Things to do in Nairobi

Nairobi is one of Africa’s most vibrant capitals, offering wildlife encounters, food culture, craft markets, and history within easy reach of an urban centre. Travellers looking for Nairobi things to do can explore national parks, conservation sanctuaries, art studios, and neighbourhoods known for local cuisine and cafés. The city’s attractions range from early-morning game drives to sunset viewpoints, making it ideal for both short stays and longer cultural trips.

Some of the top things to do in Nairobi include a sunrise safari at Nairobi National Park, feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, and visiting the Sheldrick Elephant Nursery. Cultural highlights include the Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi National Museum, and live craft demonstrations at the Maasai Market. For nature lovers, Karura Forest offers cycling and walking trails, while Nairobi’s neighbourhoods provide food tours, coffee tastings, and rooftop sunset viewpoints. These activities give a complete introduction to the city’s wildlife, heritage, and everyday life.

Many visitors choose Nairobi tour packages to cover the city’s highlights efficiently. Our Nairobi packages include airport transfers, guided city tours, wildlife experiences, museum visits, hotel accommodation, and curated shopping or food activities. For a more structured and dependable travel experience, Thrillophilia’s Kenya tour packages provide verified stays, trained English-speaking guides, comfortable transportation, flexible itineraries, and round-the-clock assistance. These benefits help travellers explore Nairobi confidently, whether they want wildlife photography, cultural immersion, gourmet dining, or neighbourhood-level experiences.

Top 10 Things to Do in Nairobi

1. Morning Safari at Nairobi National Park

A sunrise safari at Nairobi National Park offers close wildlife viewing only minutes from the city centre. Travellers can spot lions, rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and over 400 bird species against a dramatic skyline backdrop. Early mornings provide the best light for photography and higher chances of predator sightings. The park’s open savannah, acacia forests, and seasonal rivers make it a favourite for those searching for top things to do in Nairobi. You can join guided 4x4 game drives, enjoy picnic spots, and learn about conservation projects protecting key species in the region.

Address: Lang’ata Road, Nairobi

Opening Hours: Daily 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

2. Visit the Giraffe Centre

The Giraffe Centre in Karen allows travellers to feed and observe endangered Rothschild giraffes from raised platforms. Educational guides explain breeding programs, ecology, and conservation challenges. You can also enjoy walking trails through the adjoining reserve, offering glimpses of warthogs and birds. The centre provides a close, safe, and interactive wildlife experience, making it one of the most enjoyable unique things to do in Nairobi for families and photographers. A small museum displays giraffe history and conservation milestones, and the on-site gift shop sells ethically sourced crafts supporting local communities.

Address: Duma Road, Karen

Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

3. Elephant Orphanage at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust offers a moving experience where rescued baby elephants receive care, rehabilitation, and preparation for reintroduction into the wild. You can watch feeding sessions, mud-bath playtime, and hear stories about each orphan’s journey. Conservationists explain anti-poaching efforts, habitat challenges, and long-term wildlife protection strategies. This sanctuary remains one of the most impactful Nairobi things to do, especially for travellers interested in conservation. Donations and symbolic adoptions directly support field projects across Kenya.

Address: Magadi Road, Nairobi

Opening Hours: Public viewing 11:00 am to 12:00 pm (selected sessions require pre-booking)

4. Explore Karen Blixen Museum

Situated at the former home of the Out of Africa author, the Karen Blixen Museum takes travellers through colonial-era architecture, personal artefacts, and the history of Kenya’s early coffee farms. You can tour furnished rooms, antique tools, gardens, and the surrounding Ngong Hills landscape that inspired Blixen’s writing. Expert guides share stories about farm life, Swahili culture, and local communities who worked on the estate. For travellers seeking meaningful things to do in Nairobi city, this museum offers a quiet cultural escape just outside the urban core.

Address: Karen Road, Nairobi

Opening Hours: Daily 8:30 am to 6:00 pm

Also Read: Kenya Safari Packages

5. Shopping at Maasai Market

The open-air Maasai Market is one of the best places for handicraft shopping in Nairobi. Travellers can browse beadwork, woven baskets, wood carvings, paintings, batik fabrics, leather sandals, home décor, and handmade jewellery. The market rotates locations across the city, so you can check the weekly schedule before arriving. Bargaining is common, and artisans often explain the meaning behind Maasai patterns and colours. For anyone searching for things to buy from Nairobi, this market is the most authentic stop to find cultural souvenirs directly from local makers.

Address: Rotating venues (Village Market, High Court parking, Nairobi CBD)

Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (varies by location)

6. Nairobi Railway Museum

The Nairobi Railway Museum traces Kenya’s railway history through restored locomotives, colonial-era coaches, photographs, engineering tools, and exhibits documenting the iconic Lunatic Express. Travellers can explore outdoor train displays, walk inside vintage carriages, and learn how the railway shaped trade routes across East Africa. For those interested in industrial history, this museum offers one of the more unusual things to do in Nairobi city. Children enjoy climbing into the older engines, while enthusiasts appreciate detailed archival material that shows the evolution of transport in Kenya.

Address: Station Road, near Nairobi Railway Station

Opening Hours: Daily 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

7. Karura Forest Nature Walks

Karura Forest provides scenic walking and cycling trails through indigenous woodland, waterfalls, bamboo groves, and small caves. The forest is well maintained, safe, and popular among locals for weekend jogs and bike rides. You can spot monkeys, butterflies, and birds while enjoying numerous picnic spots. Guided nature walks explain tree species, conservation initiatives, and historical sites within the forest. For travellers who enjoy outdoor activities, this is one of the most refreshing fun things to do in Nairobi, especially during mornings or late afternoons when wildlife activity increases.

Address: Limuru Road entry (main gate)

Opening Hours: Daily 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

8. Nairobi National Museum

The Nairobi National Museum presents Kenya’s cultural, archaeological, and natural history through extensive exhibits. You can explore galleries on early human fossils, tribal traditions, wildlife, modern art, and historical archives. Highlights include prehistoric discoveries from Lake Turkana and ethnographic displays representing Kenya’s 40+ communities. The museum is often included among the top things to do in Nairobi due to its educational depth and well-structured exhibits. The adjoining botanical garden and snake park add extra value for families.

Address: Museum Hill Road, Nairobi

Opening Hours: Daily 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

9. Food Tours in Westlands & Lavington

Guided food walks through Nairobi’s Westlands and Lavington neighbourhoods allow you to sample Kenyan dishes such as nyama choma, ugali, pilau, ndengu, samosas, coastal Swahili snacks, and locally roasted coffee. These tours introduce travellers to family-run cafés, street food stalls, and modern fusion restaurants. Along the way, guides share stories about Kenyan culinary traditions, spice origins, and regional influences. For those searching for best things to do in Nairobi, a curated food trail provides cultural immersion through taste, history, and conversation.

Address: Westlands / Lavington

Opening Hours: Timings vary by tour operator

10. Nairobi Nightlife & Rooftop Experiences

Among the most vibrant Nairobi things to do is exploring the city’s nightlife scene, centred around venues like K1 Klub House, The Alchemist, Hero Restaurant, Kiza Lounge, and J’s Fresh Bar. Rooftops such as 39 Lounge, Honey & Dough, and Sky Lounge at Emara Ole Sereni offer skyline views, signature cocktails, and late-night dining. You can enjoy Afro-house DJ sets, live jazz, themed cultural nights, open-air markets, and performance events that reveal Nairobi’s modern creative energy. Westlands is known for its rooftop bars and hip clubs, Kilimani for its live music culture, and Karen for elegant lounges ideal for quieter evenings. Consider sticking to reputable venues and app-based transport for a safe experience.

Address: Westlands / Kilimani / Karen

Opening Hours: 5:00 pm to late night (venue specific)