Nairobi Travel Guide and Tips.
Plan your trip in 2025 with our Nairobi travel guide and tips compiled by a local city tour guide.
It’s perfect for travelers like you.
Nairobi is my home city & the inspiration for the posts on this blog.
It is synonymous with Wild Safaris, beautiful landscapes & sandy beaches but there’s more to explore than what the regular travel blogs keep on recycling.
I am a Realtor at a Nairobi based real estate company, regularly host tourists in our Furnished AirBnbs & most of my clients are surprised at how modern our city is.
The culture here may be a bit different, people are friendly to foreigners & kids will regularly try to talk to you out of curiosity.
Whether it’s your first time here or your 10th, I’ve compiled my best tips into this guide on what to expect before you come, must do tips upon arrival (these will save you money), sights to see, and places to go in Nairobi, Kenya.
I have also included popular scams aimed at tourists you should be aware of, the best places to eat, and hotels to stay in.
Enjoy your visit!
Traveling to Nairobi in 2025 – Entry Terms.
If you’re considering a trip to Nairobi Kenya in 2024, staying informed about the entry requirements is crucial.
There are no COVID-19-related restrictions for travelers heading to Nairobi, irrespective of their vaccination status.
Kenyan E-Visa.
You may need a visa to Kenya depending on your nationality but the good news is, it is pretty straightforward to get.
You can get a single-entry visa up to 90 days stay for as low as $55
I recommend using a website called iVisa for your applications as I do for all my guests because they have a 98% visa approval rate.
What is the Kenyan E-Visa used for?
The Kenya e-Visa is issued for tourism, business, or medical purposes.
The visa does not allow you to work, study, or live permanently in Kenya.
Which Countries Need to Apply for Kenya e-Visa?
Certain countries MUST apply for a Kenya e-Visa BEFORE traveling to Nairobi.
Book Flights to Nairobi, Kenya.
Depending on where you are traveling from, you will be spoilt for choice on the airline availability to Nairobi Kenya.
There are a lot of airlines that travel to Nairobi, although you may need to make a few connections.
Luxury & Comfort Flights.
* Emirates
* Qatar Airways
* Turkish Airlines
* Ethiopian Airlines
Budget Friendly.
* American Airlines
* Kenya Airways
* British Airways
* Delta
Regional Carriers.
* Egypt Air
* Air Mauritius
* Rwanda Airways
* Fly540
When is the Best Time to Visit Kenya?
Well, this depends on the region you want to visit & activities of choice.
Kenya’s diverse geography is considered a great year-round safari and beach holiday destination.
Tourist Peak Season.
The best time to visit Kenya for Safari & wildlife is from June to October when there’s virtually no rain and daytime temperatures are not too hot.
This is the peak season for tourists so Safari lodges & trips tend to be higher priced.
Wildebeest migration
Towards the end of July through August, you get a front-row seat of the spectacular Masai Mara river crossing.
Herds of Wildebeest & zebras stampede across crocodile-infested waters for the annual migration.
This is one of Mother Nature’s most amazing spectacles inspiring thousands of documentaries & films.
Off-Peak Season.
November to December & between March and June are rainy seasons in Nairobi but are perfect if you don’t mind a little drizzle.
You’ll avoid the peak-season crowds and take advantage of lower off-season rates for safari trips, lodges & hotels in Kenya.
For beachgoers, Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline is hot and humid all year round making it a worthy destination any time of the year.
Royal Blue - Furnished 3 Bedroom Apartment.
Discover a Gated community in the heart of Nairobi.
Just like home.
Local Weather Patterns in Nairobi.
Kenya has a tropical climate, but you will experience regional climatic variations influenced by several factors including geographical locations & altitude.
Nairobi city is located 140 Km from the Equator & experiences 3 major seasons;
- Dry season Dec – Feb.
- Rainy season Mar – May.
- Cold season Jun – Aug
For travelers from Europe, Canada & the USA, Nairobi weather is perfect although it usually takes some adjusting to.
What to Expect Before Arriving in Nairobi.
As with every country you travel to, a little knowledge of the local culture & norms goes a long way in ensuring your journey is pleasant.
Swahili & English are the 2 most spoken languages in Kenya, pick up a few words to boost your vocabulary.
Kenya’s driving Rules.
Under Kenyan law, foreigners are permitted to drive on Kenyan roads for up to 90 days as long as their foreign-issued license remains valid.
However, if your driver’s license is not in English or Swahili, it is necessary to obtain an International Driving Permit to ensure compliance.
Traffic rules to observe in Nairobi.
– Kenyans drive on the left and overtake on the right side of the road.
-The use of a seatbelt is essential.
-Driving is prohibited while using a cell phone (unless hands-free).
-Observe all traffic lights & road signs.
-Do not drink alcohol & drive. Use a cab/taxi after a night out.
Street Rules in Nairobi.
-Matatus(Public Buses) have the right of way, steer clear of them to avoid incidents.
-Using your phone with the windows down invites phone snatchers, use Bluetooth if you must.
-Watch out for lane changers who don’t indicate! Happens all the time.
-Roundabouts are controlled by cops, follow their instructions.
-If you feel overwhelmed, get a chauffeured vehicle with an experienced driver here.
You will walk, A LOT.
Walking is the best way to explore if you want to experience life in Nairobi & avoid traffic jams.
A supposed 20-minute ride in the CBD can turn into an hour, especially during rush hours.
If you get caught in traffic, just pay the cab fee & alight.
PS: Traffic lights don’t mean anything in this city as you will soon learn.
Sunscreen & Bugs Repellant.
To avoid sunburn I advise you to lather on some SPF 50 sunscreen, avoid extended exposure to direct sunlight & always have a bottle of water in hand.
The hot weather also attracts bugs which can be a nuisance so some insect repellant cream should keep you safe.
Power adapters.
Kenya uses type G power plugs and sockets with a standard voltage of 240 V at 50 Hz.
Visitors from the USA & other regions need a power plug travel adapter for sockets type G.
To check for compatible power adapters click here.
Accommodation, Hotels & Airbnb's in Nairobi.
As a premier tourist destination in Africa, Nairobi hosts some of the world’s most luxurious hotels & are usually priced at a premium for tourists.
I will provide you affordable furnished vacation rentals & share Verified local booking contacts to avoid the excess fees charged by online booking portals.
5 Star Hotels in Nairobi.
- Villa Rosa Kempinski.
- Fairmont The Norfolk.
- Sankara Nairobi.
- Nairobi Serena Hotel.
- Radisson Blu Hotel.
Budget Hotels.
- Fairview Hotel.
- Swiss Lenana.
- Seasons Hotel.
- Eka Hotel.
- Panari Hotel.
Furnished AirBnbs.
- Nyayo Estate.
- Kilimani.
- Westlands.
- South B & C.
- Radisson Blu Hotel.
5 Star Hotels in Nairobi.
- Villa Rosa Kempinski.
- Fairmont The Norfolk.
- Sankara Nairobi.
- Nairobi Serena Hotel.
- Radisson Blu Hotel.
Wildebeest migration
Towards the end of July through August, you get a front-row seat of the spectacular Masai Mara river .
Herds of Wildebeest & zebras stampede across crocodile-infested waters for the annual migration.
This is one of Mother Nature’s most amazing spectacles inspiring thousands of documentaries & films.
Off-Peak Season.
November to December & between March and June are rainy seasons in Nairobi but are perfect if you don’t mind a little drizzle.
You’ll avoid the peak-season crowds and take advantage of lower off-season rates for safari trips, lodges & hotels in Kenya.
For beachgoers, Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline is hot and humid all year round making it a worthy destination any time of the year.
Royal Blue - Furnished 3 Bedroom Apartment.
Discover a Gated community in the heart of Nairobi.
Just like home.
Local Weather Patterns in Nairobi.
Kenya has a tropical climate, but you will experience regional climatic variations influenced by several factors including geographical locations & altitude.
Nairobi city is located 140 Km from the Equator & experiences 3 major seasons;
Hot & Dry Season
December to February
Rainy Season
March to May
Cool & Dry Season
June to October
For travelers from Europe, Canada & the USA, Nairobi weather is perfect although it usually takes some adjusting to.
As with every country you travel to, a little knowledge of the local culture & norms goes a long way in ensuring your journey is pleasant.
Swahili & English are the 2 most spoken languages in Kenya, pick up a few words to boost your vocabulary.