Georgina’s guidebook

Few scenes can steal hearts like a baby elephant being milk-fed. Orphaned as a result of poaching or other human-related activities, rescued animals are rehabilitated at a nursery in Nairobi National Park and eventually rewilded in Tsavo East National Park. Watch them feed and play and you’ll find it near impossible to leave without signing up to the adoption programme.

It’s no match for the Maasai Mara, but where else in the world can you see a towering giraffe against a backdrop of skyscrapers? The world’s only national park set inside a city, it’s home to a healthy population of classic safari megafauna, including leopards, cheetahs and wildebeest. Pop into the rhino sanctuary or explore walking trails at the hippo pools.

A beaded rope bridge leads to this bohemian red-brick dome rising from the Kenyan bush. Built by Anselm Croze, who grew up nearby in a converted double-decker bus, the studio creates tableware, furniture and jewellery from scrap metal and glass that it melts down. Learn how to blow a glass bubble or make a goblet from scratch and stay for lunch at an organic cafe set in a sculpture garden.

If you’re picturing a city of dusty roads and sweltering heat, think again. Nairobi is a fast-growing metropolitan melting pot with skyscrapers punctuating the horizon and a mild year-round average temperature of 24°C (75°F). I was expecting hot, humid weather that left me sweating, but Nairobi’s weather is actually pretty mild as it’s located so close to the equator. December (summer) is warm, but not desert hot, while June (mid-winter) is cool and overcast, but not freezing cold.

Nairobi is notorious for some of the worst traffic in the world, so I was expecting absolute chaos on the roads – incessant hooting, off-road taxis and general gridlock hell. But I’ve been surprised to find that even though there are far too many cars on far too few roads, traffic jams are calm, with very little road rage. You can use Uber to get around the city, but for longer day trips or airport transfers, I can recommend the services of a driver. I can highly recommend John - You can reach him via What’sApp on +254 739 090309 to book your transfers.

At the Maasai Market you’ll find local trinkets, souvenirs and handmade curios from all over Kenya. The market seeks to empower local crafters by offering them a place to sell their own goods, rather than having to sell them through high-end restaurants and resorts for a fraction of the profit. The market moves around Nairobi, so you can find it at a different venue every day. Website : https://www.facebook.com/MaasaiMarketNairobi/ Tuesday – Kijabe Street Park along Ngong Road Wednesday – Capital Center along Mombasa rd Thursday – The junction Mall

You really can’t overestimate the traffic. The main stretches to watch out for when you’re planning travel in the city are Wayaki Way and Ngong Road. Both of these busy roads can add hours to your travel time and can make getting from one side of Nairobi to the next a nightmare. If you’re travelling in peak morning of evening hours, plan accordingly or try a boda-boda motorbike taxi.

If you are planning to fly to the coast or Maasai Mara from Nairobi, it is recommended to fly from Wilson domestic or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Local airlines like Jambo Jet, East African Air, Skywards Express and Fly540 depart from these two airports regularly.

Kenyans absolutely love it when visitors use a little Swahili, so don’t be shy to use “Jambo” (hi), “Asante” (thanks) and “Sawa” (ok)