Nairobi is a vibrant city where urban luxury meets raw African wilderness. Whether you are staying with us for business, a weekend getaway, or the start of your safari adventure, top attraction sites are right on your doorstep.
Discover the best things to do in Nairobi during your stay at GemSuites Riverside, complete with travel times from your apartment.
1. Explore Nairobi National Park
If you are passionate about wildlife, a trip to Nairobi National Park is a must-see. As the world’s only national park located within a capital city, it offers a rare chance to see lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and buffaloes roaming with city skyscrapers in the background. It is also one of Kenya’s most successful black rhino sanctuaries and home to over 400 bird species.
- Distance from GemSuites Riverside: 14 km (25–35 min drive via Southern Bypass)
2. Visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
A haven for elephant lovers, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program. During the daily 11:00 AM public feeding hour, visitors can watch baby elephants play in mud baths and drink from giant milk bottles up close. You can even foster an orphan elephant to support their release back into the wild.
- Distance from GemSuites Riverside: 15 km (25–35 min drive)
3. Kiss a Giraffe at the Giraffe Centre
Founded by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), the Giraffe Centre is dedicated to protecting the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Raised wooden platforms allow you to feed these gentle giants hand-to-hand, and if you’re brave enough, you might even get a famous “giraffe kiss!”
- Distance from GemSuites Riverside: 18 km (30–40 min drive)
4. Discover History at the Nairobi National Museum
Located at Museum Hill, the National Museum of Kenya offers a deep dive into the country’s rich natural history, culture, and contemporary art. Browse impressive collections of ancient fossils, prehistoric artefacts, taxidermy exhibits, and botanical gardens.
- Distance from GemSuites Riverside: 2.5 km (5–10 min drive)
5. Scenic Road Trip to Limuru Tea Farms (Kiambethu Farm)
Escape the hustle and bustle with a scenic day road trip to the highland tea fields of Limuru. At historic sites like Kiambethu Tea Farm, guests enjoy guided walks through lush green tea plantations and indigenous forests home to Colobus monkeys. The experience concludes with an insightful look into tea production and a farm-fresh 3-course lunch on the veranda overlooking the Ngong Hills.
- Distance from GemSuites Riverside: 32 km (45–60 min drive via Limuru Road / A104)
6. Experience Kenyan Culture at Bomas of Kenya
Immerse yourself in Kenya’s diverse cultural traditions at Bomas of Kenya. Located near the main park gates, this cultural center features traditional homesteads (“Bomas”) representing Kenya’s major ethnic groups. Don’t miss the daily afternoon performances showcasing vibrant traditional music, tribal dancing, and acrobatics.
- Distance from GemSuites Riverside: 12 km (20–30 min drive)
7. Walk or Cycle in Karura Forest
Spanning over 1,000 hectares of lush indigenous woodland, Karura Forest is one of the world’s largest urban forests. It’s an ideal spot for morning jogs, scenic cycling, or leisurely walks leading to hidden waterfalls, bamboo groves, and historic Mau Mau caves.
- Distance from GemSuites Riverside: 4 km (10–15 min drive)
8. Dine & Shop in Karen Suburb
Karen is an elegant residential suburb nestled near the Ngong Hills. Known for green garden cafés, art galleries, and upscale boutiques, it’s also home to the famous Ngong Racecourse and Karen Blixen Museum.
- Distance from GemSuites Riverside: 16 km (25–35 min drive)
9. Step into the Mind-Bending Museum of Illusions
Located at Laxcon Court in nearby Parklands, the Museum of Illusions Nairobi is a fun, interactive attraction suitable for all ages. Featuring over 60 optical illusions, infinity mirror rooms, a Vortex Tunnel, and gravity-defying exhibits, it’s one of the best spots in town for mind-bending photography and immersive entertainment.
- Distance from GemSuites Riverside: 3.5 km (10–15 min drive)
10. Nightlife & Shopping in Westlands
Just around the corner from Riverside, Westlands is Nairobi’s premier commercial and entertainment hub. Featuring top shopping malls (Sarit Centre, Westgate), luxury rooftop bars, and fine-dining restaurants, it’s the heart of Nairobi’s nightlife.
- Distance from GemSuites Riverside: 2 km (5 min drive)