Nairobi, Kenya is much more than just a stop-off on your way to or from Wildlife Safaris, it is a modern, bustling African city with plenty to offer the traveler.

Nairobi, Kenya's Modern Capital

Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya, situated at an elevation of about 5450 ft in the highlands of the southern part of the country, with a population of around 2 million.

Nairobi's name comes from the Maasai Enkarenairobi, meaning "cool waters. The city was founded in the late 1890s as a British railroad camp on the Mombasa-to-Uganda railroad. Modern Nairobi looks very much like any modern western city with skyscrapers and busy streets. And like in most developing countries remember the mantra for all tourists: Keep your wits about you, dress conservatively; take a taxi after dark and don’t wear flashy jewelery.

Nairobi has great shops, markets and accommodation

Most people don’t go to Nairobi; they pass though - maybe stay overnight on their way to the Game Parks or Wildlife Safaris. Those who take the time to spend a few days in the city, will find there are plenty of interesting things to do and see, both in the city (good shops and markets, museums, especially the Railway Museum) and in the close surroundings (Karen Blixen House, Giraffe Center, Nairobi Arboretum, Nairobi Mosques) and even the Nairobi National Park, just in case tourists haven’t had enough of animals.

Nairobi has a very exciting nightlife (Annie Oakley’s Bar & Restaurant in Milimani Road - next to Backpackers Hostel is recommend for pool ). There are bars and clubs from sleazy to stylish; a red-hot music scene and restaurants for all tastes including the American fast food ones.

As for accommodation, Nairobi, Kenya's modern capital offers travelers first class all the way – luxury boutique hotels, chain hotels, lodges, guest houses, and resorts with Casinos and or course, at the other end of the spectrum, good backpacker hostels and budget hotels.

Internet and cellphones in Nairobi

There is a good internet café in the Nairobi International Youth Hostel and another in Mundi Mbingu Street called Centrum Internet Café. Kenya also has wireless, so ask when you book.

As for mobile phones - don’t use your own roaming facility, it will cost you plenty. Buy a pre-paid Sim card for your phone at the airport when you land or at any shop in town and top it up as you go.The GSM phone that you are taking with you on your visit to Kenya, should be SIM unlocked otherwise nothing will work besides the SIM card which is meant for the phone.

Renting a phone is another option or you just buy a new pay-as-you-go phone in Kenya for about £15 ($30) and give it away to someone as a tip when you leave and still save a fortune.

What else should you visit?

• Karen Blixen’s Museum in Karen Road – the Danish author who wrote under the name Isak Dinesen, famous for writing Out of Africa.
• Bomas of Kenya is a cultural park where you can experience each of Kenya’s major ethnic groups, represented with their own traditional boma (homestead) where they display their crafts, living style, music and dancing.
• At the Elephant Orphanage you will watch the baby elephants with their keepers at feeding time.

In Nairobi, you’ll probably want to buy some wood carvings or a colorful kikoi or two – there are plenty of markets and vendors. A good recommendation is to do your shopping at the' Blue Market in Muindi Mbingu Street.

The best thing to do in this city, is to just “hang” with the people for a few days. Eat at the local restaurants and eating houses, walk in the parks, window shop, talk to people you meet along the way and enjoy the experience of modern African city life.

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