Places to visit in Nairobi for Sh1,000 or less this holiday

Places to visit in Nairobi for Sh1,000 or less (Photo: Willis Awandu/ Standard)

A day out seeing the sights need not take extensive planning or break your budget. We look at some pocket-friendly locations you can visit. in the Kenyan capital.

Nairobi Arboretum: This is the epitome of nature’s beauty and environmental conservation. Nairobi Arboretum is located along State House Road in the area of Kilimani, Nairobi. It started in 1907 in a bid to try out new forestry trees by Mr Batiscombe. Today, it is a refreshing place to enjoy nature and relax together with your family, friends or even colleagues. The entry fee is equally cheap making it an affordable retreat. For adults, the price is Sh65 while for children, it is Sh27 per head. Activities include guided tree walks, showcasing educational films as well as engaging children in art games, and nature treasure hunts to inculcate in them concern and care for the environment.

Nairobi National Museum: This iconic place provides a glimpse into Kenya’s heritage, culture and art. It houses the most celebrated collections from both Kenya and East Africa. Nairobi National Museum is located along Museum Hill Road, Nairobi. The entrance fee varies depending on citizenship. For Kenyan Citizens; adults pay Sh200 while children pay Sh100. For the East African Residents; adults pay Sh600 while children pay Sh400. For Non-Residents; adults pay Sh1,200 while children pay Sh600. The Museum is home to the Joy Adamson Painting that portrays people from different tribes of Kenya. It also houses the snake park; home to snakes, fish, reptiles and amphibians. There is the majestic Ahmed, King of Marsabit's mummified statue. The elephant stands tall outside the museum even after a century since it died in Marsabit National Park. 

Kenya National Archives: It’s surprising how a majority of Nairobians have never set foot in the Kenya National Archives despite being in the middle of the city. It is situated along Moi Avenue, opposite the Nairobi Hilton Hotel. The entrance fee is Sh200 for non-residents and Sh50 for residents. The popular meeting point was established in 1965 and holds up to 1.5 million documents. It is home to the political history of Kenya. The first floor has the Mau Mau Freedom fighter’s pictures hanging and a beautiful stamp collection. The ground floor contains African artefacts exhibited to complement our rich heritage.

Nairobi Safari Walk: This serene destination is located less than eight kilometres from the city Centre. Nairobi Safari Walk is located in the entrance of the Nairobi National Park next to the animal orphanage. The entry fee for Kenyan citizens and residents is Sh250 for adults and Sh125 for children below 12 years. For non-citizens, adults pay $25 while children below 12 years pay $15.

Giraffe Centre: The Giraffe Centre provides a platform to connect the conservation of the Rothschild’s giraffe and tourism. It is located in Lang’ata, approximately 20 Kilometres from the centre of Nairobi, Kenya. Here, you get to feed, interact and pet the giraffes. The Centre creates awareness amongst tourists on the fragility and interdependence of ecosystems and wildlife habitats. The entry fee for non-resident adults is Sh1,500 while for non-resident children ranging from 3 years to 12 years is Sh750. Resident adults pay Sh400 while resident children in the age of three years to 12 years pay Sh200. For children below 3 years, it is free, while for school groups, it's free if booked at least one week in advance.

Karura Forest: Karura Forest is a beautiful and tranquil place for bike riding, hiking and even picnics. It’s a suitable, urban forest to go for a retreat as well as family time. The entry price for citizens is Sh50 for children and Sh100 for adults. For Residents, children pay Sh100 while adults pay Sh200. For non-residents, children pay Sh300 while adults pay Sh600. It is located off Limuru road, opposite the Belgian embassy. You can also reach there through gate C opposite the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road. However, the parking fee varies by the type of vehicle. For cars (Sh200), minibus (Sh600), buses (Sh1000) and minivans (Sh300).

K1 Flee Market: Here, the entry is free for all to visit. It is a vibrant marketplace full of pomp and colour on Sundays. There is good music, splendid food and a vast variety of items to buy from vendors ranging from traditional bracelets to kitenges and Ankara, woven baskets, jewellery, wooden furniture and even natural beauty products just to name a few. It is located in the wee corner of Chiromo road and Ojijo road.