Nairobi Airport

The Nairobi National Park is within 20 mnts drive of the airport opens at 5.15 AM to 5 or 6 PM and can provide very nice views of wild animals from baboons and gazelles to lions and giraffes. The problem is whom to go with and at what time. Do not go with touts or soliciting drivers (VERY dangerous anything can happen as you'll be alone on thousands of acres). If you cannot arrange ahead for a professional guide to meet your flight go to the Kenatco window outside customs rent a taxi by the hour 20$/hr plus entrance fees and tip should be accepted). Just be aware that you'll need a visa and you'll pay the airport tax. Also while dawn and dusk are very good there is little to see during the day everything sleeps. Without an experienced guide you anyway most likely won't see anything dramatic. And it will be hot. Take water.

Bernd Olssen below mentioned paying 10 euros to use a nicer airport lounge at Nairobi airport - I have a 10 hour stop (eek) - does anyone know about this option as the KLM Transit lounge is pretty uncomfortable. Is there anywhere to go for a walk outside or is that out of the question?

There is already a lot of information about NBO here. On the good side: good shops and cafés; usually short queues at check in and passport control. On the poor side: very poor information on flights as the screens do not work. I could add an advice for those who intend to buy a visa at the airport: download the form from the internet and have it ready before arrival. You will then be at the counter before the huge crowd of people who are still busy filling in the forms. If you are not among the first in the queue it may take a considerable time to get through. Another advice for those who need to take a taxi: Do not listen to the guys who promise you cheap price. If you want a reliable taxi (and reliable driver) go to the left after you have passed the doors beyond the customs desks. After som 20-30 m you will find a roundish kiosk in the middle of the corridor. There you can book a taxi and pay at the counter against a receipt usually cheaper than those offering "cheap price".

I was somewhat dismayed by the lack of information displayed. The departure screens were blank and even the screens at each individual terminal were blank. To find out any information you had to go and find someone to ask. The departure lounges are quite small as well which made life a bit uncomfortable when our flight was delayed. Also there were no announcements regarding the delay to our flight. No information about why or when it might leave. Apart from that the airport was ok. Plenty of retail outlets and places to buy food etc. But they really could do with being a bit more informative.