In a country most well-known for its varied national parks and reserves and storybook wildlife, Kenya also has its fair share of major cities and towns. From those you have heard of (Nairobi and Mombasa are certainly contenders for the most popular and best cities in Kenya) to those you perhaps haven’t (Kisumu, Eldoret and Nakuru), the urban hubs of the country offer a different taste of life on the continent and can be a wonderful add-on to a safari or wildlife-watching trip.
Here’s our lowdown on Kenya’s major cities and how you might combine them into a Timbuktu trip….
Best cities in Kenya
The country has five major cities located across the different provinces, but by far the best cities in Kenya are Nairobi and Mombasa.
Nairobi, the capital, is a lively metropolis of people, culture and commerce. Located in the central province of Kenya, it’s the largest city between Johannesburg (South Africa) and Cairo (Egypt), attracting tourists – who flock to the elegant restaurants and beautiful Nairobi National Park – as well as business travellers, and locals looking for job opportunities and to start their careers. In fact, Nairobi is the United Nations’ fourth ‘World Hub’ and one of the most important commercial centres on the African continent.
Mombasa is Kenya’s second largest city with a population of 1.5 million people. Located on the south-eastern Indian Ocean coast, it has a long history as a prominent trading centre and is still Africa’s biggest and most cosmopolitan trading port. The pearly beaches and gently lapping waves have also established it as an excellent holiday destination and the beautiful resorts cater to travellers of all styles and budgets. Most visitors are captivated by Mombasa’s exotic charms and it’s definitely one of the best cities in Kenya to visit.
Nairobi
Most Kenya safaris begin and end in the capital city of Nairobi and a stopover is almost inevitable. The international airport, Jomo Kenyatta, is a hub for any visitor to East Africa and welcomes flights from all over the world on a daily basis. It’s Wilson Airport, however, that caters for Kenya’s top safari destinations with several flights a day to the Masai Mara, Laikipia and Samburu.
Before Nairobi became the international hub it is today, it began life as a small railway camp in 1899. The British were building a new railroad linking Uganda with the city of Mombasa and the site was chosen for its central location but also for the network of rivers that converged in the area, providing cool, fresh water. The name ‘Nairobi’ actually comes from the local name ‘Enkare Nyrobi’ meaning ‘place of cool water.’ From there, the settlement grew into a small village, then a town, and in 1907, Nairobi was big enough to overtake Mombasa as the capital of both Kenya and the East African Protectorate.
The city remained the capital after Independence in 1963, and has grown into one of the most important cities on the continent, hosting more than 100 large international organisations and companies, a major international airport and many hotels, lodges and restaurants. Today, it is home to almost 4.5 million people, with just over one million annual visitors.
What to do in Nairobi
Nairobi has many different attractions, both in the city centre and in the leafy, green suburbs. Downtown Nairobi is a real glimpse into everyday African life, from the bustling streets filled with food vendors and ticket sellers to the gleaming skyscrapers of the business district. A typical Nairobi city exploration will take you to the Nairobi National Museum and Railway Museum, as well as the sprawling Maasai Market.
To the southwest of the city centre is the suburb of Karen, named after the Danish author Karen Blixen. Bordered by the Ngong Forest, the area is characterised by wide, tree-lined avenues, beautiful gardens and a tranquil atmosphere. It’s also home to some of the city’s most-loved tourist attractions. We highly recommend visiting Karen Blixen’s former home, the centrepiece of the Karen Blixen museum, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to see the baby orphans being fed by their keepers before they are released back into the wild, and visiting some of the fantastic female empowerment and community-run initiatives.
In the neighbouring suburb of Lang’ata is perhaps Nairobi’s most iconic attraction: the Giraffe Centre. Opened in 1979 as a sanctuary for endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, a subspecies found only in the grasslands of East Africa, the centre continues to breed them today. Guests may visit to learn more about their protection and a lucky few can even opt to stay at the exclusive Giraffe Manor, the former home of the Leslie-Melvilles where the gentle-mannered creatures can often be found poking their heads into bedroom windows and joining guests for breakfast.
If you would like to learn more about experiences in the city of Nairobi, have a read of our 24 hours in Nairobi blog, which covers all our favourite things to do – and more.
Nairobi National Park
It might have a surprising backdrop of city skyscrapers, but Nairobi National Park is a haven for lion, rhino, zebra and various species of antelope and is a great introduction to a Kenya safari. It’s relatively small in size (117 square-kilometres in total) and fenced on three sides – the fourth side is open to allow wildlife to migrate into the surrounding Kitengela Plains, but the game drives are excellent and the chances of seeing black rhino are high. The wetlands are also home to over 400 species of birdlife and spending an afternoon watching the birds flitter across the trees with that extraordinary city background is a unique experience!
Where to stay in Nairobi
Whether you’re visiting Nairobi for work, play or simply stopping over to see the highlights, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation. From contemporary, city-slick hotels to boutique guest houses and old colonial mansions, there’s something for every visitor. Our favourites include:
Hemingways Hotel, Karen
One of the city’s finest hotels in peaceful Karen, filled with old-world charm and a fantastic restaurant.
The Eka Hotel, City Centre
A contemporary, business-class hotel close to both airports and all the city’s top attractions.
Giraffe Manor, Lang’ata
Enjoy giraffe ‘kisses’ at breakfast and afternoon tea and cakes with a view at the city’s most iconic guest house.
The Emakoko, Nairobi Natonal Park
Just 45 minutes from the international airport, the 10 pretty cottages at The Emakoko are bush-chic down to a tee.
The Residences at Karen, Karen
A collection of colonial houses and modern villas set in luscious gardens and incredibly convenient for all the highlights of Karen.
Mombasa
From as far back as the 12th century, the island city of Mombasa was known as one of the of the most important trading ports in the Indian Ocean. It was around this time that both the Arabs and Persians developed successful commercial routes from the city, swapping glass, brass, copper, iron and rhino horn with countries far and wide. Even today, the city’s trading nature remains relevant and the famous Kilindini Harbour is Africa’s strongest link with the rest of the world, with both Tanzania and Uganda using it for their imports and exports.
Over the years, Mombasa has been the centre of many ferocious battles of power, reflected in the city’s Swahili name Kisiwa Cha Mvita, which roughly translates as ‘Island of War’. The Arabs, Persians, Portuguese and British all ruled over the area, contributing to a city rich in culture, architecture and history.
These influences are most prevalent in the old town, Mombasa’s historic heart. Here, the narrow, cobbled streets are filled with white-washed houses, delicate, filigree balconies, and carved wooden doors, a status symbol for the merchant traders who commissioned them. Spicy aromas from the street stalls fill the air and women gather at the market in dark bui-buis and colourful kangas. There are also 20 mosques in the streets of the Old Town, as well as examples of more recent styles of Indian and grand colonial architecture.
Today, it’s these historical sights combined with the promise of white-sand beaches and a languid, tropical atmosphere that attracts travellers from across the world. Moi International Airport makes Mombasa easily accessible from major international cities and Kenya Airways, the country’s national airline, operates several flights a day from Nairobi. If you’re travelling from the mainland, you’ll cross over to the island by road on the northern part, or by ferry on the southern side. It’s still very much a city and the bustling nightlife and scores of bars and restaurants are equally as enticing for travellers looking for a lively holiday.
What to do in Mombasa
The Old Town is most definitely a highlight of the city and walking tours with local guides are fascinating and insightful. Fort Jesus, the start and end point for many trips, stands proud overlooking the old port. Built in 1953 by the Portuguese to protect their interests in East Africa, it’s one of the oldest European buildings on the continent and in 2011, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next on your wander is the Mandhry Mosque, built in 1570. It’s not open to visitors, but you can still admire the beautiful combination of Swahili and Arabic style patterns and flourishes. We also highly recommend stopping by the spice market – expect a sensory overload! – as well as the Old Law Courts, which now host changing art exhibitions, and the iconic Mombasa tusks that welcome visitors to the city.
Mombasa beaches
Mombasa’s golden beaches are spread out to the north and south of the city, with miles and miles of cerulean blue ocean stretching to the horizon.
In the south, the most well-known beaches are Shelly (close to the Likoni Ferry) and Tiwi. Whilst beautiful in their heyday, both beaches are a little shabby and there’s not a huge choice of accommodation. If you are looking to travel south and base yourself further away from the hustle and bustle of the city, we would advise in Diani Beach. 30 kilometres south of Mombasa, it’s a quiet and peaceful slice of sand where boutique guesthouses hide amongst the palm trees and restaurants are of the toes-in-the-sand kind. Some of our favourite places to stay include Kenyaways Hotel and Kite Village for the best beachfront views, or Kinondo Kwetu for serious, blissed-out luxury. Even further south and more rustic still is the white-sand paradise of Msambweni Beach.
In the north you’ll find Nyali (home of the famous Tamarind restaurant), Bamburi and Shanzu beaches. Up here, the pace is energetic, the nightlife is good and there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied from watersports to golf. This is also where you’ll find most of the large, family-friendly resorts, and the beaches are swimmable during both high and low tides, making it a great choice for kids.
Mombasa Marine National Park
Just below the surface of the water on Mombasa’s north coast is a breath-taking coral reef, teeming with multi-coloured marine life. This is part of the Mombasa Marine Park, a recently-gazetted area that is a combination of national park (10 square-kilometres) and a national reserve (around 200 square-kilometres) that work together to protect the fragile reef that spans miles along the Kenyan coast. It’s this reef that makes the north coast an internationally-renowned diving location with many visitors enjoying the sights on snorkelling expeditions and glass-bottomed boat trips.
Where to stay in Mombasa
There is a rather fetching array of boutique boltholes and larger, family-friendly resorts. Here are just a few of our favourites.
A large and lovely resort on the north coast with several restaurants, an enormous pool and complimentary activities for all guests.
Tijara has only four comfortable cottages, all perched in an idyllic cliffside location, offering fabulous views across the ocean and plenty of peace and quiet.
With four swimming pools and plenty of activity options, Voyager is the perfect-family friendly resort located mere footsteps from Nyali Beach.
Combine Mombasa in a Kenya itinerary
If you would like to combine Mombasa with a classic Kenya safari, the city is perfectly located to access both Tsavo East and West National Parks. Together, the parks make up one of Kenya’s largest protected areas at 21,000 square-kilometres and are famous for enormous herds of elephant, often coloured red by the dust, lion, leopard and cheetah. There are also remarkably few lodges in the area, making for an exclusive safari that is only a short hop from Mombasa.
The city is also easily accessible from Nairobi, Kenya’s central logistics hub, allowing travellers to combine Mombasa with some of Kenya’s other top safari locations. We would recommend Laikipia, home of pioneering conservation and the chance to try a walking safari, as well as a classic Big Five adventure in the Masai Mara.
Other cities in Kenya
The rest of Kenya’s major cities are spread across the country. Whilst none of them are as large or indeed as internationally-renowned as Nairobi and Mombassa, they all play their part in the economy, be it industrial or more tourism-focused.
Kisumu
Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest town, lies on the north-eastern shore of Lake Victoria, the continent’s largest lake. The city is the unofficial capital of Western Kenya and has excellent transport links to the rest of East Africa. The lake forms the economic backbone of Kisumu, from the prominent fishing industry to the tourists who visit to relax on the shores and explore the waters on boat trips.
Nakuru
Next on the list of major cities in Kenya is Nakuru. With a population of just over 500,000 it’s the fourth largest city in the country and the capital of the beautiful Great Rift Valley region. Over the years, Nakuru has been a hotbed of politics with the first (Jomo Kenyatta) and the second (Daniel Arap Moi) presidents of the country keeping semi-official residences within the city. Today, it’s more well-known for its proximity to Lake Nakuru National Park, home to both black and white rhino and an incredible variety of birdlife.
Eldoret
The last major city in Kenya is Eldoret, located in Western Kenya and close to the border with Uganda. It’s one of the fastest growing urban areas in the country and an intriguing mix of old and new, modern and traditional. On a wander around town, you’ll also spot many colonial influences in a hangover from the past when Eldoret’s pleasant climate and fruitful altitude attracted many settlers.
If you would like to visit any of Kenya’s major cities on a trip, please get in touch and chat to a Timbuktu consultant. We would love to help you plan a trip to Nairobi, Mombasa or indeed any of Kenya’s cities!
