The city of Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and the seat of the UN. Sights and map of Nairobi, photos, videos

And the most Big City in East Africa. The UN headquarters and numerous organizations are located in Nairobi humanitarian aid. Construction of the city began in 1899, when construction of the railway from Mombasa into the interior of the mainland began. The British used it as a stronghold. At first only Hindus lived in the settlement, but the city grew and developed and in 1907 Nairobi became the capital of British East Africa.

The name of the capital of Kenya from the language of the Maasai people is translated as “a place where there is cold water" The city is located at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level and is the highest city in the world. At the same time, it is the youngest city in East Africa.

The center of Nairobi combines three districts through which two roads pass: Moi Avenue and Jomo Kenyatta Avenue. These roads were built more than 100 years ago. It is interesting that the width of the road was made on the basis that a team of twelve oxen could easily turn around on the street. Since Kenya former colony Great Britain, many of its areas built up in colonial times are surprisingly reminiscent of English counties. The estate, covering an area of ​​a couple of hectares, is crossed by alleys of eucalyptus trees, where many different strange birds live.

Clock on main square cities are very similar to the famous London Big Ben.

But Nairobi also has its own twist. This can only be found in Africa.

The Kenyan Parliament building is open to visitors. Inside the building are 49 tapestries depicting the entire colonial history of Kenya. Those interested can watch the meeting of the Kenyan Parliament. To do this, you just need to contact the security guard, who, after you hand over your belongings to the storage room, will take you to special places intended for the public.

Just north of Jomo Kenyatta Avenue is the market square, surrounded by numerous hotels, restaurants and shops. A little further, there is the most beautiful Aga Khan Mosque. Its white and green walls, huge dome and minaret towers are visible from afar. Just half an hour's walk and you'll find yourself in National Museum, where there is a unique Prehistoric gallery dedicated to the history of human development.

Aga Khan Mosque.

In the center of the Kenyan capital is the National Archives of Nairobi, where you can take a look at the amazing works of art that belonged to the country's former vice-president Joseph Murumbi. Its spacious hall is decorated with Persian carpets, African masks, drums and Indian chests. On one of the floors there is an exhibition of archival materials relating to the lives of Kenyan heroes.

Arriving in Nairobi, you can’t help but look into the museum village. The buildings of the Kenyan tribes are recreated here, near which their “residents” dance. Performances by professional dancers introduce tourists to African dances that are characteristic of the Maasai, Lui, Kukuyu and other tribes living in this beautiful country.

There are numerous souvenir shops in the center of Nairobi, but travel agencies also recommend visiting the Maasai fair. It takes place in the capital of Kenya every week. The fair will surprise you with a variety of traditional African masks, soapstone products, shells and baskets. Tourists also like to visit the Kariokor craft market. Sisal baskets, original children's toys and even horse harnesses await their customers here.

Nairobi has not only concrete jungles, but also quite picturesque places.

Like any city, Nairobi also has a reverse, much less beautiful side.

Tired of the bustle and having enjoyed all the sights of the capital of Kenya, you can retire to the house of Karen Blixen, the author of the famous “Farewell to Africa,” which is located in the vicinity of Nairobi.

By the way, the film “Farewell to Africa” at one time received seven Oscars.

Nairobi on the map:

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Video: Heads and Tails in Nairobi.

Original text(English)

Maybe one day Nairobi will be laid out with tarred roads, with avenues of flowering trees, flanked by noble buildings; with open spaces and stately squares; a cathedral worthy of faith and country; museums and galleries of art; theaters and public offices. And it is fair to say that the Government and the Municipality have already bravely tackled the problem and that a town-plan is ambitious enough to turn Nairobi into a thing of beauty has been slowly worked out, and much has already been done. But until that plan has borne fruit, Nairobi must remain what she was then, a slatternly creature, unfit to queen it over so lovely a country.

The continued growth of the city's area, however, drew the ire of the Maasai and Kikuyu peoples, who previously owned the lands. At the end of World War II, these tensions escalated into the Mau Mau uprising. Jomo Kenyatta, the future President of Kenya, was arrested and imprisoned for his participation in the uprising, although there was no evidence linking him to the uprising. As a result, Kenya gained independence from Britain in 1963, and Nairobi became the capital of the new republic.

After independence, Nairobi began to grow rapidly, placing excessive strain on the city's infrastructure. Power and water outages are common, although better urban planning has helped alleviate some of these problems in recent years.

Culture

Museums Nairobi

Geography

Aerial view of the CBD and Ngong Road

The city is located in -1.283333 , 36.816667 1°17′ S w. 36°49′ E. d. /  1.283333° S w. 36.816667° E. d.(G) (O) and covers an area of ​​684 km².

Nairobi is located between the cities of Kampala and Mombasa. Because the city is located near the eastern edge of the rift valley, small earthquakes and tremors occur periodically. The Ngong Hills, located to the west of the city, are the most high point near Nairobi. Mount Kenya rises to the north of the city, and Kilimanjaro to the southeast. Both mountains can be seen from Nairobi on a clear day.

The Nairobi River and its tributaries cross the Nairobi region. To the north of the city is the Karura Forest, which Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Mathai fought to preserve when plans were put forward to develop the area with houses and other infrastructure.

The western suburbs of Nairobi stretch from the Kenyatta National Hospital in the south to the UN headquarters and Jigiri in the north, covering a distance of about 20 kilometers.

The center of the city is City Square, located in the Central Business District. The square is surrounded by the Kenyan Parliament buildings, the Holy Family Cathedral, the city council building, the city court and the Kenyatta Convention Centre.

Climate

Thanks to an altitude of 1,661 meters above sea level, Nairobi has a temperate climate, with virtually no heat above 30 degrees and at the same time the weather is almost uniform throughout the year. The coldest month is July, the warmest is February. There are 2 wet seasons, clearly defined in March-May and dry in July-August. The lowest recorded temperature was +5 degrees. The evenings can be quite cool here, especially in June and July, when temperatures can drop to 10°C. The sunniest and warmest time of the year is the period from December to March. For this period average temperature maximum is 24 °C.

There are two rainy seasons, but the rainfall is usually moderate. The cloudiest time of the year is immediately after the first rainy season, and the weather here is quite damp until September. Since Nairobi is located quite close to the equator, the differences between seasons and sunrise and sunset times are extremely small. Seasons are distinguished as dry and wet seasons.

Nairobi Climate
Index	Jan.	Feb.	March	Apr.	May	June	July	Aug.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Year
Average maximum, °C	24,5	25,6	25,6	24,1	22,6	21,5	20,6	21,4	23,7	24,7	23,1	23,4	23,4
Average temperature, °C	18,0	18,6	19,4	19,1	17,9	16,3	15,4	15,8	17,1	18,6	18,1	18,0	17,7
Average minimum, °C	11,5	11,6	13,1	14,0	13,2	11,0	10,1	10,2	10,5	12,5	13,1	12,6	12,0
Precipitation rate, mm	64,1	56,5	92,8	219,4	176,6	35,0	17,5	23,5	28,3	55,3	154,2	101,0	1024,2
Source: WorldWeather.org

Districts

Nairobi is divided into constituencies: Makadara, Kamukunji, Sterehe, Langata, Dagoretti, Westlands, Kasarani and Embakasi. The main administrative divisions of Nairobi are: Central, Dagoretti, Embakasi, Kasarani, Kibera, Makadara, Pumwani and Westlands. To the west of the city are wealthy suburbs where most European settlers settled during colonial times. These include Karen, Langata, Lavington and Highridge. Most of the poor and near-poverty areas are located in the eastern part of the city. These are Kariokor, Dandora, Kariobangi, Embakasi and Huruma. A large number of Somali emigrants live in the Eastleigh area, which is even called "Little Mogadishu".

Parks and gardens

Nairobi has many parks and squares. Most of The city is lined with trees. Most famous park Nairobi - Uhuru. It borders the central business district and Upper Hill. Uhuru (Freedom) Park is a venue for public performances, services and rallies. Former Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi wanted to build a 62-story building for his party on the site of the park [ specify], but thanks to the efforts of Wangari Mathai, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2004, the park was saved.

Central Park adjacent to Uhuru Park, and contains a memorial in honor of Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of Kenya. Also in the city are the Javani Gardens, City Park and Nairobi Arboretum.

Economy

I&M Bank Headquarters in Nairobi

Also in Nairobi are regional offices of some international companies and organizations. So during 2007, General Electric, Young & Rubicam, Google, Coca Cola, Zain and Cisco Systems moved their African headquarters to Nairobi. In addition, many large African companies have their headquarters in Nairobi.

The city produces goods such as clothing, textiles, building materials, food and drinks, and cigarettes. The city has factories of some international companies, such as: Goodyear, General Motors, Toyota Motors, Coca Cola.

Tourism

Although the tourism industry in Nairobi is not very developed, it does have attractions that are popular with visitors to the city. First of all, this is Nairobi National Park. Its uniqueness lies in its close proximity to a metropolis of its size. IN National Park Nairobi is home to more than 400 species of animals and birds, including lions and giraffes. Hiking Safaris in the park are very popular among tourists.

There are several museums located in Nairobi. The largest of these is the National Museum of Kenya, which houses the boy's remains homo erectus. Other popular museums are the Nairobi Railway Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum.

Nairobi is sometimes called the safari capital of the world. Many hotels in the city are specifically aimed at fans of this particular entertainment. There are quite a few five-star hotels in the city: Nairobi Serena, Laiko Regency (formerly Grand Regency), Windour (Karen), Holiday Inn, East African Safari Club (Lilian Towers), Stanley Hotel, Safari Park and Casino, Intercontinental, Panari Hotel, Hilton and Norfolk Hotel.

In addition, Nairobi has the most big skating rink in Africa - Solar Ice Rink. The skating rink was opened in 2005, has an area of ​​about 15,000 m² and can accommodate up to 200 visitors. The city's largest retail chains are Nakumatt, Uchumi and Tuskys.

Transport

Airports

An aerial view of the cargo terminal of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, East Africa's largest airport.

Most of air transportation in Nairobi takes place through international Airport Jomo Kenyatta, the largest and busiest airport in east and central Africa. More than 4.9 million passengers passed through it in 2008. It is the main hub for passengers flying to small towns eastern and central Africa. Jomo Kenyatta Airport is located 20 km from the business center of Nairobi. It receives direct flights from Europe and Asia. A project to expand the airport to accommodate increasing passenger traffic is currently being considered.

Wilson Airport is located south of Nairobi. It serves mainly small aircraft on domestic flights to Kenya, although there are flights to other East African countries.

Eastlaith Airport was originally runway before the advent of jet aircraft. In the 1930s and 1940s it served British passenger and mail services from Southampton to Cape Town. Seaplanes flew through it from England to Kisumu. Currently there is a military base here.

Matatu

The most common form of transport in Nairobi is the matatu. The word literally means "thirty cents a ride" (although it costs much more now). Matatus are private minibuses with a capacity of fourteen to twenty-four people. Such buses transport passengers both in urban areas and intercity routes. The most noticeable feature of matatus was their extravagant coloring. Owners often decorate their bus with portraits of their favorite football team or artist, and Lately even matatu with the image of Barack Obama appeared. Most matatus have audio systems and televisions to attract passengers as competition among drivers is very high.

As a result of intense competition and insufficient regulation, matatu drivers tried to increase their profits by increasing the speed of transportation, which caused the situation in Nairobi a large number of accidents involving them. To ensure safety, in 2004 the government passed a law requiring all matatus to be equipped with seat belts, and also limiting the speed to 80 km/h. In addition, all matatus had to be painted with a horizontal yellow stripe. At first, this caused a storm of protests among operators, but under pressure from the government and the public they had to come to terms with the new requirements.

Buses

Buses are becoming increasingly popular in Nairobi. There are currently three bus companies operating in the city: the traditional Kenya Bus Service (KBS) and the new private operators Citi Hoppa and Double M. Citi Hoppa buses can be identified by their green color, Double M buses are purple, and KBS are blue.

Other small companies operate regular intercity bus services.

Railways

Nairobi was founded as railroad station, and the headquarters of Kenya Railways is still located in the city, near the center. The line passing through Nairobi connects Mombasa and Kampala. It is mainly used for freight transport, but it is also used by night buses. passenger trains. A large number of workers commute to work in the city center by train from the suburbs, but the city has no developed light rail, tram lines and metro.

Taxi

Taxi services are available in almost any part of the city. Traveling by taxi is more expensive than traveling by bus or matatu, but is safer and more comfortable. Most often, taxis await customers near hotels, at taxi stands, as well as in the city center and near large shopping centers.

Living conditions and crime

Between half a million and a million people live in the Kibera area, the largest and poorest slum in Africa, which originated as a settlement for Nubian soldiers.

Crime in the city is increasingly increasing, and now Nairobi is one of the most dangerous cities. The UN commission assigned the city “status B”, ranking it among the most criminal cities in the world. There was a high level of armed robbers, brigands and car thieves.

Crime increased because numerous rural residents, out of instability, began to rush to the capital, where they did not find money, employment or food, and they had no choice but to replenish the slums.

Houses and neighborhoods in the city hire security guards who work day and night. Tourists are not advised to show valuable items or walk around the central part of the city in the dark.

Terrorism manifested itself in the city in 2016, after which the flow of tourists sharply decreased.

Religion

Twin Cities

Nairobi is sister city to the following cities:

Notes

1. en:Nairobi#cite_note-currentpop-0
2. United Nations University Nairobi: National capital and regional hub (html). unu.edu. (inaccessible link - story) Retrieved June 17, 2007.
3. R.C. Bowen Kenya Attractions of Nairobi (html). kenya.rcbowen.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2007.
4. Merriam-Webster, Inc. Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary. - Merriam-Webster, 1997. - P. 786. - ISBN 0877795460
5. Dutton E.A.T. 1 // Kenya Mountain. - 1. - London: Jonathan Cape, 1929. - P. 1–2.
6. United States Embassy Quiet Memorials Mark Fourth Anniversary of Embassy Bombing (html). usembassy.gov. (inaccessible link - story) Retrieved June 17, 2007.
7. Perceptive Travel Nairobi by Degrees. perceptivetravel.com. (inaccessible link - story) Retrieved June 14, 2007.
8. The East African Karura: Are We Missing the Trees for the Forest? (html). nationmedia.com (November 2, 1998). (inaccessible link - story) Retrieved June 14, 2007.
9. World Travels Nairobi Climate and Weather (html). wordtravels.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2007.
10. United Nations Travel and Visa Information (html). unhabitat.org. Archived
11. Gaisma Nairobi, Kenya - Sunrise, sunset, dawn and dusk times, table (html). gaisma.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
12. Nairobi City Council Councilors, Wards & Constituencies (html). nairobicity.org. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
13. Nairobi City Council Living in Nairobi (html). nairobicity.org. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
14. Monsters and Critics Urban Somali refugees call Nairobi "s "Little Mogadishu" home (html). news.monstersandcritics.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
15. Travel Blackboard Nairobi (html). etravelblackboard.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2007.
16. The Standard Kenyans must have a sustained campaign against land grabbing (html). eastandard.net. (inaccessible link - story) Retrieved June 25, 2007.

Passport control does not take much time - compared to obtaining a visa upon arrival in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), in Nairobi everything happens instantly:
– 50 dollars
– photograph taken with a digital eye on a stand
– fingerprints of two hands
– sticker of a Kenyan single-entry visa in your passport.
Welcome to Kenya!

Mobile Internet

The first thing you need to do upon arrival is buy a SIM card in order to have mobile Internet at hand.
In the arrival hall international terminal Safaricom SIM cards are out. But they are in the second terminal - Domestic, in a tent also selling water and chocolates.
A woman with eyes looking in different directions, which casts doubt on her mental abilities, offers the desired SIM card: it is in a black case:

– check, maybe there is a phone there for that money: 1000 shillings for a SIM card and 1000 shillings for the maximum piece of Internet traffic (1.3 Gb)

The SIM card is of normal size and fits an iPhone and is cut with scissors using familiar movements.
The device shows 3G in Nairobi and works very quickly: Google map, mail, forum.
In the Maasai Mara park, the connection is often lost, but nevertheless it is possible to stay in touch even on safari - GPRS (2G) comes across, especially when repeater towers on the hills are visible on the horizon.

Hotels, accommodation in Nairobi

Before flying out of Tanzania, the Laico Regency Hotel was booked, and only because of its central location in the city.

The hotel itself is a monstrous mixture of the luxury of the lobby, the area of ​​​​bars and restaurants, and the shabby decoration inside the rooms.
But you can live, of course. Wi-Fi is available, but it is very slow, so the mobile Internet is shared from an iPhone.

What to see in Nairobi?

Well, we walked out of our luxurious lobby onto the street. I’m walking with a cigarette and as soon as we go out into the crowd (outside the hotel gates), Gavrila immediately appears and in a raised voice begins to say strange things that I’m even scared out of habit:

- What are you smoking?
- I smoke a cigarette. Not pissing - this is ordinary tobacco, not marijuana (the thought flashes that he is seeing thin Richmond cigarettes for the first time)
– You can’t smoke a cigarette
– Shouldn’t you go on your way?

Gavrila takes out a badge from the inside pocket of her tattered jacket and allegedly demonstrates her affiliation with some government agency. Well, after some explanations on his part, it becomes clear that he is not asking to finish smoking a cigarette (I thought the same thing).
And something like that is prohibited on the streets of Nairobi.

- Fine! Yours took it: I trampled the bull with my foot and we moved on, not paying any more attention to the representative of the voluntary people's squad.

Although there were attempts on his part to write out some kind of fine on a piece of paper. But apparently, he quickly realized that such a deception of a tourist as giving him cash without any receipt would not work and he fell behind quite quickly.

The city is one big traffic jam.
What a Moscow it is! Come to Nairobi and see that it is faster to walk a few kilometers than to take a taxi.

It is noticed that the presence of you is like white tourist on the street causes some strange and not kind interest from the indigenous residents.
“Mzungu” with the addition of some rude comments, judging by the intonation, is often heard in the back. They are afraid to say anything to their face, but they look askance in a bad way.

Having reached a high tower with a helipad at the top, we went inside and paid for the entrance tickets to the top through the reception and went upstairs.
From this experience I can report that you don’t have to pay anything: just go inside and go straight towards the elevator hall. There, on the remote control, you press the 27th floor, ordering an elevator to the roof.

After you climb one flight of stairs on foot to the 28th floor, you find yourself in a kind of “basement” - metal cables replace the grating of the suicide fence here, and a concrete slab of a helipad hangs from above... no view.

But that's not all - you need to find an open door with the sign “No Entry” and climb another narrow flight of stairs.
You will find yourself on helipad, from where you can take pictures of the surrounding Nairobi.

What else to do in Nairobi?

You can dine at the restaurant, which offers several types of grilled meats, including ostrich and crocodile. They say that giraffe, zebra and antelope used to be roasted here. But in currently Only what I wrote about is available.

The restaurant is called Carnivore
What it is:
This is the Brazilian churrascaria in Africa:

That is: you pay admission ticket and eat as much meat as you can.
Moreover, the meat is carried on skewers and cut off exactly as much as you can eat during the time until the next time someone approaches you.

There are different types of meat: in Brazil there are several types of beef, lamb and offal.
They also wear ostrich and crocodile meat here. This is natural and simply not discussed in any way: this establishment in Africa, in Kenya, in Nairobi - does not even hold a candle to the Brazilian shuraskari.

But nevertheless, the experience of visiting the Carnivore restaurant is useful - there is something to compare with and feel nostalgically sad about.
And one more advantage: in Brazil they do not serve ostrich meat, but here it is available.

And now:

Tactics for visiting the Carnivore restaurant

The tactics are as follows: you pay 2800 shils per person and sit in the right and convenient place for you. For me, this is an open veranda where you can smoke.
You do not order any of the offered alcohol. Sweet cocktails will be offered.

The ticket price includes bread and butter, soup, pies and salad. As soon as they bring it, send everything (except the salad) to benefit starving African children - you didn’t come here to eat bread.

After some time, seeing that you are focusing on the topic, they will put a hot cast-iron plate on your table - you are ready to eat meat.
Now attention: no sausages, ribs, pork! You came here to eat only expensive and exotic meat.

You see they are bringing lamb - here it is! They carried the ostrich - come on, lay it on!
During the process, the waiters remember your preferences and weirdos with pork on a skewer will avoid your table.

Now you can order drinks: water and wine. Italian wine here costs 2800 shils - quite good Chianti.

There is no need to spoil meat with sauces - they dull the taste buds and kill appetite.
If you are so full that you can no longer eat, order a glass of Calvados. After 5 minutes your appetite will wake up again

You will be given a dessert menu - this is included in the price of admission. The sorbet is quite wow – I can recommend it with Calvados.

After everything they bring you the bill and you faint... Just kidding.
In Moscow it will be three times more expensive (I don’t know about other CIS cities, but I don’t think it’s very cheap compared to Moscow)

Paid the bill - go outside.
On the street, don’t ask to call a taxi for you, but simply go outside the territory of this complex - there is also a club nearby where they dance salsa - you can shake off your calories there if you have the strength.

Come out and arrange for delivery to your hotel. The price in the evening to our hotel was 1000 shils (in the daytime it cost 600 to go to the restaurant). The original price was 1000 and 1500 respectively

Taxi in Nairobi

You shouldn’t raise your hand on the street - they won’t stop you, and if they do stop you, then there may be problems for both you and him - they will hit you in the face. The traffic in the city is such that taxis park on side streets. They can be identified by the checkered marks on the roof, but this is not a fact. that it will be a taxi meter.

Most likely it will be a bomber, with whom you will have to bargain for a long time before leaving. Their prices can be divided by 2 and trading can begin at this price. If you don't agree, leave. He agrees and won’t go anywhere.

That's it for Nairobi. I didn’t like the city and the desire to go somewhere else there did not arise and will not arise. The city is not cozy, has poor energy, and I felt it well at first sight

The capital of Kenya, Nairobi, is truly exotic. Traveling here for tourists is sometimes both interesting and scary, especially after hearing so many stories about poverty and wild animals. However, Nairobi is now one of the fastest growing cities in Africa, where you can enjoy fantastic safari and real, untouched wildlife.

General information

In addition to being the capital of Kenya, Nairobi is also the economic and political center of East Africa. The city was founded in 1899 along with the construction of a railroad running through it.
Two tower over the city majestic mountains- Kenya and Kilimanjaro, which are very visible on a clear day. The city is crossed by the Nairobi River of the same name, and to the north is the Karura Forest.

It is difficult to accurately estimate the population of Nairobi, since there are a huge number of slums around the city, the population data of which is very often underestimated, but various sources estimate the population of the capital at three to four million inhabitants.

Weather in Nairobi

The capital of Kenya has a temperate climate, the coldest season by African standards is July-August, +17...+19 degrees during the day. However, it can also be called the most best season for safaris, since this is the time when there are the least number of tourists and most often good discounts are offered to attract visitors.

The hottest period in Nairobi is January-March, when the temperature here during the day reaches +35 °C. The worst season for traveling to this country is considered to be autumn and early winter; it is at this time that the rainy season begins.

Transport Nairobi

Passenger trains in the capital of Kenya run mainly at night. To get to any part of the city or suburb, you can use a taxi. It will cost much more than a bus or train, but it will be safer and more comfortable.

Districts of Nairobi

Nairobi is divided into districts, with the poorest areas and slums located in the eastern part of the capital. The most famous areas- Kibera and Karen. The Kibera district has the reputation of being the most densely populated and poorest district in East Africa; Karen, on the contrary, is the most respectable and wealthy suburb of Nairobi. There are many popular cafes and restaurants here national cuisine th Kenya.

Sights of Nairobi

Tourism in Nairobi is just beginning to develop, however, the city is rich in attractions that are popular among tourists.

The first thing that attracts guests to the capital is Nairobi National Park. While in this park, it’s hard to even believe that you are in close proximity to a multimillion-dollar city, and not in the very heart of wild Africa. Here you can see almost all wild animals in their natural habitat. Hiking and jeep safaris in this park are very popular among tourists.

Nairobi's most popular museum, the National Museum of Kenya, is entirely dedicated to Kenyan culture. It hosts exhibitions of contemporary East African art and houses one of Kenya's most comprehensive collections of flora and fauna.

IN memorial museum Karen Blisken presents personal belongings of the famous Danish writer and an exhibition that demonstrates the way of life of local residents of that time.

“Bomas of Kenya” is an ethnic village that allows tourists to get acquainted with the culture of Kenyan tribes, listen to traditional music, and watch national dances of different tribes and nationalities.

Nairobi is considered the safari capital of the world; this is why thousands of tourists come to the capital of Kenya every year. Many hotels are specifically aimed at lovers of this unusual entertainment, and tour operators offer a huge variety of different safari tours, including safari hot-air balloon and classic types of safari. Also, for a fee, while visiting the savannah you can visit a real Masai village and get acquainted with their customs and way of life.

In addition, Nairobi has a huge number of picturesque parks and walking areas where you can see a lot interesting monuments and memorials. Most famous park Nairobi - Uhuru, where you can sit by the lake, admire nature, play golf or spend time in an amusement park.

The city has unique architectural structures - the J. Kenyatta Conference Center, designed in the shape of a lotus flower, the Parliament building in the city center, where the mausoleum of the first Kenyan president is located, and the Clock Tower.

Nairobi Holidays

Nairobi hosts a large number of holidays and festivals, the bulk of such events fall in the summer. In June the Rhino Charge Rally is held, and in July the World Safari Rally Championship is held. In August, the capital hosts a huge Kenyan Music Festival, and in November, a Cultural Festival, where the customs, dances, and songs of various tribes and peoples are demonstrated.

Nairobi Restaurants

The capital has a huge number of restaurants and cafes that serve Kenyan national cuisine. The main feature of such cafes may be the lack of cutlery, since local residents Usually eaten with hands.

The bulk of the national cuisine consists of meat and seafood dishes with unusual fruit sauces.

Under no circumstances should you miss the chance to visit the famous Kenyan grill restaurant “Le Carnivore”, where you will be offered meat from exotic animals such as antelope, zebra, ostrich, crocodile, cooked on the grill.

Shopping in Nairobi

The majority of shops and shops where you can buy souvenirs from Kenya or find something interesting for yourself are located in the center of Nairobi and wealthy areas of the city. The best souvenirs that you can bring from Kenya are products made from rare and valuable types of wood, wickerwork, ethnic figurines, jewelry made from precious and semi-precious stones, as well as clothes made from “Kenga” or “Kiki” - bright fabrics that are used and made by local residents.

Nairobi Hotels

If you are a lover of extreme sports and want to discover unusual country with unique, pristine wildlife, get to know the customs and see the life of the Kenyan tribes, then Nairobi is just for you. In this little-known city for tourists, you can see a large number of museums and nature reserves, enjoy the indescribable beauty of African shrouds. Despite the differences from famous resorts and popular among tourists European capitals, Nairobi will not give you less impressions and pleasant memories.

Capital of Kenya Nairobi is a fairly young city. It grew up on the swamps in 1899 as the headquarters of the railroad. Its full name is Ewaso Nairobi, that is " Cool Waters " A year after its official foundation, the building had to be burned down due to a plague epidemic. But despite this pessimistic beginning, Nairobi's fortunes subsequently turned out well, and today it is the largest East African city, with new business districts, excellent hotels, shopping centers and restaurants.

Nairobi is the capital of Kenya

Modern Nairobi occupies almost 700 km², is located at an altitude of more than 1.5 km above sea level, and is home to almost 4,000,000 people. The altitude at which Nairobi is located gives the city a relatively cool climate, and malaria mosquitoes don’t live here.

Climate and geography of Nairobi

Nairobi has a temperate climate: it is very rarely hotter than +25 C, usually in March, and the coldest is in July, when the thermometer drops to +10 C, and once there was even a temperature of +5 C. The city experiences two rainy seasons : November-December and April-May, as well as the dry period (July-August).

The capital of Kenya is located near one of the regions East African Rift Valley(a fault in the earth's crust), so one should not be surprised by periodic tremors.

East African Rift Valley, Kenya

Two famous African peaks - Mount Kenya And Kilimanjaro volcano- are located to the north and southeast of Nairobi, respectively, and both can be seen from the city in good weather, climbing to a hill.

The center of Nairobi is measured from City Square, City Square, which is surrounded by the Sagrada Familia, the country's parliament, court, city council and conference center.

City Square - the central square of Nairobi

A little history

The British colonialists tried to expand the city and consolidate their influence in it. However, the Maasai, who owned these territories before the arrival of the whites, were not happy about this, and after World War II they began a serious uprising. As a result, in 1963, Kenya became independent, and Nairobi was proclaimed the capital of the young country.

Monument to the victims of war in Nairobi, Kenya

Sights of Nairobi

Jomo Kenyatta Conference Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

In the city center you can walk around City Square. Here are the most interesting and beautiful buildings of Nairobi, parks, fountains and shopping centers. Don't be surprised if you don't meet a single white person. You are in Africa, and you will slowly get used to it.

When making tours to Kenya, you should definitely visit Nairobi Karen Blixen Museum, the writer who created the bestseller “Out of Africa,” which was later very successfully filmed. By the way, the most respectable district of Nairobi, or rather the suburb, where Karen Blixen’s house and coffee plantation were located for 20 years, also bears the name Karen.

The second famous landmark of Nairobi is also located somewhat outside the city, but is closely adjacent to the Kenyan capital - this national park"Nairobi"; lions, giraffes, and several hundred other species of animals and birds live in it, directly overlooking high-rise buildings! Here you can feed the giraffes. For those who do not have time to visit either or other famous parks, visiting Nairobi Park is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the Kenyan fauna.

Nairobi National Park, Kenya

Very interesting National Museum of Kenya, which, among other exhibits, displays the remains of prehistoric man, and Railway Museum(as we remember, Nairobi grew out of the railway headquarters). And in Nairobi you can, strange as it may sound, go ice skating - huge Solar Ice Rink Accommodates up to two hundred people at a time.

There are also several beautiful parks in Nairobi - especially Uhuru Park, where rallies and services usually take place under open air, urban park-arboretum And Central Park, adjacent to Uhuru.

Nyayo Monument in Central Park, Nairobi, Kenya

When visiting Nairobi, it is also worth visiting the Indian quarter, visiting the Orthodox Church of St. Mark, built by Copts, and seeing the Clock Tower.

But where you definitely shouldn’t go on an excursion is to the region Kibera, a slum famous for its size and intricacy. Kibera is undoubtedly a colorful place, but it is also very dangerous.

Accommodation in Nairobi

When planning tours to Kenya, keep in mind that prices for accommodation here are indicated per person, and not for the entire room or tent in the camp.

Nairobi has many good and expensive hotels. They began to be built during the British colonization - for explorers and hunters. Over time, numerous tourists were added. Therefore, there are plenty of 5-star hotels here, and there are also good 3-star ones. Many tourists stay in campsites outside the city. You can also rent a villa.

Crown Plaza Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

Among the most famous and revered hotels in Nairobi are:

• Inter Continental
• Radisson BLU
• Crown Plaza
• Sankara
• Sarova Stanley
• Serena
• Hilton
• Fairmont the Norfolk
• Villa Rosa Kempinski

In room, Crown Plaza Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

In general, there are a lot of hotels in Nairobi, and the choice of hotel depends on your goals. For example, if you want a view from the window of the central square, then Inter Continental located right on it. If you want something exotic, take it Giraffe Manor, the hotel has become famous throughout the world for the fact that giraffes walking around the hotel look directly into the open windows of the rooms to feast on something, and they are allowed to do so.

Giraffe Manor Hotel, Kenya

IN Safari Park Hotel You can not only spend the night, but also see an excellent show, and eat exotic meat during the show - read about it below.

Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya

Well, if you just need to spend the night in order to fly further in the morning, choose a hotel near the airport to avoid traffic jams in the city center.

Hotel near airport in Nairobi, Kenya

Transport in Nairobi

Aviation

The capital of Kenya is an important air hub in the African system, and many transit flights land here. Egyptian Airlines flies from Moscow to Nairobi, Turkish Airlines, Swiss, KLM. The main airport is named after the first president of independent Kenya Jomo Kenyatta, this is the largest airport not only in eastern but also central Africa. Another airport is called Wilson(pictured below) and is more focused on intra-Kenyan flights, but also accepts some aircraft from neighboring countries.

Wilson Airport, Nairobi, Kenya

When planning a trip from Jomo Kenyatta Airport to Wilson, you should take into account that even though there is a relatively short distance between them, there are often traffic jams on the highway, so you need to allow 2 hours for the trip.

Railway

You can travel from coastal Mombasa to Nairobi by train. And generally speaking Railway means a lot to Kenya, although today passenger trains operate here mainly at night.

Buses

Traveling to and from Nairobi is good by bus, with premium services provided by three companies: Kenya Bus Service (blue buses), Double M (purple buses) and Citi Hoppa (green buses).

Matatu (minibuses)

A very important transport for Kenya in general and for Nairobi in particular is the matatu, an analogue of our minibuses. The name translates as “thirty cents per flight” (now, of course, it’s already more expensive than it was when the matatu got its name). Matatus travel between cities - for example, you can get to one of them national parks Kenya, and also operate as urban transport. The matatu in Nairobi is distinguished by its bright coloring and various “chips”, in accordance with the preferences of the driver. For example, don’t be surprised if you see a huge plasma TV in a small minibus.

Matatu - Kenyan minibus

Taxi

And, of course, you can take a taxi around Nairobi and beyond. They are more expensive than a matatu, but more comfortable. If you do not call by phone, you can take a taxi from a shopping center, from a hotel, or from a special taxi stand. Again, when calculating distances, take into account traffic jams, this is a very common phenomenon in Nairobi.

Shopping, dining and entertainment

Nairobi is not a popular city for tourists, but rather a starting point for safari routes. However, for amateurs shopping there are also places to go. The city has good shopping centers where you can find both international and African brands. There is a large shopping center in the city center Jamia Shopping Mall. The next building from it is Nairobi City Market, Nairobi Central Market. The chain's shopping centers also deserve attention Nakumatt, supermarkets with this name can be found throughout the country.

Shopping in Nairobi, Kenya

Restaurants are the most popular among tourists Karnivor and a hotel restaurant Safari park hotel . In both, you can try exotic crocodile, camel and ostrich meat, as well as traditional lamb, pork, and grilled beef. The peculiarity of the restaurants is that for the price of the entrance ticket you can eat “as much meat as you like”.

At the Safari Park Hotel restaurant

The peculiarity of the restaurant at the Safari Park Hotel is that here you can not only eat delicious food, but also watch excellent African show, which features Kenyan dancers and acrobats. This is an original, unforgettable spectacle.

Show at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

This photo shows downtown in the distance with Nairobi National Park and Wilson Airport in the foreground. Click to see high resolution photos.

Bird's eye view of Nairobi

Welcome to Kenya!