Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, boasts a breathtaking landscape and many activities that those in and outside the country can engage in. Wildlife and nature enthusiasts have many options for exploring the great outdoors near Nairobi, including wildlife viewing, hiking, and cycling, among others. Here is a list of the six best outdoor activities you cannot afford to miss in this lively city.
Explore Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is one of the extraordinary national parks situated thirteen kilometers south of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. The park is unique, it is the only national park in the world that shares its borders with a capital city. Wildlife includes lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, antelopes, hippos, rhinos, and over 404 species of birds.
Some of the top things to do here include:
– Safari drives – They ride in a car with high ground clearance over the rough terrain in search of animals grazing on the grass. It is one of the easiest methods to observe the Big Five.
– Self-drive game drives – For those who prefer a more independent approach, self-drive game drives are also possible. You will get to interact very closely with the animals.
– Animal orphanage – Go to the park’s animal orphanage to find young animals being taken care of.
Hike the Ngong Hills
The Ngong Hills, situated about 20 km southwest of Nairobi, provide some of the best vantage viewpoints in Kenya.
Some of the most popular hikes here include:
– Ngong Hill Peak – This 5-hour hike will lead you up the tallest hill in the range. Those who opt for a day’s hiking will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley.
– Kona Baridi Eco-Hike – This is an eco-hike owned by the locals. You are taken through an indigenous forest and then to the waterfall. This is not as strenuous a hike as many expect and can be done by virtually anyone.
Cycle Karen and Ngong
The outskirts of Karen and Ngong have well-spaced, quiet roads that are perfect for cycling.
Some routes to try out include:
– Ngong Hills Base – Bike around the hills and admire the changing views while also stopping to photograph zebras and giraffes.
– Karen Blixen Coffee Garden – Take a bumpy ride through Karen to the coffee plantation and restaurant. Stop for coffee and cake, then get back on the bikes and cycle back.
– Kona Baridi – For lunch, take a ride to the eco-lodge and the waterfall, and you can return whenever you want.
Dine al fresco at Carnivore
Carnivore restaurant is a one of a kind open air grill dining. The meat specialty restaurant boasts of a garden atmosphere with a waterhole that has been lit at night. Reared game meat, including ostrich, crocodile and others are grilled over charcoal and served on the table in slices. It is a unique method of eating food in Nairobi.
Camp under the Stars
If you are interested in camping, then you can find several excellent private camps only 20-25 minutes away from Nairobi.
Some popular options include:
– Emakoko – A comfortable camping site away from Nairobi with clean amenities. Enjoy the scenery as zebra and wildebeest graze in front of your window as you wake up.
– Nairobi Backpackers – A plain camping site but has a jovial social setting and is ideal for the overland vehicles. Roast some marshmallows and count the stars at night.
Quad biking in Kajiado County
A few kilometers from Ngong Hills is Kajiado County occupied by the Maasai community. There are also many companies that organize quad biking tours within the beautiful territory. Driving through the countryside and having contact with the people is a unique cultural experience. Like most of the ATV trails, quad biking tours can be designed for every rider’s ability since there are numerous paths to select.
And that is the end of it – six exciting activities to enjoy outdoors in and around Nairobi city. Based on the personal interests, one can visit various natural attractions in and around Nairobi since it is a good starting point for many tours in Kenya.
