Nairobi
Plan Nairobi with Haqqi Tours: day tours, private airport transfers, attraction tickets and packages, run by our own team and confirmed on WhatsApp in Arabic or English.
Wake early in Nairobi and the air is cool and thin, the city sitting high on a plateau close to the equator. Within minutes of leaving your hotel you can be inside Nairobi National Park, where giraffes browse acacia trees and rhinos graze with office towers rising on the horizon behind them. The light is soft, the grass is wet with dew, and the hum of the capital fades into birdsong and the distant call of a lion.
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View allNairobi at first sight
Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and the natural gateway to East Africa's great safaris. It is a young, energetic city of markets, gardens, museums and leafy suburbs, and the starting point for the Masai Mara, Amboseli and the Rift Valley lakes. Few capitals let you touch wild Africa so easily, then return the same evening to a good dinner and a comfortable bed.
Why include Nairobi in your itinerary?
- Wildlife on the doorstep. Nairobi is the only capital in the world with a national park inside its boundaries, so a morning game drive, the Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage fit into a single day before you even leave the city.
- The gateway to the great safaris. From Nairobi the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Hell's Gate are reached by road or short flights, making the city the ideal first and last stop of any Kenyan journey.
- Culture, craft and a pleasant climate. Museums, Maasai markets, Bomas of Kenya and the gardens of Karen give the city real character, and at about eighteen hundred metres above sea level the weather is mild all year.
Signature experiences in Nairobi
Nairobi National Park at Dawn
Barely a short drive from the city centre, Nairobi National Park opens onto open savannah with zebras, giraffes, buffalo, rhinos and, with luck, lions and cheetahs. Game drives are best at opening time, when animals are active and the skyline glows behind the grassland. Our guided day tours include a 4x4 with an experienced driver-guide who reads tracks and finds the quiet corners. Sightings are never guaranteed, which is exactly what makes each one special.
Giraffes and Baby Elephants
In the suburb of Langata, the Giraffe Centre lets you meet endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform, eye to eye, while learning about the work to protect them. Nearby, the elephant orphanage cares for rescued calves and opens to visitors for a limited hour each day, so booking ahead is essential. We combine both with the Karen Blixen Museum in a relaxed half-day that families especially enjoy.
Masai Mara Safari from Nairobi
The Masai Mara is Kenya's most celebrated reserve, a vast grassland where lions, cheetahs, elephants and hippos live alongside Maasai communities. From July to October the great migration brings huge herds of wildebeest and zebra across the Mara River. Our two- to five-day safaris travel by road, about five to six hours, or by short flight, with game drives, lodge or camp stays and a Maasai village visit arranged by our team.
Amboseli and the Rift Valley Lakes
South of the city, Amboseli is famous for large elephant herds set against the snows of Kilimanjaro across the border, about four hours by road. To the north-west, Lake Nakuru shelters rhinos and flamingos, and Hell's Gate offers dramatic gorges and cliffs that can be explored on foot. Our guided day tours and short safaris reach all three, with early starts and a packed breakfast included.
Maasai Markets, Bomas and Museums
The Nairobi National Museum tells the story of human origins and Kenyan history, while the Bomas of Kenya stages traditional dances and homesteads from the country's many communities. The rotating Maasai market is the place for beadwork, carvings and kikoi cloth, and a cup of Kenyan coffee rounds off the afternoon. Our local guides help you bargain kindly and take you to honest makers.
Neighbourhoods and quarters to know in Nairobi
Westlands and Parklands
North-west of the centre, Westlands is the modern heart of Nairobi, with international hotels, shopping malls, restaurants of every cuisine and good road links to the airport and the Rift Valley. It is lively, convenient and well lit at night, which makes it the easiest choice for first-time visitors and business travellers alike.
Karen and Langata
South-west of the city, Karen and Langata are green and quiet, with large gardens, forest edges and boutique lodges. The Giraffe Centre, the elephant orphanage and the national park gates are all close, so wildlife mornings start without traffic. It suits couples, families and anyone who prefers birdsong to city noise.
Kilimani and Upper Hill
Just west of the centre, Kilimani and Upper Hill are leafy residential districts with serviced apartments, mid-range and business hotels and plenty of cafés. They are central without being hectic, close to the museum and the main roads south, and well suited to longer stays or travellers combining work with a safari.
The City Centre
Downtown Nairobi has the railway station for the Madaraka Express, the main markets, government buildings and the Kenyatta Avenue skyline. It is busy and energetic by day, with the national archives and the central mosque nearby. Choose it for convenience and local life, but take taxis after dark and keep valuables out of sight.
How long to stay in Nairobi and how to pair it
Recommended stay
We recommend two nights in Nairobi at the start of your trip and one at the end. The first day covers Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage, the second allows the museum, markets and Bomas of Kenya or a rest before the safari. The final night fits neatly between the Masai Mara and an evening flight.
How to pair it
Nairobi pairs naturally with the Masai Mara, where our two- to five-day safaris begin and end, and with Naivasha, under two hours away in the Rift Valley. A seven-day journey combines Nairobi, the Mara and Naivasha. In ten days, take the Madaraka Express to Mombasa, about five to six hours, for Diani or Watamu beaches. Fourteen days can add Zanzibar by a short flight.
Best time to visit Nairobi and the rhythm of the day
Best months
The best time to visit Nairobi is during the dry seasons, from June to October and from January to February, when game viewing is at its best and roads are easy. July to October coincides with the great migration in the Masai Mara. The long rains fall from March to May and the short rains in November and December, though showers rarely last all day.
The daily rhythm
Nairobi mornings start early and cool, perfect for a game drive or a visit to the giraffes before the sun climbs. Late mornings bring the elephant orphanage or a museum, and lunch is often taken in a garden restaurant in Karen or Westlands. Afternoons are for markets and crafts, and evenings end with Kenyan grilled meat, called nyama choma, or a quiet dinner at the hotel.
On-the-ground logistics in Nairobi
Arrival
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) lies about twenty kilometres south-east of the centre, usually thirty to sixty minutes by road depending on traffic. The Madaraka Express from Mombasa arrives at Nairobi Terminus in Syokimau, south of the city. Most visitors need an electronic travel authorisation before flying, which we remind you about. Our private airport transfers meet you on arrival and take you straight to your hotel.
Getting around
Nairobi is spread out and traffic can be heavy, so walking is practical only within a district. Ride-hailing taxis are common and inexpensive for short hops, and hotels arrange licensed taxis. For wildlife visits, day trips and the airport, a private car with driver arranged by our team saves time and lets you combine Langata, Karen and the national park in one smooth day.
Local etiquette tip
Kenyans are warm and polite, and a greeting of jambo or habari with a smile opens every conversation. Dress is relaxed but neat, and modest clothing is appreciated at mosques and in rural areas. Ask before photographing people, especially Maasai in traditional dress, who may expect a small payment. Tipping drivers, guides and waiters is customary. Plastic carrier bags are banned in Kenya, so pack a cloth bag.
Must-do things in Nairobi
- Take a sunrise game drive in Nairobi National Park
- Meet endangered Rothschild's giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
- Watch rescued elephant calves at the orphanage feeding hour
- Visit the Karen Blixen Museum and its gardens
- See traditional dances and homesteads at Bomas of Kenya
- Explore human origins at the Nairobi National Museum
- Shop for beadwork and carvings at the Maasai market
- Join a safari to the Masai Mara for the great migration
- Day trip to Lake Nakuru for rhinos and flamingos
- Taste nyama choma and Kenyan coffee in Westlands
Do’s and don’ts in Nairobi
Do
- Do book the elephant orphanage visit well in advance
- Do bring a warm layer for cool mornings and evenings
- Do carry a cloth bag, as plastic bags are banned
- Do use licensed taxis or our private driver after dark
- Do keep your travel authorisation and passport copy handy
Don’t
- Don't walk alone in the city centre after dark
- Don't feed or approach wild animals outside the sanctuaries
- Don't photograph people without asking permission first
- Don't drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water
- Don't expect guaranteed sightings; wildlife is wild
Nairobi at a glance
Plan Nairobi with Haqqi Tours
Every option is confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you pay, and delivered by our own people or by trusted local partners we work with in every city. Because we send travellers from all over the world, our partners give us special rates and priority, so you always receive the best. Prices are per person unless marked per vehicle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask most about Nairobi.
Where should first-time visitors stay in Nairobi?
First-time visitors usually choose Westlands for its hotels, restaurants and easy road links, or Karen and Langata for a green, peaceful base close to the Giraffe Centre and the national park. Both work well for an early safari departure. Our team suggests a hotel to match your plans and arranges your private airport transfer.
Can Nairobi be done as a day trip, or does it need an overnight stay?
Many travellers pass through Nairobi between flights and safaris, but a full day is possible if you have a long layover: a game drive, the giraffes and the elephant orphanage fit together. Two nights are much better, giving time for the museum, markets and a relaxed start before the Masai Mara.
What is the dress code and etiquette in Nairobi?
Dress is casual and neat, with a warm layer for mornings and evenings. Modest clothing is appreciated at mosques and in traditional villages. Greet people politely, ask before taking photographs and tip guides, drivers and waiters modestly. Our guides explain local customs and help you shop at the markets with a smile.
Is Nairobi tourist friendly?
Yes. Nairobi is the hub of East African tourism, and hotels, guides and restaurants are used to visitors from around the world. English and Swahili are widely spoken, halal food is easy to find in many restaurants, and the wildlife sanctuaries are well organised. Travelling with our guided day tours makes the city simple and relaxed.
Is it safe to travel to Nairobi now?
Nairobi is generally safe for visitors who take sensible precautions: use licensed taxis or our private driver, avoid walking alone at night, and keep phones and valuables discreet in crowded areas. Hotels and tourist sites are well secured. Check your government's official travel advice before departure and keep our WhatsApp line handy during your stay.
What are the must-do things in Nairobi?
The must-do things in Nairobi include a dawn game drive in Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre, the elephant orphanage, the Karen Blixen Museum, Bomas of Kenya and the Maasai market, followed by a safari to the Masai Mara or a day trip to Lake Nakuru. Our guided day tours combine these in the best order.
How many days do you need in Nairobi?
Two days are ideal for Nairobi itself: one for the national park, giraffes and elephants, and one for museums, markets and Bomas of Kenya. Add two to five days for a Masai Mara safari and a day or two for Naivasha or Amboseli, and the capital becomes the anchor of a complete Kenyan trip.
What can I book in Nairobi with Haqqi Tours?
Day tours, private airport transfers, flight tickets and train tickets, including Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour, Masai Mara 3-Day Group Safari by 4x4 Jeep from Nairobi and Nairobi National Park Half-Day Game Drive. Each has its own page, and the WhatsApp desk combines any of them into one plan with one written price.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Nairobi?
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is on Mombasa Road about 17 km south-east of central Nairobi, 30 to 60 minutes by car via the Nairobi Expressway, about 8 km from the Madaraka Express terminus at Syokimau; Naivasha is roughly 105 km and about 2 hours, and Nakuru about 175 km and 3 hours by road. Our private transfer meets you at arrivals with a name board, tracks your flight and takes you door to door at a fixed price for the whole vehicle; the transfer pages list every route.
Is there public transport from the airport to Nairobi?
Nairobi has no metro, and the commuter rail to the airport area is limited; matatu minibuses and city buses are cheap but crowded, taxis and ride-hailing cars are common, and the Nairobi Expressway cuts the airport run to the centre and Westlands to about 30 minutes outside rush hour. A private car is the simplest choice with luggage, for a night arrival or for the drive to Naivasha, Nakuru or a safari lodge. With luggage, a family or a late flight, the private car is the simpler choice.
Which tours are available in Nairobi?
Among them: Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour, Masai Mara 3-Day Group Safari by 4x4 Jeep from Nairobi, Nairobi National Park Half-Day Game Drive, Amboseli National Park Day Safari & Maasai Village from Nairobi and Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Half-Day Tour, Nairobi. Each page says whether the day is private or small-group, what it includes and how long it lasts.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Both exist, and each tour page says which. A private tour has a vehicle and guide for your party alone; the desk can make most group tours private on request.
How do I book?
Fill in the form on any page or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of travellers and the hotel. A member of our team confirms the price and the details in writing within minutes.
Are the prices fixed?
Yes - every price is agreed in writing on WhatsApp before you travel and does not change on the day.
Do the drivers and guides speak Arabic or English?
It depends on the city and the day, so we do not promise a particular language; tell us your preference and we do our best. The WhatsApp desk always works in Arabic and English.
Can I change or cancel a booking in Nairobi?
Yes, in the same WhatsApp conversation. The terms depend on the product and on how close to the date the change comes; the desk states them before you pay.