Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
July 6, 2021
Kenya Coast
July 6, 2021Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
July 6, 2021Kenya Coast
July 6, 2021
Known as the home of Out of Africa’s Karen Blixen, Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city and essentially the main arrival hub for safaris.
Known as the home of Out of Africa’s Karen Blixen, Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city and essentially the main arrival hub for safaris. The city also has a 113 km² National Park which adds an extra opportunity to see some game before you even start your actual safari! There are lots of mainstream hotels in Nairobi but there are also some smaller and more boutique types including the famous Giraffe Manor. Highlights of the city include the Karen Blixen museum, the AFEW Giraffe Centre (where guests can feed reticulated giraffes) as well the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and their elephant Orphanage. Certainly, there is enough to keep you busy in this bustling city, and it’s perfect for a spot of souvenir shopping before you head home!
Nairobi FAQs
Nairobi city is the capital of Kenya, East Africa, and is located in the centre of the southern part of the country. It is just over an hours’ flight from Mombasa on the coast, and 45 minutes by air from Tanzania’s safari capital of Arusha.
Kenya has two official languages – Swahili and English.
If you’re looking at a Nairobi map, the National Park is 7km south of the city centre and easily accessed by road. As part of a Tailormade Africa itinerary, we would normally organise a privately guided day-trip in the park for visitors who are keen to start their safari experience right away – or indeed have some extra time in the city before heading home. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including the big four (lion, leopard, buffalo and even black rhinos). There are over 400 species of bird that have been recorded here and visitors can also stay in a camp within the park if staying in a more city-style hotel is not that appealing!
Nairobi has a lot on offer for visitors who have some extra time to kill before setting off on safari or indeed going home. As part of a Tailormade Africa itinerary, we love to organise full-day tours of the city which include the top highlights, but we can also make these bespoke depending on your preferences! Highlights of the city include the Karen Blixen museum, the AFEW Giraffe Centre (where guests can feed reticulated giraffes) as well the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and their elephant Orphanage. Of course, there are also some lovely galleries which you may be keen to visit – ultimately all we do is bespoke so let us know your interests and we can make it happen. One big highlight is a stay at the world-famous Giraffe Manor Hotel.
Nairobi Kenya is a city at altitude (1,795m above sea level), so it is generally pretty mild and can become fairly chilly in the evenings. That said, you’re looking at good temperatures during the day all year-round (up to 30C/86F in the mid-summer months of December and January, down to 21C/70F in the winter months of June and July). Evenings can be as low as 10C/50F at night in the winter so layering up is a good idea! In terms of rain, there are two rainy seasons in Nairobi. Late October to early December is when the ‘short’ rains are around, and the ‘long’ rains start around mid-March through to the end of May. April is the wettest month.
Kenya Airways flights are probably the best when it comes to airlines that service Nairobi. The city is connected to many safari hubs around the continent and there are also direct flights from many European countries making it an easy safari destination to get to. As part of a Tailormade Africa trip, we would be more than happy to help you work out the best flights to get you into Kenya and can book them for you with pleasure. Don’t forget that we will also help you out with all the internal flights around the country so you don’t have to worry about that either!
NAIROBIHOTELS
Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel, owned by The Safari Collection. Often referred to as one of the most Instagrammed properties in the world, Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. Giraffe Manor is one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings. The historic manor house has extraordinary appeal, that harks back to the 1930s when visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris ... Read more
Here at Tailormade Africa we mostly book the Four Points Sheraton for visitors who are simply in need of an overnight stay in Nairobi, either pre- or post-safari. The hotel offers a warm and invigorating space. Contemporary in design and created to delight the senses, this 172-room hotel offers all the modern amenities and comforts a traveller needs. From spacious rooms and signature Four Points beds to rain showers and 42" LED TVs, Four Points Sheraton have thought of it all ... Read more
Palacina is an oasis of peace and calm in the bustling city of Nairobi and a great place to meet business and leisure travelers from all around the world. Conveniently located in the State House area, it is the perfect base for your Nairobi visit ... Read more
