Sights and landmarks in Nairobi

Sights and landmarks in Nairobi

1. See

   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

2. See

   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.

3. See

   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

4. See

   Bomas of Kenya

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

5. See

   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.

6. See

   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

7. See

   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.

8. See

   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

9. See

   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.

10. See

    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

11. See

    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

12. See

    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

13. See

    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

14. See

    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.

15. See

    Lake Magadi

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

16. See

    Nairobi Gallery

    This is a museum housing only special exhibits, so the featured artwork is always changing.

17. See

    Nairobi Mamba Village

    Kind of an adventure-tourism park with Nile crocodile feedings, tortoise holding, ostrich viewing, horse/dromedary rides, and boat rides. One croc feeding takes place on Sundays at 16:30. Also a restaurant on site.

    09:00-18:00 daily

18. See

    Nairobi National Museum

    Where visitors can learn about Nairobi, its history and culture. The museum was founded in 1910.

    8:30AM-5:30PM·Adults: Kenyan citizens Ksh 200, East African residents Ksh 600, non-residents Ksh 1200

19. See

    Nairobi National Park

    This is home to large herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, lion, cheetah, hippo, and birdlife (over 400 species). Here you can also go on the Nairobi Safari Walk, an educational centre to make people aware of wildlife and habitat conservation. Also in the park is the Nairobi Animal Orphanage.

20. See

    National Railway Museum

    Visitors can learn more about the history of Kenya’s railways and the Kenya/Uganda railway. It also houses some of the engines and rolling stock from the country’s colonial period.

    Daily 8AM-5PM (including holidays)·Adults: Kenyan citizens Ksh 200, East African residents Ksh 500, non-residents Ksh 600

21. See

    Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park

    Centred on a 2,146m (7,141 ft) mountain, this is mountain forests and plains, with a large population of Buffalo. It also serves as a refuge for Colobus monkeys, bushbuck, duiker, leopard, and a large variety of bird species. Another attraction is to climb the Kilimambogo mountain. A good starting point is the Ol Donyo Sapuk Resort where you can find a guide too. It is a 9-km hike to the top of the 2,145m-high mountain which takes about 3 hours with pit-stops at the observation area with a scenic 180-degree view as well as Macmillan’s burial site.

22. See

    Olorgesailie pre-historic site

    World renown as "world's largest stone-tool factory". Part of the Smithsonian Human Origins global locations. The site has camping spots and nice bandas-huts for rent, as well shower and WC facilities. If you're up for it, you can hike Mt Olorgesailie, but it's an all day event.

23. See

    Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

    They take in orphaned elephants from all over Kenya, and keep them until they are able to survive in the wild. Visiting hours are daily at 11:00, so you should aim to arrive about 10 minutes before that time. You will be admitted and the elephants will be fed in two groups for around an hour. After than there is a brief time to shop and look around, and it closes again around 12:30. If you are willing to sponsor an elephant for US$50, you can make an appointment to see your elephant put to bed at around 17:00. These brief visiting times are to ensure that the elephants are not overly exposed to humans.

    11:00

24. See

    Swara Plains Conservancy

    Swara Plains is a fenced sanctuary where zebras, giraffes, ostriches, monkeys and many other "non raptor" animals can be observed. Here you can go for a walk or ride a bike something that is almost everywhere prohibited in the national parks but is fun for children.

25. See

    The Anti-Gravity Hill (Kituluni Hill)

    One of the strangest natural phenomena along the Kenyan Rift Valley is the point that the native Kamba mysteriously call "anti-gravity." Young men gesticulate on the street to demonstrate the "miracle" to visitors for a small fee. They put a plastic bottle filled with water on the asphalt, which apparently rolls uphill. If you ask them if they gave the bottle a nudge, they empty the contents onto the street. The water flows slowly uphill – apparently. Those blindly taking a few steps would swear they are going downhill. But the way undoubtedly goes up.

26. See

    UN Office at Nairobi

    UN Complex Gigiri

    Sitting between the Karura Forest and the US Embassy, it houses international organisations such as the UN Environmental Programme, UN-HABITAT and is the basis of all UN operations in Africa. Africa's first completely carbon- and water-neutral building was opened here in 2011. Guided tours allow tourists to see the major buildings and gifts from member states and walk along a nearby nature trail, while learning about the history and work of the UN.

27. See

    Uhuru Gardens

    Built in remembrance of the struggle for independence, which Kenya was granted in 1963. The monument is a 24-m (79 ft) high triumphal column supporting a pair of clasped hands and the dove of peace, high over a statue of freedom fighter raising the flag. The monument is surrounded by fountains and lush-landscaped gardens. Not to be confused with "Uhuru Park" (which is in the city centre). As of August 2024 the park was closed and undergoing construction.

28. See

    Uhuru Park

    Spacious park in the city centre. Attractions include a monument, playground, boat rental.

    free

29. See

    Westlands by night

    Visit the bustling and hip Westlands district, which has turned into the new nightlife centre of Nairobi. Many restaurants and bars line the busy Woodvale Grove and Mpaka Road. A visit to 'Tree house' club is a must if you are looking for a spacious one and crowd outnumbered with expats, rather than the otherwise congested natives dominated ones. Traffic can become hectic, well into the early hours. Security is generally tight and the action spills out from packed clubs into the street.

30. See Not mapped

    Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family

    Striking modernist Catholic Church Cathedral designed in 1960. The Basilica is the seat of the Archdiocese of Nairobi.

31. See Not mapped

    Khoja Mosque

    Built in a Victorian architecture style in 1922 by the Isma'ilism community led by Aga Khan.

32. See Not mapped

    Tana River

    White water rafting throughout cataracts, which leads to the 14 falls, can be done here. The rafting trip also includes a full BBQ lunch.

33. See

    Nairobi Synagogue

    The only functioning synagogue in East Africa.

34. See Not mapped

    All Saints' Cathedral

    Cathedral of the Anglican Church of Kenya, built in 1924.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Nairobi (CC BY-SA 4.0).