Nairobi, which is the political and administrative capital of Kenya, has a lot to offer. It is a modern cosmopolitan city. It is one of the largest cities on the African continent. On the travel front, Nairobi can be called the Safari capital of Africa. It is located at an altitude of just over 1600 above sea level.

Briefly, this is how Nairobi came to be: when the builders of the Kenya-Uganda Railway reached the present-day location of Nairobi in 1899, they established a basic camp and supply port. At that time they simply labeled the camp site – Mile 327. The local Maasai tribe called this highland swamp Ewaso Nai’robi – the place of cold water. The countryside eventually grew into a rustic town and then became a shanty town that by 1907 was the capital of all of British East Africa. It was soon an important center for the colony and a mecca for adventurers, hunters, and travelers from all over the world. When Kenya gained independence from British rule in 1963, Nairobi remained the capital city.

For the independent traveler, who is not in the controlling hands of a tour operator, some guidelines and tips may be helpful during your visit.

Your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is Nairobi’s main airport. It is large compared to most other airports in East and Central Africa. However, travelers from other parts of the world: Europe, Asia, North and South America will find it quite small. After immigration and customs formalities at the respective counters, you will easily find taxis to take you to the city center. The city is located about 20 minutes from the airport.

The other airport Wilson Airport It handles light aircraft and a good number of domestic scheduled and charter flights. If you arrive at Jomo kenyatta international airport and board another flight at Wilson airport or vice versa, please allow enough time for this connection. You may need 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic.

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English and Kiswahili are the most widely spoken languages ​​in Nairobi. Therefore, English-speaking travelers will feel comfortable in and around Nairobi.

Move
Transportation around the city is easy and generally safe. Make sure you only use official taxis, which have a yellow stripe on each side. Taxis are not metered and a fare must be agreed with the driver before departure.

Buses can be boarded at any stop and tickets can be purchased from the driver.
Public minibuses, known as kill youthey operate on city routes throughout the day and are the most popular form of local transportation.

You may also consider renting a car. Renting a car is very easy in Kenya. There are many car rental companies even at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport when you arrive.

Protection and security
Visitors are advised not to leave cash or valuables in their hotel rooms, but to use the hotel’s safety deposit boxes and safes.

Visitors should not carry large sums of cash while walking the streets, jewelry and valuables should be left at home or kept in the custody of the hotel.

Walking alone at night should be avoided; Kenya has an efficient police force as well as a special team Tourist Police Unit with highly trained officers. Also, most hotels employ experienced security personnel. However, it is advisable to always take the precautions that you would take anywhere else in the world.

Keep copies of your important documents in case you lose the originals.

Communication
Kenya has an established postal service for local and international mail. It is advisable to use a courier company for important documents that are time sensitive.

If you have a mobile phone with a roaming connection, you can make use of the Kenyan cellular network, which covers most of the country, namely: Safaricom, Zain and Telkom Kenya.

Most hotels offer international telephone and fax service and it is advisable to check the relative prices in advance. Nairobi also has several communication centers (internet cafes) where you can make international calls and access the Internet at affordable prices.

Shopping
Nairobi has sophisticated supermarkets, boutiques and shopping malls, as well as open-air markets where you can buy local handicrafts and souvenirs. The main shopping areas in Nairobi are: The Village Market, Sarit Centre, The Junction, The Mall and Crossroads Karen .

Major credit cards are widely accepted. Most automated teller machines (ATMs) can accept VISA Y MASTERCARD Credit cards. ATMs can be found at airports, bank branches, shopping malls, and gas stations.

Traveler’s checks would be the best and safest way to bring money into Nairobi. They are also accepted by most hotels. But you’ll still need cash to secure many other services. The easiest currencies to exchange are the US dollar, the British pound and the euro.

The monetary unit is kenyan shilling. It is abbreviated as Ksh or KES. Banknotes are available in denominations of 1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 Kenyan shillings. Coins are available in 40, 20, 10, 5 and 1.

Eat out and kitchens
There are many restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines. And most offer world-class services. In fact, the Carnivore restaurant has been voted among the top 50 restaurants in the world. The presence of a sizeable number of expats in the country has fueled the existence of a delicious variety of authentic and first-class restaurants in Nairobi. For example, at the Panari Center on Mombasa road, you will find Pampa Grill. Here guests enjoy Churrascaria style Brazilian food. The Asian influence is strong and you won’t have to look far to find Chinese, Japanese and Indian restaurants. And most of these restaurants are open until late at night.

General entertainment and nightlife in general
Carnivore Restaurant, as well as being a well-known game restaurant, has also maintained its strong position as a leading and unique entertainment venue in Nairobi.

In general, Nairobi has what one would call 24/7 nightlife. From the city center to the suburbs, you’ll find a wide variety of casinos, clubs, pubs and restaurants operating throughout the week!

Other useful tips and information
Use a map or ask for proper information when you go anywhere.
Drink only bottled water and avoid eating raw food.
Tipping is not compulsory in Kenya, but it is not prohibited.