Location

KIBERA

Most of the volunteers that come to Nairobi for short or long-term stays find placement with organizations associated with the Kibera area.  Kibera is a well-known informal settlement which is home to over 500,000 people in an area the size of New York's Central Park.  It is a vibrant community despite its rampant poverty and is often referred to as Nairobi's "friendly slum" as foreigners are frequently welcomed by local community organizations.






OLYMPIC

Sabina's guesthouse is located in Olympic Estate, a middle-class neighborhood on the edge of Kibera.  Olympic Estate is a colorful location where visitors can get a feel for Nairobi life and is conveniently located near to the shopping districts of Ngong Road, Kilimani and Hurlingham.  It is a good jumping off point for guests interested in exploring the world of community development in Kibera or nearby areas as well as visitors who just want to see a different side of Nairobi.






NEARBY POINTS OF INTEREST


Shopping:
  • Prestige Plaza - hosting a large Nakumatt grocery store, a food court and a movie theatre (2 kilometers)
  • Yaya Centre - hosting a Chandarana grocery store, various clothing and gift stores, a wonderful bookstore, three coffee shops and the Masai Market on Sundays (3 kilometers)
  • Toi Market - on of Nairobi's best second-hand clothing markets!
  • Junction Shopping Mall - another Nakumatt grocery store, three coffee shops, various international restaurants, a greengrocer and office supply stores.  The Masai Market is here on Thursdays (3.5 kilometers)

Museums/Arts:
  • The Nairobi National Museum - a large museum featuring exhibits on wildlife, human origins and Kenya's ethnographic and political history.  Also features a snake park. (9 kilometers)
  • The Nairobi Gallery - a rotating cycle of contemporary exhibits located in the city centre (7 kilometers)
  • Alliance Francaise and Goethe Institute - cultural centers from France and Germany that host lectures, theatre events, art exhibits, etc. (7.5 kilometers)
Parks/Wildlife:
  • Nairobi National Park - the only national park to be within city limits in the world.  Host to a variety of indigenous animals including lions and rhinos.  Must hire a car to enter.  (4 kilometers)
  • Giraffe Centre - a centre focused on protecting the endangered Rothschild giraffe (11 kilometers)
  • Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage - cares for orphaned baby elephants and eventually relocates them to Tsavo National Park.  (12 kilometers)