There are few cities in the world where you might just spot a giraffe or a rhino as you drive out of the international airport - Nairobi is one of them.
The wildlife in Nairobi's National Park, a protected savannah ecosystem, is only separated from the city by a fence. Lions, cheetah and other animals roam the park against a backdrop of towers and pollution in Kenya's capital, the largest city in the African country.
Originally founded by the British in 1899, Nairobi was a camp for rail workers connecting Mombasa to Uganda and was essentially just a swamp area then. Today, it is a burgeoning metropolis where you generally have everything you would expect to find in any other modern city.
Fly over the city and you are struck by the contrast of extensive, neatly organised villa communities that have sprung up and the patchwork quilt of corrugated iron roofs in the sprawling Kibera area.
But if you're looking for somewhere to stay during a business trip, there are plenty of decent hotels. One good option if you're looking for fairly large luxury establishment is the Nairobi Serena Hotel. This has meetings and conference facilities and a ballroom.
Another good city hotel at the luxury end of the market is the five-star Sarova Stanley hotel.
The establishment's Exchange Bar was apparently the first home of the Nairobi Stock Exchange.
Guests can even request a historical tour of the hotel or a "heritage walk" to see some of the old buildings in the area.
In addition, to make it easy to send all your snaps of wandering giraffe and rhino to wow your friends at home, internet access is free in the rooms.
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