Things To Do In Nairobi

We are back to the states after our amazing trip to Kenya and as I was going through the hundreds of photos we took, I decided to come up with a list of some interesting things to do while in Nairobi. This list could be longer as there is a lot more that I did not cover but at least it gives you an idea of where to start.

Kenya National Archives

If you like art and history you might enjoy a visit to the Kenya National Archives which was established in 1965 and holds a large number of public records and archives that give you an opportunity to learn about the rich history of Kenya. It's open Mon - Fri 8:00 am to 5 pm and Saturdays 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, entrance fee is Kshs. 50 ($.50) for Kenyan citizens and Kshs. 200 ($2) for non-residents.

Central Business District

If you like the fast pace of the city then consider a visit to the Central Business District (CBD). You can walk around the busy streets checking out the numerous shops, stop by one of the many restaurants to grab a bite to eat or just observe people. There is never a dull moment at the CBD and it gets quite crowded during the week as many people work and conduct business there, If you don't like crowds then try going on a Sunday when its quieter.

Nairobi Arboretum 

The Nairobi Arboretum is the perfect spot for you if you are seeking peace and tranquility. One of the few remaining green spaces in the city, it has walking/jogging paths shaded by trees and picnic areas where you can enjoy a meal surrounded by nature. You can also do some bird watching and get an opportunity to learn about the different species of trees. We went during the week and it was so quite and peaceful, during the weekend it is busier but I think its still worth checking out. Entrance fee is Kshs. 50 ($.50) for adults and Kshs. 20 ($.20) for children, the preferred method of payment is with a card or M-Pesa.

Nairobi National Museum

I would highly recommend a visit to the national museum because of what it has to offer. This museum does not only display the very interesting history and culture of Kenya but it gives you a very good opportunity to learn about the animals and birds found in the country, history of early mankind and also has a section for contemporary art. You could spend hours here and if you have kids, there is an area that caters to them. You can also walk around the museum grounds which happen to be very pretty and well shaded with numerous trees, entrance into the museum is Kshs. 200 ($2) for Kenyan citizens and Kshs. 1200 ($12) for non citizens.

Maasai Market

What is a visit to Nairobi without visiting the famous Maasai Market? this is where you buy all those lovely Kenyan jewelry, paintings, carvings, clothes.......you name it! there is a wide variety of lovely things to get here. Maasai Market has different locations within the CBD on different days so if you are not sure how to get to it on a particular day, ask around and someone will be sure to point out the location to you. This market is not limited to only the central business district, you can find it at various malls within the city as well. Beware that prices change according to location, items sold at a Maasai Market in an upscale area will certainly be different than those sold at let's say the CBD. Feel free to bargain here, don't be ready to accept the initial price that the vendors tell you.

Animal Watching:

If you love animals but don't want to or can't go on a safari, worry not because within Nairobi you can visit the Giraffe Center, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Nairobi National Park to enjoy some wildlife. The best part about it is that you can easily visit all three within the same day if you have a car. Driving in Nairobi is not for the faint of heart but thankfully there are other cheap options like Taxify and Uber that you can take advantage of.

Night Out:

Nairobi has a lot of bars and clubs that cater to different preferences, nightclubs run till very late so you will definitely need a lot of stamina to keep you going. Some of us retired from the night life so this is not my area of expertise but I got to reconnect with an old high school friend and she took us bar hoping before ending the night at this one club called Kiza that plays a good variety of African music from different countries. It was a fun night albeit tiring, we left at 4:00 am and people were still coming in!

That's it folks! this trip was indeed amazing and I am so glad we got to take it as I got to re-connect and bond with my family plus show my husband where I come from. We actually took a trip down memory lane with my family by visiting our first house where we grew up, it brought up so many priceless memories. I hope you have enjoyed my posts and do follow me on my next adventures as I have one last trip of the year in 3 weeks time so watch out for an update.