Full Review: Nairobi’s Wild Side Day Tour – Is It Worth It?

So, you are thinking about seeing what Nairobi has to offer beyond its, you know, city life? The ‘Experience the Wild Side of Nairobi on a Full Day Tour’ sounds just like it could be what you need, almost like a convenient package that packs some of the greatest hits of local wildlife and culture into one day. I took that tour, so this is what I think.

What to Count on From the Tour Package

Okay, basically, the ‘Wild Side’ tour often includes a bunch of key attractions, and that’s the Nairobi National Park, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and the Giraffe Centre, plus sometimes a few surprise stops like a local craft market. Usually, that whole shebang is supposed to take around eight to ten hours, depending just a little on traffic and how long you dawdle at each spot.

Nairobi National Park

Imagine this, it’s almost surreal: skyscrapers glistening in the distance while, you know, right in the foreground, lions are relaxing after breakfast. Seeing that Nairobi National Park, it’s right on the city’s edge and it allows you, maybe, to get super close (well, relatively) to animals, like giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and a surprisingly diverse cast of birds. Apparently, early morning visits are better because animals are more active when the sun is not high.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Prepare for some major heart-melting, you. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust—mostly just referred to as the Elephant Orphanage—is very, very moving. These folks are doing everything they can, so it seems, to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants, before releasing them back into what should be the wild. Watching them being fed and playing in the mud, actually, it will pull your heartstrings like, so much.

Giraffe Centre

Want, just a little, to get up close with giraffes? That Giraffe Centre lets you do that, or, at least, lets you hand-feed them. You could be holding little food pellets as they gracefully, you know, bend their long necks down to you. In a way, it is quite something when you get the chance to learn about conservation work there, too. So basically, you are petting giraffes and supporting good things.

What I, Your Reviewer, Thought

Honestly, my experience was more or less wonderful, yet it is good to look at both the good and what could be improved. I want, very much, to point out what worked well and what anyone going can keep in mind.

The Great Stuff

• The Animals: It’s kind of hard to deny seeing them is exciting, because it definitely is! The excitement when you spot your first lion or, possibly, hand-feed a giraffe, that will give you goosebumps.
• Conservation Education: All of these locations put their conservation initiatives forward, which almost inspires a sense of what good conservation is, really making the tour educative just as much as recreational.
• Ease of Access: Tour operators most likely handle all logistics, such as transport and entry fees, removing any chance you may have of getting gray hairs.

Things That Might Be Better

• Time Management: It felt quite short in places and a little rushed, like not as if there was enough time really to savor it, specifically, if you’re enthusiastic about photos or spending more than a little time watching a specific animal.
• The Crowds: Spots, like the Elephant Orphanage, can get overly full of other people; you know that there will always be that struggle for a good view or an undisturbed moment.
• Unexpected Expenses: Even when things like entry fees are usually covered, basically, always budget a bit for things like souvenirs or personal donations at places you see doing amazing work.

Making It Personal: Suggestions for You

To almost guarantee a good time, you might be wanting to customize some parts of the tour or what to think about. That way, you can ensure what you like or, maybe, your pace matches it just a little more.

Think About Tour Operators

Different companies almost provide similar tours, but, actually, what they focus on or what they prioritize, could really change. Seek, maybe, smaller group tours, or almost ones offering guides that actually are local and who know, almost, everything about the parks. Basically, read past reviews and possibly question the operator specifically about timings, what is included, and group sizes.

Time It Right

Think about timing. The Orphanage, really, that is usually very busy in the middle of the day; attempt visiting during its opening hour to hopefully see fewer crowds. Mornings, naturally, are generally better to view wildlife just being a little more active, and also the temperature is nicer, or so I am told.

Don’t Forget What You Need

• Comfy Clothes and Shoes: There usually is a lot of being out and about, after all.
• Sunscreen and a Hat: That equatorial sun will be rather strong.
• Camera: Make certain your battery’s charged. Like seriously, very charged!
• Snacks and Hydration: Remain energized; bring your own instead of trusting the odd stops may suffice.

Other Stuff You Could Visit

Have a bit more space in your day or really, truly want an experience, even if a small one, that takes it all up another notch? You can add stuff to a regular ‘Wild Side’ tour without having, necessarily, to blow the whole thing out.

Bomas of Kenya

Do you have a way you feel you could dive right into the local culture? Bomas of Kenya displays, really, the lifestyles, crafts, music, and dancing of different Kenyan tribes, or that is the intention, anyway. Mostly it might just be some performances depending on schedules, or, by the way, demonstrations.

Kazuri Beads Factory

Kazuri is a bead factory almost providing work for single mothers. That seems interesting enough, so actually tour the workshop and pick up, like, beautiful handcrafted ceramics as an item of remembrance that helps support ethical trade, too.

Local Markets

Try some haggling while treasure-hunting in one of Nairobi’s local markets. And yet, actually you have to be wary—some vendors may try taking advantage of foreigners, so it’s good not to flash money all around or appear very unsuspecting.