Nairobi
Green City in the SunNairobi, (taken from the Maasai Nyrobi meaning place of cool waters) is aptly known as the ‘Safari Capital of the World'.
A bustling and vibrant city, Nairobi has a population of approximately 2 million people and came into being in May 1899 as an artificial settlement created by the European builders of the East African railway at Mile 327. Easily the largest city in East Africa, Nairobi is also the youngest, the most modern, the highest (at 1700 m) and the fastest growing.
As the birthplace of the safari, Nairobi is a natural starting point for most safari itineraries. Indeed nearly all of the famous safaris of colonial history set off from here, some with lines of ‘bearers' miles long. It also features a wide range of cultural and social venues, some of which are listed below"
National Museum of Kenya
Where: Museum Hill, off Uhuru Highway
Email: nmk@africaonline.co.ke www.museums.or.ke
Kenya's famous Nairobi National Museum has recently undergone an 8 million Euro rehabilitation programme funded by the EU and now offers an extensive range of galleries including those containing the skulls of some of mankind's earliest ancestors.
The Railway Museum
Where: To the west of Nairobi station and visible from Uhuru Highway
Open: Daily 08.15 to 14.45pm.
Established in 1971 to preserve and display the steam locomotives and rolling stock of the then East African Railways, the museum has an eclectic collection of memorabilia from the history of the Uganda railway, from its infamous beginnings, when numerous workers perished at the jaws of the man-eating lions of Tsavo, to the present.
The Karen Blixen Museum
Where: Karen Road, 10 km west of the city centre
Open: Daily 09.00 to 18.00.
Home of Karen Blixen, author of the famous novel ‘Out of Africa', who lived here between 1914 and 1932. Donated by the Danish government in 1963, the house is now a museum. There's a museum shop on site and the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden is close by.
Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art (RAMOMA)
Where: Rahimtulla Tower, Upper Hill Road
Open: Mon-Fri: 09.30 to 16.30. Sat: 09.30 to 13.00. Entry free.
The RAMOMA gallery hosts a series of revolving exhibitions by Kenyan and international artists displaying mainly paintings and sculpture. Art workshops are also regularly held in the gallery space.
Gallery Watatu
Where: City Centre, Lonrho House, Standard Street
Open: Mon-Sat: 09.00 to 18.00. Sun: 10.00 to17.00.
A formal gallery and regular showcase for sculpture, paintings, screen prints and etchings.
MatBronze
Where: 2 Kifaru Lane, off Langata South Rd, Karen
Open: Mon-Fri: 08.00 to 15.30. Sun: 10.00 to 17.30.
Matbronze is a gallery displaying bronze sculptures, mostly of wildlife.
AFEW Giraffe Centre
Where: Koitobus Road, Langata
Open daily: 09.00 to 17.30. Daily.
Email: info@giraffecentre.org
An African Fund for Endangered Wildlife project, the giraffe centre features a number of Rothschild's giraffes, the most rare of Kenya's giraffes.
The Bomas of Kenya
Where: Forest Road off Langata Road;
Open: 09.00 to 16.30 daily.
Email: Bomas@africaonline.co.ke
A cultural and entertainment centre, the Bomas of Kenya showcases African culture and dance. There's also an African theme village and the ‘nyama choma boma' restaurant serving traditional Kenyan food.
Kenya National Theatre
Where: Central Nairobi, opposite the Norfolk Hotel
The National Theatre showcases a wide range of contemporary and classic events.
Nairobi Arboretum
Where: Located on Arboretum Road, off State House Road.
Open: Daily - entry free and unlimited.
The Arboretum offers a collection of more than 350 species of indigenous and exotic plants, as well as over 100 bird species. Footpaths, jogging trails and picnic spots.
Nairobi Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage
Where: KWS park headquarters on Langata Road
Open: 08.30 to 17.30 daily.
A refuge for abandoned and orphaned animals with educational and walking facilities.
Nairobi National Park
Where: KWS Headquarters, Langata Road, Nairobi.
Open: 06.00 to 19.00 daily.
Just 10 minutes from the city centre, Nairobi National Park is unique. An oasis of green and rolling plains it offers over 100 recorded species of wildlife to include rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, crocodile and hippo. Easily accessed by taxi, it can be negotiated by 2WD vehicles and offers a mini Kenyan safari, which can easily be done in a morning. Click here for more information (link to dedicated page)
