Of Chows and Dhows

Sometimes people think that they would need millions to afford to travel. Travel does not have to be expensive. While travel is an expense in itself, you can do it on a budget without breaking the bank. One of the best ways to travel on a budget is trying out activities in your city. Here are some affordable things to do in Nairobi for shs 500 ($5) and under.

Affordable things to do in Nairobi:

Nature

If you are looking to clear your head within the city, a walk or picnic in Uhuru Park, Central park, Uhuru Gardens and City Park may just be what you need. Best part- it’s free. Note that you may have to pay parking fees, I know parking fees is shs 200 at Uhuru Gardens.

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For more of a challenge, stretch your muscles by walking at Oloolua Nature Trail and Karura Forest. You can pack a picnic with you, take your pet for a walk, go jogging, ride bikes(at Karura) and even chase waterfalls.

There is a fantastic restaurant on site at Karura Forest, The River Cafe.

Entry fees:

Karura Forest– shs 100 for adults and shs 40 for children

Bicycle riding in Karura- shs 500 for two hours.

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Oloolua Nature Trail

Citizen Rates- shs 200 for adults, shs 100 for children and shs 5000 per group of 10 people. Camping at night is shs 2000 for adults and shs 1000 for children.

Residents-shs 200 for adults and shs 100 for children.

Non Resident- shs 400 for adults and shs for 200 for children.

Wildlife

Nairobi is the only city that has a national park within it. Wildlife definitely forms part of the Nairobi equation.

Try your hand at spotting big game on a game drive at the Nairobi National Park. Entry fees- shs 430 and shs 215 for adults and children respectively.

Take a walk and see rehabilitated wild animals from a wooden platform at the Nairobi Safari Walk for shs 215 and shs 125 for adult citizens and children respectively. I visited the place a while back, read about my experience here.

Learn more about orphaned baby elephants and the work done in raising and reintegrating them back to the wild at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for shs 500.

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Feed and kiss the most graceful of creatures at the Giraffe Centre for shs 400 for adults and shs 200 for children. Read more about the Centre here.

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Learn more about snakes and other reptiles at the Snake Park for shs 200 (adult citizens).

You can carry baby crocodiles and learn more about crocodiles, ostriches and Tortoises at Mamba Village at ksh 150 for adullts and children pay ksh 100 (Kenyan Citizens).

Stedmak Gardens in Karen has a mini snake park and exotic birds and wild animals in their zoo. Entrance fees is shs 400.

Fun/ Recreational

For a fun ride with views of Nairobi’s beautiful skyline, go on a boat ride in Uhuru Park for shs 100.

There are quite a number of amusement parks in the city where you can let your inner child out. Most of the rides range between shs 100 to shs 500 depending on where you go. Lunar parks are in Pangani, Rock City and Shark Palace on Kiambu Road, Haille Selassie Avenue in the CBD and Nyama Villa in Komarock.

Malls

Most malls in the city have Themeparks and play areas for kids.

Best bet would be bowling at Village Market or PlayLand Amusement Park at NextGen Mall, Mombasa Road.

Culture/ Educational/ History

For the history and culture crowd interested to learn more about the country, some museums you can visit in the city are:

The Nairobi National Museum– Entrance fee for Kenyan adult citizens is Kshs 200.

The Nairobi Gallery– shs 150 for adults and shs 100 for children for Kenyan Citizens, Residents- Adults shs 600, Children shs 400 and Non Residents- shs 1000 Adults and shs 500 for Children.

The Railway Museum- shs 100 for Citizens and shs 400 for Residents.

The Karen Blixen Museum- Adults KSh 200 and Children KSh 100 for Kenyan Citizens.

The United Nations Office in Nairobi organises tours that are open to the public.  Rates- shs 500 for adults and shs 300 for students. Book a tour here.

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Take a trip down colonial Nairobi by going on the Sarova Heritage Tour which is offered by the Sarova Stanely Hotel for free. Read Marion’s experience here.

Nairobi Views

Catch 360 degree views of the city at the KICC helipad for- shs 200 for East African citizens, shs 300 for Residents and shs 500 for Non Residents.

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See Nairobi from Africa’s tallest ferris wheel, Eye of Africa at Two Rivers Mall for shs 500.

Bonus:

*The Kenya Regiment Rifle Club aka the shooting range charge students shs 550.

*If you prefer spending time indoors watching a good movie or binge watching your favourite show,  Nyumba Cinema is perfect. Prices are shs  2,500-shs 4,000 per hour (depending on the day and time) to book the theater and the maximum number of people allowed in is 15, so it is a good deal – depending on how big your group is. Visit their website for more details.

*You can go to Paradise Lost in Kiambu for a picnic with beautiful views, sights and sounds of waterfalls. They charge shs 400 for adults and shs 300 for children as entry fees.

Note:

*Most of the rates listed are for Kenyan citizens. Rates for residents and non-citizens vary and are slightly higher. These rates are also subject to change so make sure to check from time to time in case the prices are revised.

*When visiting the National Park and/or Animal Orphanage (and generally any other National Park in the country, payment is made via Visa Card, MPesa or Direct deposit to KWS’ bank accounts as KWS does not allow cash payments.

Valentines day is coming up this month, which activity are you going to try? Let me know on the comments below.

Here are some practical tips to help you travel on a budget.

Those are some of the affordable things to do in Nairobi under shs 500/ $5.

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Happy travels friends!