ENKARE NYAIROBI (THE CITY OF NAIROBI)
Nairobi holds a thick history of how it has travel through time. Kenyan Capital city has moved from ‘Enkare Nyirobi’, to an end of Mombasa – Nairobi Railways in 1899 and later in 1905 it became the capital of the British East Africa protectorate. In the year 1963 it became the capital of the Independent Kenya. ‘Enkare Nyirobi means the place of cool waters as it was known by the earliest inhabitants, the nomadic Maasai community and that is where the name Nairobi originated.
Just like the Mara, Samburu, Tsavo and any other National park ‘Enkare Nyirobi’ was a spring of plenty of wildlife till late seventies and during the phenomenal migration, the wildebeest could trek looking for pasture till the present day Mombasa road. These are things I presently hear in stories from my father who was privileged enough to have been raised in the jungle City. Having stayed in South B he speaks of a different kind of Nairobi, he grew like a city boy and played like a Maasai moran. He narrates of the days they could walk within the animals with dogs. Today, Nairobi is a fine concrete, bush and tall indigenous trees, and lives up its billing as the city in the sun. It has not lost its jungle nature though as the tall building structures are sandwiched by tall thick vegetation that adds to its beauty. Mombasa road now borders the Nairobi National Park. The roaming animals of the metropolitan were given a secure home to protect them from the rapid population increase in the city and to reduce human – Animal conflict.
Being in Nairobi and properly utilizing your time gives you an insight of the famous Kenyan Spirit to the genesis, Nairobi railways museum, to the original owners of the place of cool waters who live not far from the city. Nairobi National Park is the place to experience what ‘Enkare Nyirobi’ looked like years before civilization, before it became the present day Nairobi. As a metropolitan it’s not only a welcoming home to the 42 Kenyan tribes and other people from all over the world but also a home to orphaned young elephants and rhinos rescued from different parks all over kenya. At David Sheldrick Elephant Trust, you will be carried away by the power of love, humans caring for wild young animals before they are released back to the wild. If you are thinking you have to travel to all parts of Kenya to discover the way of life for the 42 Kenyan tribes, then you are mistaken. The Bomas of Kenya, meaning the villages of Kenya will show you interesting and attractive exhibits of different traditional homesteads and demonstrations of simple traditional practices and lives of the almost each community in Kenya. This is not all; this walk is accompanied by traditional stories that will help one distinguish the uniqueness of each community. How else would you better understand and appreciate diversity other than in this magnificent manor? All under one magical city.
Have you ever thought of a city that has forests in it to provide the Nourishment one desires after a busy day? Hills, thick forests and plenty of birdlife for bird watchers. Nairobi Arboretum is a 30 ha of green paradise in the city. It has over 350 species of indigenous and exotic plants some only found in Aberdare which is home to over 100 species of bird, a population of Sykes and Velvet monkeys, many butterflies and other small wildlife. It has beautiful marked paths for walking, jogging and occasional concerts held including tree walks and talks by friend of Nairobi Arboretum.
The vibrant Nairobi spirit exploration wouldn’t be complete without being present in our fascinating vibrant night life. In between the trees and in the tall buildings lie world-class night clubs and a hyped audience never seen in any part of Africa. Our uniqueness lies in our energy, ability to party hard and diverse fashion sense. This all round nature is what have kept tourists mesmerized by the Kenyan capital city and the difference has given us a sense of pride that shall forever live…. Hail to the blessed city built in a jungle. This is just but a highlight of what Nairobi can offer.
