If you want to experience a quieter, more residential side of Nairobi beyond the bustling city centre, then Nairobi West should be on your radar. This leafy neighbourhood offers a taste of local life, unique attractions and easy access to natural beauty.
Start your visit by paying your respects at the historic Uhuru Gardens. This 12-hectare public green space is home to the Uhuru Monument, erected to commemorate the raising of Kenya’s flag at independence in 1963. Stroll along the tree-lined paths shaded by mature jacarandas and bougainvillaeas and see if you can spot some abundant birdlife like egrets, ibises and superb starlings that frequent the area.
Just steps away lies the main entrance to the vast Nairobi National Park. Despite its central location, this 117 square kilometre park allows you to easily transition from city to safari viewing iconic wildlife like lions, leopards, Maasai giraffes, cape buffalo and more roaming the open grasslands and acacia forests. The park offers game drives, walking tours led by Maasai guides and even boot camps for adventurous animal lovers.
When you need a break from nature, check out the popular Nextgen Mall located along Mombasa Road. This modern shopping center caters to the neighborhood’s upper-middle class residents with stylish mid-range clothing stores alongside a bustling food court offering both local and international fare like nyama choma (Kenyan BBQ), pizzas and burgers.
Many of the tree-lined residential streets of Nairobi West are lined with large houses tucked behind lush gardens and high walls. Rhapta Road in particular has been dubbed “Millionaire’s Row” for its concentration of luxury mansions and villas.
For those continuing their Kenyan travel elsewhere, Nairobi West is also conveniently home to Wilson Airport, a domestic hub offering flights to game reserves across the country as well as the coastal beach destinations like Mombasa and Malindi.
While more relaxed than downtown, Nairobi West offers an appealing mix of history, nature, shopping, and exploration opportunities. Spend some time here to experience an authentic upscale residential corner of the city.
