Karen Blixen Museum — Attraction in Nairobi

The Karen Blixen Museum in Nairobi is a captivating historical site that offers visitors a glimpse into the life and legacy of the renowned Danish author, Karen Blixen. Housed in the former residence of Blixen, this museum provides a fascinating journey through her time in Kenya and the inspiration behind her notable work.

Situated in the scenic suburb of Karen, the museum is set within beautiful grounds surrounded by lush gardens and tall trees. As you explore the museum, you can't help but feel transported back in time to the colonial era of Kenya. The main house, where Blixen lived for many years, has been preserved with great care, and stepping inside feels like stepping into the pages of her memoir, "Out of Africa."

The museum displays a wealth of artifacts, photographs, and personal belongings that provide insight into Blixen's life and the era in which she lived. The rooms are tastefully arranged, capturing the essence of Blixen's elegant and adventurous spirit. You can see her writing desk, original furniture, and even the kitchen where she prepared meals for her guests. The attention to detail in recreating the ambiance of the time is commendable.

The knowledgeable and friendly guides at the Karen Blixen Museum enrich the experience with their in-depth knowledge of Blixen's life and work. They are enthusiastic and eager to share stories and anecdotes, making the tour engaging and informative. Whether you're a fan of Blixen's writing or simply interested in learning about Kenya's colonial past, the museum offers a valuable educational experience.

The museum is not only a tribute to Karen Blixen but also a celebration of the natural beauty that surrounds it. The grounds are well-maintained, and visitors have the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll through the gardens, enjoying the serene atmosphere and the shade of ancient trees. It's a peaceful retreat from the bustling city, allowing visitors to connect with nature and appreciate the tranquility of the surroundings.

One aspect to note is that the museum can get crowded, particularly during peak hours and tourist seasons. It is advisable to arrive early or plan your visit during weekdays for a more relaxed and intimate experience. Additionally, the museum's location is a bit outside the city center, so it's recommended to plan your transportation accordingly.

In summary, the Karen Blixen Museum in Nairobi offers a captivating and immersive experience into the life of a literary icon and the history of colonial Kenya. With its well-preserved house, informative guides, and beautiful surroundings, it is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, literature lovers, and anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the rich cultural...

Karen. Falls in love with her cousin but he doesn't love her back but, his twin brother- Bror Blixen loves her so she ends up getting married to him in Kenya at the Coast. Drama.

They start life in Kenya and even start up a coffee plantation. As the husband goes out to hunt, he also hunts for other women and has affairs along the way...he gives her syphilis. They later on divorce.

She ends up falling in love with an army guy - Finch. This same guy encourages her to write about her experiences in Kenya. She did eventually write and a movie was acted out of the particular book- Out of Africa. The movie is what made this house famous. They're all in love until he meets his demise in a plane crush. He gets buried at Ngong' Hills. She regularly sits at the backside of the house smoking while looking in the direction of where her lover was buried.

This house mainly rotates around Karen really and it was once known as Mbogani house built in 1912 by a Swedish settler and sold to Karen Coffee company in 1917. She later sold the house at an auction in 1931 before going back to her home in Denmark when the coffee plantation failed. The Danish state bought it back in 1963 and gifted it to Kenya as an independence gift. It became a Museum in 1985.

She stayed in Kenya for 17 years and is the reason why Karen is called Karen.

Open daily from 8:30 am to 6:00pm.

Charges Kenyan Citizen Adults (16 yrs and above) kshs. 200 Below 16 years kshs. 100 East African residents Adults kshs. 600 Below 16 years kshs. 400 Non-Residents Adults kshs. 1,200 Below 16 years 600 A guide is provided, ours was Mr. Onesmus who did a great job👌🏾.

We were given the history of the place for like 20 minutes, shown the ploughs, wagons and farm equipments outside the house, shown Karen's works and photo, a 30 minute house tour and a kitchen tour and saw the coffee drier and processing machine. When you go, ask if there is any film screening room (we didn't see it, just knew of it later in my research).

Generally, we had a great time! I...

Had to get home to write this review! So I called the place last week because I wanted to take a few photos for my social media platforms. So I ask the dets and if I need to pay anything and they tell me no money is needed for photos and that I just need to pay the entrance fee. I called the place again to just confirm the info I was told the same thing. So today I get ready and go with friends to shoot at the museum. My friends doing my make up so that I can look bomb for my photos and my other friend removes his camera to set up. We're soon approached by a watchman or guard who tells us that we can't shoot there. So I explain that I'd spoken to some of his colleagues the previous week about the same matter and I was asked not to pay. He then tells me to follow him to the manager's office and explain the situation and so I do that. The lady tells me photos with a camera are forbidden because white people don't like being captured in those photos yet outside there were white folks outside taking photos WITH CAMERAS!!! She then tells me if I wanna take photos there it'll cost me Ksh10,000 so I'm like that's not a plan for me so I'll just finish doing my make up and head out. The lady literally follows us to where we're finishing up and commands us to move to a far away bush away from the white people probably because they're paying more to access the venue. Either way, we move. She later on sends her assistant to come and chase us from where she'd sent us in the first place telling us, 'My boss has seen you from her window and she's not happy.' So I ask her what her boss isn't happy about yet she's the one who sent us here. At this point I lost my cool and urge the friend doing my make up to speed it up so that we can leave. I'm very disappointed in the service I got from my countrymen. It's a shame that they give white people more priority. White skin isn't a superior check. These people have a bad attitude and I wouldn't advice anyone to visit this place. Especially if they're...