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Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and one of the largest cities in Africa. Established in 1899 as a simple rail depot linking Mombasa to Uganda, Nairobi rose in a single century from a brackish uninhabited swampland to a thriving modern capital. It quickly became the capital of British East Africa in 1907 and, subsequently, the capital of the Kenyan republic in 1963. Today, it has an estimated population of three million people.
In the colonial period, Nairobi was the center for coffee, tea, and sisal industry. In the 1900s after an outbreak of the plague, the town was completely burned and rebuilt. It has been growing in population and economy ever since. Most popular manufactures of the city include processed food, textiles, clothing, building material, and communications and transportation equipment. The tourism industry is also booming, as Nairobi is the safari capital of Africa. It is an intriguing place of great contrasts, where race, tribe and origin all become facets of the unique Nairobi character.
The city is centered on the city square, which is surrounded by the Kenyan Parliament buildings, Holy Family Cathedral, Nairobi City Hall, Nairobi Law Courts, and the Kenyatta Conference Centre. This bustling city never seems to sleep, and it intrigues tourists with its fascinating variety of people drawn to the presence and opportunities of money.
The Nairobi River and its tributaries traverse through the Nairobi Province and the city is surrounded by spectacular safari wilderness. The Ngong Hills, located to the west, are the most prominent geographical feature of the Nairobi area. Surrounding the city lies the Nairobi National Park, a beautiful and popular tourist destination with spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. The park is home to large herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, rhino, cheetah and lion. The pleasant, moderate climate makes safari explorations exciting and enjoyable.
All of our Kenya safari vacations visit Nairobi.
