Nairobi in 7 days

The only capital on Earth with a national park on its doorstep - safari, coffee culture and East African energy. Best time to visit: January-March and July-October (dry, best wildlife viewing). Average daily budget: $50 to $110 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Westlands, Restaurants, malls, nightlife and most mid-range hotels. The easiest first-timer base.

Morning: Nairobi National Park at dawn. Lions, rhinos and giraffes against a city skyline - the only park of its kind. Go at opening.

Afternoon: Explore Westlands, Restaurants, malls, nightlife and most mid-range hotels. The easiest first-timer base.

Evening: Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. The 11am public feeding hour for orphaned elephants. Book the limited slots ahead.

Eat: Nyama choma (grilled meat) with ugali and kachumbari

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Karen, Leafy, upmarket suburb near the giraffe centre and elephant orphanage. Calm and green.

Morning: Giraffe Centre. Hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform - go early, before Karen traffic.

Afternoon: Explore Karen, Leafy, upmarket suburb near the giraffe centre and elephant orphanage. Calm and green.

Evening: Karen Blixen Museum. The 'Out of Africa' farmhouse at the foot of the Ngong Hills, set in beautiful gardens.

Eat: Kenyan AA coffee at a Westlands or Kilimani roastery

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Kilimani, Central, residential and full of cafes, co-working spots and apartments.

Morning: Nairobi Railway Museum, a dusty, charming relic of the old Lunatic Express.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Kilimani, Central, residential and full of cafes, co-working spots and apartments.

Evening: Kazuri Beads, a women's cooperative in Karen making handmade ceramic jewellery.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Swahili biryani and pilau

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: CBD, The dense downtown - markets, museums and history, busy by day, quieter at night.

Morning: The Talisman in Karen for one of the city's best long lunches.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore CBD, The dense downtown - markets, museums and history, busy by day, quieter at night.

Evening: Matbronze gallery and cafe for art, bronze casting and a quiet garden.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Mandazi and chai for breakfast

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Gigiri, Diplomatic quarter near the UN, secure and quiet, close to the Village Market.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Gigiri, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Gigiri, Diplomatic quarter near the UN, secure and quiet, close to the Village Market.

Evening: Dinner at Nyama choma (grilled meat) with ugali and kachumbari, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Gigiri.

Eat: Nyama choma (grilled meat) with ugali and kachumbari

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Westlands, Restaurants, malls, nightlife and most mid-range hotels. The easiest first-timer base.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Westlands, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Westlands, Restaurants, malls, nightlife and most mid-range hotels. The easiest first-timer base.

Evening: Dinner at Kenyan AA coffee at a Westlands or Kilimani roastery, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Westlands.

Eat: Kenyan AA coffee at a Westlands or Kilimani roastery

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Karen, Leafy, upmarket suburb near the giraffe centre and elephant orphanage. Calm and green.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Karen, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Karen, Leafy, upmarket suburb near the giraffe centre and elephant orphanage. Calm and green.

Evening: Dinner at Swahili biryani and pilau, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Karen.

Eat: Swahili biryani and pilau

Hidden gems

Nairobi Railway Museum, a dusty, charming relic of the old Lunatic Express.
Kazuri Beads, a women's cooperative in Karen making handmade ceramic jewellery.
The Talisman in Karen for one of the city's best long lunches.
Matbronze gallery and cafe for art, bronze casting and a quiet garden.

Getting around

Use Uber or Bolt - they're cheap, reliable and remove haggling over taxi fares. Traffic is heavy, so plan around the morning and evening rush. For safaris and out-of-town trips, arrange a trusted driver or operator through your hotel.

Safety

Nairobi (sometimes nicknamed 'Nairobbery') rewards street smarts: use ride apps rather than walking after dark, keep phones and bags out of sight in traffic, and avoid flashing valuables. Stick to well-known neighbourhoods like Westlands, Karen and Kilimani. Solo travellers do this easily with basic caution.

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