Nairobi is a Top Destination for Wildlife Fans—Here's What To Do There

Going on safari in Africa means getting an opportunity to spot the “Big Five”—elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and water buffaloes. In Kenya, wildlife enthusiasts need only visit Nairobi, where you can book a guided tour of Nairobi National Park. Embark on a safari tour for five hours for a chance to marvel at these spectacular creatures in person. No documentary or TV show can compare to the real thing.

Few things in nature are as cute as baby elephants. When in Nairobi, you can catch a glimpse of them during their feeding time at Daphne Sheldrick Orphanage. Orphaned or abandoned in the wild, the elephant calves at this nature sanctuary are rescued and nurtured by the Sheldrick Trust, which specializes in the conservation and protection of the endangered African elephant. If seeing the elephant babies isn’t enough, you can opt to “adopt” an orphan to help the sanctuary continue to fulfil its mission.

Native to East Africa, Rothschild giraffes are one of the most endangered animal populations in the wild. Fortunately, there’s a safe space in Nairobi that specializes in prioritizing and preserving their species. The Giraffe Centre offers you a chance to learn about and interact first-hand with these gentle creatures. For an enchanting experience, grab a bucketful of pellets and feed these long-necked herbivores—but be prepared to get a little messy. The friendly animals with long, blue tongues expel a lot of saliva as they eat from the palm of your hand.

To truly immerse yourself in wildlife while in Nairobi, stay at Giraffe Manor. Over the past few years, this high-end hotel next to the Giraffe Centre has been popularized on Instagram due to one incredible amenity—the chance to live among giraffes. Here is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to eat, sleep, and walk alongside these stunning animals and take the perfect travel pictures.

Nairobi is an oasis for wildlife and Nairobi Safari Walk is no exception. Offering undisturbed views of wild animals, this raised boardwalk lets you escape the hustle and bustle of the urban landscape to observe Nairobi’s natural beauty. Surrounded by a canopy of trees, a safari walk is a unique and relaxing experience that allows you a spectacular, more intimate glimpse of Kenya’s flora and fauna, including big cats, primates, and 150 species of trees.

Kenya is big on rescuing its wildlife from the hardships experienced in the wild. Many wild babies have been orphaned due to an increase in poaching, but spots like the Animal Orphanage are safe spaces for abandoned orphans of approximately 20 animals and bird species that have been rescued and rehabilitated, ranging from monkeys to warthogs to ostriches. With animals housed inside large enclosures, the Animal Orphanage is the closest attraction that Nairobi has to a zoo.

The epicenter of Kenya’s rich history, the Nairobi National Museum has a section fully dedicated to the history of wild animals in East Africa, particularly in Kenya. Within the wildlife section of the museum are two worthwhile natural history exhibits: The Great Hall of Mammals, which is full of taxidermied beasts, and The Birds of East Africa, which has the remains of thousands of bird species. The Nairobi National Museum also boasts the popular Snake Park, an educational reptile exhibit that features numerous species of live snakes.

Mamba Village is one of the last attractions of its kind in Nairobi. Meaning crocodile in Swahili, Kenya’s national language, you'll meet the fearsome “mamba” at Mamba Village. This is also a great place to have lunch and spend quality family time. Additionally, there are ostriches and tortoises to meet while you're here.