Maison Mitwaba

The best time is January and February, when days are warm and rain is scarce. The long rains from April to May bring heavy downpours and higher humidity, while November's short rains also disrupt plans. July and August are cooler but dry, good for outdoor activities. September offers a dry window before the rains return, with the Nairobi International Book Fair as a cultural highlight.

Stay in Westlands for easy access to restaurants and nightlife; the Villa Rosa Kempinski is there. Kilimani, with the Nairobi Serena Hotel and Radisson Blu Arboretum, suits first-timers for its central location. Karen, home to Hemingways Nairobi, offers leafy, upscale calm. The city center, around Sarova Stanley, works for sightseeing on foot.

Visit the Giraffe Centre to feed and observe endangered Rothschild giraffes up close. The Nairobi National Park offers wildlife viewing against a city skyline backdrop. The National Museum of Kenya covers history, culture, and paleontology. The and , both within the park, are ideal for seeing rescued and native animals. The , in the author's former home, is worth a stop for its literary and colonial history.