Hostels in NAIROBI, KENYA

City Nairobi – Safari Capital of the World

Located only 138 km south of the equator, Nairobi is the largest and the capital city of Kenya. In addition to numerous tourist places, the city has various entertainment venues and offers a great nightlife. Like many other cities of Kenya, Nairobi also offers the wonderful safari trips as one of its main attractions.

Accommodation Options
The main bus station area can help you find various budget hotels and guesthouse facility. To find mid-range hotels, you can move to the city centre, Karen suburb and near the shopping district. Serviced apartments, home stays and youth hostel options can also be preferred in various parts of the city.

History
Nairobi doesn’t have along history, as it was founded as a railway camp to serve the Uganda Railways in 1899. It was initially a swamp area with no population. The name of the city has been derived from the Maasai language word Enkare Nyirobi that translates to ‘cool waters’. In the very beginning of the 20th century, the place was attacked by plague and had to be burnt and rebuilt. In 1905, the city became the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate and started growing thereafter. As Kenya became independent in 1963, Nairobi went on becoming the capital of the country.

Popular Places
Nairobi National Park, a game-reserve with populations of lions, giraffes and many birds, is one of the popular places in the city. The Giraffe Centre, the Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park and the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage are some of the other places in the city to explore the wildlife. The Nairobi National Museum, the National Railway Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum are among the most popular museums worth visiting. The 14 Falls and the Tana River are other tourist places to visit in the city.

Getting Around
Buses, matatu and taxis are the popular means of getting around the city of Nairobi. One can also prefer to walk with a guide to explore some parts of the city. However, travelling alone at night is strictly not recommended. 

Places of Entertainment
The Westlands district in Nairobi is the perfect place to enjoy a spectacular nightlife. Bars, clubs and restaurants in this area can satisfy your craving for full-on entertainment. Bomas of Kenya is the place to explore the Kenyan culture through artefacts, music and dance. White water rafting can be enjoyed at the Tana River. However, the safari trip to explore zebra, hippo, rhino, lion, wildebeest and other species is one thing you should not miss. Also, there are several shopping malls, if you wish to have your shopping bags filled.

Language(s) Spoken
Like most of the Kenyan cities, Nairobi, has Swahili as the main language, but the local residents can well-interact in English.

Currency
Kenyan Shilling (KES) is the official currency of Nairobi. Banknotes are available as 10, 20 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 shillings, while coins are available as 5, 10 and 50 cents and 1, 5, 10, 20, 40 shillings. Don’t forget to find currency exchange news online that can help you during the trip.

Nairobi group accommodation | Cheap hostels & budget hotels