Nairobi is one of the most interesting cities in Africa and has some awesome places you can enjoy visiting whether you are a visitor or a resident.
The places you can visit Nairobi include museums, art centres, animal orphanages, forests, hills among other may fun activities.
Here’s a list of some of the best places to visit.
1. National Museum
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The Nairobi National Museum was founded in 1920, and established at its present location in 1929. Want to learn about the country’s history, it’s people, culture and art then this is aplace you can start with. The Museum aims to interpret Kenya’s rich heritage and offers a one stop for visitors to sample the country’s rich heritage both for education and leisure. It is open on all 356 days throughout the year from 0830hrs -17300hrs.
2. Railway Museum
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The Nairobi Railway Museum was established in 1971 to preserve and display the relics and records of the railways of East Africa and is located adjacent to Nairobi railway station.The museum’s collection of locomotives is increasing with the addition of some early diesel locomotives and, examples of passenger coaches
3. Karen Blixen
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The Karen Blixen Museum, located 10 km outside of Nairobi, is the former African home of Danish author Karen Blixen, famous for her book Out of Africa which chronicles life at the estate.
4. Giraffe Center
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The Giraffe Centre was started by Jock Leslie-Melville, the Kenyan grandson of a Scottish Earl, when he and his wife Betty captured a baby giraffe to start a programme of breeding giraffe in captivity at their home in Langata – home of the present centre. Since then the programme has had huge success, resulting in the introduction of several breeding pairs of Rothschild Giraffe into Kenyan national parks. It is located at Karen, approximately 5 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi.
5. Karura Forest
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Karura Forest is an urban forest in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The forest was gazetted in 1932 and is managed by the Kenya Forest Service in conjunction with the Friends of Karura Forest. Features in the forest include a waterfall, bamboo forest, marshland, Mau Mau caves and an old church. The first trail, which is four kilometres long and connects Limuru Road with Old Kiambu Road was opened in May 2009.
6. Ngong Hills
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The Ngong Hills is about 22km southwest of the city, makes it a very popular weekend destination for visitors. The hike up Ngong Hills starts from Ngong town at the northern foot of the hills 1961m above sea level, and traverses the whole range to the southern end at Kona Baridi. This takes about 4 to 5 hour to complete, depending on fitness levels.
7. David Sheldrick Trust Elephant Orphan Centre
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Dame Daphne established the Trust in honour of her late husband David Sheldrick, the founding warden of the Tsavo National Parks, and a pioneer conservationist in Kenya. The orphanage caters for the welfare of orphaned Elephants and Rhinos who are raised in the sanctuary and eventually released back to the wild.
8. Blue Sky Tours in Diamond Plaza – indoor rock climbing
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You don’t have to go out into the wild to enjoy some rock climb thanks to Blue Sky’s indoor rock climbing facility located in the Diamond plaza. Whether you’re a pro or an amatuer out to try something new there’s something for everyone.
9. Panari sky centre – ice skating
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You’ve seen it in movies and probably want to try it out. Panari sky centre offers you the opportunity to turn your dreams of ice skating into reality. An hour in the Ice Rink will cost about 500 for kids and 700 Kenya shillings for adults respectively and boots are provided on arrival.
10. Nairobi Arboretum
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Nairobi Arboretum was established in 1907 by Mr. Batiscombe, then Deputy Conservator of Forests, to try out introduced forestry trees for Kenya.It is located along state house road in Kilimani. The Arboretum occupies 30 hectares and holds over 350 tree species and offers a great space for walks, picnics and events.
11. Bomas of Kenya
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The Bomas of Kenya offer you a chance to get an insight into the cultures of some of Kenya’s tribes with tribal villages and interactions with some of those versed in the same.
12. Uhuru gardens
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Uhuru gardens is the largest memorial park in Kenya. The inaugural ceremony for Kenya’s first president, President Jomo Kenyatta was conducted at this park on 12 December 1963 when Kenya gained its independence. A 24-metre high monument commemorating Kenyas’ struggle for independence is the centrepiece of attractions at Uhuru Gardens.
13. Gp Karting
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If you love speed and racing then step away from the console and get yourself to gp karting in Langata. The venue is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 9am and 6pm.
14. Village market
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The Village Market is located in the Gigiri and is one of Kenya’s largest shopping, recreation and entertainment complex housing over 150 stores outlets. There are several outlets that specialize in African artifacts and other Kenyan crafts. Moreover, every Friday, the shopping center hosts the Maasai Market – a cultural bazaar that brings together around 400 artisans and craftsmen who specialize in an array of ethnic relics.
15. Mamba village
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Nairobi Mamba Village is a sanctuary for crocodiles located 12 km south of Nairobi City. The farm also houses Ostrich and is a popular destination for tourists and students. The best time to visit is during crocodiles feeding time. You will be thrilled at how high giant crocs can jump to grab thrown pieces of meat oblivious of the other gaping giant crocodiles.
16. Paintball Fury Limited
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Paintball Fury Limited is located in Karen and Langata and offers you the chance to enjoy paintball which simulates armed combat with teams fighting to possess and advance a flag to the opponent’s end, without being shot at. Protective gear like overalls, headgear and a back and chest protector are provided once you purchase 100 paintballs (minimum) for 1000 Kenya shillings.
17. Maasai ostrich farm
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The Maasai Ostrich Farm is located about 45 km south of Nairobi. You will not only enjoy a taste of Ostrich meat but you will also get a chance to ride on Ostrich.
18. Paradise lost
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Paradise lost is a beautiful oasis in the middle of a coffee farm close to Kiambu Town, about 10km from Nairobi. It is one of very few places close to Nairobi that offers a myriad of attractions and activities for the whole family. The most popular attraction at Paradise Lost is a labyrinth of caves eroded by the waters of the nearby Gichi River, with their entrance screened by a spectacular waterfall. These caves are estimated to be 2.5 million years old, based on obsidian rock artefacts from the late stone age that were discovered inside. Artificial lighting has been installed a few meters into the caves up to a large cavern within.
19. August Memorial park
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The August 7th Memorial Park is located at the 1998 Bomb blast scene along Haile Selassie Avenue. It is dedicated to those who lost their lives and contains a notice board listing their names.
20. Kenya National Archives
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The Kenya National Archives is situated at the edge of the central business district in downtown Nairobi along Moi Avenue next to Ambassadeur Hotel. It was established in 1965 and holds 40,000 volumes. It also houses the Murumbi Gallery which is currently the largest Pan-African art gallery in Africa and contains ancient art collections from different regions and communities of Africa. The collected artifacts were acquired by the government of Kenya after a concessionary arrangement was agreed upon with Joseph Murumbi, who had initially turned down several huge offers to buy his collections by overseas bidders
21. KICC
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The Kenyatta International Conference Centre is an internationally renowned venue for conferences, meetings, exhibitions and special events and among the tallest buildings in Nairobi. For Ksh. 200 bob you can go to the rooftop and enjoy a marvelous and exclusive view of the city.
22. Art centres
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Nairobi has some of the continent’s most renowned art centres like Kuona Trust and the godown arts centre where you get to interact and see some of the art workd completed and being worked on by Kenyan artists.
23. Oloolua Nature Trail
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The National Museums of Kenya established the 5km long Oloolua Nature Trail in part of the Oloolua forest, in Karen, providing a quiet peaceful place for city residents looking to escape the city hustle and bustle. The trail is open every day from 9am to 6pm. Click here for more details.
24. Nairobi national park
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Nairobi National Park is a unique ecosystem by being the only protected area in the world close to a capital city. The park is located only 7 km from Nairobi city centre. Major wildlife attractions are the Black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, buffaloes, Giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, elands and diverse birdlife with over 400 species recorded. It’s an awesome place to spend your weekends and also houses other attractions include the Ivory burning site Monument, Nairobi Safari Walk, the Orphanage and the walking trails at hippo pools.
25. Parliament
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The Parliament building is the symbol of and houses the Kenyan legislature. It represents the history of Kenya’s governance and thus making it one of the top places to visit while in the city.