Nairobi Excursions

Nairobi City Tour

"The city in the sun"

A birds eye view of the city

The Maasai of old referred to it as "Ewaso Nai'beri", the place of cold waters. When the Railway construction workers got to this point in 1899, they set up camp here and called it "Mile 327".

Nairobi has since grown to become a modern cosmopolitan city. High rise office buildings, Hotels and other government buildings are to be found in and around the city centre.

Unlike other East African cities, Nairobi is notably busier. Day or night there is always something to do. Go golfing, have a day out at the races or you might decide to have a taste of the night life while here. There are various spots frequented by locals as well as the international community living in Nairobi.

Another view of the city

Rustic buildings like the Law courts, The Parliament, Mc Millan Library, The Railways Headquarters are definite attractions to anyone who appreciates colonial architecture.

Your tour takes you through the city centre. Your guide keeps you informed of whatever is happening around you and will give brief talks as you pass buildings of historical significance. You get to stop by the Railway Museum where the Train carriage from which a Railroad worker was dragged out and killed by the famous man eaters of Tsavo is kept. You also get to visit the National Museum which is rich in exhibitions and the snake park adjacent to it. Your tour ends at the View Point where you get a panoramic view of the city and take pictures. Our guide will then drop you off at your hotel or any destination within the city you might choose. The tour runs for 2 hrs.

Karen Blixen Museum

The Karen Blixen Museum

The former home of Karen Blixen, the author of "Out of Africa" among other books. She came to Kenya to establish a coffee farm which was not a success. She fell in love with the country and its people and made it her home away from home.

She chronicles her time in Africa in the book "Out of Africa", an excellent piece of writing. This book was later adapted into a movie staring Robert Redford and Merrill Streep.

The inside of the museum was left as it was when Karen spent her days and nights here.

The lion skin carpet, with the head still attached, the beautiful colonial style china, her paintings still on the wall and a study with her books and some pictures are preserved here. The gardens are immaculately kept and have a magnificent view of the Ngong Hills, at the foot of which "Karen had her farm".

Trousers and boots used by Robert Redford and Merrill Streep are the "extras" to be seen here.

Karen Blixen Museum is only 20 minutes drive from the city and is a must for any visitor to Nairobi. This tour runs for 1 and a half hrs.

Nairobi National Park

The city in the background from the Park

Where else would a picture of Nature in the foreground and civilization in the background blend so naturally with non of the two seeming in the least out of place.

The 117 sq Km Nairobi national park provides an excellent escape from the hustle in the city. It is only 15 minutes drive from the city centre and offers very good Game viewing. Lion Cheater, Leopard, Giraffe, Zebra, Gnu, Hippo, Gazelle and Buffalo are among the animals to see here. Hundreds of bird species also make this park their home.

The tour starts with you being picked up from your hotel in the early morning. In 15 minutes you are in the park, the excitement of coming across your first Lion, Cheater, Zebra of Giraffe is quite exhilarating. Quite a way to start the day!.

Tours start in the morning at 0630hrs or in the Afternoon at 1500hrs and last for 3hrs.

The Carnivore Experience

A Carver at Carnivore

Ranked among the top 100 Restaurants in the world, the world famous Carnivore is a must for anyone who loves Barbeque.

This is a Barbeque with a difference in that not only do they serve your normal beef, pork and chicken but Game meat as well.

The Charcoal Grill Pit

Giraffe, Gnu, Zebra, Crocodile, Hartebeest and Ostrich are some of the specials that you will find on the menu. The meat is Barbequed on a huge charcoal BBQ right at the entrance to the restaurants. The meat comes with special sauces which are Carnivores secret.

Carnivore is an all you can eat restaurant and you are guaranteed very good wining and dining.

Drinks are charged separate but all food and deserts are included in the price.

Enjoy the carnivore experience either for lunch or dinner. Lunch starts at 1pm while dinner is served from 7pm.We allow adequate time her to sample all the excellent cuisine on offer. The tour runs for 2 hrs.

Nairobi National Museum

The National Museum Entrance

A prime collection of Cultural, Historical and Scientific exhibitions.

Visit the Mammal gallery right after the entrance to the Museum which is an impressive collection of stuffed Mammals which have been meticulously preserved over the years. Other galleries of interest include the Prehistory gallery, The Fish Gallery, The birds Gallery, The peoples of Kenya Gallery which has a very impressive collection of different communities in their traditional regalia. Witchdoctors warriors, medicine men, Dancers and others.

Ahmed The Elephant (Museum)

There is also the famous "Ahmed", an elephant that was kept under 24hr security surveillance by presidential decree in the 70's. This was to demonstrate Kenya's commitment to wildlife protection and preservation. So after Ahmed died of old age his tusks were preserved and hang on the replica that can be seen at the Museum. They weighed some "67 " kg's each.

A Prehistory Exhibit at The National Museum

Your visit to the museum will last for 2hrs and will start with a look at the main building which houses the galleries mentioned above. Adjacent to the museum's main galleries is the Nairobi snake park. This is also an interesting place to visit and displays quite a number of reptiles both in cages and in pits.

Snake Park Adjacent
to the Museum

1.5 hrs is allocated for the main galleries while 30 minutes will be spent at the snake park for those gutsy enough to walk in. In the same snake park is also a collection of aquariums displaying various fishes found in Kenyan Lakes and rivers.

I have found the Museum to be very informative and indeed educational for those with some degree of curiosity such as myself.

The Giraffe Centre

Rothschild's Giraffe At The Centre

Situated only 20 minutes drive from the city give or take some 10 minutes depending on where you are staying in Nairobi. The Giraffe centre is Phenomenal achievement in animal conservation by one Jock Leslie Melville and his wife Betty. Here the Rothschild's giraffe has found a home with their numbers increasing each and every year.

It is a unique opportunity to experience a giraffe closer than ever imagined. I am always amazed with every visit by the gentleness in such a huge animal. Stare into its huge perfectly shaped eyes and the beauty of this animal is captivating.

A pair of Rothschild's Giraffe

The caretakers provide you with pellets on which the giraffes are fed. One will approach slowly, lean forward, stick out its tongue for you to place a pellet or two on and stick it right back out again for another. A photo opportunity not to be missed. They are always eating.

Within the grounds is an old beautiful colonial style home. One can spend a night or two here. Honeymooners love it here. It is the only place I know where the giraffe is invited for breakfast, the windows large enough for its huge head and long neck to go through. For those interested the home can accommodate only a few guests at a time and bookings must be made way in advance.