The market is the most famous rendezvous for lovers of African crafts and souvenirs. It is indeed the apex of Kenyan beauty and diversity and a must visit to all visitors in Nairobi. The main markets are on Tuesdays and Saturdays within the central business district. However ``mini`` versions of the market are also in select locations during the other days of the week. A visit to Maasai Market can be combined with other points of interest like Nairobi Safari Walk or Museum.

A short drive from the city Centre takes you to Bomas, Kenya's cultural Centre depicting ethnic groups in their model traditional villages. Various dance groups perform daily in the afternoon. It's a great show for lovers of African culture, folklores and costumes. Currently they have 37 different traditional dances collected from different tribes of Kenya and also 11 traditional villages of various ethnic groups. Dances are performed daily between 2.30 & 4.00pm on weekdays and 3.30 & 5.15 pm on weekends and public holidays.

The main gate to Nairobi National Park is only 15 minutes drive from the City Centre. Here, you have the chance to see wild game, including rare species like black rhinos, giraffes and lions. Indeed Nairobi Park is one of the most successful sanctuaries of black rhinos and may have a herd of white rhinos pretty soon. It also has beautiful camp sites for family and corporate picnics.

Visit the Daphne Sheldrick´s Animal orphanage on the fringes of Nairobi National Park. It's an orphanage for elephants. Here you can mingle with baby elephants and learn about each animal's individual history. Visit here is subject to entrance fee to Nairobi National Park and it opens at 11am and closes at 12.00.

Considered one of the best restaurants in Africa, Carnivore has won many international awards. Here you can sample Kenya's delightful and sumptuous game meat, such as crocodile, ostrich and others -depending on availability and season (Vegetarian dishes are also available).

It is just five minutes away from the City Centre and is a worth visit to lovers of history, culture and natural history. The hall of Kenya exhibits Kenyan history and the diverse culture ranging from the cost, central highlands to the western region. The great hall of mammals showcases the big five. The extensive ornithological collection has thousands of different bird species one might encounter while on safari in Kenya and is truly an ornithologist's favourite hall.

Geology and pre historic gallery traces the evolution of the earth and the cradle of mankind. Here the fossils are depicted including the Stone Age tools that were collected on different pre historic sites. Methods of establishing the ages of some particular fossils are also explained. There is also the gallery of contemporary East African art where the local artists have exhibited different forms of paintings and sculptures full of creativity. African rock art is also show cased here.

The snake park which shares a compound with the museum exhibits the indigenous species of reptiles found in Kenya. Adjacent to the snake park is a botanical garden full of medicinal herbs and many more indigenous plants species.

Of course there is a coffee shop and some beautiful lawns and gardens very ideal for family outings and picnics; lest you imagine life at the museum is all work and no play.

This is the former home of the famous author; Karen von Blixen. The house still contains many of Blixen's original works and along with some exhibits donated by the makers of the film ``Out of Africa``. It is managed by National Museums of Kenya and easily visited together with the Giraffe Centre owing their close vicinity.

Nairobi Safari Walk is a glimpse of Kenya's diverse national parks and reserves. It's constituted of a nature trail that traverses representative semi natural habitats that are found in Kenya with their representative species of animals and vegetation. Some animals include the pygmy hippopotamus, the bongo, white rhino, large cats, antelopes, albino zebra and primates among others. There is also over 150 species of indigenous trees with interpretive labels on their names, distribution and cultural values. The Safari Walk is an ideal learning environment with rich information and anecdotes on natural history and culture. And adjoining animal orphanage enriches the visit with a rich collection of birds and primates.

The giraffe Centre is just 5 km away from the town Centre. It was established in order to protect the endangered Rothschild giraffe that is found only in the grasslands of East Africa. This Centre was started by Jock-Melville, the Kenyan grandson of a Scottish Earl, when he and his wife Betty captured a baby giraffe to start a program of breeding giraffe in captivity at their home in Langata - home of the present Centre. Since then the program has had huge success, resulting in the introduction of several breeding pairs of Rothschild giraffe into Kenyan National Parks. The main attraction for visitors is feeding the giraffes from a raised observation platform and also warthogs which freely roam along with the giraffes.

This museum is situated at the main railway station. It's a collection of rich history of the Kenya-Uganda railway and has various steam locomotives and coaches that foreran modern railway (We hope what we have in Kenya commands the term modern), including one of the carriages from which superintendent Lyall was dragged away by the notorious man-eating lions of the Tsavo.

The National Archives is situated in the city Centre along the famous Moi Avenue. This is a place to go if you are interested in Kenyan history. Government documentation, manuals, photographs are some of the media you can browse at your leisure.

The National theatre (previously known as the Kenya National Theatre) hosts various amateur and professional groups, plays and musicals throughout the year. It is also home for Wasanii Restaurant a recently refurbished and renamed establishment designed especially for artistic intercourse.

This is home to the phoenix players; the theatre hosts a continuous program of monthly repertory theatre shows. Apart from the plays staged by the phoenix players which average 16 a year, a variety of visiting groups also use the auditorium which seats about 120. Phoenix also offers customer hire, set design and construction, lighting design and construction, skits for occasions such as launches, anniversaries and dinners.

It is located in the heart of Nairobi Central Business and within a walk of several five star hotels. This makes it the perfect venue for conferences, meetings, exhibitions and special events. It is no wonder that it has been a home to many successful international conferences and seminars. Its an extremely remarkable architectural product that contributes to its landmark setting and is a lofty location to see Nairobi city for the top floor of the Centre.

This is the largest picnic site in Kenya (54 acres of pure fun). It's a home to the 2.5 years Old Stone Age caves, trees thought to be hundred of years old while the reeds have a long story to tell. Enjoy the nature trails, bird watching, horse riding, camel riding, bout riding and feeding Maasai ostrich, fishing, coffee farms. It's a few kilometres from city centre on Kiambu road and is surrounded by large coffee farms.

Standing at the former site of the US Embassy, this small park exists mainly for historical and educational reasons. The visitors centre has information on deadly bomb blast that killed more than 200 people on 7th august 1998, and about the promotion of peace. The park is a beautiful setting for events involving small groups, and there are conference facilities. A small gallery can be hired for art and cultural exhibitions, cocktail parties and functions. There is a souvenir selling shop and kiosk selling snacks if you want to get refreshment during your visit.

The surrounding area of Parklands derives its name from this green space. City Park is alive with birds, butterflies and predominant Sykes Monkeys, although other species inhabit the indigenous forest - the largest of its kind in the capital. In the city park cemetery, which occupies a small corner of the park, are the remains of two great figures in Kenya's history: Pio Gama Pinto, a journalist and politician, and not too far away Joseph Murumbi, Kenya's second vice President with his wife Sheila buried besides him. This site is to become the Murumbi peace memorial park with a sculpture of Elkana Ongesa depicting a bird of peace emerging from a stone of despair to be mounted above the Murumbi graves. It will mark a fitting tribute to a man who was known for his love of art. Vendors sell plants at the adjacent market, which also offers an opportunity to some vegetable shopping after having your fill of delicious nyama (beef/mutton) and kuku (Chicken) choma (roast).

You'll be surprised at how peaceful the arboretum is, despite the bustling city nearby. Established in 1907, the 30-hectare green area has grown to include a diverse range of trees, birds, exotic and indigenous plants. It is a great picnic spot as the trees provide ample shade and seclusion from other picnickers. If you are feeling more energetic, there are a variety of activities to choose from. You can go on a walk to learn more about trees (every last Monday and second Saturday of the month) or bird watching arranged weekly also by Nature Kenya.

Bordering Uhuru Park, Central Park is easily identifiable by the Nyayo monument depicting the famous club that was synonymous with Daniel Moi, Kenya's second President. Apart from the children?s playground, hustle and bustle or sports and games here are plenty. This park attracts those who simply want to relax and have a quiet moment. It is also popular with young families and lovebirds. On weekdays it crowds with office workers taking a break over their lunch hour. Snacks are available from various vendors.

The hills have four summits that stand out against the horizon like knuckles, or ngong in maa. It has a beautiful view, overlooking the Great Rift Valley in one direction and the Nairobi National Park in another. It is a perfect place for scenic picnics or climbing the knuckle to test your mettle (in fact many climbers use these hills to train for climbing trips). It's advisable that you go by car because it quite a distance from drop-off point to the main entrance if you use public transport. Drive up to the radio posts, where there is a car park, and admire the view or set out for a walk.

These gardens were donated by AM Jeevanjee, one of Nairobi's first Indian businessmen, when a bazaar which was formerly located here burnt down. He created the spot as a resting area for the poor. The statue of England's Queen Victoria, unveiled in 1906, is a famous landmark. If you are after something a little more spiritual, then this is the park for you. A myriad of evangelists have made this their preaching zone and it isn't unusual to see them trying to outdo each other. The park is frequented by locals who want to rest and by those who want to seek enlightenment.

As most of Nairobi people will tell you, Uhuru Park was once a time the highlight of family outings - especially as you can go out on the man-made Lake that is a centre of attraction. Your childhood was seen as incomplete if you had not been to Uhuru Park. As it is in the heart of the Nairobi CBD, many office workers can be seen taking a break in the Park over lunch hour. However, since there is no entry fee and it is so centrally located, it is also still hugely popular over the weekends with families and all young lovers who all enjoy the open space.

The park has recently been renovated with new pathways and footbridges, and the ever-popular bouts have been upgraded. You can also buy snacks from the many vendors that ply their trade here. One corner of the Park identified by a big green signboard is a commemorative site called Freedom Corner.

In the 1990s, mothers of imprisoned men accused of political crimes gathered at the spot and demanded for the release of their sons and other political prisoners. The corner was named in memory of this showdown by Wangari Maathai, who actively supported the protest and the Green Belt Movement.

These gardens are a memorial of Kenya's struggle for independence. It has monuments like a 24m-high column supported by a pair of clashed hands and a dove of peace, and a statue of freedom fighters raising the flag. Plans are now underway to set up a Heroes Corner, celebrating of all of those who played a role in building modern-day Kenya.

The Park is a favourite of families and picnickers. There is plenty of space, ensuring you will get a quiet spot. Informal football games are popular among visitors, and camel rides and face painting are occasionally on offer. There is a snack shop at the entrance but as well you can carry your own food, you can even have barbecue.

Offers and provides controlled tenant ``mix`` of supermarkets, shops, service outlets, offices and entertainment. A two screen, 300 cinema, a health club with swimming pool, a 1500 sq ft food court included in phase two of construction is augmented by cafes and new international exhibition centre. A busy calendar of trade shows, cultural and community events, including the popular Christmas promotion, Stick and Win, is a major component of the center's appeal.

A centre described as a place with all your needs in one roof. It is located 5 km away from the city centre. It is a modern multifunctional shopping mall with new state of art lifts, remodelled the main entrance and atrium and the shopping floors with a bright and modern look.

This is a fabulously modern and exquisite shopping centre with cinema, bowling ally, pool hall, mini golf and children's play ground. It currently also hosts a 5 star hotel – The TRIBE.

It is on the Muindi Mbingu Street and its worth a visit if you are chopping for curios. Depending on how good your bartering is, you can get a good bargain be it soapstone carvings, wood carvings drums, spears, Maasai jewellery, clothing or other handcrafts.