Almost every time I travel internationally and meet people learn that I am from Kenya, the same question crops up, especially among the ladies: I want to visit Nairobi, but is it safe if I go alone? I sit safe to visit Nairobi or travel to Nairobi now after the Riverside Dusit D2 terrorism attack?
Yes it is safe to travel to Nairobi now as a foreigner.
The Riverside Nairobi terror attack was just a one off tragedy much like those that happened in London, Paris, and many other major cities. And could very well have taken place in any other major city in the world. Besides, It just affected a very small part of a Nairobi neighborhood where the Dusit D 2 hotel complex was located.
Otherwise, I believe that with the right attitude and basic common sense (like moving along dark alleys in the night, not flashing around expensive cameras or jewelry), a woman can travel safely on her own in any corner of the world.
And that applies to Nairobi as well. Kenya is currently home to about 25 million women; about a million of them live in Nairobi.
Many more visit this tech hub every year, majority of them solo.
Forget about the negative publicity portrayed in the media. The country wouldn’t be having that many visitors if it were too dangerous for solo women travelers.
What about terrorism?
Tell me which country in the world isn’t susceptible to this?
Moving on. There are tons of activities in Nairobi for the solo female traveler, and it ’s quite the norm to even eat alone.
Whether you want to be on your own or meet some really lovely locals, whether you want to dance the night away in one of the lively Kimathi Street joints or sample an abundance of varied juicy meats roasted over a charcoal fire at Carnivore Restaurant, whether you’re on a budget or the stars’ your limit, Nairobi has something for every solo female traveler.
KARIBU. I’m glad YOU’RE HERE.
Here are the categories:
What's Covered in This Article
How to Use This Guide
This guide is an extensive resource for solo female travel in Nairobi City.
Although safety as a woman traveling alone is of utmost importance, it is not the only aspect of your trip you need to consider.
Other critical areas of concern is knowing must see do activities as a solo traveler, selecting places to eat and accommodation that are conducive for solo travelers, and meeting other people while at it.
NAIROBI Is A RELATIVELY Safe City
Nairobi today is much safer than it used to be in the past. A lot has changed, for the better. There are security cameras installed at major points – both indoor and outdoor – throughout the city.
Safety Tips for NAIROBI
Follow the standard travel safety tips and you should be okay. Stay alert and avoid activities that increase your risk exposure e.g. sitting with the car window open while in traffic.
Be vigilant when in public places. This especially goes for matatu (the local transport in Kenya) and bus stops, markets, discotheques, etc.
Don’t carry lots of cash around with you. Most of the places you’ll be shopping at gladly accept cards. Besides, Nairobi is the home of mobile money.
Another option is to buy a local SIM card (costs $0.50 cents), you can load it with mobile money such as M-Pesa or Airtel Money.
Uber and other Uber copy cats also work here so you’re covered in the transport arena too.
Be cautious if you choose to drink. I will leave this here.
Apply basic common sense. As with any major city around the world, you have to take precautions and beware of your surroundings.
Avoid walking around with electronics such as laptops, iPhone, cameras, etc. on display.
READ MORE: The Biggest Mistakes NAIROBI Tourists Make
Clutch to your bag/purse at all time. Nairobi is certainly one of the most crowded cities I have been to (of course not as compared to Beijing or Mumbai).
You will therefore be walking among crowds most times.
During such times, wear your backpack on the front.
Unlike in other places where wearing your backpack on the front is a clear indication that you’re a guest, in Nairobi and Kenya at large it is very common to wear it on the front.
However, if you belong to the school of thought that believes that it is a crime to wear your backpack on the front, but at the same time are worried about are worried about theft, by all means but a backpack with the zipper hidden under a flap pressed against your back.
Follow your instincts. If you’re wary that someone is following you find the next nearest exit.
Or you arrive at your hotel or Airbnb but feel that its not exactly what you signed up for, the best idea maybe to just cut your loses and move to a better location since you’re already in country and probably more familiar with your surrounding.
If it’s late at night and you’re not comfortable taking the matatu, please call an Uber. Uber works very well in Nairobi and is super cheap.
They also run discounts from time to time.
Sometimes spending a little more than you intended is worth the peace of mind.
Most importantly, in the unfortunate event that you become a victim, cooperate. Should you be carjacked or mugged, its best to co-operate and avoid any form of confrontation with the carjackers or muggers.
In 99.9% of the cases, the last thing these culprits want is to create a scene.
They are more interested in your valuables.
Please do not force them to take your life together with the valuables.you have no obligation to be nice to anyone.
25 Great Things for Women to Do Alone in NAIROBI
There are so many fantastic things to do in Nairobi! No matter how long you stay here or what you love doing for fun, you’ll be nostalgic when you leave.
Following are 25 unconventional activities in Nairobi that are fun, unforgettable, and especially good for a woman traveling alone.
1. Take a long quiet walk through Nairobi Arboretum Park.The 30.4 hectares oasis of wooded landscape is located near the State House in Nairobi’s Kilimani and Kileleshwa areas just 3 KM from the CBD.
Arboretum is home to more than 350 species of indigenous and exotic plants.
The park also houses more than 100 species of birds, and a significant population of Sykes and Velvet monkeys.
It’s a popular city picnic spot as well as a nice quiet place to read a book.
The entrance fee is Sh50 for adults while those below 18 years pay Sh20.
2. Go to Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC) rooftop in the CBD for a stunning 360-degree bird’s eye view of the entire Nairobi city, it’s landmarks and surrounding countryside from the 31st floor.
If you’re lucky, you could get a chance to also enjoy the charming interior of KICC’s amphitheater.
If driving, don’t worry, ample parking is available at the KICC.
Carry warm clothing as it gets rather windy up there.
You can access the KICC rooftop between 9:00 am and 6.00 pm. Charges are Ksh 200 for citizens, Ksh 300 for residents, and Ksh 400 ($4) for foreigners.
3. Immerse yourself in stacks of the finest antiques and jewelry at the National Gallery collected and donated by the late collector Joseph Murumbi, also one of Kenya’s independence leaders & former Foreign Minister. The gallery is located at the intersection of Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway.
4. Have some tongue with giraffes. Visit the nearby Giraffe Center for an amazing experience where you get to feed and kiss the Rothschild giraffes.
Additionally, If you don’t care for the slightly inflated prices, there is also a souvenir shop on the grounds!
Giraffe Center is a 25 minutes drive away from the bustling Nairobi CBD and can be accessed by matatu or taxis.
If using matatu, you will either walk a further 30 minutes inside from the matatu stop; or get a Tuk Tuk or boda boda from the matatu stop to drop you at the gate of Giraffe Centre.
The entry fee is 1,000 Ksh (about $10) for tourists.
5. Practice your bargaining skills at the various Maasai Markets located at different places throughout Nairobi depending on the day of the week.
These markets have a great collection of affordable souvenirs that you can take with you as a reminder of the fun times you had in magical Kenya.
Just don’t go with the first price offered.
Try to haggle your way out and you can end up with a deal as good as 50% of the initially quoted price.
A word of caution though, you will most probably be greeted by a throng of middle men as you enter the markets. They are not dangerous.
They are simply trying to eke a living. Politely decline their offer and tell them you can take care of yourself.
Maasai Market Schedule
Below is a schedule of where to catch the various Maasai Markets:
- Monday – No market on this day.
- Tuesday
- Kijabe Street Park located by Nairobi River
- Nakumatta Prestige Plaza rooftop along Ngong Road.
- Wednesday
- Capital Center along Mombasa road
- Thursday
- The junction Mall & along Ngong road
- Friday
- The Village market along Limuru road
- Lavington Mall
- Saturday
- The High court parking in the city Center opposite Re-Insurance Plaza
- Prestige Plaza along Ngong road
- Sunday
- Yaya Center along Valley Road in Hurlingham
6. Cheer your favorite team at a sports bar as you enjoy a cold glass of freshly pressed tropical fruit juice or water. Although many Nairobians have cable, they’d rather catch up on all the action at their favorite bar with some pals. You are guaranteed instant camaraderie with your fellow watchers.
K1 Klub House, situated along Ojijo road in Parklands is one of the most popular options with a real stadium fell.
The club has three different bars; large size HD screens; and a designated “Soccer City stadium” that is fitted with multi-tier outdoor stadium-style seating.
7. Spend a morning or afternoon at the only national park in the backdrop of a city, Nairobi National Park. Want the safari experience but have very limited time?
Or want a foretaste of your grand safari at the major parks?
Come here for the giraffe,zebras, ostriches, buffalo, lion, leopards, cheetahs and rhinoceros.
Note that during the rainy season most of the little side roads are extremely muddy and covered in water so not easy to get offtrack for a closer look at the animals.
Best time to visit is when the roads are pretty dry.
8. Get away from it all at The African Heritage House. Tucked in a wonderful setting at the edge of Nairobi National Park, this “most photographed house in Africa” is an impressive collection of African art and textiles displayed aesthetically in a magnificent Mali inspired adobe home.
The house is available for tours, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinners on the rooftop or by the refreshing pool), conferences/functions, as well as overnight stays in its luxurious rooms, filled with African art and furnishings with modern appointments.
9. Take a cultural tour of Kenya’s major ethnic groups and/or catch a display of traditional dances and acrobatic performances at Bomas of Kenya. Situated 10 km from Nairobi CBD, and about 1 km past the main entrance of the Nairobi National Park, Bomas of Kenya.
The Traditional dances and acrobatic shows are held between 2.30 pm and 4.00 pm on weekdays and between 3.30 pm and 5.15 pm on weekends and public holidays.
The charges are Kshs 1,000 for adult non-residents and Kshs 500 for children.
10. Climb the second highest peak in Africa, Mount Kenya. It’s highest peak, Batian standing at 5,199 metres (17,057 ft)), Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, after Mount Kilimanjaro.
It’s possible for hikers with moderate experience to do the hike with the proper gear and a good guide.
11. Enjoy great local cheeses and lunch at Brown’s Cheese Factory & Farm. Just thirty minute’s drive out of Nairobi, this is an excellent opportunity to sample cheese excellently prepared in Kenya as well as to tour the factory for an overview of how cheese is made.
The farm is open Thursday through Saturday strictly by appointment.
Book a date via Email: reservations@brownscheese.com or call/text +254 727 103350.
Although the requirement is six persons minimum or KES 24,000 ($240) minimum cost, the farm has groups most days.
In such cases, the 6 person minimum does not apply. Please call.
12. Go on a fascinating encounter of Nairobi’s humble beginnings at the Kenya Railways Museum.
Located off Uhuru Highway in the City Center, this museum represents the historical growth of Kenya through the construction of the Kenya Uganda railway.
The museum consists of a Main Gallery (collection of smaller items), the Museum Resource Centre (library and photographic section), the Auditorium, and an Outdoor Collection of Steam Engines built in the early 1900s.
The carriages are full of historical photos and memorabilia from the time when railway constructors first arrived in Kenya.
Two steam locomotives have been restored and can be seen in the railway workshop near the museum.
Also on display is the carriage used during the hunt for the two man-eating lions of Tsavo which killed several construction workers on the Kenya-Uganda Railway from March through December 1898.
13.Visit Nairobi National Museum. Located on Museum Hill, the museum exhibits Kenya’s rich heritage in the areas of culture, nature, history and contemporary art.
Other attractions within the compound include the Snake Park and Botanical Gardens as well as an Art Auditorium that hosts concerts, film shows and other events from time to time.
14.Get up close and personal with ostriches at the Maasai Ostrich Farm. Located 45 kilometers from Nairobi on the Athi River / Kitengela area the farm is about an hour’s drive from the city center. For some bragging rights you also get a chance to ride the ostriches 500 KES ($5).
15. Dance the night away at any of the nightclubs sprinkled all over Nairobi. Starting from the CBD to its environs, there are clubs for all kind of music genres.
Famous spots include Westlands, Kimathi Street in the CBD, Madaraka, and pretty much everywhere in Nairobi. Wh@ts-on-Nairobi is a great place to find them.
It may at first feel weird going to the club alone, but Kenyans are very welcoming people! You will make friends in no time.
16. Go ice skating on the Solar Ice Rink at the Panari Hotel on Mombasa Road. The only one of its kind in East and Central Africa, the rink measures 32 × 12 meters with an ice skating surface area of 15,000 square feet.
It is completely covered with ice temperature at -25oC and the air temperature inside the hall is 12oC.
The rink can accommodate 200 skaters at any time and is open every day from 11.00 am through 10.00 pm. Skating rates are Kshs.700 ($7) for children up to 14 years and Kshs. 900 ($9) for all ages groups 15 years and older per 60 minute sessions inclusive of the skating boots.
17. Get your hair and nails done at the local Kenyatta Market. Visit one of the city’s bustling markets and get yourself a new hair do.
Most hairdressers here specialize in braiding hair impeccably, and most importantly, in record time. It is not uncommon to have 3 – 4 hairdressers doing one head at the same time.
Although this market mainly deals with hair, you will also find groceries, clothe vendors, small hotels and restaurants here.
This is also home to very delicious nyama choma (barbecued beef) and chicken dishes.
18. Try unique barbecued meats like ostrich, camel, and crocodile at the Carnivore Restaurant. Carnivore is an open-air restaurant in the Langata suburb of Nairobi, Kenya.
As the name spells out, the restaurant’s specialty features an all-you-can-eat charcoal-grilled meat buffet including ostrich, crocodile, and camel, and carved at your table
This is served with delicious side dishes, an exceptional array of sauces, soup, a selection of desserts, Kenyan coffee.
All at a fixed price.
19. Be Anjelina Jolie for a day.
Do you want to feel like you’re in a movie scene with panoramic water-gouged gorges and cliffs, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes, belching plumes of geothermal steam spectacular and wildlife as the backdrop?
The quickest way to do that is to take a day trip to Hell’s gate National Park – about 90 km out of Nairobi. You’ll not only get to enjoy the spectacular scenery; but to also walk in the footsteps of Academy Award Winner Angelina Jolie reprising her role in the movie Tomb Raider 2: The Cradle of Life as Lara Croft, a globe trotting archaeologist and treasure hunter a great view of the city but some amazing pictures and a truly memorable experience!
20. Take a thermal bath at the Olkaria Geothermal Spa. Kenyans swear by the spa’s healing and therapeutic properties.
The first of its kind in Africa, the Spa is located on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, about 120 KM from Nairobi, right at the heart of the Hell’s Gate National Park, which was the setting the Lion King and Tomb Raider 2 movies.
The Centre is a product of Geothermal Power Projects at Olkaria where Kenya Electricity Generating Company Limited (KenGen) owns and operates four Power Plants.
There are three cascading lagoons/ponds which receive geothermal water/brine from various wells within the Olkaria Geothermal field.
21. Treat yourself to an an “Out of Africa” experience with an Afternoon High Tea at the most Instagrammed hotel in Kenya – The Giraffe Manor in Karen. High teas are arguably kinda a novelty in Kenya but an offering that a handful of hotels are starting to consider.
Located in an old colonial house converted into a 10 bedroom high end hotel, the Afternoon/high tea at Giraffe Manor is offered to non-residents between 4.30 and 6.30 pm strictly by appointment.
Charges are $50 per person and includes an assortment of cake slices, scones, cookies, biscuits, fruit tarts and sandwiches.
Weather permitting, the tea is served on the hotel’s beautiful and tranquil lawn. If you’re lucky, you will get a chance to hand feed the hotel’s resident giraffe.
Another great option is at the Muthaiga Country Club.
23. Attend an art and cultural event (exhibitions, concerts, festivals, films) at the Alliance Francaise.
24. Ride the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Mombasa. Check out this post for some tips before you buy your ticket..
25. Experience great music, fantastic mix of culture and wonderful performances at one of Africa’s biggest music festival. The Safaricom Jazz Festival. This festival began in 2013 and has been held every single year thereafter with a lineup including the very best of local and international jazz musicians.
The verdict
Nairobi, Kenya is one of the best and safest destinations for solo female travelers. It has lots of fun things to do, it’s geared towards people who spend time alone, and it’s a very secure destination where common sense will keep you even safer.
If it weren’t so expensive, Nairobi would be the perfect city!
I pray you have a memorable time in Nairobi.
And I hope your visit to this magical country will be the stimulus for many more solo escapades to the rest of Kenya and Africa at large!
READ NEXT: 40 Places to Visit in Kenya on a Budget
Have you ever traveled solo in NAIROBI? What tips would you add to the list?
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