Nairobi has been named the best city to travel to in 2024 by Lonely Planet, a United States-headquartered travel firm.
Kenya’s capital claimed the top spot after outsmarting Paris (France) and Montreal (Canada) respectively. The cities of Mostar in Bosnia and Philadelphia (USA) completed the prestigious top five list.
Africa was the African city on the list released by the US-based travel firm.
Kenya’s capital is staking its claim as a global center of culture, sizzling with unmissable travel experiences. The city is shrugging off the colonial gaze and embracing its unique rhythms, with a dynamic array of restaurants, food carts and cafes, along with a steady rotation of arts and cultural venues that all fuel a distinct Nairobi cool,” reads the Lonely Planet website.
“Add in its namesake national park teeming with wildlife within easy reach of the city center, and you’ve got yourself an unforgettable trip.”
Some of Nairobi’s highlights according to Lonely Planet include; watching a performance of traditional music and dance at the Bomas of Kenya, walking through the Ngong Hills Forest at sunrise for views of Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro, visiting the Nairobi National Park for a safari on a budget with the city’s evolving skyline as a backdrop and climbing to the top of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre for a 360-degree view of the city.
Manaus (Brazil), Jakarta (Indonesia), Prague (Czech Republic), Izmir (Turkey) and Kansas City in Missouri US placed sixth to tenth on the list respectively.
The ranking is expected to boost the country’s tourism and spur massive development. Most investors and visitors use such reviews to make informed decisions about flying to the country.
With other cities such as Mombasa gaining global recognition, Kenya is expected to establish itself as an investment and tourism hub in the continent.
