Things to do in Nairobi at a glance
Nairobi has a wildlife park on the southern edge of the city. Around it you find a giraffe sanctuary, an elephant nursery, a house museum, a national museum with a snake park and forests for walking. Group your stops by area, because traffic makes every transfer slower than the map suggests.
Each sight has its own operator, its own hours and its own rates. A park ticket does not cover the giraffes, the elephant nursery or the museums. Prices below are the rates for 2026, and you pay for most of them without cash.
Our picks: things to do in Nairobi
Two city walks cover the centre on foot, one with a focus on history and culture and one with the market, a garden and the railway museum. The guided museum visit is the indoor option, and its tickets are extra.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Nairobi National Museum guided visit
- Hotel transfer
- Guided museum tour
- Water
The museum tickets are extra, and the listing does not confirm a separate Snake Park ticket.
Check availability →
Nairobi walking tour of history and traditions
- City Market and Jevanjee Garden
- Railway Museum stop
- Guide and listed entries
A walk through central Nairobi with stops at the market, a garden and the railway museum. The helipad view from the KICC tower costs extra.
Check availability →
History and culture walking tour of Nairobi
- Guide and entries to the stops
- Coffee, water and fruit salad
- Street photos
A walk through the city centre on foot. The view from the helipad of the KICC tower is not included.
Check availability →Nairobi tours and wildlife visits
Park safaris, giraffe and elephant visits and city tours, with live prices and availability.
Wildlife and animal visits
The reason most people come to Nairobi.
Nairobi National Park
Kenya's first national park, opened in 1946, with the skyline of the city behind the grassland. Lions, rhinos, giraffes and many other savanna animals live here. There are no wild elephants. The day window is 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Read our Nairobi National Park safari guide for rules and formats.
Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage
Both are run by the Kenya Wildlife Service. The Safari Walk is a raised boardwalk through re-created habitats, and the Animal Orphanage cares for rescued wildlife. Non-residents pay $25 for an adult at each, or $40 for both. See the Safari Walk and Animal Orphanage pages.
Giraffe Centre
Giraffes come to a raised platform and take pellets from your hand. Non-residents pay KES 1,500 per adult. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Details are on the Giraffe Centre page.
Sheldrick elephant nursery
Orphaned elephants are cared for by keepers, and visitors come from 11 a.m. to 12 noon with a confirmed booking and a minimum donation. See the elephant orphanage page.
Museums, crafts and city sights
Good for the hours when the animals rest.
Nairobi National Museum and Snake Park
The museum on Museum Hill shows human origins and fossils from Koobi Fora, culture and history and natural history. The Snake Park holds live reptiles, amphibians and an aquarium. It is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Since 7 May 2026 visitors from outside Africa pay $18 for the museum or $25 for the combined ticket with the Snake Park, adult rates. See the Nairobi National Museum page.
Karen Blixen Museum
The farmhouse of the author, built in 1912, with guided visits of the house and garden. Adult tickets for visitors from outside Africa cost $17. See the Karen Blixen Museum page.
Kazuri bead workshop
The Kazuri workshop in Karen offers a free guided visit that you arrange in advance. You see handmade ceramic beads being made, fired and painted. It is not the same as the separate bead bar workshop.
Forests and green spaces
Walks within reach of the city.
Karura Forest
A forest managed by the Kenya Forest Service with the Friends of Karura Forest, with trails, a waterfall and caves. Fees changed in 2025, with eCitizen payment and VAT, so ask for the current price at the gate. Last entry is between 5 p.m. and 5:45 p.m., and the gates close at 7 p.m. In March 2026 the access to the waterfall and caves was closed after flooding, so check that it is open. See our Karura Forest page.
Nairobi Arboretum
The entrance is on Arboretum Drive, open 6 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. daily, with cashless payment by M-Pesa, Airtel Money, eCitizen or bank card. Parking is available at the main entrance. Matatu 48 runs via Kileleshwa from Latema Road, and you get off at the petrol station at the lower gate. Matatu 48A via Riverside is a different route, so check the number.
Ngong Hills
A forest reserve about 25 km from Nairobi, open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hikes to the summits need a ranger escort. See our day trips from Nairobi for how to get there.
Bomas of Kenya: check before you plan
A cultural centre in a rebuilding phase.
Bomas of Kenya is a national cultural centre founded in 1971. It announced a closure in March 2025 for building work. As of August 2026, village visits and daily shows are still paused during the conversion into a conference complex. Do not plan a day around a show. Ask before you go whether anything is open, and read our Bomas of Kenya page.
| Sight | Best for | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi National Park | Wildlife and skyline views | 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Giraffe Centre | Close giraffe encounters, families | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Elephant nursery | Orphaned elephants, a short visit | 11 a.m. to 12 noon |
| Museums | Culture, history, rainy hours | 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Karura Forest | Walks, waterfall | Check at the gate |
For most first-time visitors with one day, the national park in the morning and a museum or the Giraffe Centre in the afternoon is the easiest mix.
Things to do in Nairobi: frequently asked questions
Which sight should I pick first in Nairobi?
Many visitors choose Nairobi National Park because the animals live against the city skyline. Add the Giraffe Centre or a museum for a second stop. There is no single right choice, because it depends on time and interests.
Can you see wildlife in Nairobi itself?
Yes. Nairobi National Park lies on the southern edge of the city. It has lions, rhinos and giraffes but no wild elephants. Sightings are never guaranteed.
How many sights can I fit into one day?
Two or three. The elephant nursery has a fixed hour, the park closes at 6 p.m. and city traffic slows every transfer.
Are the museums open every day?
Both the Nairobi National Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum list daily opening from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., public holidays included.
Is Bomas of Kenya open?
Do not assume so. Shows and village visits have been paused during building work. Check the current status before you go.
Is this an official Nairobi tourism website?
No. This is an independent guide with no connection to the Kenya Wildlife Service, the museums, the city or any tour operator.