So you have decided to take a safari in Kenya – a wise choice. Even smarter, spend several days to visit Nairobi both before and after your safari. The city has interesting attractions worthy of your time. It is the perfect antidote to those long, dusty drives trying to spot wild animals.

Not only that, arriving in Nairobi several days before a safari gives you a chance to acclimate to Africa and recover from jet lag after what was probably a very long flight. The altitude is mile high – about 1,700 meters, and you are near the equator. You deserve a few days to both settle in and to learn more about this fascinating continent before jumping into a safari vehicle. Here are my top choices for things to do when you visit Nairobi:

Nairobi National Museum

The Nairobi National Museum is a museum that should serve as an introduction to your city visit. It is more a museum of Kenya and Africa than specifically Nairobi. In fact, it is largely a natural history museum. Most of the layout is devoted to animals, ecology, and human origin, including the skeleton of a human some 1.6 million years old.

What makes this museum worthwhile is the wing that details the modern history of Kenya, notably the colonial period to its independence in 1963 to today. Excellent photographs and memorabilia tell the story. Especially noteworthy is a treaty with the British the native tribes could not read, but were essentially forced to comply with by affixing their thumbprints to the clauses.

The museum is open every day. Do not schedule a tour in advance. Wait until you arrive and take one of the free 1-2 hour tours offered by a local guide (be sure to tip).

Elephant Orphanage – The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

This just might be my favorite attraction in Nairobi. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust rescues and cares for baby elephants before eventually releasing most back into the wild. They have a great track record at that.

Many of the elephants are orphaned because of poaching or loss of habitat, such as deforestation or drought. To date, more than 150 elephants have been rescued

Now for the fun part. Every day, from 11:00am to noon, you can visit the facility and watch as a virtual parade of elephants comes out of the forest into their “playground” for a snack (bottled formula) and a chance to roll around in the dirt and mud right in front of you. Sometimes that means you get a dose of the red dirt from one brushing against you, so dress accordingly.

Throughout the hour, one of the keepers tells the story of each elephant – its name, why it was rescued, and more. It is a fascinating hour, unlike any other elephant experience on the planet. If you only have time for one activity in Nairobi, make it this one.

Giraffe Centre

On safari you will see giraffes at a distance in their natural environment. At Giraffe Centre you will experience these magnificent animals up close and personal. How close? How about feeding them with your hand? How about mouth-to-mouth?

The founders created the Africa Fund For Endangered Wildlife and began to rescue Rothschild giraffes who had lost their habitat. Their breeding efforts have resulted in more than 300 giraffes now spread throughout Kenya.

The staff here is friendly and highly informative. It is a fun couple of hours for the whole family. Plan a visit here on a weekday morning, and you will avoid the crowds.

Tamambo Restaurant

The full name is Tamambo Karen Blixen Coffee Garden Restaurant and Bar, because it is located on the grounds of the lodging of the same name, actually on the site of the original Blixen farmhouse. Today there is an indoor restaurant and bar (with happy hour) or better yet, outdoor garden tables serving fine cuisine at quite reasonable prices. It is the perfect place for lunch if your day’s itinerary is the Giraffe Center in the morning and Karen Blixen Museum in the afternoon. It’s my favorite restaurant in the Nairobi area.

Karen Blixen Museum

If you haven’t seen the movie, Out of Africa, in a while, you should definitely watch it prior to your trip. Then do yourself another favor and visit the home of Karen Blixen (played by Meryl Streep in the movie), now a fine museum.

You will be taken on a private guided tour of the lovely grounds, where there is still coffee cultivation equipment, and her house, itself a personal reminder of life in colonial Kenya. Located a short drive from Nairobi, the landmark can be toured in less than two hours.

Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC)

Right in the heart of the city square of Nairobi is KICC, and it’s a great place to get your kicks if city views are your passion. At 28 stories, the Kenyatta International Convention Center literally towers over the city and provides a superb 360-degree view from its safe, outdoor rooftop deck. Take a hotel guide with you who can also point out all the government buildings, as well as the sprawling neighborhoods of this city.

Kibera slums

So how did a slum make my “best things to do” list? If you are going to spend some time trying to do a “deep dive” into understanding this young country, a guided driving visit through this area can be eye opening. Hundreds of thousands of people live in this area. It is a reminder of the huge gap that still exists between the few very rich and the large numbers of very poor in this young nation. Kenya only gained its independence in 1963, and democracy is not without its struggles.

I found the people of Nairobi to be generally friendly, kind, and hard-working. The slum is a reminder that, while huge numbers want to work, there is still rampant unemployment, as well as people being paid as little as 100 Schillings ($US 1) a day for their efforts.

Masai Market

If you are looking for African handicrafts to buy directly from the source, the movable Masai Market may be the place for you. Held 6 days a week in a different Nairobi location each day, the market features local Masai tribe people who spread their wares on the ground, one stall after another. Choose from beaded jewelry (very meaningful to the tribe’s women), artwork, baskets, figures, pottery, and other handicraft of varying quality.

One day each week the market conveniently appears right behind Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel property. Like any open market, friendly, spirited bargaining is the rule of the day. Beware, however, of the “guides” who will tell you that you must work through them for the best price. Reality is just the opposite – they will ensure a higher price is received in order to get their cut.

Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel

At first glance, the entrance to Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel is a little ominous – a brick wall, iron bars, and numerous security people. But that is a part of life these days in Nairobi. To be honest, double-digit unemployment has made the city not especially safe, and walking alone is not recommended. Once inside this fortress is an oasis that will make you forget you are in the city – any city, actually. And a doting staff includes people who will safely escort you as you walk the city from the hotel’s central location.

Built in 1904, the colonial architecture is matched up with well-manicured tropical grounds to create a landscape that truly transports the visitor back a century in time, but with all the modern amenities. The history of this establishment is a microcosm of the history of Nairobi and well worth discovering. It has seen an array of guests from Winston Churchill to Teddy Roosevelt to Meryl Streep.

I often shy away from hotel bars and restaurants, but the Lord Delamere Terrace, the Cin Cin Bar and T Lounge are an integral part of the irresistible atmosphere and charm of this property. There you can enjoy a bottle of Kenya’s popular Tusker pale lager, whose slogan is “Bia yangu, Nchi yangu!”—Swahili for “My beer, my country.” Tusker’s founder was trampled by a wild “tusker” or elephant in 1923. It’s all part of the lore that makes Fairmont The Norfolk the perfect respite from the often challenging safari trip. 

If you still have time, consider these

Many guidebooks and blogs will recommend you visit the Nairobi National Park. Not many cities have their own national park, with 4 of the “Big 5” wild animals. If you are not planning a safari, this place is a great mini-version of a game reserve. It doesn’t make my list because you will see so much more on safari in Masai Mara, Samburu and other reserves. This is redundant.

The City Market, right in the heart of Nairobi, is one of those places that stimulates all the senses. Your first reaction is the smell of fish – lots of it. Indoors are numerous vendors selling souvenirs. It can be worth an hour if you are in the CBD anyway.

Nairobi has several modern shopping centers. Westgate, in the city center, has vendors on the second floor selling quality handicrafts at reasonable prices (you can bargain a little). I saw better gift merchandise, including handmade jewelry, purses, glasses, chess sets, placemats, etc., here than just about anywhere else in Kenya. The Hub is an upscale outdoor center that reminds me of a mall in Southern California. It even has a large Carrefour – perfect for loading up on snacks and supplies for the safari (or your Nairobi hotel room).

Speaking of gifts, the perfect ones to bring home are one of a variety of Kenyan coffee and teas. Nairobi lies not far from Lumuru tea country, as well as the famous coffee farms.

What have I left out? Many publications recommend a visit to the Masai Ostrich Resort. Here you can ride an ostrich and eat one too. Personally, I don’t believe the ostrich anatomy is conducive to be ridden by an adult human. Skip this attraction.

Do you agree with this list? Are there any “must-sees” you think I have left out? Feel free to comment at the bottom of this post.