21 Beautiful & Fun Places to Visit in and Around Nairobi, Kenya

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Nairobi, you have come to the right place! Since moving to Kenya, we have enjoyed exploring so many beautiful places this country offers and have written several posts about our adventures here.

Most of our outings have happened outside Nairobi but this isn’t to say that the city is bereft of fun attractions. In this article, I will share twenty-one beautiful and fun places to visit in Nairobi for every type of traveller and every budget.

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One of my favourite things about Nairobi is the abundance of green and outdoor spaces. I was missing this in Lagos, where I lived before moving here. I love the parks and gardens around the city and the wildlife is wonderful too, especially for a busy metropolitan area!

So, if you’re looking to explore some of the best places in Nairobi for nature and wildlife, here are my top picks!

Best Places to Visit in Nairobi: Nature & Wildlife

1. Karura Forest

Karura Forest is a protected urban forest reserve and one of my favourite outdoor places to visit in Nairobi. This is a nice area to picnic, take a casual walk, run, bike or even go horse riding!

If you’re visiting Nairobi for a fairly long period, I think this is a stop worth adding to your itinerary, especially if you love nature walks. You can read more about our first visit to Karura Forest in this post. Since that visit, we have returned often, with Mark going practically every morning for a run with our pup.

Setting your expectations correctly: This is a forest with a nature trail, a small waterfall and occasional animal sightings. Dogs are allowed and are expected to be registered before you can bring them in. They also have to be on a lead but there is an off-leash area/dog park.

There are two cafes, located at different entrances of the forest and these are pretty much the only “development” you would see in the park. Go here for serene nature walks.

2. The Giraffe Centre

Visiting the Giraffe Centre is one of the highlights of a trip to Nairobi and like many popular places, how you choose to visit could affect your overall experience.

I have visited several times and have consistently had a great experience, mainly because I always arrive for opening time and also because giraffes are my favourite animals to see in the wild. You can read about my experience here.

Setting your expectations correctly: The Giraffe Centre is akin to a petting zoo – but just for giraffes. It is a small area with not much else to do. Visiting early morning or just before closing time is recommended to avoid the crowd.

The centre, run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), has several giraffes but sometimes, most of them hang out at the Manor close by. You can often see the resident warthogs too.

3. The AFEW Nature Sanctuary Forest Trail

Just opposite the Giraffe Centre is the AFEW Nature Sanctuary Trail. This place is often overlooked by visitors to the Giraffe Centre but I believe it is worth checking out if you have the time.

Ideally, I’d recommend arriving early to visit the Giraffe Centre and taking a short walk in the Sanctuary Forest while waiting for opening time. This was what I and my sisters did during their recent trip to Kenya. The great thing is that it opens up early for visitors, at no extra charge, so you can enjoy a short walk before or after your visit to the centre.

Setting your expectations correctly: This is a short nature trail that is very easy to walk through. It also features several small animals, birds and sometimes, giraffes.

4. Ngong Hills

Next on this list of the best places to visit in Nairobi is Ngong Hills. This range of hills forms part of the Great Rift Valley and is popular for day hikes, picnics and stunning panoramic views.

This is where you will find the popular windmills which you may have come across in photos or seen from a distance on a clear day. I would probably rate this as my top scenic picnic spot in Nairobi and have enjoyed my visits here.

Setting your expectations correctly: In my opinion, Ngong Hills is just as pretty as it looks in photos – maybe even better. But picnickers and hikers beware; you will often find debris and broken glass in the picnic areas and if you plan to hike far out, it is recommended to hire the services of a KWS guide to go with you and your group.

5. Nairobi Arboretum

This is another park much like Karura Forest, albeit smaller, but also great for walks, runs and picnics. If you plan to visit to enjoy a relatively quiet time here, then I recommend going early in the morning.

Setting your expectations correctly: Due to its relatively affordable entrance fees, the park tends to get crowded. You will often find large groups of people exercising, hanging out or praying loudly.

6. Nairobi National Park

When I say that this city has incredible wildlife, I mean it. Nairobi National Park is truly the epitome of wildlife sightings. It’s pretty wild that this is located within the city!

Here you can spot animals including rhinos, lions, zebras, giraffes and more, making it one of the best places to visit in Nairobi for wildlife. I recommend visiting early in the morning or late afternoon to improve your chances of spotting your favourite wildlife.

Setting your expectations correctly: Entrance fees are quite steep for foreigners, therefore if you plan to visit other parks in Kenya, you can skip this one. However, it might be worth combining this with a trip to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust as the same entry fees are required for both places.

7. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage)

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is renowned for its work in rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned baby elephants and is one of the best places to visit in Nairobi for wildlife enthusiasts.

Here you can watch as handlers feed and interact with baby elephants and listen to the stories about their journey to the centre.

Be aware that recently, the Kenyan Government made it compulsory for visitors going to the orphanage to purchase a ticket to enter Nairobi National Park. The orphanage is located within the park, therefore visitors have to pay the park fees in addition to the orphanage’s entrance fee.

Because of this, I recommend combining both visits to get the best value for your money when visiting as a non-Kenyan citizen or resident.

Setting your expectations correctly: This place is open to visitors from 11 am to 12 pm only – during the public feeding and bath time. There’s a barricade between visitors and the elephants, so you won’t be interacting with them directly but are free to touch them if they come close to you.

8. Paradise Lost

This spot is not exactly in Nairobi but because it is an easy half-day trip from the city, I have decided to include it here. Paradise Lost, located in Kiambu, is another option to consider if you’re looking for an outdoor space to relax or enjoy a picnic.

Setting your expectations correctly: Please read about my experience here to help set the right expectations.

9. Champagne Ridge

I can’t tell you how much I love Champagne Ridge. If you love vast untouched landscapes and stunning sunsets, then this is the place for you. In terms of activities, there isn’t much to do besides hiking and relaxing but that is the beauty of a place like this!

You simply come here to relax and recentre yourself. Some animal sightings are possible – we have seen zebras, baboons and hyraxes and I have heard that there’s the possibility of the odd leopard sighting but I would come here just for the stunning views!

Setting your expectations correctly: The best way to experience Champagne Ridge is to book a stay in the area. Most accommodation options are self-catering or they typically have an in-house chef who will prepare the food you bring. You can probably hike the nearby Ngong Hills or hire a local guide to hike around the valley.

10. Tea Farms in Nairobi

Picturesque landscapes, endless tea farms as far as the eyes can see, and gorgeous waterfalls – these are just some of the things that make the tea farms in Limuru one of the best places to visit in Nairobi!

Visit these areas for a lovely hike through tea farms or maybe even sign up for a tour to learn more about one of Kenya’s largest exports. I plan to sign up for a tour with Kiambethu Farm or Gatura Greens soon and when I do, I will write all about it here too!

11. Nairobi’s Golf Courses

Nairobi has several well-maintained golf courses all around the city, so you can spend a nice day out

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Now, let’s look at some of the best places to visit in Nairobi if you’re a history buff or someone who loves museums…

Best Places to Visit in Nairobi: Museums & Cultural Experiences

12. Nairobi National Museum

The Nairobi National Museum showcases Kenya’s rich cultural and natural heritage through diverse exhibits in palaeontology, ethnography, art, and paleoanthropology.

A walk through the museum can be both educational and fun, so this is a great place to check out especially if you’re travelling as a family with children.

13. Karen Blixen Museum

Fans of the book and movie “Out of Africa” will appreciate visiting the former home of the Danish author for whom the museum is named.

Inside the museum, you will find several artefacts from the movie and visitors have the option to take a guided tour to learn more about Karen’s life in Kenya.

Setting your expectations correctly: If you don’t have any strong affiliations with the movie and book, I think this is a place that might be worth excluding from your itinerary. If you do visit, it’s best to combine your trip with attractions nearby. See my recommendations in this article.

14. Kenya Cultural Centre

The Kenya Cultural Centre – which also doubles as the Kenya National Theatre is a great place to go see live plays and musicals. I saw a rendition of The Nutcracker here once and it was a lovely experience; I look forward to attending other live events in this theatre.

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There are a few more places to visit in Nairobi for historical and cultural experiences but I have listed only my top three spots. Please leave your recommendations in the comment section for places you have enjoyed visiting.

Best Places to Visit in Nairobi: Adventure & Fun Outings

Let’s move on to other places to visit in Nairobi for thrill seekers and adventurers. First up is the Panari Sky Centre’s ice skating rink.

15. Panari Sky Centre – Ice Skating

I haven’t been here yet but it is one place that is firmly on my list. I think it’s a good idea to learn a new hobby now and then and ice skating seems like a fun one to try.

Who knows, you could be seeing me on stage in the next Olympic event, representing Nigeria in the figure skating competition. Don’t worry, Kenya, I’ll thank you after I receive my gold medal!

16. BlueSky Tours in Diamond Plaza – Indoor Rock Climbing

If you’ve ever dreamed of trying out rock climbing or bouldering, you can begin your adventure by visiting the BlueSky rock climbing gym. Here, you can learn the basics of rock climbing and have an instructor coach you on the best techniques.

17. The Forest

Imagine the thrill of ziplining on East Africa’s longest zipline, the wind in your hair and the forest beneath you! This is the experience you get at The Forest; just check out this video of Aina having the time of her life!

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A post shared by Aina Dada (@ainadada_)

I’m pretty nervous about going on this zipline but still, it’s a must-do activity for me and something many thrill seekers will appreciate.

In addition to the zipline tour, The Forest also has an array of activities to do including mountain biking, paintballing, and archery, amongst others. It is located about an hour away from the city but can be done as an easy day trip from Nairobi.

18. Burudani Adventure Park

This is another outdoor recreational centre in Nairobi where you can participate in activities such as ziplining, nature walks, high rope courses and more. It is one of the best places to visit in Nairobi for teambuilding activities or a fun hangout with a group of friends.

19. The KICC Building

For gorgeous views of Nairobi, head up to the top of the KICC building. From the helipad, you can take in the views of the Central Business District (CBD), different parks and green spaces and even Nairobi National Park!

20. Maji Magic Aqua Park

Maji Magic Aqua Park is located at the Waterfront Mall in Karen. This is an inflatable water park where guests can have a good time exploring the obstacle courses or engaging in other activities including kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

21. Nairobi Malls (Westgate, Village Market, Two Rivers)

And speaking of malls in Nairobi, there are a few located around the city with each one having an array of fun activities to do besides shopping.

For example, you can go bowling in Westgate, Village Market and Sarit Centre; visit the Ozone Trampoline Park at the Village Market Mall or ride the Ferris Wheel at the Two Rivers Mall. The malls here provide a fun way to spend time in the city and are great options for families with children.

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There you have it. My list of 21 beautiful and fun places to visit in Nairobi! Have you been to any? Share your favourite spots with me in the comment section below!