Travels around the world 2009-2024
Exploring our beautiful planet

Nairobi - capital of Kenya

November 24, 2012  —  Kenya
Kenya
Shanty town.

Nairobi is mostly known as a dangerous city where crimes, often violent, are very frequent. Obviously, most travellers are somewhat afraid of the city. We tackled the city carefully, and it has turned out to be a nice city.

It is important to understand that the crimes often occur in shanty town surrounding the city. If a traveller is careful and stays in the more secure area, no problems should occur. We have walked more than 20 km from the campsite to the downtown area and we also passed with the van through the heart of Nairobi and the suburbs after taking a wrong turn. The result: nothing, no problems.

line-separator

Giraffe Centre

Giraffe Centre - Nairobi - Kenya

An interesting activity to do is going for a visit of the Giraffe Centre.

In this place, Rothschild's giraffes, a threatened species, are protected. They are raised in captivity before being released in the wild. It is possible to see them up close and also touch them.

Giraffe Centre - Nairobi - Kenya
Giraffe Centre - Nairobi - Kenya
It is possible to feed the giraffes.
Giraffe Centre - Nairobi - Kenya
Manor converted in a luxury hotel. Giraffes can sometimes be seen in the garden.
line-separator

Sandal Recycling

Nairobi - Kenya

In this recycling center, old sandals are collected from everywhere in Kenya. Several employees are busy converting these old foot wears in work of art.

Nairobi - Kenya
Nairobi - Kenya
These works of art are as simple as a ball up to very complex figures.
Nairobi - Kenya
Nairobi - Kenya
Nairobi - Kenya
Nairobi - Kenya
One can find anything, even... sandals.
Nairobi - Kenya
Nairobi - Kenya
What to do with the leftovers? A carpet in a kid playground, for example.
line-separator

Beads factory

Nairobi - Kenya
They are not candies.

In this factory, workers are crafting using beads.

The small beads are all made from terra-cotta.

Nairobi - Kenya
Preparing the raw material before the oven.
Nairobi - Kenya
The ovens in the background.
Nairobi - Kenya
The raw materials heated and painted.
Nairobi - Kenya
The warehouse.
Nairobi - Kenya
Moulds.
Nairobi - Kenya
The factory.
line-separator

David Sheldrick Sanctuary

David Sheldrick Sanctuary - Nairobi - Kenya

This sanctuary protects baby elephants whose parents have been victims of poaching. Too young to survive in the nature, they are taken in this park and bottle-fed until they are old enough to go back into the wild.

In order to get funding, the sanctuary is open every day for an hour so that visitors may see the baby elephant being bottle-fed, play in water, and take a mud bath.

David Sheldrick Sanctuary - Nairobi - Kenya
A baby is thirsty.
David Sheldrick Sanctuary - Nairobi - Kenya
The show occurs a few metres away from us.
David Sheldrick Sanctuary - Nairobi - Kenya
Mud bath.
David Sheldrick Sanctuary - Nairobi - Kenya
An elephant is vacuum-cleaning...
David Sheldrick Sanctuary - Nairobi - Kenya
A rhinoceros saved from poachers.
line-separator

Bomas of Kenya

Bomas of Kenya - Nairobi - Kenya

In this museum, one can see replicas of the different types of houses of several Kenyan tribes.

Bomas of Kenya - Nairobi - Kenya
Bomas of Kenya - Nairobi - Kenya

The most interesting part is the traditional dance show showing various tribal customs in the country. The show was good if one forgets about the very bad quality of the music and the amateurish look of it all... The dance diversity was interesting.

Bomas of Kenya - Nairobi - Kenya
Bomas of Kenya - Nairobi - Kenya
Bomas of Kenya - Nairobi - Kenya
Bomas of Kenya - Nairobi - Kenya
Bomas of Kenya - Nairobi - Kenya