The city lies on the Nairobi River in the south, and has an elevation of 1661m (5450ft) above sea level. Nairobi has the highest urban population in East Africa, estimated at between 3 and 4 million. Since its foundation as a railway camp in 1899, Nairobi has grown to become the largest city in Kenya and one of the largest cities in Africa.
The main airport is Jomo Kenyatta International, 15kms out side the town. Joma Kenyatta airport handles both International and domestic carriers. Wilson airport, is 11 kms outside of the city centre, and is the domestic hub for both scheduled and chartered domestic air traffic. Nairobi Railway station is the centre for railway traffic with daily arrivals and departures from Mombasa and Kisumu.
Walking around Nairobi is relatively straightforward, as the city centre is small and accessible. In some areas, there can be a security risk while walking.
The most famous book and film set in Nairobi, is Out of Africa. The book was written by Karen Blixen, and it is her account of living in Kenya. Karen Blixen lived in the Nairobi Area from 1917 to 1931, and the neighbourhood in which she lived, Karen, is named after her. Sydney Pollack made a film out of Out of Africa in 1985.
This is not a modern capital separated from the great wilderness that surrounds it. Just outside the city is Nairobi National Park, 113 sq kms of plains, cliffs and forest. The park is home to large herds of Wildebeest, Buffalo, Zebra, Giraffe and more. Rhino, Cheetah, and a large number of Lions are all found here, living wild within 20 minutes of the town.
The Fourteen Falls waterfalls at Thika is a spectacular 27 metre deep and a perfect day trip.
From the wildlife to the night life Nairobi has a fantastic music scene excellent restaurants and an endless and colourful array of shops and markets. Nairobi is a city that never seems to sleep. The entire town has a boundless energy, and is thriving place where all of human life can be found. This is a place of great contrasts where race, tribe and origin all become facets of a unique Nairobi character.
