History of Nairobi
The first inklings that a city was going to appear here came in May 1899, when the British builders of the railway into the interior built a camp here as they figured out how to get the line up the steep slopes ahead and then down the vertiginous escarpment into the Rift Valley and beyond. The city started life as a supply depot, railway switching yard and camp-ground for the Indian labourers working on the line. The location was originally called Nakusontelon which means ‘Beginning of all Beauty’ but later on, it came to be known as Nairobi that is a corruption of the Maa words‘enkarenyarobi which simply mean ‘the place of cold water’ as the Maasai used to describe the area.
Without any planning, the settlement took root and was made the capital of the newly formed ‘British East Africa’ in 1907. In 1902, the Stanley hotel (now the Sarova Stanley) had openedfollowed two years later by the Norfolk hotel. The city grew rapidly in the run-up to World War I and was the capital of the dissolute ‘Happy Valley set’ in the inter-war years. There was a further burst of settler arrivalsand increased migration from the countryside after World War II. After independence in 1963, the city centre started sprouting high-rise buildings but as the city spread out in every direction, the old central business district lost its shine in the 1980s and early 90s by acquiring a notoriety for beggars, street children and muggers. Since the late 1990s, it has been transforming again and a limited amount of beautification has taken place including improved street lighting whereby the term “nightlife” once again has meaning somehow.
Meanwhile, the relentless spread of the suburbsup to Kiambu towards Thika, down to Kitengela,Athi River, out to Kiserianand to the lip of the Rift Valley continues unabated.
Nairobi Excursions
Nairobi City Tour (3 Hours)
A city tour of Nairobi covers the CBD which includes the City Market, Parliament buildings, the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Center, The National Archives, The Railway Museum, Jomo Kenyatta Mausoleum, The Holy Family Basilica, Jamia Mosque, Uhuru Park, Jeevanjee Gardens, The Supreme Court and several Government Offices including the Office Of The President, The University Of Nairobi, State House Nairobi, Kenyatta National Hospital, Central Bank of Kenya, The Kenya Police Headquarters, The Governor’s Office Nairobi and etcetera.
The name Nairobi comes from the Masai words ‘enkarenyarobi’ meaning “place of cold water” because this was originally a watering hole for the Maasai’s cattle which used to graze here. The camp grew steadily and by 1907, it had already ballooned into a town thereby taking over from Mombasa as the colonial capital of East Africa. Present day Nairobi is a lively, cosmopolitan and bustling city with modern, well organized and efficient services.
Of special interest are such places as the National Museum where there are spell binding displays of the early man, tribal regalia, flora and fauna of Kenya, etc. A visit to the adjacent Snake Park is also included. Nairobi National Museum is located at the Museum Hill which is approximately a 10 minutes’ drive from the city center. It is the flagship museum that houses some of the most celebrated collections of history, culture and art. The museum aims to interpret the heritage of Kenya to stimulate appreciation and learning.
This museum is open daily (including public holidays) from 0830hrs -17300hrs. The Museum was initiated in 1910 by the then East Africa and Uganda Natural History Society [currently the East African Natural History Society (EANHS)]. The group was composed mostly of colonial settlers and naturalists who needed a place to keep and preserve their collections of various specimens. Its first site was at the present day Nyayo House which is found within the CBD. The site soon became small and a larger building was put up in 1922 where the Nairobi Serena Hotel is located currently.
In 1929, the colonial government set aside land at the Museum Hill and construction work started in earnest at the current site with official opening witnessed on 22nd September 1930 where it was first known as Coryndon Museum in honour of Sir Robert Coryndon who was one of the Governors of Kenya and a staunch supporter of Uganda Natural History Society. When independence was attained in 1963, it was re-named the National Museum of Kenya (NMK).
On 15th October 2005, the previous Nairobi Museum closed its doors to the public for an extensive modernization and expansion project to become what is presently standing at the Museum Hill. Since then,the Museum has been transformed into a magnificent piece of architecture that puts it in competition with other world class museums. The artworks, the materials used in the fabrication of outdoor sculptures, the landscaping and the botanic gardens link to the three pillars of Kenya’s national heritage which are notably nature, culture and history.
A welcoming ambience of harmony between the galleries, the non-gallery spaces, the museum landscape and its entrancesmake a visit to the museum more exciting. The galleries have been reorganized to interpret the heritage of Kenya to stimulate appreciation and learning. To capture the feel of diversity and interactivity, there are mixed galleries to show the personality of the new museum. Under the pillar of nature, there are 5 exhibitions. These are Human origins, Mammalian Radiation, Ecology of Kenya, Natural Diversity and Geology. Under Culture, the exhibitions include Cycles of Life, Cultural Dynamism and Creativity.
2- Nairobi National Park (4 hours)
Nairobi National Park was the first to be established in Kenya way back in 1946. It is located approximately 7kms south of the city center and its wildlife is separated from the metropolis by a mere fence. While at the park, Nairobi’s skyscrapers can be seen dotting the skyline.
However, it must be pointed out that the development of this urban center within the natural environment has caused conflicts between animals and people since it has interfered with long held migration routes for the animals. Nairobi National Park measures about 120 square Kms and is unique since it is the only protected area in the world with a variety of animals and birds close to a capital city. As expected, the park is a principal attraction for visitors to Nairobi.
Still, despite its proximity to civilization and relatively small size for an African national park, Nairobi National Park boasts a large and varied population of wildlife. Some of the animals that you can be sure of seeing include Rhinos, buffalos, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and lions. Plenty of antelopes and gazelles too can be seen roaming in this open country plains with a section of highland forest as well as stretches of broken bushes plus deep rocky valleys apart from gorges with scrub and long grass. To include a visit to Nairobi National Park if time allows is highly recommended because it offers great adventure that is logistically very convenient.
The Nairobi National Park is a great destination especially for families who want to just have fun and exciting time together. You will definitely enjoy seeing the various attractions in this park. In fact, it is the best place in Kenya if not the whole of Africa to see Black rhinos in the wild. Well over one hundred species of mammals mainly game of the plainshave been recorded in this park. The big five are represented except the elephant. A unique feature of Nairobi national park is that visitors do not have to travel far to view game in their natural habitat. Additionally, the park has got over 400 species of birds as well as over 100 types of mammals. It takes 3-4 hours to get around and see most of the parkand there are some roads which are suitable for saloon cars.
3- Bomas of Kenya (“Boma” is the Swahili word for homestead) 3hours
The Carnivore restaurant is arguably ‘Africa’s Greatest Eating Experience’. This open-air meat specialty restaurant has strikingly different food, service and atmosphere to anything ever seen in Kenya. Every type of meat imaginableincluding four choices of wild game are roasted on traditional Maasai swords over a huge, visually spectacular charcoal pit that dominates the entrance of the restaurant.
The waiterscarry these swords around the restaurantcarving unlimited amounts of prime meats onto sizzling, cast iron plates in front of diners. A wide selection of salads, vegetable side dishesand a variety of exotic sauces accompany the meat feast. Dessert and coffee follow suit too. The full meal including a soup course is at a set price. Nairobi Carnivore Kenyaexperience and The Charcoal Grill Pit was once ranked among the top 50 Restaurants in the world and the world-famous Carnivore is a must for anyone who loves Barbeque.
This is a Barbeque with a difference because not only do they serve your normal beef, pork and chicken but Game meat as well. Giraffe, Gnu, Zebra, Crocodile, Hartebeest and Ostrich are some of the specials that you will find on the menu. The meat is Barbequed on a huge charcoal BBQ right at the entrance to the restaurants. The meat comes with special sauces which are Carnivore’s secret.
Drinks are charged separately but all food and desserts are included in the price. Enjoy the carnivore experience either for lunch or dinner. Lunch starts at 1pm while dinner is served from 7pm. At the Carnivore Restaurant, you are allowed adequate time to sample all the excellent cuisine on offer. A tour to the Carnivorelasts for about 2 hours and you can be sure to talk about it for a long time to come!! It’s recommended for dinner at the start or end of your safari or a treat out from your hotel.
A wide variety of vegetarian dishes are also available. Don’t afford to miss!!!!’Africa’s Greatest Eating Experience’. The Carnivore is also the home of the Simba Saloon which is one of Nairobi’s most popular nightclubs and discotheques. The informal outdoor atmosphere, exceptional snacks and outstanding entertainment gives you a vibrant and exciting night out. Although Nairobi boasts of many restaurants and eateries, The Carnivore Restaurant is highly recommended for dinner or lunch because of its fame for succulent stews and barbecue dishes of Game meat which surely is an excellent way to be welcome or to bid farewell to Nairobi.
5- Nairobi Animal Orphanage (4 hours)
Nairobi Animal Orphanage is about 20 minutes’ drive from the CBD and is easily accessible on tarmac roads, off Langata Road in close proximity with Kenya Wildlife Service headquarters. The orphanage is a wider part of the Nairobi National Park.
This orphanage was established in 1964, as a refugee center for wild animals found abandoned, orphaned or injured throughout Kenya. Animals received at the centerundergo intensive medical evaluations accompanied by treatment whenever necessary before getting integrated into an appropriate feeding and therapy routine. The aim of the orphanage was to release the animals into the wild whenever possible besides providing conservation education to Kenyans and visitors from across the Globe.
Over the years, exotic animal species not necessarily falling in the categories mentioned above have found their way into the animal orphanage. Problematic animals which are found to be far much more wayward are restrained here too. Nairobi Animal Orphanage is an important educational and training facility, which is housed in the only wildlife protected area in a capital city in the world.
The orphanage is home to more than 20 different animals and bird species. Animals found here include lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, rare Sokoke cats, warthogs, ostrich, parrots, guinea fowls, crown cranes, leopards, various monkeys, baboons and buffalos. Nairobi Animal Orphanage today remains the most visited wildlife facility in Kenya especially by Kenyans; because it allows for up-close viewing of wildlife.
6- Nairobi National Museum (3 hours)
Nairobi National Museum is an excellent place to discover more about Kenya’s background and culture. The building of the current Museum Hill site started in 1929 as soon as the state set aside the stretch of land for it. This Museum was legally open to the public on 22nd September 1930 and even named Coryndon Museum, in honour of Sir Robert Coryndon who was once the governor of Kenya and also a staunch advocate of the Uganda Natural History Society. With the opening of the museum, the society moved its extensive library into
the Museum complex. A portion of this collection made the foundation collection for what is currently the Herbarium. In the early 40’s and 50′s, the late Dr. Louis Leakey did a public appeal for funds to expand the Museum’s galleries. The result has been the construction of all the current galleries right from the main entrance.
These galleries were built in honor of the Nairobi community members who had contributed towards the construction of the building. Today, there are such galleries as the Mahatma Gandhi Hall, the Aga Khan and also the Churchill Gallery among many others. In the early sixties, the Nairobi Snake Park was made with the aim of educating people on snakes and popular reptiles of Kenya.
The Snake Park continues tobe a big fascination in the Museum. Around 1964, the Coryndon Museum was renamed to what is presently known as the National Museums of Kenya. In 1969, the Museum grew its services and assets beyond Nairobi and thus started outlaying station museums of Kitale, Kisumu, Meru, Lamu and Fort Jesus (which is found in Mombasa). In addition, the Institute of Primate Research is also closely linked to the National Museums of Kenya.
All these regional museums possess their own names, designs as well as unique programs and the Museums have since expanded over the years besides diversifying. The Leakey Memorial building was opened in 1976 and it hosts three departments namely the administration, archeology and paleontology. Additionally,this complexholds an auditorium with a sitting capacity of nearly three hundred people from where it hosts several functions of the Museum.
Furthermore, the National Museums of Kenyahas entered into various working partnerships specifically with the University of Nairobi as well as the Institute of African Studiesspecializing in ethnography and also cultural anthropology. The Education department has initiated programs for numerous young children who visit the Museums each year. The Casting Department provides casts of essential fossil findings to Museums across the world for study as well as for exhibitions.
7- Karura Forest (2 Hours)
Karura Forest is one of the largest urban forests in the world and it is located within the metropolis of Nairobi. This forest is a paradise of tall trees, rushing rivers and waterfalls. Karura Forest has got acres of cycling and walking trails as well as an abundance of animals which include gazelles, bush pigs, genet cats, civets, porcupines, syke monkeys, pythons, green snakes and monitor lizards. There is a fabulous restaurant called the River Café which offers a playground for kids and a cocktail menu for adults.
8- David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) Forest/Elephant Orphanage (2 Hours)
This one is a must-do in your list of Nairobi Excursions. DSWT rescues orphaned and injured elephants from Kenya and Tanzania for rehabilitation before they are released back into the wild. This trust cares for elephants just as you would do for an orphaned child whereby each baby or teenager elephant has got a carer who is essentially a surrogate parent.
The carers feed, sleep and even provide sunscreen to the elephants and the bond is a sight to behold. While at this center, you will learn how to manage the transition from the stage of being babied to until when the elephants can manage in the bush on their own. Visiting is restricted to 11am daily and you spend up to 2 hours during which time you may touch, feed and even adopt an elephant.
9- KitengelaGlass(2 Hours)
This place is slightly outside the city center and is a 40 minutes’ drive from Karen. You can aptly summarize that it is a collision of all that is weird and wonderful. Kitengela Glass makes world famous glass sculptures, bowls, plates and glasses with an onsite shop from where you may purchase these products at a far much cheaper price than in the shops.
Besides the shop, the place is an inviting attraction in itself because it is a world of bizarre art and sculptures which are collected around a huge dome that houses the forge. The glass blowing process is surely very entertaining; especially to kids since they can easily hunt for glass offcuts which happen to scatter around the site.
10- Nairobi Safari Walk (3 Hours)
The place for Nairobi Safari Walk is located next to Nairobi National Park and this is the closest you get to what is akin to a zoo in Nairobi. It may seem a little strange to take visitors to see animals in captivity when they are just a few meters away in their wild and free glory but if you have got kids, this is a great option since you guarantee a sighting of various animals since on an ordinary safari which is full of hits and misses, there is a good chance that you won’t see a lion or a rhino at all; but not so with Nairobi Safari Walk.
Nairobi Safari Walk comprises of three different habitats notably Forest, Savannah and Wetlands and is home to some of the rare animals including rhinos, pygmy hippos, leopards, lions, Cheetahs, hyenas, and etcetera. Other animals which are available in plenty include zebras, monkeys and antelopes. There is a raised boardwalk which circles the area thereby allowing you a chance to get up close to the animals; without posing any danger to them or to yourself. Additionally, there is a childrens’ museum where the children can take a guided tour as rangers tutor them on various animals, their habitats and threats of extinction.
11- Giraffe Center Safari (3 Hours)
The Giraffe Center in Nairobi forms part of the larger Giraffe Sanctuary in the precincts of Giraffe Manor Hotel. The center was established by the Melvilles way back in the 1970s after drawing inspiration to save the nearly extinct Rothschild Giraffe who were being forced out of their natural territory by human settlements. Betty and Jock took two Rothschild Giraffes to start a breeding program in their Hardy garden and their descendants have kept the legacy going.
During the day, the giraffes leave the forest to visit the giraffe center where there is a raised platform which allows you to meet them at head height. Note that the giraffes are wild but are tame enough for visitors to feed. If you are brave, you can hold a grass pellet between your teeth and experience a giraffe kiss. This is a once in a lifetime chance to meet and learn about a wild giraffe because these are not zoo animals. So far, this trust has managed to release 40 giraffes back into the wild and grown numbers of Rothschild giraffe from 130 to over 300.
Other Places of Interest in Nairobi At a Glance
The above list is not exhaustive and here below are other places of interest worth including to your menu of Nairobi Excursions:-
- Parliament buildings
- Jomo Kenyatta Mausoleum
- Office of The President
- Central Bank of Kenya
- Kenyatta International Convention Center& President Jomo Kenyatta Monument
- Kenya National Archives
- Supreme Court of Kenya
- Nairobi County Governor’s Office
- Holy Family Basilica
- Jamia Mosque
- All Saints Cathedral
- World War Two Soldiers Monument (near Sarova Stanley Hotel)
- Jeevanjee Gardens
- The University of Nairobi
- Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Station
- Central Point of Nairobi Monument (near General Post Office)
- Mini Museum at Nyayo House
- President Moi Monument at Central Park
- Uhuru Park, Freedom Corner & Papal visit Monument
- State House Nairobi
- Kenyatta National Hospital
- Kenya Railway Museum
- Uhuru Gardens
- Wilson Airport
- Karen Blixen’s House & Museum
- Maasai Open Air Markets
- Ostrich Farm
- Swinging Bridge in Kajiado County
- Ngong Hills Wind Turbines
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
