This former Maasai watering hole is an energetic, modern city that offers a mesmerizing preface to both wildlife and nightlife. Music clubs pulse with life, shops and markets bustle, and international restaurants sit alongside those offering more regional fare.
Flying into the city, via Etihad Airways, via Abu Dhabi, tourists will land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which is the largest airport in East and Central Africa and serves as the ideal place for Etihad’s crew and its passengers to unwind after a comfortable journey from Abu Dhabi. On arrival, you’ll be thrown into the hustle and bustle of this vibrant city life!
LIVE THE MAGIC OF AFRICA!
Observing African animals in their natural habitat is a once in a lifetime experience! The world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve is widely regarded as the best game-viewing park in Kenya. The ‘Big Five’ (lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos) may be spotted here, and more than a million wildebeests and zebras migrate annually to Masai Mara from the parched Serengeti plains of neighboring Tanzania. Some Kenya safaris also visit Masai villages, where guests can interact with local cattle-herders.
The Nairobi National Park is the only park in the world within the proximity of a capital city with a wide variety of animals and bird species. The Nairobi Safari Walk is a major attraction as it offers a rare on-foot experience of the animals. In Kenya’s semi-arid, rugged northern region lies the Samburu Game Reserve, a small oasis that is home to many rare animals, including Grevy’s zebras, long-necked gerenuk antelopes, Somali ostriches and reticulated giraffes. Kenya’s Amboseli National Park is famous for its big game, such as lions, cheetahs, baboons and large elephant herds that traverse the savannahs in search of watering holes or feeding grounds. Many Kenya safaris also visit Lake Nakuru National Park, a relatively small preserve that has been designated as a rhino sanctuary and is considered to be one of the finest places for bird-watching.
SIGHTSEEING & TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
- Experience a rich blend of heritage: Enjoy the sights and sounds of Africa and delight in a rich combination of music and traditional dance at the Bomas of Kenya, located about 1 km from the main entrance to the Nairobi National Park . Visit the Nairobi National Museum, the custodian of Kenya’s natural and cultural heritage, and enjoy a variety of historical artifacts & artistic exhibits. A visit to the Kenya Railway Museum is a fascinating encounter with the story of Nairobi’s humble beginnings.
- Embrace natural beauty: A visit to the Uhuru Park, located between the Central Business District and Capitol Hill, provides the ideal setting to sit back and relax! Boat riding on the artificial lake in the Park is another popular pastime. The Nairobi City Park is the perfect place for the adventurer – it allows tourists a rare chance to explore & appreciate the richness and beauty of a natural heritage. One can embark on nature trails amidst monkeys, and escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
- Fall in love with the animals: Experience giraffes up close and personal at The Giraffe Centre, located at Langata, approx. 5 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi, Kenya , dedicated to the preservation of the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Visitors can experience the rare pleasure of hand-feeding these graceful and gentle creatures, and also enjoy the nature walk with 160 species of birds. This is the single best attraction for children in Nairobi. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, located in Nairobi Game Park, serves as an orphanage for baby elephants and rhinos. You can nurse, play, live with orphaned elephants or watch them being fed by their respective caretakers.
NEED TO KNOW:
Getting there – For the convenience of Pakistani travelers, Etihad Airways has daily flights to Abu Dhabi from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. From Abu Dhabi, there will be direct and daily flights to Nairobi, beginning April 1, 2012.
Time difference between Nairobi & Pakistan= +2.0 hours
Travel duration: 6 hours, 60 minutes from Pakistan to Nairobi
When to visit – Nairobi has a subtropical highland climate. The best time to visit is during January to February and between June to September. If you are keen on visiting at the time of the famous Wildebeest Migration between the Masai Mara and Serengeti plains, the June to September season is highly recommended.
Kenya safaris are available year-round, although the best game-viewing periods are during the dry winter months of May through August and the warmer spring months of September and October.
