Nairobi Excursions

Get captivated by the Karen Blixen Museum, inspired by the life story of Karen — one of the pioneer coffee farmers in Nairobi. Located 10km from the city centre, the museum was once the centrepiece of a farm at the foot of the Ngong Hills owned by Danish author Karen and her Swedish husband, Baron Bror von Blixen Finecke. The farmhouse gained international fame with the release of the Oscar-winning film 'Out of Africa'.

Set in the serene suburb of Nairobi, the Karen Blixen Museum not only provides the most comprehensive insight into the person of Karen Blixen, but also offers a fantastic space for personal reflection in our nature trail, against a back drop of Karen’s beloved Ngong Hills.

The Karen Blixen Museum was once the centre piece of a farm at the foot of the Ngong Hills owned by Danish Author Karen and her Swedish Husband, Baron Bror Blixen-Finecke. Located 10km from the city centre, the museum belongs to a different time period in the history of Kenya, and later gained international acclaim with the release of the movie ‘Out of Africa’, an Oscar winning film based on Karen’s autobiography by the same title.

Built in 1912 by Swedish Engineer Ake Sjogren, Karen and her husband bought the house in 1917 and it became the farm house for their 6,000-acre farm, of which 600 acres was used for coffee farming. Their marriage failed after eight years and in 1921 the Baron moved on and left the running of the farm to Karen.

Karen lived at the house until her return to Denmark in 1931. The farm was bought by Remy Martin, who broke the land into 20 acre parcels for sale. Subsequent development created the present suburb of Karen. Records indicate that a Lt. Col. G. Lloyd, an officer of the British Army bought the house in 1935 and lived there until his death in 1954, when it passed to his daughters, Mrs. G. Roberts and Lavender Llyod. A transfer of title to Mrs. J.P Robson and Mrs. L.B. Hyde is in City Hall records of 1956. The house was sporadically occupied until purchased in 1964 by the Danish government and given to the Kenyan government as an independence gift.

Subsequently, the government set up a college of nutrition and the house was used as the principal’s house. In 1985 the shooting of the movie based on Karen’s autobiography began and the National Museums of Kenya expressed interest to acquire the house for the purpose of establishing a Museum. The Museum was opened in 1986.

The Giraffe Center, located in the Lang'ata suburb of Nairobi, was established by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W.) to breed and protect the highly endangered Rothschild's giraffe. This dedicated excursion provides a unique opportunity to learn about grassroots wildlife conservation while engaging directly with these gentle giants.

Ascend the elevated wooden feeding platforms to hand-feed the giraffes specially formulated pellets. It is a thrilling experience to observe how they use their rough, 18-inch prehensile tongues to sweep treats from your palm. Beyond the interactive feeding, your visit directly funds environmental education programs provided to thousands of Kenyan school children each year, making it both an unforgettable encounter and a meaningful contribution to wildlife preservation.

Carnivore is an open-air restaurant in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. Carnivore's specialty is meat, featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet. They serve a wide variety of meat and were famous for their game meat until Kenya imposed a ban on the sale of game meat in 2004. It remains a popular tourist destination.

Since the ban, the restaurant serves beef, pork, lamb, chicken, as well as farmed ostrich and crocodile meat. Lunch and dinner are skewered on Maasai swords, cooked on coals, and served on cast-iron plates. A vegetarian option is also available.

A day trip to Lake Nakuru National Park offers a worthwhile wildlife experience. The park boasts a large population of rhino, lion, giraffe, buffalo, leopard, waterbuck and many other species. The highlight is its mass of greater and lesser flamingos feeding in the shallows of the lake.

Lake Nakuru lies about 160 kilometres north of Nairobi. The lake is world-famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth — myriads of fuschia pink flamingos whose numbers often exceed a million.

The park has more than 25 rhinos, one of the largest concentrations in the country. There are also Rothschild's giraffes, translocated for safety from western Kenya. Among the predators are lion and leopard, the latter being seen much more frequently in recent times.

Depart Nairobi at 08:00 for a 2-hour game drive, enjoy lunch at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge or Lake Nakuru Lodge, then an afternoon game drive en route back to Nairobi by 18:30.

As one of Africa's oldest wildlife charities and a leading conservation organisation, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust embraces all measures that complement the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife and habitats.

Founded in 1977 by Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick DBE, in memory of her late husband — famous naturalist and founding Warden of Tsavo East National Park — the Trust claims a rich and deeply rooted family history in wildlife and conservation.

As the human population expands, pushing wildlife to the very brink of extinction, the Sheldrick Trust is determined to reverse the effects of the past and prevent the effects of the present, in the hope for a better future for both wildlife and mankind.

Just a short drive from the heart of Nairobi, Kiambethu Farm at Limuru provides a tranquil insight into life on a settler farm. Situated at 7,200 ft, Kiambethu was bought and farmed by AB McDonell in 1910. He was a pioneer in the tea industry, being one of the first to make and sell tea commercially in Kenya. Five generations have lived on the farm.

The farmhouse is set within beautiful gardens surrounded by acres of tea and indigenous forest — home to the colobus monkey. Daily tours start at 11am with a walk in the indigenous forest, followed by a pre-lunch drink on the verandah with sweeping views across the tea fields to the Ngong Hills. Lunch is a three-course buffet prepared with vegetables from the garden.

In the heart of Kenya's Central Highlands lies Fairview Coffee Estate. This beautiful farm with nearly 100 acres under coffee is situated 1,750 metres above sea level, irrigated by the Riara River fed by streams from the Kenyan Highlands.

The tours immerse you in the intricate details of the coffee-making process from the budding of the flowers to the final cup of freshly brewed coffee. Two exciting coffee tours run daily between 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–16:00.

Launched in 1979, Brown's Cheese still follows the path David and Sue took years ago — crafting natural cheeses using the utmost care and passion. Based in Limuru, they produce seventeen different varieties of cheese using milk from over 3,000 smallhold farmers.

Brown's natural cheeses are made using traditional methods and ingredients — no colourings, coatings, or additives. The farm has earned worldwide recognition, winning seven awards at the South Africa Dairy Championships.

Groups arrive at noon for a cheese-making demonstration and factory tour, followed by a cheese platter tasting experience and a farm-fresh lunch. Children can milk the cows.

Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, located on Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley, is one of the most beautiful parks in Kenya — often called Naivasha's best-kept secret. Surrounded by water, it is actually a peninsula accessible only by boat.

The shores host abundant birdlife including pelicans, cormorants, and fish eagles. There are more animals per acre than any other Kenyan park, hence many film companies have been to the island to film the herds of wildebeest, waterbuck, zebra and gazelle.

Depart Nairobi after breakfast for the 90km drive, enjoy a boat ride on one of the few freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley, then go on a walking safari on Crescent Island. Lunch is included.

Nairobi National Park, established in 1946 about 7km south of Nairobi, is fenced on three sides with an open southern boundary allowing migrating wildlife to move between the park and the adjacent Kitengela plains.

Despite its proximity to the city and its relatively small size, it boasts a large and varied wildlife population and is one of Kenya's most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries. The park is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes and over 400 species of birds — all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Nairobi city skyline.

Tour the principal landmarks: the Parliament buildings, City Market, National Museum and Snake Park, with lunch at the Carnivore restaurant or similar.

With a massive permanent collection combining history, culture and artwork, the Nairobi National Museum is a must for travellers interested in Kenya's rich heritage. Artefacts are displayed across two floors, and a nature trail winds through the surrounding grounds, a botanical garden, and collections of outdoor sculptures.

Afrovana Cultural Experience is a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience that offers families and friends an unforgettable journey into the heart of Maasai life. More than just a cultural tour, it's a shared journey of discovery, bonding, and joy — blending ancient traditions with modern engagement in a way that positions Nairobi as a global epicentre of cultural tourism.

Immerse yourself in the captivating traditions of the Maasai people through a rich programme of hands-on activities. Try your hand at a beadwork masterclass, learning the art that is a vital part of Maasai culture. Gather around for cultural storytelling — the tradition that lies at the heart of every Maasai community. Take part in a Maasai cooking masterclass, compete in the legendary Maasai jumping competition, and test your aim with rungu throwing.

Additional experiences include a hut-making masterclass, a milking cows experience, a photo booth for lasting memories, and handmade Maasai souvenir shopping where you can purchase authentic, handcrafted items directly from the community.

Afrovana Cultural Experience is deeply rooted in conservation and sustainability. Funds from all tickets support vital conservation efforts including protecting the Mara water basin and ongoing reforestation projects. By attending, visitors contribute to the education and empowerment of future generations while supporting the protection of wildlife and habitats.