An amazing country in eastern Africa attracts guests from all over the world. The pristine beauty of the plant world, alkaline lakes, national parks, asleep 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 at 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
On the coral island is spread the most ancient city of Kenya - Mombasa. It was founded by Arabs-merchants around the XI-XII century. Its heyday is celebrated in the Middle Ages, when being a large seaport, it becomes a tidbit for many world powers. For him, the Turks, Germans, British and Portuguese entered the battle. Moreover, the latter managed to maintain their dominance until the end of the 17th century. In 1895, when Kenya became a British colony, Mombasa established itself 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 - the capital of Kenya
The name of the capital has a rather interesting meaning: in the language of the Masai people, the word "Nairobi" means "source of cold water." Long before the city was built, it was an oasis place where shopping caravans, weary of the sun, stopped to rest. By the end of the 19th century, the British authorities decided to lay a railway line to end the isolation of East Africa and establish trade in the region. The oasis territory 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 - 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 Nairobi settlement, and buildings and structures had to be burned to stop the epidemic. But a year later, by joint efforts, the town was relatively restored. In a short time, Nairobi managed to turn into a large settlement, which subsequently 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 this.
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. The museum was officially opened in the capital in 1930, but it began to function much earlier. Not so long ago, the reconstruction expanded its area, a number of modern outbuildings and a large garden appeared.
Of particular interest to museum visitors are paleontological finds that allow you to plunge into prehistoric times. The age of some expositions totals 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 person).
In separate rooms, guests of the capital will be offered to get acquainted with the lifestyle of local tribes, evaluate the collected flora and fauna of East Africa and watch an exhibition of contemporary Kenyan art.
The main attraction of Nairobi
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 door to humans. The fenced reserve is located 7 km from the city center and the picture of grazing giraffes or cheetahs against the background of skyscrapers looks quite normal. 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 km 2 has become a place of conservation of a population of endangered species. It has over 80 species of mammals and 400 species of birds. In the territory of the National Park there is a scientific educational center and a veterinary clinic.
Metropolitan architecture
The architecture of Nairobi is very multifaceted, it seems to reflect the history of its state. It combines the incompatible: buildings of the colonial era and modern skyscrapers, mosques and Christian churches, buildings with a 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 look, but it is possible to contemplate it only from the side. Next to the tower is another giant - an international conference center, it is not inferior in its originality. At the same time, entrance to it is free and there is a great opportunity to admire the capital of Kenya at an altitude.
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 Islamic temples, giving mesmerizing beauty and luxury. Travelers pay attention to the building of the city administration, in the architecture of which the 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 made a huge contribution to the development and well-being of his nation, being repeatedly elected by the people. He is considered the messenger of God, and the memory of him continues to be sacredly stored and handed down from generation to generation. The tomb of the "father of the nation" is located opposite the parliament building in the heart of Kenya's capital.
No matter how loyal Nairobi is to tourists, one should know that they will be required to show due respect in the Jomo Kenyatta Mausoleum. Photography of this shrine is strictly prohibited and punishable by law.
Hotel with Giraffes
One amazing place in Nairobi is highly recommended for guests, especially for young travelers. On the outskirts of the capital in the 1970s, a rare species Rothschild nursery was created. The two first "settlers" really liked the area, and soon offspring appeared, which grew into a large family.
Visitors to the hotel-nursery can not only view animals close by, but also come in contact with them and feed them. Moreover, the giraffes themselves often show curiosity to guests. And during breakfast, they, using open windows, stick their faces straight to the tables of the hall, asking for refreshments.
Indian quarter
The mysterious Nairobi presents travelers with many pleasant surprises, and one of them is the Indian quarter. This is truly the most spiritualized area in the capital of Kenya, where a large number of sacred places and Hindu temples are concentrated. There is a special old atmosphere that promises exciting adventures. Visitors to the mysterious religious quarter receive peace, vitality, and spiritual enlightenment.
It should be noted that the Indian quarter also carries architectural value. The well-preserved temple complexes and mosques convey the history and culture of the peoples of the once-living place. Curves of artistic stucco molding, skillful national ornaments, picturesque bright colors - art helps guests to imbue the spirit of antiquity.
Snake park
The capital of Kenya boasts another unusual attraction - Snake Park. The inspiration for the creation of such an amazing place was a small exhibition of 1958 reptiles on the basis of 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, 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. Of particular interest to people are deadly snakes, such as the African viper and black mamba. After the reconstruction, the appearance of the park improved significantly, new aquariums, terrariums and a pool appeared. Lectures, tours, and seminars are regularly held here. Organized exhibitions of insects, fish and birds.
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 Kenyan capital is the slums of Kibera, where almost a million people are trying to survive in inhuman conditions.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited in Nairobi; identified violators are punishable by law.
- The streets of the Kenyan capital are full of street children asking for money.
- In 2005, a large ice rink was built in Nairobi, with an area of 1,400 m 2 .
- It is strongly discouraged to catch a taxi on the streets of Nairobi, there is a danger of fraud.