9 days in Nairobi - what to see?

[Sandrine1982]

Thinking of going to Nairobi for 8-9 days this autumn, with our 6 year old who's crazy about wildlife. As the time is limited we won't get a chance to go to the beach so will have to stay in and around Nairobi.

People who have done this, what would you recommend?

• any nice wildlife places, safaris?
• any amazing stays, e.g. jungle stays, treehouse stays, glamping, eco lodges (reasonably priced)
• any nice areas to stay in Nairobi (pool is a must)
• any cultural experiences

Thanks in advance!

There is Nairobi National Park on the outskirts off the city where you can see some game, although no big cats I think. You can hire a driver to take you.

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has rescued baby elephants which you can see being fed once a day in the evening

The Giraffe Centre has giraffes that you can feed.

There is also an alligator farm,

All the above are in the same part of town. You could do them all in a day but with a child maybe better to split over a couple.

To be honest with 9 days though I would probably try and do a relaxed 2 night 3 day safari. Lake Nakuru isn’t too far from the city and we saw lions and Rhinos there.

I stayed in the Serena which had a nice pool but it was maybe a bit business-y (was there for work, tacked a safari on the end)

we used Bigfoot safari for our tour: http://www.bigfoot-adventures.com/?

The giraffes for sure! And Hells gate is brilliant.

Sorry- better link! https://bigfoot-adventures.com/

If you can afford it, or even if it is a bit of a stretch, would strongly strongly recommend that you stay at least one night at Giraffe Manor. It is expensive but of all the travel things I've done that is right at the top of the most memorable. It was worth it honestly.

https://www.thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor/

The elephant orphanage at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is also amazing to visit - they rehab the elephants for return to the wild - so things like they don't get fed by the same keepers repeatedly so they don't bond. You can visit when they have baby elephant feeding at it is so so cute.

https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/nursery-visit

Bomas of Kenya is a fantastic cultural experience.

Giraffe centre definitely, it can get busy but be patient or try and go a second time when it might be quieter. The baby elephants at Sheldrick are a must but needs to be booked in advance. For 9 days you could definitely fit in Lake Naivasha for boat and walking safari. Lake Nakuru too, but the flamingoes aren't there anymore but we managed to see decent game including lions. Stayed at Sarova Lion Lodge which was so much fun, camp fires with songs in the evenings, feeding birds in the morning, archery for kids and they had a pool. Incredible food.
We went last year and DC were 9 and 7. They loved Hells Gate too. We used a guide called Max who we found from TripAdvisor and he was absolutely amazing, so accommodating and helpful. Very reasonable too.

Thank you all! Amazing tips - will check it all out.

Re The Giraffe Manor - is there a 3rd party website like Booking where I can see the availability clearly? And is their website right that the prices range from 800 to 6000 USD for one night ??? Wow, definitely can't afford it then :-(

I think you have to book years in advance for Giraffe Manor.

I think you have to book years in advance for Giraffe Manor.

I didn't. It's expensive and most people stay only one night. You do need to book in advance but my experience wasn't "years" or even close. It's like anything else depends when you are going and how 'peak' it is.

at the time I was a bit @@ at the price and it was a real stretch for me but like I said, it was really worth it. It's definitely a very special experience. I would speak to them though about having a 6 year old and see what they say. Part of the reason I enjoyed it so much was I was an adult so really appreciated the unique privilege of the place.

For me it is would be in a handful of places and holiday experience that I would class as 'likely to remember on your death bed as really extrarordinary'

And if you can't afford to stay you can just visit for the day,still get to feed them,it's amazing.

https://www.majimotocamp.com/

We stayed here for two nights before doing a three day safari with kids which was amazing. The hosts at the camp were great with kids.
Sheldrick Trust also a big hit as was Lake Naivasha and the boat trip to the island.

Thank you all. This sounds great.

I've got another quick question regarding safety.

Will we be OK just taking Ubers to get around? And stay in Airbnbs (with verified reviews)?

TIA

Do you need to stay in the city itself? I would head to the Masai Mara. You can get there by road or air, and the wildlife experience will be much better than anything around Nairobi. But look for a camp that specialises in family safaris.

Hmm yes but we still want to spend 2-3 days in Nairobi so I'm just wondering how safe that city is these days...

It’s safe but not much to see. Giraffe manor has been renovated since we went and it’s in the suburbs. I enjoyed it but enjoyed the wild encounters far more!

Nairobi NP used to have cats but it’s disappointing now. I’d not go all that way without seeing a National Park with plenty of animals in it. Masai Mara is the best option. It’s not cheap to see animals though. I would look at a cheaper end safari with a tour operator. We’ve done child friendly ones but the lodges were expensive.

Uber is probably not going to be as safe as you would like. Do you expect a car seat for DC for example? The standard of driving can be atrocious. Also where are you going in an Uber? I’d just book a proper tour.

We arranged a driver on a day rate from a tour company. Better than uber especially with a child.

Some areas are safer than others. Be aware everyone you encounter is going to ask you for chai. Basically you're going to be expected to hand over cash. Call it an extreme tipping culture. Officials too.

Stay away from Eastleigh and be careful in the evenings.

If you go down the athi river side - Kitengela, kisaju etc on the road to Tanzania has some nice places and is near the national park. The woodland trust in isinya is a nice little project

Go for an airb&b in a gated community.

It might be best to hire a guide if you can. I'd avoid random uber type things.

Most people are fine but you will be seen as someone who can give them some money so bear that in mind. It's the way things are.

I was thinking of taking an Uber for smaller distances, e.g. National Museum, Masai Market, Airport...?

For the National Park and longer distances we'd organise with a trusted driver for the day.

At the moment we are thinking of the following itinerary:

-3 nights in Nairobi
-3 nights in Masai Mara
-3 nights in Hells Gate / Lake Naivasha

Is it feasible?

DC will be 6. I know driving will probably be very different to the UK (we've recently been to Cairo and it was madness... I don't expect a child seat but a seat belt would be nice?).

Tipping culture yes I've heard of, we have family in Nigeria so expect it to be similar...

Oh, and another question, sorry! Which vaccines did you guys get for this trip?

TIA

Driving standards are low as are quality of vehicles in some instances. Would an organised trip not be better? I’d not do this on a wing and a prayer with a child. It’s a long journey to the Mara.

Hello everyone.

So we have now booked our flight to Nairobi (11 nights) and we have a big dilemma. We don't know what itinerary we should go for.

Option 1:

-4 nights in Nairobi
-3 nights in Masai Mara
-4 nights in Lake Naivasha
(driving between these places)

Option 2:
-4 nights in Nairobi
-6 nights in Ukunda / Diani beach
-1 night in Nairobi
(flying between Nairobi and Ukunda)

We really want to do 1-2 safaris but we also love the beach and the tropical feel of the coastal areas. My question, I suppose, is whether the Nairobi National Park would be enough for a safari? Plus the giraffe centre and Sheldrick wildlife trust? I know people have said that nothing can beat the Masai Mara but it's a long trek to the other side and we would love to keep travel to a minimum if possible. I know it's possible to fly to the Mara but we're not so keen on that.

Also wondering if you've been to the coast (Diani side), are there any interesting day safaris to do from there? E.g the Shimba Hills reserve and the Elephant sanctuary?

Any tips greatly appreciated!
TIA

Keep your wits about you at the coast.

Honestly I have to say that nothing compares to the Masai Mara/ a proper safari. Nairobi National Park is a good day out but it’s closer to a safari park than a real wild experience.

The first itinerary sounds perfect. You’ll have a great time. Ultimately a beach resort is a beach resort. Although the Kenyan ones are lovely it’s not that different to anywhere else in the world. A proper safari is one of the most amazing things I’ve done in my life.

I would do option 1 out of these two, but actually with 11 nights I think you could fit in both the safari and the beach. Personally I'd do that, and cut down your number of nights in Nairobi. Say 4 nights in Masai Mara, 5 nights at the beach and 2 nights in Nairobi, or something like that?

Option 1 for sure. I think it would be shame to go all that way and only visit Nairobi national park, which as pp says, doesn't have any big cats. This is around 10yrs ago but i did a solo 4 day Nakuru / Navaisha trip after I was in the region for work, and I saw lions, rhinos, zebra, giraffe, hippos, flamingos, wildebeest, a cheetah, and lots of other smaller animals. If you go to the Masai Mara then I think you will see elephants as well.

Check a six year old is allowed on a safari. I've been to Kenya, Tanzania and Namibia and some companies definitely have age restrictions, e.g no under 12s.