Karen is one of the most affluent suburbs in Nairobi Kenya. It was named after Karen Blixen, the Danish author of the colonial memoir Out of Africa. The leafy neighborhood is home to many expatriates, politicians, renowned businessmen, and high-income Kenyans.

The Danish author Karen Blixen was once the owner of the farm at the foot of Ngong Hills including where the estate named after her sits in Nairobi Kenya. Blixen arrived in Africa when Kenya was part of British East Africa with vast lands reserved for European settlers.

Karen lived at the farm until her return to Denmark in 1931. History tells that she came to Africa in 1914 to marry and practice dairy farming in the then-British Colony of Kenya. Her Swedish Husband, Baron Bror Blixen-Finecke had however changed his mind and wanted to farm coffee.

Unfortunately, everything did not go well with the coffee farm and their marriage as well. Continuous poor harvests, factory fires, and the daunting task of managing the estate on her own gave her little choice but to return to Denmark. She turned to writing as a career that earned her fame worldwide.

Meaning of the name Karen

Karen is a popular name in the US, Europe, modern Africa, and East Asia. According to thebump, Karen is a female name of Danish origin. It was derived from the name Katherine which originated from Greek. So, Karen is a feminine name that means pure.

True to this name, the Karen suburb is known for its tranquil environment. There is an abundance of green spaces, parks and reserves. The Ngong Hills provide a stunning backdrop, making it a popular spot for nature lovers. Karen also boasts unique wildlife experiences including birdlife.

Living or working in Karen suits those looking for a quieter pace of life. Most homes sit on at least half an acre which makes homes very spacious. There are also plenty of modern amenities including local and international schools, shopping malls, and fun places.

Things to do in Keren

Karen is home to some of the well-known tourist attractions in Nairobi. There are plenty of learning and fun activities that can keep you occupied your entire time there. Here are some of the things to do in this most famous suburb.

1. Visit the Karen Blixen Museum

The Karen Blixen Museum is one of the places you can spend your day. The former Karen’s home has a beautiful history of Kenya during the colonial era. The rooms feature original furnishings including a bookcase, a cabinet, a phonograph, a lamp, a telephone, a cuckoo clock, and a dining table among other items.

Blixen’s house is surrounded by a tranquil lush garden and an indigenous forest, with a splendid view of Karen’s beloved Ngong Hills which she honored by the phrase ‘I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills’. A collection of farm tools outdoors reminds of her dedication to the farm.

The luscious green gardens offer the best setting for all outdoor events including weddings, corporate galas, and team building. There is also a museum shop with a vast collection of souvenirs including handicrafts, posters and postcards, the Movie ‘Out of Africa’, books, and other mementos.

2. Visit the Nairobi Giraffe Center

The Giraffe Center Nairobi is one of my favorite places whenever I visit Karen. This place plays an important role in conserving the critically endangered Rothschild giraffe whose numbers were dwindling quickly due to habitat encroachment and mass hunting.

The fund was established in 1979 by Betty and Jock Leslie Melville (a grandson of a Scottish earl) after raising a Rothschild giraffe, Daisy, in their Karen home. Today, due to their relentless conservation efforts, the population of these unique giraffes has tremendously increased across Kenya.

At this sanctuary, you can watch the giraffes up close and hand-feed them from the raised wooden platform. Once done, you can head out on a self-guided forest walk in the adjacent Gogo River sanctuary, a 1.5 km trail with great views of the Ngong hills.

3. Go to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is an elephant orphanage located on the outskirts of the Karen suburb. It was established as a rescue center for baby elephants and other animals that lost their parents due to poaching or natural causes. Public visits take place strictly between 11 am and 12 noon.

For a precious hour, you will watch baby elephants being fed by their keepers, rolling in the mud, spraying murky water in the air, and playing among themselves. Tummies full, the calves will then retrieve back into the acacia woodland. 

You can also adopt an elephant and have a chance to receive regular updates about its progress until it is returned to the wild. Visitors who sign up for this program are invited to come back to the sanctuary in the evening between 5 and 6 pm where they will have a chance to learn more about the calves.

4. Relax at Ngong Race Course

Ngong Race Course has a vibrant atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. Watching majestic horses racing on the tracks is thrilling. It’s a great place to relax with friends or family. If you have kids, they will get entertained the whole day with various fun activities such as face painting, pony rides, and live music.

The Ngong Race Course is currently the only thoroughbred racing venue in Kenya. It was started in 1954, replacing the old racecourse in Kariokor, near Nairobi CBD. Horse races are held there on alternate Sundays although it regularly serves as a venue for other sporting activities.

5. Visit the bomas of Kenya

The bomas of Kenya right in the heart of Karen is one of the best places to visit in Nairobi. Established and built by the Government of Kenya, The Bomas of Kenya maintains, preserves, and showcases the rich cultural diversity of the country. This plays a significant role in promoting cultural tourism.

The Bomas are designed to replicate the traditional homesteads of the major tribes in Kenya. Various artifacts from different communities are also showcased. Traditional dancers at this place can also keep you entertained the whole day just for a small fee.

Bomas of Kenya also hosts various conferences including live concerts, end-of-year parties, gala dinners, and weddings. The new conference hall is equipped for film, production, and award ceremonies. It’s simply a place that can host any function you are dreaming of.

6. Go shopping in the malls

Karen is dotted with some of the world-class malls. There is The Karen Hub, The Waterfront Karen, The Karen Park Mall, the Karen Triangle Mall, and The Crossroads Mall among others. You can enjoy various products and services under one roof. Some of the best restaurants in Nairobi are located in these malls.

Getting there

The suburb of Karen lies in the southwest of the city center. It borders the Ngong forest, the Nairobi National Park, and other middle-class estates like Lang’ata. If you are traveling into the country, you must book a flight to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

There are three ways of getting to Karen. Taking a taxi or hiring a private car is the quickest means. If your budget doesn’t allow it, several vans and buses ferry passengers from the Nairobi CBD to this destination. The only challenge is getting into the right Matatu.

There are several locations in the CBD where you can board a matatu to Karen. You can walk into the Kenya Bus Station stage and search for the matatu to take you to the destination. Alternatively, you can board the matatus on Mfangano Street or Kencom House.

Matatu number 24 makes several stops along the route, including Karen shopping center, Bomas of Kenya, Hardy, Langata Road, Galleria Shopping Mall, Giraffe Center, Kenya School of Law, Catholic University, Hillcrest International School, and other areas along Ngong Road.