Kenya has always been a fascinating destination for adventurers and wildlife lovers. Kenyan safari trips frequently feature on the agenda when considering a trip to the country – home to the renowned Masai Mara National Park. Without a doubt, it’s an exciting wildlife adventure. However, Kenya has many other interesting attractions and experiences besides African safaris. Take Nairobi for instance! This bustling capital city of Kenya brims with cultural and modern experiences and fascinating attractions you can visit on a holiday. And there is plenty of wildlife viewing within the city as well! If you spend just one day in Nairobi, here’s what you should do to make the best of your time.
Spend Time at the Museums
Image Credit : museums.or.ke
Dive into Kenya’s rich history and culture by exploring Nairobi’s captivating museums. If you are seeking Nairobi cultural experiences in your one day tour, add a trip to Nairobi National Museum to your itinerary. The Nairobi National Museum is one of the best Nairobi museums to visit to discover the past lifestyle, heritage and journey through time of Kenya. The museum features an excellent collection of fossils, botanical gardens, artefacts and wildlife exhibits. The Hall of Kenya and The Cycles of Life are two galleries quite popular for exhibiting the unique materials and ancient remnants of Kenya. Other fascinating museums to visit to gain an insight into Kenyan culture include the Nairobi Gallery, Karen Blixen Museum, and African Heritage House, to name a few.
Go Wildlife Viewing at Nairobi National Park
Craving a wild adventure without leaving the city? Nairobi National Park offers an unforgettable safari experience, just a stone’s throw away! A day in Nairobi is quite short to include a day trip to Maasai Mara National Reserve in Nairobi tour packages. You will end up spending the entire day travelling to the reserve to experience the safari. So, if you have just a day to spend in Nairobi, keep the visit to Maasai Mara for another time you visit Kenya and head to Nairobi National Park. This National Park, located just 7 kilometres away from the city, offers easier access to see the ‘Big 5’ on a gaming safari along with over 100 African animal species. Set in the verdant wilderness beyond the city, this is the best way to enjoy quick tours in Nairobi related to wildlife expeditions when time is short. Nairobi is the only city in the world that has a sprawling national park within close proximity offering a rare opportunity to witness wildlife in a city setting. As you traverse the park’s wildlife encounters, you will be amazed by the contrast between the urban skyline and the vast wilderness.
Pet a Giraffe at the Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre
Just minutes away from Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre offers a unique Nairobi wildlife encounters. One such experience is the Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre – a fascinating wildlife attraction where you can pet giraffes up close. There is also a hiking trail to explore in this unique attraction, which is short but absolutely worth experiencing as a short adventure. This 1.5 km trail weaves through verdant woodlands along the Ngong Hills, offering a panoramic view.
Watch Baby Elephants Have Fun at David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Since we are still on the topic of petting giraffes, why not extend the experience further and visit David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to watch playful elephant calves? It is one of the most popular things to do in Nairobi in one day. Spend a couple of hours watching a herd of baby elephants running toward their caretakers to feed, then roll around in the muddy water. The elephant orphanage is set near the Nairobi National Park and lies close to the Nairobi Giraffe Centre as well. As one of the Nairobi attractions that delights kids, you can turn your one day in Nairobi into a mini wildlife adventure by visiting all three wildlife attractions in one day.
Enjoy a Delicious Palette of Swahili Dishes
Indulge in the flavoursome cuisine of Nairobi on your trip. Indulge in the sizzling delights of Kenyan-grilled Nyama Choma, paired with the comforting warmth of ugali at renowned eateries like Nerkwo Restaurant, Njuguna’s Place, K’osewe Ranalo Foods, Swahili Plate, and Olepolos Country Club. Take a coffee break to sip aromatic Kenyan coffee at Nairobi’s quaint cafes, such as Java House. After sunset, the nightlife comes alive in Nairobi. Book a table at roof-top restaurants to enjoy the view of the city while sipping on some ‘Dawa’- a Kenyan cocktail. Further, visit the Nairobi Street Kitchen to indulge in a wide variety of lipsmacking food. Some of the hidden gems in Nairobi to check out for foodies are Mama Nilish Malindi Dishes, to name a few. The city also has a good collection of restaurants catering to international menus.
Take a Trip to Bomas of Kenya
When in Nairobi, the cultural influence permeates into your holiday inadvertently. You will find yourself seeking more alluring cultural experiences on your trip. One such experience to witness is a trip to the ‘Bomas of Kenya’, where you can step into a traditional tribal village of Kenya. The attraction captures the simple, rustic lifestyle of Kenyan tribes through replicas of traditional, conical-roofed houses amid verdant nature. Stroll through the village, watch a cultural performance, enjoy a traditional meal at Utamaduni Restaurant and take back countless enriching memories of traditional Kenya with you.
Shop at Utamaduni Craft Centre and City Market
Shopping is obviously on the list of things to do in Nairobi, even if it is just a one day stay in the city. You cannot miss visiting the local markets in Nairobi, even if you have a limited time in the city. Keep this experience in the last leg of your journey so that you can simply stroll around the city and the bustling markets. The City Market is a spotlight shopping hub in Nairobi where you can purchase authentic souvenirs from Nairobi such as Maasai jewellery, weaved baskets, intricate, colourful beadworks, Kisii soapstone and wood carvings, vibrantly coloured textiles and more crafted entirely by hand by locals. Utamaduni Craft Centre is an artisan’s market with an astounding collection of 18 stalls featuring African art and crafts but mainly famous for hand-made kikoy, khangas and kitenges, which are traditional African clothes extensively used by locals. These attractions are must-visit in Nairobi as they reflect the extraordinary culture and artistic essence of the destination. It provides the perfect opportunity to bring home a piece of Nairobi.
Conclusion
Nairobi is beautiful and diverse, and it is impossible to view everything in 24 hours in Nairobi. For elaborate game safaris and the visit to the city’s remarkable attractions, at least a 3 to 5 days trip is required to get the gist of the city. But there is so much more to do in Kenya than enjoying a wildlife safari. Nairobi makes an excellent example of this. Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, or a shopaholic, Nairobi has something for everyone. Come to Nairobi, and the city welcomes you with an open heart to experience its culture, wildlife and city scenes. Kenyans are known for their warmth and hospitality and you will feel welcomed and might even make some new friends along the way! So give it a thought and shortlist which of these spots you are most excited about visiting on your one day Nairobi vacation.
