Affordable places to visit in Nairobi

Affordable places to visit in Nairobi : Nairobi’s closeness to some of the largest wildlife parks in East Africa has made it synonymous with safaris and wild animals. However, the capital of Kenya is also a bustling, urban metropolis with lots to do, places to explore, and sights to see. With markets and eateries ready to keep you occupied (and well-fed) before you venture into the forest, the city has also developed into a fantastic culinary destination. Nairobi, which was a British colony until Kenya attained independence in 1963, is an intriguing blend of the old and the new, African and European.

Nairobi National Park

This unique national park is just 7 km from Nairobi and is one of the few places in the world where wild animals live side by side with big structures in a urban settings. Because the 117 square km park is open to the Kitengela plains, animals can graze freely. Among other huge African animals, the park is home to lions, leopards, rhinos, hippos, African buffalo, giraffes, spotted hyenas, and the Nile crocodile. Many species now call the park home, and wildebeests utilise it as part of their annual migratory route. You can interact directly with a variety of animals who have been discovered injured or abandoned at the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, which is also located within the park. These creatures include adorable new born buffalo, jackals, hyenas, and cheetahs and baboons. Try the Nairobi Safari Walk, an elevated wooden boardwalk that offers fantastic views into the park so you can observe a variety of animals, if you want to have a nice time by yourself.

Giraffe Centre

Since its establishment in 1979, this natural reserve, which is 20 kilometres outside of Nairobi, has been home to giraffes. The giraffes were first bred and reintroduced to the neighbouring Ruma Game Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park with the help of the centre. At the sanctuary, you may feed the resident giraffes (approved-only food is available after arrival), give them a kiss, or stroke their ears. It has become one of the most popular activities in Nairobi these days. A tea house ideal for giraffe viewing, a fantastic 1.5 km nature trail, and an information centre are all located on the property. A herd of Rothschild giraffes are known to invite themselves to breakfast by poking their necks through the windows of the 12-room boutique hotel Giraffe Manor, which was built in the 1930s, and shares grounds with the rescue centre.

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a orphanage for young elephants harmed by poaching, habitat loss, or conflicts between humans and wildlife, is situated within Nairobi National Park. These mentally damaged baby elephants are cared for at the orphanage, where they learn survival skills in preparation for their eventual return to the wild. Since elephants in the wild stay with their moms for several years, rehabilitation is a difficult and drawn-out procedure. Visitors are welcome to visit and enjoy a bottle of milk while watching the infants play in the mud. To prevent upsetting the animals, entry is strictly by reservation only, so be sure to book in advance before deciding on your trip itinerary. The Reintegration Unit is open to guests staying at the park’s SWT Eco Lodges. There, people may observe the orphans and their wild friends enjoying drinks at sunrise and sunset as well as their lunchtime mud and dust bath.

Nairobi Arboretum

This is a terrific place to start exploring the city’s green side if you’re itching for an hour-long walk in the outdoors. The arboretum, which spans 74 acres and is open daily from sunrise to sunset, features walking pathways, expansive open places for picnics, and wonderful shaded spots for relaxing and taking in the peace. The birdwatching and butterfly viewing are both really good, so bring your camera and binoculars if you have them. As you go about, you may learn about the area flora thanks to the labelling of the plants and trees, as well as the presence of Sykes and Vervet monkeys.

Bomas of Kenya

The Bomas of Kenya is a tourist village and cultural centre designed to provide visitors a better knowledge of the various ethnic communities that call the region home. Every boma, or village is made to resemble a traditional farmhouse belonging to a particular tribe and includes information about their way of life and culture. Traditional dances and live string, percussion, and wind instrument performances are available in a spacious theatre. There are more than fifty dances from various ethnic groups throughout the daily performances. The dances are vibrant and portrays kenya past and culture. The Utamaduni Restaurant offers a broad range of traditional food such as the Gikuyu’s speciality of mukimo made from potatoes and the distinctive Abagusii’s matoke made of plantain bananas.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Once home to a vast flock of flamingos, this national park is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although they have been gradually returning in recent years, flamingos were forced to relocate to locations with better food supplies due to fluctuations in the lake’s water level. Numerous other animals, like as impalas, rhinos, and Rothschild giraffes, can also be found in the park. The park’s tiny lake, which is home to the returning flamingos, a sizable flock of pelicans, and more than 400 different bird species, such as the Northern puffback, African Fish Eagle, and Goliath heron, is its main draw.

Lake Nakuru is within a protected region inside lake Nakuru National park. Lake Naivasha which is also in Nakuru is an excellent site to go on a boat tour, where you may see giraffes, hippos, and a variety of birds. These Kenya tours typically include a trek to the top of an extinct volcano, a stop to take pictures of breathtaking cliffs, and a visit to Hells Gate National Park.

Langata Botanical Garden

Langata is a terrific place to spend a couple of hours because it’s a beautifully designed garden with luscious meadows, a lake full of colourful fish, and more than 200 different indigenous plants. Explore the numerous medical plants that beautify the gardens, walk around to find flowers and trees, and bring your camera to photograph the many birds that call the gardens home. There is lots of space for picnics and numerous shaded sitting spots around the park, making it a particularly popular location for outdoor gatherings like weddings. There is a tiny restaurant on the site in case you forget to pack food.

KICC Views

The breathtaking views from the top of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) are unmatched by any of Nairobi’s taller structures. For a 360-degree perspective of Nairobi and its numerous buildings and parks, ascend to the top of the 30-story skyscraper. You can watch the sun setting over the city access to KICC is permitted until 8 p.m. KICC is mostly used for conferences, exhibitions, and special events. It is frequently included in city tours that also include visits to other well-known destinations such as the Railway Museum, the Nairobi National Museum, and a Maasai market. This is a fantastic method to discover more about the history and the local Nairobi.