Nairobi has a reputation as a place to pass through. That sells it short. Give it a day and it is one of the more interesting capitals on the continent, with a national park on its doorstep. Here is a simple plan.
Morning
Start early at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage, open to visitors for one hour late morning, where orphaned calves are fed and mud-bathed by their keepers. Book ahead. A short drive away, the Giraffe Centre lets you feed endangered Rothschild giraffes from a raised platform. Both support conservation directly.
Lunch
For something relaxed, the garden restaurants in Karen and Langata do good Kenyan and international food. If you want the full tourist set-piece, Carnivore is still going. For a quieter option, the Kazuri bead workshop and cafe in Karen employs mostly single mothers and is a good place to buy gifts.
Afternoon
Visit the Karen Blixen Museum, the farmhouse from Out of Africa, set in the shadow of the Ngong Hills. Alternatively, the Nairobi National Museum gives a strong overview of Kenyan prehistory, culture and the independence struggle, and the adjacent Snake Park fills a spare half hour.
If you have more time
Nairobi National Park is the only major game park inside a capital city. A half-day drive can turn up lion, rhino, giraffe and buffalo against a backdrop of city skyline. It works well as a first taste of safari on an arrival day, or a last one before you fly.
Practical notes
Traffic is heavy, so plan two activities, not five, and use a driver. Afternoons in the rainy seasons can bring sharp downpours. The city sits at 1,700 metres, so you may feel the altitude slightly on day one.
We can arrange a private guide and vehicle for a Nairobi day, either as a set tour or built around what you want to see.
