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Nairobi

Visit Nairobi

Introduction

The Masai gave Nairobi its name when there was nothing here but a swamp - Ewasa Nai'beri means ‘Place of Cold Water'. Then there were a few shacks, but during the construction of the railway from the coast into the interior this nothingness became Nairobi, a bustling boomtown.

The energy of those early days has never left the city. There are more buildings and a lot more people, and the city still never sleeps. There's an edgy excitement to the place, it can be dangerous to walk in certain areas at night, and it's possible to fall victim to petty crime during the day too, but there's also a great deal of fun to be had, too.

Nairobi is Kenya's capital city of course, but also the safari capital of the world. The legendary bar at the Norfolk Hotel is still the place to plot and plan onward travels. In town these should include visits to the National Museum, a wander through the City Market, a pause at the famous Thorn Tree Café - where travellers would pin messages to the trunk of an acacia tree.

It's worth a trip to Carnivore for an evening too, where Kenya's signature dish nyama choma (barbequed meat) is grilled on Masai spears, and where they serve probably the best dawa (meaning medicine) in the world (vodka, lime and sugar crushed with ice).

The giraffe sanctuary and Karen Blixen's house are other key attractions, as is the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage near Nairobi National Park. But the ultimate has to be the park itself, from where you can watch wildlife against the backdrop of the modern city Nairobi has become.

 

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Top itineraries in Nairobi

Lion in the Masai Mara

Classic Kenya

9-day small-group tour from £3,325 pp incl. flights

See the best of Kenya, from the Masai Mara’s famed wildebeest herds to the Great Rift Valley and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Along the way, you’ll enjoy game drives, gourmet dining and luxury lodge stays.

Masai Mara, Kenya

Kenya Safari & Coast

15-day tailor-made holiday from £4,545 pp incl. flights

This safari holiday takes in the beautiful landscapes and abundant wildlife of Kenya before heading to the coast for a relaxing beach break on the spectacular Mombasa Coast.

Lions in the Masai Mara, Kenya

Kenya SkySafari: Amboseli, Loisaba & the Masai Mara

12-day tailor-made fly-safari from £9,410 pp incl. flights

Experience the very best of Kenya's spectacular natural world on this three-centre fly-in safari. Staying in superb lodges throughout, you can expect the very best in wildlife viewing as you explore the iconic Amboseli, Meru and Masai Mara National Parks.

Breakfast table at sunrise on safari with mountain views

East Africa SkySafari: Kenya and Tanzania

15-day tailor-made journey from £14,875 pp incl. flights

Kenya and Tanzania are world-renowned for their diverse landscapes, spectacular wildlife and world-class safari experiences. This fly-in safari combines the very best of both, staying at a selection of luxury safari camps and lodges by Elewana.

Top places to stay in Nairobi

Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya

Giraffe Manor, Nairobi

Historic lodge

One of Kenya's most iconic hotels, Giraffe Manor offers a glimpse of a bygone age where a safari was the preserve of the super-wealthy. But the most famous residents are its gentle, graceful Rothschild giraffes.

Poolside dining

Nairobi Serena Hotel

Traditional hotel

Featuring a gourmet restaurant and a superb spa that both rank among Kenya’s finest, it’s no surprise that the Nairobi Serena is counting among the Leading Hotels of the World.

Meet our Nairobi experts

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Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0611 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

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