Nairobi Excursions

Prices and availability vary. Call for cutomized options.

Nairobi Animal Orphanage - This is a rescue and rehabilitation centre for orphaned and injured wildlife rescued from around Kenya. Also living here are a couple of a cheetahs rescued and raised by Another Land’s very own Kenya cultural contact, Solomon. Visits to the orphanage include up close and personal time with the cheetahs while you hear the story of their upbringing and witness the amazing relationship between them and Solomon.

Nairobi National Museum - A good place to learn more about Nairobi history and culture. The construction of the present Museum Hill site began in 1929 after the government set aside the land for it. It was officially opened on September 22, 1930, and named Coryndon Museum, in honor of Sir Robert Coryndon, one time governor of Kenya and a staunch supporter of the Uganda Natural History Society. With the opening of the museum, the Society moved its extensive library into the Museum complex. In the early sixties the Nairobi Snake Park was built with the aim to educate the public about snakes and the common reptiles of Kenya. The Snake Park continues to be a big attraction in the Museum. In 1964, the Coryndon Museum changed its name to the National Museums of Kenya and began to expand its services and assets beyond Nairobi. In addition, the Institute of Primate Research is also closely associated with the Museum. Each of the regional museums has its own identity and develops its own programs, and are run under the office of the Director for Regional Museums, Sites & Monuments. The Leakey Memorial building was opened in 1976 and houses the administration, archeology and paleontology departments. Also during this period, research and development programs were developed and initiated. These included cooperation with the University of Nairobi and the Institute of African Studies, specializing in ethnography and cultural anthropology. The Education department initiated programs for the thousands of school children who visit the Museums every year. The Casting Department sells casts of important fossil discoveries to Museums worldwide, both for study and for exhibition.

Karen Blixen Museum - For anyone with an interest in Karen Blixen's book Out of Africa or the subsequent film, this museum is a must see. The author lived on a coffee estate in a house known as Bogani from 1914 until 1931. This area has now developed into the modern suburb of Karen on the outskirts of Nairobi. The house is now a National Museum, and is maintained for visitors in its original condition. Those who have read the book, or seen the film (which was filmed on location here) will recognize the house with its sprawling tropical garden and views of the nearby Ngong Hills. Efforts have been made to decorate all of the rooms of the house in their original style. The house itself is furnished with a mixture of original decor and props from the 1985 film production. The grounds contain displays of farming equipment from the plantation. The museum has excellent trained staff who are well versed in the history of the house and the life of Karen Blixen. They are available to answer queries and to give personally guided tours.

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage - The orphanage is a focal point for Elephant Conservation. Elephant calves orphaned by poaching are brought here from all over the country. They receive extremely specialized treatment here, and literally receive personal care 24 hours a day from highly dedicated staff who become surrogate mothers to the calves. Eventually the calves are moved to Tsavo, where they are carefully reintroduced into wild herds. The centre is open to the public each morning. At this time the calves are being exercised and bathed and visitors are free to watch. This is a good place to learn general information on Elephants and their Conservation.

Giraffe Centre - Located in Langata, just outside Nairobi, the centre has been ostensibly set up as a breeding centre for the endangered Rothschild giraffe, but now operates conservation/education programs for Kenyan school children. There is good information on giraffes available here, and an elevated feeding platform where visitors meet the resident giraffes face to face. Hand feeding giraffes is an education in itself. You will see, close at hand, they use their long, prehensile tongues to remove leaves from prickly acacia branches.

Kazuri Beads - The late Lady Susan Wood founded Kazuri in 1975. Observing that many women in the villages around Nairobi were struggling single mothers, she and two Kikuyu women organized a ceramic workshop to teach them jewellery making skills. Today Kazuri has grown considerably whilst retaining its philanthropic roots. The workshop is still located on part of the farm once owned by Karen Blixen and can be visited in conjunction with tours of the museum. Kazuri means small and beautiful in Swahili, and like Another Land’s Amias Project is Fair Trade. (Amias, by the way, means “beautiful” in tribal Barabaig.)

Mrs. Mitchell's Kiambethu Tea Farm - An inside look at the workings of a tea plantation. A more modern version of “Out of Africa”, you will hear stories about colonial days, adventures with wild animals, a tour of the grounds and enjoy a farm lunch out on the lawn (weather permitting).

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