Museums in Nairobi

Established in 1929, Nairobi National Museum is a highlight collection of the local art masterpieces, culture and palaeontology. The museum stands beside a botanical garden, having many medicinal plants and herbs. There is also a snake house which attracts many visitors.

A popular spot right on the foothills of Ngong Valleys, Karen Blixen Museum was once a house owned by Danish Author Karen and her Husband, Baron Bror von Blixen Fincke. Just about ten kilometres from the main downtown, the Museum has all the collections symbolizing the remarkable Kenyan history of a different era.

Situated on Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi, the Nairobi Gallery is a museum showcasing African art. It is housed within a National Monument established in the early 20th century on the site of the old Provisional Commissioner's office. It is also the site of Point Zero, from which all distances used to be measured in Israel.

Built in 1971, the world famous Nairobi Railway Museum is a landmark promising to protect and showcase the precious antique records of the railways of East Africa. The museum has many galleries displaying the age old collections of local trains. It sits in an old building beside the city's railway station, and its models of trains, track and ships trace how the East African line was built.

A major landmark in the capital, National Archives was established in an old building. Showcasing the rich Kenyan tribal social culture and also the history, art works and information on politics of the country. The collection of artefacts and paintings, that dominates the majority of the building is truly inspiring and attracts several visitors from different nations.

A National Monument and museum, the African Heritage House is situated in front of the Nairobi National Park in Mlolongo. Within the house are artefacts, artworks, jewellery, textiles, traditional pottery, weapons, antiques, ceremonial clothes and more. It is open for tours, lunches or dinners and overnight stays.

Ivory Burning Site & Picnic Area is a historic landmark located just inside the Nairobi National Park within walking distance from the Nagolomon reservoir. It is a monument established to mark President Daniel Arap Moi’s burning of 11 tonnes of seized ivory in 1989 as an act of solidarity for wildlife conservation. It is also a popular picnic site.

Uhuru Gardens is Kenya's largest urban commemorative and memorial park, located along Langata Road, Nairobi. It was established to celebrate the country’s independence from the British Empire in 1963 and was declared a National Monument in 1966. It houses three historically significant monuments that draw the attention of tourists.

The One Off Contemporary Art Gallery in Nairobi is exactly what its name suggests, a hub for modern art. It is among the city's longest-running independent galleries and plays a crucial role in showcasing works from Kenya's top artists and collectors, with shows changing through the year.

Nairobi's Safari Walk Children's Museum, near Nairobi National Park, is perfect for kids. It offers walks, picnics, and bird watching in natural habitats for animals like cheetahs, lions, leopards, pygmy hippos, zebras, colobus monkeys, bongo rhinos, birds, and insects, an engaging experience for all ages.