Overview & visitor information
Kenyatta Day on 20th October, named after the first President and founder, Jomo Kenyatta, is the day Kenyans honor the martyrs who died fighting for the Independence of the country.
Festival
Kenyatta Day
Kenyatta Day on 20th October, named after the first President and founder, Jomo Kenyatta, is the day Kenyans honor the martyrs who died fighting for the Independence of the country.
City guide
More festivals in Nairobi
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nairobiGood Friday and Easter Monday
Activity
Good Friday and Easter Monday are celebrated by the majority Christian population. Mass in Church and prayers are offered.
nairobiKenyan School and College Drama Festival
Activity
The Kenyan School and College Drama Festival is a popular event and held on rotation in different cities across Kenya in the month of March as a culmination of regional competitions.
nairobiThe Nairobi Air Show
Activity
The Nairobi Air Show is very popular not only in Nairobi, but also all over Africa. Air shows, sky diving, aerobatic, as well as aircraft displays are the highlights. This event is held in March.
nairobiThe East African Art Festival
Activity
The East African Art Festival is held in Nairobi each year in the month of March and has competitors coming not only from Kenya, but also from other East African countries. It is a three days event and involves all forms of art, painting architecture, sculpture and traditional pieces.
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nairobiMadaraka Day
Activity
1st June, the day the Kenyans got Self Governance is Madaraka Day and is important for the Kenyans.
nairobiKenyan Safari Rally
Activity
Mid July is the time for the Kenyan Safari Rally. The two day rally ends in Nairobi. The race goes through tough terrains and through areas with a variety of wild life. At the same time there is a celebration at the Nairobi Race Course with a display of pre 1940 vehicles.
nairobiCamel Derby
Activity
The Camel Derby is celebrated in August with races and traditional dances and entertainment for all.
nairobiMombasa Carnival
Activity
If there is a bit of time and you are not averse to driving or flying to Mombasa, then the Mombasa Carnival is a must see. There are a huge number of floats representing innumerable races and cultural groups. The air buzzes with festivity. There is music and dance, Kenyan cultural performances, shopping and fun.
More places in Nairobi
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nairobiWhat to do with Children in Tow
Activity
Children will enjoy every aspect of this child centric tour. One could avoid the city sightseeing and spend more time at the Nairobi National Park. They will just love the Giraffe Centre where they can come really close to the huge Rothschild Giraffes and actually feed them. The Animal Orphanage at the entrance of the National Park is a place all children enjoy. Orphaned wildlife is looked after here and there are lions and leopards, chimpanzees and otters amongst others.
nairobiSafaris
forest
Besides these, are the Safaris one can take to game parks which are just 6-7 hours drive from Nairobi. Amongst them the most popular is of course the Masai Mara Natural reserve. This is in the beautiful Savannah Grasslands area of Kenya and has a huge number of large animals. The Masai community has been allowed to graze there and very often can be spotted in their traditional attire asking you to photograph them at a price.
nairobiIce Skating rink, Panari sky center
Building
Within 5 kms of the City Center is this architectural masterpiece. Considered the largest rink in East Africa, the Ice Rink is on the 2nd floor of the Panari Sky Center. It has 15,000 square feet of ice and can accommodate 200 skaters. The ambience of the Alpines have been recreated.
nairobiBomas of Kenya
House
This has become a regular feature of every Nairobi tour. It is a village cum cultural centre where traditional African Music and dance performances are held to specially attract the tourist to African life. Traditional African homes have been modeled and visitors get a feel of life in Africa before modernization.
nairobiGiraffe Center
zoo
Rothschild Giraffes faced a fear of extinction. It was this center which made an all out effort to save them. There are Giraffes which can come and feed from your hands here now. It is a favorite with children. There are also bushbucks, dik-diks and warthogs found here. The gift and souvenir shop is well stocked and not very expensive. The Giraffe Manor in the premises is now an up market hotel.
nairobiKaren Blixen Museum
Museum
The famous Danish author, Karen Blixen, who wrote under the pseudo name Isak Dinesen lived here. She is the author of ‘Out of Africa.’ Her house was originally in the coffee plantations in the countryside, but now with the growth of the city, it is just in the outer region of Nairobi and has been converted into a museum. It has many of her famous books and paintings of African life. It is the highlight of every tour of Nairobi. A peaceful atmosphere pervades this area where trees abound.The grounds have been looked after well. The Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens Restaurant is a nice place to relax and soak in the atmosphere. The Langatta area on which it is located is in the richer neighbourhood of Nairobi.
nairobiKenyan Railway Museum
Museum
A bit hard to find, this is a must see for any tour of Nairobi. Kenyan modern history is linked to its railways, and this museum has relics and photographs of old trains. There are some old carriages kept which one can climb into and explore. These speak of amazing incidents and have pictures to bring them alive.
nairobiUhuru Park
Park
This is the most famous and popular park of Nairobi and is just off the city centre and extends into the west into Upper Hill area. It has a lake where boats can be hired. There are vantage points at a height where the city’s skyline can be admired from. President Moi had wanted to build over this park but his efforts met with great resistance from Wangari Maathai and he had to give up this idea. She won the Nobel Prize for her efforts in saving this park. This is also the place for most demonstrations and political rallies. These must be avoided if touring the city.
nairobiThe Arboretum
forest
This beautiful forest reserve is spread over 80 acres and has more than 300 species of trees from Kenya. It is a beautiful place to walk around in and absorb the sounds and sights of pure nature.
nairobiParliament Building
Building
Visiting times to this colonial building depend on when the National Assembly is in meeting. The Parliament House besides its imposing building showcases intricate tapestry needlework, a mosaic of Kenyan tribes and a table made purely with trees from Kenya made by the Women’s League of East Africa.
More restaurants in Nairobi
Keep exploring Nairobi.
nairobiAlan Bobbe’s Bistro
Alan Bobbe’s Bistro is a French Bistro gourmet restaurant with a rich décor. The dress code is formal, food is mouthwatering and menu extensive.
nairobiThe Lord Errol
The Lord Errol is a premium French and International cuisine restaurant situated in a peaceful location. It is a favourite of Nairobi’s expatriate crowd as well as local Kenyans. The wine list is extensive, service excellent, and the French food is the finest one can get probably in the entire East African belt.
nairobiFurusato
Furusato, is a Japanese specialty restaurant. Considered the best in Nairobi for sushi, sashimi, tepanyaki, tempura and other Japanese specialities. The settings are elegant and subtle and the service has typical Japanese warmth and hospitality.
nairobiThe Carnivore
The Carnivore is considered amongst the top barbecue restaurants of the world. An open air restaurant it is a unique experience and a must for every visitor, especially for meat eaters. There is every possible kind of meat including wild game meat of the zebra, antelope, crocodile, ostrich, etc. These are cooked over a huge charcoal pit. The restaurant does not follow the norm in its service. Once seated, soup is served and there are side dishes of salad and vegetables with a variety of sauces to choose from. Unlimited and varied meats are then brought on huge swords and carved onto your plates. Dessert and coffee at the end completes the meal. The service here is exemplary and the ambience amazing.
nairobiTrattoria
Trattoria is famous for its Italian specialities. The desserts here are mouth watering. The restaurant is on two floors and the upstairs balcony area gets packed every evening.
nairobiThorn Tree Café
Café is an upmarket café with international cuisine. It has great atmosphere and the Acacia Tree in the centre is legendary. Thousands of messages would be pinned here by travelers and many times replies written in the past. Today message boards have been placed around the tree to protect it.
nairobiTamarind Restaurant
Tamarind Restaurant serves the best seafood brought in fresh from the coast everyday. Besides seafood the restaurant has a range in other meats and vegetarian dishes. The place has won the best restaurant award many times. It also has a choice of specialty African dishes to choose from. It has a classy Arabic-Moorish décor and one is expected to dress up for this restaurant. It is advisable to make a reservation.
nairobiPanda Chinese Restaurant
is the best place for authentic Chinese food in an atmosphere created to fit the quality of food served. The interiors are classy and this is a popular restaurant even though it takes time to find it on Kaunda street.
nairobiFiesta Restaurant and Bar
Fiesta Restaurant and Bar has international dishes on its menu giving authentic flavours to food in its varied choice. Service with a smile is the motto of the staff. The décor is bright and appealing.
nairobiSiam Thai
Siam Thai serves authentic Thai food which is perhaps truer to the taste than attempts by other Chinese or Thai restaurants in Nairobi. It has a very pleasing setting and friendly, helpful staff.