Nairobi for Digital Nomads: The Ultimate Guide
Kenya is the most popular tourist destination in Africa. The tourist sector in this East African nation is the largest foreign exchange earner and has brought US$2.6 billion to the Kenyan GDP in 2019 only.
This makes this country an interesting choice for remote workers and digital nomads. And with all its major cities and towns in Kenya, Nairobi definitely stands out as the most suitable city in Kenya for a digital nomad.
Let's learn why in this guide!
Where is Nairobi Located?
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya, a country located in the heart of East Africa.
As the nation's economic and cultural hub, Nairobi plays a vital role in Kenya's development and serves as a gateway to the country's renowned wildlife and natural wonders.
Why Visiting Nairobi as a Digital Nomad?
There are several reasons why Nairobi is the best city for digital nomads in Kenya.
Nairobi has excellent infrastructure, making it easy to connect to free Wi-Fi or purchase a SIM card with internet access almost anywhere.
It's also a great place to be living when taking a break from work. With its fantastic scenery, it's wonderful for weekend getaways and for taking a break from your daily work routine.
And while its Digital Nomad visa programs could definitely be improved, the cost of living is low, and there are plenty of places and fun activities as well as a big English-speaking population.
Supposing that you’ve now decided on visiting Nairobi as a digital nomad then below is some information on how to get the best out of it and still save a great deal of money!
How To Get Around in Nairobi
The best method to travel in Nairobi as a digital nomad is by using Uber. Just a heads-up: Be aware that the driving style in the city is particularly aggressive.
We would advise against choosing the 'chap chap' option if you are paying with a credit card. These drivers sometimes refuse fares if they see you are not paying cash, and this can be a problem if you are trying to get home late at night.
Grab a motorcycle taxi if you want to explore the city like a local. Drivers often wait for customers near busy intersections, which are cheaper than Uber or Taxify.
There are also matatus (shared minibus taxis). If you desire to take this kind of transportation, I would advise purchasing a SIM card to track your location on Google Maps so you can get off at the best place to stay in Nairobi.
Finding Accommodation in Nairobi as a Digital Nomad
Generally speaking, in Nairobi you'll be able to find pretty affordable options starting from $20-30 per day using platforms like Hostelworld. Alternatively, you can opt for more comfortable apartments using Booking.com.
In terms of the best neighborhoods to live in if you're a digital nomad, Westlands would be my top pick. There are plenty of retail outlets, restaurants, coffee shops, coworking spaces, and even a rock climbing facility here. The only disadvantage is that Westlands is a popular area to stay in. You will find that Airbnb rentals are typically over US$50 per day.
If you're looking for a cheaper option and don't mind taking an Uber, stay in Kilimani. You can rent entire furnished residences for as little as $26 per night. You'll also be close to many gyms, the Yaya shopping center, and several restaurants. Laundry machines are also a common feature in the apartments, and there will typically be a clothes rack outside the balcony.
Best Coworking Spaces in Nairobi
There are plenty of other co-working spaces in Nairobi where you can get your work done.
One of the most popular places to get some work done in the city is the Nairobi Garage. The internet connection there is incredibly fast (150 Mbps), and there are plenty of other amenities based on the different packages that you will pick.
Another super popular spot is iHub. There is a good crowd of digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and startup founders. There are plenty of spaces to work from, including dedicated meeting rooms, and a shared kitchen. The coworking is a true innovation hub and hosts many events and classes.
Wi-Fi and Internet Connection in Nairobi
As we mentioned, Nairobi is a great digital nomad hub thanks to its well-developed infrastructure, which will allow you to easily connect to free Wi-Fi or get a SIM card for your internet nearly anywhere.
Mobile internet speeds in Nairobi are slightly faster than those on Wi-Fi, thanks to its 4G and 5G networks, which are also quite cheap and accessible.
You may purchase a prepaid SIM card at the airport when you arrive or opt out for an e-sim instead.
Prepaid Sim Cards for Kenya
Kenya mainly has three mobile operators offering data plans: Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom.
1) Safaricom
| Price | Data coverage | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| KES 250 ($2) | 1 GB | 30 days |
| KES 500 ($4) | 2.5 GB | 30 days |
| KES 1000 ($8.10) | 7 GB | 30 days |
| KES 2000 ($16.30) | 20 GB | 30 days |
| KES 3000 ($24.50) | 40 GB | 30 days |
2) Airtel
| Price | Data coverage | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| KES 99 ($0.80) | 2 GB | 1 day |
| KES 500 ($4) | 6.5 GB | 7 days |
| KES 3000 ($24.50) | 50 GB | 30 days |
3) Telkom
| Price | Data coverage | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| KES 100 ($0.80) | 2 GB | 1 days |
| KES 250 ($2.00) | 2.5 GB | 7 days |
| KES 500 ($4) | 5 GB | 30 days |
| KES 1000 ($8.10) | 12 GB | 30 days |
| KES 2000 ($16.30) | 30 GB | 30 days |
| KES 3000 ($24.50) | 50 GB | 30 days |
eSim for Kenya
If you don't want to spend too much time buying a physical SIM card or just want to avoid swapping your sim (if you don't have a dual sim space), we always prefer using an eSim.
This is the eSim plan Airalo, one of the most popular eSIM providers, currently offers for Kenya:
| eSim Provider | Price | Data coverage | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo via Nakuru Mobile | $9.50 | 1 GB | 7 days |
This is a great option if you just need a quick emergency data plan and don't need a lot of data!
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Cost of Living in Nairobi as a Digital Nomad
One of the biggest questions that digital nomads have when thinking about visiting or living short-term in Nairobi is whether it would be affordable.
The great news is that Nairobi is actually an affordable city to live in. You can find great accommodation that is well within your budget, even if you are on a tight one. You will find budget hotels close to the city center, where you can grab a room for as low as US$30 per night. You can also find plenty of hostels in the city, some of which are really nice and cost between US$10 to $20 per night per person.
The food in Nairobi is also very affordable, and you can get yourself a nice meal for less than US$5. Some of the local dishes that you should definitely try include nyama choma (barbecued meat), ugali (a type of cornmeal), and kiko na ugali (another cornmeal dish). You can find these dishes at any local restaurant, and they are usually very affordable.
Fresh fruit and vegetables in Nairobi are also quite affordable. But if you choose to instead order on Uber Eats, eat fast food, or go out to restaurants, this is where food will become more expensive.
Paying and Getting Paid in Nairobi
Kenya uses M-Pesa, a digital currency service. You can sign up for this service with your Kenyan phone number and passport.
You can send cash to other people via text message using M-Pesa. You may only pay with M-Pesa at Lukenya Nature Reserve or register for it if you plan to stay in Kenya for a while.
You do not need to carry cash around, and you may withdraw money from your account at any M-Pesa agent if necessary.
M-Pesa is fast, secure, and reliable, but if you need alternatives, you can use cash, debit cards, and credit cards in most places throughout Nairobi.
We suggest using Debit and Credit cards together with M-Pesa, though. Ensure you have a multi-currency account with providers like Wise to avoid the expensive fees that traditional banks usually charge.
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Best Time To Visit Nairobi as a Digital Nomad
The best time to visit Nairobi is between November and May if you want to avoid the crowds during the Great Migration when over a million wildebeests make the dangerous crossing across the Masai Mara. June through October are instead the best months to see the crossing.
Best Things To Do While in Nairobi
The life of a digital nomad is not all about work. So here we've wrapped a list of 5 things you should absolutely try while in Nairobi.
- Visit the Rothschild Giraffe Center: To feed the endangered Rothschild giraffes. Plan your visit entrance, which costs US$10
- Watch the Sunset from the Kenya International Convention Centre: it's one of the tallest buildings in Nairobi. For US$5 you can take the elevator all the way to the top for a birds-eye view of the city
- Go on a Day Trip to Hell’s Gate National Park: it's notorious for its fantastic scenery and stunning hiking trails. You can hire a bicycle and cycle past giraffes, zebra, and antelope herds. Entrance is US$25 per person.
- Check out the Nairobi National Park: if hiking trails are not your thing, a safari in Nairobi National Park is the next best place to visit and get amazed by the variety of wildlife
- Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage: a popular thing here is to adopt a baby elephant (US$50). You’ll also get to visit the sanctuary after hours with hardly anyone else around.
Is Nairobi Safe to Visit?
Safety in the city and residential areas is second to none. Police patrols are always around during the night, and the 911 hotline is always online though the response may be late by mostly 30 minutes.
Nairobi is a large city, and as such, it is going to have some issues related to crime, just like any other major city around the world.
And yes, there have been some incidents in the past where tourists have been targeted, so this is one issue that you need to be aware of. But overall, Nairobi is a very safe city compared to many other places around the world.
Like any city, you need to be sensible in how you operate and aware of your surroundings.
Obviously, you should avoid walking around dark areas late at night and not flash your cash around to avoid becoming a target for petty theft. You should also be careful where you store your money (don’t keep it in your wallet) and any important documents you may have.
Staying in Westlands and other estates like Runda, Kilimani, Gigiri, Muthaiga, Karen, Rosslyn, Kitisuru and AirBnBs is highly safe too with cool neighborhoods and a luxurious shopping Centre.
Visa Requirements For Entering Kenya
Citizens from the US, UK, and EU nationalities must pay for a visa on their arrival or obtain an E-visa. Visa rates vary depending on your situation.
There are different types of visas to enter Kenya based on your situations. Here are the most popular ones:
Single journey visa
A tourist visa to Kenya is the simplest way to go if you want to visit the country for business or pleasure. You may stay up to 90 days upon arrival. You must enter the country no more than three months after receiving your visa. A single-entry visa costs US$51.
Multiple entry visa
A multi-entry visa for Kenya is available for those who want to visit the country several times over a short period or for those who want to make excursions to neighboring nations before returning to Kenya. The cost is US$101.
East Africa Tourist Visa
A triple-national convention has created this visa, which allows one to visit Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya with a single visa. This is a multiple-entry visa with a maximum stay of 90 days and costs US$101. You may obtain an e-visa for Rwanda at the Rwanda embassy if you plan to begin your journey there; an e-visa for Uganda if you plan to begin your trip there; or an e-visa for Kenya if you plan to begin your journey there.
Ready To Visit Nairobi?
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We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads!
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