According to RCTOYSADVICE, Nairobi is an energetic, cosmopolitan and restless city, with a modern and prosperous center and impeccable service. The rapid growth of the population of Kenya, along with increased immigration, led to the fact that by the year 2000, about 3.5 million inhabitants lived in Nairobi. The city is located at an altitude of 1870 m above sea level and at a distance of 500 km from the coast of the Indian Ocean.
The name Nairobi comes from the Maasai encare nyarobe, which means “sweet water”. Many centuries ago, there was a lake in this place, in which the Maasai took water for themselves and their livestock. Literally 100 years ago it was a small village. The life of the city began after railway builders settled here in 1896, and the railway was built. The population of the city steadily increased, and by 1907 Nairobi had become such a big city that it was decided to move the capital of British East Africa from Mombasa to Nairobi. The city’s location was so ideal for trade that the city continued to grow at an even faster rate. Nairobi is currently the largest city in East Africa. The central part of Nairobi is a triangle with an area of about 5 square meters. km. Bounded on the west by the Uhuru Highway (a Swahili word meaning not only “freedom” but also “courage that despises death”), a railway from the south, and the Nairobi River flowing from north to east. This part of the city is home to government buildings, offices, banks, hotels, shops, casinos and cinemas. Due to the altitude at which the city is located, differences in day and night temperatures are very noticeable in Nairobi. In the hottest period from September to April, the average daily temperature is +24, and at night about + 13 degrees. From May to August in the afternoon +21. and at night +11. The main rainy season starts in March and ends at the end of May. During this period, as a rule, it rains at night, while daytime precipitation is not frequent. However, once every few years there are showers lasting up to a week, which, however, is rather an exception to the rule. Light rain is also possible in November. Although even during the rainy season, the sun appears daily for several hours.
EXCURSIONS IN NAIROBI
National Museum of Kenya. The museum has an excellent collection of historical, cultural and natural values. The prehistoric section of the museum exhibits unique exhibits from archaeological excavations. The museum also has an excellent collection of butterflies and birds native to Kenya. By the way, many of Russia’s migratory birds winter in Kenya.
Snake farm. Located opposite the National Museum. Not only all kinds of snakes are represented here, but also crocodiles and turtles. The most dangerous of them are in glass terrariums, and the rest are in cages.
National Archives. An excursion to the archive is much more interesting than it might seem. The building where the National Archives is located was originally the Bank of India building and is located on My Avenue, opposite the Hilton Hotel. The archive contains collections of art and crafts, photographs and thousands of documents that tell about the history of Kenya.
Karen Blixen Museum and Giraffe Center. The museum is located in the home of Karen Blixen, who spent many years in Kenya studying giraffes and also organized the country’s first giraffe center, which shelters the world’s tallest babies without parents. After a tour of the house, a tea party with giraffes is organized for tourists. Based on the autobiographical novel Out of Africa by Karen Blixen, a magnificent feature film was made, which was shown on Russian television several years ago.
LAKE NAIVASHA
Lake Naivasha is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. It is located just an hour and a half from Nairobi. A huge and very picturesque lake can bewitch anyone. Along the shores of the lake is the national park of the same name, a habitat for numerous animals.
GREAT RIFT VALLEY
The Great Rift Valley (or Great African Rift) is one of the most impressive places on Earth. It stretches over 6000 km from the Dead Sea in Jordan to Mozambique. In Kenya, the Great Rift Valley begins near Tukan Lake in the north, runs through the center of the country, and continues into Tanzania, crossing the border at Tanzanian Lake Natron. In some places, the width of the valley reaches 65 km, and the depth is 600-900 m. There are currently 30 active or semi-active volcanoes on the territory of the valley, as well as countless mineral soda springs, which, bursting out due to poor drainage, form soda lakes on the surface. The algae and crustaceans that live in these lakes are excellent food for flamingos, which are a real pleasure to watch. Great Rift Valley – ecosystem, which has remained unchanged for many centuries. The valley contains two of the most famous paleontological sites in Africa: Koobi Fora on the eastern shore of Lake Turkana and Olduvai Gorge within Tanzania. It is impossible to form your opinion about Kenya without visiting the Great Rift Valley.
