Traveler Description
This is the beautiful farmhouse where Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa, lived between 1914 and 1931, until she left Kenya after a series of personal tragedies.

Address: P.O. Boks 40658
Phone: 254 2 882779


Traveler Reviews

A Must See
Reviewed by JustS24 on Jun 24, 2010


For any fan of Karen Blixen's writings, or Out of Africa movie-lovers, this is a must-see. The grounds are stunning, nestled in the Karen District of Nairobi. The house is well maintained and contains original furnishings as well as some props used in the movie. Be sure to visit the Kazuri Bead Factory located nearby on the estate. Kazuri employs 400 Kenyan women who make beads and pottery. The shop at Kazuri is amazing, filled with jewelry and pottery offering incredible prices!

Expensive for what there is to see
Reviewed by meandros on Jun 8, 2010


The entrance fee has increased 4 fold to 800 shillings (over $10usd) Compared to the other sites I saw this day the Giraffe Center and Elephant sanctuary this wasn't a good value. There a few rooms with furniture and different editions of out of africa but little additional information. The grounds are nice to walk on but there is only about a half hour of things to see here. I wouldn't recommend this to people unless they were huge fans of the book. Don't go on Saturday the main part of the grounds was being used for a wedding making it diffiicult to walk around.

Well worth a trip!
Reviewed by fordwater on Jan 20, 2010


Having read loads of books & studied the history since Out of Africa in the 80's I grabbed the chance of going to discover the estate for myself. I wasn't disapointed! It is a most relaxing place to visit and you really get the feel of how it would have been in the early Colonial Days. I was quite moved by the whole experience. I was shown around by a very knowledgeable tourism student who was working at the house and grounds. He explained the story of Blixen and explained how the Estate played a part in the film. The exterior used as a set with interior being filmed in the studio. There are many original pieces of furniture as well as copys of items held in Denmark. There is even 2 outfits worn in the film by Streep and Redford. If you are interested in the History of 'Happy Valley' its a must see!

Must-see in Nairobi
Reviewed by MP3Seattle on Mar 16, 2009


Visited March 2009. I wanted to update an earlier review by someone who said the place was run down. It's now in beautiful shape, and has most of Karen's original furniture and dishes -- she kept good records on who she sold them to when she left Africa. Great treat to just wander around the house and the grounds, and see her view of the Ngong Hills.

Sadly tired Karen Blixen Museum - but still worth a visit
Reviewed by hellsbells on Jan 27, 2007


'Out of Africa' fans must visit here! However, be prepared for a sad experience. The roof tiles are falling off the house and the rooms are damp (vistited in rainy season). Your entrance fee includes a guided tour. If nothing else, this tour highlights how important Karen Blixen's legacy has been to the surrounding inhabitants. She started a school that still continues as a college and this generation's high regard for her exemplifies her influence on 'Karen District'. Most of the area is taken up with affluent housing but you still get the idea of what it must have been like to live in this area some 80 years ago. The grounds are used for wedding parties etc & if you visit on such a day your access to the grounds will be limited. More for adult 'out of Africa' fans than children but worth a stop if you are passing the area. The Ngong Hills are another 16 km from her house, so do not expect to see Finch Hatton grave.