How many days · Nairobi · Kenya
How many days do you need in Nairobi?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: SteveRwanda, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Nairobi, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers an early game drive in Nairobi National Park, the elephant orphanage, the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum. A third day adds the National Museum, Karura Forest or a day trip to Lake Naivasha; most visitors then continue on safari rather than staying longer in the city.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 12 h (Jun) to 12.2 h (Jan)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Nairobi National Park, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage, Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum |
| 2 days | Good | Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi National Museum and Nairobi Safari Walk |
| 3 days | Ideal | Bomas of Kenya, Karura Forest and Kazuri Beads workshop |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island and Hell's Gate National Park |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Nairobi add up to roughly 16–20 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Nairobi National Park (Half a day), Nairobi National Museum (2–3 hours) and Karura Forest (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi National Park | Half a day | Langata |
| Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage | 1 hour | Nairobi National Park |
| Giraffe Centre | 1 hour | Langata |
| Karen Blixen Museum | 1 hour | Karen |
| Nairobi National Museum | 2–3 hours | Museum Hill |
| Nairobi Safari Walk | 1–1.5 hours | Langata |
| Bomas of Kenya | 2 hours | Langata |
| Karura Forest | 2–3 hours | Gigiri |
| Kazuri Beads workshop | 45 minutes | Karen |
| Kenyatta International Convention Centre rooftop | 45 minutes | Central Business District |
| Nairobi Railway Museum | 1–1.5 hours | Central Business District |
| Nairobi Gallery | 45 minutes | Central Business District |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Nairobi National Park and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island and Hell's Gate National Park |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in June (about 12 hours of daylight) than in January (about 12.2 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Nairobi with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Zanzibar | About 603 km | 7 days |
| Johannesburg | About 2,925 km | 3 days |
| Mauritius | About 3,092 km | 9 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Nairobi?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers an early game drive in Nairobi National Park, the elephant orphanage, the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum. A third day adds the National Museum, Karura Forest or a day trip to Lake Naivasha; most visitors then continue on safari rather than staying longer in the city.
+Is a week too long in Nairobi?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island and Hell's Gate National Park.