Cheap Flights to Nairobi

Discover Nairobi

Why visit Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi is Kenya’s capital and largest city, and is known for its top museums, malls and nightlife. It is also a launching point for many safari trips – Nairobi actually has the only game reserve in the world to be found within a major city, Nairobi National Park. The reserve is home to giraffes, lions, zebras and endangered black rhinos.

Consider trying some local cuisine on a trip to Nairobi. Ugali, for instance, is a popular and dough-like dish that gets dipped in sauces and stews.

Things to do in Nairobi

On a visit to Nairobi, apart from visiting the game reserve and enjoying the city’s vibrant café and nightlife scene, tourists should learn about Kenyan culture at Bomas of Kenya (a venue that provides tours through mock traditional villages and cultural dance performances), or relax at Muthaiga Country Club for a taste of colonial charm. Travellers can also meet some monkeys at Nairobi Arboretum, a century-old, 30-hectare protected area that is home to more than 350 tree species, 100-plus species of birds (both resident and migrant), and Sykes and vervet monkeys. There are also many museums to check out, including Nairobi National Museum, Karen Blixen Museum, and Nairobi Railway Museum.

Best time to visit Nairobi

The best time of year to visit Nairobi is January to February or June to September when the city is not in the midst of a wet season.

Expect to pay

The currency in Nairobi is the Kenyan shilling.

You can expect to pay about AUD$3.26 for a regular cappuccino in Nairobi.

Arriving in Nairobi by plane

A flight to Nairobi from Australia will land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (also known as Nairobi International Airport, and previously as Embakasi Airport), which is approximately 14km from the city centre.

Some of the airlines operating flights from Australia to Nairobi are South African Airways, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates and Virgin Australia.

Visa requirements

Australians planning a visit to Nairobi should obtain a visa for Kenya through the e-visa portal.

Transportation to city centre

A taxi from the airport into the Nairobi city centre costs from $15 to $22 on average.

If you’d like to organise some alternative transport, you can arrange car hire or airport transfers online.

Where to stay in Nairobi

Nairobi has quality accommodation scattered all around its city, with many hotels in the city centre or near the airport, as well as further out, in and around Nairobi National Park.

It is always a good idea to book a hotel online for the cheapest rates.

Useful tips before you go

Visitors to Nairobi should take note not to point with their finger in Kenya, as this is seen as the equivalent to an obscene gesture. In addition, women are advised to keep their hair tied up and to wear a scarf and a long skirt or very baggy long pants when visiting Nairobi.

For more information on visiting Nairobi, please visit Smart Traveller, a trusted source of travel information for Australians.

Please note: all information is correct as of June 2016.