Museum Hill — Attraction in Nairobi

I visit the National Museum often. This time, I went for the Books and Artisan Market, The shifting Identities of Africa exhibition by Achieng Owira and Rosette Aweko, The Kanga and Bee exhibition so it was a very packed afternoon full of events. My review is on the events and not necessarily the museum which I love love.

Books and Artisan Market

This event is held often at the Nairobi National Museum. It is a book and art fair. The books are second hand books from the museum which are sold at very very reasonable prices and all the proceeds support the museum. I got two books: Yoga a way of life and a book on reflexology for a total of KES 600. If you buy books in this country, you know how good a deal this is. You definitely have to take your time to find something so go early. I love how the colour code the books and prices. Will definitely be on the look out for the next one. Definitely worth it.

The Artisan market had quite a number of items as well as art and craft activities. I got guava and ginger jam, a pin, book mark, a body butter and stickers. What I didn't care for were the prices. KES3000 for a tote bag and KES 750 for a pin is beyond ridiculous. I honestly like supporting local businesses but I feel like am supporting greed more than anything else. Will definitely go for the books and try the crafts next time, but will definitely not buy anything. If you want to attend the fair and buy some stuff, you are looking at a budget of KES 3500 and above.

Exhibitions

The National Museum always has an exhibition happening every month. If art is your thing, I suggest registering to become a member for an annual fee of KES 2000 for adults and KES 500 for students. This allows you free entrance to all museums in Kenya. In Nairobi, that is Karen Blixen and The National Museum.

I have attended 5 exhibitions so far and I look forward to attending more.

I enjoyed The Shifting Identities of Africa. The fact that they had notes next to each art piece was great for me since I know nothing about art. These pieces also made sense to me and I could see myself buying one or two if I had the money.

The Bee and Kanga exhibitions were equally interesting and very well done. I definitely appreciate that they have both English and Kiswahili. The Kanga exhibition is so much fun when reading in Kiswahili.

I definitely enjoyed these more than the dolls one that was there earlier.

I can't wait to see what comes next.

Cost

The Museum is honestly a very affordable place. KES 400 for both the museum and snake park for citizens not forgetting the Botanical gardens . It is also worth every coin.

Location

If you are on Waiyaki way, you have no excuse. It is very accessible on foot, psv, cab or personal car. Only downside is that there are no pavements for pedestrians and they should honestly put a zebra crossing because crossing that road is a nightmare and very risky.

Recommendations

This place is for everyone. Every Kenyan should visit this place this place at least twice a year. A walking date would be very ideal in this place.

• Rating* It misses a star because of the crazy prices at the fair and the road situation if you are getting here by...

Visiting the National Museum of Kenya in Nairobi is a captivating experience, showcasing the nation's rich history, culture, and natural heritage. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a wealth of exhibits that transport you through Kenya's journey—from ancient civilizations to the modern era. The museum beautifully highlights the diverse cultures of the over 40 ethnic groups, featuring artifacts, traditional clothing, and tools that illustrate the depth of Kenya's history.

Walking through these exhibits, you're reminded of the resilience and strength that have shaped Kenya into the vibrant country it is today.

Beyond the history, the museum is also home to the Snake Park and an aquarium, where you can explore Kenya's fascinating reptile and fish species. The Snake Park houses an impressive collection of live snakes, crocodiles, and turtles, giving visitors a close-up view of some of the country's most iconic reptiles. Meanwhile, the aquarium showcases Kenya's aquatic life, from freshwater fish species found in its rivers and lakes to the colorful marine life from the coast.

The combination of cultural heritage, natural history, and live exhibits makes the National Museum of Kenya a unique and educational experience for visitors of all ages. It's a must-visit for anyone interested in understanding the history and biodiversity that make Kenya such a...

The switch to buying tickets online was not communicated to the public nearly enough. I went with a friend on Saturday and managed to go through the online process relatively easily but tourists and slightly older citizens had crowded the service desk trying to figure out what to do. I imagine the experience soured the trip for a lot of people.

The museum itself hasn't changed all that much in the decades it's been open which is more obvious with some exhibits more than others. If you didn't appreciate the displays before then you'd be right to assume you wouldn't appreciate them now. Personally; I love them. Always have.

The temporary exhibitions really tied off the whole experience though. We saw amazing art by local artists who we even got to interact with. Hopefully the museum will keep the contemporary African art scene in rotation within its walls since it would be a highlight for locals and tourists alike.

Only took stars away for the absolute chaos that was the entry process but if visitors can get your tickets sorted out beforehand and make sure to have the digital receipt loaded by the time they arrive, it will be a...