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DestinationsDestinationsOther |
Nairobi Travel GuideNairobi is Kenya's principal economic, administrative, and cultural center. It is also one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Africa. While a high crime rate is a problem, as well as poverty, Nairobi remains home to tourist attractions such as Nairobi National Park (a wildlife preserve), and the National Museum of Kenya. HISTORY The name Nairobi comes from the Masai word for “cold water stream,” and the area was a watering hole for these nomadic people until the town’s foundation in 1899. The British used it as a supply center for the railway between Mombasa and Uganda. By 1905, Nairobi was so successful the British used it as the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate. The number of white settlers grew rapidly, causing tension between them and the local people. Plantations of coffee, tea and other crops, as well as cattle ranches, became common. Nairobi became an official city in 1954. Since Kenya gained its independence, Nairobi has flourished and become a popular tourist destination. ATTRACTIONS David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage The Masaii market and Village markets RESTAURANTS Tamarind Group – The Tamarind Group owns a variety of restaurants in Nairobi. At the Carnivore, you can feast on sausage, ribs, lamb, crocodile, kidneys and anything else your meat-loving stomach craves (along with salads, vegetables and soups). The animal-print-aproned servers carve for you as many morsels as you want until you literally hoist the white flag, which signals them to bring you dessert and coffee. For a lighter bite, try the attached Simba Saloon, which serves pizzas and light seafood dishes and hosts both musicians from Africa and around the world. Go to the Tamarind Restaurant for a romantic seafood restaurant with style. Order from a selection of fish and have it cooked however you like or try an entrée like ostrich fillet in wild berry sauce. Finish with a few scoops of their homemade coconut ice cream and a cup of Kenyan coffee for a classy evening out. After a day of shopping at the Village Market, stop at Tamambo Tapas for a fun, light meal and a cocktail. On weekends, live music will rejuvenate the sorest feet so that they feel like dancing. LODGING Fairview Hotel – Family-run since 1946, the Fairview has a history of good service and fair prices. Five acres of gardens encircle the hotel, which offers wi-fi and many other modern conveniences, so you can have both beautiful surroundings and stay in contact with the outside world. The Fairview caters especially to businesspeople, so it offers single or double economy, business and first-class rooms and has conference rooms and lounges available. It has a poolside restaurant, a lovely café-style restaurant with an open kitchen, a garden café, a sushi bar and a brasserie complete with white tablecloths and a wine cellar. Tribe - The Village Market Hotel – This is the perfect hotel if you want to be in the thick of Nairobi’s shopping and modern attractions in the Village Market. The hotel has chic, contemporary décor in warm earth tones, which creates a luxuriously comfortable atmosphere. Country Lodge – The Fairview Hotel owns its next-door neighbor, the Country Lodge. It has the basic comforts of the Fairview with a smaller price tag. Breakfast is included with each room. 
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