8 Awesome Places to Visit in Nairobi
Nairobi is a very beautiful city. Like any other place, it has its highlights and its not-so-proud moments. If you are looking for places to visit in Nairobi with friends, kids or even on a date, there are many places to go. In this article, I will be writing about the eight cool places I have visited in Nairobi and its surroundings.
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The Forest Kiambu
The Forest, Kiambu is a place for groups who love the outdoors. They have various activities such as paintballing, zip-lining, mountain biking, archery and fly fishing (I am not sure what this means for sure though).
My friends, let’s call them (Lou, Emma, my boyfriend (Marc), Zelda (Zel), and my brother, Matthew) and I went there last year.
We took part in mountain biking, paintballing, zip-lining and archery. Although Emma went to archery instead of biking. She had a cold or something.
Mountain Biking
The rest opted for mountain biking. The biking track goes through the forest. It makes you realise just how unfit you are. They have a guide who goes with the group to make sure none gets lost. They provide the bike and headgear, although you can carry your own bike. We discovered that Zel doesn’t know how to ride a bike. So she did not go to the tracks. Lou and I took the shortest track (1.5km), while Marc, Matthew and the guide took the longest track(6km).
The forest trail
Biking with friends
Paint-balling
The next task was paint-balling. This one was my favourite. We were 6 in total. so we divided ourselves into two groups of three. I never thought shooting at my friends would be so exciting. The goal of the game is to pick the flag from the centre of the field. Try to run with it without getting hit, until you reach the enemy base. If you are hit, you have to go back to your own base to recharge. If you are hit holding the flag, you drop it and run back. There are trees and wooden barriers to hide throughout the field. Oh, and just so you know, if the ball accidentally hits you in the head, it hurts like hell.
Shooting paintballs
Zip-lining
After paint-balling, Marc and I signed up for zip lining. The rest chickened out. They have two types. The first one is the shorter one that is just 2 lines. The second one is 6 lines. Only the two lines one was available that day. The zip-line was by far the most nerve-wracking and exciting thing I have done to date. The feeling of the wind as you slide through the line. The green trees below you form a very awesome green bed. The sound the zip-line makes as you move and the vibrations in your hands. The only problem that it does not last long.
Zip-lining
There are more activities as found on their website.
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The Panari Hotel Ice Rink
Kenya has only two seasons, dry and wet. This means that we don’t experience extreme weather such as winter. The only snow that we have is on Mt Kenya, and am afraid that is slowly fading as well. So it’s amazing to have a place where one can go and skate on snow. This place is none other than the Panari ice rink. The place is really fun.
Marc and I went there last year. It was our first time on ice. I must admit it is really fun and exhilarating. They have training equipment for first-timers like myself. Furthermore, they have a guide to show you the correct way to skate. Usually, after the first few minutes, you definitely get used to it and decide to try it on your own. The only catch is you might fall on your butt. And unfortunately for me, I did.
Ice skating at Panari
If you want a cool afternoon, this is the place to be. Here is their site. It offers great indoor fun.
They also have a club and a movie theatre, therefore, you can go to chill with friends after/before the skating.
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Nairobi Safari Walk
The Nairobi Safari Walk is inside the Nairobi National Park. It is as its name. It is a walk where you can see a wide variety of animals. They have all kinds of animals from lions to zebras as well as cheetahs.
The Zebras
The Cheetah
The monkeys usually run around the park. They are already used to humans so they are harmless.
Monkeys walking around the place
If you love wildlife, then this is the place for you.
The national park also contains an animal orphanage area and an option for game drives.
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Brew Bistro Ngong road
What if you just want to chill with good music and drinks, then the place to go would be the Brew Bistro along Ngong road. They offer a wide variety of meals and drinks. The place plays nice music and has a great ambience. They also have happy hour from 5 pm to 7 pm.
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Sky Lounge Bar & Bites
If you are in CBD and looking for a place to relax, the sky lounge would be your destination. The place has various sections with comfy seats and a great ambience. They play cool music that is not too loud. This means that you can have a conversation without losing your voice. Their prices are reasonable too. Their food is great. They even have a Casino if you are into that kind of a thing. Marc and I went there for his birthday.
Unexpected candlelit dinner
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KICC
The KICC used to be the tallest building in Nairobi. Though it’s no longer the tallest, it has a great view of the city and its surroundings. With a small fee, you can enjoy the view.
The view of Nairobi from KICC
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Karura Forest
This one is for outdoorsy people. The forest is vast. They have an area for biking or walking. In addition, there are scenes along the way such as waterfalls and caves. They rent out bikes also.
The Karura Forest waterfall
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Malls
There are many malls in Nairobi and its surroundings. There are many activities that each mall offers. Here is a list of the malls I have been to. They all have movie theatres. Each of them has various things to offer such as live music and games.
- Garden City along Thika road superhighway (Great kids play area).
- Prestige mall along Ngong road.
- The Junction Mall also along Ngong road (near Brew Bistro).
- The Thika Road Mall, TRM (houses the funscapes arcade, and a 7D theatre).
- Westgate mall in Westlands.
- Sarit centre in Westlands.
- Two Rivers Mall along Limuru Road(newest and great for kids).
- The Village market along Limuru road.
If you are looking for places to visit in Nairobi, I hope you enjoy these awesome places as I did. All things considered, travel, see the beauty, hang out with your loved ones and enjoy life one day at a time.
