Things To Do
in Nairobi

Grilled meat (usually goat or beef) enjoyed with kachumbari (tomato-onion salad) and ugali; try it at local nyama choma joints or Carnivore for a dramatic experience.

Must-Try!

Ugali (maize porridge) served with sukuma wiki (sautéed kale) or stews — the everyday Kenyan comfort food found at local eateries and home-cooked meals.

Spiced rice (pilau) and fried flatbread (chapati) with meat or vegetable stews — widely available in restaurants and street vendors.

Sweet fried dough similar to a donut, eaten for breakfast or as a snack from street vendors and markets.

Polite greetings matter: a handshake and 'Jambo' or 'Habari' are common; use respectful forms when meeting elders and say thank you ('Asante').

Dress modestly in conservative neighborhoods and when visiting religious sites; smart-casual is fine in urban areas but avoid flashy displays of wealth.

Ask permission before photographing people, especially in rural or market settings; avoid photographing security installations or military sites.

Respect local customs around conversation topics (politics can be sensitive) and accept bargaining in markets as normal — do so politely.

Tipping is appreciated but not always mandatory: 10% service charge is common in restaurants (check your bill), otherwise 5–10% or rounding up is standard; tip guides, drivers and hotel staff directly for good service. In safari contexts, tipping is customary for guides and camp staff (per-person per-day amounts).

M-Pesa (mobile money) is widely used for everyday payments and transfers; credit/debit cards are accepted at hotels, many restaurants and larger shops but cash (Kenyan shillings) is useful for markets and small vendors. ATMs are common in the city; inform your bank before travel to avoid card blocks.

Expect frequent heavy showers and muddy conditions on some dirt roads; wildlife visibility may be lower but landscapes are lush and green; pack a lightweight rain jacket and waterproof footwear.

Cooler mornings and clear days — one of the best times for game drives and day trips; wildlife congregates near permanent water sources outside the city.

Intermittent showers, warm temperatures, and fewer tourists; prices can be slightly lower and vegetation begins to green up after rains.

Warm to hot daytime temperatures with low rainfall — good visibility for photography and outdoor activities but stay hydrated and use sun protection.

A ridge with a popular hike offering sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley and Nairobi; moderate difficulty and accessible within an hour of the city.

Easy to moderate trails through forest, waterfalls and bamboo groves right inside Nairobi — good for families and casual hikers.

Steeper day-hike about 1.5–2 hours’ drive from Nairobi in the Rift Valley; the crater rim hike provides dramatic volcanic landscapes and panoramic views.

A tranquil forested trail near Karen with streams, caves and shaded paths suitable for shorter hikes and birding.

Main international gateway located about 15 km southeast of the city center; offers international and domestic flights and ground transport options including taxis and shuttles.

Domestic and regional airport popular for light aircraft, charter flights and flights to national parks such as Amboseli and Maasai Mara; located closer to the city and convenient for safari transfers.

Vegetarian options are increasingly available in cafés and mid-range restaurants (pilau without meat, vegetable stews, salads). Ask for 'mboga' (vegetables) and double-check that stocks and gravies don’t include meat stock; Indian restaurants are a reliable vegetarian choice.

Vegan choices are more limited but possible in urban restaurants; request no dairy or honey and favor vegetable-based dishes, salads, and rice/bean options.

Ugali and rice dishes are naturally gluten-free; confirm with restaurants about flours used in chapati or sauces if you have celiac disease.

Carry a translation card for severe allergies in English and Swahili, and avoid street food if cross-contamination is a concern.