As Valentine’s Day approaches, it is the perfect time to surprise your loved ones and show them how much you love them.
While you think of getting them roses or a box of chocolates, also consider a perfect romantic walk or spending some quality time together.
In this article, WoK looks at places within Nairobi where you can take your valentine with a Ksh 1,000 or less budget.
Mamba Village
Nairobi Mamba Village is located in Karen, some 13 kilometers from Nairobi City Center.
The nature paradise sits on a land spreading over 30 acres and is famous for its Crocodile Farm, hosting over an estimated 70 Nile crocodiles.
The entry fee is Ksh 200.
Oloolua Nature Trail
Oloolua Nature Trail in Kenya is located in Karen in the indigenous tropical dry Oloolua forest in Kenya.
The forest has the Institute of Primate Research (IPR) in Nairobi which is located about 20km from the Nairobi city centre in the Karen suburb.
The nature trail costs Ksh 200 for resident adults and Ksh 600 for non-residents.
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park was established in 1946 after Maasai pastoralists were evacuated from their lands.
The park hosts a wide variety of wildlife including the endangered black rhino, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes and diverse birdlife with over 400 species recorded.
The entrance costs Ksh 400 for residents adults.
Giraffe Center
The Giraffe Center was established in 1979 as a nature sanctuary for visiting and including wildlife conservation education for urban school children.
The main attraction for both school children and tourists is feeding giraffes from a raised observation platform.
At Giraffe Center, resident adults pay Ksh 400 while no-resident adults pay Ksh 1,500 as entrance fees.
John Michuki National Park
The Michuki Memorial Conservation Park formerly known as Mazingira Park is located along the Nairobi River from the Globe Roundabout to Museum Bridge.
The park was initially named Gertrude Swamp after the wife of prominent colonial businessman Colonel Ewart.
Plans for the eponymous park honouring the late John Michuki were first announced soon after his death in February 2012 while serving as the Environment Minister.
Entry is completely free of charge.
Uhuru Gardens
It is a recreational park located along Lang’ata Road.
It is also a memorial park that features two monuments commemorating Kenya’s independence.
The beautiful gardens offer a serene environment perfect for nature lovers and those who need a quiet place to unwind and feel the day’s cool breeze.
Nairobi Arboretum
Nairobi Arboretum sits on a 30 acres consisting of plants for the purposes of scientific research, conservation, display and education.
The Arboretum was established in 1907 by Batiscombe, then Deputy Conservator of Forests, to try out introduced forestry trees for Kenya.
It was gazetted as a national reserve in 1932 and in 1996 a title deed issued by Commissioner of land designating it as a public owned reserve.
The adult entry free is Ksh 65.
Karura Forest
Karura Forest is an urban forest gazetted in 1932 and is managed by the Kenya Forest Service in conjunction with the Friends of Karura Forest Community Forest Association.
The forest is home to some 200 species of bird as well as suni, Harveys Duiker, bushbucks, bush pigs, genets, civets, honey badgers, bush babies, porcupines, Syke’s monkeys, bush squirrels, hares, fruit bats, and various reptiles and butterflies.
Entrance fee is Ksh 200 for resident adults and Ksh 600 for non-residents.
Nairobi National Museum
The Museum was initiated in 1910 by a group of enthusiastic naturalists under the East African Natural History Society (EANHS).
The first site for the Museum was at the present Nyayo House, which later became too small and a larger building was put up in 1922 where the Nairobi Serena Hotel stands today.
In 1929, the colonial government set aside land for a Museum construction at Museum Hill which was officially opened in 22nd September, 1930.
It costs Ksh 600 for residential adults and Ksh 1,500 for non-residents.
Uhuru Park
Uhuru Park is a recreational park adjacent to the Nairobi CBD opened to the general public by Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
It has an artificial lake, several national monuments, and an assembly ground which has become a popular skateboarding spot on weekends and also a location for local skateboarding competitions.
