Nairobi

Historically known as 'Nairobbery', Nairobi resembles most capital cities - especially in Africa - as a place to fly into and out of, but not a place in which to stay any longer than you need to. Having said this, Nairobi does actually have quite a wide variety of tourist attractions that will well repay a visit if you find yourself here with time on your hands.

Of the two major attractions - the Karen Blixen Museum and the Nairobi National Park - we are putting the latter second, since most people visiting Kenya will already be en route to much more exciting wildlife venues.

Located at the foot of the Ngong Hills, and originally the actual home of Karen Blixen (also known as Isak Dinesen) of 'Out Of Africa' fame, the museum of the same name is a very popular tourist attraction, filled with interesting archeological artefacts. Close by, and often visited at the same time, is the Giraffe Centre, where you can hand-feed the endangered Rothschild Giraffe.

Just 7 km outside the city lies the 113 sq km Nairobi National Park, home to most major wildlife species, except for elephant. [cntd.]

It is quite bizarre to watch wildlife grazing in this way, against a backdrop of a major city skyline. Close by is the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, which may be visited in the mornings.

Other, more minor, attractions in the city itself are The National Museum (and adjacent Snake Park), Railway Museum, Parliament House and Uhuru Gardens (near to Wilson airport, Nairobi's internal flight hub).

Some 175 km from Nairobi, reachable by road or by air, lies the 715 sq kms of the Mount Kenya National Park. In addition to some excellent game viewing (including the rare 'Bongo' antelope), the Park provides a most diverse scenery, ranging from lakes through forest to the mountain itself. Climbing Mount Kenya - Africa's second highest peak - is second only to, and similar to, climbing Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro.

Only 65 km out from Nairobi is the Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, together with the nearby Mwea National Reserve. These contain a plentiful variety of both game and birdlife.