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View of Nairobi City from Uhuru park
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Nairobi Safaris and Tours

Nairobi City
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Overview

Take a trip to Nairobi on your Kenya Vacation

Located in the south-central part of Kenya, Nairobi is one of the most prominent cities in Africa, both politically and financially. The most populous city in East Africa, Nairobi is the country's capital and gateway for a Kenya safari.

Originally an uninhabited swamp area, Nairobi was chosen to become a supply depot for the Uganda Railway in 1899. With its central location between Mombasa and Kampala as well as the network of rivers that supplied the camp with water, Nairobi soon became the railway’s headquarters.

By 1905, Nairobi had replaced Mombasa as the capital of the British protectorate and the city continued to grow. Remaining under Britain’s control until 1963, Kenya was granted independence and Nairobi was named the capital of the republic.

Big game viewing on a Kenya vacation has always been an important part of Nairobi’s appeal. The city is surrounded by 113 square kilometres (70 square miles) of cliffs, plains and forests that make up Nairobi National Park. Within the park are large herds of zebra, wildebeest and buffalo as well as giraffes, lions, cheetahs and many other animals.

Known as the “Green City in the Sun”, Nairobi is considered by many to be the safari capital of Africa while remaining a cosmopolitan city with excellent shopping and restaurants.

At a Glance

Languages

English, Swahili

Currency

Kenyan Shilling (KES)

What do the experts say?

David Wong

David Wong

Team Lead
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Goway guests can enjoy unforgettable moments like bush breakfasts, night game drives, and personalized safaris in luxury tented camps
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David Wong

David Wong

Team Lead
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The Samburu Reserve is one of the most colourful game-viewing areas in the country, home to species found nowhere else—like the reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra
David Wong

David Wong

Team Lead
Learn More About This Expert
In peak months like August, the migration draws huge crowds to the river crossings. But conservancies around the Mara limit vehicle numbers, so you still get intimate wildlife moments
David Wong

David Wong

Team Lead
Learn More About This Expert
Kenya offers the best wildlife viewing with the world-renowned Masai Mara, plus unique species only found in places like Samburu.
Bijal Kana

Bijal Kana

Destination Specialist
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I wouldn’t recommend self-driving as Kenya’s roads can be tricky, and they drive on the left side, which can confuse visitors used to North American systems

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