Nairobi Arboretum is a 30.4 hectares of wooded landscape, an oasis close to the heart of the city situated about 3 km from the city center and adjacent to the State House. It is bounded by the Kirichwa Kubwa River, Arboretum Drive, and Kenya Girl Guide Headquarters. The Nairobi Arboretum is one of Nairobi’s few remaining green spaces which has shaded walkways, picnic lawns, and jogging trails.

The Nairobi Arboretum came to be during a trial phase to grow indigenous trees during the railway construction to meet the demand to run steam engines following the shift from using diesel oil to firewood. Nairobi Arboretum was then neglected during the period after Kenya regained her independence. It was not until 1993 that a group of citizens called ‘FONA’ which stands for Friends of Nairobi Arboretum sought to restore the gardens by gaining local and international funding to ensure it remains the beautiful green space it is today.