Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital of Kenya, and it is a world class city with some of the best amenities in Africa. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Masai for "the place of cool water", and Nairobi has two nicknames- the Safari Capital of the World and Green City in the Sun. Many come to Nairobi each year to begin their East African safari adventure. Here, you will learn a little about the history of Nairobi and what makes it such an ideal tourist destination.
The city of Nairobi has humble beginnings as a stop on a railroad that went between Uganda's Kampala and Mombasa. The higher altitude made for a cool climate and there is a nearby river, and Nairobi developed quickly. A few years after it was founded, Nairobi replaced Mombasa as Uganda's capital. It grew quickly as tourists from Britain came to hunt big game. Kenya became independent in 1963, with Nairobi remaining the capital.
The biggest single tourist destination in Nairobi is the national park. It's just five miles from the center of the city, and it is a big part of what makes Nairobi unique. While you're there, take an afternoon drive through the park, or walk on foot and see giraffes, rhinos and lions as they wander freely. Other sights worth seeing are the national museum, the Karen Blixen Museum, Uhuru park, the ice rink, and Watatu art gallery.
Nairobi is a cosmopolitan center, and you will meet a lot of people. The city is well-equipped by African standards, and there are movie theaters, shopping centers, a bustling business district, universities, parks and a lot more. Nairobi has health care that's among the best in Africa, and there are both rich and poor neighborhoods. The city has a size of 260 square miles and about three million people; it's been estimated that the population of Nairobi will be 15 million by 2020.
Today, Nairobi is the main cultural and business center in the east of Africa. After a period of decline in the 90s, it is growing again, but there is still a wide gap between the rich and the poor. More than half of Nairobi's people live in the slums. If you are coming to Kenya, you must visit Nairobi, as its weather is cool and pleasant even during the rainy season.