Kenya is famously known as the cradle of mankind due to its rich heritage and numerous archaeological discoveries made in this country, including the famous “Black Skull” discovered by paleontologists in Turkana in 1985. The Nairobi Museum, a modernized magnificent piece of architecture located just 20 minutes (walking) from Nairobi City center, showcases and preserves this heritage.
Anyone who has studied in Kenya has fond memories of visiting the Nairobi Museum, one among many museums in an expansive network managed by the National Museums of Kenya and by far the most well-known worldwide. Its location in Kenya’s capital makes it a popular destination for both local and international tourists.
The museum operates between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm daily, including weekends and public holidays. It offers affordable entry rates proceeds from which go into the maintenance and running of the facility.
Citizens
Adults: Kes.200 Children Kes. 100
Residents
Adults: Kes. 600 Children Kes. 400
Non-residents
Adults: Kes. 1,200 Children Kes. 600
Please note that the museum offers a discount when you purchase a combined ticket to both the museum and the snake park.
What to expect
The Nairobi Museum delivers beyond expectation. It aims to collect, study, preserve and document Kenya’s past and present natural and cultural heritage as well as the history of human evolution discovered here. The museums seek to also educate the masses, particularly the younger generation of learners and leaders on the importance of respect for where we are coming from and the need to pass the knowledge on. Below are a few areas of note that you will encounter during your visit.
Permanent Gallery
This gallery in the Nairobi Museum displays the history of mankind, our adaptation to the world, our earlier tools, and our remains depicted in wood sculptures and bones. It also depicts a gallery of Kenya’s pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial history and a history of banking in Kenya. There is a segment dedicated particularly to the different currencies in our trade and banking evolution from the past to the current digital platforms. In addition, you will be happy to interact with the ‘history of mammals’ gallery that highlights animals such as elephants and their evolution, locomotion, feeding, and defense mechanisms.
Temporary Gallery
The Nairobi Museum also offers local and international artists an opportunity to display their art within the museum for specified periods at a competitive rate. This provides a platform for artists and art lovers to meet, greet and interact. You are able also to purchase art or make donations to artists of your choice.
Night Tours
In 2022, the museum started an exciting new program of offering guided tours at night! For a minimum of 10 people, a group can now tour the museum at night upon prior booking. The service is available between 6 pm and 10 pm.
Botanical Gardens
The Nairobi Museum is an excellent chill spot. The botanical garden is well-maintained and clean with well-labeled pathways. Researchers based at the museum have done an excellent job of growing and naming indigenous and exotic plants found at the facility. The location is green and quiet, allowing you a destination to come and relax at for long periods right within the capital.
There is an area dedicated to the Peace Path which has been known as a universal symbol of wholeness patterned by nature. Every year believers flock to the Nairobi Museum to spend some time walking the Labyrinth. It is believed to offer harmony between our inner and outer worlds.
A visit to the Snake Park
A visit to the snake park and aquarium remains thrilling. There are numerous types of snakes in beautiful colors and sizes. The guides are happy to tell you about them and as a bonus, you will also meet some crocodiles, turtles, and other reptiles within the aquarium. You really need to see it for yourself.
Other services offered
Beyond the museum’s key role in the preservation of natural and cultural history, it also offers an excellent destination for many privately organized events such as weddings, parties, and auditorium spaces at competitive rates.
Photography is also allowed for personal and commercial use. It is common to meet photographers filming at the gardens, especially during the weekends. In addition, there is also a gift shop within the premises where you can buy locally made art, jewelry and decorative pieces.
The museum remains a key destination as well as a valuable resource for students, scholars, and researchers. It receives numerous students every year and continues to pass down education to all who seek it. I hope you visit for this reason and also for fun.
Writer: Winnie Wekesa