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Nairobi Highlights: Karen Blixen, Beads Factory & Giraffe Center Day Tour
5.0
7 Ratings
Nairobi
This excursion provides a compelling insight into Karen Blixen’s history, followed by a visit to the Kazuri beads center where you get the chance to observe Kenyan women laboring in a bead factory. Finally, a unique opportunity awaits you to have an intimate encounter with Rothschild giraffes from an elevated viewing deck at the Giraffe Center.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Giraffe Centre - Start your tour with pick up at your Nairobi Accommodation/Hotel 8:30am. Start off to the Giraffe Center, headquarters for the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife made famous by ‘Daisy Rothschild. It is quite an experience being eye to eye with a giraffe - you can get a real sense of the size of these gentle giants.There is also an education centre with lots of information about the breeding and conservation of the rarest of Kenya’s three giraffe species. Learn their behaviors, traits and more conservation education as you get up close and personal on a raised observation platform
- Kazuri Beads Factory - The next stop visit Bead Factory. This is a pottery company that makes one of the world most beautiful beads. You will be shown all the stages from the start to the finish. It’s also a unique factory as it employs single mother parents from the poor neighborhood who earn a living to support their families. This pottery, ceramic and bead factory employs all single mothers to make its beautiful gifts and souvenirs - which are now exported all around the world. There is a gift shop which stocks some of their wares. Please note that the workshop is closed Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday, however the gift shop is open 7 days.
- Karen Blixen Museum - You will then be driven to the old colonial house of Danish author, Karen Blixen. Now a museum, this property and the surrounding Ngong Hills were made famous in the book and then the movie ‘Out of Africa’. It is a must see for all Danes and lovers of African history and romance. Return to your hotel around 5pm.
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What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
Additional Information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
Giraffe Centre
Duma Rd
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(7 Ratings)
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9camillab
Sep 9, 2023
Solo female traveller has a great day out in Nairobi - DEFINITELY RECOMMEND I’m so glad I came across this tour group online when trying to find a way to get in to a sold out Sheldrick session. I never got on to the session, but after speaking with Grace I decided to sign up to one of the day tours to visit the Giraffe Centre, the Kobe Tough bead centre, Karen Blixen museum and Bomas of Africa.
Aside from being so very well organised and well communicated, Grace and the team were so accommodating of me as I needed to leave the tour early. A new driver met up with us to pick me up and take me to the hotel and even helped take me to a pharmacist.
I had 24 hours in Nairobi and I’m really glad I went with Gracepatt and had Wellington as my driver - who messaged me before the trip to confirm details, was totally across my need to cut the trip short and coordinated my pickup and to get me to a pharmacy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Keyas261
Jul 14, 2023
Nairobi Adventures - The entire trip was wonderful...the driver was great and we had a great experience..wish I could have more time for more sightseeing...so much was left not seen...will go again and take your help
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954cathyc
Jul 25, 2021
Giraffes, Karen Blixen, Kazuri & Lunch - My friendly and knowledgeable guide Meshack picked me up on schedule from my hotel at 8AM. I liked that we were the first guests to feed the giraffes at the Giraffe Centre as I imagine it can get very busy. After that we went to the Karen Blixen house/museum which was fascinating followed by a visit to the delightful Kazuri Beads factory & shop. I then tried some local cuisine at the beautiful Bush Garden Restaurant nearby. My guide also kindly stopped at a few additional shops so that I could buy some souvenirs.
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570baran_
Jul 11, 2021
Amazing must-see experience - I would definetely recommend this tour and especially if you have Stephen as your guide. This man is so kind and patient! He is also a good storyteller.
So about our day: Stephen picked us up from the hotel at the exact time as he was supposed to. Then we went to Giraffe center and we were the first ones there. I would definetely say that start by going to the Giraffe center as early as possible to avoid all the other tourist. It was so nice and we took some really good pictures there alone with the Giraffes! This experience was the most amazing. Instead of just look at the animals you actually connect with them. Here again our tour guide took some really good photos from our phones! Then we went to the kazuri Beads. Important thing here to mention is that the workers are not here on Sundays. We knew that and it was still amazing to see how they worked and hear their history. Lastly, we went to Karen Blixen’s museum. So incrediable to see her actually house and her area.
Later on Stephen was so nice to let us quickly go to a mall to eat and see some shops.
Then Stephen was so amazing. Even though he did not had to he helped us to try to arrange a covid test. The thing is that after this tour we are in 4 days going to Zanzibar and before that we will have to be tested here first. Stephen called 3-4 guys and arranged everything for us so that it would fit into our schedule. Again, this man I would recommend him 10 out of 10 times.
Asante sana Stephen!
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Becky
Apr 13, 2019
Nairobi Highlights - The Nairobi Highlights were our first adventure in Africa and the grand daughters enjoyed the Giraffe Center while feeding the giraffes up close and watching a woman who was taking a picture get knocked on head. She wasn't feeding the giraffe. Karen Blixen Home made "Out of Africa" more real and the Kazuri Bead Factory was amazing. The girls were very interested in watching the women make the beads and were given a clay bird and nest to take home. It was a great introduction to Africa.
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Geneanita
Jun 12, 2018
Best day out in Kenya with our guide Stephen - We had a wonderful day with our guide/driver Stephen Senga from Gracepatt Ecotours. Stephen went far beyond what we expected and made our entire experience amazing. From the giraffes where he took photos for us right through to our lunch at a very special place called Trymid multicultural restaurant and café where we were lucky enough to watch the Massai cultural dance.
Highly recommend this tour company to anyone.
Gené and Annette
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