even if you are not travelling both Nairobi Terminus SGR and Syokimau Railway stations have great history recorded on the monuments at the entrance of the building. Have a look.
Getting around
Traffic Tips
If you are commuting to Nairobi city centre also referred to as Town; an early rise is reccomended for early meetings. travel time can easily be 1 hour to 2 hours by car peak hours. Google maps is fairly accurate on route advise. If you use the commuter train at Syokimau railway station nearby, the commute will be 40 minutes. The boda boda (motorbikes) are your best bet to get you to the train station and can be requested through the apps or use the free lance ones at the gate. Agree on price at the onset. Trip to the station is average Kshs. 100-200.
Ways to save
Wifi data for your phone
When outside the appartment, you can access free wifi from most restaurants, coffee shops and hotels. I reccomend you get a sim card for your phone (you will need government ID to register the phone number under your name) if staying for a couple of days. You can get this at the airport or the malls. Buy calling cards (airtime). Airtel ,Telkom and Safaricom have great rate in that order. Use *544# code to purchase data bundles at cheaper rates.