Capital city in Nairobi County, Kenya
Nairobi for solo travelers
Is Nairobi good for solo travel?
East Africa's startup and coworking hub, with a national park on the edge of the skyline, good restaurants and easy safari access. Crime, traffic and uneven power and water are the trade-offs.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Solo women live and travel here; expect catcalling and unwelcome attention. Use app rides after dark and be firm with strangers. |
How to meet people in Nairobi
Coworking events and tech meetups in Westlands and Kilimani, run clubs, social hostels, day-trip tours to Hell's Gate, and group safaris leaving from the city.
Good things to do alone
- Walk the Nairobi National Park circuit on a half-day safari
- Feed giraffes at Giraffe Centre in Karen
- Visit the Sheldrick elephant orphanage (book ahead)
- Eat nyama choma at Carnivore or a local grill
- Browse the Maasai Market on its weekly days
Where to stay in Nairobi
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Westlands | Nomads: malls, restaurants, coworking, nightlife and Uber everywhere |
| Kilimani | Long stays: apartments, cafés, coworking, near Yaya Centre |
| Karen | Quiet leafy suburb near the giraffe centre; needs a car or rides |
| Lavington | Calm, safer residential area with cafés and gyms |
| CBD (Central Business District) | Daytime sights and trains; avoid after dark |
Solo travel across Kenya
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Diani Beach | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Lamu | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Watamu | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Maasai Mara | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Mombasa | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Naivasha | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Malindi | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
Quick answers
Is Nairobi good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). East Africa's startup and coworking hub, with a national park on the edge of the skyline, good restaurants and easy safari access.
How do you meet people in Nairobi?
Coworking events and tech meetups in Westlands and Kilimani, run clubs, social hostels, day-trip tours to Hell's Gate, and group safaris leaving from the city. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Nairobi?
Widely spoken.
Is Nairobi safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women live and travel here; expect catcalling and unwelcome attention. Use app rides after dark and be firm with strangers.
More about Nairobi
Going to Nairobi solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Nairobi meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Kenya Airports Authority)
- Kenya Railways
- Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi
- UK FCDO travel advice: Kenya
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.