Nairobi, which is the political and administrative capital of Kenya, has a lot to offer. It is a modern cosmopolitan city. It is one of the largest cities on the African continent. On the travel front, Nairobi can be called the Safari Capital of Africa. It is located at an altitude of just over 1600 above sea level.
Briefly, this is how Nairobi came to be: when the builders of the Kenya-Uganda Railway reached the present location of Nairobi in 1899, they established a basic camp and supply port. At that time they simply labeled the campsite as – Mile 327. The local Maasai tribe called this highland swamp Ewaso Nai’robi – the place of cold water. The camp eventually grew into a rustic village and then became a shanty town that by 1907 was the capital of all of British East Africa. It was soon an important center for the colony and a mecca for adventurers, hunters, and travelers from around the world. When Kenya gained independence from British rule in 1963, Nairobi remained the capital city.
For the independent traveler, who is not in the controlling hands of a tour operator, some guidelines and advice may be helpful during your visit.
Your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is Nairobi’s main airport. It is large compared to most other airports in eastern and central Africa. However, travelers from other parts of the world: Europe, Asia, North and South America will find it quite small. After clearing immigration and customs at the respective counters, you will easily find taxis to take you to the city center. The city is located about 20 minutes from the airport.
The other airport Wilson Airport handles light aircraft and a good number of domestic regular and charter flights. If you arrive at Jomo kenyatta international airport and board another flight at Wilson airport or vice versa, please allow plenty of time for this connection. You may need anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic.
language
English and Kiswahili are the most widely spoken languages in Nairobi. Therefore, English-speaking travelers will feel comfortable in and around Nairobi.
Move
Transportation around the city is easy and generally safe. Make sure you only use official taxis, which have a yellow band on each side. Taxis are not metered and a fee must be agreed with the driver prior to departure.
Buses can be boarded at any stop and tickets can be purchased from the driver.
Public minibuses, known as matatuthey operate on city routes throughout the day and are the most popular form of local transport.
You may also consider renting a car. Renting a vehicle is very easy in Kenya. There are many car rental companies even at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport when you arrive.
Protection and security
Visitors are advised not to leave cash or valuables in their hotel rooms, but to use the hotel’s safety deposit boxes and safes.
Visitors should not carry large sums of cash while walking the streets, jewelry and valuables should be left at home or kept in the custody of the hotel.
Walking alone at night should be avoided; Kenya has an efficient police force as well as a special team Tourist Police Unit with highly trained officers. Also, most hotels employ experienced security personnel. However, it is advisable to always take the precautions that you would take anywhere else in the world.
Keep copies of your important documents in case you lose the originals.
Communication
Kenya has an established postal service for local and international mail. It is advisable to use a courier company for important documents that are time sensitive.
If you have a mobile phone with a roaming connection, you can make use of the Kenyan cellular network, which covers most of the country, namely: Safaricom, Zain and TelkomKenya.
Most hotels offer international telephone and fax service and it is advisable to check the relative prices in advance. Nairobi also has several communication centers (internet cafes) where you can make international calls and access the Internet at affordable prices.
Shopping
Nairobi has sophisticated supermarkets, boutiques and shopping malls, as well as open-air markets where you can shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs. The main shopping areas in Nairobi are: The Village Market, Sarit Centre, The Junction, The Mall and Crossroads Karen .
Major credit cards are widely accepted. Most ATMs can accept VISA and MASTERCARD Credit cards. ATMs can be found at airports, bank branches, shopping malls, and gas stations.
Travelers checks would be the best and safest way to bring money to Nairobi. They are also accepted by most hotels. But you’ll still need cash to secure many other services. The easiest currencies to exchange are the US dollar, the British pound and the Euro.
The monetary unit is the Kenyan Shilling. It is abbreviated as Ksh or KES. Banknotes are available in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 Kenyan shillings. Coins are available in 40, 20, 10, 5, and 1.
Eating out and cooking
There are many restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines. And most offer world-class services. In fact, the Carnivore restaurant has been voted among the 50 best restaurants in the world. The presence of a considerable number of expats in the country has prompted the existence of a delightful array of first-class and authentic restaurants in Nairobi. For example, at the Panari Center on Mombasa road, you will find Pampa Grill. Here guests enjoy Churrascaria Brazilian style food. The Asian influence is strong and you won’t have to look far to find Chinese, Japanese and Indian restaurants. And most of these restaurants are open until late at night.
General entertainment and general nightlife
The Carnivore Restaurant, apart from being a well-known game meat restaurant, has also maintained its strong position as a leading and unique entertainment venue in Nairobi.
In general, Nairobi has what one would call 24/7 nightlife. From the city center to the suburbs, you will find a wide variety of casinos, clubs, pubs and restaurants operating throughout the week!
Other useful tips and information
Use a map or ask for proper information when you go anywhere.
Drink only bottled water and avoid eating raw foods.
Tipping is not mandatory in Kenya, but it is not prohibited.