30 Fun Things to Do In Nairobi

It is a foregone conclusion that Kenya is one of the most exotically beautiful destinations in the world. Millions of tourists fly in every year to experience the wonderful scenery and weather offered by the Coast and to enjoy the warm, neighbourly reception from the locals. Although, Mombasa and most of the coastal region make up for a big chunk of why Kenya is so attractive, the capital city, Nairobi, is a jewel worth marvelling at as well. If you are one for tall skyscrapers and bustling streets, not to mention a voracious night life, then for you, Nairobi is the place to be.
So, once you have had your fill of white sandy beaches and never-ending sunshine, here are 30 fun things you can do in Nairobi when you visit.

1. See Interesting Animals at Nairobi Safari Walk

Nairobi Safari Walk

The Nairobi Safari Walk is a conservation-based recreational facility like no other. Only 7KM from the bustling Metropolis, here you will find a sampling of what wildlife in Kenya has to offer. Not only is the setting exceptionally serene, but you will get a chance to see some of the rarest animals on the planet. These include: the white Rhino, the Bongo and even the Albino Zebra. What this walk offers, is a chance to see most of Kenya’s wildlife within a single setting.

2. Shop at the Maasai Market

Maasai Market     Photo Source: The advocacy Project on Flickr

The Maasai culture is perhaps the most renowned of Kenya’s ethnicity. As a tourist travelling within Kenya, buying a Maasai culture-based souvenir should, and will be one of the things you want to do. There is nowhere better than the regular open air Maasai markets held in Nairobi. These markets are nomadic and within them, you will find everything from local paintings, curios, drawings, wood carvings, jewelry and East African based Fabrics. However, you have to know where and when they will be held.

3. Visit the Village Market

village_market

The Village Market is one of Kenya’s leading shopping malls. Not only does it have amazing shopping outlets that carry a wide variety of both local and international trinkets, it also has a wonderful open air food court. Here, you can have a taste of dishes from a wide range of cultures, including local cuisines. It also boasts a well equipped Cinema, a water slide and bowling alley.

4. Dine at the Carnivore

carnivorerestaurantnairobi
The Carnivore Restaurant on Lang’ata Road is one of Nairobi’s, and indeed Kenya’s, revered open air restaurants. Dining here is an experience to treasure. The most outstanding aspect of this restaurant is not the fact that the ambiance is world class, but that you get to have your choice of game meat while enjoying that ambiance. Do you feel like having a bit of Crocodile? Maybe Ostrich or Zebra meat is more your style? At the Carnivore, you can have a taste of all these and many other game cuisines. You can also indulge in local and international beers while you are at it.

5. Go Karting on Lang’ata Road

Go-Kart

Most of us have thrilling adventures. If speeding is your poison of choice, then you can Go Karting on Lang’ata road when you visit Nairobi. The facility offers you 10 minute sessions of speeding and racing your compadres through a windy track that can be floodlit at night.

6. Go ice skating at Panari Sky Center

Panari Sky Center- Ice skating

If you want to experience more speed and try out your ice skating skills on East Africa’s first ice skating rink. It’s a wonderful experience that you get to enjoy within an amazing facility that is only minutes from the Airport. The Panari Hotel is one of the highest rated hotels in the country.

7. Admire Kenyan Art Collections

banana hill art gallery     Photo Source: Margarettawagacheru

For those of us who are cultured, a trip is incomplete without gracing the local art scene with our presence. Among the most outstanding and engaging art galleries in Nairobi, is Banana Hill Art Gallery. This is one, among many, of the most comprehensive art galleries featuring East African talent. The stunning sculptures and painting will take our breath away. Just on the fringes of Nairobi, near the Village Market, Banana Hill Gallery is a wonderful place to go and appreciate local artistic talents.

8. Watch Local Plays

Phoenix Players, Nairobi      Photo Source: Grace Blue on Flickr

Sticking with arts and culture, the local theatre scene is riddled with outstanding plays every other night. Alliance Francois, Kenya National Theatre and Phoenix Players are some of the most popular theatrical power houses in the country. There are frequent plays, almost every evening, from any of these theatrical giants. Most of the plays are very entertaining with political and marital satire being the main theme.

9. Discover the German Culture at Goethe Institute

As a cultural powerhouse, the Goethe Institute, Nairobi is one of the best places to go to when you want to learn about the local art scene. Here you will find, local music, plays, art, and events that are both entertaining and culturally educating. It is one of the places to go if you want a taste of the local art scene. It also helps that it is right next to Alliance Francois, one of the leading theatre outlets in the country.

10. Visit the Nairobi National Museum

Nairobi National Museum

Just as Nairobi Safari Walk gives you a sampling of what the country has to offer in terms of wild life, the Nairobi National Museum gives you a taste of Kenya’s heritage. Additionally, you will find wonderful dining facilities, a beautiful botanical garden and eclectic shopping facilities.

11. Have a taste of Kenyan history at The National Archives

National Archives

For a taste of Kenya’s history, visit the National Archives situated right in the middle of the City. Here you will find all sorts of historical records that will help illuminate Kenya’s past.

12. Visit Mamba Village

Mamba-Village-Crocodiles

Mamba’ means Crocodile in Swahili. As the name suggests, this is a crocodile sanctuary. Near Karen, you will get a chance to see real crocodiles sunbathing and feeding. You also get to enjoy some of the most exquisite local cuisine the country has to offer.

13. Chill at the Whistling Thorns

whistling-thorns-home     Photo Source: Whistling Thorn

This is a beautiful….beautiful place just outside of Nairobi. Only an hour from the city center, this is where serenity calls home. Tented camps, beautiful paths, scenic sunsets and a view of the Ngong Hills worth dying for, the Whistling Thorn will blow all your worries away.

14. See the ageless beauty of Kenya from K.I.C.C Helipad

K.I.C.C Helipad

Although this will take some doing, the view from up there is worth it. If you can talk your way into it, going up on to the K.I.C.C Helipad, will give you a grand view of the entire city. You can see the whole of Nairobi and its environs from up there. It is simply breath taking.

15. Dine at Le Palanka

Le palanka     Photo Source: Le Palanca

Le Palanka, is an African Cuisine at its best. The ambiance is exceptional, the food is delectable and the service is outstanding. African cuisine has never been wrapped in such wonderful light.

16. Watch local Rugby Matches

Kenya is renowned in the rugby world for its blisteringly good 7’s side. Enjoy some of the local matches at the Impala grounds on most weekends and experience where all that talent comes from. These events are always graced by Kenya’s wealthy mid-class. This means there is always a party going on.

17. Cross over to Rolf’s Place

Rolf's Place

An outstandingly beautiful cliff side resort, Rolf’s place is best known for its exceptional tranquillity, the gorge you have to cross over before getting to the restaurant and paint balling.

18. Resurrection Gardens in Karen

Sheer tranquillity! That is all that can be said about this place. When you want to completely leave the rest of the world behind you, head to ‘Resurrection gardens’ in Karen, and experience serenity at its most tranquil state.

19. Visit The Elephant Orphanage

Nairobi_ElephantOrphanage     Photo Source: Living Travel

The Elephant Orphanage in Lang’ata gives you the rare opportunity to have an uninhibited view the majestic giants – Elephants. You will get to experience firsthand just how devastating poaching is in the world. It also gives you hope, for within all that anarchy, there is a sanctuary for the baby elephants left behind.

20. Visit Ngong Racecourse

Ngong Racecourse is the only thoroughbred racing venue in the country and the only horse racing course in the whole of East Africa. The grounds also offer a great deal of entertainments, besides the excitement that comes with betting on race days, you can enjoy other events such as the Concours d’Elégance, Shaggy Dog Show and Beerfest.

21. Splash Water World

This is mainly for the kids. Splash Water World has some of the best and most thrilling water slides in the country. Adults can also enjoy local dishes and beers while their children enjoy themselves.

22. The Maasai Ostrich Farm

Maasai Ostrich Farm     Photo Source: Kenyadiggitsocial

Taking a tour of the Maasai Ostrich Farm not only gives you a chance to come face to face with these majestic flightless birds, but it also gives you a chance to ride one of them. There are also some great bird watching facilities as well as an outstanding resort where you can spend the night. You can also order a delicious Ostrich Meat platter.

23. Go to OlePolos

Olepolos Photo Source: Hilarysafricanadventure

Roughly an hour from the city, OlePolos is known as the goat meat central of Nairobi. Situated on an expansive piece of land, here you get to enjoy scrumptious roast meat and drink some of Kenya’s finest beers. It makes for a wonderful family outing.

24. 7D Cinema at Thika Road Mall

We all know of the 3D Cinema phenomenon, now imagine a 7D cinema! You will experience almost everything on and off the screen. You seat will rock; you will see and feel the whoosh of the bats and for all intents and purposes, be part of the movie.

25. Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park

What would a trip to Africa be without at least one sighting of the ‘Big Five’? At the Nairobi National Park, just minutes from town, you will find these veraciously wild animals roaming about for your viewing pleasure.

26. Touch the Skies at the Giraffe Center

giraffecenter, Nairobi

Pet or feed them and even touch their tongues; at the Nairobi Giraffe Center, you get to be right at home with these incredibly tall and beautiful creatures.

27. Slither to Nairobi Snake Park

View the deadly ‘Black Mamba’ up close and an assortment of other dangerous and harmless reptiles at the Nairobi Snake Park. Being situated at the National Museum grounds, you can also enjoy the serene environment and dining facilities on offer.

28. Float to the Butterfly Center

Here, you get a chance to see countless butterfly species in this serene environment. It is absolutely beautiful and offers some soft landing after being on the road for so long.

29. Sample locally brewed beer at Brew Bistro

Brew Bistro

Kenya is well known for its signature brands; Tusker and Pilsner Larger. But that is not all it has to offer in terms of beer. Brew Bistro is one of the country’s leading mini-brewers. It offers an assortment of lagers, stout, ale and delicious biting topped off with a wonderful atmosphere.

30. Enjoy the night life

Nairobi Nightlife

Night life in Nairobi is like in any other metropolitan city, absolutely jumping!! Starting from the city center to the Electric Avenue in Westlands, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to exceptional bars, restaurants and clubs. You can even go to Nairobi West, where you will find some of the best local bars. Or, you may go to Lang’ata and see how Nairobi’s mid-class party!

Nairobi is absolutely outstanding. It is no wonder it’s called ‘The City In The Sun’.

Our Readers Comments

  1. Beautiful place. Would like to visit with family

  2. Awesome Nairobi

  3. Perfect list! It’s only now am realising how much blessed Nairobi is. Gonna visit this places one by one….haha, thanks!!

  4. I love this, I think it is high time we start reading positive articles about out city. Keep up the good work you are doing

  5. Another great place to visit is Kitengela Glass Factory.

  6. Wow.. I live in Nairobi and I haven’t even done half of these things. I need to start a list and visit them all. Thanks for the great list.

  7. Beautiful!!!!! need to visit each one by one…..

  8. I’ve done like half the things.. yipeee! Thanks for the list 🙂

  9. Nice job you are doing. How about Kazuri Beads factory in Karen.

  10. Thanks guys uv really helped me now i know were to take my kids 4 the holiday

  11. awesome. thanks. just read this wen am lukg for a place to hangout wit sm1 for first time…cooooool

  12. thank you..didnt know there were so many places to hang out

  13. nice list.it is good to show the positive side of our city.

  14. This is amazing.i love the way you have complied them.
    Request; please add more places including nanyuki,naivasha,mbsa,kisumu etc

  15. This is such a great article. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much. Kisses.

  16. Please write other ones on other cities and dont forget to notify me. Will really appreciate.

  17. Visiting Nairobi next month. Surely going to do all these super fun things! Thanks for the info 😀

  18. Thank you for a great list of activities and sights. We will be visiting next month and will use this valuable insight. Street kids storytelling is also something that interests us.

  19. In addition we have Bomas of Kenya, Karen Blixen Museum , Karura forest walk, Nairobi Animal Opharnage, Paradise Lost, Uluru gardens, Uhuru Park, Central park, Arboretum and almost every big mall has fun scape indoor games and outdoor games esp Two rivers mall Garden City and The Hub in Karen

  20. Thank You for the Great List of our beautiful Country that many do not appreciate and some foreigners are jealous of but drop the foreigners only images – many black native Kenyans attend and visit these great Nairobi/Kenyan spots for entertainment, relaxation , culture, education or to party.. Most of your pictures are showing whites and Asians only .. show a real equal representation.. I have been to maybe 90%of these destinations and once a month we do one each and other fascinating Kenyan spots not on this list – I am part of a huge group called #Love&Travel Kenya.

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