Nairobi is the capital of Kenya. Great Rift Valley
Nairobi is the largest city in East Africa. Today it is the economic center of Kenya and a holiday destination for hundreds of thousands of tourists. This place is called the safari capital, because just seven kilometers from the center begins the territory of the national park, where lions, giraffes, hippos, hyenas and other animals live. It is at the airports in the vicinity of Nairobi that most flights from Europe, America and Russia arrive to Kenya.
Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is located at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level. Thanks to this, there are almost no malarial mosquitoes in the city, and the temperature does not rise to maximum levels. Both winter and summer the climate is temperate, suitable for human habitation. The best time to travel to this corner of the planet is January-March, this is the warmest period when average temperature during the day about 25 ° C with average humidity.
City `s history
The city of Nairobi arose on a site where a large number of lakes were previously located. In the language of the local peoples, "Nairobi" means cold water. Travelers often stopped in this oasis while crossing the savannah. But in 1980, the construction of the railway began, and the British occupied the territory to accommodate workers. The city is located between Mombasa and Kampala. Gradually, the management elite moved from Mombasa to Nairobi, this was facilitated by a milder climate. Already in 1905, Nairobi was named the capital of the region, and in 1963, when Kenya gained independence, Nairobi became the capital of the state.
In the hundred years of existence, many difficult events have taken place on the territory of Nairobi. The old city was completely destroyed in 1900, the cause was the bubonic plague. To save the inhabitants, all the buildings were completely burned down, and new ones were built in their place.
In 1998, a major terrorist attack took place in the capital of Kenya: the US Embassy was attacked. As a result, more than four thousand people were injured, 200 died. This caused huge damage to the country's economy, as tourists for a long time were afraid to come to Kenya on vacation.
In September 2013, another attack took place. Terrorists have taken over a large Nakumatt Westgate shopping center. For two days people were held hostage. More than 150 people were injured and 67 died. The coordinated actions of the police made it possible to save hundreds of people.
Population
Today, official sources claim that Nairobi is home to four million people, the largest city in the East Africa. But the number of inhabitants has never been accurately calculated, slums are located on the outskirts, local residents call this place "Cyber", hundreds of thousands of people live there who do not have decent housing.
In the center of the city there are large shopping centers, luxury hotels, government buildings and cultural institutions. But walking along the streets is recommended only during daylight hours. Crime is very active, tourists very often become victims of the local population.
It is difficult to make a living in the savannah, so many representatives of the traditional tribes of Kenya tend to the city, but even there it can be difficult to find food. This is what causes the increase in crime. Tourists are advised not to carry valuables with them, not to walk alone to local attractions, and not to leave the hotel after dark.
There are many foreigners living in Nairobi. Hundreds of major global companies have their offices in the capital of Kenya. They work with all of Africa, but they prefer to do business from this city. Huge skyscrapers, comfortable offices and residential buildings make this place attractive for business. A huge flow of tourists allows you to keep a large number of shops, restaurants, clubs and other establishments on the territory.
How to get to Nairobi
There are two airports in the vicinity of Nairobi. The largest is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, through which most tourists from Europe and America arrive. It provides transportation to more than 5 million passengers a year. The airport was built using the latest technology.
In August 2013, a major fire broke out on the territory, which destroyed almost all the buildings. In a short time, it was completely restored and now provides support for a huge number of flights.
Wilson Airport is located south of Nairobi. It serves local flights, from it you can get to other cities in Kenya or go on a trip to Africa.
In the near future, it is planned to expand the number of flights, as many tourists prefer to get to Nairobi by direct plane, and then get to other cities also by air.
Transport in Nairobi
It is better to travel around Nairobi by taxi, it is safe and not very expensive. Taxis are always standing at hotels, shopping centers, restaurants. Usually you don’t have to call a car, you just need to go outside. But it’s just not worth stopping the car on the road, it’s forbidden and can cause a lot of problems. Go to the museum, restaurant to take a seat.
Most residents travel by bus or matatu, which are brightly colored minibuses. For a small fee, you will be taken anywhere in the city. But it is important not to forget to buckle up, as accidents often occur on the roads.
Nairobi is a city of traffic jams. They can not be compared even with Moscow, everything is much worse. The central streets stand almost all day, so it is sometimes much more convenient to move around on foot than by any transport.
Nairobi was built railroad station and it is still functioning. You can get, for example, to Mombai. But more often all the same, goods are transported along this branch. At night, there is a small train that looks like an electric train. On it, residents of the surrounding area come to Nairobi to work, and after dark they return back.
Attractions
The main attraction of Nairobi is the national park. It starts 7 km from the city center, and on its territory there are about 400 species of animals and birds. You can go on a safari to the park to admire the life of animals in traditional conditions. Most excursions start early in the morning, during the day the animals hide from scorching sun, and the number of meetings with them is greatly reduced.
You can drive through the park by special transport or on foot. Movement is possible only along specific routes, violation threatens to be attacked by predators. It is better to take a guide with you who will acquaint you with the safety rules, tell you about the park and the local fauna.
At the entrance to the park there is an animal shelter where you can always see small lions, elephants or giraffes. Animals left without parents put on performances here, grow up and prepare to be released. For a small fee, in this place you can even feed a baby elephant or ride a large animal.
The largest museum in Nairobi is National Museum of Kenya. It contains the remains of a primitive man found in the state, the bones of ancient animals, as well as interesting compositions relating to the local population, their customs and culture. The visit will be interesting for both adults and children, in 1-2 hours you can learn a huge amount of facts about Africa.
On the central square of Nairobi is located Mausoleum of Jomo Kenyatta, is the first president of Kenya. Taking pictures at the monument is prohibited by law, but it is worth looking at the composition.
Arriving in Nairobi, it is worth going to Mount Longonot. This is a volcano of magnificent beauty, which last time was active in 1890. It is not too high, so any person with average physical fitness can conquer such a peak. From the top there is a magnificent view of the savannah and the mountain itself. This beauty is a must see.
When visiting Nairobi, it is worth visiting jewelry stores. On the territory of Kenya, you can not expensively buy precious stones, for example, very affordable prices for malachite, blue agates, diamonds.
Nairobi restaurants offer exotic meats. Quite often guests are offered an alligator, an ostrich, an antelope.
Nairobi is a place where modernity meets tradition, skyscrapers meet slums, and expensive hotels and shops compete with small shops of the local population. It is worth visiting this city to admire the views of Mount Kilimanjaro, go on a safari and enjoy the features of the savannah. A variety of prices and conditions will allow you to find a vacation option for everyone.
TOURIST ANSWERS:
The capital of Kenya is the city of Nairobi, beautiful and cozy. This is the largest and most populated city in East Africa, located almost on the equator. Therefore, tourists have something to see here.
Nairobi National Park.
This is an amazing house wildlife in Kenya, which was created for the sole purpose of protecting animals from poachers and hunters. After all, it was in the twentieth century that people simply went crazy, and flocks more and more often come to the country to kill large animals, just to create their collections. Thus, they killed elephants, rhinoceroses, just for fun, and the population of the animals themselves became endangered. Surprisingly, the Prince of Wales and President Roosevelt were also hunters.
Today, this big park where animals feel free and protected. Tourists with joy and interest observe the life of such large animal representatives as rhinos, lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, zebras, antelopes and others. There are crocodiles in the southern part of the park. In addition, it is here that you can meet black rhinos, of which there are very few left on earth. And many of them were brought to the Nairobi park to protect them from poachers.
By the way, I advise you to come to the park very early, while the animals are looking for water, then you will be able to see quite a lot of species. Otherwise, you will only see antelopes and zebras.
Nairobi is home to the park's Wildlife Conservation Centre, which provides educational lectures. You can also go on a Safari walk.
The entrance ticket to the park costs about 50 dollars, plus it is worth considering the cost of the trip itself through the park. Here the price already depends on how you can negotiate and what transport you use. I negotiated with a taxi driver in the city of Nairobi, and the price for driving through the park was about $ 50, which is about 4 hours away.
Langatta Giraffe Center. Address: P.O.Box 15124-00509 Nairobi, Kenya.
Here you can observe different types of giraffes, mainly Masai and Rothschilds, which are very few left in the wild. In 1979, the first small giraffe appeared in the center, which led to their subsequent breeding and maintenance. The African Wildlife Fund came up with the idea of such an amazing center in which giraffes could feel great and have offspring, thereby increasing their numbers. Here, giraffes even allow themselves to be stroked and are not at all afraid of people. some rogues even look into the house to ask for something tasty. Employees in the cafe are already deliberately leaving the windows open, knowing that giraffes will soon drop in here.
The territory from residence is about ninety acres of land, on which there are special routes along the fences. On the territory of the park there is an opportunity to feed these spotted beauties, which is very popular with children. In addition, leopards, hyenas, warthogs and many monkeys live in the park area. I also liked the park because it is very beautiful and picturesque, because the Gogo River passes through the territory, and tropical trees become an excellent addition to the whole landscape.
There is also an excellent souvenir shop in the park, where you can buy all sorts of different things along the way.
Karen Blixen Museum. Address: Karen Road, Nairobi, Kenya.
As you may have guessed, this is a house-museum dedicated to the Danish writer Karen Blixen, a unique and talented woman who gave her love to Africa. At thirty, Karen and her husband come to Kenya to work on a coffee plantation. Here the couple remained until Karen's serious illness, after which she and her husband divorced, and the writer remains here in Kenya.
After that, Karen strikes up a relationship with a local hunter, and when he dies in a car accident, she returns to Europe and writes her book. The book, titled Out of Africa, becomes a bestseller, and forms the basis of a film starring famous actors Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.
In 1931, after the death of the writer, her house passed to the government of Kenya, as well as the land around it. And in 1986, the authorities opened a house-museum for those who love and appreciate the work of the writer, or simply for those who are interested in how this talented woman lived.
Houses of Parliament Kenya's first president, Jomo Kenyatta. Address: Parliament Buildings P.O Box 41842 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
For a just society and honest rulers - just such a sign hangs at the entrance to the parliament. And it is very easy to find the building itself, because there is a high clock tower nearby, which you can safely navigate. Tourists can witness the meetings of the Parliament, because all of them are public and open. In addition, there are guided tours, with visits to the local gallery.
It is very interesting that the building used to be wooden, and the building was created in the 19th century. And already in 1913, the authorities decided to build a stronger structure. But that's not all, because thirty years later, the building was demolished and a new one was completely built, already in the colonial style.
Clock tower. Address: Haile Selassie Avenue.
It is very beautiful, and one of the highest African structures, about one hundred and forty meters high. There is a sign that if you stand near the tower, you can stock up on strength and recharge with solar energy. Although, the tower somehow reminded me of Big Ben in London. Inside there are various offices, as well as eleven floors given over to parking. The original project is designed in such a way that the tower is practically not afraid of earthquakes. And getting into the building without documents is almost impossible.
Mosque of Jami. Address: Kigali Rd, Nairobi.
The mosque is one of the most beautiful architectural sights of the city. erected in 1902-1906. It is located in the center on Banda Street.
The typical Arab-Muslim style, dominated by marble, is simply beautiful. But the main beauty of the temple is the silver domes, of which there are three. A gilded arch adorns the entrance to the hall, and the complex itself consists of a library and an educational institution.
Helpful answer?
Mausoleum of Jomo Kenyatta. Address: Parliament Buildings (Parliament Rd), Nairobi, Kenya.
In the very center of the capital, there is the tomb of the first Kenyan president, Jomo Kenyatta, who took his honorary post in 1964. This happened after the country acquired the status of independent, and before that, Jomo was the local vice president. Many locals still call him the Father of the Nation to this day, as he worked for the good of his people, and he was elected for as many as three terms in a row. A great speaker who knew how to capture the attention of the audience and make them listen to him, a journalist who always fought for the well-being of his people, as well as an excellent leader, which he is remembered to this day.
Today, tourists can visit the mausoleum of the president, but photography is strictly prohibited here, and even tourists should be treated very respectfully to the mausoleum itself.
Railway Museum. Address: Off Haile Sellasie Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya.
The museum was opened in honor of the African railway in 1971. Queen Victoria came here to celebrate the launch of the first steam locomotive, which did a great honor not only to the builders of the road itself, but also to many local residents of the city.
The road was supposed to become a connecting element between Uganda and Kenya, therefore, many exhibits are dedicated to this beautiful historical, now, legend. Today, the railway is still in working order, and tourists are taken by surprisingly old and rare steam locomotives, although this happens quite rarely. You will be able to see old passenger cars, as well as a mini-replica of the railway with some photos.
The museum is open to the public from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
snake park. Address: Museum Hill, Nairobi, Kenya.
The snake park was created to introduce local residents to the snakes and reptiles of the African continent. Subsequently, this place gained great popularity among the tourist flows of the population, because the park was opened back in 1961, when there were not so many such places. For example, in 2010, about one hundred and twenty thousand tourists visited here.
The serpentarium has both harmless species of snakes and deadly ones, such as the black mamba, the African viper and others. In total, there are about a hundred copies collected here. In addition, it will be interesting for tourists to look at the Nile crocodiles that live in the park area. There is also different types birds, octopuses. With safe species of reptiles, park workers conduct interactive classes.
There is also a reptile guardianship system in place, where park workers take care of injured and rescued reptiles.
Visiting time - from 9:30 - 18:00.
National Museum of Kenya. Address: Museum Hill Road, Nairobi, Kenya.
It is in Nairobi that the National Museum of Kenya is located, which has priceless collections of exhibits found on the territory of the country by anthropologists. Initially, the museum was called the Corendon Museum, in honor of the governor of Kenya, but after independence, the name was changed to the current one.
The skeleton of the boy Turkana, or homo erectus, is kept here, which is considered the most popular among the collections, and has become the cause of many scandalous controversies among believers. And also a stuffed animal of an extinct fish - a lobe-finned coelicant, caught by local fishermen.
By the way, the Museum's neighbors are the Railway Museum and the Serpentarium, so visiting all three objects is much more convenient and takes less time.
A visit to the museum will also be interesting for children, as it contains the richest collection of flora and fauna of the entire East African territory.
Mount Kenya National Park. Address: Kenya, Eastern and Central provinces.
Founded in 1949, the authorities have not only created a great place for tourist visits, but also protected the mountain itself and the surrounding area, where amazing animals live and rare species of vegetation grow. The water sources that feed the nearby areas and settlements have also been preserved.
Over time, tourists began to come here more and more often, because the territory of the park is about seven hundred square kilometers, and more than half is located at an altitude of three thousand kilometers above sea level.
Some of the park's borders are separated from farmland by an electric fence to protect human plantings from frequent elephant raids. I was struck by the landscape diversity, because on the territory you can find both plains and glaciers and forests, which is very beautiful and unusual at the same time.
Not for nothing, since 1997, the national park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Mount Longonot. Location: Kenya, 60 kilometers northwest of Nairobi.
Climbing to Mount Longonot is just an incredible adventure that brought me a lot of pleasure and impressions. And, although, the height of 2777 meters, by climbing standards, is not very high, but it is very beautiful and exciting. Well, it is worth clarifying that the walk is not recommended for people with heart disease.
It is very beautiful here, because the mountain is the crater of an extinct volcano, which over the years has overgrown with greenery of trees and shrubs. The last eruption here was in 1860, so today every tourist can conquer the top of the mountain. From here you can perfectly see the rift valley with its beauties of lakes, as well as the surroundings of the country of Kenya. In addition, a national park was created around the mountain, the nature of which is under the state protection of Kenya.
Church of St. Mark.
On the territory of Nairobi, this is the only Orthodox church, which is very small in the entire African continent. It was erected by Egyptian Christians - Copts, and the Holy Apostle Mark is considered the first preacher of Christianity in Africa, which is why the church itself was named after him.
In 2009, the Patriarch of Alexandria and Theodore II visited the territory of the church in Nairobi. And all thanks to the fact that all the communities of the Eastern African territories have united in the Irinopil metropolis, thanks to which the status of the church has slightly increased. Many Christians live in Nairobi, so they come to church services here.
KenyaNairobi(English and Swahili Nairobi) - near the equator, the capital, the most Big city in . The population of the city is estimated at between three and four million inhabitants, statistics are underestimated due to the presence of huge slums around the city, whose population is extremely difficult to estimate.
Story
Satellite photo of Nairobi
Previously, uninhabited swamps were located on the site of the modern city. In 1899, a supply station for the Uganda railway was built here, which soon became the headquarters of the railway. The city got its name from the name of the reservoir, which in the Masai language sounds like Ewaso Nyirobi(Ewaso Nairobi), which means "cool waters". In 1900, the city was completely rebuilt after an outbreak of bubonic plague broke out here, due to which Old city I had to burn it completely.
The reason for choosing the construction site of the Nairobi station was its location in the middle between the cities and. In addition, there was a rich network of rivers that helped supply the settlement with water, and the altitude made the area cool enough for comfortable living. Moreover, at an altitude of 1661 m above sea level, the air temperature is too low for the survival of malarial mosquitoes.
In 1905, Nairobi became the capital of the British Protectorate, replacing Mombasa. The city began to grow due to the administration and tourists who came to Kenya to hunt. The British colonialists used Nairobi as a starting point for exploring the region. All this prompted the colonial government to build several impressive hotels in the city, most of whose guests were hunters.
Under British rule, Nairobi continued to grow, with many Britons settling in the suburbs. In 1919, the city became a municipality. In February 1926, E. A. T. Dutton, passing through Nairobi on his way to Mount Kenya, said of the city:
Perhaps one day Nairobi will be covered with tar-soaked roads, planted with flowering trees, filled with beautiful buildings, with squares and squares, with a cathedral worthy of faith and country, with museums, galleries, theaters and government institutions. And it is fair to say that the government and the municipality have already tackled this problem boldly, and that an ambitious plan capable of turning Nairobi into a beautiful city is already beginning to be implemented, and much has already been done. However, until this plan bears fruit, Nairobi will have to remain what it was, an untidy creature unworthy of ruling such a beautiful country.
Original text (English)
Maybe one day Nairobi will be laid out with tarred roads, with avenues of flowering trees, flanked by noble buildings; with open spaces and stately squares; a cathedral worthy of faith and country; museums and galleries of art; theaters and public offices. And it is fair to say that the Government and the Municipality have already bravely tackled the problem and that a town-plan ambitious enough to turn Nairobi into a thing of beauty has been slowly worked out, and much has already been done. But until that plan has borne fruit, Nairobi must remain what she was then, a slatternly creature, unfit to queen it over so lovely a country.
The continued growth of the city's territory, however, angered the Maasai and Kikuyu peoples who previously owned these lands. At the end of World War II, these tensions escalated into the Mau Mau Rebellion. Jomo Kenyatta, the future president of Kenya, was arrested and imprisoned for his part in the uprising, although there was no evidence linking him to the uprising. As a result, in 1963 Kenya gained independence from Britain, and Nairobi became the capital of the new republic.
After independence, Nairobi began to grow rapidly, which resulted in an excessive burden on urban infrastructure. Electricity and water outages are common, although in recent years smarter urban planning has helped to partially address these problems.
In 1998, the embassy in Nairobi was attacked by al-Qaeda terrorists, which killed more than 200 people. A memorial was erected on this site.
On September 21, 2013, there was a terrorist attack in Nairobi. 16 terrorists attacked the Nakumatt Westgate shopping center, hostages were taken. On September 23, Kenyan security forces launched an assault on the mall. On September 25, 2013, President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta announced the completion of the operation to destroy the terrorists. As a result of the attack, 67 people were killed and more than 150 were injured.
Geography
Aerial view of the CBD and Ngong Road
The city is located in 1°17′ S sh. 36°49′ E d. and covers an area of 696 km².
Nairobi is located between the cities and. Since the city is located near the eastern edge of the Rift Valley, small earthquakes and tremors occur periodically. The Ngong Hills, located to the west of the city, are the most high point near Nairobi. To the north of the city rises Mount Kenya, and to the southeast - Mount Kilimanjaro. Both mountains can be seen from Nairobi on a clear day.
The Nairobi River and its tributaries cross the Nairobi region. To the north of the city is the Karura forest, which Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Matai fought to preserve when plans were made to build the area with houses and other infrastructure.
The western suburbs of Nairobi stretch from the Kenyata National Hospital in the south to the UN Headquarters and Jigiri in the north, covering a distance of about 20 kilometers.
City Square, located in the Central Business District, is considered the center of the city. The square is surrounded by the Kenya Parliament Buildings, the Sagrada Familia, the City Council Building, the City Courthouse and the Kenyatta Convention Centre.
Climate
With an altitude of over 1,600 meters above sea level, Nairobi has a temperate climate: temperatures rarely rise above 25°C and are fairly even throughout the year. The coldest month is July, the warmest is March. There are 2 wet seasons, clearly expressed in April-May, November-December, and one dry season in July-August. In June and July, temperatures can drop below 10°C at night. The lowest recorded temperature was + 5 °C. The sunniest and warmest time of the year is from January to March. For this period, the average temperature is maximum and is 24 ° C. The cloudiest time of the year occurs immediately after the first rainy season, and high humidity remains until September. Since Nairobi is located close to the equator, there are very few differences between sunrise and sunset throughout the year.
| Climate Nairobi | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indicator | Jan. | Feb. | March | Apr. | May | June | July | Aug. | Sen. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Year |
| Average maximum, °C | 24,5 | 25,6 | 25,6 | 24,1 | 22,6 | 21,5 | 20,6 | 21,4 | 23,7 | 24,7 | 23,1 | 23,4 | 23,4 |
| Average temperature, °C | 18,0 | 18,6 | 19,4 | 19,1 | 17,9 | 16,3 | 15,4 | 15,8 | 17,1 | 18,6 | 18,1 | 18,0 | 17,7 |
| Average minimum, °C | 11,5 | 11,6 | 13,1 | 14,0 | 13,2 | 11,0 | 10,1 | 10,2 | 10,5 | 12,5 | 13,1 | 12,6 | 12,0 |
| Precipitation rate, mm | 58,3 | 49,8 | 92,2 | 242,3 | 189,5 | 38,6 | 17,6 | 24,0 | 31,2 | 60,8 | 149,6 | 107,6 | 1058,5 |
| Source: WorldWeather.org, | |||||||||||||
Districts
Nairobi is divided into constituencies: Makadara, Kamukunji, Sterehe, Langata, Dagoretti, Westlands, Kasarani and Embakasi. The main administrative divisions of Nairobi are: Central, Dagoretti, Embakasi, Kasarani, Kibera, Makadara, Pumwani and Westlands. To the west of the city are the affluent suburbs where most of the European settlers settled in colonial times. These include Karen, Langata, Lavington and Highridge. Most of the poor and near poverty areas are located in the eastern part of the city. These are Karyokor, Dandora, Kariobangi, Embakasi and Huruma. A large number of emigrants from Somalia live in the Eastleigh region, which is even called "Little Mogadishu".
The most famous areas of Nairobi are Kibera and Karen. While Kibera, with its 170,000 inhabitants, is known as the largest slum area in East Africa, Karen, on the contrary, has become famous as the most respectable and wealthy suburb. The area is named after the writer Karen Blixen, who lived in these places for 20 years on her own coffee plantation.
Religion
Nairobi is the center of the Catholic archdiocese of the same name. Cathedral archdiocese - Sagrada Familia.
Economy
I&M bank headquarters in Nairobi
Nairobi is home to the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE). The NSE is ranked 4th in Africa in terms of trading volume and 5th in terms of market capitalization to GDP.
Also in Nairobi there are regional offices of some international companies and organizations. So during 2007, General Electric, Young & Rubicam, Google, Coca Cola, Zain and Cisco Systems moved their African headquarters to Nairobi. In addition, many large African companies are headquartered in Nairobi.
The city produces goods such as clothing, textiles, building materials, food and drink, and cigarettes. The city has factories of some international companies such as Goodyear, General Motors, Toyota Motors, Coca Cola.
Tourism
Giraffe in Nairobi National Park with the city in the background
Although the tourism industry in Nairobi is not very developed, it has attractions that are popular with visitors to the city. First of all, this is Nairobi National Park. Its uniqueness lies in its close proximity to a metropolis of this size. Nairobi National Park is home to over 400 species of animals and birds, including lions and giraffes. Walking safaris in the park are very popular among tourists.
Nairobi is home to several museums. The largest of them is the National Museum of Kenya, which houses the remains of a boy. Homo erectus. Other popular museums are the Nairobi Railway Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum.
Nairobi is sometimes referred to as the safari capital of the world. Many hotels in the city are specially oriented towards fans of this particular entertainment. There are quite a few five-star hotels in the city: Nairobi Serena, Laiko Regency (formerly Grand Regency), Windor (Karen), Holiday Inn, East African Safari Club (Lillian Towers), Stanley Hotel, Safari Park and Casino, Intercontinental, Panari Hotel, Hilton and Norfolk Hotel.
In addition, Nairobi is home to the most big ice rink in Africa - Solar Ice Rink. The ice rink was opened in 2005, has an area of about 1400 m² and can accommodate up to 200 visitors. The largest retail chains in the city are Nakumatt, Uchumi and Tuskys.
Transport
Airports
Aerial view of the cargo terminal of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, largest airport East Africa.
The majority of air traffic in Nairobi takes place through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in eastern and central Africa. In 2008, more than 4.9 million passengers passed through it. It is the main transfer hub for passengers flying to small towns Eastern and central Africa. Jomo Kenyatta Airport is located 20 km from downtown Nairobi. It receives direct flights from Europe and Asia. Currently, a project is being considered to expand the airport to be able to serve the growing passenger traffic. On August 7, 2013, the capital's airport almost completely burned down. The fire broke out in the border zone of the airport at half past five in the morning local time, and they began to extinguish it only at seven, when the fire spread to almost the entire airport. In addition, it turned out that the rescuers had water shortages.
Wilson Airport is located south of Nairobi. It serves mainly small domestic flights in Kenya, although there are flights to other East African countries.
Eastleite Airport was originally landing strip before the advent of jet aircraft. In the 1930s and 1940s, he served British passenger and mail flights from to. Seaplanes flew through it from to. Currently, there is a military base here.
matatu
The most common mode of transport in Nairobi is matatu. The word literally means "thirty cents a ride" (although it costs much more now). Matatou are private minibuses with a capacity of fourteen to twenty-four people. These buses carry passengers both on urban and intercity routes. The most noticeable feature of the matatu was their extravagant coloration. Owners often decorate their bus with portraits of their favorite football team or artist, and recent times there were even matatus with the image of Barack Obama. Most matatus have audio systems and televisions to attract passengers, as competition among drivers is very high.
As a result of fierce competition and lack of regulation, matatu drivers tried to increase profits by increasing the speed of transportation, which is why Nairobi had a large number of accidents with their participation. To ensure safety, in 2004 the government passed a law requiring all matatas to be equipped with seat belts, as well as a speed limit of 80 km/h. In addition, all matata had to be marked with a horizontal yellow stripe. At first, this caused a storm of protests from the operators, but under pressure from the government and the public, they had to come to terms with the new requirements.
In 2013, for the first time in the history of the city, a team of explorers armed with GPS cell phones compiled and published a map of matatu trails.
Buses
Buses are becoming increasingly popular in Nairobi. There are currently three bus companies operating in the city: the traditional Kenya Bus Service (KBS) and the newer private operators Citi Hoppa and Double M. Citi Hoppa buses are green, Double M buses are purple, and KBS are blue.
Other smaller companies organize regular intercity bus service.
Railways
Nairobi was founded as a railway station, and the headquarters of the Kenya Railways is still located in the city, not far from the center. The line passing through Nairobi connects and. It is mainly used for freight traffic, but it also runs overnight passenger trains. A large number of workers get to work in the city center by trains from the suburbs, but the city has not developed light rail, tram lines and subways.
Taxi
Taxi services are available in almost every part of the city. Taxis are more expensive than buses or matatas, but safer and more comfortable. Most often, taxis are waiting for customers near hotels, taxi ranks, as well as in the city center and near large shopping centers.
Living conditions and crime
Between half a million and a million people live in the Kibera area, the largest and poorest slum in Africa, founded in the 1920s as a settlement for Nubian soldiers.
Crime in the city is increasing more and more, and now Nairobi is one of the most dangerous cities. In 2001, the UN commission assigned the city "status C", ranking it among the most criminal cities in the world. There was a high level of armed robbers, robbers and car thieves.
Crime increased because numerous rural residents from disorder began to rush to the capital, where they could not find money, employment and food, and they had no choice but to replenish the slums.
Houses and quarters of the city employ guards who work day and night. Tourists are not advised to show valuable items and walk around the central part of the city at night.
August 7, 1998 in the city occurred terrorist act- the explosion of the American embassy in the city center, in which 213 people died and about 4,000 were injured of varying degrees of severity, after which the flow of tourists to Nairobi sharply decreased.
On September 21, 2013, a group of armed men broke into the Nakumatt Westgate shopping center and opened fire on the people who were there. More than 60 people died. Citizens of Australia, China, and South Africa were killed and injured. The al-Shabab group, which claimed responsibility for the attack, said it was taking revenge on Kenya for the participation of its troops in military operations against the group in the territory.
Education
Higher education
Several universities operate in the city, including the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University and several others.
culture
Museums in Nairobi
- National Museum of Kenya
- Nairobi Railway Museum
Theaters in Nairobi
- National Theater of Kenya
Parks and gardens
Nairobi has many parks and squares. Much of the city is lined with trees. Most famous park Nairobi - Uhuru. It borders the central business district and Upper Hill. Uhuru (Freedom) Park is a venue for public speeches, worship services and rallies. Former Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi wanted to build a 62-story building for his party on the site of the park, but thanks to the efforts of activist Wangari Maathai, a 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner, the park was saved.
Central Park is adjacent to Uhuru Park and houses a memorial to Jomo Kenyatta, the first President of Kenya. Also in the city are Javani Gardens, Nairobi City Park Arboretum.
twin cities
Nairobi is a sister city of the following cities:
- , - since 1975.
- , .
- , People's Republic of China
-
- Population Projections by Province
- United Nations University Nairobi: National capital and regional hub (html) (unavailable link - story) . unu.edu. Retrieved June 17, 2007. Archived from the original June 10, 2007.
- R.C.Bowen Kenya Attractions of Nairobi (html). kenya.rcbowen.com. Retrieved June 18, 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012.
- Merriam Webster Inc. Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary. - Merriam-Webster, 1997. - P. 786. - ISBN 0877795460.
- Dutton, E.A.T. 1 // Kenya Mountain. - 1. - London: Jonathan Cape, 1929. - P. 1–2.
- United States Embassy Quiet Memorials Mark Fourth Anniversary of Embassy Bombing (html) (unavailable link - story) . usebassy.gov. Retrieved June 17, 2007.
- The President of Kenya announced the completion of the operation to destroy the terrorists (September 25, 2013).
- Perceptive Travel Nairobi by Degrees (unavailable link - story) . perceptivetravel.com. Retrieved June 14, 2007.
- The East African Karura: Are We Missing the Trees for the Forest? (html) (unavailable link - story) . nationmedia.com (November 2, 1998). Retrieved June 14, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
- Gaisma Nairobi, Kenya - Sunrise, sunset, dawn and dusk times, table (html). gaisma.com. Retrieved June 22, 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012.
- World Travel Nairobi Climate and Weather (html). wordtravels.com. Retrieved June 14, 2007. Archived from the original February 12, 2012.
- United Nations Travel and Visa Information (html). unhabitat.org. Retrieved June 20, 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012.
- Nairobi City Council Councillors, Wards & Constituencies (html). nairobicity.org. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
- Nairobi City Council Living in Nairobi (html). nairobicity.org. Retrieved June 20, 2007. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012.
- Monsters and Critics Urban Somali refugees call Nairobi's "Little Mogadishu" home (html). news.monstersandcritics.com. Retrieved June 20, 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012.
- Maria Abakumova: “Golden Ghetto: How Elite Neighborhoods Appear” .Forbes.ru, 04/26/2013
- Live Trading commences at Nairobi Stock Exchange
- business daily General Electric moves Africa's hub to Nairobi (unavailable link - story) . bdafrica.com. Retrieved June 18, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007.
- Press Media Wire Cisco Inaugurates East African Headquarters in Nairobi. pressmediawire.com. Retrieved 2008-07-20. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012.
- Kenya Wildlife Service - Nairobi National Park (unavailable link - story) . kws.org. Retrieved December 30, 2009. Archived from the original on October 11, 2009.
- BBC NEWS|World|Africa|East Africa's ice skating first
- Kenya Airports Authority Welcome to Jomo Kenyatta Intl. airport. kenyaairports.com. Retrieved June 25, 2007.
- Kenya Airports Authority JKIA Voted Best Marketed Airport In Africa Once Again. kenyaairports.co.ke (September 22, 2009). Retrieved January 14, 2010. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012.
- JKIA Airport Expansion Plans
- Rocker smoke: Africans burned the airport to the ground. Retrieved August 7, 2013. Archived from the original on August 16, 2013.
- United Nations Offices Nairobi Interns How to get around Nairobi (unavailable link - story) . interns.unon.org. Retrieved July 5, 2007. Archived from the original on June 17, 2007.
- Crackdown hits Kenyan commuters, BBC (February 2, 2004). Retrieved July 3, 2006.
- Emily Badger, This Is What Informal Transit Looks Like When You Actually Map It, Feb 03, 2014
- Living amidst the rubbish of Kenya's slum (English), BBC News (20 September 2005). Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- What is Kibera? (English) . CSG Cybera. Retrieved February 6, 2011. Archived from the original February 12, 2012.
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- Travel Blackboard Nairobi (html). etravelblackboard.com. Retrieved June 25, 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012.
- The Standard Kenyans must have a sustained campaign against land grabbing (html) (unavailable link - story) . eastandard.net. Retrieved June 25, 2007.
- Sister Cities International. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012.
- Raleigh, North Carolina. sister cities international. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
- Denver Mayor Michael Hancock gets set for African trip. Blogs.denverpost.com (April 18, 2013). Retrieved December 12, 2013.
- Coastweek Kenya. The most from the coast. coastweek. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
Links
News
- Daily Nation
- The Standard
- Nairobi.com
- All Schools in Nairobi
Other
- Nairobi City - official website
- Magical Kenya review of Nairobi
- Nairobi Stock Exchange
- National Geographic Feature about Nairobi
Many are accustomed to thinking that any city in Africa is poor, uncomfortable, but in reality everything is a little different. The capital of Kenya - Nairobi, located near the equator, is considered the largest East African city, which has a large number of offices, business and shopping centers, regional governments of international companies, and even has its own stock exchange. The city is always busy with something, life in it is constantly in full swing. There are many universities here, including the largest university in Kenya - the University of Nairobi, museums, theaters. Definitely, this fast-growing East African city has something to show tourists who come here for new experiences.
The history of its formation is very interesting. It is hard to imagine that once upon a time there were swamps on the site of this modern African metropolis (“Nairobi” - in the translation from Swahili “swamp”). The city was originally built as the headquarters of the railway in 1899, but it existed in this form for only a year. In 1900, due to an outbreak of plague, it was completely burned down and rebuilt, and five years later it was declared the capital of Kenya. In 1907, Nairobi became part of the British colonial empire, becoming a mecca for travelers and hunters. After the Second World War, the local population rebelled, as a result of which Kenya gained independence, and Nairobi gained the status of the country's capital.
In Nairobi, in addition to the modern part of the city with skyscrapers and business centers, there is a place where time seems to have stopped - this is the slums of Kibera. Local travel companies even offer guided tours of the area, where you can get to know local residents and look at their way of life, which is somewhat different from the city. This is a city of contrast, a city where wealth and poverty, wildlife and civilization coexist. This land managed to choose the American actress and director Angelina Jolie. In early 2016, filming began in Nairobi for her new film, tentatively titled Africa, about world-famous Kenyan wildlife conservationist Richard Leakey. The plot is based on a biographical story about the struggle of this paleoanthropologist with poachers who exterminate the population of African elephants.
Nairobi National Park
Here you can see grazing rhinos and proud giraffes against the backdrop of high-rise buildings. This is the peculiarity of this park - to show the coexistence of wild animals and human civilization. It was opened in 1945, making it the oldest park in Kenya. In addition to rhinos and giraffes, lions, leopards, antelopes, zebras, buffaloes live in the park, and 400 different bird species have been recorded. You should not walk around this reserve on your own, it would be better and safer to use the jeep safari service, the windows of the cars are always tightly closed from the close attention of the inhabitants of the savannah. But if you really want to pat the baby elephant on the face or even feed him, you can make your dream come true in a shelter for baby elephants and rhinos, which is located near the main entrance to the park.
Great Rift Valley
The Great Rift Valley, located a few kilometers from the city, can be called one of the most fascinating places on our planet. This real miracle of nature was formed many millions of years ago from the process of tectonic plate movement. Now on its territory there are more than 30 types of active or semi-active volcanoes. The length of the valley is impressive - more than 6,000 km: it stretches from Dead Sea in Israel to the African state of Mozambique. Scientists say that in the distant future, this territory may turn into independent island, since the soil of the “fault” is constantly in motion. It is here that the most famous lakes are located - Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria: initially they were only mineral springs that made their way through the earth, which many years later formed these wonders of nature. It would be a crime to visit the Great Rift Valley and not see the pearl of Kenya - Lake Nakuru: after all, it seems that all the flamingos of Africa have chosen it.
Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia
Nairobi is a multi-confessional city: here you can see cathedrals and churches, Hindu and Sikh temples, mosques. Construction of one of beautiful buildings city, the Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia, began in 1904. Initially, it accommodated 300-400 parishioners, but now it has grown to a capacity of 3000-4000 people. The construction of the current residence of the Archbishop of Nairobi was completed in 1940-1950. with interruptions during the country's liberation struggle for independence. The first recorded baptism in the temple took place in 1906, and the wedding in 1908. At the initial stage of construction, the Cathedral was the very first stone building in Nairobi. Inside the temple, behind the main altar, there is a huge sculptural image of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The walls are decorated with the main shrines for the entire Christian world - the icons of the Holy Family, St. Joseph and of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Karen Blixen Farm Museum
It will also be interesting to visit the museum-farm of the Danish writer Karen Blixen, who lived here for fourteen years, from 1917 to 1931. Kenya inspired her to create an autobiographical book Out of Africa, which was repeatedly nominated for the Nobel Prize. However, a dense stream of tourists rushed to the writer's house only after the release of the film of the same name by Sydney Pollack with the incomparable Meryl Streep in the title role, which received several Oscars at once.
The house was built in 1912, and five years later this site was bought by Karen Blixen and her husband to grow coffee. Their happy marriage lasted 13 years until the writer discovered that she had contracted syphilis from her husband. In 1926, Karen Blixen fell in love with hunter Dennis Finch Hutton, but his death in a plane crash crossed out their entire future together. The death of a loved one coincided with problems on the farm: droughts, crop failures, fires, debts to creditors - all this in 1931 pushed her to leave for Europe, where she wrote her autobiographical book Out of Africa (1937). The house later changed several owners, and in 1985, due to the growing interest in the writer's work, it was bought by the government of Kenya. The Karen Blixen Farm Museum opened its doors to visitors in 1986.
Bomas of Kenya Farm
You can get acquainted with the local ethnic group and African folk art at the Bomas of Kenya farm, which is located 10 km from the center of Nairobi and 1 km from the main entrance to the National Park. Here you will discover all the richness and diversity of Kenyan folk arts and crafts, because this is Kenya in miniature. On weekdays from 14:30 to 16:00 and on weekends from 15:30 to 17:15, you can feel the whole identity of the African people by watching their traditional dances and acrobatic numbers. The performers present their performances dressed in bright clothes, with an emphasis on accessories: home-made bright beads. Some perform sensual dances, others sing local songs. A visit to Bomas of Kenya is a great way to immerse yourself in the distinctive and diverse culture of Africa.
Leisure
Cultural life in Nairobi is always seething - there are theaters, museums, and even the National Archives. Of greatest interest to travelers is the Nairobi Railway Museum, opened in 1971. And this is not surprising, because the construction of the African railway is closely connected with the capital of Kenya. You can trace the history of its creation, take a ride on an old train - all this can be done here. On the nose of one of the locomotives you will see a reinforced chair in which Theodore Roosevelt and Winston Churchill sat before they became the first statesmen of the USA and England. Such structures were actively used by travelers and hunters who needed to see everything that happens in the savannah. Since the first trains were imperfect, in the period from the end of the 19th to the beginning of the 20th centuries, numerous lion attacks on passengers were recorded.
In August, Nairobi hosts the largest annual Kenyan Music Festival, which brings thousands of fans of this event from all over the country to the Kenyatta International Conference Center. Only the best pupils of schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions. The contestants demonstrate their abilities in dance, vocal, instrumental art, which, in turn, are classified into Western, Eastern and typical African music. Music lovers will remember this event forever.
But for the lovers extreme sports In July, the World Championship Safari Rally (KCB Safari Rally) is held. The specificity of the competition lies in the fact that national teams win more victories from year to year, since their cars were originally designed for driving on African off-roads. In order to take part in the Safari Rally, you need to be a fairly wealthy person, because after the race the car is no longer suitable for the next championship, expensive specialized tires are erased - all this needs to be restored, and these expenses are not cheap. But, despite all this, the tradition of the annual Safari Rally has not stopped since 1953.
How to get there
There are no direct flights to Nairobi from Russia, you can get there with one or more transfers (airlines: KLM, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways). You will arrive at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, which is located 20 km from the center of Nairobi. You can get to the city by taxi (parking lots are located at the exit from the airport), but the most budget option would be a bus (route No. 34), travel time - 1 hour, buses run until 19.00.
local transport
Nairobi has a fairly extensive public transport network. Train, bus, matatu are at your service. Despite the fact that the city grew out of the headquarters of the railway, today the train has only one route - Nairobi-Mombasa. Trains run three times a week.
There are three bus companies within the city: the traditional Kenya Bus Service (KBS, light blue) and the new private operators Citi Hoppa (green) and Double M (purple). Pay the fare to the conductor, the ticket is valid for a one-way trip. But keep in mind that all buses run until 19.00.
For trips over short distances, use the matatu minibus, which is designed for 12-25 seats. The route to follow vehicle, can be seen on the yellow side stripe abbreviated as "MSA-WTM-MDY-LMU" (Mombasa-Watamu-Malindi-Lamu). Drivers often decorate their bus with portraits of their favorite football team or artist, so you will immediately notice this vehicle.
If you prefer a safer way to get around the city, taxis are your option. The main taxi locations are near hotels, in parking lots, in the city center and near large shopping centers. The trip will not be cheap, but comfortable and safe.
Hotels
The Progressive Park Hotel (3 *) wins in terms of price-quality ratio: nothing superfluous - everything is simple, cozy and tasteful. The hotel offers: spacious rooms, breakfasts in a vegetarian Indian restaurant, a gym, free transfer to the airport. If you're on a tight budget, the Progressive Park Hotel is the perfect home for you during your stay in Nairobi.
The most famous chain hotels in Nairobi include the Crowne Plaza Hotel Nairobi (4*). The rooms are comfortable, the service is top notch, the buffet breakfast, the hotel has a swimming pool, a spa and a fitness room.
Another hotel chain that has proven itself among travelers is Hilton Nairobi (5*). The hotel, located in the city center, will appeal to more demanding tourists. On the ground floor there is a beautiful restaurant in a traditional African style, where they serve delicious brewed coffee. Each room has a coffee maker, electric kettle and large flat-screen TV.
Restaurants
Carnivore - the most famous Kenyan restaurant, which is included in the "top 50" the best restaurants peace. It serves meat of wild African animals (crocodile, ostrich, buffalo, camel), cooked on fire. You have to pay only for the entrance, after that you can freely taste the offered meat dishes, which will be served to you by the waiters until you remove the flag from your table. This is followed by dessert and delicious coffee.
The Tamarind restaurant was created specifically for fish lovers: chefs prepare dishes exclusively from fresh local seafood, which are delivered from the coast of the country. Giant prawns, sweet meat of young crabs, juicy lobsters, squids, octopuses, oysters - all this Tamarind offers its visitors. Many times the restaurant was recognized as the best in the country. Perhaps this is the most "fishy" place in the city.
Real coffee lovers will be interested in the Java House chain of coffee houses, where you will be offered real Kenyan coffee, tea and delicious freshly baked homemade bread and a nice bonus - free Wi-Fi.
shopping
As souvenirs from Nairobi, relatives should bring handmade leather and wood products, animal figurines, jewelry made from various materials. You can buy them at the Masai Oriental Souvenir Market. An excellent gift will also be Kenyan teas and coffees, which are recommended to be bought at the Nakumatt supermarket. However, you should not spend money on jewelry made of diamonds, gold and ivory, as their export is prohibited by local customs regulations.
Nairobi has more than 20 shopping centers, most of which are open until 23.00, and some even around the clock. The best place to shop is The Village Market, The Junction Mall. In the BATA store you can buy Safari boots, the most popular breathable and comfortable suede boots in Kenya, and for lovers of long summer walks, sandals made from car tires will be a good gift.
Nairobi is the largest city in East Africa, located near the equator, the capital of Kenya. It is a relatively young city, just over 100 years old. The population of the city is constantly growing. It is a multinational, dynamic and picturesque metropolis. Today, its population is estimated at 4 million people, although this is an approximate figure without taking into account the inhabitants of huge slums. Geographically, it is located in the southern part of the country at an altitude of 1600-1700 meters. In the neighborhood are the cities of Mombasa and Kampala.
Like most African cities, Nairobi has an ethnic flair, a crowded atmosphere and picturesque natural attractions. The main flow of tourists comes to visit the national park of the same name. Nairobi Park is located just 7 km from the city. In this small protected area, animals typical of the Kenyan savannas are concentrated. The park covers 117 km² and is famous for its shelter for orphaned elephants and rhinos.
The name of the city appeared even before the English colonization and in the language of the Masai tribe meant "a place cold water". In ancient times, on the site of today's Nairobi, there was a small oasis where the caravans of slave traders stopped to rest. The city received the status of the capital in 1905, thanks to the construction of the railway. Prior to that, the capital was Mombasa. With the advent of the railway, civilization also came here. The first car appeared, the first post office, etc.
Today it is a rapidly developing metropolis with high-rise buildings made of glass and concrete right in the center of the city. But a few decades ago, the clock tower on the central square was considered the tallest building in the city. On the same square is the tomb of the legendary Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of the country. Because of this, photography and video filming in front of the parliament building is prohibited. The Kenyans treated and continue to treat this man with special trepidation.
Founded: 1899
Square: 696 km 2
Population: 4 million people (2017)
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Language: English, Swahili
Off.site: http://www.nairobi.go.ke/
Current time in Nairobi:
(UTC+3)
Modern Nairobi has a rectangular layout and is built up with buildings of the European type. This is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa and its largest transport hub. Of course, first of all, it is a fantastic safari city. However, in addition to this, tourists are waiting for authentic shops, a crowded market, outlying areas, beautiful mansions in the depths of gardens, the old center, theaters, museums and universities.
How to get there
The transport infrastructure of Nairobi is considered the most developed in Kenya. It is here that one of the largest and busiest airports on the continent is located. The annual passenger flow of Jomo Kenyatta Airport reaches 4-5 million people. This airport often serves as a transfer hub for travelers to other, smaller cities in eastern and central Africa. Geographically, it is located approximately 20 km from the central part of Nairobi.
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Climate and weather in Nairobi
Weather forecast
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Monthly weather in Nairobi
| Temperature day, °C |
Temperature at night, °C |
Quantity precipitation, mm |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 12 | 38 | |
| 26 | 13 | 64 | |
| 25 | 14 | 125 | |
| 24 | 14 | 211 | |
| 22 | 13 | 158 | |
| 21 | 12 | 46 | |
| 21 | 11 | 15 | |
| 21 | 11 | 23 | |
| 24 | 11 | 31 | |
| 24 | 13 | 53 | |
| 23 | 13 | 109 | |
| 23 | 13 | 86 |
Reviews by month
| January 1 February 1 March 1 | May 4 | August 3 September 3 | October 2 November 5 December 2 |
Attractions Nairobi
Several decades ago, the clock tower on the central square was considered the tallest building in the city. On the same square is the tomb of the legendary Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of the country. Because of this, photography and video filming in front of the parliament building is prohibited. The Kenyans treated and continue to treat this man with special trepidation.
Other attractions in the city include the National Documents Archive, the Snake Museum, the Langat Giraffe Park, the Karen Blixen Museum and, of course, the Sagrada Familia. The Indian quarter with Hindu temples, River Road and Uhuru (Freedom) Park are great for walking. In a place called Bomas, there is a theater for 3,500 people, where amateur groups perform daily. From Nairobi, you can easily go on organized safari tours to the country's national parks and reserves.
Not far from the city is one of the most impressive places on the planet - the Great Rift Valley. It contains more than 30 active and semi-active volcanoes, formed as a result of the tectonic movement of the earth's plates millions of years ago. More than 4 million flamingos visit the alkaline lakes of the valley every year. Today, the excursion to the Rift Valley area is one of the most popular among visitors to Nairobi.
Where to go in Nairobi
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Parks and recreation areas
Transport
Private guides in Nairobi
Russian private guides will help you to get acquainted with Nairobi in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Purchases
in cities and settlements Kenya has a large number of souvenir shops and shops, as well as markets with handicrafts. Among authentic souvenirs, tourists especially appreciate clay figurines of animals, paintings by local artists, ornamental materials from ebony and teak wood, leather goods, ethnic masks, handmade carpets, wickerwork, drums. No less popular are Kenyan tea and coffee, which are sold in all supermarkets in Nairobi. The ornaments and details of the Maasai national clothes are unusually beautiful. However, prices in local markets are often unreasonably high, so tourists can and should bargain. Sometimes, by bargaining, you can drop the price of a product by as much as 50%. The export of ivory products from the country is prohibited, and the skins of wild animals can only be exported with a special permit.
The assortment of souvenirs in all stores is almost the same. In big cities there are shopping centers and shops with products of famous brands. Some of the largest and most famous shopping centers in Nairobi are Westgate Mall and The Junction. And the largest supermarket chain is Nakumatt. Almost all outlets are open from Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 17.00 with a lunch break, and on Saturdays from 8.30 to 12.30. In places where tourists gather, shops can be open until 20.00 without a lunch break. Supermarkets are open until almost midnight. System tax free is absent, and credit cards are accepted only in large stores. Many Kenyan stores sell safari clothing made from special materials and covering the entire body. Also in Kenya you can buy precious and semi-precious stones, such as tanzanite, tsavorite, malachite, tiger's eye. However, the export of gold and diamonds from the country is prohibited.
Communications in Nairobi
Internet
The Internet has become widespread in Kenya, thanks to a large number of provider companies. Today, in almost all cities of the country, tourists can find Internet cafes, and most hotels, lodges and restaurants offer their own Wi-Fi. To access the Internet, you can also use international tourist SIM cards. Connection rules and tariffs must be checked with operators.
cellular
Kenya uses the international standard GSM-900. In cities, the connection is consistently good, and in some remote areas, the connection may disappear. Local SIM cards are sold at the offices of operators Safaricom and KenCell. Such cards can be purchased immediately upon arrival at Nairobi airport, or in communication salons that are found in almost all more or less large settlements.
Telephone communications
Not well developed telephone communications in Kenya. For example, pay phones are found only in major cities countries. Some of them work with coins, and some work with special cards. These cards can be purchased at post offices. The central point of international negotiations is located in Nairobi. From this point you can call directly abroad. It is also possible to make a call from the hotel, but with a double rate. To call local numbers, you need to dial the international code of Kenya - 254.
Security
When visiting Nairobi, tourists should follow basic safety rules, as this is one of the most dangerous cities on the continent. In poor areas and slums, there is a high level of crime. For this reason, tourists are not advised to walk alone at night and display valuable items. If necessary, it is better to use a reliable taxi service.
Compared to other African countries, Kenya has a relatively safe situation in terms of epidemiology, but do not forget about the risk of contracting malaria, various forms of hepatitis, HIV infection, and yellow fever. For this reason, increased precautions are recommended. In particular, when entering the country, tourists may be required to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate. To prevent malaria, you should drink a course of certain drugs prescribed by your doctor. Vaccination against tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and B is also recommended. Timely issued insurance will reimburse expenses in case of force majeure.
In Kenya, it is not safe to drink tap water or eat food purchased from street vendors. Fruits and vegetables should be washed with boiled water. Smoking in public places is strictly prohibited, but there are specially designated places for this. Penalties for violating this prohibition can be quite high. Kenyans do not really like it when strangers take pictures of them without permission, but for a special fee they can agree. It is forbidden to photograph border posts, people in uniform, objects of military importance, the central square of Nairobi and the area near the Jomo Kenyatta mausoleum.
On safari trips, don't get too close to wild animals, and in many national parks it is even forbidden to move independently. It is best to explore the protected areas in jeeps and accompanied by a professional guide. Feed animals national parks also prohibited and subject to heavy fines. In lodges and camps, it is recommended to monitor the condition of mosquito nets. For a trip to the reserves, it is better to choose clothes that cover all parts of the body as much as possible. It is highly recommended to bring wide-brimmed hats, high but comfortable shoes, sunscreen, repellents and plenty of drinking water.
