Travel tips · Nairobi · Kenya
Nairobi travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Nairobi is home to people from all of Kenya's more than 40 ethnic communities as well as long-established South Asian and expatriate populations. English is used in business and Swahili on the street, often mixed with Sheng, the city's slang. Greetings matter: people say hello and ask how you are before getting down to business.
Key facts
- Language
- English and Swahili
- Currency
- KES
- Plugs
- Type G (British three-pin) sockets, 240 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which hotels and lodges…
- Emergency
- 999 or 112
Things to know
- Greet people before asking for anything; 'Habari?' (How are you?) or a simple 'Jambo' to visitors goes a long way.
- Ask before photographing people, especially Maasai in traditional dress; some will ask for payment.
- Do not photograph police, military sites, State House or other government buildings.
- Use your right hand to give and receive money, food and gifts.
- Kenya has banned single-use plastic carrier bags since 2017; leave them out of your luggage.
- Book Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage ahead: Visits must be booked online in advance through the trust's website, and slots fill up in the safari high season.
- Use ride-hailing apps rather than hotel taxis for trips around the city.
Tipping
Tip about 10% in sit-down restaurants when service is not included. Safari guides and drivers are usually tipped per day at the end of a trip; ask your operator for current guidance.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Jambo / Habari? | Hello / How are you? |
| Asante sana | Thank you very much |
| Karibu | Welcome / you're welcome |
| Bei gani? | How much is it? |
| Pole pole | Slowly, slowly (take it easy) |
| Hakuna matata | No problem |
| Kwaheri | Goodbye |
What to wear
Smart-casual in the city, with a warm layer for cool mornings and evenings, especially from June to August. For game drives, neutral colours such as khaki and green are better than white or bright patterns.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type G (British three-pin) sockets, 240 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which hotels and lodges provide.
- Emergency number
- 999 or 112
- Phone and internet
- Safaricom and Airtel sell SIM cards at the airport and in malls; registration needs a passport. 4G coverage is good across the city.
- Time zone
- Africa/Nairobi
Phone snatching, pickpocketing and bag theft are well-documented problems in the CBD, at matatu stages and in slow traffic. Use ride-hailing at night, avoid walking alone after dark and follow ranger instructions inside the national parks.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Kenya's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Nairobi?
Tip about 10% in sit-down restaurants when service is not included. Safari guides and drivers are usually tipped per day at the end of a trip; ask your operator for current guidance.
+Can you drink the tap water in Nairobi?
Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which hotels and lodges provide.
+What plugs are used in Nairobi?
Type G (British three-pin) sockets, 240 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Nairobi?
English and Swahili.