Layover and stopover tours
Nairobi Layover Tour from JKIA
See Nairobi on a long stopover: wildlife, giraffes and the city, with airport pick-up and drop-off.
Last checked November 2026
Landing in Nairobi with a long wait for your next flight? Spend it on a private tour instead of at the gate. We meet you at JKIA, show you the city or take you into Nairobi National Park, only minutes from the airport, and have you back in time for your flight.
Choose a city walk, a half-day game drive or a full day with wildlife, giraffes and baby elephants. Every option includes your airport pick-up and drop-off, and every one is private, so the timing follows your flights.
Not sure how long you need? The table below matches your layover to a tour, and you can always message us your flight times. See also our Nairobi airports guide.
Choose your tour
Three layover tours from JKIA
City & culture tour
from US$65 per person
A guided walk through the city centre with a local guide, with stops at the downtown markets or a museum.
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- A local guide
- Markets or a museum, planned around opening hours
Nairobi National Park half-day safari
from US$90 per person
A game drive in Nairobi National Park, a real wildlife park inside the city limits and minutes from the airport, with the skyline behind the wildlife.
- A private 4x4 safari vehicle and driver-guide
- Transfers from and to JKIA
- Park fees confirmed in your quote
Full wildlife & city combo
from US$185 per person
Nairobi National Park, the baby elephants of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the Giraffe Centre and a taste of the city, in one long day.
- Nairobi National Park, the Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre
- Airport transfers
- The orphanage visit depends on your timing (see below)
Prices are per person and depend on group size, vehicle and season. We confirm what is included, including park and attraction fees, in your quote.
Match your layover
How long is your layover?
| Time between landing and your next flight | Best tour |
|---|---|
| Under 7 hours | We usually advise staying at the airport. Ask us about a room near JKIA. |
| 7 to 8 hours | City & culture tour (3 to 4 hours) |
| 8 to 10 hours | Nairobi National Park half-day safari (4 to 5 hours) |
| 10 hours or more | Full wildlife & city combo (6 to 10 hours) |
These times allow about an hour for immigration and baggage on arrival and about 90 minutes to return, clear security and board. If you must collect your bags and check in again, add two hours. Queues vary.
What you might see
What you can see on a Nairobi layover
Nairobi National Park
Lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, buffalo and over 400 bird species, only about 10 km from the airport gate, with the city skyline in the distance.
The Giraffe Centre
Feed Rothschild’s giraffes from a raised platform. It is open daily, 9 am to 5 pm, and is part of our full combo.
The elephant orphanage
Baby elephants and rhinos cared for by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The public visit is 11:00 to 12:00 only, and has to be booked in advance.
The city
Markets, a museum, and views over Nairobi from the top of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
How it works
How your Nairobi layover tour works
- Send us your flight numbers, your arrival and departure times and the number of travellers.
- We choose the tour that fits your layover and confirm the price and what is included.
- We meet you at JKIA after immigration.
- You tour Nairobi with a driver-guide: wildlife, giraffes or the city.
- We bring you back to the airport with time to spare for your next flight.
- Check whether your passport needs a Kenya eTA to enter (etakenya.go.ke) and ask your airline about transit rules.
- Tell us if your bags are checked through to your final destination.
- Wear comfortable shoes and light layers: Nairobi is high up and mornings can be cool.
- Keep your boarding pass and passport with you.
From our safaris
Wildlife on a Kenya safari
Nairobi day tours
More time in Nairobi? Try a day tour
Half day1 dayNairobi Half-Day City Tour
Giraffe Centre · David Sheldrick Elephant OrphanageNairobi → Nairobi
City tour1 dayNairobi Full-Day City Tour
Karen Blixen Museum · Elephant Orphanage · Giraffe Centre · Kazuri BeadsNairobi → Nairobi
Park & city1 dayNairobi National Park & City Tour
Nairobi National Park · Elephant Orphanage · Karen Blixen · Giraffe CentreNairobi → NairobiQuestions
Nairobi layover tour questions
How long a layover do I need for a Nairobi tour?
About 7 hours or more for the city tour, 8 hours or more for the park safari and 10 hours or more for the full combo. These times include immigration on arrival and the return to clear security.
Do I need a visa or an eTA to leave the airport?
Leaving the airport means entering Kenya, so you need what your passport needs to enter, which for most visitors is the Kenya eTA. Check etakenya.go.ke and ask your airline.
Can I visit the elephant orphanage on a layover?
Only if your timing fits. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s public visit is from 11:00 to 12:00 every day and has to be booked in advance with the Trust. We arrange it when your layover covers that window.
What is included in the price?
Prices are per person and depend on group size, vehicle and season. We confirm exactly what is included, including park and attraction fees, when you send your flight details.
What if my flight is delayed?
Tell us as soon as you know. We plan with a time buffer and adjust the pick-up for your actual landing time.
Is Nairobi National Park really close to the airport?
Yes. Its main gate is about 10 km from JKIA. Lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, buffalo and over 400 bird species live there; there are no elephants.
Can you book me a hotel instead?
Yes. See our hotels near JKIA for a room near the airport.
Tell us about your layover
Send us your flight numbers and times. We will recommend the right tour and send you a quote within 24 hours. Call +254 775 522 067 or message us.
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