Nairobi
KenyaEast Africa’s tech hub with wildlife on the doorstep. Use rideshare after dark and keep phones zipped roadside.
🧭 First 48 hours
Clear, quick notes to get set up fast.
📶 SIM & data
Safaricom eSIM/physical at NBO city shops; register with passport and enable M-Pesa for ubiquitous payments.
💳 Money
Mobile money is everywhere; ATMs inside malls are safest.
🚖 Airport transfer
Uber/Bolt/Little; use licensed taxis at night.
🚇 Get around
Rideshare for most trips; BRT expanding; matatus are informal minibuses—go with local guidance.
🏨 Where to stay
Westlands (restaurants/nightlife), Kilimani (central/quiet), Karen (leafier, villa stays).
🛡️ Safety basics
Use rideshare after dark; keep phones secured roadside; ATMs inside malls.
⭐ Editor’s picks
Safari city energy—espresso-forward cafés, open-air grills, and sundowners with skyline silhouettes.
Eat
Talisman — Karen
Leafy terrace, pan-global menu, consistently excellent.
Cultiva — Karen
Farm-to-fire cooking with a greenhouse glow.
Nyama Mama — Delta
Modern twist on Kenyan classics; playful and bright.
Coffee
Spring Valley Coffee — Multiple
Kenyan beans, precise roasts, friendly baristas.
Artcaffe — Citywide
Reliable espresso and pastries when you’re on the move.
Drinks
Hero — Westlands
Superhero-themed cocktails and skyline views.
K1 Klub House — Parklands
Sunday market and breezy garden energy.