Not your oft beaten tourist destination, Nairobi is also known as the safari capital of the world and is a destination of preference for the adventure lovers. Not a very popular place to visit amongst the world travelers, still Nairobi has loads of places of tourist attraction.

Nairobi National Park:Nairobi National Park is a world famous game reserve that is unique in its own right. It is the largest of reserve parks to border a capital city. Lions and giraffes are the prime attractions of this national park that is home to a large number of animal and bird species. The best way to experience the Nairobi National Park is bare foot!

National Museum of Kenya:National Museum of Kenya is the largest museum in the city. It houses a large number of artifacts, as well as the full remains of a homo erectus boy.

Bomas of Kenya:A tourist village in Langata, Bomas of Kenya displays traditional Kenyan tribal and village life and belongings. The village was established as a tourist attraction in 1971 by the Kenyan government as a subsidiary of Kenya Tourist Development Corporation. Here you can witness the rich tribal culture and values of various Kenyan tribes.

Giraffe Centre:Located at Langata, the Giraffe Centre was established to protect the Rothschild Giraffe, an endangered species. This particular species of giraffe is known to be found only in East Africa. The visitors to the centre love feeding the giraffes from a raised platform. Warthogs can also be seen roaming amidst the giraffes.

Solar Ice Rink:Solar Ice Rink is the largest ice rink in Africa. It is located at the Panari Sky Centre and is spread over 15,000 square feet of area. Opened in 2005, this ice rink can accommodate up to 200 people at a time and is a must visit for all tourist traveling to Nairobi.

Nairobi offers its tourists a host of staying options from five star hotels, to budget accommodation, and from guest houses to hostels. However, it would be hard to classify areas to stay in Nairobi as the accommodation options in the city are not cluttered at any one place. The best way to classify accommodation in Nairobi would be:

Luxury Hotels:Luxury hotels in Nairobi cater to the niche tourists who do not mind splurging on the finest luxuries of life. Serena Hotel and the Intercontinental Nairobi are your best options. The Hilton Nairobi Hotel is located in the heart of the city, just 25 km from the international airport. The business facilities at the hotel are also top notch. The nearby Grand Regency Hotel is a luxurious hotel for the ones who want the best in life. A word of caution is needed as far as their price is concerned. Do not head towards them if you have a fixed budget for your Nairobi trip!

Budget Hotels:Meridian Court Hotel in the heart of the city is your best option in budget category, irrespective of the purpose of visit. 680 Hotel Nairobi is located along the busy Kenyatta Avenue and is known to offer quality accommodation, services and food. Just take an 8 minute drive from city centre and you reach the Bermuda Hotel.This affordable service hotel lays down scrumptious dining options for its guests that include a mix of Kenyan, Indian and Western cuisines.

Guest Houses:Miti Mingi Guest House offers an ideal setting for tourists who love tranquil environs. This green haven of a place is ideally suited to all travelers who are looking for some privacy and peace. Situated in quiet suburb of Kilimani, Sandavy Guest House & Bed and Breakfast, offers Nairobi tourists an affordable option and an easy access to the city centre. Nairobi is full of such guest houses that offer quiet, serene and neat environment, along with some great accommodation option and services to travelers of all kinds. The other options you can try are the Hibiscus Kenya Guest House, Methodist Guest House and Mvuli Guest House.

A valid passport is required by all nationals intending to visit Nairobi, Kenya.

Visa is required by nationals of all countries, except:

All holders of a re-entry pass to Kenya.

Nationals of Cyprus
Multiple-entry visas may only be issued to nationals of the United Kingdom on application.

The best time to visit Nairobi is considered to be during the summer months from January to February. Also, the dry and moderate months from June to September are quite popular for tourist excursions. It will be difficult to enjoy Nairobi National Park, the main attraction of the city, at the time of rains hence it is advisable to avoid the rainy season.

Nairobi enjoys a moderate temperature throughout the year owing to its high altitude. Being in the southern hemisphere, summer comes to the city in the month of December which lasts till March. The temperature during summer months is quite comfortable and averages around 24 degree Celsius. Heavy rainfall occurs twice a year, during the months of March, April, May, October, November and December.

Currency:Kenyan shilling (KES) is the currency used in Nairobi.

Language:Official language of Kenya is Swahili. Another language spoken in Nairobi is Sheng. Sheng is a combination word formed out of Swahili and English. This language got formed in Nairobi and is exclusively spoken by the younger crowd. It is a mix of English, Kiswahili and the Bantu tribal tongues.