Is there enough of an American expat community in Nairobi that we can expect anything remotely relevant to Thanksgiving to be happening? Frankly, it doesn't bother me at all if there isn't, I'm just kind of curious, as I just realized I'll be there on the holiday.

And I have this very quirky image of chowing down on turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing while watching wildebeests.

If you are staying with Americans they will probably make a thanksgiving dinner. we were there last thanksgiving and i was actually hoping to avoid the huge thanksgiving feast but my sister in law made one in our honor.
but if you are just out on safari or in Nairobi in a hotel i would not expect anything on thanksgiving day.

I was at Mala Mala over Halloween and had dinner with the camp manager in the boma -- which was decorated with carved and lit jack o'lanterns. Dessert that evening was pumpkin pie! The camp manager had never had pumpkin pie before... He said that there is no real tradition of Halloween in SA and wasn't sure who was behind the festive decor and dessert. So, you never know...

My first few trips (in the 90s) to East Africa were over the Thanksgiving holiday. Nothing special was done at hotels or camps.

It is an American holiday so not surprising, though assume the expats may get together; find a turkey and trimming and do their thing.

We thought with travel over Thanksgiving there would be few Americans. Wrong. In conversation with some, it became evident that they preferred not to be sitting around a family table for a dinner with way too much food, arguments, if not downright, fights.

Guess it's BYOT&T - bring your own turkey and trimmings!

I travel every Thanksgiving, and I've been pleasantly surprised at some local celebrations, including having turkey in Torres del Paine NP in southern Chile, and a very nice holiday spread at the Grand Hyatt, Jakarta. Last year, I was in the Emirates, and I had chicken shwarma, which was a close to turkey as I could find. This year, I'll be in Guernsey, and I'm not expecting anything.

Point is, you never know -- the US hotels (Hilton) may have a holiday meal.

You can always get turkey at Carnivore/Nairobi - no trimmings though.