Nairobi is Kenya’s capital and largest city. With a bustling urban center as well as bushlands and a game reserve, Nairobi serves as the ideal starting location for safaris throughout the country.
The East African metropolis certainly has its own attractions and charms, however, it has no shortage of beautiful scenery and locations. Here are 8 of Nairobi’s most Instagram-worthy spots.
Giraffe Manor
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Said to be one of the most Instagrammed hotels in the world, Giraffe Manor is at the top of many bucket lists. In addition to its stately, elegant decor, the iconic property is famed for providing guests a one-of-a-kind opportunity to feed, interact with, and pose for unforgettable photos of its herd of majestic Rothschild’s giraffes.
African Heritage House
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The African Heritage House is another amazingly beautiful option for Nairobi luxury accommodations. The house overlooks Nairobi National Park and was created utilizing a combination of various African mud architectural techniques.
The hotel features all the modern amenities one would desire with rooms that have been expertly decorated with unique authentic African art and furnishings. In addition to overnight stays, tourists can visit for tours and meals.
Toi Market
Located in Nairobi’s Kibra neighborhood, the Toi Market is a labyrinth of shops and stalls selling everything from foods and plants to new and secondhand clothing and every type of accessory.
Shopping at the market gives you the opportunity to support local businesses and artisans. Leisurely browse the many shops and be sure to snap a photo at one of the many stalls selling beautiful, colorful African fabric.
Nairobi Railway Museum
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Among the Nairobi Railway Museum‘s exhibits are trains, memorabilia, and photographs depicting the extraordinary endeavor and struggles involved with the building and operating of the railway system. The railways have played a major role in Kenya’s history and have been significant in Nairobi becoming the city it is today.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
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The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) is the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program. The organization rescues and rehabilitates orphaned baby elephants and rhinos, and provides them with the opportunity to join a family of their species. Since 1977, SWT has been tirelessly working to conserve animal life in Kenya, through projects that include anti-poaching, environmental conservation, and animal health care efforts to name a few.
Visitors to SWT have the opportunity to observe and interact with the animals, as well as make a one-time donation or even sponsor a baby animal for as little as $50 a year. While their daily public visiting hour (normally between 11:00 a.m. and noon) is currently closed due to the pandemic, they will announce it on their website when it resumes.
Nyama Mama
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Nyama Mama is a roadside diner serving a mix of Kenyan and international cuisine. The beef chapati quesadillas and chargrilled lamb wrap are said to be delicious!
The restaurant also offers vegan options and tasty cocktails. Patrons can dine outside or in, enjoying the restaurant’s fun ambiance and eclectic retro Kenyan-style decor that provides numerous opportunities for Instagram worthy pictures.
Jamia Mosque
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Jamia Mosque is Kenya’s most important mosque, attracting Muslim worshipers from all over the country. Its large domes and towering minarets can be seen from afar amid Kenya’s bustling central business district. Decorated with marble and Quranic inscriptions, the mosque is a beautiful sight to behold.
Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family
The Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family is the seat of the Archdiocese of Nairobi. Constructed in the 1940s and 50s, the modernist style cathedral is 98 feet tall and can accommodate 3,000-4,000 worshipers. The church’s stained-glass windows are framed by stainless steel with Carrara marble details, adding to its beauty.
Related: The Black Expat: Ijeoma Kola Shares Her Journey As A Mom-To-Be And New Resident Of Nairobi, Kenya