Nairobi is the capital city and largest town of Kenya, a country in Eastern Africa. It is among the vast towns in Africa, for it’s continued growth and development. The name comes from a Maasai phrase Enkare Nairobi which means “cool water”, a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city. People refer to it as the Green City in the sun. Nairobi was founded in 1899 by the British colonialists as a rail depot on the Uganda railway. After independence in 1963, it became the capital of the Republic of Kenya.
Official languages used in the city are English and Swahili and street language, Sheng (a mixture of English and Swahili) commonly used by the youth locals. Common currency is the Kenyan Shillings (Ksh) but exchange of other currencies is easy at any forex Bureau. In USD the rate goes for 1 Kenyan Shilling =0.0093 United States Dollar.
Nairobi is situated in Kenya’s Central Highlands region and enjoys the pleasant weather for most of the year, with the coldest month being June and some part of July. Overall, the Nairobi weather is welcoming and pleasant.
Transport within the city is good with well maintained roads within the city. You can use Uber or a taxi to move around but the city traffic is tight during the evening and morning hours. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the main and largest airport in Nairobi, connecting to most parts of the world. People are friendly and welcoming. You will for sure feel at home once you’re in the city. Nairobi is generally a safe city, a live city, especially at night. Do not miss to visit some of the cool restaurants and clubs and enjoy our Kenyan food (the famous ugali ) as you interact with the locals. Best way to learn the Kenyan culture.
Also get to experience the matatu culture. Matatus are the most common form of public transport in Kenya which comprises privately owned or sacco owned minibuses plying various routes to different parts of the country. The slogan ‘matatu’ translates to ‘three cents a ride’ which was the amount that was charged back in the 60s. They are characterized by graffiti, screens inside where passengers can watch music, not just any music, LOUD music! They are mostly preferred by the youth but one way or another despite your age you will find yourself in one, one day. It can seem chaotic for an outsider, but it serves the major of the population in the city quite well.
Also if you’re a foodie you could try the Nairobi Street food. Loved and appreciated by the locals. The most famous ones are Mutura and Smokie Pasua .
Here are some of the things you could do in the beautiful city :
- Take a stroll at Uhuru Park. Uhuru Park is like an island of green within the city, it’s a nice place from the crowds and traffic of downtown Nairobi. Here you’ll find picnicking couples, local families playing with their children, and anybody looking to spend some time in nature. I recommend visiting on a weekend, when the park becomes like a fairground, with vendors selling drinks and ice cream, rides for children, and paddleboat rentals on the lake, Carmel and horse riding and fun face painting for kids.
- Visit The Girraffe Center. Endangered Rothschild giraffes roam freely around the grounds, and visitors can stand on a tall platform to get face-to-face with giant creatures. Offer them a few pellets of food and they’ll definitely get friendly! The Giraffe Center operates a breeding program that is successfully reintroducing breeding pairs back into the wild to counter their decline. The center is open to visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM, seven days a week, and costs $10 for non-resident adults.
- Shop at Maasai Market. An open market in the city where you can buy your souvenirs and artisans and promote the local Kenyan market. Characterized by narrow walkways between the endless sea of stalls. You find things such as animal carvings, beaded jewelry, colorful scarves, paintings, clothes for the whole family, you name it. Don’t miss to pay a visit.
- Visit the Nairobi CBD. Nairobi CBD is filled with skyscrapers, boutique shops, and trendy restaurants and bars. It feels like a real downtown. This makes walking around the city feel more familiar than other African capitals. Clearly, there is a lot of investment and wealth.
- Get a Bird’s-Eye View from the Kenya International Convention Center. To get a jaw-dropping view of Kenya’s sprawling capital, visit the viewing platform at the Kenya International Convention Center. For $5 (and leaving your passport as collateral at the desk), you can take the elevator up 27 stories, then climb the stairs up the last two floors to the helipad on the roof. You’ll get an impressive 365-degree view of the city and probably see some giant marabou storks fly by.
- Visit the Nairobi National Park. Nairobi is one of the only capital cities in the world with a national park and (and the only with a wildlife reserve) so close to the city—Nairobi National Park is less than 30 minutes from the center of town.That means you can see animals like zebras, giraffes, elephants, buffalo, lions, and rhinos roaming over sprawling grasslands and the rich, colorful sunsets of the savannah—but with a city skyline in the background.
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Other places you could visit outside Nairobi are Tsavo East /West National Parks, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, or The Rift Valley View Point which is just a few Kilometers away from the city along the Great Kenyan Rift Valley.
Tourism is among the most leading economic activity in Kenya. This is because Kenya has the most beautiful destinations for both local and foreign tourists. It is among the top leading destinations to visit in Africa. Start planning your Nairobi vacation by visiting our website at www.alkhaleejtours.com for more information.
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