Nairobi is a lively and busy city. An altitude of 1800 metre provides a pleasant climate. Nairobi serves as the starting point for most trips to Kenya. Nairobi is a Maasai word which means 'cool water' so named after the clear Nairobi river, less clean now but is in the process of being cleaned.

Nairobi started life in 1899 as a supply depot for the railway being constructed from Mombassa to Kampala. It's original name being just "Mile 327". In 1905 Nairobi became the capital of British East Africa Protectorate and the capital of Kenya at independence in 1963.

Cinemas
The latest films are shown in comfortable at Sarit Centre in Westlands; Village Market in Gigiri and at several locations in the city centre. Tickets are good value, do remember to stand when the national anthem is played at the start of the session.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust have an elephant and rhino orphanage at the Mbagathi Gate to Nairobi National Park and is is open only between 11am and noon when the feeding takes place (020 600800).

Giraffe Centre
The Giraffe Centre at Koitobos Road which is off Langata Road is a project run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife to increase the population of Rothschild's Giraffe. Giraffe level observation towers make it easy to take some good Giraffe face shots.

Jamia Mosque
An Arabic style Mosque in Banda Street.

Karen Blixen’s House
A house with gardens restored to its original form to remember Karen Blixen. She moved to Kenya in 1918 and wrote “Out of Africa”. Located on Karen Road about 20 minutes drive from the centre of Nairobi.

Kenya National Museum
The national museum houses an excellent pre history section and a collection of marine life and birds. A good display of plate tectonics and volcanic life cycles. The Gallery of Contemporary East African Art has changing displays of local artists. Tribal portraits done by Joy Adamson are on display. In the grounds is the snake park and a Kiluyu homestead. A collection of Located on Museum Hill Road (020 4448933) close to the city centre.

Kenyatta Conference Centre
Distinguished by the saucer on the roof the KCC stands tall over the city and a symbol of modern Kenya. There is a viewing platform which you can pay to visit and provides views over the city.

Mizizi Cultural Centre
Designed to promote Kenyan culture and often used by school groups. Performances are arranged but you do need to check first when they are on. Located on the corner of Bogoni East Road and Langata South Road.

Nairobi Snake Park
The Nairobi snake park is part of the national Museum and a popular Nairobi attraction.

Ngong Hills
The hills to the south of the city make a good backdrop to Nairobi but no longer safe to walk on unless you have armed escorts.

Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is the only city centre national park in the world where you can view game. It is not a fenced park and the animals are living in a wild environment and home to about types of large mammals. However the game to be seen is limited but for those short of time and want to experience a game drive animals will be seen.

At the entrance to the park is the Nairobi Safari Walk which offers visitors an educational boardwalk. The Animal Orphanage is for wild animals that have been abandoned and the aim is to release them back into the parks where possible.

Nightclubs
There are many dance based night clubs that have a long history and well patronised. Pavement (020 4441711); New Florida (020 229036) and many more.

Railway Museum
A good collection of railway exhibits and stories of building the Ugandan railway in 18th Century. Located beside the Nairobi Rail Station and admission is charged.

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple
A Hindu temple with carved stone, pillars and lots of visible carvings, located on Forest Road.

Theatre
The Kenya National Theatre in Harry Thuku Road near the Norfolk hotel tends to put on Kenyan Drama and African theatre. The Professional Centre in Parliament Road has a number of shows.