Get ready to discover a side of Nairobi you’ll never forget.
In this guide, I’ll take you inside one of the largest slums in the world, we’ll taste crocodile meat like true adventurers, and we’ll hand-feed the city’s most iconic residents: the giraffes.
Nairobi is raw, vibrant, and full of surprises… and these 5 highlights capture its true spirit. In Nairobi (and other cities in Kenya) you can easily move by Bolt.
Otherwise if you really like adrenaline and want to save some money, there’s a friend I’ve there who can carry you around the city for few USD with his motorbike. You find his personal number on the guide at the end of this post.
The Giraffe Centre is a unique wildlife sanctuary where you can get up close and personal with endangered Rothschild giraffes, those are an endangered subspecies.
The centre works to protect them and raises awareness about the importance of conserving this unique species. Here you can feed them by hand, learn about giraffe conservation, and enjoy a fun experience.
The cost is 15 USD for non residents and includes also some food for the giraffes, the center is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day including weekends and all public holidays.
I recommend going early in the morning to avoid finding the path crowded with people.
What’s Kibera?It is one of Africa’s largest informal settlements, home to an estimated 200000 to over 500000 people.
What’ you’ll find there? Living conditions are challenging, with crowded housing, limited access to clean water, sanitation, and reliable electricity. Despite the hardships, residents continue to build support networks, run small businesses, and create grassroots initiatives that bring hope and opportunity.
Personally this has been one of the most intense and important experience I’ve done in Nairobi. This kind of experience need to be done with a guide, to really explore the suburb of the slum and to have contacts with people.
I visited Kibera with Lucas, a local guide who was born there and uses his tours to support the community. Through his association, Lucas runs a primary school inside the slum, where hundreds of children receive an education.
During the Kibera tour with him, it’s possible to visit the school and observe some of the classes. Visitors can also donate food such as rice or potatoes to support the children’s nutrition.
Lucas’s personal phone number is available in my guide at the end of this post. Visiting Kibera with him and his association is a must if you’re truly looking for meaningful contact with local people.
Those are the two main markets in Nairobi, both a worth visit in the city. Before we start, be aware that visiting Nairobi’s markets is a very engaging experience that will put you in direct contact with the local people.
Many vendors will approach you trying to sell you anything so be polite and… let the experience surprise you.
The City Market is a lively, historic marketplace in the heart of the city, full of colorful stalls and wide variety of goods. There you can find flowers, local crafts, souvenirs, artwork, and handmade jewelry. It’s usually crowded with people but remains safe thanks to the strong presence of police in the area.
The Maasai Market is an open-air market famous for its wide range of handmade crafts, colorful beadwork, artwork, fabrics, and traditional Maasai jewelry…The perfect spot if you want to buy locally made souvenirs. The market changes location depending on the day of the week…and bargaining is an essential part of the experience, do it and have fun!
Kenya is one of the best spot in the world where you can experience the “Safary of your life”. I went to Masai Mara National reserve, and I back at home with memories I will never forget in life.
Why the Masai Mara? Masai Mara is recommended to anyone seeking an unforgettable safari experience, combining spectacular nature, incredible wildlife, and authentic cultural encounters. Here, you can often spot the “Big Five”: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo along with many other species, all set against stunning natural landscapes. The open savanna makes it perfect for photography and truly experiencing the wild.
It’s forbidden to enter the park with your own car, so to visit the national park you need to book a trip through a tour company. I recommend spending at least two nights in the park, as there are stunning accommodations in the middle of the savanna at very affordable prices.
The entrance fee for Masai Mara National Reserve in 2026 is around USD 100 per person per day from January to June, and rises to USD 200 per person per day from July to December, which is considered the high season. You can find the contact information for the affordable tour operator I used to travel from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara, with all services included, in my PDF guide below.
Are you a vegetarian? If so, you can skip this last recommendation. If not, you should know that Nairobi is home to one of the best experiential meat restaurants in the world!
In fact at the Carnivore Restaurant, the experience goes beyond the usual cuts of beef, chicken, or lamb. If you’re Adventurous there you can try exotic meats like ostrich, crocodile, camel, or even game animals, all grilled over a huge charcoal pit. Prices are fixed and dinner typically is 40 USD per person.
The restaurant is quite far from the city center, it’s easy to arrive there by using bolt. Reserve your table in advance as it is very popular within tourists and be ready to have one of the greatest dinner of your life! Book here.
In this PDF, you’ll find all the essential contacts you need to travel safely in Nairobi and save money on your visit to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
I hope this guide helps you have an unforgettable experience…and keeps you out of trouble along the way!
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