Things to do in Nairobi

• Karen Blixen Museum. Famed for her novel ‘Out of Africa’, Danish author Karen Blixen, lived on her farm from 1917 to 1931. Be sure to catch a tour of her home, made famous by the 1985 movie based on the novel. Remnants of her life in Africa still remain in the house.
• Nairobi Java House. For coffee connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike, this coffee spot is worth the visit! Recognised as one of the best coffee chains in the world, the Nairobi Java House attracts swarms of coffee lovers from all over the world. Grab an original cuppa Joe and take some of it home with you!
• Dame Sheldrick's Elephant and Rhino Orphanage. Dame Sheldrick has been raising elephant orphans since the 1950's when she lived and worked in Tsavo National Park. She established an elephant and rhino nursery in Nairobi's National Park in the late 1970's, as part of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Dame Daphne established the Trust in honour of her late husband David, the founding warden of the Tsavo National Parks, and a pioneer conservationist in Kenya. You can visit the orphanage at 11 am every day, for an hour (read my review). If you adopt an orphan ($50) you can visit at 5 pm every day after the babies have been fed and given a mud bath. The orphanage is located inside the Nairobi National Park. Visiting the orphanage and supporting elephant conservation is vital these days, as poaching is on the increase, especially in and around Tsavo National Park.
• Nairobi National Park. Nairobi is the only city in the world that is gazed upon by zebra, lion and rhino -- in the wild. Nairobi National Park was established in 1946 long before the city burst its seams. Located just 7km from the city centre, Nairobi National Park has a remarkably diverse eco-system for its size (117 km2). It is home to black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, elands, hippo and more than 400 species of birds. You can enjoy weekly wildlife sightings by checking out this blog. The park plays a vital role in education, its proximity to the city allows easy access to school children who may otherwise never get a chance to go on safari. Game drives and a "safari walk" are on offer for visitors. Visitors can now also spend the night inside the park. The Nairobi Tented camp is an eco-camp with eight luxury tents with en-suite facilities. This is a great option for travellers not keen on staying in Nairobi's city centre. The park is open daily and the entrance fee for a non-Kenyan national is $40 per adult.
• Nairobi National Museum. The Nairobi National Museum was founded in 1920, and established at its present location in 1929. It offers visitors the chance to learn about Kenya's history, culture, palaeontology and art. The Museum building got a complete overhaul in the past decade, and reopened its doors in 2008. Many of the fascinating anthropological discoveries by the Leakey family can be found in the Museum. The large collection of stuffed birds is also impressive. A botanical garden and two restaurants make it a nice place to visit for a few hours and escape the more crowded, traffic congested city centre. The Nairobi National Museum is open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm daily. More »
• Giraffe Centre. The Giraffe Centre is a successful breeding centre for the rare Rothschild Giraffe, found only in East Africa. The centre was established in the 1970's by by Jock Leslie-Melville, who successfully raised a baby Rothschild giraffe at what was then his home, in the Langata area of Nairobi. The breeding program has been very successful and several successful giraffe couples are back in the wild. An education centre to teach school children about conservation has also done important work to raise local awareness about conservation issues. The centre is open daily for tours and visits from 9am - 5.30 pm. Visitors can also opt to spend the night at the Giraffe Manor and enjoy breakfast with giraffe looking in to the dining room.
• Kibera Slum Tour. Kibera is home to more than a million Kenyans, hailing from every national tribe, all living in a small area that covers just 2.5 km2. Slum tourism has some negative connotations, but tours are meant to benefit the local community and various social projects to better the lives of those living in Kibera. It is also an eye-opening experience for visitors to Kenya, who may otherwise only see a side of the country bereft of modern culture and "real life", especially those traveling on a luxury safari itinerary. The local guides are from Kibera themselves and offer a good insight into daily life. If you choose to visit Kibera, then make sure you always ask permission to take photos, and expect to spend a little money on local community initiatives. Kibera tours are walking tours, expect to get muddy shoes, but you are safe with a guide. Companies offering tours include: Kibera Tours, and Explore Kibera Tours.