Nairobi
Kenya's vibrant capital and safari gateway. Home to the Giraffe Center, Nairobi National Park, the National Museum, and the famous Carnivore Restaurant.
About Nairobi
Nairobi is the starting and ending point for all Afrisafaris safari packages. Kenya's cosmopolitan capital city — often called the "Green City in the Sun" — serves as the main gateway via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), East Africa's busiest aviation hub. But Nairobi is far more than a transit point: it's the only capital city in the world where you can go on a game drive within city limits.
Nairobi National Park, established in 1946, lies just 7 kilometres from the city centre. Against a backdrop of skyscrapers, visitors can spot lions, rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, and over 400 bird species roaming freely across 117 square kilometres. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, located at the park's edge, is one of Africa's most successful elephant orphanage programmes.
Between safaris, guests can explore the Giraffe Centre in Lang'ata, where visitors hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes. The Karen Blixen Museum, housed in the farmhouse from "Out of Africa," offers a glimpse into colonial-era Kenya. For culinary adventurers, the Carnivore Restaurant serves exotic game meats alongside traditional dishes.
Highlights
Quick Facts
Available Safari Packages
Explore our curated safari packages that include Nairobi
Masai Mara Immersion
Nairobi → Masai Mara → Nairobi
Nairobi & Masai Mara Immersion
Nairobi → Masai Mara → Nairobi
Nairobi, Masai Mara & Coast
Nairobi → Masai Mara → Nairobi → Coast → Nairobi
Nairobi, Masai Mara & Coast Immersion
Nairobi → Masai Mara → Nairobi → Diani → Mombasa → Nairobi
Amboseli National Park Safari
Nairobi → Amboseli → Nairobi
Tsavo National Parks Safari
Nairobi → Tsavo East → Tsavo West → Nairobi
Mount Kenya National Park Safari
Nairobi → Mt. Kenya → Nairobi
Amboseli National Park Safari
Nairobi → Ruma → Nairobi
Lake Naivasha, Nakuru & Maasai Mara Safari
Nairobi → Lake Naivasha → Lake Nakuru → Maasai Mara → Nairobi
Western Circuit Safari
Nairobi → Lake Baringo → Lake Bogoria → Mt. Elgon → Kakamega Forest → Kisumu → Mfangano Island → Nairobi
Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Safari
Nairobi → Lake Nakuru → Maasai Mara → Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi City Excursion
Nairobi City Tour
History & Culture
Discover the rich heritage and cultural significance of Nairobi
From Swamp to Metropolis
Nairobi's name derives from the Maasai phrase "Enkare Nairobi," meaning "cool water." The city was founded in 1899 as a railway depot on the Uganda Railway. What began as a supply depot in a mosquito-infested swamp grew rapidly into the administrative capital of British East Africa by 1907. Today, Nairobi is East Africa's most populous city with over 4.7 million residents, hosting the only UN headquarters in the developing world (UNEP and UN-Habitat).
The Green City in the Sun
Despite rapid urbanisation, Nairobi retains remarkable green spaces. The Karura Forest, at 1,063 hectares, is one of the largest urban forests in the world. Nairobi National Park, just minutes from the CBD, is a unique wildlife haven. The city's altitude of 1,795 metres gives it a temperate climate year-round, earning it the nickname "The Green City in the Sun."
Cultural Melting Pot
Nairobi is one of Africa's most cosmopolitan cities, with over 40 ethnic communities represented. The cultural landscape reflects Kikuyu, Luo, Kamba, and Maasai traditions alongside Asian, Arab, and European influences. This diversity is reflected in its cuisine, arts scene, and architecture — from the Maasai Market to the GoDown Arts Centre and the Nairobi International Film Festival.
Wildlife & Animals
Discover the incredible wildlife that calls Nairobi home
Lions
Nairobi National Park hosts a healthy lion population — one of the few places where you can photograph lions with a city skyline in the background.
Rhinos
The park is a critical black rhino sanctuary, providing protected habitat for this critically endangered species.
Giraffes
Rothschild's giraffes at the Giraffe Centre can be hand-fed from an elevated platform.
Zebras
Plains zebras graze alongside the park roads, often visible from the highway to the airport.
Buffalos
Cape buffalo herds roam the grasslands, completing four of the Big Five within city limits.
Over 400 Bird Species
Nairobi's diverse habitats support a remarkably varied birdlife.
Safari Activities
Experience the best of Nairobi with these amazing activities
City Tours
Guided tours of Nairobi's vibrant neighborhoods, markets, and cultural landmarks including the Railway Museum and KICC.
Giraffe Feeding
Hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Giraffe Centre.
Museum Visits
Explore the National Museum's natural history galleries, botanical garden, and snake park.
Dining
From the Carnivore Restaurant's game meat experience to the Tamarind Tree's specialities, Nairobi is a food lover's destination.
Shopping
Visit the Maasai Market, City Market for curios, or upscale malls like Westgate and The Hub.
Where to Stay
Choose from a variety of accommodation options in Nairobi
Hemingways Nairobi
Boutique luxury hotel in Karen offering plantation-style elegance with Ngong Hills views.
Tamarind Tree Nairobi
Stylish city hotel known for excellent dining and a central location.
Did You Know?
Fascinating facts about Nairobi that will amaze you
Nairobi is the only capital city in the world with a national park within its boundaries — lions roam just 7 km from the city centre.
The Giraffe Centre allows visitors to feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes, of which fewer than 1,600 remain in the wild.
The Carnivore Restaurant is ranked among Africa's most famous dining experiences, described as the "Beast of a Feast."
JKIA handles over 8 million passengers annually and is the main gateway to East African safaris.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has hand-raised over 260 orphaned elephants since 1977.
Nairobi sits at 1,795 metres above sea level, giving it a cooler climate than expected for a city near the equator.
The Karen Blixen Museum is housed in the farmhouse where the author lived from 1917 to 1931, setting for "Out of Africa."
Nairobi hosts UNEP headquarters, making it the only city in the developing world with a major UN headquarters.
Uhuru Park was the site of Wangari Maathai's Green Belt Movement protests, helping her win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
The city's tech scene has earned it the nickname "Silicon Savannah," hosting major tech hubs like iHub.