Nairobi
Africa's silicon valley - with plenty of monkeys and coffee.

Founded in the late 19th century as a colonial railway settlement, today the city offers a unique blend of historical landmarks and a gateway to Kenya's vast natural wonders.
If you're seeking to experience modern life in a bustling African city, I don't think there are many better options on the continent. If that isn't something that explicitly interests you, then it's not worth the visit.
If you're seeking to experience modern life in a bustling African city, I don't think there are many better options on the continent. If that isn't something that explicitly interests you, then it's not worth the visit.
If you're seeking to experience modern life in a bustling African city, I don't think there are many better options on the continent. If that isn't something that explicitly interests you, then it's not worth the visit.
If you're seeking to experience modern life in a bustling African city, I don't think there are many better options on the continent. If that isn't something that explicitly interests you, then it's not worth the visit.
A friend's upcoming wedding in Cape Town provided a great reason to head down to Africa for a prolonged period. Flying in and out of Cape Town however felt like it could give something of an incomplete picture of the continent.
After much research, Nairobi looked to provide a good mix of adventure whilst being a seemingly reliable place to work from.
The city has a great range of accommodation options from numerous hi-spec new build apartments to garden style bungalows - whatever you are looking for you should be able to find.
Nairobi has an enormous selection of great quality coworking options, with offices dotted across the city.
Given how bad the traffic is in the city and how early it get's dark in the evenings, picking one in close proximity to your accomodation definitely helps.
If arriving from Europe, you are likely to find food and drink in regular restaurants and bars are all of great value in the city.
More refined options are available with prices closer to what you would expect in Europe. Taxis are an inevitable part of life in the city, but even with a tip included, they are inexpensive.
Nairobi is undoubtedly an exciting place, even if not by conventional metrics. It’s noisy, busy, and chaotic to varying degrees depending on the area.
In your spare time, there are plenty of great spots to enjoy food and drink in the evenings, and numerous opportunities to experience the nature right on the city’s doorstep.
As the first major African city I visited, just being in such a radically different environment can be engaging enough. Merely walking through the CBD is likely to be a memorable experience for years to come.
Kenya follows East Africa Time (EAT), placing it 1 hour ahead of Central European Time (CET) during the summer months of the year. Throughout winter this extends to 2 hours.
Whilst researching where to stay on this trip, I struggled to make any sense of the cities layout. I'd plan in advance where you intend to work from and pick an area that will be conducive to a hassle free commute.
I visited 5 different coworking spaces in Nairobi before settling on this particular branch of Ikigai. Around a 30 minute walk from the centre of Westlands, the space covers the third and fourth floor of the Merchant Square development with each floor consisting of permanent offices and spaces for hot desking. Each floor has an outdoor balcony and as a monthly member you get 24/7 access to the space as well as access to the other 4 locations across the city.
The onsite cafe 'Roasted Truth' did some of the best coffee I had on the entire trip, with lunch options provided by a rotating kitchen operator. The immediate area is something of a peaceful oasis compared to the hectic nature of Westlands & the CBD, with grocery shops available within a 10 minute walk.
Plenty of phone boots and meeting rooms should you need them and the staff make it a pleasure to visit everyday.
Without doubt the most convenient safari in the world? Less than a 20 minute drive from the centre of Nairobi, the park is home to 4 of the big 5. No elephants, but plenty of zebras, rhinos and the occasional lion. I booked an early morning tour with a guide named Legendre who I would 100% recommend.
To make the most of a trip to Kenya, plan around the two rainy seasons when your ability to explore the outdoors may be limited. These generally occur from mid-March to May, and towards the end of the year from October to December.
During my stay in September, there were only a few instances of rain, while most days remained pleasantly warm yet persistently cloudy.
One of the last highlights from the trip was the distinct warmth and friendliness of the Kenyan people. The widespread use of English makes it easy to get around and some well rehearsed phrases in Swahili will always get a positive reception.
The city boasts a sizeable expat community, particularly noticeable at venues like the NSK. Most individuals I came across were employed by NGOs, while a few remote workers also favoured it as their home base. Due to it's strong regional reputation with the tech industry, it also draws talent and entrepreneurs from neighbouring countries in East Africa