The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is set on the edge of Nairobi National Park and is home to orphaned elephants that have lost their mothers to poaching. Visitors are welcome at 11AM each day to see the majestic beasts feeding and playing in the mud. If you adopt one, you also get to visit at 5PM when they’re put to bed. Either way, it’s a pretty heart-warming day out.

This urban forest in the heart of Nairobi is more than 2500 acres in size and home to a variety of wildlife including birds, monkeys and the odd antelope. There are several entrances to the forest and lots of walks on offer – from a 20km hike to the waterfalls to a stroll around the butterfly lake. Horse riding and mountain biking is also available.

Blixen was a Danish author who came to Kenya at the height of colonial rule to set up a coffee plantation with her then-husband. But when she arrived, she met and fell in love with her soulmate, Denys Finch Hatton. She famously penned the story Out of Africa, which was turned into a Hollywood blockbuster with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. Her house – which features in the film – is still in place to visit.

Nairobi’s Giraffe centre is located in Karen (not far from the National Park if you want to combine a visit to the baby elephants) and is home to the rare and endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Visitors are invited up on to a wooden platform to feed the giraffes and, if you’re feeling romantic, let them give you a “kiss” (i.e. slobber all over your face with their giant purple giraffe tongue).

If you’re hoping for a hi-tech museum with lots of interactive displays you’re going to be disappointed, but Nairobi’s National Museum is still well worth a visit. Here you can see some of the earliest human remains ever discovered, learn about Kenya’s controversial history and brush up on interesting facts about the country’s wildlife.

A must while you’re in town, Nairobi National Park is nearly 30,000 acres in size and home to a huge array of wildlife including zebra, giraffe, lions, buffalo, hippos, antelope and birds. Arrive early or late (the best times to see the lions hunting are at around 6AM or 6PM) and book a game drive in a 4×4 for the best experience.

This is a fantastic art gallery in Kilimani where artists have their own shipping containers to work in. There’s a range of paintings, sculptures and collage work as well as regular exhibitions and a small shop. It’s worth visiting to meet the Kenyan artists and have a browse, even if you’re not looking to buy.

When all that baby elephant watching and giraffe kissing has got too much, head to one of Nairobi’s spas for some R & R. The Devarana Spa at the Dusit D2 hotel is an oriental-themed option with a range of treatments and a funky red swimming pool to relax in post-massage. The spa at the luxurious Hemingways hotel is also a good choice – try the signature Kenya coffee exfoliation treatment.