Kenya’s capital often gets overlooked for grand safari experiences such as the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara or tropical beach retreats in Mombasa. That’s beginning to change as international buzz about Nairobi’s burgeoning art and music scene grows.

A rapidly growing youth population and increased access to social media have enabled artists, actors, writers, musicians, foodies, influencers, and curators to form online communities and collaborative groups to promote their craft and reach new audiences. The star power and support of home grown actors such as Lupita Nyong’o doesn’t hurt either.

A capital with a wild side

I had opportunities to try out lots of different safaris in Southern Africa, but Nairobi is the only city in the world where you can view wildlife against the backdrop of steel skyscrapers. Nairobi National Park is a short drive from the central business district and offers visitors the opportunity to observe lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes, endangered black rhinos, and over 400 species of bird life. Park rangers can guide you on the best locations and times for optimal game drives based on the time of year and weather conditions when you visit. Generally, the southeast side of the park is the best place to spot zebra, giraffe, and buffalo.

On the western border of the park, you can visit Sheldrick’s elephant and rhino orphanage and learn about its conservation and anti-poaching efforts. For the equivalent of about $5, you can interact with the orphanage’s young wards during the daily open house (from 11 am to 12 pm). Next head to the insta-famous #giraffemanor, located in the indigenous forests of the Langata suburb, for a close-up encounter with the resident giraffes who tend to poke their heads in at meal time. 

Learn about up and coming local artists at the events held at CreativesGarage or the Go DownArts Center. The city’s creative crowd can also be found at Nairobi Garage, a co-working space that keeps you fueled with free Kenyan coffee. AllianceFrancaise and the Goethe Institute also put on live performances and film screenings often featuring Kenyan and pan-African acts. For an authentic Kenyan experience take a ride in one of the city’s colorful matuta buses.

Young entrepreneurs are using art and social media to rehabilitate the image of this local transport staple. Another transport inspired art movement is located at the Kenyan railway system. The East African Soul Train (EAST) is an annual traveling art residency program that takes artists from East Africa on the historic Uganda-Kenya rail route.

Culinary melting pot

Nairobi’s history as East Africa’s cultural melting pot is evident in its culinary offerings – you will find everything from award-winning gastro-pubs to traditional Kenyan grilled meat (nyoma choma in Swahili), and eclectic Indian fusion. Despite its touristy reputation, the Bomas of Kenya offer visitors a chance to observe a variety of tribal performances while enjoying a traditional barbecue. For meat lovers, the aptly named Carnivore offers a range of traditional proteins and game meat (think crocodile and ostrich) roasted on traditional Masai swords over a huge charcoal pit. The Talisman,  an elegant restaurant serving a variety of international cuisine, has garnered several international luxury awards for its chef, architecture, and cuisine. 

Indians, who arrived in East Africa as indentured laborers to build the Uganda railway, have shaped the Kenyan food scene. Indian curries imbued with distinctive African flavors and ingredients are found throughout the city in street food halls and high-end restaurants alike. A open-air post club meal consists of Kenyan kebabs (mutura) served street side outside the clubs of Westland with kachumbari (Indian version of salsa).  Haandi serves some of the best North Indian cuisine in Nairobi and for Indian-infused seafood head to Seven Seafood & Grill.

Discover artisanal products on a farm tour

Nairobi also offers many options to sample artisanal food products at the source in beautiful countryside settings. If you are a coffee addict, you are in luck as the cafe culture in Nairobi has picked up in the last few years. You can also take a tour of the Karunguru coffee farm and sample some black gold for yourself. Their coffee tasting experience pairs different grades and varieties of coffee including chili or vanilla-infused coffee with sweet pastries. Kenya’s fertile mountain slopes are also perfect for tea production. Kiambethu tea farm offers tours followed by a meal in its garden. For a less caffeine-induced excursion, Brown’s cheese farm provides a specialty cheese tasting along with an organic lunch including a variety of homemade bread, jams, and chutneys and organic salads.

A night out on the town

To dance the night away with the city’s best djs, head to the Alchemist.  The Alchemist complex includes an outdoor lounge area, a food truck, and gourmet burgers at Mama Rocks. Check the events calendar for special theme nights and live music. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of Blankets & Wine, which started off as a low-key event (where you brought your own picnic blankets and wine) to promote alternative musicians. The concept quickly expanded to Uganda and Rwanda and has grown into a pan Africa-wide event focusing on regional art,literature, music, fashion, and theater.

Hunt for local handicrafts
 
A visit to the thriving East African capital would not be complete without picking up some handmade souvenirs at the city’s rotating Masai markets. These colorful open-air markets were started by local female artisans to sell their products directly to buyers. The location rotates daily and the market targets tourists, so it’s best to be prepared to bargain. Check out the Made in Kenya store for more unique local designer fashion and jewelry.

Head to the Anselm Kitengela glass studio or Kazuri bead factory and pottery center to watch artisans at work. At Anselm, located near Nairobi National Park, you can observe glass-blowing and artisans transforming recycled glass, scrap metal, and other material into art, home goods, and decor. Major Kenyan museums and institutions commission Anselm pieces.

Remember to bring your camera to capture the colorful murals featured throughout the studio grounds. Kazuri,which means “small and beautiful” in Swahili, specializes in hand painted beads and pottery.