You'll be amazed by the surreal sight of lions, giraffes and rhinos enjoying
prime city views at Nairobi National Park, less than five miles from
Nairobi's city centre. Read up on Kenyan history at the Nairobi National
Museum and shop for souvenir carvings in Nairobi's bustling City
Market. On return visits, see snakes and baby elephants at Nairobi's
other animal parks.
Background
You can easily get around Nairobi's cosmopolitan city centre on foot from
the CBD (Central Business District), home to spiky skyscrapers, large hotels
and shopping centres. To the west you'll find Central Park and Uhuru
Park, giving you a welcome oasis of green. Take in some of Nairobi's major
buildings nearby, including the landmark Kenyatta International Conference Centre,
recognisable for its tall round tower. Trace the importance of railways to the city
in the Railway Museum, at Nairobi Railway Station. You can see lions and giraffes at
Nairobi National Park, just 20 minutes' drive away and within clear view of the
city.
First-time visit
Tour the Nairobi National Museum to see prehistoric finds collected from East
Africa. Watch snakes slither at the Nairobi Snake Park or spy the large
predators at nearby Nairobi National Park. Don't miss the chance to
see cute baby elephants playing at the adjacent David Sheldrick Animal
Orphanage. Join the crowds at the bustling City Market and haggle for
souvenirs, fabrics and printed T-shirts. Then relax with a chilled beer at a bar in
one of Nairobi's colonial-era buildings.
Return visit
Visit the Karen Blixen Museum, the farmhouse owned by Danish author Karen
Blixen whose memoirs were made into the film Out of Africa. After exploring
the museum, you can sip afternoon tea in the shaded gardens here. Come face to face
with giraffes from the towers at the Giraffe Centre in the suburb of
Langata. Then feel the rhythm as Kenyan tribes perform traditional dances
at the nearby cultural centre.
The busiest airport in East and Central Africa, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, flies nearly five million passengers a year
from its one terminal. An ongoing expansion programme will increase capacity
three-fold. It is located 20 km (12 miles) east of Nairobi and a speedy taxi reaches
the city centre in just 30 minutes.
There are long and short-stay car parks close to the terminal building.
Time Zone
GMT +3
Useful tips
The airport has a lack of information screens so ask staff about departure
whereabouts if unsure. If travelling from another African country, have your yellow
fever vaccination certificate to hand when arriving.
Please note that you won't be able to make changes to your hotel or car booking. If you want to change your booking you will have to cancel your current booking and make a new booking. This can be done on ba.com.
We cannot guarantee that the same hotel room or car rental option will still be available if you have to cancel and make a new booking.
