Africa's safari capital — a city where lions roam a national park within sight of the CBD, and the world's greatest wildlife migration begins just a few hours' drive away.
8h 30m
Flight from London
from £329
Typical price
Jul–Oct
Best season
About the destination
Why visit Nairobi?
Nairobi is unlike any other capital city. At 1,795 metres above sea level — higher than the summit of Ben Nevis — it sits in equatorial highlands where the air is cool, the skies are enormous, and the surrounding landscape is a mosaic of savannah, highland forest, and the Great Rift Valley. Nairobi National Park, just 7km from the city centre, is the only wildlife reserve in the world that borders a capital city — lion, rhino, leopard, giraffe, and buffalo roam against a backdrop of downtown skyscrapers. It's an image so unlikely that first-time visitors often simply stand and stare. The Giraffe Centre in the Karen suburb offers face-level encounters with endangered Rothschild's giraffes — a morning here, feeding them from a raised platform, is impossible to forget. The Karen Blixen Museum, in the colonial farmhouse that was the setting for Out of Africa, preserves an evocative piece of East African history. As a staging post for the wider region, Nairobi is peerless: the Maasai Mara game reserve, home to the Great Migration, is an hour's light-aircraft hop away; Amboseli, with its elephants and Kilimanjaro views, is a half-day drive. But Nairobi repays exploration in itself — the food scene has exploded in sophistication, the art and music scenes are dynamic, and the people carry a warmth and pride that makes the city feel genuinely welcoming.
Top highlights
What to see in Nairobi
🦁
Maasai Mara safari
The world's greatest wildlife spectacle — the annual wildebeest migration peaks July–October. The Mara is a short flight or half-day drive from Nairobi and delivers the full African safari experience.
🦒
Nairobi National Park
Lions, rhino, and giraffe against a city skyline — the world's only urban safari park. A morning game drive here before your flight home is genuinely one of travel's great quirks.
🏡
Karen Blixen Museum
The farmhouse that inspired Out of Africa, preserved in its colonial-era state in the leafy Karen suburb. The surrounding gardens and distant Ngong Hills make this a beautiful, contemplative visit.
🦒
Giraffe Centre
Feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes face-to-face from a raised platform at this breeding centre in Karen. One of Kenya's most popular family attractions — arrive early to beat the crowds.
Things to do
Tours & experiences in Nairobi
Activities by Viator · affiliate commission earned on bookings · prices vary
Multi-day tours
Guided tours that include Nairobi
Tours by G Adventures · affiliate commission earned on bookings · prices in GBP
Practical information
Travel essentials for Nairobi
Detail
Information
Visa (UK passport)
eVisa required. Apply online at evisa.go.ke — approximately $50 USD for a single-entry 90-day tourist visa. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel and print your approval letter to show on arrival.
Currency
Kenyan Shilling (KES). USD is widely accepted in safari lodges and tourist venues. Cards accepted at hotels and larger restaurants; carry cash for markets, taxis and smaller establishments. M-Pesa mobile payments are ubiquitous.
Time zone
UTC+3 (East Africa Time) — no daylight saving. Currently 3 hours ahead of the UK in winter (GMT), 2 hours ahead when the UK observes BST.
Language
English and Swahili (both official). English is widely spoken in business, government, and tourist contexts throughout the country. A greeting in Swahili ("Jambo" or "Habari") is always warmly received.
Best time to visit
July–October for the Great Migration in the Mara. January–February (dry season) is excellent for general wildlife viewing. April–June (long rains) and November (short rains) bring lower prices and fewer crowds.
Weather & best time to visit
When to fly to Nairobi
Nairobi sits at 1,795 metres in the equatorial highlands — the air is cool and the year splits into wet and dry seasons rather than summer and winter. For safari travellers, two clear windows stand out: the hot dry spell in January and February (great game viewing) and the cool dry stretch from June to September, when the Great Wildebeest Migration peaks in the Maasai Mara. The long rains (March–May) make dirt tracks muddy and are best avoided.
✓ Best time
Jan–Feb & Jun–Sep
Dry seasons — peak wildebeest migration Jul–Oct
Avoid
Mar–May
Long rains — safari tracks muddy, some lodges close
Bargain season
Nov
Short rains, prices dip, still good game viewing
Jan
26°
13°
Feb
27°
14°
Mar
26°
15°
Apr
24°
16°
May
23°
14°
Jun
22°
13°
Jul
22°
12°
Aug
22°
12°
Sep
24°
13°
Oct
24°
15°
Nov
23°
15°
Dec
24°
14°
Average daytime high / overnight low. Green outline = great month to visit.
Flights from the UK to Nairobi — frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Nairobi?
Direct flights from London Heathrow to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) take approximately 8 hours 30 minutes. One-stop connections via Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi add 3–5 hours depending on the layover but can sometimes be cheaper.
How much does a flight to Nairobi cost from the UK?
Return fares start from around £329 outside peak periods. Migration season (July–October) and Christmas departures push prices to £500–£800. Always compare direct vs connecting fares — Gulf carrier one-stops can undercut direct prices significantly.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Kenya?
Yes. An eVisa is required before travel — apply online at evisa.go.ke. The single-entry tourist visa costs around $50 USD and permits a 90-day stay. Apply at least two weeks before travel and carry a printed copy of your approval.
Which airlines fly direct from the UK to Nairobi?
Kenya Airways operates the primary direct service between London Heathrow and Nairobi. British Airways has also flown this route. Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar Airways (via Doha) and Etihad (via Abu Dhabi) offer competitive one-stop alternatives.
When is the best time to visit the Maasai Mara from Nairobi?
The Great Wildebeest Migration — when over a million wildebeest and zebra move between Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara — peaks from July through October. The dramatic Mara River crossings typically occur August–September. Year-round resident wildlife remains excellent outside migration season.
What vaccinations do I need for Kenya?
The NHS recommends ensuring routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus, diphtheria) are current. Hepatitis A, typhoid, and antimalarials are advisable. Yellow Fever vaccination is required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. Always check the latest NHS Travel Health advice before your trip.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial guide updated regularly with current data.