Africa's safari capital a dynamic metropolis where lions and rhinos roam in a national park on the city's doorstep, elephant orphans are bottle-fed at 11am, and giraffes join guests for breakfast.
Nairobi is Africa's safari capital a sprawling, energetic metropolis of over 4 million people that sits at the intersection of the modern African city and the wild natural world. Founded in 1899 as a railway depot for the Uganda Railway, Nairobi grew with extraordinary speed to become the region's dominant commercial hub, and today it hosts the headquarters of more international organisations than any other African city. What makes Nairobi genuinely unique among world capitals is the presence of Nairobi National Park directly on the city's doorstep a 117 square kilometre wildlife sanctuary where lion, leopard, black rhino, buffalo and giraffe roam against the backdrop of the city's skyscraper skyline. Watching a giraffe walk past with glass towers behind it is one of Africa's most surreal and memorable visual experiences, available within 20 minutes of the city centre. Beyond the national park, Nairobi offers a richness of wildlife and conservation experiences unmatched by any other African capital. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust operates the world's most successful elephant orphanage. The AFEW Giraffe Centre allows visitors to hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes at eye level. For safari travellers, Nairobi is the natural hub for Kenya's extraordinary network of national parks and reserves, all accessible within half a day's drive.
Nairobi at a Glance
Nairobi
National Park, the world's only capital-city wildlife park, with lion, rhino and giraffe roaming against a skyscraper skyline.
The
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the world's most successful elephant orphanage, with daily 11am public feedings.
Hand-feeding
endangered Rothschild's giraffes at eye level at the AFEW Giraffe Centre.
The
natural hub for Kenya's national parks, all reachable within half a day's drive.
A morning game drive through the world's only capital city wildlife park, with good chances of lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and giraffe against the city skyline. The juxtaposition of wild animals and glass towers is genuinely unlike anything else in Africa.
Attend the daily 11:00am visiting hours to watch orphaned elephant calves being bottle-fed and mud-bathed by their dedicated keepers. The world's most successful elephant orphanage and one of Africa's most moving wildlife encounters.
Hand-feed Rothschild's giraffes from an elevated platform at the AFEW Giraffe Centre one of Africa's most joyful and photogenic wildlife experiences. The same endangered subspecies featured at Giraffe Manor joins guests for an intimate eye-level encounter.
Nairobi's most famous boutique hotel, where resident Rothschild's giraffes roam the grounds and famously poke their heads through the breakfast room windows book 18+ months ahead.
Tour the beautifully preserved farmhouse where Karen Blixen lived and wrote, surrounded by the Ngong Hills she described in Out of Africa.
As the natural hub for Kenya's national parks, Nairobi puts the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and the Rift Valley lakes all within half a day's drive.
Nairobi is served by Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), one of Africa's busiest hubs with direct connections to London, Dubai, Amsterdam, Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, and most major African cities. Wilson Airport serves domestic and safari charter flights. Overland, Nairobi is approximately 8–9 hours from Kampala by road.
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ENQUIRE NOWLuxuryFairmont
The Norfolk Nairobi's oldest luxury hotel, colonial-era charm.
LuxuryHemingways
Nairobi consistently ranked among the city's top premium hotels.
LuxuryGiraffe Manor
The iconic breakfast-with-giraffes experience.
LuxuryJW
Marriott Nairobi one of the city's tallest buildings, state-of-the-art spa.
LuxuryVilla
Rosa Kempinski regularly featured in current luxury roundups.
LuxuryTribe
Hotel Gigiri design-forward, Design Hotels member, near Village Market.
LuxuryThe Emakoko
Safari-edge luxury right on the Nairobi National Park boundary.
LuxuryRadisson
Blu Upper Hill skyline or park views, 20 minutes from Nairobi National Park.
Mid-RangeSankara
Nairobi solid upper-mid-range standard.
Mid-RangeNairobi
Serena Hotel reliable comfort, well-regarded.
Mid-RangeOle-Sereni
Hotel park-view rooms, great safari-edge option.
Mid-RangeTrademark
Hotel industrial-chic, rooftop bar, skyline views.
Mid-RangeRadisson
Blu Arboretum quieter, residential feel, full spa.
LuxuryFairmont
The Norfolk Nairobi's oldest luxury hotel, colonial-era charm.
LuxuryHemingways
Nairobi consistently ranked among the city's top premium hotels.
LuxuryGiraffe Manor
The iconic breakfast-with-giraffes experience.
LuxuryJW
Marriott Nairobi one of the city's tallest buildings, state-of-the-art spa.
LuxuryVilla
Rosa Kempinski regularly featured in current luxury roundups.
LuxuryTribe
Hotel Gigiri design-forward, Design Hotels member, near Village Market.
LuxuryThe Emakoko
Safari-edge luxury right on the Nairobi National Park boundary.
LuxuryRadisson
Blu Upper Hill skyline or park views, 20 minutes from Nairobi National Park.
Mid-RangeSankara
Nairobi solid upper-mid-range standard.
Mid-RangeNairobi
Serena Hotel reliable comfort, well-regarded.
Mid-RangeOle-Sereni
Hotel park-view rooms, great safari-edge option.
Mid-RangeTrademark
Hotel industrial-chic, rooftop bar, skyline views.
Mid-RangeRadisson
Blu Arboretum quieter, residential feel, full spa.