Top 11 tourist attractions in Nairobi city

Top 11 tourist attractions in Nairobi city

Top 11 tourist attractions in Nairobi city  : Nairobi city is the capital city and largest city in Kenya situated in Nairobi county in central region of Kenya, the city covers an area of 696 square kilometers and it is named after a Masai slag Enkare Nairobi which translates into cool water in reference to Nairobi River which flows through the city. Nairobi city was founded in 1899 by the colonial masters of the British East Africa as a centre for the colony’s coffee, tea and sisal industry.

Nairobi city is not only a capital city but it is a prominent tourist destination with many breathtaking tourist attractions which are a reason to why the city is always crowded with tourists, Nairobi has many tourist attractions but this article highlights and explains top 11 tourist attractions and sites you should visit in Nairobi city.

1. Nairobi national park

Nairobi national park is an amazing site and the only national park situated in the city in Africa, the park is the first national park in Kenya covering an area of 117 square kilometers and situated just 10 kilometers from the Nairobi center along Langata road.  Nairobi national park is a haven for a variety of Kenya wildlife such as lions, gazelles, buffaloes, warthogs, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and also a rhino sanctuary. The park is also a bird paradise hosting a huge population of birds over 400 bird species such as ostriches, Abyssinian thrush, Corncrake, Fischer’s lovebird, Grey crowned crane, Hartlaub’s bustard, Jackson’s widowbird, Kori bustard, Lappet-faced vulture, lesser kestrel, Martial eagle, Pallid harrier, Secretary bird, Sharpe’s longclaw, Sooty falcon, White-bellied bustard, White-headed vulture and many more.

Nairobi national park’s most famous site is the ivory burning site where 12 tons of elephant tusks and horns were ignited, the burning site monument is a historic site boosting conservation efforts of the country. Nairobi national park offers many Wildlife Kenya safari activities such as nature walks, game viewing, picnic lunch and many more.

2. The giraffe center

The giraffe centre is a non- profited center situated on the edge of Nairobi national park along Langata road, the center hosts endangered Rothschild’s giraffes and its main mission is to provide conservation to children. The giraffe center displays information about the giraffes, the center offers a visitor face to face encounter with these amazing giraffes and has a raised platforms which allows you to feed the giraffes at eye level.

Giraffe center offers a 1.5 kilometers self-guided forest walks where you can get enjoy the amazing nature and the long necked creatures the giraffes.

3. David Sheldrick wildlife trust

David Sheldrick wildlife trust is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation founded in 1977 by Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her late husband David who was a warden of Tsavo national park, David Sheldrick wildlife trust is situated along Mbagathi Road and it was found primarily to care for young abandoned elephants and rhinos. While your visit in the park you get to engage in feeding the young elephants and rhinos and you get to encounter these beautifuk creatures playing in the mud.

4. Bomas of Kenya

Bomas of Kenya of Kenya is an entertainment and a living museum showcasing and celebration various cultures and tribes of Kenya, Bomas of Kenya is situated on the forest edge road off Langata Road, Mageso chamber 10 kilometers from the centre of Nairobi city. Bomas of Kenya consists of a recreated traditional village with homesteads/ bomas with each showcasing and depicting the some of the major tribes in Kenya. Every afternoon is the peak moment as traditional dances and songs are performed in a large theater for the entertainment of the visitors and celebration of culture.

5. The Karen Blixen museum

The Karen Blixen museum is one of the most sought for attractions in Nairobi city situated along Karen road just 10 kilometers from the city centre at the foothills of Ngong hills, the museum is a former house for African-Danish author Karen Blixen a famous for her book “Out of Africa”. Karen Blixen lived in the house in the period of 1917-1931 where she ran a coffee plantation, upon your visit at the museum you are offered a tour in the well preserved colonial farm house and as you walk you will encounter a kitchen in separate building, a coffee- drying plant in the woodlands and an agricultural college on the grounds. In the museum there is a display of furniture that belonged to Karen Blixen and her husband, photographs and books.

6. The Nairobi national museum

The Nairobi national museum in Nairobi city is situated on the Museum hill road just a few hours’ drive from the city centre, the museum displays diverse cultural and natural history of Kenya, exhibits local arts, over 900 stuffed birds from lake turkana and ethnic groups of Kenya. The Nairobi national museum is one of the sites you ought to visit if you are interested in learning about the history, culture and politics of Kenya, the museum consists of

A geology gallery – the gallery displays an impressive collection of rocks and minerals, in this gallery you get to learn more about the tectonic plates and the life cycle of the volcanoes.

The Hominid vault – the vault contains and showcases a collection of prehistoric bones and fossils such as preserved fossil of an elephants

 The Nairobi national museum is situated adjacent to the entrance of the snake park where you can see live specimens of reptiles and there is a combined ticket for tourist to visit these two sites.

7. Kazuri beads factory

Kazuri beads factory in Nairobi city is situated in Mbagathi Ridge, Karen, the factory is a great site to visit while in Nairobi as it sells and displays beautifully unique souvenirs and gifts you can buy at a reasonable price as memory for your safari. The factory is named from a Swahili slag Kazuri meaning small and beautiful, the factory show cases shiny, brightly colored beads and while at the factory you get to engage in a tour around the factory and on this tour you will sight local women most especially single mothers making beads and other pottery items from scratch.

8. Kenyatta international convention centre

Kenyatta international convention centre formerly known as Kenyatta international conference centre is a unique and architectural impressive structure constructed in a distinctive cylindrical shape, Kenyatta International Convention Centre is a 28-story building standing at the height of 195 meters above the sea level with floor area of 225,000 square meters, the centre is located in the city square of Nairobi on Harambee Avenue and it is one of the top places in Kenya hosting international and national conferences and meetings.

Kenyatta International Convention Centre was beautiful built in resemblance color of local African huts and its central penalty hall resembles the ancient roman senate, though this building is not the tallest building in Nairobi, from its roof top you can enjoy panoramic views of Nairobi city.

9. Nairobi Rail museum

Nairobi Rail museum in Nairobi city is situated along Uhuru road adjacent to Nairobi railway station, this museum showcases and celebrates the rich history and the impacts of the railroad system in Kenya to its development. Nairobi rail museum was open in 1971 by East African Railways and Harbors cooperation showcasing defunct East African railway, the museum showcases/exhibits a collection of

• train and ship models
• photographs from the original construction of the Uganda railways
• railway magazines
• maps and drawings
• a silver service set used on overnight trains to Mombasa
• a collection of steam locomotives including a model of the MV Liemba built by the Germans

In Nairobi rail Museum the most favorite item on display is the carriage used during the process of hunting for the man eater of Kima in 1900 which dragged Captain Ryall, Captain Charles Ryall was a British colonial officer who positioned himself in the carriage as a bait so that they can shoot a man eating lion, unfortunately he fell asleep in his carriage and he was dragged out of the widow by the lion.

10. Ngong hills

Ngongo hills are unmissable features in Nairobi city situated in the Great Rift Valley, Mageso chamber near the town of Ngong, these hills are peaks in a ridge along the Great Rift Valley and their name is derived from a spring located near Ngong town. The spring’s name was named from a Masai phrase “enkong’u emuny” meaning rhinoceros spring which was anglicized as Ngong. Ngong hills stands at the altitude of 2,460 meters and overlooks Nairobi city from the north, Nairobi national park from the eastside and the Great Rift Valley as it drops over 1,000 meters below from the western slopes.

Ngong hills used to host many farms belonging to the white settlers during the colonial regime in Kenya and as of current half-timbered houses and flowering gardens are still present as a mark to the former residents. Ngong hills as an attraction and a site to visit is a home to wildlife species such as Buffalo, gazelles, giraffes, bushbuck, occasional klipspringer and troupes of baboons which are seen grazing on the road side. The hills also features several walking tails offering spectacular and breathtaking views as they transverse the hills.

11. Kenya national archives

Kenya national archives is situated on the edge of the central business in downtown Nairobi along Moi Avenue next to Ambassadeur hotel in Moi Avenue, this national archives was established by an act of the parliament of Kenya in 1965 and it was put under the responsibility and supervision of the office of the Vice president and state department for National Heritage and culture. Kenya national archives is housed on the old bank of India building and the building of the archives also houses the Murumbi gallery which displays African artifacts collected in the 19^th century. The national archives show cases Kenyan tribal culture, history, politics and unique Kenyan art, the main floor of the gallery displays important historical documents and collection of photographs showcasing the political life of Kenya. The gallery also displays painting and artifacts belonging to collection of one of Africa’s most famous exhibitor and collector Murumbi.

The second floor of the Kenya national archives houses more art, a display of postage stamps and the national archives reading room which is used for personal and professional projects.

Where to stay while in Nairobi

Nairobi city is an amazing city for sightseeing and a home to most of the comfortable and luxurious hotels and lodges in Kenya, while on your visit in Nairobi accommodation is got from a variety of accommodation facilities which are categorized as luxury hotels, midrange and budget hotels.

• Luxury hotels include Hemingways Nairobi hotel, Fairmont The Norfolk, Fairmont The Norfolk, Sankara Nairobi, Palacina the residence and suites, and many more.
• Mid-range accommodation facilities include Villa rose Kempinski, Sarova Stanley, intercontinental Nairobi, best western, after 40 hotel, Ambassadeur hotel and many more.
• Budget accommodation include Hotel central park, progressive park hotel, and Kenya comfort hotel, kima hotel Kenya, manyattas backpackers and many more.

For more information about Kenya Wildlife Tours, don’t hesitate to contact Us at Focus East Africa Tours