Nairobi is the capital of the republic Kenya. It is located in the southwest of the country between Mount Kenya and the Tanzanian border.
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| Nairobi | ||
| county | Nairobi | |
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| Residents | 5.545.000 (2016) | |
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background
Nairobi center
Green Nairobi
Nairobi is 1670 meters above sea level and is the trade, economic and cultural center of Kenya. There are many skyscrapers in the center of the city and so Nairobi (at first glance) looks like a western metropolis.In Nairobi there is: a university (1963) and technical college, a national theater and a congress center. The center of the city is the City Square with the parliament building (1954), the town hall and the supreme court Kenyatta Avenue with office buildings and hotels.
history
The word Nairobi comes from a water hole that the Maasai called "Enkare Nyorobi", which means "cool water". Nairobi, which was a marshland, was established in 1899 as a railway warehouse for the Uganda Railway. In 1905 the city became the capital of Kenya (then the British East Africa Protectorate), displacing Mombasa and Machakos, the former capitals. With the spread of the plague at the beginning of the 20th century, Nairobi was burned down and had to be rebuilt. With the railway line, the city grew rapidly and developed into Kenya's second largest city after Mombasa. Nairobi also grew due to administrative and tourism businesses (mainly big game hunting).
The British presence led to the creation of large hotels primarily for the British hunters. Nairobi has a relatively large East Indian community who are the descendants of the workers who built the railroad and the merchants who settled during the colonial era. After independence, Nairobi Airport became the main entry point for Kenya, although it has lost some of its importance to Mombasa.
getting there
By plane
- 1 Jomo Kenyatta International (IATA: NBO).
This airport is one of the most important in Africa and has good international connections. Mainly due to the growth of the domestic airline Kenya Airways, which offers worldwide flights, the development of the airport was advanced. There are some connections from Europe, including with Condor from Frankfurt, with Swiss from Zurich or with KLM from Amsterdam. The Arab Airlines Emirates and Qatar Airways also connect Nairobi with their hubs. Depending on the traffic, the journey between the airport and the city center takes around 20-60 minutes.
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- taxi: Many taxis are waiting in front of the airport. The cost of a trip to the city center should be around Ksh 2,000. Westlands or places further west or north are more expensive (approx. 1 € / km). Immediately after leaving the customs area there is an official KAA taxi counter where you can buy a voucher for a fixed price. You will then be escorted to a taxi. If you take a taxi to your accommodation, don't be tempted to accept their recommendation for accommodation. Uber costs from 1000 Ksh from the airport to the city center.
- Airport bus: To or from the center, airport bus number 34 for Ksh 80. You can catch the bus from the international airport or in front of the Ambassador Hotel on Moi Avenue in the city center. 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Local train: There is a new local train in Nairobi, the one at the station Embakasi Village leaves and goes to the main train station in Nairobi. Large buses run from the airport to / from this train station eight times a day. Departures from JKIA airport take place with DMU Express at 6:00 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. One-way commuter bus: 6.40 a.m. 07.35 a.m. 09.50 a.m. 11.45 a.m. 1.55 p.m. 6.50 p.m. The fare is 250 shillings for the DMU Express and 140 shillings for one-way commuter traffic. It is about 1 hour from JKIA airport to the city center.
- 2 Nairobi Wilson (IATA: WIL).Most domestic flights, especially in connection with safaris to the tourist areas, take place at the airport Nairobi Wilson instead, which is only a few kilometers from the city center. A taxi shouldn't cost more than KSh 800, a good price is KSh 600, and the journey will take around 15-45 minutes from the city center.
- There is no official taxi counter at Wilson and each airline operates from its own terminal. It may be difficult to order a reputable taxi upon arrival, but there are plenty waiting outside the airport.
By bus
- Nairobi is the center of Kenya's (most reliable) bus system. There are many bus companies operating to and from the various cities in the country.
By train
- Since June 2017 the new, 530 km long route has been to Mombasa completed. The travel time has been reduced significantly to the scheduled 5 hours. The most modern rapid transit trains are used. The cheapest 3rd class tickets are 1000 Ksh, significantly cheaper than buses (2017: 1500 Ksh). In the 1st class; 3000 Ksh is due. Timetable and prices. Since the train station is far south of Nairobi near the airport, there is a connecting train that takes passengers to the center.
mobility
Route network Nairobi Commuter Rail.
Nairobi Bus Terminal
There are four in the Nairobi region Commuter Rail-Lines of local rail transport. 3-4 daily trips per line only take place during rush hour and are very overcrowded.
- taxi. Prices should always be negotiated before the trip and paid afterwards (only cash is accepted, there is often limited change available). This can be tricky as it requires you to be aware of the market price of the trip you want. You can calculate about 1 euro per km. Taxis are usually found in hotels, shopping malls, and tourist areas. The taxis are marked with a yellow line on each side. It's best to ask a local or check with your hotel. The shuttle service Over, Taxify, Ke / Little, [1], [2] are very popular because of their convenience, cost and higher quality of service.
- buses. Matatus (mini buses) are generally used for trips between downtown Nairobi and the suburbs. It's the cheapest mode of transport, mostly overcrowded, poorly maintained and often driven by inexperienced and inconsiderate drivers. In every bus there is a cashier who, half hanging out of the side door, calls out the price (usually Ksh 20-50) and the place where the matatu is going. The government banned 14-seat matatus in the city center to reduce traffic and accidents in the city. Your best bet is probably the City Hoppa Bus Service and the revitalized Kenya Bus Service. Beware of traffic jams on the main roads, not only during rush hour.
- On foot. Walking around central Nairobi is fairly easy as the sights are close together and the center is relatively small and flat. However, there are some areas within the city that tourists shouldn't go and walking around at night should be avoided.
- Rental car. Renting a car is convenient as it gives you the freedom to explore Nairobi at your own pace. Most Nairobi rental companies offer self-drive or chauffeur options. You can rent both automatic and manual transmissions. All rental cars are right hand drive. It is advisable to rent a vehicle with a local driver or chauffeur who knows both the chaotic traffic and the road conditions. Although a good number of local car rental companies are reliable, one should either take photos of the car before renting it or carefully note and agree to any dents or scratches on the car. Also, read the rental agreement carefully to check the rules governing insurance liabilities in the event of an accident or theft of the vehicle.
Tourist Attractions
Map of Nairobi
Nairobi is a good starting point for safaris in the area. The city itself offers only a few sights, but good shopping opportunities.
- 1 Nairobi National Park
(Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Nairobi). The park close to the city is often underestimated, but offers a rich wildlife and is inexpensive to explore. Large herds of zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, hippos and birds (over 400 species) live here. Here you can also visit the Nairobi Safari Walk, an educational center to raise awareness of wildlife and habitat conservation. In the park there is also the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, a care station for wild animals.Price: 38 €.
- 2 Sheldrick Elephant & Rhino Orphanage. Orphaned elephants from all over Kenya are taken in until they can be released and survived in the wild. Visiting hours are daily from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. These short visiting hours are intended to ensure that the elephants do not get used to humans.
- 3 Giraffes center. Great way to see giraffes up close and hand feed the animals. The food is provided free of charge.Price: 10 €.
- 1 Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC). The best place to get a good view of the sprawling, crowded metropolis of Nairobi. You can go up to the round observation tower of the conference center and, depending on the smog and fog, see as far as the slums and the national park.
- 4 Nairobi Zoo Safari Walk. The Nairobi Safari Walk is located along Lang'ata Road, right by the cemetery in Nairobi National Park. There is a variety of wildlife on the premises including buffalo, lions, cheetahs, ostriches, antelopes, hippos, etc. Visitors have the opportunity to view and take photos of the animals on a marked trail. It should be noted that no park accepts cash payments, so you should have either a credit card or money stored in your mobile phone (MPESA).
Churches
In the district of Lavington, the church service of the German evangelical congregation takes place in the old St. Andrews Church on Sundays at 10 a.m.
- 5 St. Andrews Church. In the district of Lavington, the church service of the German evangelical congregation takes place in the old St. Andrews Church on Sundays at 10 a.m.
- 6 Jamia mosque. The Jamia Mosque on Banda Street near the City Market was built in 1902 in the traditional Moorish style, is one of the largest sacred buildings in Kenya and the Islamic center of the country. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the Jamia Mosque, but the elegant building is also well worth seeing from the outside.
- 7 Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Temple. Temples with particularly beautiful architecture and well-tended gardens.
Museums
Nairobi National Museum
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Karen Blixen Museum
- 8 Nairobi National Museum. Here visitors can learn more about Nairobi, its history and culture. The museum was founded in 1910.Open: 8: 30-17: 30.
- 9 National Railway Museum. Visitors can learn more about the history of the Kenyan Railway and the Kenya / Uganda Railway. It also houses some of the country's colonial engines and vehicles.
- 11 Karen Blixen Museum. Based on the well-known Karen Blixen novel "Out of Africa", her house became a museum. The house can be visited with a guided tour, you can also walk through the gardens on your own. If you haven't seen the film and don't know the history of the house, the hour of the journey and the admission price are hardly worth it. The house has little original furniture left, but there are some of the props that were used in the film here (although the film was not shot here - it was created on a set). The property is on the outskirts of Nairobi (in the suburbs of Karen). It is not far from the Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center, so these attractions can be combined into a single excursion.
- 12 Bomas of Kenya. Various aspects of Kenyan culture are shown in Bomas, including ways of life, handicrafts, music and dance.
Parks
Karura Forest
- 13 Uhuru Park. Uhuru Park is a 12.9 hectare amusement park next to Nairobi's central business district. It was completed in 1971 in memory of the 1963 struggle for independence and offers the best views of the world City Square. The 24 m high triumphal column is worth seeing. The monument is surrounded by fountains and lush gardens.
- 14 Arbortum Park. Very nice park to go for a walk and relax from the hectic city. Because of the entrance fee, you won't be bothered by beggars, vendors, etc.Open: 06: 00-18: 30.
- 15 Karura Forest. With an area of 1,063 hectares, it is the largest of the three main parks in Nairobi. The others are Ngong Forest and Ololua Forest. One of the best forest parks for running, horse riding, picnic in the city center. It is relatively safe, well marked and a very nice place to relax and enjoy nature. The River Cafe is a good place to relax from a stroll.
- 16 City Park. The city park is a good place to relax from the hectic big city. Many Sikes monkeys live in this forest. They are trusting and approach because they are often fed by visitors. Since they expect food from visitors, they get moody when you have nothing to feed. The park gets very crowded on weekends and holidays. There are some nature trails that are not really safe for foreign tourists. Another highlight of the city park is the vegetable and fruit market on a corner of the park near Lumuru Road. Avoid going into the forest when it is dark! Entry to the park is free.
trips
- 17 Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park.The 2,146 m high mountain range, about 60 km from Nairobi, offers the visitor beautiful mountain forests and plains with a large population of buffalo. The area also serves as a refuge for colobus monkeys, bushbucks, duikers, leopards and a wide variety of bird species. Another attraction is climbing Kilimambogo Mountain. This is a good starting point Ol Donyo Sapuk Resortwhere you can also find guides. It's a 9km hike to the top of the 2,145m high mountain that takes around 3 hours with stops at lookouts and Macmillan's burial site.
14 if
- 18 14 waterfalls near Thika. The 14 waterfalls are 55 km from Nairobi, near the Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, by the city Thika, one of the largest pineapple suppliers in Kenya. You can see the extensive plantations on the way to the waterfalls. 14 small streams merge to form a large waterfall at the foot of the Kilima Mbogo Hills. These streams are part of the Athi River. At first glance, the falls are great. However, the river is heavily polluted with industrial waste and garbage strewn all over the rocks diminishes the joy. They are with Thika too Thika and Chania waterfalls in the vicinity of the Blue Post Hotel . A visit is also interesting for a stop on the way to the 14 falls. They are also worth a visit Mau Mau Caves, in which alleged Maumau fighters were hidden during the independence struggles between Thika and Mangu, about 6 km from Thika.Price: 15 € entrance fee, 5 € parking space, 5 € camera.
- 19 Kiambethu Tea Farm, Limuru. A lovely tea farm about 40 minutes from Nairobi city center. The farmhouse is set in a beautiful garden surrounded by tea and native forests - home to the Colobus monkeys and many other wildlife.Open: 11: 00-14: 30.
- 20 Kitangela Glass. In this imaginative place, beautiful art objects are made from recycled glass and displayed in a beautiful garden. Different types of glassware are sold in a shop. Guided presentations take place every 30 minutes.
- 21 Rolf's Place.
A suspension bridge leads over a ravine to the restaurant. The restaurant has seen better days and is overpriced, but it is worth enjoying the beautiful view with a beer. - 22 Anti-Gravity Hill (Kituluni Hill). One of the strangest natural phenomena in the Kenyan Rift Valley is what the native Kamba mysteriously calls "anti-gravity". Young men gesticulate in the street to demonstrate the "miracle" to visitors for a small fee. You put a plastic bottle filled with water on the asphalt, which appears to be rolling uphill. If you ask them if they bumped the bottle, they empty the contents into the street. The water seems to flow slowly uphill.
- 23 Swara Plains Conservancy. Swara Plains is a fenced-in area where zebras, giraffes, ostriches, monkeys and many other "non-predators" can be seen. Here you can go for a walk or ride a bike, which is forbidden almost everywhere in the national parks, but is fun for children.
- 24 Olorgesailie prehistoric site.This site is where many stone tools from prehistoric times were found.
- 25 Magadi lake (Ziwa Magadi).Salt lake with hot springs for SPA, soda and salt production and lots of flamingos.
- 26 Hell's Gate National Park (Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Hell's Gate).
A nice alternative to the more traditional safari. Given the absence of dangerous animals, it is possible to visit this park on foot or by bike. The landscapes are very impressive, especially the descent into the canyon where you can see zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, warthogs, and several endemic species of birds and insects.
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activities
- 3 Kereita Forest zip line (zip line). In the Kereita Forest near Kiambu along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway is the longest zipline in East Africa with over 2.4 km of flight over the lush bush landscape.Open: 8 am-6pm.
shop
Garissa Market
- Shoping malls. There are many shopping malls in the city including the Galleria, Westgate Shopping Mall, Sarit Center, Thika Road Shopping Center, Garden City Mall, Two Rivers Mall, and The Hub Karen, among others.
- Flea Markets - Maasai Markets. Of tourist interest are the homemade handicrafts such as Maasai beadwork, carved products made of wood and soapstone, as well as lesos (African wraps), kikoys (sarongs) and Maasai shukas, which are sold at the local flea markets. The Maasai markets are the best places to go in the hunt for these things and they are held in the parking lots of various shopping malls. MONDAY: The only Maasai market on Monday takes place in the mall Galleria instead of. TUESDAY: In the mall Prestige Plaza on Ngong Road and shopping mall Westgate in the upper parking lot, WEDNESDAY: In the Capital Center on Mombasa Road. THURSDAY: in the Garden City Mall in the open-air car park. FRIDAY: In the Village Market in the suburb of Gigiri from 8 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. This is the oldest Maasai market in Nairobi. SATURDAY: The Nairobi Court of Appeal Parking lot is the busiest Maasai market in Nairobi. It is held in the courthouse's huge parking lot. It is centrally located in the city center, right next to the KICC and right behind the Hilton Hotel. Sellers come from the most remote areas of Maasailand. This is a shoppers paradise. Also to the Adam's Arcade the oldest pre-independence mall in Nairobi has a market. SUNDAY: In the Yaya Center in the posh residential area of Kilimani, along Argwings Kodhek Road and at Adam's Arcade and in the parking lot of the Appeals Court.
kitchen
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Upscale
nightlife
Cheap
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Upscale
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accommodation
Cheap
medium
- 1 Jungle Junction.facebook url usedSimple hostel. In addition to rooms of various categories, you can also camp there. Chris, the owner, is German who married a Kenyan woman. The price level of four USD per person for camping is not cheap by Kenyan standards, but if you can afford it, you will really find an oasis of calm there.
Upscale
- 2 Giraffe Manor. Luxurious all-inclusive hotel in a 1930s mansion with gardens and a herd of giraffes on the western edge of Nairobi National Park in a tourist village with cultural shows. The real attraction is that the giraffes are tame and "steal" bread from the plates of the guests during meals or with their long necks beg for food in the rooms on the first floor.Price: from US $ 825 and up per person per night.
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