US travel magazine advises readers to sample Nairobi

Nairobi is among six must-visit African cities chosen by the 47-year-old American monthly consumer travel magazine, Travel+Leisure.

Describing the Kenyan capital as East Africa’s hub and home of emergent design collections from across Africa, the magazine with a 16 million global audience said travellers seeking to explore the creative scene should visit the country in 2019.

The magazine says Nairobi is now within reach following commissioning of daily Nairobi-New York flights.

“In October, Kenya Airways launched its first direct flight from New York City to Nairobi, making travel to East Africa a much easier proposition. Even if you plan to go on safari, it is worth spending time in Nairobi to explore the creative scene.

It lists various tourist attractions including wildlife sanctuaries, art studios, original art and a bead workshop where 340 women craft colourful beadworks and ceramics by hand.

Editor in chief Jacqueline Gifford said the annual Travel + Leisure's annual list of Best Places to Travel is a crucial resource for travelers looking to plan their next big trip.

“These are the most compelling destinations across the globe—places that are thriving because of standout culinary scenes, marquee hotel and museum openings or new tours that are opening up a destination in ways our editors have never seen before,” she said.

It adds that art lovers will also witness creation of artworks as well as visit shops selling African attire made by designers drawn from across Africa.

Other countries named are Rwanda, Tunisia, Namibia, Egypt and Seychelles.

Travel+Leisure is the second American magazine to vouch for Kenya after Global Traveller (GT) named Kenya as the world’s favourite tourism destination with Kenya Airways clinching the third position as Africa’s most loved airline.

Last year, the magazine named Kenya among top 10 wildlife safari destinations.