Nairobi on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Nairobi can be done on a budget for food and rooms, but wildlife sights are costly, so plan your must-sees. A realistic minimum is about KSh 11,500 per person a day: KSh 3,000 for a bed, KSh 2,000 for food, KSh 5,000 for sights and KSh 1,500 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | KSh3,000 | KSh8,000 | KSh20,000 |
| Food & drink | KSh2,000 | KSh4,500 | KSh9,000 |
| Sights & tickets | KSh5,000 | KSh10,000 | KSh15,000 |
| Local transport | KSh1,500 | KSh6,000 | KSh12,000 |
| Per person, per day | KSh11,500 | KSh28,500 | KSh56,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Nairobi day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Uhuru Park and Central Park, the green spaces at the edge of the CBD (by day).
- Jeevanjee Gardens, the historic city-centre park with its Queen Victoria statue (by day).
- Browsing the Maasai Market, which moves between malls and sites on different days.
- The Kazuri Beads workshop in Karen, where you can watch women make ceramic beads.
- Art exhibitions and events at the Alliance Française in the city centre (many are free).
- Sunset over the city from Westlands (the price of a drink at a rooftop bar).
Cheap eats
- Chapati and beans or ndengu at a local café: about KSh 150–300.
- Nyama choma with ugali and kachumbari: about KSh 600–1,200.
- Samosas and mandazi: about KSh 50–100 each.
- Pilau rice at a Swahili restaurant: about KSh 400–700.
- Indian thali in Westlands or Parklands: about KSh 800–1,500.
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in guesthouses and serviced apartments in Kilimani and Hurlingham, with good taxi links, at about KSh 5,000–9,000 a double; backpacker hostels in Karen and Kilimani are cheaper per bed.
Getting around cheaply
Use Uber or Bolt for safety and convenience, at KSh 500–1,500 per trip across the city. The Nairobi Expressway connects JKIA and Westlands in 20–30 minutes. Matatus are the cheapest option but not advisable for most visitors.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Uber to Karen (about KSh 800).
- 11:00: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust public visit (roughly KSh 1,500–2,000).
- Lunch: nyama choma at a local spot (about KSh 900).
- Afternoon: Giraffe Centre (about KSh 1,500) and Karen Blixen Museum (about KSh 1,200).
- Evening: Uber back and dinner in Kilimani (about KSh 1,000). Total: about KSh 11,500 including a KSh 3,000 bed share.
More ways to save
- Prioritise either Nairobi National Park or the Karen sights if money is tight.
- Look for shared park trips on hostel noticeboards.
- Carry M-Pesa or a card; many places do not want large cash notes.
- Buy water and snacks in supermarkets such as Naivas or Carrefour.
- Book the Sheldrick visit online in advance to avoid wasted trips.
- Travel outside rush hour; a cheap ride can double in time and cost in traffic.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Can you visit Nairobi on a budget?
Partly. Rooms and food are affordable, but wildlife sights cost more. About KSh 11,500 a day is realistic with careful planning.
What is the cheapest wildlife experience in Nairobi?
The Sheldrick Trust baby elephants (roughly KSh 1,500–2,000) and the Giraffe Centre (about KSh 1,500) are much cheaper than a park drive.
How do I get from JKIA to the city?
By Uber, Bolt or a hotel transfer, using the Nairobi Expressway to Westlands in about 20–30 minutes plus a toll.