TOTAL BUDGET FOR TRIP = N350,000
I recently visited Nairobi during the Easter holiday with my family for 4 nights. Prior to our trip, I had asked a friend who had been to Kenya for information on various activities we could do besides the obvious safari trip. I was extremely shocked to find out he did not even go to the safari. Who in the world goes to Kenya without going to the Safari?? That’s basically the only thing to do there (so I thought). I probed further and found out in typical Nigerian style, he did basically nothing. His cycle was sleep-shop-eat-sleep. I was pretty stoked about the trip and decided to do my own “little” research on things to do in Nairobi. I discovered so many interesting things and was tempted to prolong my stay 🙁.
1. VISAS: For Nigerian Citizens travelling to Kenya, you are required to obtain a visa on arrival at the Kenyan Airport for the price of $50. P.S do not forget your yellow fever card! It’s extremely important for entry.
2. FLIGHTS: There are direct flights to Nairobi via Kenya Airways from both the Lagos and Abuja international airports. Please note that there are no daily flights to Kenya. Please click link for their flight schedules. Ticket price ranges between $700-$800.
3. HOTELS: You are spoilt for choice with regards accommodation in Nairobi. There are so many options with affordable prices. We stayed at The Sankara hotel and it was beautiful. Friendly staff, good food and a generally nice environment. For more options with regards accommodation kindly click here….here….here….and here. To make a more informed decision on the hotel choices, kindly visit here for customer reviews and further information. The total cost for a 4 (four) night stay in Sankara came up to N157,239. (double room + complementary breakfast).
4. ACTIVITIES: So much to do…so little time. I think I will let the pictures do the talking this time.
- Uhuru National Park: Uhuru (meaning freedom) is the largest memorial park in Kenya and our guide explained that due to its capacity, most political rallies are held here. This is where the first Kenyan flag was raised to mark their independence.
- KICC Centre : birds eye view of Nairobi while we wait on our heli to pick us up :). Take a look at those lovers on the left, lol.
- Bow Sports Archery: Working those arms!!!!
- Marula Studios (Flip Flop Factory): Creativity at its peak! Everything you see is made of recycled flip flops.
- The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Home for orphaned elephants. Adopt an elephant for $50 per year.
- Giraffe Center: Don’t bite my arms!
- Nairobi National Park : it doesn’t get any better than this! Bucket list *check* 🙂
- Nairobi Animal Orphanage: Oh look! its Uncle Scar and Mufasa
All these places (except Marula Studios and Uhuru national park) require a fee. Total budget for activities: $300
5. FEEDING: There are so many places to eat both local and continental cuisine in Nairobi and food is generally affordable. You will get a good meal for N1,500 – N2,000. The average price for cocktails in Nairobi is about N1,000-N1,200. Carnivore restaurant is definitely TOP on my list! Everyone that visits Nairobi should MUST go there. It is an all you can eat meat buffet with exotic meat like crocodile, rabbit and ostrich. They were all so yummy save the crocodile meat! That tasted like extra extra chewy fishy chicken (if that makes sense), I did not exactly like it! The Rabbit meat, turkey and lamb were my absolute favs on the menu. I also tried one of their local dishes called Ugali.
I loved every bit of my stay and would definitely recommend Kenya for anyone looking to explore Africa. Asante Sana Rafiki’s (meaning thank you friends) for reading. :).
“The world is a book and those who don’t travel only read one page” – St Augustine
