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Nairobi / 10 photo spots

10 Instagram spots around Nairobi

Nairobi combines urban gardens with forest trails and wildlife reserves. These photo ideas include several separate visitor destinations, with access and photography conditions varying by site. Keep official buildings, including embassies, out of your photographs, and do not take photos at airports.

Official travel advice

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The U.S. Department of State rates Kenya as a whole at Level 3 and recommends reconsidering travel. Some regions have stricter advice. It advises against travel to the Nairobi neighbourhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera (Level 4).

Check the latest advice from the relevant authorities before you travel.

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Photo spots on the map

5 of 10 photo ideas have sourced location coordinates. The initial view is for orientation. An area marker does not indicate an exact photo position.

Current viewNairobiApproximate overview without a marker
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All photo spots

  1. Nairobi National ParkApproximate area
  2. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery
  3. Nairobi Safari WalkApproximate area
  4. Giraffe CentreApproximate area
  5. Nairobi ArboretumApproximate area
  6. Karura Forest Waterfall
  7. Lily Lake in Karura Forest
  8. Nairobi National Museum Botanical Garden
  9. Karen Blixen Museum Garden
  10. Uhuru ParkApproximate area

Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Destination reference: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Spot coordinates: Wikidata, CC0. Selection, association and some calculations by You, Me, Away.

Nairobi National Park

On a game drive, use the grassland as foreground for a landscape frame. Photograph animals from the vehicle and follow the park’s distance rules. The wildlife service lists separate conditions for organised photo sessions.

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Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery

During a booked nursery visit, watch the elephants from the designated viewing area and leave space around an animal in the frame. The trust permits photos for personal use and prohibits commercial use of the images. The park entry fee and the nursery donation are paid separately.

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Nairobi Safari Walk

The raised boardwalk passes through wetland, savannah and forest habitats. Use a stretch of the walkway as a line into the scene, and stay on the visitor route while observing animals. The wildlife service lists separate fees for organised photo sessions.

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Giraffe Centre

At the Giraffe Centre in Lang’ata, look for a portrait that shows a giraffe’s long neck against an uncluttered background. Photograph from the visitor area and follow the centre’s instructions around the animals.

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Nairobi Arboretum

The arboretum has marked walking paths among indigenous and introduced trees. Compose along a path to show the changing height of the trunks and canopy. Stay on the marked routes. The arboretum lists a separate photography charge. Check which conditions apply to your planned pictures.

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Karura Forest Waterfall

Follow the forest’s marked routes towards its waterfall. From the visitor path, use the surrounding vegetation to frame the falling water and keep clear of the stream edge. Photo shoots incur a separate charge. Check the conditions with the forest management before your visit.

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Lily Lake in Karura Forest

Lily Lake occupies a former stone quarry in Karura Forest. From an established path, photograph the surface of the pond with the surrounding trees as a quieter forest scene. Photo shoots incur a separate charge. Check the conditions with the forest management before your visit.

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Nairobi National Museum Botanical Garden

The National Museum grounds include a botanical garden and sculpture park. On the garden paths, combine a plant detail with the wider setting. Check the museum’s current photography rules before taking pictures.

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Karen Blixen Museum Garden

The former farmhouse is surrounded by a garden and indigenous forest. From the visitor grounds, look for a composition that includes the house and its green setting. Ask the museum about photography before taking pictures.

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Uhuru Park

Uhuru Park is a central green space in Nairobi. Use a path and the surrounding planting to make a simple park scene, while observing any local signs and boundaries.

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Sources for these photo spots