Nairobi's Major Attractions
Through the Nairobi Campsite guests have an opportunity to visit a variety of attractions including:
Landmarks and historic sites
Museums
Parks and Gardens
Zoos and Wildlife
LANDMARKS AND HISTORIC SITES
Nyayo Monument
Built in 1988 to commemorate 25 years of independence, this marble monument shows the lowering of the British colonial flag and the raising of the Kenyan flag. It cost nearly a million dollars to construct and caused a lot of controversy in Kenya. Its located at the intersection of Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway, next to the Nairobi Serena Hotel.
Parliament Building
The center of attraction would be the needlework tapestries made by the East African Women's League showing Kenya's history, a mosaic of Kenyan tribes and a table made from samples of Kenyan trees. Tour times vary according to the National Assembly schedule.
Uhuru Monument
Built in 1973 as a commemorative monument to independence. An Ihara tree marks the spot where the national flag was first hoisted on 12 December 1963. Surrounding the tree is a map of Kenya showing its different provinces. Two other monuments, laid by President Daniel Moi, commemorate 20 and 25 years of independence. Langata Road, near Wilson Airport.
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MUSEUMS
Karen Blixen Museum
The restored house and grounds, with furniture and photographs of Danish author Karen Blixen, who wrote under the name Isak Dinesen, of Out of Africa fame. The house was originally a coffee plantation out in the country, but now finds itself on the outskirts of Nairobi. The quiet, tree-lined roads and large yards with older homes make this a pleasant place to visit. The Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens restaurant is next door, adjacent to a particularly interesting old settler's house. It's open for lunch noon-3 pm. The museum is open daily 9 am-6 pm and is located off Karen Road next to Karen College.
Kenya Railway Museum
Nairobi exists because of the advent of the Uganda Railway. This museum is fascinating and should not be missed. It's filled with fascinating historical photographs and relics from old trains, as well as actual trains one can climb onto. One of them is the carriage in which Charles Ryall was dozing in 1900 when a lion seized him through the window, broke his neck and carried him off. Visits are daily between 0830hrs and 1700hrs. It is located near theNairobi train station on Station Road. Turn off Haile Selassie Avenue onto Workshop Road, then right on Pate Bay Road, left on Ngair Avenue leading to Station Road. A dirt track directly ahead leads to the museum.
The National Archives
It is a public gallery containing beautiful drawings and some amateur art, as well as a collection of ethnography—weapons, musical instruments and domestic artifacts. It also houses a collection of photographs of President Moi's early history and some Mau Mau freedom fighters detention camp photos.It is open Monday to Friday from 0800hrs to 1630hrs. Entry is Free.Located between Moi Avenue and Tom Mboya Street (in the old Bank of India building across from the Hilton Hotel).
National Museum of Kenya
It contains the Leakey family discoveries at Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge and Koobi Fora in northern Kenya. Visitors may want to view the range of weapons, ornaments and headdresses of various Kenyan tribes—a good introduction to the country and its peoples. Also within view are original watercolors by the renowned Joy Adamson, the author of Born Free, and displays of Kenya's modern history. Be sure to look in on works in the exciting new art center run by the Kuona Trust. (You can buy art in the contemporary art hall upstairs.)
Within the museum grounds is a snake park with live East African snakes: puff adders, black and green mambas and other reptiles. An aquarium with marine and freshwater fish are on the grounds. There's a free bird walk every Wednesday, leaving at 0830hrs from the museum parking lot. All facilities are open daily 0930hrs-1800hrs.It is located on Museum Hill off Chiromo Highway.
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PARKS AND GARDENS
The Arboretum
More than 300 species of indigenous trees on 80 acres/32 hectares of forest reserve. Open sunrise to sunset. Entry is Free. Located at Arboretum Road off State House Road.
Uhuru Park
A popular park in the middle of the city. There are for hire Boats on the small lake. There's a good view of the city's main skyline from the top of the park. Please enquire before visiting incase a political/relegious rally is scheduled, and visit during daylight only.Access is through Uhuru Highway, Hospital road or Kenyatta Avenue.
The 7th August Bombing Memorial Park.
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ZOOS AND WILDLIFE
The Giraffe Center
This is a sanctuary for Rothschild giraffes saved from extinction. Visitors can see them, touch and even feed them. The entrance sign indicates that the center is "primarily for schoolchildren," but it has proved very attractive to tourists and virtually, all that visit Nairobi would love to visit. Warthogs, bushbuck and dik-diks are also in the visinity.Tours from the campsite are conducted daily from 0930hrs to 1730hrs with prior arrangement. Donations to the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife may be made and is usually sencerely appriciated. It is 5 min, a kilimeter away and it is 18km from CIty center, on Koitobos Road. Incase of unscheduled visit, there are taxi cabs at the campsite.
The Mamba Village
Nairobi National Park
It is at arms length from the campsite and occational lion roars entertain guests especially at night. This 44-sq-mi/114-sq-km park is fenced on the Nairobi side but open to the migration of game from the Athi plains and the Kitengela and Ngong conservation areas. It's possible to see rhinos, hippos, lions, leopard, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, warthogs, antelope and more than 400 kinds of birds (the only animals not found in this park are elephants). Early morning visits are recommended for a richer encounter with the game.
Within the park
Consisting of plains, forests, tree lines, watercourses and deep, rocky gorges—are significant areas and landmarks: At the Impala Observation Point, you'll find (on a clear morning) an elevated, panoramic view of the Athi plains and Mt. Kilimanjaro. At this site groups often arrange for champagne breakfasts and sundowner cocktails specially prepared by the Campsite Senior Chef. At the "Ivory-burning Site," President Moi ignited 60 tons of ivory recovered from poachers—a dramatic gesture indicating Kenya's disapproval of the corrupt ivory and rhino-horn trade and raising the world's consciousness about protecting endangered species. Near the hippo pools is an ideal picnic site (ensure you place orders with the Chef at the time of trip reservation); in this area is a nature trail shaded by acacia and shared with vervet monkeys (a trained campsite guide will lead guests). The lone tree, twisted and stunted by World War II bombing practice, is a familiar landmark on the plains and a favorite haunt of lions. Visits are daily between 0600hrs to 1800hrs.
Through the Nairobi Campsite guests have an opportunity to visit a variety of attractions including:
Landmarks and historic sites
Museums
Parks and Gardens
Zoos and Wildlife
LANDMARKS AND HISTORIC SITES
Nyayo Monument
Built in 1988 to commemorate 25 years of independence, this marble monument shows the lowering of the British colonial flag and the raising of the Kenyan flag. It cost nearly a million dollars to construct and caused a lot of controversy in Kenya. Its located at the intersection of Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway, next to the Nairobi Serena Hotel.
Parliament Building
The center of attraction would be the needlework tapestries made by the East African Women's League showing Kenya's history, a mosaic of Kenyan tribes and a table made from samples of Kenyan trees. Tour times vary according to the National Assembly schedule.
Uhuru Monument
Built in 1973 as a commemorative monument to independence. An Ihara tree marks the spot where the national flag was first hoisted on 12 December 1963. Surrounding the tree is a map of Kenya showing its different provinces. Two other monuments, laid by President Daniel Moi, commemorate 20 and 25 years of independence. Langata Road, near Wilson Airport.
Back to Top
MUSEUMS
Karen Blixen Museum
The restored house and grounds, with furniture and photographs of Danish author Karen Blixen, who wrote under the name Isak Dinesen, of Out of Africa fame. The house was originally a coffee plantation out in the country, but now finds itself on the outskirts of Nairobi. The quiet, tree-lined roads and large yards with older homes make this a pleasant place to visit. The Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens restaurant is next door, adjacent to a particularly interesting old settler's house. It's open for lunch noon-3 pm. The museum is open daily 9 am-6 pm and is located off Karen Road next to Karen College.
Kenya Railway Museum
Nairobi exists because of the advent of the Uganda Railway. This museum is fascinating and should not be missed. It's filled with fascinating historical photographs and relics from old trains, as well as actual trains one can climb onto. One of them is the carriage in which Charles Ryall was dozing in 1900 when a lion seized him through the window, broke his neck and carried him off. Visits are daily between 0830hrs and 1700hrs. It is located near theNairobi train station on Station Road. Turn off Haile Selassie Avenue onto Workshop Road, then right on Pate Bay Road, left on Ngair Avenue leading to Station Road. A dirt track directly ahead leads to the museum.
The National Archives
It is a public gallery containing beautiful drawings and some amateur art, as well as a collection of ethnography—weapons, musical instruments and domestic artifacts. It also houses a collection of photographs of President Moi's early history and some Mau Mau freedom fighters detention camp photos.It is open Monday to Friday from 0800hrs to 1630hrs. Entry is Free.Located between Moi Avenue and Tom Mboya Street (in the old Bank of India building across from the Hilton Hotel).
National Museum of Kenya
It contains the Leakey family discoveries at Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge and Koobi Fora in northern Kenya. Visitors may want to view the range of weapons, ornaments and headdresses of various Kenyan tribes—a good introduction to the country and its peoples. Also within view are original watercolors by the renowned Joy Adamson, the author of Born Free, and displays of Kenya's modern history. Be sure to look in on works in the exciting new art center run by the Kuona Trust. (You can buy art in the contemporary art hall upstairs.)
Within the museum grounds is a snake park with live East African snakes: puff adders, black and green mambas and other reptiles. An aquarium with marine and freshwater fish are on the grounds. There's a free bird walk every Wednesday, leaving at 0830hrs from the museum parking lot. All facilities are open daily 0930hrs-1800hrs.It is located on Museum Hill off Chiromo Highway.
Back to Top
PARKS AND GARDENS
The Arboretum
More than 300 species of indigenous trees on 80 acres/32 hectares of forest reserve. Open sunrise to sunset. Entry is Free. Located at Arboretum Road off State House Road.
Uhuru Park
A popular park in the middle of the city. There are for hire Boats on the small lake. There's a good view of the city's main skyline from the top of the park. Please enquire before visiting incase a political/relegious rally is scheduled, and visit during daylight only.Access is through Uhuru Highway, Hospital road or Kenyatta Avenue.
The 7th August Bombing Memorial Park.
Back to Top
ZOOS AND WILDLIFE
The Giraffe Center
This is a sanctuary for Rothschild giraffes saved from extinction. Visitors can see them, touch and even feed them. The entrance sign indicates that the center is "primarily for schoolchildren," but it has proved very attractive to tourists and virtually, all that visit Nairobi would love to visit. Warthogs, bushbuck and dik-diks are also in the visinity.Tours from the campsite are conducted daily from 0930hrs to 1730hrs with prior arrangement. Donations to the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife may be made and is usually sencerely appriciated. It is 5 min, a kilimeter away and it is 18km from CIty center, on Koitobos Road. Incase of unscheduled visit, there are taxi cabs at the campsite.
The Mamba Village
Nairobi National Park
It is at arms length from the campsite and occational lion roars entertain guests especially at night. This 44-sq-mi/114-sq-km park is fenced on the Nairobi side but open to the migration of game from the Athi plains and the Kitengela and Ngong conservation areas. It's possible to see rhinos, hippos, lions, leopard, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, warthogs, antelope and more than 400 kinds of birds (the only animals not found in this park are elephants). Early morning visits are recommended for a richer encounter with the game.
Within the park
Consisting of plains, forests, tree lines, watercourses and deep, rocky gorges—are significant areas and landmarks: At the Impala Observation Point, you'll find (on a clear morning) an elevated, panoramic view of the Athi plains and Mt. Kilimanjaro. At this site groups often arrange for champagne breakfasts and sundowner cocktails specially prepared by the Campsite Senior Chef. At the "Ivory-burning Site," President Moi ignited 60 tons of ivory recovered from poachers—a dramatic gesture indicating Kenya's disapproval of the corrupt ivory and rhino-horn trade and raising the world's consciousness about protecting endangered species. Near the hippo pools is an ideal picnic site (ensure you place orders with the Chef at the time of trip reservation); in this area is a nature trail shaded by acacia and shared with vervet monkeys (a trained campsite guide will lead guests). The lone tree, twisted and stunted by World War II bombing practice, is a familiar landmark on the plains and a favorite haunt of lions. Visits are daily between 0600hrs to 1800hrs.
