A short layover in Nairobi is generally fine, but a few sensible habits make it fully worry-free.

If your layover is under about six hours, staying at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the simplest option. There are lounges, cafes and shops airside, and it removes any need to think about ground transport or timing risk if your connecting flight schedule is tight.

For longer layovers, many visitors do leave the airport, often for a day trip to the Nairobi National Park, which sits unusually close to the city and lets you see rhino, lion and giraffe within sight of the skyline. This is worth doing through a reputable operator who collects you from arrivals and returns you in good time for your next flight, rather than arranging transport independently on the day.

Central Nairobi itself carries the usual big-city precautions: keep valuables out of sight, avoid walking alone after dark, and use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps rather than hailing on the street. Areas frequented by tourists, including Karen and the main shopping areas, see a steady flow of visitors without incident, but opportunistic theft is the main real risk, not violent crime, and normal city awareness handles it.

Passport and visa requirements still apply even for a layover if you plan to leave the airport, so check whether you need a Kenyan visa or transit visa in advance based on your nationality and layover length.

Overall, thousands of travellers pass through Nairobi safely every week connecting to Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. Sensible precautions, not anxiety, are what is actually required.