Trip to Nairobi, Kenya

When is the best time to visit Nairobi?

Kenya has two good seasons for wildlife viewing. The Great Migration in the Masai Mara - where 1.5 million wildebeest cross the dangerous Mara River - takes place from July to October, with the most crossings in August. This is the busiest and most expensive season: book 3 to 6 months in advance.

January to March is the second dry season: fewer tourists, lower prices and excellent wildlife viewing weather. The long rains fall in April and May (avoid for safari). The short rains are in November and December: shorter showers, but good opportunities for birdwatching.

Nairobi sits at 1,795 metres altitude, so the climate is more pleasant than you might expect from Africa: 18 to 25 degrees during the day, cooler at night. Always bring a light jacket.

The best neighbourhoods in Nairobi

• Westlands Modern expat and business district with international restaurants, bars and shopping centres (Sarit Centre, Westgate). Nairobi's most vibrant evening destination.
• Karen Green suburb named after Karen Blixen (Out of Africa). Quieter and safer, close to the Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum. Popular with families and longer stays.
• CBD (Central Business District) The busy city centre with Uhuru Park, banks, markets and the August 7 Memorial Park. Safe for tourists during the day; avoid at night.
• Lavington/Kilimani Residential quarter with many coffee bars, restaurants and expats. Easily accessible by Uber and Bolt, more pleasant than the CBD.
• Lang'ata Neighbourhood south of the centre, with access to Nairobi National Park (7 km from the gate) and the Giraffe Centre. Good base for wildlife.

Top 5 sights in Nairobi with real prices

• Nairobi National Park The world's only national park within a capital city: lions, rhinos and giraffes with the Nairobi skyline as backdrop. Entry USD 80 plus 5% gateway fee (approx. USD 84, approx. 77 euros) per person per day for non-residents. Pay cashless via kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke. Daily 06:00 to 18:00; passport required at gate. Best time: early morning.
• Giraffe Centre A breeding programme for the endangered Rothschild giraffe in Karen, approximately 10 km southwest of the CBD. Hand-feeding giraffes from a raised platform. Entry KES 1,500 (approx. 10 euros) for adults; children 3-12 years KES 750. Card or M-Pesa only; no cash. Daily 09:00 to 17:00.
• Masai Mara safari The Masai Mara is one of the world's best safari areas, approximately 270 km from Nairobi (5-6 hours drive). A budget 3-day/2-night package (shared 4x4, budget camp, full board including park fees) starts at approximately USD 1,080 per person. Charter flights to the Mara airstrip (approx. 45 min) are faster but add significantly to costs.
• Karura Forest An urban forest of 1,063 hectares right in Nairobi, one of the largest gazetted urban parks in Africa. Walking and cycling trails, a waterfall and picnic spots. Entry KES 600 (approx. 4 euros) for non-residents. Open daily.
• August 7 Memorial Park A memorial park for the 218 victims of the bomb blast at the US Embassy on 7 August 1998. A quiet but significant spot in the heart of the city centre. Entry KES 30 (approx. 0.20 euros).

Flights and transport from the Netherlands to Nairobi

KLM flies daily nonstop from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA/NBO) with flight KL566. Flight time approximately 8 hours 20 to 8 hours 35. Kenya Airways also flies nonstop on this route; together approximately 16 flights per week. Return ticket from approximately 710 euros for Sept-Oct period; book 8 to 12 weeks in advance for the lowest fares.

From Eindhoven, take the train to Schiphol (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes) and connect with KLM. There are no direct flights from Eindhoven to Nairobi.

From JKIA to the city centre (approximately 15 km): Uber or Bolt costs KES 1,000 to 2,500 (approximately 7 to 17 euros), journey 30 to 45 minutes. A metered taxi costs approximately KES 2,500 to 3,000 (approximately 17 to 20 euros). Public transport via bus KBS Route 34 is cheapest (KES 50 to 100, approximately 0.33 euros) but takes approximately 46 minutes.

In the city, use Uber or Bolt for safe travel; avoid the CBD streets at night. Book a rental car via DiscoverCars for a car rental in Nairobi.

Food and street food in Nairobi

Nairobi has a rich food culture. Street food at a local kibanda or market stall costs KES 150 to 400 per meal (approximately 1 to 3 euros): rice dishes, chapati, nyama choma (grilled meat) and githeri (maize and bean mix). Kenyan coffee (Arabica grown on the slopes of the Kenyan highlands) is world-famous.

Mid-range restaurants in Westlands or Kilimani charge KES 1,200 to 2,500 per person (approximately 8 to 17 euros). Popular cuisines: Ethiopian restaurants in Westlands (Habesha, approximately KES 1,000 per person), Indian restaurants and modern African cuisine. Java House is a reliable local coffee chain.

Insider tip: Nairobi National Museum - often missed, always worth it

Many Nairobi visitors drive straight to the Masai Mara and miss the Nairobi National Museum entirely. This museum on Museum Hill houses one of the best collections of prehistoric skulls and fossils in East Africa (including the famous Turkana Boy), an extensive gallery on Kenyan cultural history and a botanical garden. Entry approximately KES 1,200 (approximately 8 euros) for non-residents; daily 08:30 to 17:30.