Nairobi National Park and Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Nairobi National Park was established in 1945 and is Kenya's
first national park. Uniquely situated on the capital's doorstep it
is a well-kept, compact and beautiful area of plains and wild bush
containing a large number of Africa's best-known animals. Large
herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and giraffe roam the plains and
black rhino, ostrich, baboons, cheetah, leopard and lions are some
of the other photogenic inhabitants.
In the park is the Animal Orphanage where sick, wounded and
abandoned animals are cared for and rehabilitated into the park, as
well as an Educational Centre featuring a Safari Walk. Other
attractions include the Ivory burning site Monument and some
wonderful picnic areas popular for corporate functions, weddings
and the like.
Close by is the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where infant
elephant and rhino (orphaned because of poaching activities) are
cared for and eventually returned to the wild in Tsavo National
Park. The centre is open every morning and visitors can watch the
calves bathing in the mud hole and being bottle fed by their human
surrogate mothers. Seeing these baby animals playing and
interacting with them is a special experience and the Elephant
Orphanage is one of the top attractions in Kenya for many
visitors.
Address: Nairobi, Kenya
Zebra at Nairobi National Park
Luigi Guarino
The Giraffe Centre
Experience giraffes up close and personal at this wonderful
centre dedicated to the preservation of the endangered Rothschild
giraffe. Not only can you watch them from very close but visitors
can experience the rare pleasure of hand-feeding these graceful and
gentle creatures from a platform at eye-level with the animals: you
can touch them, have them take food out of your hands, or even put
a pellet in your mouth and enjoy a sloppy giraffe kiss! The photo
opportunities are simply superb. You can also enjoy the nature walk
in a lovely area with 160 species of bird and some amazing trees.
There are warthogs and giant tortoises to meet as well. This is the
single best attraction for children in Nairobi and there are often
groups of school kids that come for tours. Guides at the centre
give educational talks and answer any questions you may have. Betty
and Jock Leslie Melville founded the Giraffe Centre in 1979 to
preserve the Rothschild giraffe of which only 120 remained in
existence; it is a non-profit organisation and all fees go towards
the conservation of these wonderful animals. The manor house on the
estate is very charming and a popular venue for weddings and other
events.
Address: Giraffe Centre, Duma Road, Nairobi
Giraffe
Maria Hagglof
Nairobi National Museum
This hugely diverse museum contains some world-class attractions
among its dusty relics and stuffed animals. The facility is home to
the great pre-historic finds from the Leakey family, including
relics from mankind's earliest ancestors. The most famous fossil in
the museum is the skeleton of Turkana Boy, the most complete early
human skeleton ever found, at 1.5 million years old (Turkana Boy is
officially classified as either homo erectus or homo ergaster).
There are also fascinating sections on art, geology, wildlife and
local history. The Nairobi National Museum is a nice looking
building with lots to offer visitors. In many ways it is a bit
old-fashioned, but it is a great place to learn about Kenya's
culture and history and a worthwhile attraction for visitors to the
city. Local guides are available at the museum and hiring one is a
good idea because their knowledge enriches the exhibits and fills
in any gaps there may be in information.
Apart from the wealth of artefacts and information in the
museum, there are some wonderful sculptures and a herb garden in
the grounds, and there is an attached snake park where some of the
world's largest and also most venomous snakes are displayed, in
addition to other animals like tortoises and crocodiles.
Address: Kipande Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
National Museum
meaduva
Karen Blixen Museum
Karen Blixen was a notable Kenyan personality who lived and
farmed on the outskirts of Nairobi from 1917 to 1931 when she
returned to Denmark bankrupt and heartbroken at being forced to
leave Africa. Writing under the name Isak Dinesen she authored
acclaimed books including Out of Africa which inspired an Oscar
winning film of the same name. The main building of the original
farmhouse, M'Bogani House, now houses the Karen Blixen Museum and
retains much of its original furniture and other photographs and
items of interest. The museum is situated in the suburb of Karen, a
short drive from the city centre.
Those who have seen the much-loved movie, starring Meryl Streep
and Robert Redford, may also be curious about the Muthaiga Country
Club featured in the film: tourists can visit the original
clubhouse, which is still active, but women won't be allowed in the
members' bar - Karen Blixen is, to this day, the only woman who has
been allowed to drink there. Fans of the movie should also note
that although it was designed to look like it, the house in the
film is not M'Bogani House. The stunning landscapes of the area,
however, will be instantly recognisable.
Address: Karen Road, Langata, Nairobi
Karen Blixen Museum
Fiona Bradley
Nairobi has a maritime climate, tempered by its high
elevation and tends to be less hot than the rest of Kenya. As the
city is near the equator there is little variation between the
seasons and generally people talk about wet or dry seasons as
opposed to summer, winter, spring, or autumn. However, summers,
between November and February, are warm and pleasant, with
temperatures ranging between 50°F (10°C) and 77°F (25°C).
Winter days, between June and August, are mild with
slightly cooler evenings, but temperatures much like summer. The
rainy season in Nairobi is during late summer and into autumn, when
it is often cloudy and damp, but rainfall is seldom very heavy. The
drizzliest months are March to May and October to December.
Generally visitors flock to Kenya in the country's
dry seasons, between January and March, and July and October,
because these are the best months to go on safari in the national
parks. The best time to visit Nairobi is in summer, between
November and February, but ultimately any time of year is okay in
the city and it is recommended that visitors decide on the time of
their visit to Kenya according to their desired activities rather
than the city's climate.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 10 miles (16km) southeast of
Nairobi.
Time: GMT +3.
Transfer Between Terminals:
There is a shuttle service available.
Getting to the city:
The bus services leave fairly regularly for the city centre;
most travellers however take a taxi or arrange to be picked up by
their hotel or tour operator.
Car Rental:
Most worldwide rental companies are represented at the
airport.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis take passengers to the central city hotels and its best to
negotiate a fixed fare upfront.
Fascilities:
The facilities at the airport are fairly limited, but include a
bank and bureau de change, left luggage, telephones, medical aid, a
bar and restaurant, duty-free shops selling curios, tourist
information, and hotel reservations. There are disabled facilities,
but passengers should advise their airline in advance of any
special needs.
Parking
Parking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is charged at KSH
60 per hour for short-term parking.
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The most popular form of public transport in Nairobi are
matatus, minibuses that operate on set routes. Cheap but
unregulated, these overcrowded vehicles have become part of Kenyan
culture. No less risky are the local bus services, renowned for
speeding and dangerous driving.
Taxis are widely available and convenient, usually congregated
around hotels and areas frequented by tourists. They aren't metered
and the fare should be agreed upon before departure. Nairobi taxis
are marked with a yellow line along the side of the vehicle, or
appear as large black London taxis.
The better taxi companies have more modern vehicles, which can
be booked by telephone. The best option if you are spending a day
or two in the city is probably to hire a taxi and driver
recommended for you by your hotel or tour operator. Three-wheel
auto-rickshaws, or tuk-tuks, are also used as taxis in Nairobi.
Walking in the city can be dangerous and is not a good idea after
dark or outside of tourist areas.
Nairobi is the largest city between Johannesburg and
Cairo, and a trip to the city gives visitors insight into the many
facets that make up urban Africa. The main reasons people travel to
Nairobi are to either launch into one of Kenya's famous wildlife
safaris or travel to the coast. But the city itself offers buzzing
markets, some interesting sightseeing, and a lively nightlife.
Many visitors to Kenya don't spend too long in
Nairobi, partially because of the city's reputation for danger and
congestion. This is a shame because Nairobi is ultimately a
welcoming and fascinating place with a range of worthwhile things
to see and do. A day or two is all you will need to get the
highlights package of Nairobi before setting off on your Kenyan
adventures.
It is a good idea to hire a taxi driver, based on a
recommendation at your hotel. Some of the top attractions are the
National Museum, the delightful Giraffe Centre, the Karen Blixen
Museum, and the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, not to mention the
national park on the city's doorstep. A holiday in Nairobi can be
taken virtually any time of year, although the summer months
(November to February) are most popular with sunny, warm days.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is a park of giants, renowned for its herds of mighty
tusked elephants presided over by the magnificent backdrop of
Africa's highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. One of Africa's most
unforgettable images is the picture of these large creatures
standing in silent tribute before the gigantic snow-covered
mountain just over the border in neighbouring Tanzania. It is a
relatively small park with wide plains merging with the distant
skyline, affording good visibility in all directions.
Observation Hill rises from the centre for breathtaking views
over the park and towards Mt Kilimanjaro, especially in the pink
light of dawn. Meaning 'Place of Water' in the Masai language, it
has a continuous supply from Kilimanjaro's snowmelt, forming
underground springs that feed the marshy patches and swamps home to
hippos and a great variety of bird life. Predators are relatively
scarce apart from jackal and hyena, but there are large numbers of
grazers such as wildebeest, zebra and gazelles on the grassy plains
and giraffe among the thorn trees. A popular way to take in the
scenery is by way of a noiseless microlight flight, either from
Nairobi or the Amboseli airstrip. There is a wide range of
accommodation in and around the outskirts of the park for those
wanting to extend the experience.
Address: Loitoktok District, Rift Valley, Kenya
Elephant
Paul Mannix
Mount Kenya National Park
This national park encompasses Africa's second highest mountain,
Mount Kenya, an extinct volcano with a series of jagged
snow-covered peaks. The local Kikuyu people revere the mountain
they call Kirinvaga or 'Place of Light' as the home of their
Supreme Being, Ngai, and traditionally Kikuyu homes are built to
face the sacred summit. Part of the attraction is the incredible
variation in flora and fauna found on the mountain due to the
changes in altitude and its position on the equator. The slopes are
covered in thick forest, home to a variety of animals including the
black leopard. Bamboo, moorland and alpine vegetation give way to
rock, ice and one of the world's rarest sights - equatorial snow.
The summit is a technical climb, but Point Lenana is a popular
trekkers' objective; it is the third highest peak and can be
reached by a number of different scenic routes, lasting from three
to five days. The Mount Kenya National Park is a paradise for
climbers who come to summit the various peaks and test themselves
against the mountain. For those not wishing to climb the park
offers a pristine wilderness, lakes and glaciers, and is good for
game viewing and hiking.
Address: Mount Kenya National Park, Kenya
Mount Kenya
Chris Murphy
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya's most visited park, commonly known as the Mara, is a
wildly beautiful place with rolling savannah grasslands. It is an
extension of the Serengeti Plains in neighbouring Tanzania. Much of
the film Out of Africa was filmed here and it offers wonderful
views and an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including the
'Big Five'. It has the largest population of lion in Kenya, and
large herds of grazers also attract many other predators such as
cheetah, leopard and hyena.
The annual highlight is the Great Wildebeest Migration, creating
one of the world's supreme natural spectacles, when an estimated
two million animals form one large herd and leave the dry plains of
Tanzania to seek greener pastures in the north, arriving in the
Mara from late June onwards and returning again in October. Their
entrance into the Mara makes a breathtaking spectacle, as they
cross the crocodile infested waters of the Mara River. A once in a
lifetime way to experience the magic of an African dawn over such a
wilderness is by hot air balloon, drifting silently over the herds
below. These can be booked through any safari company and operate
daily from several of the lodges in the reserve.
Also within the reserve is a Masai village that holds
demonstrations of traditional dances and music as a source of
tourist income for the local communities of the Masai Mara National
Reserve. Traditionally the lands were used by the Masai for their
herds of cattle and the settlement programs set up to compensate
for their displacement have only recently been accepted, albeit
reluctantly. The proud warriors have become a symbol of tribal
Kenya with their beadwork, feathers, spears, decorated gourds and
red blankets. Today the Masai communities are allowed to hunt and
graze their animals in the reserve, and the occasional flash of red
glimpsed between the thorn trees and bush on the fringes of the
Mara has become a natural part of the Mara's character.
Address: Narok County, Kenya
Sunset & Hot-Air Balloons
Svein-Magne Tunli
Zebra at Nairobi National Park
Luigi Guarino
Giraffe
Maria Hagglof
National Museum
meaduva
Karen Blixen Museum
Fiona Bradley
