Museums and Cultural Attractions

The Nairobi National Museum - is a good place to learn more about Nairobi’s history and culture. The museum collectives include Mahatma Gandhi Hall, Aga Khan, Churchill Gallery and Nairobi Snake Park. The Leakey Memorial building was opened in 1976 and houses the administration, archeology and paleontology exhibits.

The National Railway Museum - sits alongside the main Nairobi Railway Station. It retells the history of the building of the famed Kenya/Uganda railway. Many historic engines and rolling stock from the original colonial railway are on display here.

The Karen Blixen Museum - features the Out of Africa author’s coffee estate and house known as Bogani that she lived in 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. The grounds contain displays of farming equipment from the plantation.

Uhuru Gardens - is Nairobi’s largest memorial to the struggle for Independence. It was built upon the spot where freedom (Uhuru) from colonial rule was declared at midnight on December 12, 1963. The monument is a 24 meter high triumphal column.

Historic Buildings - include the recently refurbished Norfolk Hotel that was first built in 1904 to house new arrivals to the colony. The Stanley Hotel built in 1913 and named after the great African explorer was an important stopover for travelers to Africa. Here a unique notice board for the travelers was placed on an acacia tree that is now known as the Thorn Tree Café. Further out of town is the Muthaiga Country Club a private country club popular with white settlers that also played a central role in Kenya’s colonial history. There are a number of Hindu and Sikh temples, many mosques and countless churches throughout the city. Nairobi’s Parliament buildings, built in the 1950’s, feature the landscaped mausoleum of Jomo Kenyatta.