An amazing state in East Africa attracts guests from all over the world. The pristine beauty of the plant world, alkaline lakes, national parks, dormant volcanoes - Kenya does not leave indifferent the most inquisitive travelers. She manages to harmoniously combine the original culture of the past and the civilization of today. This is a state with a very complicated history, which relatively recently gained its full independence. And now it is developing rapidly.
The capital of Kenya is located almost on the equator and is the largest city in East Africa. Despite its young age, Nairobi has a lot of attractions and is able to give an unforgettable experience to everyone.
Mombasa
The oldest city in Kenya, Mombasa, is located on a coral island. It was founded by Arab merchants around the 11th-12th century. Its heyday is celebrated in the Middle Ages, when, being a major seaport, it becomes a tasty morsel for many world powers. Turks, Germans fought for him,English and Portuguese. Moreover, the latter managed to maintain their dominance until the end of the 17th century. In 1895, when Kenya becomes a British colony, Mombasa is established as its capital.
The importance of the city of Mombasa increases even more when the first railway line is laid from it deep into the continent. But in 1906, the British colonists, taking into account all the problems and preventing further military clashes, decided to move the capital to Nairobi. Today Mombasa is a world resort with an abundance of sandy beaches and beautiful nature.
Nairobi is the capital of Kenya
The name of the capital has a rather interesting meaning: in the language of the Maasai people, the word "Nairobi" means "source of cold water." Long before the city was built, it was an oasis where sun-weary trade caravans stopped to rest. By the end of the 19th century, the British authorities decided to build a railway line to end the isolation of East Africa and establish trade in this region. The territory of the oasis was chosen for the construction of the station. On the one hand, being among the malaria swamps, it was not the most convenient for settlement, on the other hand, it was the most suitable site for the construction of a supporting railway platform.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the bubonic plague claimed the life of the first settlement of Nairobi, and buildings and structures had to be burned to stop the epidemic. But a year later, by common efforts, the town was relatively restored. In a short time, Nairobi managed to turn intolarge settlement, which later becomes the capital of Kenya.
The name of the capital is now better known under the promising meaning of "green sunny paradise". And thanks to the efforts of local authorities, it fully justifies it.
National Museum
To get deeper into the spirit of African land, sightseeing in Nairobi should begin with the National Museum. The collection of unique exhibits collected here will introduce you to the culture, traditions and historical past of the state of Kenya. In the capital, the museum was officially opened in 1930, but it began to function much earlier. A recent reconstruction has expanded its area, a number of modern outbuildings and a large garden have appeared.
Paleontological finds are of particular interest to museum visitors, allowing you to plunge into prehistoric times. The age of some exposures is one and a half million years. But the main pride is the skeleton of the "Turkan boy", a representative of the species Homo ergaster (working man).
In separate halls, guests of the capital will be offered to get acquainted with the way of life of local tribes, evaluate the collected collection of flora and fauna of East Africa and see an exhibition of contemporary Kenyan art.
Nairobi's main attraction
In the "green city under the sun", as sophisticated tourists call the capital of Kenya, there is a unique park that has no analogues in the whole world. Rhinos,lions, ostriches, zebras and other wild animals live next to people. The fenced reserve is located 7 km from the city center and the picture of grazing giraffes or cheetahs against the backdrop of skyscrapers looks quite ordinary. Guests of the capital have the opportunity to observe the indigenous inhabitants of Kenyan nature in their natural environment.
A small savannah with a total area of 117 km2 has become a place of conservation of a population of endangered species. It has over 80 species of mammals and 400 species of birds. A scientific educational center and a veterinary clinic operate on the territory of the National Park.
Capital architecture
The architecture of Nairobi is very multifaceted, it seems to reflect the history of its state. It combines the incongruous: buildings of the colonial era and modern skyscrapers, mosques and Christian churches, buildings in the national motif and trendy buildings.
The tallest skyscraper in the capital is the Times Tower. This unique 163-meter building deserves attention with its colorful African view, but it is possible to contemplate it only from the outside. Next to the tower is another giant - the international conference center, which is in no way inferior in its originality. At the same time, admission to it is free and there is a great opportunity to admire the capital of Kenya from above.
Among the architectural buildings of Nairobi, it is worth highlighting the Jami Mosque. The Muslim building has special silver domes that distinguish it from traditional Islamictemples, giving mesmerizing beauty and luxury. Travelers also pay attention to the building of the city administration, in the architecture of which national features and the colonial past of the country are clearly read.
Tomb of Jomo Kenyatta
The first president of independent Kenya to this day is the most respected and revered person among the locals. Jomo Kenyatta has made a huge contribution to the development and well-being of his nation, being repeatedly elected by the people. He is considered a messenger of God, and his memory continues to be sacredly kept and passed down from generation to generation. The tomb of the "father of the nation" is located opposite the Parliament building in the very center of the capital of Kenya.
No matter how loyal Nairobi is to tourists, you should know that in the Jomo Kenyatta mausoleum they will be required to show proper respect. Photographing this shrine is strictly prohibited and punishable by law.
Hotel with giraffes
One amazing place in Nairobi is highly recommended for guests, especially young travelers. On the outskirts of the capital, in the 1970s, a nursery for rare giraffes Rothschild was established. The first two "settlers" liked the area very much, and soon offspring appeared, which grew into a large family.
Visitors of the hotel-nursery can not only look at animals up close, but also come into contact with them, feed them. Moreover, giraffes themselves often show curiosity towards guests. And during breakfast they, usingopen windows, poking their snouts right up to the hall tables, begging for refreshments.
Indian Quarter
Mysterious Nairobi gives travelers many pleasant surprises and one of them is the Indian quarter. This is truly the most spiritual area in the capital of Kenya, where a large number of sacred sites and Hindu temples are concentrated. A special ancient atmosphere reigns here, promising exciting adventures. Visitors to the mysterious religious quarter receive peace, vitality and spiritual enlightenment.
It should be noted that the Indian quarter also has architectural value. Perfectly preserved temple complexes and mosques convey the history and culture of the peoples who once lived in this place. Curves of artistic stucco molding, skillful national ornaments, picturesque bright colors - art helps guests feel the spirit of antiquity.
Snake Park
The capital of Kenya boasts another unusual attraction - the Snake Park. The inspiration for creating such an amazing place was a small exhibition of reptiles in 1958 at the National Museum of Nairobi. This event was a huge success, as a result of which the organizers decided to create an appropriate park. And already in 1961, the Snake Park received its first visitors.
Today, the park has hundreds of diverse reptiles, and their numbers are constantly growing. In addition to snakes, turtles, lizards, crocodiles, spiders also live in it. People are of particular interestdeadly snakes such as the African viper and the black mamba. After the reconstruction, the appearance of the park has improved significantly, new aquariums, terrariums and a pool have appeared. Lectures, excursions, seminars are regularly held here. Exhibitions of insects, fish and birds are organized.
Interesting facts
- Nairobi has a high crime rate and is on the list of the most criminal cities in the world.
- One of the sad sights of the capital of Kenya is the slums of Kibera, where almost a million people are trying to survive in inhuman conditions.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited in Nairobi, and found offenders are punished by law.
- The streets of the Kenyan capital are full of street children begging for money.
- A large 1,400 m ice rink was built in Nairobi in 20052.
- Hailing a taxi on the streets of Nairobi is strongly discouraged, there is a risk of being scammed.
