Nairobi

14 Falls at Thika

14 Falls are 55 km from Nairobi, close to the Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, near the town of Thika, one of the biggest suppliers of pineapples in Kenya. You will see the expansive plantations on your way to the falls. 14 small streams merge to form the big waterfall at the foot of the Kilima Mbogo Hills. These streams are part of the Athi River. At first glance the falls are magnificent; however, the river is strongly polluted by industrial waste and a foul chemical smell and reams of rubbish strewn across all the rocks really ruin the experience. At Thika are the Thika and Chania Falls close to the Blue Post Hotel. That's interesting too for a stop to or from the 14 falls. Also worth a visit are the Mau-Mau caves in which allegedly Maumau fighters hid during the independence battles between Thika and Mangu, about 6 km from Thika

Entrance fees for 14 Falls are: US$15 per person, US$5 parking, US$5 per camera

Alan Bobbe's Bistro

A venerable, legendary restaurant now located on Rhapta Road (near St. Marys School). Founded in 1962, the restaurant features French haute-cuisine at about a third of what you would pay in Paris!

Arboretum Park

Very nice park to walk and to relax from the hectic town. Because of entrance fee you will not be molested by beggars, sellers, etc.

August 7 Memorial Park

US Embassy Bombings Memorial Site

In 1998 a truck bomb blast rocked downtown Nairobi. The US Embassy building had been the target of a terrorist attack, reducing it to rubble and killing 213 people, mostly bystanders, and leaving more than 4,000 injured. On the same day, the US embassy in Dar es Salaam was also subject to a similar attack which killed 11 people and injured 85. 21 people were charged, including Osama Bin Laden. The former embassy site today contains a memorial park, with a monument engraved with the names of every victim.

Ksh 30

Black Diamond

Many expats and travellers and has a cover band that plays very good music. A lot of ladies of the night here, always after the expats.

Bomas of Kenya

Portrays Kenya’s culture. Visitors can see exhibits of traditional Kenyan homes, artifacts, dances, music, and song.

City Park

The city park is a good place to spend leisure time without any disturbance within an indigenous forest and with lots of sykes monkeys. They are trustful and come close due to being fed by visitors frequently. As they expect food from the visitors they get moody if you have nothing. On weekends and national holidays the park becomes very lively. There are some nature trails, but not really safe for foreign tourists. Another highlight of the City Park is the vegetables and fruits market in one corner of the park near Lumuru Road. Avoid going into the forest when it is dark. It is not safe. The park is not a must go destination, but worth to visit if you have extra time. Entry to the park is free.

Club LA

One of the nice dance club & night clubs in Nairobi. A beer from Ksh 200. Soft drink from Ksh 150. has a Facebook page. best nights are Friday and Saturday.

8PM -till late·No fee to go in

Furusato

Located in Westlands, has fantastic Japanese food. For a price.

Giraffe Centre

The centre breeds the endangered Rothschild giraffe and has conservation/education programmes for Kenyan children. It also has many warthogs and leopard tortoise. You'll receive food to feed the giraffes, and get close enough to touch them. Just outside/opposite of the centre is a (free) nature hiking trail which is popular among residents. In August 2021 the centre was undergoing renovations but remained open, though with limited access to the giraffes.

Ksh 1500/750 for non-resident adults/children

Go-Down Arts Centre

A former warehouse turned arts centre - this has also happened in Nairobi and this spot allows you to get a glimpse of what contemporary Kenyan artists are up to, including exhibitions, performances and discussions.

Habesha

Near Yaya centre- great Ethiopian food for around USD5-6, although they serve Nescafé coffee rather than the traditional Ethiopian freshly-roasted beans.

daily 9AM-11PM·around Ksh 1000

Haria's Stamp Shop

One of the best selections of kikoy and other African fabrics and souvenirs.

Closed · opens 8:30 am tomorrow

Havana Bar

Popular bar and restaurant with a laid-back Latin theme. Renowned for their sizzling fajitas, steaks and seafood dishes. The kitchen is open daily from noon until late.

Havana:

It's an expats' favourite on Thursdays nights. The live band on Saturdays attracts a good cosmopolitan crowd. Bar snacks available throughout the night.

Hells Gate National Park

A nice alternative to the more traditional Safari. Given the absence of dangerous animals, it is possible to visit this park on foot or by bike. The landscapes are very impressive, especially the descent into the canyon. All with the presence of different animals, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, warthogs, and several endemic species of birds and insects.

Hot dishes

A chain restaurant serving local food. Several venues in Nairobi CBD. Spacious with ample seating, reasonably clean.

Mains Ksh 180-450 ksh

Jamia Mosque

While Jamia Mosque is tucked away in between other buildings there are striking views to be glimpsed of its intricate structure from many different angles. Easily the most impressive religious structure in the capital, the interior is off-limits to non believers

KK Restaurant

A downtown eatery well-known for featuring economical African fare such as beef stew with managu, goat meat, grilled tilapia, porridge, maize, njahi, minji, kienyeji, etc, plus breakfasts. Sometimes service can be a bit slow, but it is a well-liked place.

Closed · opens 6 am tomorrow

Karen Blixen Museum

Of interest if you have read Karen Blixen’s book Out of Africa or the movie. Her house is now the home of the museum. You have to be accompanied by a guide to visit the house, but you can walk around the gardens on your own. If you're not into the movie, and don't know the history of the house, then it may not be worth your while taking the hour or so it takes, and the price of admission. The house has little remaining original furnishings, but there are some of the props used in the movie here (although the movie wasn't filmed here - it was create on a set). It is on the outskirts of Nairobi (in the suburbs of Karen) and a taxi or bus can get you to the museum. It's not too far from the Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre, so these attractions can easily be combined in a single trip.

Karura Forest

has an area of 1 063 ha, making it largest of three main gazetted forests in Nairobi (the others are Ngong Forest and Ololua Forest). One of the best forest parks to walk, run, ride, picnic relatively close to the city. It is safe, well marked and a very nice place to relax and enjoy nature. The River Cafe is a good place to rest. Bicycle rental for Ksh 500/2 hours. (Single use) plastic are not allowed. Usually quiet on weekdays but gets very busy on weekends (Sunday). Attractions include a small waterfall and some monkeys.

Ksh 600 for non-residents

Kazuri Beads shop

Started in 1977 the workshop of beads is adjacent to Karen Blixen's Museum. It was started by an English woman to provide sustainable income to poor Kenyan women. Has beautiful jewellery created of clay brought from the areas surrounding Mt. Kenya.

Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC)

The best place to get that far ranging view over the sprawling, congested metropolis that is Nairobi. You can go up to the saucer-shaped top of the conference centre's round viewing tower and depending on smog and fog, you might be able to see as far as the slums and the national park.

Ksh 400, Ksh 200 reduced

Kereita Forest zip line

At the Kereita Forest near Kiambu along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway is East-Africa’s longest zip line tour, offering over 2.4km of flight across the lush.

8AM-6PM

Kiambethu Tea Farm, Limuru

A beautiful tea farm, about 40 minutes away from the city centre of Nairobi. The farm house is set within beautiful gardens surrounded by acres of tea and indigenous forest - home to the colobus monkey and plenty of other wildlife.

Closed · opens 11 am tomorrow

Kitangela Glass

In this imaginative place, beautiful art objects are made of recycled glass and exhibited in a lovely garden, In a shop different types of glassware are on sale. Guided presentations take place every 30 min.

Lake Magadi

Salt lake with hot springs for SPA, soda ash and salt production and many flamingos

Le Palanka Pan

Many Kenyan dishes, but also many dishes from other African countries

Mercury Lounge ABC

An upmarket modern cocktail and tapas bar. A delicious tapas and bitings menu, and the best cocktails and high end spirits array in Nairobi. All major imported and local wine and beers are available chilled to perfection. A popular hangout for expats, well to do locals and local business leaders. Ample parking and good security make this one of Nairobi's more popular spots.

Daily 16:00-late·Shooters and cocktails range US$3-6 with shooters and high end, globally popular wines and spirits USD6-15. All major credit cards accepted.

Motherland

An authentic Ethiopian restaurant with great and affordable food (typical of Ethiopian restaurants in Nairobi!)