Simply put, Nairobi isn’t the best travel destination for kids. There is very little to see or do in the capital and the crime is such that you can’t really wander about without a lingering sense of fear. Nairobi works better as a jumping off point for safaris and other nature excursions in the surrounding area. Most children would be thrilled to see lions, giraffes and other legendary creatures up close and in their natural habitat and this is often the singular purpose of visitors to Kenya.

AFEW Giraffe Centre
One of the closest animal sanctuaries to Nairobi is the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife’s Giraffe Centre, located about 18kms from the city. This is a special home for the rare and endangered Rothschilds giraffe, and is perfectly geared towards children. There is a raised platform where kids can feed the giraffes and watch them go about their daily routine. Also on the grounds is a pleasant 1km nature trail through a small patch of indigenous forest. A handful of other locally exotic animals live here as well, and everything you spend goes to the protection of these wonderful creatures.

Nairobi National Park
The nearest safari-style park to the capital is the small but impressive 14 square kilometre wildlife preserve, the Nairobi National Park. There is actually a lot to see here, from black rhinos and leopards to zebras and hippos. In fact, the only African animal you won’t see in this park is an elephant. More than 400 bird species round off the experience. Forests, open plains and rocky gorges make up the topography of the park. A number of excellent sites have been established which focus on different aspects of Kenyan wildlife. If you want a quick and easy safari, this park is the best choice.

National Museum of Kenya
It would be a shame to bring the kids all the way to Africa and not give them a little education about its vast history. The recently renovated National Museum is the best site to explore the traces of our ancestors, including a great exhibit based on the Leakey discoveries at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. Other cultural exhibits focus on the art, dress and customs of various regional tribes such as the Maasai. The museum grounds also have a Snake Park with many of Africa’s deadliest varieties, as well as an aquarium featuring both marine and fresh water fish. You can easily spend a day at the museum complex which is located within the city limits.

Although the region around Nairobi is the traditional homeland of tribes such as the Maasai and the Kikuyu, the city itself is the product of British colonialism and is a just one century old. Apart from the handful of interesting museums which help shed some light on the pre-colonial world of Kenya, there’s the delightful home/museum of Karen Blixen (of Out of Africa fame), a number of art galleries and a place where visitors can watch traditional dancing and singing from several Kenyan tribes.

Bomas of Kenya
This excellent cultural centre located in Langata, next to the Nairobi National Park, is the best spot in the capital for getting a taste of the traditional dances, songs and music of the indigenous tribes of Kenya. Since a number of different tribes are involved, visitors can experience a wide range of fascinating cultural heritage. Performances are given daily and the centre also has good eating and lots of interesting shops on site.

Karen Blixen’s House and Museum
The author of the hugely popular novel Out of Africa lived in this quaint farmhouse just on the leafy outskirts of modern Nairobi from 1914 to 1931. Although at the time, Blixen’s farmhouse was part of a large coffee plantation, today it has almost been absorbed by the urban expansion of the capital. The surrounding homes, however, are stately and full of amazing gardens, adding to the timeless ambiance of Blixen’s home, which has been converted into something of a living museum. There is a gift shop and restaurant on site and the house is surrounded by beautiful gardens for picnics or strolls. If you want to see the epitome of classic colonial life in Africa, this is the place.

National Archives
The National Archives is one of the best sites in Nairobi to learn more about the history of both the capital and the tribes who lived here before the advent of colonialism. Handicrafts, artwork and lots of historical photographs which document the first contacts with local tribes line the walls. Interesting displays of weapons, domestic items and musical instruments are also worth checking out, as is the collection of photos from President Moi’s time in power.

National Museum of Nairobi
Kenya’s largest and most comprehensive museum has just undergone a massive renovation and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon learning more about the roots of this part of Africa. From the earliest traces of humans, to artwork from some of Kenya’s most talented contemporary artists the range of exhibits is amazing. The museum also houses an incredible collection of ornaments, weapons and other fascinating items from most of Kenya’s tribes. Complementing the educational side of the museum is a Snake Park, Aquarium and Botanical Gardens all of which can be browsed within the complex.

Railway Museum
If it hadn’t been for the Ugandan Railway, Nairobi may never have been born. This interesting museum is an essential stop if you want to learn about the foundations of the city. The main attraction is the collection of 10 steam engines built and used on the railway between 1923 and 1955 which visitors can climb into and check out. Rounding out the museum is a plethora of material documenting the development of the railway such as old photographs and relics from the trains themselves.

Uhuru Park
Right smack in the middle of the city is this heavily used and very popular public park. During the day it makes a great place to escape from the dusty bustle of the streets and enjoy a bit of fresh air and greenery. There is a small lake which has boats for hire and at the crest of the park’s hill there are tremendous views of Nairobi’s skyline. But don’t venture here after dark, as it’s seriously dangerous and if there’s any kind of political rally planned within the park, you might want to stay away.

The wide-ranging diversity of cultures which have gone into the creation of modern Nairobi has resulted in a very interesting and rich culinary tradition. Thanks to its moderate climate and the healthy volcanic soil in the surrounding hills, Nairobi is awash with fresh produce and meat. Also, as the tropical coast is not that far away, it’s common to see plenty of exotic fruit and seafood in the markets. Traditional Kenyan cuisine is probably best known for its Swahili style, which originated along the coast. This unique blend of African and Middle Eastern components has resulted in some incredible dishes which have a notable Arabic aspect. But in Nairobi, the most popular meal is nyama choma or simply put, ‘roasted meat’. Local beef is slowly roasted over a fire, creating a soft and savoury barbecue. The meat is then served with a combination of greens and the Kenyan staple ugali. Often served on its own, ugali is a thick corn porridge which is served in a solid brick form. Serving as the bread or rice component of a Kenyan meal, pieces of ugali are broken off and eaten together with roasted meat, stews or whatever else is on the table.

Being a cosmopolitan city, dining in Nairobi isn’t limited to traditional Kenyan cuisine. The British left their stamp on many of the staple Western-style restaurants, but with a modern influx of immigrants from the Indian subcontinent and Asia, you can find plenty of selection when it comes to the menu. In the capital there are two roasted meat restaurants which have near legendary status: Carnivore and Nyama Choma Place. Everything from camel to crocodile is likely to be available, so you can go as exotic as you please.

The shopping opportunities in Nairobi are just as extensive as the dining ones. Throughout the capital are the standard range of shopping malls, independent shops and open markets. For basic stuff, the largest shopping malls are the Westlands’ Sarit Centre, Hurlingham’s YaYa Centre, and Gigiri’s Village Market. Much more interesting, however, are the open-air markets, especially the massive City Market in the centre of town. Aside from fresh produce, meat and flowers, you can find plenty of local handicrafts. But it’s the atmosphere that makes this place so much fun, watching the locals go about their business. Another good site for handicrafts is the lively Kariakor Market, which is also famous for the cheap local food on hand. The shops along Biashara street are another hot spot, particularly if you are looking for fine cloth or a tailor.

At any shop, haggling over the price is a normal (and expected) part of the buying process. Bargaining skills are deeply rooted in Kenyan society and considered a very valuable and respected ability. If you absolutely don’t like to barter, then prepare to pay double the acceptable price. Otherwise, enjoy the good-natured haggling and expect to settle on around half of the opening offer.

Kenya produces some excellent handicrafts which you may want to add to your home. The basketwork here is particularly lovely and comes in a range of styles and sizes depending on the function. Sisal baskets called Kiondoo are the most popular. They are used as Kenyan handbags, often with the strap slung across the forehead to carry behind the shoulders. Wood carvings are another excellent buy in Nairobi. From decorative wall pieces to bowls and platters carved from Mango trees, the craftsmanship is very good. Traditional tribal artefacts are also very popular because they are so exotic and Kenya has relaxed laws about taking these types of antiquities out of the country. Tribal jewellery is an important part of the native people’s lives, so visitors can find a huge array of stunning beadwork, metalwork and gemstones. Finally, Kenyans make some of the finest musical instruments in the world. Drums in particular are excellent buys. They come in all sizes and sounds and are an integral part of Kenyan culture.

Nairobi has plenty of nice parks spread throughout the city, helping to provide a bit of quiet and fresh air in this dusty town. They are great places to take a shady break from your wanderings or even get a bit of exercise, but after dark they should be avoided at all costs. Golfing also has a small but growing influence around the city and of course football and cricket have huge followings. But the real outdoor draw in Nairobi is the safari parks. Literally within minutes of the city you can be wandering among zebras, giraffes and lions.

Golf
If you are a golfer, you’ll be pleased to learn that Nairobi is a major golfing destination in Africa and boasts some of the finest courses on the continent. Within 20kms of the capital are six 18-hole courses, including the Royal Nairobi Golf Club, founded by the British in 1906. Other particularly scenic courses include the Windsor Golf Course and the Muthaiga Country Club. Prices are good, the atmosphere typically relaxed and you’ll be able to tell your golfing buddies about your African putting adventures.

Parks
One of the brighter aspects of Nairobi is that most of the city is leafy green space, with dozens of small and large public parks dotting the urban landscape. If you find yourself spending a few days in the capital, the parks make an ideal site to escape the chaos of the streets for a while. The people-watching is good and it’s the easiest way to get some exercise if you need it. During the daytime, the parks are considered fairly safe, but don’t venture into them after dark.

The largest and most popular park in Nairobi is Uhuru Park. Located in the middle of the city, this is where most of the action takes place on every level. It’s the usual site for any outdoor speech, political rally or special event, which can be quite interesting in its own right. But the lake has boats for rent and at the top of the park’s hill is an open bluff offering great views over the city. The Nairobi Arboretum is another gem worth exploring. This 80 acre forest reserve in the city has more than 300 species of native trees, walking paths and good security. Other smaller parks can offer shady breaks, with the City Park and Jeevanjee Gardens being good choices.

Safaris
African safaris are one of the biggest outdoor attractions in Kenya and you don’t have to travel far to get a taste of what it’s all about. Within a short drive of the city, Nairobi National Park can provide a pretty good initiation into the wild world of the bush lands. Although obviously more touristy than safari parks farther outside the city, if you’re short on time this is the best choice. Giraffe lovers can also check out the exclusive AFEW Giraffe Centre, where these impressive animals can be fed and enjoyed close up just outside the city limits. Nairobi is often the jumping-off point for some of Kenya’s bigger safari parks, which typically involve staying overnight in the park.

Spectator Sports
Nairobi is the sporting capital of East Africa and boasts a number of decent facilities compared to what other African countries have to offer. The popular team sports in Nairobi are football, cricket and rugby. Football is decidedly the most popular sport and the city capital is home to a few clubs of varying level. The local league won’t impress visitors from Europe, but it’s hard to match the pure enthusiasm that African fans show at the games. So if you have a chance, catching a local match is well worth it. There are two excellent sporting centres where all the action takes place. The Moi International Sports Centre is the city’s nicest and best equipped, followed by the Nairobi City Stadium, which is used only for football matches.