Nairobi, where Kenya’s vast nature and big city coexist! 8 recommended tourist spots

You may know that Nairobi is the capital of Kenya, but few people know what exactly is there in Nairobi and where to go for sightseeing. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, was a new city built as a relay point for the construction of the Uganda Railway. It is said that the name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai people who called it the "Land of Cold Water" in Swahili because it is a land with cold, clean water, which is rare in Africa where the water situation is poor.

Nairobi is not only a relay point for the railway, but also a symbol of Kenya, which continues to develop even after independence from Britain. It has many faces, including a modern atmosphere, abundant nature, and the history that became the origin of mankind. There are many tourist attractions, and many people from all over the world visit Nairobi. Here, we will introduce some of the most popular and recommended tourist spots.

1. Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is about 10km away from the center of Nairobi in a straight line, and can be reached in just 30 minutes by car. The grasslands that spread out on the left side of the highway as you head into the city from the international airport are Nairobi National Park, and even though it is so close to the city, you can see wild animals there. With a total area of ​​117 square kilometers, it is a relatively small national park in Kenya, but it is home to a wide variety of wild animals and is a recommended tourist spot that can be reached easily from the center of Nairobi.

It is nice to enjoy the majestic nature of Africa in the vast savanna scenery of the Masai Mara National Reserve, but the mysterious scenery of a densely populated city with wild animals playing in the background can only be seen here in Nairobi National Park. Nairobi National Park is close to the city and can be easily reached even if you don't have much time for sightseeing. Please see for yourself the scene where the city and nature coexist.

2. Giraffe Centre

The Giraffe Centre is located in the Karen area on the outskirts of Nairobi. The giraffes here are a species called "Rothschild giraffes" and are protected because there are only a few of them. Rothschild giraffes are characterized by their beautiful mesh pattern and are very cute.

Here, you can experience feeding the giraffes. When you go to the feeding experience hut, you will be given pellet-like food made from wheat. If you place it on your palm and bring it close to the giraffe, the giraffe will stretch out its long tongue and eat it. It's so cute. The Giraffe Centre is close to the airport and can be enjoyed in just an hour, so it is recommended for easy sightseeing. Please come and meet the cute giraffes.

3. Karen Blixen Museum

Do you know Karen Blixen? Karen Blixen is one of the most famous Danish novelists of the 20th century. She lived in Kenya from 1914 to 1931 while running a coffee plantation. Her novel "Africa Days," based on her life in Kenya, is famous and was made into a movie starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.

The Karen Blixen Museum is the house where she actually lived at the time. After independence from Britain, the Kenyan government established a women's college named after Karen. At that time, this house was used as the principal's building. It was later used as a location for the film adaptation of "Africa Days," and was opened to the public as a museum. The exterior is made of stone with a long veranda, which was popular at the time of construction, and the kitchen is in a separate building across the corridor. Currently, as a museum, Karen's photographs and letters from that time are on display, and many furnishings reminiscent of the novel and movie are displayed. This is one of the must-see tourist spots for those who have read the novel or seen the movie, and even if you haven't, for anyone visiting Nairobi.

4. Bomas of Kenya

Bomas of Kenya is located 10km from the center of Nairobi, a 30-minute drive away. It was established in 1971 as a tourist village where you can learn about Kenya's rich and diverse culture.

By the way, how many tribes do you think there are in Kenya? The Maasai are famous in Kenya, but there are many other tribes, a total of 42 in total. At Bomas of Kenya, traditional houses and cultures of major tribes such as the Maasai and Kikuyu are exhibited. In the central hall, you can also watch traditional dance shows of each ethnic group. It is a great pleasure for tourists to be able to experience the culture and life of various tribes in the same place. It is close to the center of Nairobi and easy to get to, so it is a recommended tourist spot. Why not experience the diverse cultures of various tribes at Bomas of Kenya?

5. Sheldrick Animal Orphanage

Daphne Sheldrick, born in Kenya in 1930, married the legendary Kenyan game warden David Sheldrick. She gained international fame in the late 1960s when she starred in the film "Bloody Ivory," which depicted the fight against elephant poachers in Tsavo National Park. After the death of her husband, Daphne Sheldrick was given land in Nairobi National Park by the parks authority, and established and operated an animal orphanage there. That is the Sheldrick Animal Orphanage.

At this orphanage, baby elephants and rhinos who have lost their parents due to poaching are brought here from all over Kenya and are cared for 24 hours a day by dedicated staff. Here, tourists are accepted for one hour a day, where they can watch baby elephants drink milk, touch baby elephants, and take photos with them. The entrance fee is used as a donation to run the orphanage. If you are traveling on your own from the center of Nairobi, it is best to take a taxi. It's relatively quiet on weekdays, but there are a lot of tourists on weekends, so we recommend going early and lining up.

6. Nairobi National Museum

The Nairobi National Museum is the largest museum in Kenya, opened in 1930. It has been newly renovated in recent years, making it easier to see and more beautiful, making it a must-see tourist spot for tourists in Kenya. It is about a 10-minute taxi ride from the center of Nairobi, so it is a good place to go if you feel like going somewhere in the afternoon.

Dr. Leakey, who discovered the fossils of Australopithecus boisei, served as the director of the museum, and the museum displays fossils of early man. The museum also has many valuable exhibits, such as a model of the largest elephant on earth, the Mermed, and ethnic and botanical paintings by Joy Adamson, famous as the author of "Born Free". There is also a snake park next to the museum, where you can see snakes such as cobras, vipers, and pythons, as well as crocodiles and turtles, making it another recommended tourist spot. A joint ticket for the museum and the snake park is also available, so if you want to visit both, the joint ticket is cheaper and definitely more cost-effective. Museum and Snake Park. Try to relax and enjoy the time as if you were on an excursion.

7. Nairobi Railway Museum

Next to the Nairobi Station is the Nairobi Railway Museum. When Kenya was once a British colony, a construction project was carried out to build a railway from the seaside city of Mombasa to Uganda, and Nairobi was an important location as a relay point for the railway construction. The Nairobi Museum exhibits many documents that convey the situation at that time and items that were actually used at the time.

There are also old vehicles on display outside, which you can ride freely. The museum also has a steam locomotive that is preserved in working order, which is very interesting. Even when it comes to railways, each country has its own circumstances and history, and the vehicles are all different, which is interesting. If you want to know about Kenya's railways, the Nairobi Railway Museum is highly recommended. If you are a railway enthusiast, be sure to include it in your sightseeing route.

8. Karura Forest

Karura Forest is located 15 minutes from the center of Nairobi. There are three rivers running through the park, a 15-meter waterfall, a dense bamboo forest, and many caves. There is also a wide variety of animals and many native trees found in Kenya.

In fact, until recently, there were almost no facilities here. However, after a few years of renovation and the construction of cycling and walking paths, the park has become a popular destination for Nairobi residents to enjoy picnics and walks. It has also become known as a place for tourists to relax and enjoy nature, and it has become a popular tourist spot. If you visit Nairobi, why not take a walk in Karura Forest? You will surely encounter many plants and animals unique to Africa.

◎Summary

What did you think of the recommended tourist spots in Nairobi? When you think of Africa, you tend to only imagine safaris and interacting with animals, but the role that this land once played was very important in the development of mankind, and it is also a place where you can encounter valuable materials and natural heritage that will help you learn about it. The nature there is also truly amazing, with the endless sky over the vast land, the colors of the trees, the smell of the wind, everything is like another world. If you go sightseeing in the beautiful and majestic nature while thinking about eternal history, you will surely make many discoveries.