Description
The cottages are approximately 20 miles from downtown Nairobi located in the midst of one of the oldest formal gardens in Kenya. Huge jacaranda, candelabra, cactus, bottlebrush, and other trees offer welcoming shade around the cottages and the pool.
There are three family cottage each comprising a twin and double room with a shared living area. There is a spa and restaurant but guests often choose to eat al fresco in the garden.
The Historic Swedo House at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Cottages, Ltd. was the original hunting lodge/farm house which was built around 1906 to 1908. It is located approximately a half mile from the Karen Blixen (Bogani House) museum, and is 15 minutes from downtown Nairobi.
The historic Grogan/MacMillan Manor House was moved brick by brick from downtown Nairobi to the Coffee Garden in 2008 to save it from destruction.
It is the site of the original farmhouse of the property, which now is near the Karen Blixen Museum (of “Out of Africa”) and about half a mile from the Karen Golf and Country Club where guest can enjoy golfing, tennis, squash as well as other activities. The Coffee Garden sits only 5 ½ acres of land with large hundred year old trees and a beautiful garden with hundreds of different varieties of blooming flowers, and a large population of birds.
The Karen Blixen Museum, Daphne Sheldrick's Elephant Sanctuary, Karen Riding School, the Giraffe Centre and other attractions around Nairobi are all within easy reach of the property. Guests can also make use of the Karen Country Club and Golf Course about half a mile away.
Accommodation
Cottage facilities house as many as 30 guests. Eight of the cottages have individual suites and three have two bedroom suites with a common large sitting room. The honeymoon cottage has a large bedroom and sitting room each with a fireplace. Each bedroom has a large bathroom with its own shower and bath. Internet connections, phones and a mini bar are available in all rooms. All the cottages have a verandah for relaxing on.
Childcare
Although there are no specific childcare facilities, Karen Blixen Cottages welcomes children of all ages and babysitting can be arranged on request.
Facilities
Karen Blixen Cottages has it's own swimming pool for guest to enjoy. The Kifaru shop has a wide variety of African artifacts, ranging from clothing and decorative pieces to paintings and sculpture from local artists. At the "Out of Town" beauty shop, a number of services are offered, ranging from plaiting, manicures and pedicure, and facials and body massage.
The Garden Spa offers manicures, pedicures, massages and facials in the quiet surroundings of the gardens.
Activities
There are many activities to do during a stay at Karen Blixen Cottages such as horseback riding through Karen Riding School followed by champagne garden brunch or sundowner. Golf, tennis, and squash at Karen Country Club. Trips to Daphne Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage, shopping excursions, Nairobi National Park and Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe centre.
When to travel
Although Nairobi is situated in the middle of East Africa, its high altitude—about a mile above sea level—means that the city's climate is mild year-round. Summer months in Nairobi are December through March, Winter months, June through to September. The wettest months are in the Autumn, from March through June. April sees upwards of 8 inches of rain on average. Cloudy, rainy days are common in the Autumn. October through December is the region's second rainy season, where "short rains" bring about 5 inches of rain to the area in November. Otherwise rainfall is pretty scarce, about two inches a month. February sees the most sunshine in Nairobi, with about ten hours of daylight.
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Location and directions
Nairobi, Kenya
Karen Blixen Cottages are located on Masai Lane in Karen, a beautiful, peaceful suburb approximately 20 miles from downtown Nairobi. The cottages are located in one of the oldest formal gardens in Kenya. It is located approximately a half mile from the Karen Blixen (Bogani House) museum.
How to get there
8.5hr international flight to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport. From there is about a 50 minutes drive to Karen Blixen Cottages.
