RECREATION

Nairobi is the bustling financial and administrative capital of Kenya, but for many tourists it is simply a short stop on the way to Kenya's real allure - its beautiful game parks and beaches. The city's origins date back to the 1890s when a British railroad camp sprung up to work on the Mombasa-to-Uganda line.  During the 1950s, Nairobi acquired a reputation as the glamorous, exotic destination of movie stars and royalty who visited it on their way to African safari. In 1963 the city became the capital of Kenya when the country shook off British colonialism.

Today, the city continues to grow as more and more Kenyans and East Africans have settled here with plentiful work opportunities and in order to escape the civil war, famine, and injustice plaguing neighboring countries. The city's population now exceeds 1.5 million and many of the immigrants find work in the jua kali - Swahili for 'hot sun' - which is the thriving street economy that produces and sells many of the items Kenyans use every day.

The city offers pleasant churches, as well as diverse restaurants and interesting museums. The city's neighborhoods include Museum Hill, which is home to the National Museum, Parklands, Mathare Valley, Eastleigh, Nairobi South, Nairobi Hill, Kilimani, and Groganville, at the northwest section of the city. Tourists are drawn to Nairobi National Park, which is close to the city and provides a true wilderness experience. The AFEW Giraffe Center and the Snake Park are also popular sites, which afford an opportunity to learn about the area's wildlife. The National Museum's exhibits about Kenyan culture and history focus on prehistoric relics, native animals, and tribal art. The Railway Museum on Station Road provides a history of the city's birth. The McMillan Memorial Library, the National Archives, the parliament buildings, the Sorsbie Art Gallery, and the Karen Blixen Museum are also popular attractions. For more authentic taste of Nairobi, visit the municipal market near Uhuru Park.