photo: Britney Hope

3 Must-Dos in Nairobi, Kenya

By Kellie Davenport

Before setting out on a safari to Mount Kenya and the Maasai Mara, check out these cultural experiences and wildlife encounters in Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital city.

ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE
Conservationists at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust scour Kenya’s bush and savannahs for elephants that have been abandoned, often due to poaching. The team brings the baby elephants to this facility to nurse them back to health. Visitors can watch the toddler pachyderms cuddle and play with their handlers during a daily viewing.

GIRAFFE VIEWING
When you get the chance to kiss an endangered Rothschild’s giraffe (there are less than 700 left in the wild), you take it! You can get seriously up close and personal with the world’s tallest mammal at this urban sanctuary, whose breeding mission seeks to repopulate Kenya’s Rothschild’s herds.

KAREN BLIXEN’S HOUSE
The Out of Africa author was devoted to the education and wellbeing of local villagers. As a tribute, the suburb around her former coffee plantation now bears the name Karen. The Danish writer lived here from 1914 to 1931, throughout her legendary love affair with big-game hunter Denys Finch Hatton.

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
Planning: AMA Travel has travel counsellors who specialize in Africa. They can work with you to find the best possible prices and experiences

Health: When travelling to Africa, get Hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, cholera and meningitis vaccinations, as well as malaria pills.

Trip InsurancePurchase emergency medical and trip cancellation/interruption insurance with AMA Travel* when you book your trip. You’ll want to protect your investment on this trip of a lifetime.

*AMA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company.  Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to certain terms, conditions and limitations.