As we expand further into the African continent this will probably mean a stopover in Nairobi, one of Africa’s best-connected airports to other continents and Africa itself. Nairobi is a great jumping pad to get to other more remote parts of the African continent. To see our African destinations, check out our Africa tours section on our website here.
Here is our guide to what to do on a short stopover in Nairobi.
What to see?
Safari
Well, when in Africa, the first thing that springs to mind is safari right? No city in Africa is better equipped for a quick safari. Nairobi National Park is the closest national park to a city in all of Africa. You can easily reach here from the centre of the city in only 20-30 minutes by uber. You can typically get a tour of the park for between $50-$100 or you can pay less and do a self-driving tour if you have rented your own car. Entrance fees for adults for a self-driving tour are currently $43 per non-resident adult.
Giraffe Centre
This is another amazing experience you can visit in Nairobi about 40 minutes by uber from the centre of the city, located in the leafy green Karen district. The Giraffe centre will set you back 1500 KES, or just over $10. This will include entry and some food for you to feed the giraffes. The centre is a conservation centre for the endangered Rothschilds giraffes and aims at releasing animals back into the wild to increase their numbers.
Maasai Market
If you’re looking to pick up a few souvenirs while you’re here, then get down to the Maasai Market. Don’t forget to negotiate on prices for those precious beaded Kenyan flag bracelets or a lion magnet that catches your eye! You may even see Maasai people here dressed in traditional costume, just remember that if you take photos with them, they will probably want something in return.
What to eat?
Kenya has some incredible local and international food! If you’re looking to try local dishes however there is one that stands out that you shouldn’t miss!
Nyoma Choma (grilled meat)
This is commonly sold in roadside BBQ pits where they will be grilling mainly beef or goat. For the best ones we have two favourite picks.
Kenyatta Market
At the entrance to the market you will find many grilling stores on your left. The vendors will aggressively offer you samples of meat from the freshly grilling hot plates to convince you to sit down. Find out which ones they can cut as these are the omst convenient to eat. You should ask this to be served with ugali (a starch made from corn), kachamburi (tomato and onion salad), Skuma (greens) or spinach and also an obligatory side of pili pili (hot green chillies). For over a kilo of meat all the sides and a beer you can expect to pay around $15. Come with a friend and eat till you explode!
Roadhouse Grill – Dennis Pritt Road
This roadside BBQ restaurant is tucked just off the busy Dennis Pritt Road. This is a great Kenyan meat experience. Go up to the grilling area and see what they have ready and available. You order your meat and sides here and then your drinks at the table. For over 1kg of goat ribs, all the sides and a beer you can expect to pay around $15 as well.
Remember to wash your hands and get down and dirty. You will need to tear the meat up with your hands and also use them to properly eat your ugali like a local!
Other food
Big Fish
If you’re looking for something less meaty and your more of a fish person, then we can’t recommend enough big fish which serves up Western Kenyan cuisine. They have a few options here like dry fry, wet fry and wet coconut (fried fish with an addictive coconut sauce). Again your sides will be ugali, kachumbari and pili pili. A set of a big fish with covered in coconut sauce with all the sides will set you back 900 KES or roughly $7.
Grilled chicken
Kenyans love grilled chicken and bbq chicken restaurants are scattered everywhere through the city! If you’re looking for something simple and tasty try one of the many chains they have like Galito’s.
Rolex
Rolex is a combination of the words “rolled” and “eggs” and is a fried chapati (thin circle bread) which then wraps an egg omelette. You can find these in markets and all along the roadside throughout the city and is usually eaten as a breakfast food. Rolex are super cheap and usually will set you back about $1 or less.
Getting around?
The best and easiest way to get around is by using Uber. This has several options such as comfort and boda boda (motor taxi). The cheapest car option is called chap chap and will get you across the whole of Nairobi for about $8 or less. You will have to have cash to pay so just make sure you have small change as they won’t.
Cash? Card? Mpesa?
Cash is still very much king in most of Kenya. ATMs are available all over the city and accept foreign cards.
Cards are accepted in many restaurants so this will also be an option.
If you want to be super local you can also sign up for Mpesa which is like an electronic money transfer service. Nearly all locals use this and foreigners can also sign up if you have a local sim card. Just head to any Mpesa stall (literally everywhere) with your passport, phone and some cash and then you can load it to your account. Many people prefer to do this as it means they don’t have to carry cash around.
Is it safe?
Yes, like with any big city you should be wary of pick pockets, however the centre of Nairobi in suburbs such as Westlands and surrounds are very safe in the day and night. It is not advisable to visit the outskirts by yourself at night time
Do I need a visa?
Kenya is thankfully visa free for most nationalities, the only thing you will need to prepare is an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) which you can complete online for $30. It is best to do this at least 3 days in advance before your date of scheduled departure.
Hopefully this short blog has peaked your interest and made Nairobi seem like the place to be to stopover on your African adventure.
For more information on our African tour destinations check out our
Africa tours page
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To sign up for one of our tours send us an email to
[email protected]
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