From this page - Credits: https://www.safari254.com/karen-blixen-museum/

Karen Blixen Museunm
Karen, Ngong Hills, Nairobi, Kenya

I’m in the Nairobi suburb of Karen (again), this time at the Karen Blixen Museum, I had initially planned to combine this visit with the trip to the Oloolua nature trail but things did not work out as planned.

Danish author Karen Blixen is best known for penning the book Out of Africa, lived in this house on the outskirts of Nairobi that has now been turned into a museum in her honor. The bungalow-style house was built in 1912 by the Swedish engineer Åke Sjögren and bought by Karen Blixen and her then-husband, Baron Bror von Blixen Fincke in 1917, it became a farm house for their 4500 acre farm, of which 600 acres was used for coffee farming. Their marriage failed after eight years and in 1921 the Baron moved on and left the running of the farm to Karen. Karen lived at the house until her return to Denmark in 1931. The house farm was bought by Remy Marin, who broke the land into 20 acre parcels for development. Subsequent development created the present suburb of Karen.

Karen Blixen Museum_Sign

I was pleasantly surprised when I got there, they offer free guided tours and the guides are very knowledgeable. This was a pleasant change from having to pay the guide.

Karen Blixen Museum_Driveway

Karen Blixen Museum_Map

A map of the original layout of the property

The house features rooms designed in both the original decor and with props from the 1985 film. Fun fact, the house was not used in the filming of Out of Africa, a movie based on Karen’s memoir by the same name. At the time of filming it was being used by the government as a health facility so filming took place in a house that previously belonged to the widow of Jomo Kenyatta, the first Prime Minister and President of Kenya.

Karen Blixen Museum_Front of house

Originally owned by the Danish government, the house was donated to Kenya to celebrate the country’s independence. The government then renovated the house in an attempt to preserve it the way it was when Blixen lived there.

Karen Blixen Museum_Karen

Karen with a dog that she got from her husband Baron Bror Blixen as a wedding gift

The museum does not allow photography inside the premises but rules are made to be broken, no? Once my guide was gone, I went back to the premises and again my Samsung K Zoom camera phone came in handy and was able to take some quick snaps of the rooms (I happened to be the only one inside, perks of visiting on a weekday). There was a large group of tourists outside so I had to rush while watching over my back and listening for anyone coming into the house.

Karen Blixen Museum_Baron Blixen's Study_

Baron Blixen’s study. The bookcase contains copies of the book Out of Africa which has been translated into various langiages.

Karen Blixen Museum_Safe

The Baron Blixen’s study; if my memory serves me right the free standing safe is part of the original décor.

Karen Blixen Museum_Dining room

On the side of the French doors opening to a small patio with views of the Ngong Hills you can see reproductions of Karen’s paintings.

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Karen Blixen Museum_Record player

The dining room; It is here that Karen Blixen twice entertained the Prince of Wales. The table has been set with beautiful cutlery.

Karen Blixen Museum_Dining Room1

Karen Blixen Museum_Backyard1

The lawn; Karen used to sit here in the evenings as it offers a splendid view of the Ngong Hills

Karen Blixen Museum_Lawn

Karen used to entertain guests in the library and in top left corner you can spot two lamps which according to the guide she used to indicate her mood. When she lit the red lamp it meant that she did not want to be disturbed while the green meant she was in a good mood and was willing to entertain.

Karen Blixen Museum_Karen's study

Karen Blixen Museum_Typewriter

Karen and her husband used to sleep in separate bedrooms. There is a door linking the bedrooms.

Karen Blixen Museum_Baron Blixen's bedroom1

To the left you can see a portrait of Karen’s lover Denys Finch Hatton.

Karen Blixen Museum_Baron BlixenBaron Blixen

Karen Blixen Museum_Baron Blixen's bedroom

Karen’s bedroom offers a lovely view of the front lawn.

Karen Blixen Museum_Karen's bedroom

Karen Blixen Museum_Karen's bedroom1

The dressing table might be part of the original furniture; I seem to recall the guide mentioning something along those lines.

Karen Blixen Museum_Karen's bedroom

Their bathroom facilities were pretty basic. The toilet consisted of a wooden box over a bucket that the servants used to empty when it got full.

Karen Blixen Museum_Bathroom

Unfortunately I was not able to get any photos of the kitchen. The kitchen is situated outside the house and is directly opposite the ticketing area – too risky to take photos.

Karen Blixen Museum_Walkway

The museum is located in a beautiful and serene envrironment and is a lovely location to hold an outdoor wedding.

Karen Blixen Museum_Lawn1

You can spot the Ngong Hills in the background. Karen’s lover Denys Finch Hatton was buried at the foot of the hills in accordance to his wishes.

You will also be able to see old equipment that used to be used on the coffee farm

The prices are quite reasonable

Karen Blixen Museum_TicketCitizen: _NE Adults -Kshs 200 ($2) Kids below 16yrs -Kshs 100 ($1)

CHARGES (OTHERS)

Residents: Adults- Kshs 600 ($6) Kids below 16yrs- Kshs 400 ($4)

Non Residents: Adults – Kshs 1,200 ($13) Kids below 16yrs -Kshs 600 ($6)

How to get there:

Karen Blixen Museum is situated 20km from the city centre in the Karen suburb. If using public means, take matatu or bus number 24 heading towards Karen Hardy from the city centre, and alight at Karen Blixen Museum which is near the junction of Bogani Road and Karen Road.

If driving, take Uhuru Highway till Nyayo Stadium, then turn right onto Langata Road and drive past Bomas of Kenya till the junction to Hardy. Turn left onto Langata South Road, then right onto Bogani Road. The museum will be right before the junction between Bogani and Karen Road.