About Nairobi

Nairobi is the political, as well as financial and media capital of Kenya. A city of 4.8 million inhabitants (as of 2024), it's the largest and fastest growing city in the country and one of Africa's largest cities. Nairobi is at the Nairobi River, and at an altitude of 1,795 m (5,889 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest national capitals in the world. While a transit point that most travellers to Kenya will pass through, it's certainly also worth taking a few days to experience this bustling metropolis.

Source: Wikipedia

Essential Information

Currency

Kenyan shilling (KES)

Symbol: Sh

Language

English

Also: Swahili

Phone Code

+254

International dialing code for Kenya

Driving

Drive on the left

Standard for Kenya

Region

Africa

Eastern Africa

Connectivity

There are very many internet cafés around Nairobi, but connection speeds and computers are not always super fast, but still you will manage to open your email, probably even use a webcam or watch YouTube. Prices are usually at ranges from Ksh 0.5/minute to Ksh 1/minute, usually with a minimum fee of Ksh 5-20. The more expensive internet cafés are rarely better and the best ones charge Ksh 1/minute with discounts for using the internet for longer. Most of the good cafés are found in Norwich Union

How to Get to Nairobi

Transportation options and arrival information

For general information about visas and vaccinations, etc., see theKenyaarticle.

Getting Around Nairobi

Local transportation and navigation tips

Be careful getting around Nairobi. Traffic is very bad like any other major city, but if you use common sense and a local or guide you should be able to get where you want.

Safety in Nairobi

Moderate Safety (Global Peace Index: 2.303)

About the Global Peace Index: Global Peace Index measures peacefulness on a scale of 1 (most peaceful) to 5 (least peaceful)

Nairobi has a reputation for thievery. Beware of snatch and grab, con artists, or groups of people following you. Scams are elaborate and can involve up to 10 or more people working together. The best advice for a tourist is to stay in the city centre, know where you are at all times, and pretend you know where you're going (even if you don't). If you find yourself in an unfamiliar area your best bet is to find a taxi (although you will probably pay dearly if the driver suspects a panicked weste

Source: Institute for Economics & Peace (2022)