8 Best Things to Do in Nairobi City: Excursions & Day Tours

Kenya is no doubt one of the most popular travel destinations in Africa. And although a huge number of tourists come to explore magical wildlife safaris and fascinating white sandy beach, Nairobi, Kenya’s capital has a lot to offer. Indeed, it’s so captivating to make Nairobi part of your adventure, either before or after wildlife tour and beach vacation.

It’s quite amazing that this cosmopolitan capital is the only world city with national park within its borders. In a 15 minutes’ drive from the skyscrapers at the city center, you can experience true African wildlife adventure.

Here are 8 things to do while in Nairobi, Kenya:

Nairobi National Park

The presence of National park within Nairobi makes it very a unique city globally. The park is located just 7 km from Nairobi central district, on the city’s southern outskirt. It’s home to wide variety of wildlife, which at time can be seen against a background of city skyscrapers and planes landing at Wilson Airport.

The park is rhino sanctuary, protecting more than 50 black rhinos, making it home to world’s highest concentration of these species. Lions and hyenas are common sights. Cheetahs and leopards are more elusive, thus may need more patience and some luck. Buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, ostriches and gazelles are regularly seen wildlife here. More than 400 species of bird have been recorded in park’s wetlands.

Ivory burning site is a popular spot in the park, where President Moi in 1989, torched 12 tons of elephant tusks and rhino horns, in a bid to boost country’s conservation image. You can visit the monument marking this historic site during your tour to Nairobi National park.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

This is orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation center. Established in 1977, after the death of David Sheldrick, an antipoaching warden of Tsavo National Park. With his wife Daphne, they pioneered methods of nurturing orphaned black rhinos and elephants, and later reintroducing them into the wild. The Orphanage retains close relationship with Tsavo National Park even now. It’s located on plot within Nairobi National Park.

Visit the center and watch these cute creatures up close, as they play in mud and drink from giant baby bottles. The visiting hours are between 11:00 am to 12:00 pm daily

Nairobi National Museum

The place to learn about Kenya’s rich heritage, cultures, history and art. Located just 10 minutes from city center, the Museum has a rich collection and cultural artifacts dating back to the earliest prehistoric remains. Conspicuously displayed, are skeletal discoveries of homo habilis, by popular archaeologists, Richard and Mary Leakey.

View more than 800 stuffed birds and mammals, fossils from Lake Turkana and amazing ethnic displays from diverse tribal communities. Adjacent to the Museum, is Snake Park, with fascinating live specimens display of Kenya’s reptile’s species.

Giraffe Centre

The centre protects the endangered Rothschild giraffes. Here you can hand-feed, pet or even kiss the giraffes. Warthogs are also commonly seen here snuffling about in the mud. The centre offers great nature education and remains one of Kenya’s success conservation stories. Located near Nairobi National Park. Day trip to giraffe Centre & David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is ideal adventure, with Bomas of Kenya in the afternoon.

Karen Blixen Museum

Located at the foot of the Ngong Hills, the Museum is former home of the popular ‘Out of Africa’ author, Karen Blixen. Explore the Museum and see perfectly preserved colonial farmhouse, photographs and books.

The place was made famous by the Oscar-winning ‘Out of Africa’, and it gives and fascinating story of colonial era in the country. Some of frequent visitors here included Prince of Wales and Denys Finch Hatton, who she courted. Enjoy the fascinating views of the surrounding hills as you explore the belongings of this famed author.

Bomas of Kenya

Located about 10km from Nairobi city centre, Bomas of Kenya is cultural, traditions and heritage hub. The place to learn and see the cultures of Kenya’s diverse tribes – lifestyle, art, music and crafts.  A tour of traditional homesteads from all Kenya communities is conducted to give a glimpse of how they lived. Traditional dances, including acrobatic tumbling are performed in the afternoons. And you are free to join the performances and immerse yourself in the experience.

Dine at the Carnivore

This is Kenya’s most popular nyama choma – barbecued meat – place. It has been named by UK Magazine Restaurant, as one of the best restaurants globally in 2002 and 2003. Great feasting Centre, wide variety of meat – beef, pork, chicken and farmed game meats including crocodile and ostrich.

Nairobi Safari Walk

Located just outside Nairobi National park entrance, the fascinating nature board walk, with wide variety of wildlife, including big cats (Leopard, Lion, Cheetah), hippo, bongo, zebras and white rhinos. And a lot birds’ species. Kids will love the place, as it allows them to get closer to wild animals than possibly in a National Park.