Nairobi, Kenya

JAMBO ! (“HELLO”)

 10 TIPS

1. Nairobi – the “place of cool waters”

Locals talk about how can see both Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro from Nairobi in a clear sunny day.

Start your journey with a general view over this multicultural city from any of the rooftop bars in Nairobi. (plenty of options to choose from)

2. Go for the villages

Don’t miss out this beautiful conserved villages situated at Bomas of Kenya. The place was built in 1971 to promote local tourism and it’s like a 5 hour drive from Kenya but it’s all worth it.

Not only you’ll get to see how Kenyans traditionally live in this small natural made shelters called huts , but you can also participate in their dance and music show. The site has a big auditorium that can hosts more than 3000 persons that want to watch the Harambe dancers perform.

3. I kissed a giraffe and i liked it

You can feed the cute giraffes at the Giraffe Center in Karen (5 km away from the center of Nairobi). You can actually put the food in your mouth and let them take it by themselves. This will result in a funny kiss, that you should definitely catch on tape.

4. The Carnivore Restaurant

If you are a meat lover*, then you should definitely try dinning at this amazing restaurant opened in 1980.

Once inside you get this medieval feeling from the rustic decorations and the way you are served. There is no ordering here, you’ll just sit down and the feast will begin.

It’s all about the meat, which includes a range variety of lamb, beef, pork, chicken – ribs, legs, wings, you name it – plus the ‘exotic’ options such as crocodile, camel or ostrich meat that are roasted on traditional Maasai swords over hot charcoal.

Note*There is also an option (menu) for vegetarians.

5. Learn to relax like the Kenyans

If i’ve learned something from the Kenyans that is how to be relaxed. Basically to take my time in fixing stuff, don’t let anyone put pressure on me and be kind.

If you go to any supermarket, you might see a big line of people waiting to pay out their shopping items and how the cashier lady would just smile, take her time ( you’ll hear a lot of “pole pole” in Kenya which basically means “slowly slowly“) and don’t let herself stressed by the amount of people waiting.

There’s just something in the way the locals talk, walk or approach different life scenarios that makes you wanna chill as well.

6. Have a picnic at Uhuru Park

What a better way to meditate in a green field than going for a walk in the park. Uhuru park (which means ‘freedom‘ in Swahili) is the best recreational park in Nairobi.

You can go for a boat riding on the artificial lake in the park or simply relax with a good book and your packed lunch.

7. Stay healthy in Kenya

Ideally, you should get ready for your trip to Nairobi, 4-6 weeks ahead by getting the proper vaccination. Examples of vaccines that you should take are for : Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Rabies and Meningitis.

To prevent Malaria or other complications, you may talk to your doctor for some prescribed medication, avoid as much as possible the mosquitos bites, drinking tape water and eating unwashed fruits.

8. Business city

When I first visited Nairobi I felt like the worst dressed person on the street. Everyone else was wearing business attire/ elegant clothes, walking down to their jobs or meetings. I’ve never quite seen anything like this.

You can use the public transportation to move around the city – it is safe and easy. I recommend the minibuses called matatu.

9. Drinks

I had an amazing healthy cocktail called “The Dawa” (which means medicine in Swahili). It has a Brazilian origin but an African flavour, containing raw honey, fresh limes, ice, vodka and the dawa sticks or wooden/sugar sticks.

Tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer and wine (definitely try the palm wine for detox) are also quite popular.

 

10. Shopping

You just have to bring back with you some of the maasai handcrafts, such as glassware, african tribal masks, clothing, traditional maasai blankets, animal wooden sculptures or at least some coffee. Best place to purchase all of this is the Maasai Market, just remember this place is closed on Mondays.

ASANTE ! (“THANK YOU”)