by Danielle Gatereste & Sofeeyah Lloyd
If you’re considering Nairobi for your next event destination, prepare for the most exciting city in East Africa.
As the regional powerhouse, Nairobi abounds with modern event venues, prestigious hotels, industry titans, and political movers and shakers. It’s a fast, dynamic city constantly on the move, a center for innovation and commerce, and one of the continent’s most important financial hubs.
You’ll benefit from all this and more. But first, you need to understand the city and how to navigate it. So, in this quick guide, we’ll introduce you to Nairobi and everything it offers event organizers.
And when you’re ready to start planning, get in touch. Our local Kenyan team has years of experience organizing international events and conferences in Nairobi. We’ll walk you through every step.
Quick guide: 7 Reasons to Host an Event in Nairobi
- Connectivity: Nairobi is a major hub with direct flights from key cities worldwide, making it easily accessible for international participants.
- Visa-free Travel: Kenya has replaced tourist visas with a universal electronic travel authorization for all nationalities.
- Conference Centers: World-class venues like the UN Conference Center and Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC) cater to large international gatherings.
- Modern Hotel Venues: Luxurious hotels such as Villa Rosa Kempinski, Sankara Nairobi, Nairobi Serena Hotel, and Sarova Stanley provide excellent event facilities and accommodations.
- Best Business Travel Destination: Nairobi is the economic, commercial, financial, and logistics hub of East Africa, offering strategic advantages for event organizers.
- Easy Transportation: The city boasts a well-developed road network and reliable ride-hailing services for convenient movement.
- Sightseeing and Social Life: Nairobi offers unique attractions like Nairobi National Park, Karen Blixen Museum, vibrant nightlife, and diverse dining options, enhancing the overall event experience.
1. Connectivity
As the economic hub of East Africa, Nairobi is one of the best-connected cities on the continent. Event participants from across the globe will find direct flights and easy connections to Nairobi with many major airlines.
Within Africa, Nairobi is connected to major cities across East, West, Central, and Southern Africa. It also serves as a hub for island nations like Mauritius, Seychelles, and Comoros. In Europe, there are regular weekly flights from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Brussels, and Istanbul. The Middle East and Asia are connected via Qatar, the UAE, India, Pakistan, Thailand, and China.
And finally, there are weekly flights from New York, USA.
If your participants can’t get direct flights to Nairobi, they can probably stopover in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia’s capital is the #1 hub for flights to Africa, with over 150 direct connections worldwide and only two hours from Nairobi.
2. Visa-free Travel
In January 2024, the Kenyan government replaced all tourist and business visas with a universal electronic travel authorization (eTA). The eTA is available to all nationalities and can be applied for online.
The eTA provides a streamlined experience for all visitors to Kenya. However, there are still a few important considerations you need to know as an event organizer:
- You or a visa agent can apply for participants on the eTA Kenya website or Android app
- Citizens of the 42 countries with a previous visa waiver for Kenya must now apply for an eTA before entry.
- As of August 2024, Kenya has waived the eTA fee for citizens of EAC countries, Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mozambique, San Marino, and South Africa. However, citizens of these countries must still apply for an eTA.
Read our guide to Kenya’s eTA rules for a more comprehensive guide. And if you still need help navigating the eTA for your event participants, book a call. Our Nairobi team have processed thousands of visa applications in Kenya and can guide you through every step.
3. Conference centers
Nairobi has two major conference centers built to host international events, exhibitions, multilateral meetings, and global summits.
The UN Conference Center, located within the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), offers state-of-the-art facilities and high security. It’s ideal for international conferences and high-level meetings. It features multiple conference halls, meeting rooms, and a large auditorium. The largest space can host up to 2,716pax.
Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC) is an iconic landmark in Nairobi and one of Africa’s leading conference venues. It offers a variety of meeting spaces, including a 5,000-seat plenary hall, multiple conference rooms, and outdoor exhibition spaces. The center’s 28-story tower provides stunning views of Nairobi’s skyline.
4. Word-Class Hotel Venues
Nairobi has an ever-increasing roster of international hotels boasting modern venues. They can host events big and small, indoor and outdoor, in stunning spaces that ooze character and charm.
Over the years, the Hallpax team has organized and attended countless events at Nairobi’s best hotels.
Here are our favorites:
- Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi: A luxurious 5-star hotel offering multiple meeting rooms, a grand ballroom, and impeccable service for a sophisticated event setting.
- Sankara Nairobi, Autograph Collection: Contemporary style and sophistication in the heart of Westlands – Nairobi’s most vibrant neighborhood.
- Nairobi Serena Hotel: A serene and stately hotel set amidst beautiful gardens, resplendent with warm decor, and offering multiple event spaces.
- Ole Sereni Hotel: Overlooking Nairobi National Park, wow your participants with stunning vistas, beautiful sunsets, and the occasional wildlife spotting.
- Trademark Hotel: A modern hotel in the vibrant Village Market mall, offering contemporary meeting spaces and convenient access to shopping and entertainment.
- Sarova Stanley: Nairobi’s most historic hotel, combining classic charm with modern amenities, featuring elegant conference rooms and a grand ballroom.
Still not sure? Check out our complete list of Nairobi venues. And if you need more help deciding, book a call. Our Nairobi team will help you find the perfect match for your event.
5. The Best Business Travel Destination in Africa
As already mentioned, Nairobi is the economic hub of East Africa. But what does that mean for event organizers?
Well, for one, the city is home to many of the region’s top commercial, economic, financial, and political organizations and thought leaders. Nairobi is a well-known tech hub. Microsoft, Google, Oracle, and many other Big Tech multinationals are based here. And regular old multinationals, too.
You can tap this deep well of knowledge and prestige to offer unparalleled speakers and networking opportunities.
Nairobi has also been voted the #1 business travel destination in Africa four times in a row. Your event participants will benefit from robust infrastructure, experienced venues, world-class accommodations, and excellent security. You can relax and focus on providing the most valuable and enriching experience, and your participants can enjoy everything Nairobi has to offer.
Read More: 3 Reasons to Hire Event Planner in Nairobi, Kenya
6. Sightseeing and Social Life
Any event in an African city will want to give participants a taste of the local culture, history, and landscapes.
Nairobi is unique. You can experience them all without leaving the city.
Nairobi National Park is the only national park within a city metro area in the world. A short drive from the city center, it’s home to lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and many more animals. The backdrop of the city skyline in the distance provides a striking contrast to the rolling savannah as you drive through.
Your participants don’t have time to leave the city? They can learn about Kenya’s rich history and diverse cultures at the Nairobi National Museum, Bomas of Kenya, and countless art galleries.
As the sun sets, Nairobi’s nightlife comes alive. The bustling Westlands district is a hub for evening entertainment, featuring an array of bars, clubs, and live music venues. Places like The Alchemist and Nairobi Street Kitchen offer lively atmospheres with live music, dance, and informal dining.
7. Easy transportation
While Nairobi is notorious for its traffic snarl-ups, things have improved dramatically in recent years.
The Nairobi Expressway makes traveling from JKIA much faster, skipping over traffic and taking you directly into the city center. From there, most event venues and hotels are easily accessible.
Your participants can also use abundant Ubers to get around the city.
If they decide to take a couple of days post-event to explore Kenya, there are daily flights to the top locations on the coast, such as Diani, Malindi, and Lamu. They can also hire a car to explore inland wonders like Lake Naivasha or embark on game drives to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and many more national parks.
Ready to Host in Nairobi?
Whether you’re organizing a high-level conference, a corporate retreat, or a grand celebration, Nairobi offers the ideal setting.
Ready to bring your event to life in Nairobi? Contact our local Kenyan team today. We’ll guide you through every step of the planning process, ensuring your event is a resounding success.
