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Accomodation |
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There are accommodation options to suit every pocket,
from 5-star luxury hotels and exclusive boutique hotels,
to more budget-friendly hotels. Camping and picnic sites
can all be found in and around the city. When deciding
where to stay, consider factors such as the duration and
purpose of your visit and of course, your budget. |
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Shopping |
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Nairobi is a chic and sophisticated destination,
boasting some of the best places to shop in East Africa.
There are selection of supermarkets, shopping malls,
open-air markets and exclusive city boutiques. Local
handicrafts can be found alongside international designer
items.
Traditional artefacts and souvenirs can be found alongside
modern art in the many galleries and curio shops around
the city.
The main shopping malls are:
Sarit Centre in Westlands
Yaya Centre in Hurlingham
The Village Market just on the boarder of the Gigiri
suburbs
The Junction shopping Centre on Ngong Road
The Mall in Westlands
Crossroads Karen
The Panari sky Centre on Mombasa Road is the newest mall
in town. It is renowned for its state-of-the art ice-skating
rink, the largest out of three rinks in Africa.
At the shopping malls you will find a varying selection
of shops, restaurants, cafés, bars, sport bars
and cinemas as well as modern conveniences like banks,
foreign exchange bureaus, ATM services and post offices. |
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Languages, Culture
and People
English and Swahili are
the most commonly spoken languages in Nairobi.
English-speaking tourists will be at ease in this
English speaking city where almost everyone has
rudimentary knowledge of the language.
Kenyans are known for their warm and sometimes
effusive reception of guests. Greetings of Jambo
(meaning Hello) are freely forthcoming. Karibu
meaning welcome, is another favourite phrase,
which is extended to guests as they arrive as
well as when they leave as a way of saying “Come
again’.
The pace of life in Nairobi is faster than in
other
parts of Kenya, although for most guests visiting
from western countries, the pace here would still
be considered quite slow. |
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Markets |
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There are several open-air markets around the city,
where shoppers can find a wide and stunning array of handicrafts,
jewellery and souvenirs.
The Maasai Markets operate on different days of the week.
There are several items available like; beaded jewellery,
batiks, baskets, sculptures, paintings etc.
Maasai Market days and locations are:
Tuesdays
– Globe round about, City Centre
Wednesday
– Capital Centre on Mombasa Road
Fridays
– Village Market in Gigiri
Saturdays
– Nairobi law Court Grounds in the City Centre
Sundays – Safari Park Hotel on
Thika Road and Yaya Centre, Hurlingham
Daily
- Westlands Market and City Market |
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Bargaining is the name of the game and vendors are
usually willing – and even expect – to negotiate
prices with shoppers. If you are not a local, it is
advisable whenever possible to have someone with you
who speaks swahili and is conversant with the special
bargaining language of the market vendors so that you
can get the best deals for your purchases. Always carry
Kenyan currency in denominations of 1,000, 500, 200,
100 and 50.
Mitumba
Mitumba is the term used to refer to second-hand clothes
and there are many mitumba markets dotted around the
outskirts of the city. Mitumba markets are very popular
with fashion conscious ‘Nairobians’ and
tourists alike because you can walk away with a trendy
wardrobe at absolute bargain prices.
| Giraffe Centre
| Elephant Orphanage |
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