Weekend is here and I can't but obsess about a saying that goes “Better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times” Since the Covid pandemic, the world is literally calling us to go out and explore places, to go on an adventure, to travel, to wander and to experience.
Six weeks ago, after a shoot, my friends and I started a challenge to travel across the 47 counties of Kenya as much as possible and experience the side of the country We never had a chance to. It is a foregone conclusion that Kenya is one of the most exotically beautiful destinations in the world. Millions of tourists fly in every year to experience the wonderful scenery and weather offered by the Coast and to enjoy the warm, neighbourly reception from the locals.
As the saying goes, “sometimes you don’t have to travel too far away from home to find the most adorable places you’ve ever seen”. Here's a list of places, we found that would be worthwhile for you too. Make a point of visiting any this weekend and escape the hustle and bustle of the concrete city and find the other side of Nairobi, NAIROBAE.
1. Nairobi Safari Walk
The Nairobi Safari Walk is a conservation-based recreational facility like no other. Only 7KM from the bustling Metropolis, here you will find a sampling of what wildlife in Kenya has to offer. Not only is the setting exceptionally serene, but you will get a chance to see some of the rarest animals on the planet. These include: the white Rhino, the Bongo and even the Albino Zebra. What this walk offers, is a chance to see most of Kenya’s wildlife within a single setting, you can also visit the Animals Orphanage which is charged separately.
Location: Langata road, opposite Langata Cemetry
Entrance Fees:
Citizen: Adult 200 KSH
Child 100 KSH
Resident: Adult 200 KSH
Child 100 KSH
Non-Resident: Adult 20 USD
Child 10 USD
2. National Archives
We pass it daily in town, and mostly used this location as a meeting point rather than walking in. The building has a British architectural design and used to serve as the Bank of India. It was built in 1906 and now serves as the custodian of Government archives and records. National archives have a collection of stamps, tribal weaponry, drums, masks, artifacts, instruments, clothes, and other ancient items.
Location: Along Moi Avenue opposite Nairobi’s Hilton hotel
Entrance Fees:
Citizen: Adult 50 KSH
Child/Students 20 KSH
Non-Resident: 200 KSH/ 2 USD
3. Kenya Railway Museum
The Nairobi Railway Museum is a railway museum in Nairobi, Kenya, adjacent to Nairobi railway station. Containing exhibits from the defunct East African Railways, it was opened in 1971 by East African Railways and Harbours Corporation. It is operated by Kenya Railways. The museum has maintained its rail connection. This allows for the efficient movement of museum exhibits for maintenance and placing items in the collection.
The three operational steam locomotives are stored securely under cover within the main railway works. Visitors must request an appointment to view them. They have not been used for several years. One of the display locomotives, 301 was used in the 1985 movie, Out of Africa. The museum's collection also includes early diesel locomotives and passenger coaches. Friends of the Railway Museum East Africa, a concern encompassing Railway and Locomotive enthusiasts, has assisted in sourcing and securing artifacts for the museum.
Location: Station Road, Behind Technical university of Kenya formerly (Kenya Polytechnic)
Entrance Fees:
Citizen: Adult 200 KSH
Child 100 KSH
Student 100 KSH
Resident: Adult 500 KSH/ 8 USD
Child/ Student 200 KSH/ 3USD
Non-Resident: Adult 600 KSH/ 10 USD
Student 300 KSH/ 5 USD
Child 100 KSH/ 2 USD
Research Fee: 1000 KSH
Photo shoot charges are: 1 person - 3,000 KSH
2-8 people - 5,000 KSH
9 and above people - 10,000 KSH.
4. Nairobi Gallery
Located at the intersection of Kenyatta Avenue/ Uhuru Highway in the heart of Nairobi City is the Nairobi Gallery.
Built in 1913, this was the Old PC’s office building fondly referred to as ‘Hatches, Matches and Dispatches’ because of the births, marriages and deaths that were recorded here. The Nairobi Gallery is a National Monument that presents temporary art exhibits and houses the Murumbi African Heritage Collection.
This Museum holds the private collection of one of Kenya's Independence Leaders & former Foreign Minister Joseph Murumbi. He was a leading "Pan African" Art collector.
Location: Intersection of Kenyatta Avenue/ Uhuru Highway (Next to Nyayo House)
Entrance Fees:
Citizen: Adult 150 KSH
Child below 16 yrs. 100 KSH
Resident: Adult 600 KSH
Child below 16 yrs. 400 KSH
Non-Resident: Adult 1000 KSH
Child below 16 yrs. 500 KSH
5. Nairobi National Museum
The Nairobi National Museum is the flagship brand for the National Museums of Kenya. Located on Museum Hill, approximately 10 minutes' drive from the Nairobi city centre accessible both by public and private means, the museum showcases Kenya's rich Heritage with four distinct themes representing Kenya's Culture, Nature, History and Contemporary Art. Other attractions within the compound include the Snake Park and Botanical Gardens as well as a State-of-the-Art Auditorium that occasionally hosts concerts, film shows and other events. Dining and shopping facilities await you after you tour in the commercial wing.
Location: Kipande road, Museum Hill
Entrance Fees:
Combination Tickets Discounted joint tickets are available to purchase at Nairobi National Museum that include admission to the Snake Park.
Citizen: Adults Kshs. 300
Child below 16 years Kshs. 150
Resident: Adults Kshs. 600
Child below 16 years Kshs. 300
Non-Resident: Adults Kshs. 1,500
Child below 16 years Kshs. 1,000
GUIDED TOUR Minimum 10 pax *Guide fee per 10- pax maximum- Non-Resident/Resident: Ksh. 2,000/- Citizen: Ksh. 1,000/- Please make your booking through publicrelations@museums.or.ke
NIGHT TOUR PACKAGE
Citizen Rate: Adult: Kshs. 500/- Child: Kshs. 250/-
Resident Rate: Adult: Kshs. 1,000/- Child: Kshs. 500/-
Non-Resident Rate: Adult: Kshs. 2,000/- Child: Kshs. 1,000/-
6. Karura Forest
The hustle of Nairobi city life can be overwhelming, which is why the lush scenery of Karura Forest is the perfect escape. Early mornings are the best time of day to beat the hot African sun and the rowdy crowd. The forest sits upon a bed of one-million-year-old volcanic rock and houses a variety of indigenous animals such as the big-eyed bush baby and handsome bushbuck. Walk or jog through the ancient Mau Mau caves, remains of the Kenyan struggle for independence, or stop and take a selfie at the local waterfalls. Picnic or hire a sturdy multi-speed trail bike to use on designated forest trails.
Location: North of central Nairobi and is bordered by the suburbs of Muthaiga, Gigiri, Runda,
Entrance Fees:
Citizen: Adults Kshs. 100
Child Kshs. 50
Resident: Adults Kshs. 200
Child Kshs. 100
Non-Resident: Adults Kshs. 600
Child Kshs. 300
Bike Hire Charges: KES 500/= for two hours extendable.
Contact: James for information & booking, Tel. 0734-727257