Nairobi

The only national park in the world within a capital city — a genuine slice of African savannah on Nairobi's southern edge where lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebra and buffalo roam against a backdrop of distant skyscrapers. A surreal, thrilling half-day game drive without leaving the city; go at dawn for the best sightings. A perfect taster of safari, and often a highlight in its own right. Book a drive or self-drive in.

One of the world's most moving wildlife experiences — the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust rescues and hand-rears orphaned baby elephants, and for one hour each morning you watch the keepers bottle-feed them and play in the mud, learning each one's story. Heart-melting, uplifting and genuinely important conservation; book ahead (visits are limited and support the cause). A joyful, unforgettable start to a Nairobi day.

Come face to face with endangered Rothschild's giraffes at this conservation centre in leafy Karen — feed them pellets from a raised platform, eye to eye, and even get a slobbery 'giraffe kiss' if you're brave. Fun, educational and superb for families, with the giraffes wandering freely in the grounds; combine it with the adjacent Giraffe Manor if you're feeling luxurious. A delightful, only-in-Nairobi wildlife encounter.

The former farmhouse of the Danish author of 'Out of Africa', preserved as a museum in the leafy suburb that bears her name — a charming colonial-era home with original furnishings, set in gardens at the foot of the Ngong Hills she wrote about. A gentle, atmospheric window into the colonial past and the famous book and film; combine it with the giraffes and elephants nearby for a lovely Karen day.

Kenyans love their nyama choma — succulent grilled meat (goat, beef, chicken), eaten with the hands alongside ugali (maize staple), kachumbari salad and cold Tusker beer. The legendary Carnivore restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat feast of it; local joints do it cheaper and just as tasty. Add nyama-and-ugali, samosas, and sweet chai; hearty, sociable and quintessentially Kenyan. A carnivore's delight and a great, convivial night out.

Kenya's flagship museum — superb halls on human origins (Kenya is the 'cradle of mankind', with some of the world's most important hominid fossils), the country's astonishing birdlife and mammals, and its diverse cultures and history, plus a snake park in the leafy grounds. A rewarding, air-conditioned couple of hours and a great primer on Kenya's nature and heritage; a cultural highlight of the capital, near the centre.

A vibrant open-air craft market (it rotates around the city by the day) where Maasai and other artisans sell beadwork, carvings, textiles, jewellery, soapstone and colourful kikoi and kanga cloth. The place to buy authentic Kenyan souvenirs — bargaining is expected and part of the fun; go with patience and good humour. A colourful, lively browse and the best spot to pick up gifts and support local makers directly.

A cultural centre showcasing the traditions of Kenya's many ethnic groups — recreated homesteads (bomas) of different peoples, and above all a lively daily performance of traditional song, dance and acrobatics from across the country. A colourful, family-friendly introduction to Kenya's rich cultural diversity, near the national park; the drumming, dancing and dazzling costumes of the show are the highlight. A fun, educational afternoon.

One of Africa's largest informal settlements, Kibera is home to a vibrant, resilient community, and a responsible, community-led walking tour offers an eye-opening, respectful window into daily life — meeting local social enterprises, artists, and craft and recycling projects that the visits directly support. Done ethically (choose a reputable, community-run operator, and don't treat it as a spectacle), it's a genuine, humbling and uplifting experience.

Nairobi loves to party, and Westlands is its heartland — a dense strip of bars, rooftops, live-music venues and clubs pumping out Afrobeats, amapiano and Kenyan gengetone to a stylish, up-for-it crowd. Cheap, friendly and famously fun, it goes late; bar-hop the strip, catch some live music, and dance with locals. Add the artsy scene in Kilimani; Nairobi after dark is a joyful, energetic revelation. A great night out.

Nairobi's dining scene has exploded — from Kenyan classics and Swahili-coast dishes to superb Ethiopian, Indian and Italian food and a wave of stylish new-Kenyan restaurants and cafés. Try coastal biryani and coconut curries, Ethiopian injera, samosas and the famous local coffee; the leafy garden restaurants of Karen and the buzzing eateries of Westlands are highlights. A delicious, cosmopolitan surprise; graze widely and eat well.

A bustling historic covered market in the heart of downtown — a colourful crush of stalls selling flowers, fruit, spices, crafts, curios and, in the back, fresh fish and meat, with vendors calling out and haggling over Maasai carvings and beadwork. A vivid, sensory plunge into everyday Nairobi commerce and a good central spot for souvenirs; go with your bargaining hat on. A lively, authentic slice of the city centre.

A charmingly old-fashioned museum telling the story of the 'Lunatic Express', the British railway whose building gave birth to Nairobi itself — vintage locomotives and carriages (including the one from the man-eating lions of Tsavo story), photos and memorabilia in a sleepy trackside setting. A quirky, atmospheric hour for history and train buffs, and a window into the colonial origins of the city. Offbeat and endearing.

A lovely green oasis near the centre — a leafy park of indigenous and exotic trees, monkeys, birds and shady paths, where Nairobians come to walk, jog, picnic and escape the traffic. A peaceful, refreshing breather from the city bustle and a chance to see the 'Green City in the Sun' at its greenest; combine it with the nearby State House road and museums. A gentle, local, free way to spend a relaxed hour or two.

The famous boutique hotel in Karen where resident Rothschild's giraffes poke their heads through the windows at breakfast is out of most budgets to stay in — but you can sometimes visit the adjacent grounds and café, or simply add the story to a Giraffe Centre visit next door. A bucket-list image of Kenya; even a glimpse of the elegant giraffes wandering the manor's lawns is a magical, only-in-Nairobi treat for animal lovers.