Kenya · City Guide
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's vibrant capital and the gateway to East Africa's premier safari destinations, combining the unique experience of Nairobi National Park — the only national park within a major city boundary — with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage, the Giraffe Centre, an excellent contemporary restaurant and arts scene and outstanding access to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and the wider Kenyan safari circuit. From elephant encounters to game drives within sight of the city skyline, Nairobi provides a remarkable introduction to African wildlife.
Elect's take
"Nairobi is one of the few cities in the world where you can have a genuine wildlife encounter — lions, giraffes, rhinos — with the city skyline visible in the background. The combination of this unique urban wildlife experience with the gateway role to Kenya's extraordinary safari circuit makes it an essential part of any East African journey."
Nairobi National Park, just 7 kilometres from the city centre, is the only national park in the world located within a major capital city, providing genuine game drives with lions, rhinos, giraffes and buffalo against the backdrop of Nairobi's skyline. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust provides an extraordinarily moving experience watching orphaned elephant calves being fed and cared for, with the opportunity to adopt an elephant. The Giraffe Centre provides close encounters with endangered Rothschild's giraffes. The Maasai Mara, one of the world's greatest wildlife reserves and home to the Great Migration, is accessible by short domestic flight. The contemporary restaurant and arts scene in Nairobi has developed significantly.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Nairobi National Park
The only national park in the world within a capital city, with lions and rhinos near the skyline.
David Sheldrick Trust
A moving elephant orphanage experience with the opportunity to adopt orphaned calves.
Giraffe Centre
Close encounters with endangered Rothschild's giraffes.
Maasai Mara Gateway
Access by short domestic flight to one of the world's greatest wildlife reserves.
Nairobi Restaurant Scene
An increasingly sophisticated contemporary dining and arts culture.
East Africa Gateway
The primary gateway to Kenya's extraordinary safari circuit including Amboseli and Tsavo.
