Nairobi Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Nairobi tours, Nairobi National Park safaris, the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre, and multi-day safaris to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Kenya safari.
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Explore Nairobi by interest
Whatever brings you to Nairobi — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Maasai Mara safaris
Multi-day safaris for the Big Five and the Great Migration.
ExploreNairobi National Park
Half-day game drives beside the city skyline.
ExploreElephants & giraffes
The Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre.
ExploreAmboseli & Kilimanjaro
Elephant herds beneath the snows of Kilimanjaro.
ExploreLake Nakuru
Flamingos and rhinos in the Great Rift Valley.
ExploreMaasai culture
Village visits with traditional dances, homes and crafts.
ExploreCity & culture
The Karen Blixen Museum, markets and layover tours.
ExploreLake Naivasha
Hippo boat trips and a walking safari on Crescent Island.
ExploreTop attractions in Nairobi
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Maasai Mara
Kenya’s greatest reserve, home to the Big Five and the Great Migration.
Nairobi National Park
Big game on game drives against the city skyline.
Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Orphaned baby elephants raised for return to the wild.
Giraffe Centre
Hand-feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes up close.
Amboseli
Elephant herds beneath the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro.
Lake Nakuru
Flamingos and a black and white rhino sanctuary in the Rift Valley.
Lake Naivasha
Hippo boat trips and a walking safari on Crescent Island.
Nairobi city
The Karen Blixen Museum, markets and cultural centres.
Nairobi in 1 day
- 1Nairobi National Park game drive
- 2Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
- 3Giraffe Centre
- 4Karen Blixen Museum
Maasai Mara safari
- 1Drive or fly to the Mara
- 2Afternoon game drive
- 3Full day of game drives
- 4Maasai village & return
Kenya safari circuit
- 1Lake Nakuru
- 2Lake Naivasha
- 3Maasai Mara
- 4Amboseli & Kilimanjaro
Nairobi with kids
- 1Giraffe Centre feeding
- 2Baby elephants
- 3Nairobi National Park
- 4Lake Naivasha boat trip
Multi-day awayMaasai Mara
The Big Five and the Great Migration in Kenya’s greatest reserve.
Multi-day awayAmboseli
Elephant herds beneath the snows of Mount Kilimanjaro.
3 hrs awayLake Nakuru
Flamingos and rhinos in the Great Rift Valley.
2 hrs awayLake Naivasha
Hippo boat trips and a walking safari on Crescent Island.
Half day awayNairobi National Park
A game drive beside the city skyline.
Varies awayMaasai village
A cultural visit with traditional dances, homes and crafts.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Nairobi visitor asks before booking.
The best months
The dry seasons (June–October and January–February) are best for safari, with easier wildlife spotting and the Maasai Mara migration in July–October.
Migration (Jul–Oct)
The Great Migration reaches the Maasai Mara, with dramatic river crossings — the peak (and busiest) safari season.
Dry & green (Jan–Feb)
A second dry window with good game viewing, warm days and fewer crowds than the migration.
Long rains (Mar–May)
Lush and quiet with lower prices, but some roads get muddy and wildlife is more dispersed.
Short rains (Nov–Dec)
Brief afternoon showers, green landscapes and good value, with wildlife still active.
Nairobi climate
Nairobi’s highland altitude keeps it mild year-round; bring a layer for cool mornings and evenings.
One day
A city game drive, the elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre — great even on a layover.
Three days
Add a Maasai Mara safari for the Big Five and, in season, the migration.
Five days
A Rift Valley circuit: Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and the Maasai Mara.
Seven days
Add Amboseli for Kilimanjaro views and more time in the Mara.
Ten days or more
Extend to the Kenyan coast at Diani or Mombasa, or cross into Tanzania’s Serengeti.
Travelling with kids
Mix easy Nairobi animal visits with a short safari and family-friendly lodges.
Safari vehicles
Safaris use 4x4s or pop-top minibuses with a driver-guide; this is the way to reach and explore the parks.
App cabs in the city
Uber and Bolt are widely used, affordable and convenient for getting around Nairobi.
Tours with transfers
City and park tours include hotel or airport pickup, the easiest way to see the sights with Nairobi’s heavy traffic.
Domestic flights
Light aircraft connect Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and the coast, saving long drives.
From the airport
Jomo Kenyatta International is southeast of the city; pre-booked transfers or app cabs are the easiest options.
Getting around safely
Use app cabs or hotel transport rather than walking at night, and keep valuables out of sight in the city.
Vaccinations & malaria
Check required and recommended vaccinations, and consider antimalarials for safari areas — consult a travel clinic before you go.
Sun & layers
Bring sun protection, neutral-coloured clothing for game drives, and a warm layer for chilly early-morning drives.
Binoculars & camera
A zoom lens and binoculars greatly improve wildlife viewing on game drives.
Money & tipping
Carry some Kenyan shillings and US dollars; tipping guides and lodge staff is customary and appreciated.
Choose reputable operators
Book park fees, vehicles and lodges through well-reviewed safari operators for safety and quality.
City precautions
Take normal big-city precautions in Nairobi: use app cabs at night and avoid displaying valuables.
Migration safaris
July–October Maasai Mara safaris and lodges book out far ahead — reserve early.
Multi-day safaris
Popular safari circuits and quality camps have limited space in high season.
Bush flights
Light-aircraft seats to the Mara and Amboseli are limited — book with your safari.
Sheldrick Orphanage
The elephant orphanage has limited daily viewing — book your visit or a tour ahead.
Peak-season lodges
The best lodges and tented camps sell out months ahead for the migration and holidays.
Layover tours
Private layover tours are easy to arrange in advance to match your flight times.
Nairobi National Park
Around $60–120 for a half-day game drive, more if combined with the orphanage and Giraffe Centre.
Elephant & Giraffe tour
Roughly $50–100 for a combined Sheldrick Orphanage and Giraffe Centre half-day tour with transport.
Maasai Mara safari
About $350–800+ for a 3-day safari, depending on camping versus lodge and road versus flight.
Multi-day circuits
Budget camping safaris from around $150–250 per day; luxury lodge safaris $400–800+ per day.
City tours
Roughly $40–90 for a half-day Nairobi city or layover tour with transport.
How to save
Choose group camping safaris, travel in the green shoulder seasons, and drive rather than fly to the parks.
Nairobi through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- The Great Migration in the Maasai Mara with dramatic river crossings — peak safari season.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Book safaris and lodges months ahead.
- Best for
- Green landscapes, brief showers and good value, with wildlife still active.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- A quieter, cheaper time with fine game viewing.
- Best for
- A second dry window with warm days, good game viewing and fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great for Kilimanjaro views at Amboseli.
- Best for
- Lush, quiet and cheapest, with muddier roads and more dispersed wildlife.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lowest prices — good for budget safaris.