From the never-ending traffic in major highways, congested towns, busy upmarket centers and fully booked hotel rooms in the city center, Nairobi (like most capital cities in the world) has its fair share of challenges. If you have to travel frequently to and from Nairobi, it’s important to learn ways to simplify the experience by overcoming some of these challenges.
Simple changes to how you do things can help you avoid traffic delays and nasty hotel rooms in Kenya’s capital. We’ll let you in on a few tips to make you travel to Nairobi like a pro.
#1 How to avoid Nairobi traffic
Getting stuck in traffic is no fun. If you live in Nairobi, traffic congestion can be a daily headache but there are ways to cope. The first rule to commuting when you are in Nairobi is to always assume that there will be traffic. This means, you should always plan to leave your hotel room early, especially if you are going to meetings. Know the trouble spots by doing a small research.
If you’ve travelled to the capital a couple of times, you probably have your share of experience with highways that have the most traffic. Your tour operator can also help by letting you know what the traffic patterns are at different times of the day. This will help you to know what times to schedule your flight so that you don’t arrive in Nairobi and get stuck in traffic for hours before getting to your hotel room. Try to observe the trouble spots if you travel frequently to Nairobi and considers ways to avoid the whole mess altogether.
#2 Choose convenient meeting locations
When travelling to Nairobi for business, choose your meeting locations very wisely. If possible, look for a hotel that has conferencing facilities if you have to meet a group so as to avoid wasting time in traffic the better part of the day. Try and schedule your meeting very early in the day or late in the evening because Nairobi can be hectic during the day.
Your meeting locations should be as close to your hotel as possible, to minimize the time spent commuting. Perform some background checks beforehand to understand the routes and how much time it takes to get to the designated meeting locations. If you have several meetings within the day, try and look for a single location that can accommodate all of them or choose your accommodation in such a way that it’s close to all the places you plan to go.
#3 Choose your hotel wisely
Remember that time is money when choosing your hotel room. Consider the cost as well as the location of your hotel when making a decision. If you’ll be spending most of your time within Nairobi, choose a hotel that is close to the CBD to avoid the traffic that comes with commuting. Always verify the exact location of your hotel before making payments. Don’t assume that just because the hotel has Nairobi in it, it is located in the capital city. Some brands use this to mislead guests so verify your location before booking the stay.
#4 Opt for more flexible means of transport
You don’t have to use taxis only to get around in Nairobi. Motorbikes are another option, especially if you have to travel at peak hours. Make sure you wear the protective gear so as to avoid getting yourself in the wrong hands of the law.
#5 Turn on to social media
If travelling to Nairobi for the first time, don’t forget to turn to social media for some invaluable advice. The famous Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) can give keep you well informed with what’s going on in Nairobi. You may also follow a couple of hashtags to know which places offer your favorite cuisine in the city or just to get your way around. There’s a lot you can discover when you visit a new city by browsing social media.
In a nutshell…
Well, this may not be a comprehensive list of all you need to know about Nairobi if visiting for the first time, but it certainly provides a good starting point. If you are a frequent traveler, remember to plan your days early in advance, do some research on the best routes to take to avoid traffic and choose your hotel and meeting locations wisely. With this in mind, you’re good to go.