Nairobi
Nairobi, more than a stopover
City energy, wildlife on the doorstep and some of East Africa’s best food and shopping — an easy weekend from Entebbe.
Why Nairobi
A big-city break, a short hop from home
Plenty of Ugandans know Nairobi from business trips and airport connections. Spend a few days properly and it becomes a holiday in its own right: a national park where lions and rhinos live with skyscrapers on the horizon, giraffes you can feed by hand, leafy suburbs full of restaurants, and nightlife that runs late.
It’s also easy: short flights, good hotels at every level, and simple to combine with the Coast by plane or the SGR train.
Things to do
Your Nairobi, five ways
Wildlife and nature
Early game drive in Nairobi National Park; the Nairobi Safari Walk; forest trails at Karura and Ngong Road.
Giraffes and elephants
Feed Rothschild giraffes at the Giraffe Centre and visit the elephant orphanage (pre-booked visits only).
City experiences
The National Museum, the city-centre view from KICC, and neighbourhoods like Westlands and Karen.
Food and nightlife
Nyama choma, Ethiopian, Indian and Swahili kitchens, rooftop bars and live music.
Shopping
Crafts at the Maasai Market (it moves around the city), plus large malls such as Two Rivers, Sarit and Village Market.
Culture and family
Traditional dance at the Bomas of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum, and plenty of child-friendly afternoons.
Suggested itineraries
Nairobi in 2, 3 or 4 days
Use these as a starting point — every one can be adjusted for families, couples or groups.
2 days: the weekend
- Day 1: Arrive, check in, afternoon at the Giraffe Centre, dinner in Westlands or Karen.
- Day 2: Sunrise game drive in Nairobi National Park, brunch, shopping, evening flight home.
3 days: city and wildlife
- Day 1: Arrive, National Museum or city walk, dinner out.
- Day 2: Morning game drive, late-morning elephant orphanage visit (pre-booked), Giraffe Centre.
- Day 3: Karura Forest walk or market shopping, then fly home.
4 days: slow and full
- Day 1: Arrive and relax.
- Day 2: Game drive and Giraffe Centre.
- Day 3: Day trip to Lake Naivasha (boat ride, Crescent Island walking safari) or Karen and Bomas of Kenya.
- Day 4: Shopping and brunch, then fly home — or continue to the Coast.
Packages
Nairobi packages
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Nairobi 3 days / 2 nights
Nairobi Weekend Escape
Two nights of city life, giraffes and great food — the easiest holiday from Entebbe.
- Feed Rothschild giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
- Dinner out in Westlands or Karen
- Optional sunrise game drive in Nairobi National Park
-
Nairobi 4 days / 3 nights
Nairobi City & Wildlife Experience
Game drive, elephant orphans and the best of the city in three relaxed nights.
- Morning game drive in Nairobi National Park
- Visit the elephant orphanage (pre-booked)
- Giraffe Centre and Karen
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Nairobi 4 days / 3 nights
Nairobi Family Adventure
Giraffes, elephants and easy days that work for children — perfect for school holidays.
- Feed giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
- See young elephants at the orphanage
- Short, child-friendly game drive
No packages match these filters yet — tell us what you want and we will build it. Plan a custom trip
Practical information
Before you go
Getting there
Flights from Entebbe take about 1 hr 10 min. Coaches from Kampala take around 13 hours via Busia or Malaba.
Getting around
We arrange airport transfers and drivers. Ride-hailing apps work well; allow extra time for traffic.
Money
Kenya shillings (KES). M-Pesa and cards are widely used; keep some cash for markets.
Weather
Mild most of the year; mornings and evenings can be cool, especially June to August.
Plugs and phones
Same three-pin plugs as Uganda. Roaming works, or buy a local SIM with your ID.
Staying safe
Use normal big-city care: keep valuables out of sight and use registered taxis at night.
FAQs
Nairobi questions
How do I get from Uganda to Nairobi?
The quickest way is a flight from Entebbe, which takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. Coaches from Kampala take around 13 hours via the Busia or Malaba border. We can include flights or coach tickets in your quote.
Is a weekend enough for Nairobi?
Two or three nights is enough for a game drive, the Giraffe Centre, good restaurants and some shopping. Add a night or two for the elephant orphanage, a day trip, or simply a slower pace.
Is Nairobi good for families?
Yes. The Giraffe Centre, Nairobi National Park, the Nairobi Safari Walk and Karura Forest all work well with children. We choose hotels with family rooms and keep travel times short.
What money should I bring?
Kenya uses the Kenya shilling (KES). M-Pesa mobile money and cards are widely accepted in hotels, malls and restaurants. Carry some cash for markets and tips.
Do I need a visa or eTA?
Ugandan citizens are exempt from Kenya’s electronic travel authorisation for visits of up to 180 days. Carry a valid national ID or passport — read our travel documents guide and confirm with your airline before you fly.
Ready for your Nairobi escape?
Tell us your dates and who’s coming. We’ll send a clear quote with hotels to match your budget.