Holidays to Nairobi
KenyaNairobi (which means cool waters in the Maasai language) was founded in 1899 as a railway camp. Today it is rather westernized, one of Africa's major cities (and the U.N.'s fourth World Centre) and is the capital of Kenya. Rapid development has created a buzzing commercial atmosphere which necessitates keeping …
How to get to Nairobi
Here's what you need to know about getting to Nairobi. You can see the cheapest month to fly and a snapshot of flight prices for the following month. Also, don't forget to factor in your travelling time - the typical flight from London Heathrow to Nairobi takes 8 hours, 45 minutes.
When to go to Nairobi
Typical Holiday Price
£736 per person
The average price of hotels and apartments in Nairobi varies according to the time of year. To help you plan when to go, we've looked at the hotels available on our site, then worked out the average price per night for the quietest and the busiest months.
Cheapest Month to Visit
August
Based on a typical 1 week holiday - adding together the cost of flights and accommodation - August is the cheapest month to go to Nairobi.
Where to stay in Nairobi
Whatever your travelling style, we can help find you the perfect place to stay. From luxurious hotels to practical apartments, these are our most popular places in Nairobi, according to other travellers.
Things to see and do in Nairobi
Jorge Lascar | Flickr
Nairobi National Park
Jim Tan | Trip by Skyscanner
African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (Giraffe Centre)
The Green Gatsby | Trip by Skyscanner
Nairobi Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage
Summer Wilms | Trip by Skyscanner
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Kevin Picholo | Trip by Skyscanner
Maasai Market
meaduva | Flickr
Nairobi National Museum
Celeny Da Silva | Trip by Skyscanner
City Market
Daniel Mason-D'Croz | Trip by Skyscanner
Village Market
Celeny Da Silva | Trip by Skyscanner
Kenyatta Conference Centre
Lived here for just over a year. It takes some getting used to but it grows on you and now I consider it home
Nairobi is infamous for its crime and poverty but as with any big city, this kind of one-sided categorization is simplistic. Yes, it's home to one of the world's biggest slums (Kibera) and yes, the car-jacking and robbery rates are a significant worry. Yet there are signs everywhere of economic development and the streets are thronging with hustlers who aren't just there to harass the (almost non-existent) tourists but to make a living and move on up. Visitors who expect only "TIA" cliches may be surprised by the diversity of neighborhoods and the number of hipster coffee shops, juice bars and slick clothing stores that are strewn across the city.
If you are planning a visit and want to know what is on while you are in Nairobi, check out this website to stay up-to-date with events. http://nairobinow.wordpress.com/
Nairobi is easily one of my favorite African cities. I was initially terrified of the place. It does have a reputation. After living there for a few months, then visiting again often things totally changed. There is a lot of great stuff here. It's a fairly easy place to move around (minus the traffic) and there are several excellent day trips you can take from here.