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6 awesome activities to do and places to visit in Nairobi
24th January, 2026 09:44 AM
Nairobi is a city where wild adventure meets urban energy, offering unforgettable experiences at every turn. From iconic wildlife encounters to vibrant cultural hotspots and relaxing escapes, Kenya’s capital has something for everyone.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local looking to rediscover the city, Nairobi is full of exciting places that blend nature, history, food, and fun.
Feed a giraffe
One of the best places to visit in Nairobi is the Nairobi Giraffe Centre, which is just next door to Giraffe Manor and is part of the same sanctuary.
Visitors can spend time with the giraffes, and they also give really good, informative talks about the species too.
It’s open from 9am – 5pm daily and there’s no need to book in advance.
Go hiking in the Ngong Hills
Going hiking in the Ngongo Hills is one of the most outdoorsy and active things to do in Nairobi. Situated a little way out of the city, near Ngong town, the Ngong Hills are a series of 7 hills with fantastic views of the surrounding area.
If you want to walk the whole way, it takes between 4 – 6 hours, depending on how fast you go. There’s also a nice picnic site at the top where you can relax after all that exercise.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can also go zip lining in the Ngong Hills with Kompass. they also have a restaurant, as well as other activities such as archery, zip lining.
See baby Elephants
The elephant orphanage in Nairobi was started by the late Dame Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her late husband, David, a legendary ranger of Tsavo National Park. The elephants are cared for and then released back into the wild when they are old enough.
Visitors are allowed in at 11 a.m. each day for approximately 1 hour to see the elephants and listen to a talk by one of the keepers. Sometimes the baby elephants come up to say hello. You can adopt a baby elephant at a yearly fee.
Visit Bomas of Kenya
If you’re looking for one of the best places in Nairobi to learn about Kenyan culture and history, take a visit to Bomas of Kenya. The centre was set up to educate people about the different ethnic groups found in Kenya and to help preserve and celebrate the Kenyan culture.
Go on safari in Nairobi National Park
Just outside the city lies Nairobi National Park, one of the coolest things to do in Nairobi and one of the best places in Kenya to see the endangered black rhino, plus a ton of other animals, including lions and giraffes. Plus, you get the Nairobi skyline as a backdrop.
Take historical Nairobi city tour
You may also want to take a more historical/political tour of the city itself, through the CBD and to some of the important historical landmarks in the city, like the parliament buildings, the Sarova Stanley, KICC and Uhuru Park.
