8 TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS NOT TO MISS IN NAIROBI CITY
8 Top Tourist Attractions Not to Miss in Nairobi City : Most travelers all over the world know Nairobi City as just a capital city and a transit point en –route to the Kenya’s amazing safari destinations , but what is mostly know is that Nairobi city is a tourist destination center itself. Nairobi city is a bustling city and an economic hub, the city comprises a number of tourist attractions to keep you busy and entertained during your Kenya wildlife safari. This article lists and details the top 8 tourist attractions not to miss in Nairobi city.
The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage also called The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is an orphanage offering a safe haven for orphaned elephants of Kenya and those which have been victims of the poaching practices. The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage was established by Dame Daphne Sheldrick, she had been raising elephant orphans since the 1950s when she lived and worked in Tsavo national park. In the late 1970s, she established an elephant and rhino sanctuary in Nairobi national park as part of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and named them in honor of her husband “David Sheldrick”.
The David Sheldrick Elephant orphanage project aims at offering an alternative to the devastating effects of the poaching and habitat loss to the elephants and rhinos, through its operations the project has succeeded to raise more than 150 infant elephants which are released back into the wild.
The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is open for tourists and by you visiting the orphanage you contribute to the well being and the future of animals living at the orphanage that are elephants and rhinos. On your visit at the orphanage you get to enjoy watching elephant babies in the mud and get to feed them to.
Nairobi National Park “The world’s only wildlife capital”
Nairobi national park is a unique Kenya wildlife habitat and destination as well situated in the city centre of Nairobi city the capital of Kenya, the park is the only national park in the world to be situated in the city. Nairobi national park is situated just 7 kilometers from the city center of Nairobi city and was established in 1946, the park covers an area of 117 square kilometers dominated by wide open grass plains, scattered acacia bush and a backdrop of the city scrapers.
Regardless of the size of the park, it is a home to a variety of wildlife such as endangered black rhinos, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes, several antelope species and more than 400 bird species such as black headed heron, blacksmith lapwing, long-tailed fiscal, ostrich among others.
While visiting Nairobi national park there is amazing safari activities to do such as wildlife viewing, bird watching, picnic and nature walks.
Nairobi National Museum
The Nairobi National Museum is a historical and heritage site in Nairobi city located at the Museum Hill approximately 10 minutes from the city centre, this museum was initiated in 1910 by a group of enthusiastic naturalists under the then East Africa and Uganda Natural History Society currently known as The East Africa Natural History Society (EANHS).
The Nairobi National Museum was established in 1929 in its current located and since then it has become a flagship museum for the national Museums of Kenya, the museum showcases many fascinating anthropological discoveries made by the Leakey family including pieces supporting the claims of East Africa being the origin place of mankind. The Museum also showcases celebrated collections of Kenya’s history, nature, culture and Contemporary Art.
The Nairobi National Museum is open for visits from 08:30 am to 05:30 pm.
The Giraffe Center
The Giraffe Center is a place where you get to meet the giraffes, the center is a successful breeding center for the rare Rothschild giraffe and the only one of its kind in East Africa. The Giraffe Center is situated in Lang’ata, 40 minutes drive from Nairobi’s city center along Duma Road , the center was established in 1970s by Jock Leslie-Melville the Kenyan grandson of a Scottish Early. Jock Leslie Melville together with his wife Betty captured two baby giraffes to start a giraffe breeding programme at was his home then in the Lang’ata area of Nairobi and it was successful. The success of this program led to the establishment of the Giraffe Center and the reintroduction of several breeding pairs of giraffes into the wild.
The Giraffe Center was established in order to offer protection to the endangered Rothschild giraffe which is only found in the grasslands of East Africa and it is an education center to individuals and travelers about conservation. The center is open on a daily basis from 09:00 am -05:30 pm, visitors of the Giraffe Center can spend the night at the associated Giraffe Manor which is frequently visited by guests at breakfast.
Kibera Slum
Kibera Slum is another sit not to miss during your travel in Nairobi city, Kibera Slum is a home to more than million of Kenyans of every national tribe. Kibera Slum located on the outskirts of the city center is a hotspot of Kenya culture and traditions, the slum is apparently the largest urban slum on the African continent, visiting this slum is an eye opening experience for visitors wishing to experience various traditions and norms of Kenya.
Kibera Slum Tours offer an insight into the daily life of the locals, during your visit make sure to always ask permission before taking pictures and expect to spend little money on the local community initiatives. Proceeding from the tours of the slum are collected to generally benefit the local community and fund several social projects designs to better the lives of people living in the Kibera Slums.
Kazuri Beads Factory and Pottery Center
The Kazuri Bead Factory and Pottery Center is an interesting site not to miss in Nairobi most especially for individuals interested in local crafts, pottery and leather products. Kazuri Bead Factory and Pottery Center is situated in what used to be part of the Karen Blixen Estate, the center’s name Kazuri means “small and beautiful” in Swahili.
The Kazuri Bead Factory and Pottery Center was started by its founder together with two single motherhood women in 1975, the factory now employs over 400 women and most of these women are single mothers. The factor offers tours of about 1 hour exhibiting the process of firing and glazing the beads, the factory opens from Monday to Saturday (08: 30 am – 06:00 pm) and on Sunday the factory itself is closed but the shop remains open.
Karen Blixen Museum
The Karen Blixen Museum is a impressive historical site to visit while in Nairobi city, the museum is a former farm house belonging to the Danish Author Karen Blixen famous for her iconic book “Out Of Africa” and an Oscar winning movie of the same which is out of her autograph.
The house hosting the Karen Blixen Museum was built in 1912 and in 1917 it was purchased by Karen Blixen and her husband Baron Bror Von Blixen Fincke, the museum is situated 10 kilometers from the city center. Karen Blixen Museum showcases the life of Karen Blixen during her stay in Kenya and while touring the museum you will tour the Blixen’s bedroom and dining room filled with her furniture she owned at that time. There is a museum shop selling Out of Africa souvenirs and local handicrafts and a garden with views of the Ngong Hills.
Karen Blixen Museum is open for touring on a daily basis from 09:30 am to 06:00pm.
Souvenir shops
Nairobi city has a number of various shopping souvenir shops and Maasai Market held at various points in the city offering authentic souvenir shopping experience, the Maasai Market is held at alternating days of the week and various points in the city. Goods sold at the market include traditional crafts, wooden carvings and beaded necklaces.
The downtown city market is worth visiting to look for unique gifts, best locations to visit include Marula studios in Karen for unique pieces made from flip-flops and cans.
Nairobi city is a vibrant city to visit, for the Nairobi city tour send your inquiry to info@wildlifekenyasafari.com
