Things to Do in Nairobi: The Perfect 1-Day Nairobi Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

If you’re planning a Kenyan safari, odds are you’ll likely fly in and out of Nairobi. And whether you’re just passing through or planning to spend a little more time here, you’ll find plenty of exciting things to do in Nairobi—especially if it’s your first visit to Kenya (or Africa!).

Nairobi is East Africa’s most cosmopolitan capital and the gateway to some of Kenya’s most incredible safari destinations, making it the perfect place to begin or end your trip.

We spent one day in Nairobi at the end of our 12-day Kenyan safari, after exploring some of the country’s most incredible destinations, including Samburu National Reserve, Mt. Kenya National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park & Lake Elmenteita, and the famed Maasai Mara.

My boyfriend, Tim, and I, along with friends, Allison, Ryan, Emily, and Bryan, flew in and out of Nairobi, and while the two other couples got to enjoy a full day in Nairobi at the start of the trip, Tim and I…well…took a slightly more scenic route on our way in.

Thanks to an unexpected airline diversion, we ended up visiting Iceland (again!), spending an unplanned night in Frankfurt, and flying through Rome before finally touching down in Kenya. I’ve now properly been to all three places—so if you ever need recs, I’ve got you covered—but admittedly, missing our first day in Nairobi was definitely a bummer.

Luckily, we made up for lost time by spending our final day exploring Nairobi before flying home. And honestly? It ended up being the perfect way to end our safari trip.

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Nairobi and want an itinerary you can realistically follow, here’s the exact one-day plan I recommend—plus tips for transportation, safety, costs, packing, and more. Let’s dive in!

If you only have one day in Nairobi, don’t worry—you can still experience some of the city’s most iconic wildlife encounters, cultural sites, and delicious food.

Here’s your perfect one-day Nairobi itinerary:

• 8:00 am: Feed giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
• 10:00 am: Visit the orphaned elephants at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
• 12:00 pm: Lunch in the Karen neighborhood
• 2:00 pm: Choose an afternoon activity (museum, market, shopping, or cultural experience)
• 6:00 pm: Dinner at Carnivore

This itinerary hits Nairobi’s most iconic experiences while keeping logistics simple. Keep reading for more details about each stop below!

👉 To make things easier, you can combine some of the best things to do in Nairobi by booking one of these tours with transportation!

Whether you’re squeezing in a quick visit before your safari or ending your trip with one final adventure before flying home (like we did!), Nairobi is an easy city to explore in a single day.

From feeding giraffes to meeting orphaned elephants and browsing colorful local markets, you can fit a surprising amount into a short visit.

Some of the top things to do in Nairobi—like the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Karen Blixen Museum, Maasai Market, and dinner at Carnivore—are close together, easy to combine, and perfect for first-time visitors.

🕒 Time needed: 1–2 hours
💵 Cost: $15 USD per person

If you’re looking for one of the most iconic things to do in Nairobi, the Giraffe Centre is at the top of the list!

It’s run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, which is dedicated to protecting the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe and educating local schoolchildren and tourists alike about conservation efforts.

Visitors can:

• Feed giraffes from an elevated platform
• Learn about conservation efforts
• Take beautiful safari-style photos
• Meet wildlife educators on-site

We had so much fun interacting with and feeding these magnificent creatures, but it was also very crowded.

Lots of people were trying to feed the three or four giraffes out at the time, making it difficult to move around.

Even so, the experience is totally worth it—feeding giraffes is just as magical in person as it looks online!

A Broad Recommendation: Get there early, and avoid weekends and school holidays if possible, as it gets very crowded.

🕒 Time needed: 1 hour
💵 Cost: $20 USD donation + optional $50 adoption + KWS National Park fee

Just a short drive away, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) is one of the most heartwarming experiences you can have in Nairobi.

It’s the world’s most successful elephant orphan rescue and rehabilitation program.

To date, the trust has hand-raised more than 244 infant elephants and effectively reintegrated the orphans back into wild herds—wow!

They also rescue rhinos and other wildlife and run anti-poaching, veterinary, and community programs across Kenya.

Photo sourced from: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/apollo. Accessed December 19, 2019.

Before our trip, we adopted a rhino named Apollo (the cutest baby rhino there ever was!), but he was based in a different location.

So, we switched our adoption to an adorable elephant named Kiasa, who we had the opportunity of meeting during our visit.

A Broad Recommendation: Adoptions allow for special visiting hours and make your visit that much more special. Be sure to book early, as spots fill up, and do some research beforehand to learn about the animals. It was like placing a face with a name for us, and we were so excited to meet these adorable friends!

What you’ll experience during your visit to SWT:

• A presentation on elephant care and rescue
• Elephants running in from the forest
• A feeding and socialization session
• The chance to meet your adopted orphan + the other animals
• A visit with Maxwell, the resident blind rhino

This visit is short but unforgettable, and watching the babies run back from the forest, listening to their rescue stories, and getting the chance to meet our adoptee is something I’ll never forget.

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is truly a must-do in Nairobi!

👉 Book your David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Half-Day Tour in Nairobi here!

A Broad Recommendation: When booking through a third-party like GetYourGuide or Viator, always ensure that they provide you with a copy of the official booking confirmation email (in this case from Sheldrick Wildlife Trust) and bring cash with you the day of to pay any entrance fees that aren’t included in the price of your booking.

Lunch in the Karen Neighborhood

🕒 Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
💵 Cost: Depends on where you choose to eat!

After your wildlife-filled morning, head to Karen, one of Nairobi’s most peaceful and upscale neighborhoods.

Though we didn’t have time to eat here, some great options include:

• Karen Blixen Coffee Garden & Cottages: gorgeous garden setting
• Boho Eatery: one of Nairobi’s trendiest cafés that’s also healthy and plant-forward
• Tin Roof Café: casual, cozy, and great for families

If you’re already visiting the Karen Blixen Museum, pairing it with lunch here is perfect.

👉 If you love cultural experiences, you’ll also love Samburu National Reserve!

If you still have time after your morning wildlife experiences, here are a few great things to do in Nairobi to round out your afternoon:

🏛️ Karen Blixen Museum

Made famous by the book and Oscar-winning film Out of Africa, this museum sits on the author’s former coffee farm. It’s a fascinating glimpse into colonial-era history and beautifully preserved grounds.

 👉 Planning to explore more of Kenya’s beautiful landscapes? Don’t miss my guide to Mt. Kenya National Park!

🎨 Kazuri Beads & Pottery Centre

This wonderful stop offers ethical, handmade souvenirs. The factory employs single mothers from surrounding villages, offers tours, and is known for its beautiful, handmade ceramic beads (which are great for gifts!).

🧭 Nairobi National Museum

Kenya’s premier museum, this is a great stop for travelers who want a deeper look at Kenya’s culture, history, and wildlife, and contemporary art. 

🧺 Shopping at the Maasai Market

For more excellent handmade jewelry, textiles, beaded sandals, souvenirs, etc., head to the Maasai Market, bring along some cash, and be ready to bargain for deals!

🦁 Nairobi National Park

If you have a half day, the Nairobi National Park is one of the world’s only national parks within a capital city—you can literally see giraffes with downtown Nairobi in the background!

👉 Love wildlife? Check out my guides to Lake Nakuru National Park & Lake Elmenteita and the infamous Maasai Mara!

🕒 Time needed: 1–2 hours
💵 Cost: TBD

Carnivore is one of Nairobi’s most famous restaurants, known for its all-you-can-eat meat experience.

While it’s less exotic than it used to be, it’s still a memorable (and fun!) dinner option.

Our friends loved it, and although Tim and I missed it because of our unexpected detour, it’s staying on my Nairobi bucket list.

If you’re a foodie OR a hungry traveler coming off a safari, this is definitely the place to go!

• Lightweight layers and a warm jacket for early mornings
• Tank tops and leggings/elephant pants
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A light scarf or wrap (dress conservatively)
• Sunscreen + hat

👉 For more on how to prepare for your visit, what to pack, and more, refer to my Kenya travel tips!

Even though our Kenyan adventure started with an unexpected tour of Iceland, Germany, and Italy, ending our trip in Nairobi turned out to be the perfect finale.

The wildlife encounters, great food, and warm energy of the city made us fall in love with Nairobi—and we can’t wait to return and explore even more someday.

If you’re planning a safari or flying through Kenya, be sure to save at least one day in Nairobi. You won’t regret it!

If you’re interested in exploring more of Kenya with me, be sure to check out some of the other places we visited during our 12-day safari trip:

• Samburu National Reserve
• Mt. Kenya National Park
• Lake Nakuru National Park & Lake Elmenteita
• Maasai Mara National Reserve

And, don’t forget to pin it!

XOXO Sara at Travel A-Broads