Nairobi

Kenya's capital is a cosmopolitan and lively city, the largest between Johannesburg and Cairo - and a place of stark contrasts. It is also the starting and ending point for safaris to Kenya.

Like many other African cities, Nairobi has its share of bustling markets, skyscrapers, dusty shanties and leafy suburbs with gleaming gardens. It is, however, unusual in such a bustling city to find a national park full of wild animals, yet this is the setting for the Nairobi National Park. Despite a startling backdrop of city skyscrapers, it is a haven for lion, rhino, zebra and various species of antelope.

Nairobi is a great safari pit stop before or after your trip to the Masai Mara or Amboseli National Park: stock up on last-minute goodies, wander through stores and book shops, and send off your post cards to envious neighbours. There are also some great hotels and plenty of places to eat. In fact the city is becoming increasingly well known for its dining experience. There are a number of excellent restaurants in the city including the world-renowned Carnivore.

Nairobi should not merely be a start, stopover or end to a trip. The city has much to offer and .... Nairobi rocks when it comes to dining! Restaurants of Nairobi by Leigh Kemp

With the majority of our safaris starting or ending in Nairobi, a stopover in this city is almost inevitable. Stay in Nairobi and you'll find an extremely lively town in which you can experience the authentic 'everyday Africa' - a chaotic mishmash of street hawkers, bespoke-suited bankers, overflowing taxis, the latest mercedes benzes, and probably some of the most unconventional driving in the world.

The suburbs

A short drive from Nairobi is Karen Blixen's house. This famous Danish author is best known for 'Out of Africa', and much of the film was shot in this area. In 1986 the house was transformed into the Karen Blixen Museum.

The suburb of Karen and those around Ngong Hills are still where many of Nairobi's expatriates live. The British colonists of the early 20th century settled in what became known as "Happy Valley", and enjoyed a life of wild parties, hunting and farming.

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