KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM, GIRAFFE MANOR AND OSTRICH
PARK
At the foot of the Ngong Hills lies the home of
Karen Blixen, the famous author whose memoirs were
immortalized in the popular film "Out of Africa".
It is now preserved as a museum where visitors can
travel back in time and gain an insight into the life
of this remarkable woman. Furniture, artifacts, and
photographs from her Days as a pioneer coffee farmer
are on display.
Afterwards continue top the Giraffe Manor - a rare
opportunity of literary coming face to face with Africa's
tallest animal, the giraffe. Feed Daisy, the famous
Rothschild giraffe and her family and learn about
the success story of the once endangered Rothschild
Giraffe. Entrance fee contributes to other conservation
projects in Kenya.
A short distance to the nearby Ostrich Park provides
the opportunity to see the breeding of ostriches from
eggs to full grown-ups.
KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM HISTORY
"I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong
Hills…"
Karen Blixen Museum is located on the outskirts
of Nairobi on Karen road. Its history dates back to
1914, during the First World War, when Karen Blixen
arrived in Kenya from Denmark. At the foot of Ngong
Hills, Karen Blixen established herself as a farmer.
After her departure in 1931, the suburbs retained
the commemorative home of author Baroness Karen Blixen
(also known by the pen name Isak Dinesen)
The Danish government donated the house and the
surrounding land to Kenya after independence. The
house was restored by the Danish government, and was
used during the filming of "Out of Africa"
which immortalized Karen Blixen's book by the same
name. The museum was opened to the public in 1986.
A striking feature about Karen Blixen Museum is
the beautiful grounds. The house built in 1910 has
a red tile roof and mellow wood paneling in the rooms.
When Karen Blixen bought the property, it had 6,000
acres of land but only 600 acres were developed for
growing coffee; the rest was retained under natural
forest.
Much of the original furniture is on display in
the house. The original kitchen has been restored,
and is now open for viewing. A Dove Stove similar
to the one used by Karen Blixen is on display, as
are the kitchen utensils. Reconstruction of the coffee
factory, along with other old farm machinery is underway.
The aim here is to take an individual back in time,
and provide a visual impression of each settler life
in Kenya.
The museum has become a herb of various activities
and may be rented for private parties, research and
visitation. The Museum is open to the public from
930am to 600pm every day and has a museum shop that
offers handicrafts and books. The income so generated
is used to refurbish and maintain Karen Blixen and
other regional museums.
Safari Inclusions
