A little list of things to love about Nairobi
When you join us on a cycling tour through Kenya, we always recommend you arrive in Nairobi a day or two early to rest and recharge before it's time to spend days in the saddle. There is so much to do in the capital city of Kenya that you might want to add an extra day to your trip!
Our founder, Jen Gurecki, put together this non-exhaustive, little list of things she loves about Nairobi and we wanted to share it with you.
1.
The Karura Forest. You can hike or bike through it, and there’s some legit climbing that will get your heart pumping. If you pay attention, you might catch a few dik diks running through the bushes and monkeys in the trees. I treat myself to a coffee and snack at the cafe off the Thigiri Lane entrance after my rides.
2.
Indian food. I’ve never been to India, but I’ve also never had better Indian food than in Nairobi. There is a large and established Indian community who immigrated to Kenya under British rule. Open House in Westlands is a classic and Chowpatty is a nice treat after yoga at the Africa Yoga Project at Diamond Plaza.
3.
Nairobi Street Kitchen. Local restaurants, bars, a barber, a bit of shopping, and a lot of dancing and art all under one roof. Best part is that it’s uniquely Kenyan.
4.
The Standard Guage Railroad. Now, rather than white-knuckling it on the Mombasa Highway, I can take a train to Zawadisha HQ, just outside of Voi. Along the way, you’ll see giraffe, elephant, and antelope. I recommend booking first class and don’t you dare be late. The train will leave without you.
5.
Village Market. Yes, I know it’s relatively silly to include a mall but Village Market is one of the oldest shopping centres in the city. You can sort out your Safaricom, top up your MPesa, buy Dabur basil mint toothpaste, grab a novel by a Kenyan author, scour the handful of local boutiques for hard-to-find exquisite buys, dial your med kit, sip a coffee on the veranda, and try your hat at haggling with artisans at the Masaai Market.