Nairobi

Nairobi is not a city you pass through. It is a city that gets under your skin. Kenya's capital is loud, fast, creative, and full of contradictions. Giraffes wander in a sanctuary fifteen minutes from downtown skyscrapers. World class restaurants sit beside street food stalls serving the best nyama choma you have ever tasted. The art scene is exploding, the tech sector is booming, and the energy is infectious.

For visitors, Nairobi offers a surprising amount. The Nairobi National Park is the only wildlife park in the world inside a major city, where you can see lions and rhinos with the skyline in the background. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust lets you watch orphaned baby elephants being bottle fed. Karen Blixen's museum and the Kazuri Beads factory add cultural depth.

The food scene has evolved rapidly. From Ethiopian restaurants in Eastleigh to Japanese omakase in Westlands, Nairobi's dining reflects its cosmopolitan population. The Maasai Market (rotating locations, check the schedule) is the best place in Kenya to buy handmade crafts. If you are flying into Kenya, give Nairobi at least two days. You will not regret it.