Nairobi · Nairobi County · Kenya
Nairobi Tours, Tickets & Things to Do
Discover the best Nairobi tours, Nairobi National Park safaris, the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre, and multi-day safaris to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Kenya safari.
4,335 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Nairobi
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Nairobi
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Nairobi
3 days group joining safari to Maasai Mara with a Land Cruiser Jeep
from$183/ person
via Viator
−9%
Nairobi
Nairobi National Park, Sheldrick Elephant, Giraffe Centre Tour
from$50$56/ person
via Viator
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Explore Nairobi by interest
Whatever brings you to Nairobi — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Maasai Mara safaris
Multi-day safaris for the Big Five and the Great Migration.
ExploreNairobi National Park
Half-day game drives beside the city skyline.
ExploreElephants & giraffes
The Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre.
ExploreAmboseli & Kilimanjaro
Elephant herds beneath the snows of Kilimanjaro.
ExploreLake Nakuru
Flamingos and rhinos in the Great Rift Valley.
ExploreMaasai culture
Village visits with traditional dances, homes and crafts.
ExploreCity & culture
The Karen Blixen Museum, markets and layover tours.
ExploreLake Naivasha
Hippo boat trips and a walking safari on Crescent Island.
ExploreWhat to see
Top attractions in Nairobi
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Maasai Mara
Kenya’s greatest reserve, home to the Big Five and the Great Migration.
160+ safarisView tours
Nairobi National Park
Big game on game drives against the city skyline.
90 toursView tours
Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Orphaned baby elephants raised for return to the wild.
80 toursView tours
Giraffe Centre
Hand-feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes up close.
70 toursView tours
Amboseli
Elephant herds beneath the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro.
70 safarisView tours
Lake Nakuru
Flamingos and a black and white rhino sanctuary in the Rift Valley.
60 safarisView tours
Lake Naivasha
Hippo boat trips and a walking safari on Crescent Island.
40 toursView tours
Nairobi city
The Karen Blixen Museum, markets and cultural centres.
70 toursView tours
1 day
Nairobi in 1 day
- 1Nairobi National Park game drive
- 2Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
- 3Giraffe Centre
- 4Karen Blixen Museum
Safari
Maasai Mara safari
- 1Drive or fly to the Mara
- 2Afternoon game drive
- 3Full day of game drives
- 4Maasai village & return
5–7 days
Kenya safari circuit
- 1Lake Nakuru
- 2Lake Naivasha
- 3Maasai Mara
- 4Amboseli & Kilimanjaro
With kids
Nairobi with kids
- 1Giraffe Centre feeding
- 2Baby elephants
- 3Nairobi National Park
- 4Lake Naivasha boat trip
Multi-day awayMaasai Mara
The Big Five and the Great Migration in Kenya’s greatest reserve.
from €350View trips
Multi-day awayAmboseli
Elephant herds beneath the snows of Mount Kilimanjaro.
from €300View trips
3 hrs awayLake Nakuru
Flamingos and rhinos in the Great Rift Valley.
from €180View trips
2 hrs awayLake Naivasha
Hippo boat trips and a walking safari on Crescent Island.
from €90View trips
Half day awayNairobi National Park
A game drive beside the city skyline.
from €60View trips
Varies awayMaasai village
A cultural visit with traditional dances, homes and crafts.
from €30View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Nairobi visitor asks before booking.
The best months
The dry seasons (June–October and January–February) are best for safari, with easier wildlife spotting and the Maasai Mara migration in July–October.
Migration (Jul–Oct)
The Great Migration reaches the Maasai Mara, with dramatic river crossings — the peak (and busiest) safari season.
Dry & green (Jan–Feb)
A second dry window with good game viewing, warm days and fewer crowds than the migration.
Long rains (Mar–May)
Lush and quiet with lower prices, but some roads get muddy and wildlife is more dispersed.
Short rains (Nov–Dec)
Brief afternoon showers, green landscapes and good value, with wildlife still active.
Nairobi climate
Nairobi’s highland altitude keeps it mild year-round; bring a layer for cool mornings and evenings.
One day
A city game drive, the elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre — great even on a layover.
Three days
Add a Maasai Mara safari for the Big Five and, in season, the migration.
Five days
A Rift Valley circuit: Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and the Maasai Mara.
Seven days
Add Amboseli for Kilimanjaro views and more time in the Mara.
Ten days or more
Extend to the Kenyan coast at Diani or Mombasa, or cross into Tanzania’s Serengeti.
Travelling with kids
Mix easy Nairobi animal visits with a short safari and family-friendly lodges.
Safari vehicles
Safaris use 4x4s or pop-top minibuses with a driver-guide; this is the way to reach and explore the parks.
App cabs in the city
Uber and Bolt are widely used, affordable and convenient for getting around Nairobi.
Tours with transfers
City and park tours include hotel or airport pickup, the easiest way to see the sights with Nairobi’s heavy traffic.
Domestic flights
Light aircraft connect Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and the coast, saving long drives.
From the airport
Jomo Kenyatta International is southeast of the city; pre-booked transfers or app cabs are the easiest options.
Getting around safely
Use app cabs or hotel transport rather than walking at night, and keep valuables out of sight in the city.
Vaccinations & malaria
Check required and recommended vaccinations, and consider antimalarials for safari areas — consult a travel clinic before you go.
Sun & layers
Bring sun protection, neutral-coloured clothing for game drives, and a warm layer for chilly early-morning drives.
Binoculars & camera
A zoom lens and binoculars greatly improve wildlife viewing on game drives.
Money & tipping
Carry some Kenyan shillings and US dollars; tipping guides and lodge staff is customary and appreciated.
Choose reputable operators
Book park fees, vehicles and lodges through well-reviewed safari operators for safety and quality.
City precautions
Take normal big-city precautions in Nairobi: use app cabs at night and avoid displaying valuables.
Migration safaris
July–October Maasai Mara safaris and lodges book out far ahead — reserve early.
Multi-day safaris
Popular safari circuits and quality camps have limited space in high season.
Bush flights
Light-aircraft seats to the Mara and Amboseli are limited — book with your safari.
Sheldrick Orphanage
The elephant orphanage has limited daily viewing — book your visit or a tour ahead.
Peak-season lodges
The best lodges and tented camps sell out months ahead for the migration and holidays.
Layover tours
Private layover tours are easy to arrange in advance to match your flight times.
Nairobi National Park
Around $60–120 for a half-day game drive, more if combined with the orphanage and Giraffe Centre.
Elephant & Giraffe tour
Roughly $50–100 for a combined Sheldrick Orphanage and Giraffe Centre half-day tour with transport.
Maasai Mara safari
About $350–800+ for a 3-day safari, depending on camping versus lodge and road versus flight.
Multi-day circuits
Budget camping safaris from around $150–250 per day; luxury lodge safaris $400–800+ per day.
City tours
Roughly $40–90 for a half-day Nairobi city or layover tour with transport.
How to save
Choose group camping safaris, travel in the green shoulder seasons, and drive rather than fly to the parks.
When to visit
Nairobi through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Migration
Jul–Oct
- Best for
- The Great Migration in the Maasai Mara with dramatic river crossings — peak safari season.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Book safaris and lodges months ahead.
Short rains
Nov–Dec
- Best for
- Green landscapes, brief showers and good value, with wildlife still active.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- A quieter, cheaper time with fine game viewing.
Dry & green
Jan–Feb
- Best for
- A second dry window with warm days, good game viewing and fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great for Kilimanjaro views at Amboseli.
Long rains
Mar–May
- Best for
- Lush, quiet and cheapest, with muddier roads and more dispersed wildlife.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lowest prices — good for budget safaris.
People also ask
Nairobi travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Nairobi?
The highest-rated Nairobi experiences are a Nairobi National Park game drive, the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre, a Maasai village visit, and multi-day safaris to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru.
Can you go on safari from Nairobi?
Yes — Nairobi is East Africa’s safari capital. You can do a game drive in Nairobi National Park beside the city, or set off on multi-day safaris to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha.
How many days do I need in Nairobi?
One day covers the city’s wildlife highlights (great even on a layover); add 3 days for a Maasai Mara safari, or 5–7 days for a full Kenya safari circuit.
When is the best time for a safari from Nairobi?
The dry seasons (June–October and January–February) are best for game viewing, with the Great Migration reaching the Maasai Mara between July and October.
What are the best day trips from Nairobi?
Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate make a great day trip, while the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and Lake Nakuru are visited on overnight or multi-day safaris.
Is Nairobi safe for tourists?
Nairobi is a major city where normal big-city precautions apply: use app cabs or hotel transport at night, keep valuables out of sight, and book tours through reputable operators. The safari areas are well managed and safe with guides.
Can you visit Nairobi on a layover?
Yes — flexible private layover tours can fit a Nairobi National Park game drive, the elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre between flights, with airport pickup and drop-off.
How much does a Kenya safari from Nairobi cost?
A Nairobi National Park half-day game drive costs around €80–€150. Multi-day Kenya safaris start from roughly €150–€200 per day for budget camping circuits and €300–€600+ per day for lodge safaris, with park fees, game drives, meals and a driver-guide included. Compare exact prices for every safari on Excurgo.
What are the best Kenya safari circuits from Nairobi?
The classic circuits are Maasai Mara alone (3 days), Maasai Mara with Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha (4–5 days), and the grand loop adding Amboseli beneath Kilimanjaro (6–7 days). All depart from Nairobi with 4x4 transport or internal flights, and longer circuits extend into Tanzania.
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