Nairobi

There won't be enough proof that you have been to Nairobi if you haven’t visited the Nairobi Railway Museum. Why you may ask. The answer is simple. The Museum takes you through how Nairobi came into existence. Talk about photographs taken during Nairobi’s infancy, the railway construction, pieces of artifacts and steam engine locomotives used on the railway system from as early as 1898, all put on exhibition. 

No amount of Photoshop or image manipulation can capture these moments best as when you are there physically. Take this wonderful tour and you will get to appreciate a means of transport that is valued not just in Kenya, but across East Africa. 

It’s the easiest place to get to when you are within the CBD. With a few hundred steps from the Nairobi Railway Station, you find yourself in the door steps of the Railway Museum.

Charges

For more information visit: www.facebook.com/NairobiRailwayMuseumArtGalleryCentre

The popular Uhuru Park is one of Kenya’s best recreational areas. It is located on Uhuru Highway. The park is known as an assembly point especially during national holidays, political rallies, and also for prayer meetings. But these are events which happen once in a while, of which the public is informed.

Otherwise you are free to walk into this park and enjoy the well-tended grass. You can carry your shawl to sprawl on and enjoy the fresh air. Here you will find plenty of trees, foot-bridges, and a dam with an artificial island. Boat riding is also a popular activity here at a fee of Ksh 500 for a four seater peddling boat. Kids rides are also available, face painting and toys for sale.

Since the park is free, it means that is usually thronged. You will find people on picnic, food &snack vendors and ofcourse preachers. This shouldn’t stop you from having your fun. Go with your friends or family and enjoy to the fullest.

For more information visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uhuru_Park

On a traffic-free day, it will only take you 15 minutes from the CBD to get to this site. The term Uhuru is a Swahili word for Freedom. If you ever want to be free from the city’s hustle and bustle, this is it.

It’s a significant place since the first Kenyan flag was hoisted here in 1963 after independence. Hence the name Uhuru. Here you will find great historic monuments, exotic trees like the Mugumo and tended grass lawn. It can serve as a picnic, wedding reception or get together site. For skate lovers, the pavements around the monuments serve as exciting skate fields.

The entrance is free and it’s open daily from 8.00am to 6.00pm.

You don’t need worry about food if you didn’t carry any. Le 63 Restaurant and Lounge is within the gardens. Or you may opt to go to Carnivore Restaurant which is just behind Uhuru Gardens. You need a car though. It’s not an exciting walking distance. Oh, and be ready to hear and see planes take-off and land within short intervals. The Wilson Airport is also a stone throw away.

For more information visit: www.museums.or.ke/content/blogcategory/60/86/

The Nairobi National Park has been strategically placed to give you a feel of somewhere in the wild. Situated along Langata road which is only 5KM from the CBD, you will almost feel like you are in the wild. The presence of Flora and Fauna will elate your spirit instantly. Almost every species can be found here. The big five, White rhino, Coke's Hartebeest , Common Reedbuck , Mountain Reedbuck , Waterbuck, Steen buck , just to mention a few.

You can also use this as a learning experience as the park has a Conservation Education Centre. It is equipped with lectures and video shows about wildlife and tours around the park.

It opens at 6.00am to 6.00pm

For more information visit: www.kws.org

Come sample Kenya’s rich heritage in terms of education, culture and natural heritage. A 10 minute drive from the CBD should lead you to Museum Hill. The Museum has major attractions which include: 

- An Art Gallery

- Temporary Exhibitions

- Botanical Gardens and Nature Trail

- Shopping and dining facilities for visitors.

It also has a snake park and an aquarium, breathtaking. 

It opens daily from 9.00am to 5.30pm.

Entry charges

Kenyan citizens: Adult Ksh 300(museum + snakepark), museum 200, snake park 200. Child (below16yrs) 150 (museum + snakepark), 100 Museum, 100 snakepark

Residents (within East Africa): Adult Ksh600(museum + snakepark), museum 600, snake park 400. Child (below16yrs) 300 (museum + snakepark), 400 Museum, 200 snakepark

Non Residents: Adult Ksh 1500(museum + snakepark), museum 1200, snake park 1200. Child (below16yrs) 1000 (museum + snakepark), 600 Museum, 600 snakepark

For more information: www.facebook.com/pages/Nairobi-National-Museum/151531494923308

Ngong Hills is a perfect place to go hiking. The walking trail along the top of the hills facilitates this. The place can be windy especially near the huge wind mills. 

Visitors are advised not to walk in the absence of police officers who help patrol the area. This is for safety purposes in case an animal shows up. There also instances where muggers have been reported.  

Hiking is not for the faint-hearted. At Ngong Hills you will find indigenous trees and plantations, steep hills and a scorching sun so brace yourself. Get a sunscreen just in case the heat is too much.

For more information visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngong_Hills

We all need a breath of fresh air every day. But with pollution we are bound to breathe in contaminated air somehow. So why not consider giving yourself a dose of pure oxygen offered at Nairobi Arboretum? The 30hectares holds 350 tree species. And we know that trees give us oxygen during the day. So take that walk. It won’t be boring because birds happily chirp on tree branches and monkeys swing from tree to tree at Arboretum. 

For more information visit:  http://www.naturekenya.org/content/nairobi-arboretum