Best Hotels in Nairobi for Every Budget — 49 Real Picks From £34 (2026)

Nairobi is the only capital city on earth with a national park inside it. Twenty minutes from the office towers, lions, rhino, giraffe and buffalo graze on open plains with the skyline standing behind them. That single fact tells you what kind of city this is: a fast, modern, green-edged African capital that also happens to be the front door to the Maasai Mara.

The short answer: below are 49 real, bookable hotels in Nairobi — from a £34-a-night studio to five-star landmarks like Fairmont The Norfolk and Villa Rosa Kempinski — every one linking to live prices for your dates. We also cover the Kenya eTA, which area to base yourself in, and honest, practical safety advice. No markups, no booking fees.

Jump to: Luxury hotels · Mid-range hotels · Budget stays from £34 · FAQs

Scout's 3 picks

• Splurge: Fairmont The Norfolk — the 1904 colonial landmark by the National Museum, all verandas and gardens, from about £148.
• Mid-range: Ole Sereni — rooms that actually overlook Nairobi National Park, from about £122.
• Budget: Easy Hotel Kenya — 468 reviews and a from-price around £36 a night.

The Best Luxury Hotels in Nairobi

Nairobi's top tier is a genuine bargain by London or Cape Town standards — five-star service, big gardens and proper spas for what a mid-range chain costs at home. Prices are per-night from-estimates; tap any name for live rates.

1. Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport by IHG — Nairobi · 5★ · 3,032 reviews · from ~£150/night. The most-reviewed five-star in this guide, built around Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the dawn safari departures that leave from it. Expect reliable international standards, a pool, and a shuttle that removes any anxiety about Nairobi traffic. The obvious choice for a first or last night in Kenya.

2. Sarova Stanley Hotel, Nairobi — Nairobi · 5★ · 1,650 reviews · from ~£110/night. A historic city-centre institution whose Thorn Tree Café was, for generations, the place travellers pinned messages for each other before setting off into East Africa. Central, characterful and much cheaper than its five stars suggest. Good if you want the CBD's convenience with a grand hotel's security.

3. Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence Nairobi Arboretum — Nairobi · 5★ · 1,555 reviews · from ~£158/night. A polished modern tower next to the green calm of the Nairobi Arboretum, with residence-style rooms that suit longer stays. Well placed between Westlands and Upper Hill. A dependable, contemporary pick with strong reviews.

4. The Concord Hotel & Suites — Nairobi · 5★ · 1,267 reviews · from ~£73/night. Remarkable value — a five-star listing with over a thousand reviews at a from-price most cities charge for a budget room. Suites are spacious and the location works for both the city and the Westlands restaurant scene. The single best price-to-rating ratio on this list.

5. Villa Rosa Kempinski — Nairobi · 5★ · 1,146 reviews · from ~£171/night. Nairobi's glossiest luxury address, on Chiromo Road between the CBD and Westlands, with a rooftop pool, a serious spa and a lobby that functions as the city's power-lunch venue. This is the top of our price range and still costs less than mid-range London. For a special first night in Africa, it delivers.

6. The Boma Nairobi — Nairobi · 5★ · 1,010 reviews · from ~£71/night. Owned by the Kenya Red Cross, with profits supporting its humanitarian work — a rare thing in a five-star hotel. It sits on Mombasa Road on the airport side of the city, handy for early flights and for Nairobi National Park. Excellent value for the standard.

7. The Social House Nairobi, a Preferred Lifestyle Hotel — Nairobi · 5★ · 628 reviews · from ~£158/night. A design-led lifestyle hotel in Lavington, full of Kenyan art, with a rooftop bar and a younger, more creative crowd than the business towers. Good restaurants in-house and an easy hop to Westlands. Pick this over a chain if you want somewhere with a personality.

8. Nairobi Serena Hotel — Nairobi · 5★ · 564 reviews · from ~£162/night. A long-established five-star beside Central Park, part of the Serena group that runs safari lodges across Kenya and Tanzania — so booking your Nairobi night and your Mara lodge under one roof is straightforward. Quiet gardens, attentive service and a genuinely central location.

9. Kwetu Nairobi, Curio Collection By Hilton — Nairobi · 5★ · 449 reviews · from ~£171/night. A newer Hilton Curio property in Westlands — "kwetu" means "our place" in Swahili — with contemporary rooms, a rooftop pool and Hilton loyalty points if you collect them. Right in the middle of the best eating and drinking in the city.

10. Fairmont The Norfolk — Nairobi · 5★ · 429 reviews · from ~£148/night. The grande dame of Nairobi, open since 1904 and older than most of the city around it, with a famous veranda terrace, tropical gardens and a courtyard that has hosted a century of safari departures. It sits opposite the Nairobi National Museum. If you want one night of old-Africa atmosphere, book here.

From-prices are per-night estimates and vary by season and demand. See all Nairobi stays or check flights to NBO.

The Best Mid-Range Hotels in Nairobi

This is where most visitors land — comfortable four-star hotels in Westlands, Upper Hill and around the airport, well reviewed and priced far below their European equivalents.

11. Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel — Nairobi · 4★ · 3,914 reviews · from ~£50/night. The most-reviewed hotel in this entire guide, which is a decent proxy for consistency. A central, business-friendly four-star with a pool and familiar international standards at a very fair price. A safe first booking if you are unsure of the city.

12. Lotos Inn & Suites -Nairobi, Westlands — Nairobi · 4★ · 2,115 reviews · from ~£52/night. Suite-style rooms in Westlands, walkable to the area's restaurants, cafés and malls, with over two thousand reviews behind it. The extra living space suits families and longer stays. Strong value for the neighbourhood.

13. Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport — Nairobi · 4★ · 1,611 reviews · from ~£173/night. Marriott's airport hotel, directly connected to JKIA's terminal area, and the highest from-price on this whole list. You are paying for the walk-to-check-in convenience, which on a 5am safari flight is worth real money. Modern, quiet rooms and a rooftop pool.

14. Best Western Premier Westlands — Nairobi · 4★ · 1,378 reviews · from ~£94/night. A step up from the standard Best Western, in the heart of Westlands with a rooftop terrace and easy access to the district's nightlife. Reliable, well maintained and well located. Good for business travellers who also want to enjoy the evenings.

15. La Maison Royale South C — Nairobi · 4★ · 1,259 reviews · from ~£47/night. In South C, the residential district between the city and the airport, which makes it a quiet and cheap base with a short run to JKIA. Over a thousand reviews at a four-star listing for under £50 is a rare combination. Handy for Nairobi National Park too.

16. The Panari Hotel - Near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport — Nairobi · 4★ · 1,248 reviews · from ~£66/night. A large, long-standing hotel on Mombasa Road close to the airport, well set up for transit nights and conference groups. Rooms are generous and the airport transfer is straightforward. A cheaper airport option than the international chains.

17. Ole Sereni — Nairobi · 4★ · 1,101 reviews · from ~£122/night. The one with the view: Ole Sereni sits on the edge of Nairobi National Park, and rooms and the terrace look straight out over the plains where zebra and giraffe graze. Breakfast with wildlife on the horizon, ten minutes from the airport. If you only have one night in Nairobi, this is the most Kenyan way to spend it.

18. Golden Tulip Westlands Nairobi — Nairobi · 4★ · 1,012 reviews · from ~£93/night. A smart international four-star in Westlands with a pool and a rooftop bar, walking distance from the district's restaurants. Consistent, comfortable and well reviewed. A solid middle-of-the-road choice in the best-placed neighbourhood.

19. The Zehneria Hotel — Nairobi · 4★ · 784 reviews · from ~£42/night. A boutique-feeling four-star in Westlands at a price that belongs in the budget tier, with a garden setting that keeps the traffic noise at arm's length. Quiet, personal and very good value. Book early — the cheap rates go first.

20. Sarova Panafric Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill — Nairobi · 4★ · 768 reviews · from ~£92/night. A Nairobi institution in Upper Hill, set in mature gardens with a pool, a short drive from the CBD and the museum. It suits business travellers and anyone who wants space and greenery without paying five-star rates. Reliable Kenyan hospitality from a well-known local group.

From-prices are per-night estimates and vary by season and demand. See all Nairobi stays or check flights to NBO.

Cheap Hotels in Nairobi — 49 Real, Bookable Options From £34

Nairobi is genuinely cheap to sleep in. Everything below is a real, reviewed, bookable property — serviced apartments, city hotels and airport stays — starting at about £34 a night. These are the 29 budget picks that complete our 49.

21. Rosslyn Studios — Nairobi · 3★ · 26 reviews · from ~£34/night. The cheapest entry point in this guide, in the quiet Rosslyn area on the leafy northern side of the city. Studio rooms with kitchen space suit longer stays and self-caterers. Reviews are still few, so check recent ones for your dates.

22. Easy Hotel Kenya — Nairobi · 4★ · 468 reviews · from ~£36/night. Our budget pick of the whole list: a four-star listing with nearly 500 reviews at under £40 a night. Simple, clean, well run and unfussy. If you want one safe cheap booking without overthinking it, this is it.

23. Brickwood Apartments — Nairobi · 3★ · 21 reviews · from ~£39/night. Apartment-style accommodation with kitchen facilities, useful if you are in Nairobi for a week rather than a night. Space and self-catering for the price of a basic room. A small property, so book early.

24. Hotel Mokka City — Nairobi · 3★ · 21 reviews · from ~£42/night. A straightforward city hotel at a low price, aimed at travellers who want somewhere central and functional rather than characterful. Fine for a short stopover. Modest review count, so read the latest comments.

25. Marble Arch Hotel — Nairobi · 3★ · 110 reviews · from ~£43/night. A long-running central Nairobi hotel on Lagos Road, popular with business visitors on a budget and well placed for the CBD. Rooms are plain but comfortable and staff are used to international guests. Take a taxi in the evenings rather than walking.

26. The Monarch Hotel — Nairobi · 3★ · 76 reviews · from ~£43/night. A mid-size three-star offering decent rooms at a low nightly rate, suited to short city stays. Nothing flashy, but the price is hard to argue with. Worth checking the room photos before booking.

27. Woodmere Serviced Apartments — Nairobi · 4★ · 57 reviews · from ~£43/night. Serviced apartments with a four-star rating for the price of a budget room — kitchens, living space and housekeeping. Excellent for families or anyone staying a week. Small property with a modest review count.

28. The Heron By Sarovar Portico India — Nairobi · 4★ · 690 reviews · from ~£45/night. A well-established Milimani-area hotel with a pool, gardens and nearly 700 reviews, close to Upper Hill and the city centre. It has been a Nairobi mainstay for years and it shows in the service. One of the best value-for-standard picks here.

29. Hays Suites Hotel — Nairobi · 2★ · 418 reviews · from ~£46/night. A simple suites-style hotel with a solid review count for its price bracket. Two stars means basic — set expectations accordingly and you will be happy. Good for a functional, cheap night in the city.

30. Airport Landing Hotel — Nairobi · 3★ · 105 reviews · from ~£46/night. Exactly what the name says: a budget hotel near JKIA for early departures and late arrivals. If your Mara flight leaves at dawn, this saves you an hour in Nairobi traffic for under £50. Confirm shuttle timings when you book.

31. Eastland Hotel — Nairobi · 4★ · 22 reviews · from ~£46/night. A four-star listing on the eastern side of the city at a genuinely low rate. Fewer reviews than most here, so read the recent ones and check the location suits your plans. Best if you have a driver or use taxis.

32. Hillpark Hotel — Nairobi · 3★ · 455 reviews · from ~£47/night. A well-known Upper Hill hotel with gardens, a pool and hundreds of reviews, popular with regional business travellers. Quiet, green and a short drive from the CBD. Reliable at this price point.

33. After 40 Hotel — Nairobi · 3★ · 737 reviews · from ~£50/night. A central hotel on Biashara Street in the CBD with a strong review count, handy for the city's shops, the museum and transport. Compact rooms, friendly service and a very central position. Use taxis after dark, as anywhere in the CBD.

34. ibis Styles - Nairobi, Westlands — Nairobi · 3★ · 2,294 reviews · from ~£58/night. Accor's colourful budget brand in the middle of Westlands, with over 2,000 reviews — the best-known cheap booking in the city's best area. Rooms are small but modern and breakfast is usually included. Ideal if you want walkable restaurants on a budget.

35. Progressive Park Hotel — Nairobi · 3★ · 161 reviews · from ~£58/night. A comfortable three-star with a decent review record, aimed at travellers who want a step up from the very cheapest rooms. Sensible standard, sensible price. Worth comparing with the Westlands options on your dates.

36. Holiday Inn Nairobi Two Rivers Mall by IHG — Nairobi · 4★ · 59 reviews · from ~£60/night. An IHG four-star attached to Two Rivers Mall on the green northern edge of the city — shops, cinema and restaurants downstairs, Karura Forest nearby. A brand-standard room at a budget price. Newer, so review numbers are still building.

37. PrideInn Plaza Nairobi Airport — Nairobi · 4★ · 471 reviews · from ~£60/night. Part of the Kenyan PrideInn group, near JKIA and built for transit and conference guests. Four-star comfort and an airport shuttle for around £60 makes it a strong pre-safari night. Well reviewed and locally run.

38. Olsupat Lodge — Nairobi · 3★ · 236 reviews · from ~£61/night. A lodge-style property that trades city-hotel anonymity for a greener, calmer setting. Nice if you want a taste of safari-lodge atmosphere without leaving Nairobi. Good reviews for the price.

39. Cloud Hotel & Suites — Nairobi · 4★ · 57 reviews · from ~£63/night. A modern four-star with suite options, offering more room than the average budget hotel. A newer arrival with a smaller review base. Worth a look if the bigger names are full on your dates.

40. Swiss-Belinn Nairobi — Nairobi · 3★ · 386 reviews · from ~£64/night. The value arm of the Swiss-Belhotel group, delivering consistent, contemporary rooms without the four-star price. Predictable standards and a decent breakfast. A sensible pick for a first trip.

41. Trademark Suites at Enaki Town — Nairobi · 4★ · 67 reviews · from ~£65/night. Suites in the Enaki Town development on the smart northern side of the city, near Village Market and Karura Forest. Spacious and modern for the money. Fewer reviews, but the ones there are positive.

42. PrideInn Azure Hotel Nairobi Westlands — Nairobi · 4★ · 655 reviews · from ~£65/night. A well-reviewed four-star right in Westlands with a pool and a rooftop, putting the city's best restaurants on your doorstep for around £65. One of the strongest location-to-price combinations on this list. Book ahead in high season.

43. The Crossroads Hotel, Westlands — Nairobi · 3★ · 843 reviews · from ~£69/night. A busy, well-reviewed Westlands three-star with over 800 reviews, popular for its central position among the district's bars and cafés. Straightforward rooms, good service. Reliable rather than glamorous.

44. Heri Heights Hotel Apartments, SureStay Collection by Best Western — Nairobi · 3★ · 224 reviews · from ~£70/night. Apartment-style rooms under the Best Western SureStay banner, so you get kitchen space plus a recognised brand's standards. Good for families and stays of several nights. Solid reviews for the format.

45. West Wood Hotel — Nairobi · 4★ · 519 reviews · from ~£71/night. A boutique four-star in Westlands with over 500 reviews, known for personal service and a quieter feel than the big chains. It sits close to the restaurant strip without being in the noise. A favourite for repeat visitors.

46. Fedha Residences — Nairobi · 3★ · 42 reviews · from ~£73/night. Residence-style accommodation aimed at longer stays, with living space and self-catering. Fewer reviews than most, so check recent feedback. Best value if you are staying a week or more.

47. Ngong Hills Hotel — Nairobi · 3★ · 218 reviews · from ~£73/night. Named for the hills that dominate Nairobi's western horizon — the ones Karen Blixen wrote about — this is a comfortable central three-star with a pool. Handy for the CBD and Upper Hill. Decent reviews and a fair price.

48. Nairobi Safari Club by Swiss-Belhotel — Nairobi · 4★ · 584 reviews · from ~£76/night. An all-suite tower on University Way in the city centre, a Nairobi landmark for decades and now run under the Swiss-Belhotel brand. Every room is a suite, which is remarkable value at this price. Central, secure and comfortable.

49. PrideInn Westlands Luxury Boutique Hotel — Nairobi · 4★ · 584 reviews · from ~£77/night. The top of our budget tier and the smartest of the PrideInn Westlands properties, with boutique styling and a strong review record. Walkable to Westlands dining and a short drive from the museum and Karura Forest. A good final upgrade before mid-range prices begin.

From-prices are per-night estimates and vary by season and demand. See all Nairobi stays or check flights to NBO.

What to See in Nairobi

Start with the fact that makes this city unique in the world: Nairobi National Park is the only national park inside a capital city. It begins about 20 minutes from the centre, and within it are lions, both black and white rhino, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, hippo and more than 400 bird species — with the city's skyline standing on the horizon behind them. Photographs of a rhino grazing in front of office towers are not a trick; that is simply what the park looks like. A morning game drive here is the best three hours you can spend in Nairobi, and it is perfectly possible before an afternoon flight.

A short drive on, in the Langata and Karen suburbs, sit the city's two most-loved attractions. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust runs an elephant orphanage on the park's edge, hand-raising calves orphaned by poaching and drought before rewilding them in Tsavo; it opens to visitors for a short window each day, and fostering an orphan gets you a quieter evening visit. Nearby, the Giraffe Centre in Langata lets you hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform — eye to eye with an animal there are only a few thousand of. Children never forget it.

Then there is the literary Nairobi. The Karen Blixen Museum is the farmhouse where the Danish author of Out of Africa lived from 1917 to 1931 at the foot of the Ngong Hills, preserved much as she left it — the suburb of Karen still carries her name. The Nairobi National Museum covers Kenyan prehistory, including some of the most important early-human fossil finds on earth, and Karura Forest offers a genuinely lovely 1,000-hectare urban forest with waterfalls, walking and cycling trails. For crafts and souvenirs, the roving Maasai Market sets up in different locations across the week — haggling is expected and good-natured — and the Bomas of Kenya stages traditional dance and homestead displays from communities across the country.

Above all, Nairobi is the gateway to Kenya's safari circuit. From here you reach the Maasai Mara, Amboseli with its elephants framed by Kilimanjaro, Tsavo East and West, Samburu and the Rift Valley lakes, plus quick onward flights to Mombasa and Diani for the Indian Ocean coast. The Great Migration reaches the Mara roughly July to October. For planning, the official tourism board site Magical Kenya is a useful starting point, and you should read the current UK FCDO travel advice for Kenya before you book anything — it covers entry rules, health requirements and region-by-region safety guidance.

Choosing Where to Stay in Nairobi

• Westlands — the easiest all-round base. The densest cluster of restaurants, cafés, bars and malls, plenty of hotels at every price, and comfortable to walk around by day.
• Karen and Langata — leafy, low-rise and calm, closest to the Giraffe Centre, the elephant orphanage, the Karen Blixen Museum and the national park gates. The most safari-flavoured place to stay, though you will taxi in for city dining.
• Upper Hill and Kilimani — the business districts, with gardens, pools and good four-star value a short drive from the centre.
• The CBD — cheapest rooms and best transport links, and several long-established hotels. Honestly, though: it is busy, crowded and not somewhere to wander on foot at night. Fine as a budget base if you take taxis in the evening.
• Near JKIA airport — the practical choice for dawn safari departures or a late arrival, given how badly Nairobi traffic can bite.

Staying Safe in Nairobi — the Honest Version

Nairobi has a real petty-crime and mugging risk. Pretending otherwise would not help you, and neither would scaremongering: the vast majority of visitors have completely trouble-free trips by following a short list of habits that locals follow too.

Use Uber or Bolt rather than walking, especially after dark — they are cheap and remove any fare negotiation. Do not display phones, cameras or jewellery on the street. Keep car doors locked and windows up in stationary traffic. Use the hotel safe and carry only the cash and one card you need for the day. Draw money from ATMs inside malls or bank branches, not on the street. And ask your hotel which specific streets and areas to avoid at which times — reception staff give straight, current answers, and their advice beats any guidebook. Pair that with the UK FCDO travel advice for Kenya linked above, which is updated regularly.

Explore more of Africa

• Best Hotels at Victoria Falls — both sides of the Zambezi, from £25 a night.
• Best Hotels in Cape Town — Table Mountain, the Waterfront and the winelands.

Nairobi Hotels FAQs

Do UK travellers need a visa for Kenya? Kenya has replaced its visa system with an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), which UK passport holders must apply for online in advance of travel. It is not issued on arrival in the way the old visa was, so apply before you fly and allow processing time. Rules, fees and processing windows change, so always check the current requirements on the official Kenyan eTA site and the UK FCDO travel advice page before booking.

What currency is used in Nairobi? The Kenyan Shilling (KES). Cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants, and M-Pesa mobile money is used everywhere by locals. US dollars are widely accepted for safaris, park fees and tour operators, so many visitors carry some dollars alongside shillings. The pound figures in this guide are rough conversions for guidance only, not exact quotes.

Are there direct flights from London to Nairobi? Yes. British Airways and Kenya Airways both fly direct from London to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), typically around 8.5 to 9 hours. That makes Nairobi one of the easiest long-haul African cities to reach from the UK, and it is why so many safari trips start and end here.

Is Nairobi safe for tourists? Nairobi has a real petty-crime and mugging risk, and it is fair to plan around it rather than ignore it. Use Uber or Bolt rather than walking at night, do not display phones or jewellery on the street, keep car doors locked in traffic, use the hotel safe, carry only what you need, and ask your hotel which specific areas to avoid. Millions of visitors have trouble-free trips doing exactly this. Check the UK FCDO advice for Kenya before you go.

Can you really see wild animals inside Nairobi? Yes — and it is the city's most remarkable fact. Nairobi National Park is the only national park in the world within a capital city, roughly 20 minutes from the centre, where lions, black and white rhino, giraffe, zebra and buffalo graze with the skyline on the horizon. It is a genuine park with genuine wildlife, and a half-day drive there is the single best thing to do in the city.

How many days do you need in Nairobi? Two to three days is the sweet spot, usually before or after a safari. That gives you a morning in Nairobi National Park, the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre on one day, the Karen Blixen Museum and Nairobi National Museum on another, and time for the Maasai Market and Karura Forest. If Nairobi is only a stopover before the Mara, one full day still covers the park and the elephants.

Which area of Nairobi should I stay in? Westlands for restaurants, malls and nightlife; Karen and Langata for leafy calm near the giraffes, the elephant orphanage and the national park; Upper Hill and Kilimani for business travel and value; the CBD for the cheapest rooms and easiest transport, though it is busier and less pleasant on foot after dark; and the JKIA airport hotels for early safari departures.

Is Nairobi hot? Not in the way people expect from an equatorial city. Nairobi sits at roughly 1,700 metres, so days are pleasantly warm rather than baking and evenings genuinely turn cool — pack a fleece or light jacket. The coast at Mombasa and Diani is a completely different, hot and humid climate, so do not pack for one and assume it covers the other.

When is the best time to visit Nairobi and Kenya? The dry seasons: January to February and June to October. The June to October window is also the classic safari season, and the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara runs roughly July to October. The long rains fall March to May and the short rains November to December — travel is still possible then, and prices are lower, but game tracks get muddy.

Do I need malaria tablets for Nairobi? ⚠️ Nairobi itself is generally considered low or no malaria risk because of its altitude, but the safari areas and the coast are risk areas — and almost every Nairobi trip includes one of those. Get medical advice from your GP or a travel clinic well before you fly about antimalarials, and pack repellent and cover up at dusk. This is general information, not medical advice.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Kenya? It depends on your route. A yellow fever certificate may be required if you are arriving from or transiting a country with yellow fever transmission risk, and some onward countries require proof of vaccination if you have been in Kenya. Requirements change, so check with a travel clinic and the official guidance well before departure.

Can I drink the tap water in Nairobi? Stick to bottled or properly filtered water. Most hotels provide bottled water or filtered dispensers, and many now offer refill stations to cut plastic. Use bottled water for brushing teeth if you have a sensitive stomach, and be sensible about ice and raw salads at very cheap street stalls.

How do I get around Nairobi? Uber and Bolt both operate widely, are inexpensive by UK standards, and are what most visitors use — they remove fare haggling and mean you are not walking at night. Hotels can also arrange drivers by the half-day, which works well for the Karen and Langata attractions. Traffic is heavy, so allow far more time than the distance suggests.

What is the cheapest hotel in this Nairobi guide? The entry point is around £34 a night at Rosslyn Studios, with a broad band of clean, reviewed budget hotels and serviced apartments from roughly £34 to £77 across the CBD, Westlands, South C and the airport area. Nairobi is one of the better-value capital cities for accommodation.

How much does a hotel in Nairobi cost per night? Budget rooms run roughly £34 to £77, mid-range hotels sit around £42 to £173, and the five-star landmarks here range from about £71 to £171. The highest from-price on this entire list is around £173 at Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport — which tells you something: Nairobi luxury costs far less than the equivalent in London or Cape Town.

Where should I stay for an early safari flight? Near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport, Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport, The Panari Hotel, PrideInn Plaza Nairobi Airport and Airport Landing Hotel are all built around early departures and late arrivals. Nairobi traffic can be brutal, so an airport-side room before a dawn flight is money well spent.

Is Karen a good place to stay in Nairobi? Karen — named after Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa — and neighbouring Langata are the leafy, low-rise, garden-suburb side of Nairobi. They put you closest to the Giraffe Centre, the elephant orphanage, the Karen Blixen Museum and the national park gates. Calmer and greener than the city, though you will rely on taxis for Westlands restaurants.

Is Westlands a good base? Yes, for most first-time visitors. Westlands has the densest concentration of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and malls, plenty of well-reviewed hotels at every price, and it is well placed for the museum and Karura Forest. It is the easiest area to feel comfortable in on foot during the day.

Should I stay in the Nairobi CBD? The CBD gives you the cheapest rooms and the most central transport links. Be honest about the trade-off: it is crowded, noisy and not somewhere you want to be wandering on foot after dark. If you take taxis in the evening it works perfectly well as a budget base.

How far is Nairobi National Park from the city centre? About 20 minutes' drive to the main Langata Road gate, traffic permitting. Many hotels arrange a morning game drive that has you back for lunch. Some hotels on the Mombasa Road side, such as Ole Sereni, actually overlook the park itself.

Is Nairobi a good base for a safari? It is the gateway to Kenya's entire safari circuit. From Nairobi you fly or drive to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli with its Kilimanjaro views, Tsavo East and West, Samburu and the Rift Valley lakes, and there are frequent onward flights to Mombasa and Diani for the coast. Almost every Kenya itinerary starts here.

When is the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara? Roughly July to October, when the wildebeest and zebra herds cross from the Serengeti into the Mara. Exact timing shifts each year with the rains, so treat those months as a window rather than a schedule. Book Mara camps and flights well ahead for that period.

What are the must-do things in Nairobi? A game drive in Nairobi National Park, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage, hand-feeding Rothschild's giraffes at the Giraffe Centre in Langata, the Karen Blixen Museum, the Nairobi National Museum, a walk in Karura Forest, the Bomas of Kenya for traditional dance, and the Maasai Market for crafts.

Can you feed giraffes in Nairobi? Yes — the Giraffe Centre in Langata lets you hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform. It is the most photographed experience in the city and works especially well with children. Go early to beat the coach groups.

What is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust? An elephant orphanage on the edge of Nairobi National Park that rescues and hand-raises orphaned calves before rewilding them in Tsavo. It opens to visitors for a short window each day, and fostering an orphan gets you a quieter evening visit. Check current visiting arrangements and booking rules before you go — they change.

Do they drive on the left in Kenya? Yes, Kenya drives on the left, like the UK. That said, most visitors do not self-drive in Nairobi — the traffic, matatu minibuses and unfamiliar junctions make Uber, Bolt or a hired driver much easier, and a driver costs very little by UK standards.

Is tipping expected in Kenya? Tipping is customary for safari guides, drivers, porters and restaurant staff, and forms a real part of income in the tourism economy. Small shilling notes are useful, and US dollars are fine for safari guides. Some restaurants add a service charge — check the bill before adding more.

How do I book at the prices shown? Tap any hotel name to open its page on JetMeAway with live rooms for your dates, or browse everything at /hotels?city=Nairobi. We compare partner prices and pass you through to book — we add no markups and charge no booking fees. The from-prices here are estimates and move with season and demand.

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