Who Designed Nairobi Expert Led Urban Design Walking Tour CBD

Duration3h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Most Nairobi tours show you the city. This one asks who built it, for whom, and who was left out. Led by a Kenyan urban designer, this walk through the CBD reads Nairobi's buildings as political document. Tracing colonial planning, postcolonial ambition, and the informal genius that shaped Africa's most dynamic capital.

Options

Private Group

Private Group Tour
Flexible start time : Flexible start time to suit your group's schedule.Pre-tour consultation call to customise the walk to your group's interests

Who Designed Nairobi? — Expert-Led Urban Design Walking Tour, CBD

What's included

Printed tour map and building reference card
KICC Rooftop entrance fee
Post-tour digital resources and reading list

Bottled water
Meals
Gratuities for the guide (appreciated but not required)

What to expect

1h · Admission ticket included

The Kenyatta International Conference Center is Nairobi’s architectural icon, built in the 1970s to symbolize Kenya’s independence and progress. Its cylindrical tower and dome-shaped hall reflect African traditions blended with modernist design. From the rooftop helipad, visitors enjoy sweeping views of the city and beyond. Please carry you identification document with you.
Pass by

A deliberately fortified 1970s structure that declared, in concrete, that Kenya now controlled its own money and monetary sovereignty.
Pass by

The functional heart of independent Kenya — a corridor of government buildings where the new nation chose pragmatism over grandeur when it designed itself.
Pass by

The Central Bank of Kenya Headquarters on Haile Selassie Avenue is a modernist skyscraper that stands as a symbol of Kenya’s financial authority. Its bold, functional design reflects stability and trust, while the newer CBK Pension Towers nearby showcase Nairobi’s contemporary architectural growth.
Pass by

Harambee House, built in 1961, is one of Nairobi’s most iconic government buildings. Located on Harambee Avenue, it houses the Office of the President and symbolizes Kenya’s political leadership and independence.
Pass by

Sheria House, located on Harambee Avenue, is the headquarters of Kenya’s Attorney General and State Law Office. Its solid design reflects authority and permanence, making it a symbol of Kenya’s legal system and governance.
Pass by

Bunge Tower is a 28‑storey landmark across Nairobi’s Parliament Buildings, opened in 2024 to house offices and committee rooms for MPs and Senators. Its design, inspired by the Parliament’s shield emblem, symbolizes unity and resilience while providing modern facilities for Kenya’s legislative work.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet at KICC main gate, City Square, Harambee Avenue. Look for your guide with an NBO by Design sign at 6:00 AM. Note: KICC entrance fee (KES 200 residents / KES 500 non-residents) is payable separately at the gate.

End point

Meet at KICC main gate, City Square, Harambee Avenue. Look for your guide with an NBO by Design sign at 6:00 AM. Note: KICC entrance fee (KES 200 residents / KES 500 non-residents) is payable separately at the gate.

Additional information

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

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