What You Need to Know: A Nairobi city tour usually covers the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's orphaned elephants, the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum in the leafy suburb of Karen, with a market or a museum in town. It fits on your arrival or departure day, often with a game drive in Nairobi National Park.
Why Visit Nairobi?
Nairobi is East Africa's biggest city and its main air hub, a few hours from the Maasai Mara and Amboseli. The best sights for visitors are in Karen and Langata, on the south-west side near the national park, so a tour avoids the busiest traffic.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust raises orphaned baby elephants and returns them to the wild in Tsavo; its daily visiting hour lets you watch the keepers feed them. At the Giraffe Centre you feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform. The Karen Blixen Museum is the farmhouse of the author of Out of Africa.
Things to Do at Nairobi
- The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage (late-morning visiting hour)
- The Giraffe Centre in Langata
- The Karen Blixen Museum
- Kazuri Beads, a workshop employing local women
- The Nairobi National Museum and the Maasai Market
- A game drive in Nairobi National Park
How to Get to Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is about 30–60 minutes from most hotels, depending on traffic. Karen and Langata are about 30–45 minutes from the city center.
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jomo Kenyatta International Airport | By road | 30–60 minutes |
| City center to Karen | By road | 30–45 minutes |
| Mombasa | Madaraka Express train or a 1-hour flight | About 5 hours by train |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Nairobi?
Any time of year. Visit the Sheldrick Trust in the late morning and Nairobi National Park early or late in the day.
Nairobi Entry Fees
| Fee | 2026 rate (non-resident adult) |
|---|---|
| Nairobi National Park (if included) | US$80 per 24 hours |
| Sheldrick Trust, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum | Small entry fees, shown in your quotation |
Fees are paid through Kenya's eCitizen system or at the gate and are included in our quotations. Every visitor to Kenya needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), about US$30–35, applied for at etakenya.go.ke at least 3 days before you fly. Kenya is on the yellow fever list, so carry your certificate if you continue to Tanzania, Uganda or Rwanda.
How Many Days Do You Need for Nairobi?
One day covers the main sights; most guests do it on the arrival day, as in our partners' Kenya quotes, which start with Nairobi National Park, the Sheldrick Trust and the Giraffe Centre.
Use your arrival or departure day for Nairobi's highlights, start with the national park at dawn, and plan around the Sheldrick Trust's visiting hour. Traffic is heavy, so a driver saves time.
Itineraries That Include Nairobi
All these itineraries start or end in Nairobi, and day 1 can include the Sheldrick Trust and the Giraffe Centre if your flight lands in the morning. The 14-day Kenya and Rwanda safari has a full Nairobi day.
| Itinerary | From (per person, 2 travelers) |
|---|---|
| 14-day Kenya and Rwanda gorilla safari | US$8,348 |
| 9-day Maasai Mara and Rwanda gorilla safari | US$5,938 |
| 10-day Kenya and Uganda gorilla safari | US$5,620 |
| 14-day Kenya and Uganda safari | US$7,798 |
| 13-day luxury Kenya and Tanzania safari | US$11,050 |
| 9-day Maasai Mara and Serengeti safari | US$4,338 |
Our Kenya trips are planned by us and run on the ground by trusted local partner operators: you get one written quotation and one point of contact, and a private vehicle with a driver-guide for your group only. In Kenya that is a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, sliding windows, a fridge and binoculars.
What to Combine with Nairobi
- Nairobi National Park: see our Nairobi National Park guide
- The Maasai Mara: see our Maasai Mara guide
- Lake Naivasha: 2 hours north-west; see our Lake Naivasha guide
A Full Day in Nairobi
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 6:00 | Game drive in Nairobi National Park |
| 11:00 | Sheldrick Trust visiting hour |
| 12:30 | Lunch in Karen |
| 14:00 | Giraffe Centre, then the Karen Blixen Museum |
| 16:30 | Kazuri Beads or the Maasai Market, then your hotel |
Where to Stay in Nairobi
Karen and Langata are quiet, green and close to the main sights and the national park; Westlands and the city center suit business travelers. Our partners' quotes often use the Sarova Panafric Hotel, or similar.
Markets and Shopping
- The Maasai Market, which moves around the city on different days
- Kazuri Beads in Karen
- City Market for crafts and fresh produce
- Bargain politely and pay in shillings
Nairobi for Families
Nairobi is great for children: the baby elephants at the Sheldrick Trust, feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, and a morning game drive in Nairobi National Park make a memorable first day in Kenya. The Nairobi Safari Walk at the park's gate is a short boardwalk for younger children.
Common Questions About Nairobi
Is Nairobi safe for tourists?
Yes, with normal city care: use a driver, don't walk around at night, and keep valuables out of sight. Our driver-guide stays with you on the tour.
What time does the Sheldrick Trust open?
The public visiting hour is in the late morning; we time the tour around it and confirm the current hours when we book.
Can we do a city tour on a long layover?
Yes, if you have enough time outside the airport and your eTA. Karen's sights are about 45 minutes from the airport.
Is one day enough for Nairobi?
Yes, for the main sights; most guests do it on their arrival or departure day.
Is Nairobi good for children?
Yes: the elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre are favorites.
How long is the drive from the airport to Karen?
About 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
The Bottom Line
Give Nairobi a day: the baby elephants and giraffes are a gentle start to a safari. It fits best on your arrival or departure day.
Tell us your dates, the number of travelers and what you want to see, through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will send a written quotation and itinerary.