💰 Cost of Living
Average monthly expenses for a digital nomad
🏠 Accommodation
🍜 Food & Dining
🚗 Transportation
🎯 Other
⚡ Digital Nomad Essentials
Everything you need to work remotely from Nairobi
📶 Internet
☁️ Weather
✈️ Transport
🛂 Visa
✓Advantages
- ✓Excellent year-round weather between 20-27°C
- ✓Africa's Silicon Savannah with thriving tech scene
- ✓Easy access to world-class safaris and wildlife
- ✓English widely spoken
- ✓Digital Nomad Visa now available (up to 2 years)
- ✓Uber and Bolt readily available and affordable
- ✓Growing coworking community and innovation hubs
- ✓Gateway to exploring East Africa
- ✓Friendly and cosmopolitan atmosphere
- ✓Unique blend of urban life and nature access
✗Disadvantages
- ✗Safety concerns require vigilance, especially at night
- ✗Limited walkability - Uber needed for most trips
- ✗Internet can be inconsistent in some areas
- ✗Higher costs than expected for Africa
- ✗Traffic congestion during rush hours
- ✗Limited public transportation options
- ✗Scams targeting tourists in some areas
- ✗Street food culture not as developed
- ✗Visa-on-arrival no longer available
- ✗Air pollution during dry season
💼 Top Coworking Spaces
Best places to work in Nairobi
Nairobi Garage
📍 The Promenade, General Mathenge Road, Westlands, Nairobi • 100 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
iHub
📍 Senteu Plaza, Galana Road, Kilimani, Nairobi • 80 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
Ikigai Nairobi
📍 Cove Court, Watermark Business Park, Ndege Road, Langata, Nairobi • 100 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Kofisi
📍 Karen Office Park, Karen Road, Karen, Nairobi • 120 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Jenga Leo
📍 12th & 13th Floor, Westpark Towers, Mpesi Lane, Westlands, Nairobi • 100 Mbps • Meeting rooms
☕ Best Cafes to Work From
Laptop-friendly cafes with good WiFi
Artcaffé Westlands
📍 Westlands
Java House Yaya Centre
📍 Kilimani
Kesh Kesh Coffee Roasters
📍 Kilimani
Connect Coffee Roasters
📍 Westlands
Lava Latte
📍 Kilimani
The Social House
📍 Westlands
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Nairobi
Westlands
The beating heart of modern Nairobi and the top choice for digital nomads. Westlands is a hub for tech startups, entrepreneurs, and young professionals with an energetic, cosmopolitan vibe. Packed with upscale shopping malls like Sarit Centre, trendy restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and coworking spaces. Home to The Alchemist - Nairobi's coolest hangout with food trucks and live music. Excellent internet infrastructure and easy access to everything you need.
Kilimani
A cosmopolitan, lively neighborhood that perfectly balances urban convenience with residential comfort. Popular with expats and digital nomads for its walkable streets, trendy cafes, diverse restaurants, and vibrant cultural scene. Home to the Yaya Centre mall and close to Nairobi Arboretum for nature escapes. Modern high-rise apartments with good security, and a thriving foodie scene ranging from authentic Ethiopian to international cuisine.
Karen
Named after Karen Blixen, author of 'Out of Africa', this leafy upscale suburb offers a peaceful retreat from the urban bustle. Known for spacious properties, lush gardens, equestrian estates, and proximity to wildlife attractions like the Giraffe Centre and Nairobi National Park. Features boutique cafes, artisanal markets, and fine dining. Ideal for those seeking tranquility, nature, and a more laid-back pace while still having access to coworking spaces.
Lavington
An elegant residential neighborhood that strikes the perfect balance between urban convenience and suburban tranquility. Features tree-lined streets, modern apartments, gated communities, and a strong sense of community. Home to reputable international schools, Lavington Mall, and quality leisure facilities. Close to both Westlands and Kilimani while offering a more serene living environment with excellent security.
🏛️ Top Attractions
Best things to do in Nairobi
Nairobi National Park
The world's only national park within a capital city, offering an incredible juxtaposition of wildlife against Nairobi's skyline. Home to lions, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, and over 400 bird species. Just 7km from the city center, you can go on a safari before your morning meetings. Best visited early morning for optimal wildlife viewing. A truly unique experience that defines Nairobi's character as 'the city in the sun.'
Giraffe Centre
A beloved conservation center in Langata dedicated to the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. Stand eye-to-eye with these magnificent creatures on an elevated platform and feed them special pellets. The center has successfully bred and released giraffes into protected parks across Kenya. Includes a nature trail along the Gogo River for birdwatching. A must-visit that combines wildlife education with an unforgettable up-close animal encounter.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
World-renowned elephant orphanage that rescues, rehabilitates, and releases orphaned elephants and rhinos back into the wild. The public visiting hour (11 AM - 12 PM daily) lets you watch baby elephants being bottle-fed and playing in mud baths while keepers share each elephant's rescue story. An emotional and educational experience that supports vital conservation work. Book in advance as visits are limited.
Karen Blixen Museum
The historic farmhouse where Danish author Karen Blixen lived while writing 'Out of Africa.' Set at the foot of the Ngong Hills, the beautifully preserved colonial home showcases original furniture, artifacts, and memorabilia from her time in Kenya (1914-1931). The lush gardens offer stunning views and insight into colonial-era Kenya. A pilgrimage site for literary enthusiasts and history buffs.
Nairobi National Museum
Kenya's flagship museum offering a comprehensive journey through the country's cultural and natural heritage. Highlights include prehistoric fossils, Kenya's tribal diversity, contemporary African art, and an impressive taxidermy collection. The adjacent snake park and botanical garden add to the experience. An excellent introduction to East African history, geology, and culture in the heart of the city.
Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC)
Nairobi's iconic 28-story cylindrical tower and architectural landmark. The rooftop observation deck offers spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the city, surrounding hills, and even glimpses of Mount Kenya on clear days. A perfect spot to orient yourself with Nairobi's geography and snap stunning skyline photos. The building itself is an impressive example of African modernist architecture.
Karura Forest
An urban oasis covering 1,000+ hectares in the heart of Nairobi - one of the largest urban forests in the world. Features well-maintained trails for walking, jogging, and cycling, plus waterfalls, caves, and picnic spots. Popular with locals for weekend escapes and outdoor exercise. You might spot monkeys, duikers, and over 200 bird species. A refreshing break from the city right in Nairobi.
Bomas of Kenya
A living cultural museum showcasing the traditional homesteads (bomas) and lifestyles of Kenya's 42 ethnic tribes. Daily traditional dance performances (2:30 PM weekdays, 3:30 PM weekends) feature energetic displays of music, dance, and acrobatics from various communities. Walk through replicated villages to learn about different tribal customs, architecture, and crafts. An immersive way to understand Kenya's rich cultural diversity.
🛡️ Safety & Healthcare
What to know about safety and medical care
🚨 Safety
🏥 Healthcare
💬 What Nomads Say
Real reviews from digital nomads
"Nairobi has been my home base for 2+ years now and I absolutely love it. The weather is perfect year-round - never too hot, never too cold. The tech scene is booming with tons of networking events and coworking spaces like Nairobi Garage and iHub. Weekend safaris to Masai Mara are a 5-hour drive away. Yes, you need to be street smart and use Uber after dark, but the same applies to most major cities. The new Digital Nomad Visa makes it easy to stay long-term legally. Highly recommend for anyone looking for an African base."
"Nairobi is a city of contrasts. The good: incredible weather, friendly locals, fascinating culture, and unique experiences like feeding giraffes before lunch. Coworking options have improved dramatically. The challenging: safety requires constant awareness, internet can be spotty outside premium coworking spaces, and the lack of walkability means lots of Uber rides. Costs are higher than I expected - closer to European prices than typical African budget levels. That said, the wildlife access is unmatched. Where else can you do a safari and be back in time for dinner?"
"I came to Nairobi expecting a budget-friendly African adventure but found something different. The city has infrastructure issues - traffic is brutal, sidewalks are hit or miss, and you really can't walk around freely at night in most areas. WiFi at cafes was unreliable so I ended up paying for a coworking membership. On the positive side, people are genuinely warm and English is widely spoken. The wildlife experiences are world-class. It works better as a longer-term base where you learn the rhythms of the city. Short-term visitors might find it frustrating."
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