Kenya's first national park, Nairobi National Park lies only seven kilometers from the skyscrapers of Nairobi's city center. A haven for wildlife, the park is also a rhino sanctuary, which protects more than 50 of these critically endangered creatures.

In addition to the rhinos, you can see lions, gazelles, buffaloes, warthogs, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and ostriches, and more than 400 species of birds have been recorded in the wetlands.

Nairobi National Park is also a famous ivory burning site. In 1989, President Moi ignited 12 tons of elephant tusks and rhino horns here, boosting the country's conservation image on the world stage. Today, a monument marks this historic site.

The Nairobi Safari Walk is a popular attraction, offering animal lovers the chance to spot wildlife on foot, and walking trails weave around the area known as Hippo Pools.

At the park's main gate, you can bond with orphaned baby elephants and rhinos at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Address: Langata Road, Nairobi

Official site: http://www.kws.go.ke/parks/nairobi-national-park

At the main gates of Nairobi National Park, this orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program is a must-see for animal lovers. Daphne Sheldrick founded the project in 1977 in memory of her late husband David, a former warden at Tsavo East National Park.

The center cares for young abandoned elephants and rhinos and works to release the animals back into the wild. You can watch these lovable creatures up close as they frolic in the mud and drink from giant baby bottles. Best of all, your entrance fee helps support the project's conservation efforts.

If you want to help even more, consider adopting an orphaned elephant, rhino, or giraffe - you'll receive regular updates on their progress long after you leave.

Address: Mbagathi Road, Nairobi

Official site: http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

At the Giraffe Centre, on the edge of Nairobi National Park, visitors can come face to face with endangered Rothschild's giraffes. This non-profit center lies on the grounds of the plush guesthouse, Giraffe Manor, and its main mission is to provide conservation education for children.

The visitor center displays information about these graceful creatures, and a raised platform allows you to feed them at eye level with specially prepared pellets.

This is one of the most unusual things to do around Nairobi, especially with children - photo ops with wet, gray giraffe tongues slurping little faces are priceless.

After communing with these long-lashed beauties, you can enjoy a 1.5-kilometer self-guided forest walk in the adjacent nature reserve.

Address: Langata Road, Nairobi

Official site: http://giraffecenter.org/

Are you craving some solitude near the city? You're in luck. The beautiful Karura Forest is a cool, shady oasis just a few kilometers from the city center.

This lush green space is actually one of the largest urban forests in the world, and you'll discover all kinds of things to see and do here. Hike to a multi-tiered 15-meter waterfall. Enjoy a picnic in the gardens. Watch monkeys clamber through the trees, or just sit quietly by Lily Lake and soak up the tranquility. Bike riding is also popular along the well-marked red-clay trails.

Wildlife also thrives here. Besides monkeys, you might also see duiker (small antelope), butterflies, and many species of birds. After all your forest adventures, sit back and relax with a snack and a drink at the open-sided river café.

"Ngong" means "knuckles" in Maasai, a fitting name since these beautiful pointed green hills resemble the back of a fist facing the sky. They are a popular place to visit close to Nairobi and provide a welcome respite from the city heat.

The Ngong Hills are the peaks of a ridge overlooking the Great Rift Valley, and many white settlers established their farms here in the early colonial days. Half-timbered houses and flowering gardens remain, but seem more suited to southern England than Africa.

Several walking trails traverse the hills, offering beautiful views of the valleys below. Wildlife is also visible in the area. Buffalo, gazelles, giraffes, bushbuck, the occasional klipspringer, and troupes of baboons are often glimpsed grazing along the roadside.

If you're an Out of Africa fan and you're looking for other places to visit in the Ngong Hills, stop by the grave of Denys Finch Hatton, the lover of famous Danish author, Karen Blixen. It lies on the eastern slopes, graced by an obelisk and garden.

Address: Great Rift Valley, Mageso Chember, Nairobi

Those who would love to explore further out from Nairobi City such as for a Safari in the Masai Mara or a beach holiday in Mombasa, you can get in touch with our below well known travel agents who would be more than happy to assist you with your holiday package.

Travel ‘n Style – Contact person: Keyur & Shilen Jobanputra +254 722 873 005

Mario Tours – Contact person: Sankhesh +254 723 676000

RESTAURANTS:

Open House – Indian Cuisine – Westlands ,Nairobi
Haandi -Indian Cuisine – Westlands, Nairobi
Nargis – BBQ – School lane, Brookside, Nairobi
Mercado – Mexican Kitchen & Bar– Westlands, Nairobi
Asmara – Mixed Ethiopian & Italian – General Mathenge Westlands, Nairobi
Mint Shak– Karoga/Cook out/Indian – Peponi Road -Westlands, Nairobi
Red Ginger – Karoga/Cook out/ Indian – Parklands, Nairobi
Alchemist – Bar/Music and fast food – Parklands, Nairobi
Mawimbi – Sea Food – CBD town
Talisman – Karen – Ngong Road – Nairobi
Phoenician -Lebanese – Brookside, Nairobi
Cedars – Lebanese – Gigiri
La dolce vita – Italian – Limuri Road, Muthaiga shopping centre, Nairobi

MALLS:

Village Market
Sarit Centre Mall – Westlands, Nairobi
Westgate Mall – Westlands, Nairobi
Diamond Plaza – Parklands

Uber facilities available to travel around- please download the app.