Recently I had the opportunity to visit Kenya for the first time as part of a whirlwind visit to friends and family.
And I really do mean whirlwind: from the moment I made it through customs, to the moment I got in the taxi to return to the airport was only around 50 hours; most of which were spent ogling the greenery or drinking wine (what health kick? Oops).
Fortunately, I kept enough of my wits about me to pull together a Last-Minute-What-Should-We-Do-If-We-Only-Have-One-Day Guide to Nairobi! AKA: The Nairobi Express.
Firstly, if you are reading this and you are Kenyan, or you happen to work in the immigration department at the airport, can I just pay you a genuine compliment and the sincerest kudos that a travelling girl can offer? From collecting my visa application form to submitting payment, getting my receipt, and strolling on outta there was a cool 5 minutes; INCLUSIVE of the time it took me to complete the application form?! As someone who has spent a decent amount of time in various airport Customs and Immigration departments; I am impressed. For the kindness efficiency, and just good humour of the immigration officers; thank you.
Okay, so the first stop on our express journey is the Nairobi National Park. While technically I didn’t actually enter the park on my own express visit, I did have the great pleasure of driving along its edge; soaking up the greenery after the recent rainy season. If you’re considering your own express trip; entry fees for the park are around USD $43 for a non-resident adult, or KSH 1,030 for a resident adult (and even cheaper for Kenyans). So plan to bring along your ID card if this tickles your fancy.
Second stop on the Nairobi Express; The Karen Blixen Museum. If you have not seen Out of Africa, I strongly recommend you do. Everyone knows that everything Meryl Streep touches turns to gold. Located in Karen, at the foot of the Ngong Hills, this museum boasts of a lifetime long-passed; filled with personal items of Blixen’s and information relating to the European settlement and cultivation efforts in East Africa. Not for everyone, but for movie lovers and history buffs alike, its worth a sneak peak.
After all that animal spotting and history-reading, you will probably be ready for some lunch, or at the very least, a cup of tea. Head to Tin Roof Cafe for a Ginger, Lemon and Honey Tea, and a serving of their vegan chickpea burgers and Ottolenghi side salads. Trust me now, and thank me later. I’ve already written about the best places to eat vegan in Dar es Salaam, and when I get down to writing one on Karen or wider Nairobi, this will definitely make the list.
For me, after a warming meal like that, I felt brave enough to face the elements again and ventured to The Giraffe Center, a lovely little sanctuary where you can hand-feed Rothschild giraffes that have been raised and protected in the sanctuary. While the bunny-hugger in me was a bit unsure about the sanctuary, having grown to become somewhat suspicious of animal enclosures, I was simultaneously overjoyed to be so close to such gorgeous creatures, and to be able to stroke their faces as they ate from my palm. Plus, warthogs! I can’t help but adore those snuffly little creatures; with a …… special kind of beauty only a mother could love 😉
For an afternoon pick-me-up, a trip to the Hub is sure to solve your 3pm slump. With copious amounts of cafes, shopping, knick-knacks and even a miniature indoor game park, there is sure to be enough to keep you busy for an hour or two.
Finally, the time of day that so many people love: Sundowner Hour! On my own Nairobi Express, we were fortunate enough to be treated to a visitor pass at the Karen Country Club; somewhere I felt immediately underdressed, and simultaneously overwhelmed with appreciation for the place. Home to an 18 hole golf course, indoor squash courts, external tennis courts, a bowls lawn, a lap pool, jungle gym, sauna (amongst many more activities), this place is clearly somewhere you can get your daily step count in and when you’re done, kick up your feet at the nail salon or massage parlour. Good golly, where do I sign up?
If the Karen Country Club is not available to you as a tourist to the area (unfortunately you need an existing member to invite you as a guest), consider a drink at one of the many great restaurants; such as Talisman; an eclectic and funky restaurant that is sure to offer something to please all persons, vegan or otherwise. (pro tip: try the Ginger Teriyaki Tofu – OhMyGodDelish). If you’re not sure if their fodder is up to your standards, check out their menu online here. As a bonus point for all you fellows who feel the cold; they have a ridiculous number of outdoor coal burners; so there will always be one nearby to warm your fingertips by when the evening chill settles in. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.
And there you have it! A jam-packed day in Nairobi; perfect for those with a one-day layover, or people who want to get just a light taste of what the country has to offer visitors.
Stick around for more on Kenya when I next fly through, or let me know if you’d be interested in seeing any more Express Trips.
As for me; I’m off to try and mimic that delicious ginger-lemon brew. Catch you on the flip side. x
