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I spent 7 hours sitting in Nairobi Kenya's's airport waiting on a 1/2 hour connecting flight to Killimajaro Intl. Airport last year so I could climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and go on safari in Tanzania (after spending a week in Bombay, India at an international conference). I did not leave the airport. I would reccommend going to the US State Dept website and getting any notifications for Kenya before I go blissfully into a foreign country.......especially in this area, right next to Somalia (recently taken over by Islamic Fundies). You might want to keep a low profile. Remember, the American Embassies here were bombed prior to 911.

Good luck.

Never been to Kenya,but I've been to other parts of East Africa,including Tanzania.The only things I can quickly think of are...

1)Consult a physician who specializes in tropical/infectious diseases.There are many,many diseases that one can contract in East Africa...many of them fatal. Most of them are completely unknown to the typical US physician,so it must be an expert in "travel medicine" that you consult.Follow his/her advice to the letter,including advice about immunizations,malaria prophylaxis and what not to eat/drink.

2)Assuming that the folks you'll be staying with know the area well (that is,they've been there for a good while) follow their advice regarding safety issues to the letter.Remember that,among other things,the average woman's pocketbook costs the equivalent of nine months wages there.

3)Make sure you register at the nearest US Embassy/Consulate and stay in *constant* contact with them regarding safety issues and other matters.

Although my post might sound ominous to you,I assure you that it is possible to have a great time in that part of the world.The game parks are,IMO,among the most impressive places that I can imagine existing on earth.The dark tone of my post is because I had health and safety problems while in Tanzania.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_923.html

This Travel Warning is being issued to remind American citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to Kenya at this time due to ongoing safety and security concerns. This supersedes the Travel Warning of July 1, 2005.

The Department recommends that private American citizens in Kenya evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing terrorist threats and the limited ability of the Kenyan authorities to detect and deter such acts. The U.S. Government continues to receive indications of terrorist threats in Kenya and elsewhere in eastern Africa aimed at U.S. and Western interests. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports. U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places including tourist sites and locations where Westerners are known to congregate, as well as commercial operations associated with U.S. or other Western interests.

American citizens in Kenya should remain vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, Western-oriented shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship. Americans should also remain vigilant in residential areas, schools, and at outdoor recreational events, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds. In particular, there is a continuing threat against Westerners in the capital, Nairobi, and some locales in the coastal region. In addition to the terrorist threat, there are increasing incidents of criminal activity, including carjacking, robbery, and other violent crime, especially after dark.

Americans who travel to or reside in Kenya despite this Travel Warning are encouraged to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. The U.S. Embassy is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254)(20)363-6000; fax (254)(20)363-6410. In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (254)(20)363-6170. The Embassy home page is http://kenya.usembassy.gov. U.S. citizens should consult the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Kenya, the East Africa Public Announcement, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or 202-501-4444 from overseas.

Good luck.

In Nairobi (and elsewhere in Kenya) crime against tourists especially is endemic, from petty to very violent. Your skin color will mark you as targets. Don't carry many valuables, not enough to worry about risking your life over if you are confronted.

If you make local friends and they offer to show you around, accept. If they warn you, listen. If in doubt, ask.

Be SCRUPULOUS about antimalarial prophylaxis. Stay in touch with the doctors who serve the US embassy about their recommendations and keep their contact information. If you need medical care, avoid Kenyan hospitals, needles and blood as much as you can. Study what to do and when to get worried about things like fevers and diarrhea and insect bites. Missionaries who have been in Kenya for a long time have more resistance to local germs and bugs then you will for the next 30 years.

Africans are going to be pretty warm and friendly for the most part, especially with your kids. Many will speak some English or good English and they will enjoy speaking it with you. Many are quite religious (Christian but also some Muslim) and modest and generous. Talk to your hosts about local customs and manners.

I am adventurous but...with small kids I would temper urges to go "native" in food and drink, or to go off the beaten track without a local guide (or 2) along to help you stay out of trouble. Before you travel, ask your hosts what you can bring them from the States. People get cravings for things and it is a kindness to take them something they miss and can't get in Africa. I took some videos, some books, and some maple syrup.

I've not been to Africa, but had a friend that went twice on mission trips
with (mainstream) Church of Christ to Nairoibi and surrounding area.
He was positive about the experience and didn't mention any real downside/danger.

You've gotten good advice from "Doctor Michael" and "silverleaf".
I'd just add a few things...

1.
Google a bunch even after you check State Department
warnings. Even in the
relatively recent past, State Dept. advisories can trail a few weeks to months
behind the emergence of issues of concern/danger.

2a.
Get medical EVACUATION insurance if you can afford it.
DON'T buy it from the same entity that sells you your flight/lodging.
Make sure the insurance is the type that will cover flying you ALL the way
home and maybe even has a nurse/doctor in attendance on the flight.
Sure it sounds paranoic, but Peter Greenburg (he's the travel guy on
NBC/Today Show) always recommends it, especially for international trips.

2b.
Check out trip insurance. I think there are different kinds, such as
ones that cover cancellation of the trip by a travel company and the
type to cover you if you get sick at the last moment.
(again, don't get it from the entity that's providing the flight/lodging)
Be advised that even the best of these policies will have a "force majeaur' (sp?)
that lets the insurer off the hook if a major catastrophe beyond their
control is the cause of the cancellation.

3.
REALLY inquire about anti-malarials.
"silverleaf" gave you wise counsel on that. I'd just add that I read an article
about the awful experience of a traveler that had anti-malarial that
just didn't work (either a bad batch of drug or resistant bugs?) and
had real trouble getting fixed up with good treatment.
I guess I'd inquire about a Plan A and a Plan B for fending off malaria
with your doctor (and Googling).

Lot's of crock on this thread, to be honest.

Crime is a serious concern, but you'll be fine if you're sensible.

Otherwise Kenya is a fantastic place, and even Nairobi is great -- though it does have its downsides.

Here's a quick run down of best restaurants to eat at:

JAPANESE -- Furasato in Westlands does the best Sushi in Africa.

FRENCH -- Alan Bobbe's Bistro has finally moved out of the centre of town since the great man died. I don't know what it's like in the new location -- but this was THE place where European royalty, U.S. tycoons and Hollywood actors used to go. Ask to see their guest book.

SEAFOOD -- A bit overpriced but Tamarind in the centre of town is very good. Much better, though, is their dhow in Mombasa.

INDIAN -- Haandi in The Mall or either of the two Anghitis (one in Westlands, one in Muthaiga) are truly excellent.

CHINESE -- My favourite is still the rather run down Hong Kong on Koinange Street -- aka the Street of Sin.

ITALIAN -- Variable and sometimes inconsistent. I still like Trattoria if you're in town and want a quick pizza. Medditeraneo on Woodvale Grove is an old favourite an Chianti's in Hurlingham is good too.

THAI -- Siam Thai in Xerox House of Woodvale Grove is the best in town

INTERNATIONAL

Favourites are Moonflower on Dennis Pritt road -- lovely atmopshere
Talisman/Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and especially Kudeta in Karen/Langata are great, thought sadly Kudeta was closed last time I looked -- but may be reopening.

For the best outdoor experience go to the Rusty Nail, which has a lovely garden but not such good food. Have afternoon tea and a sticky toffee pudding or a beer instead.

Pavement in Westlands very good too,

Out of town head for the Kentmere Club on the way to Tigoni.

Most famous restaurant in Nairobi is the Carnivore in Langata -- a feast of Zebra, crocodile, Impala etc etc

For breakfasts head to any one of the Java Houses in town. The one at The Junction at Dagoretti is the hippest place right now.

For the kids there are fast food joints all over.

Beer recommendations:

Fancy: The Mercury Bar, Casablanca, Havana, Pavement, Karen Blixen

Mid level: Gypsy, Klubhouse, Soho, The Horseman

Dives: Plenty

Clubbing; The Pavement and Simba Saloon at Carnivore are the top places. Black Cotton Club once a month is also recommended.

Weve got the most importqant stuff in nairobi out of the way. Anything else you want to know?

I was born in Kenya by the way, lived there for 18 years and go back there at least three times a year...