Nairobi National Museum
Nairobi National Museum is a place of discovery, contemplation, and learning. It is and is anchored on four pillars notably, culture, history, arts, and nature. Located on Museum Hill, between Nairobi’s bustling Central Business District and the vibrant suburb of Westlands, it is only a 20-minute drive from the Central Business District. The museum showcases Kenya’s rich Heritage with four distinct themes representing Kenya’s Culture, Nature, History, and Contemporary Art.
Other attractions within the compound include the Snake Park and Botanical Gardens as well as a State of Art Auditorium that occasionally hosts concerts, film shows, and other events. Dining and shopping facilities await you after your tour with us in our commercial wing. Enjoy your visit with us at the National Museum.
The Nairobi National Museum tells the story of Kenya’s rich heritage. The museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, study, document, and present Kenya’s past and present cultural and natural heritage. This is to enhance knowledge, appreciation, respect, and sustainable utilization of these resources for the benefit of Kenya and the world, for now and posterity.
The history of Nairobi National Museum (NNM)
The idea of a Museum in Kenya came on March 25th, 1909, when ten people met at the house of the then Lieutenant Governor, F.J. Jackson, to consider the formation of a Natural History Society for East Africa. After the formation, its activities involved making scientific collections of natural history specimens, where an obvious need to house and exhibit them arose. The solution was a museum.
A small building, 30×25 feet, was constructed near the Provincial Commissioner’s office, and it was occupied on August 16th, 1910. The first curator was Mr. T.J. Anderson. On August 29th, 1910, the Governor allocated a plot of land on Kirk Road for a permanent museum. It was opened by Governor Sir Edward Northeye in 1922.
A new site was selected at Ainsworth Hill (now Museum Hill) where NNM stands today. It was named the Coryndon Memorial Museum, in memory of the late Governor Richard Coryndon, a one-time Governor of Kenya and a staunch supporter of the Uganda Natural History Society. This museum was officially opened on September 22nd, 1930 by Governor Sir Edward Gregg, and Dr. Van G.L. Someren became the Curator.
In December 1964, in keeping with the new status of independent Kenya, the museum changed its name from Coryndon Memorial Museum to National Museums, headed by Dr. R.H. Carcussion. A board of trustees was constituted, chaired by Sir Ferdinand Cavendish Bentinck, and with Mr. R.E. Leakey as administrative director.
On October 15th, 2005, the Museum closed its doors to the public for an extensive modernization and expansion project that lasted three years. The new name underscores the museum’s flagship status because of over 26 museums, sites, and monuments under the management of the National Museums of Kenya (NMK).
NMK as a research institute
In 2017, NMK was for the first time in its 107 years history, registered as a Research Institution, and, with NNM being the flagship museum of NMK, all research work past or present, is coordinated from here.
An extensive research process was employed, in preparation, before these galleries were displayed for public consumption. This requires a host of staff from relevant departments to come together to make these exhibitions a success. The objects showcased are a representation (or a cast) of the real thing. The real items and all research work(s) are housed in the museum.
As such, the museum offers the following services: research, exhibition, venue hire, training and consultancy, filming and photography, resource center-library services, casting, and the creation of education programs.
9 Must-See Galleries at Nairobi National Museum
1: The Hall of Kenya
The Hall of Kenya is dedicated to highlighting the country’s unique tangible and intangible heritage. In this gallery, Kenya’s nature, culture, and history meet. The objects on display are a testimony to the country’s diverse and rich heritage. All the information on display, the objects, and all research works can be found in the Cultural Anthropology department at the museum.
2: The Joy Adamson Gallery
Joy Adamson (1910–1980) was an illustrator, conservationist and author. She is known for her contribution to the conservation of Kenya’s natural and cultural heritage, winning her international acclaim. Joy Adamson was a colorful, if at times controversial, character whose work continues to affect how people view conservation. Much of her work is immortalized not only in her illustrations but in her books and films, which have been pivotal in preserving the diversity and richness of Kenya’s people and nature. Because of Joy’s inspirational efforts, people around the world now consider how they can preserve their own cultural and natural heritage. All works by Joy Adamson are housed at the Archives section in the Earth Sciences department at the museum.
3: The Cycles of Life
Life in Kenyan communities is filtered through different stages. From birth, through youth to old age, death, and transition into ancestry. This gallery samples cultural practices from Kenya’s communities as associated with these different stages in life. There is a wealth of material and intangible cultural heritage to be appreciated in this gallery. All display information here can be found in the Cultural Anthropology department at the museum.
4: The Birds of East Africa gallery
They came from far and wide, in all colors and sizes, from the most primitive to the most advanced, and found a home in the Birds of East Africa gallery, showcasing the rich diversity of birds in the region. The Osteology section in the Zoology department keeps all the information showcased here.
5: The Great Hall of Mammals
The Great Hall of Mammals traces the development of mammals over time, with a focus on their adaptations to movement, feeding, and protection. The gallery confronts the visitor with points of congruence as well as divergence in the make up of the mammalian world. To access further information, the Mammology section in the Zoology department is the one to consult with.
6: Ahmed the Elephant
Perhaps the most famous elephant in the world, Ahmed was known for his large tusks and was put under 24-hour protection in Marsabit National Park by Kenya’s first president, Kenyatta. Ahmed’s skeleton, with the original tusks, can be found in The Great Hall of Mammals inside the museum and a life-size model can be found in the courtyard of the main gallery building.
7: The Cradle of Mankind
A unique collection, which points to Kenya as the cradle of humankind, is on display in this gallery. The gallery traces human existence as evidenced by fossil findings across Kenya. All information, artifacts (fossils), and research work can be accessed through the Earth Sciences department at the museum.
8: Historia ya Kenya
The gallery highlights Kenya’s history in three major phases: pre-colonial Kenya, the period of colonial rule, and independent Kenya. Key historical events that have shaped the lives of Kenyans are highlighted, including the Kenya-Uganda Railway, land alienation, and the two world wars. For more information on Kenya’s history, the Cultural Anthropology department has it all.
9: Temporary exhibitions
The museum’s temporary galleries highlight some of the most exciting contemporary artists and aspects of Kenya and Africa. The Museum extends services to individuals and institutions that wish to exhibit any information they deem important. A great example would be that of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) who created an exhibition on the Kenya shilling’s evolving history, dubbed ‘the Numismatic Exhibition
Nairobi National Museum Attraction
Attraction Points
The Museum hosts both temporary and permanent galleries that attract learners and tourists alike. We have the following permanent galleries: The Cradle of Human Kind gallery; The Story of Mammals; The History of Kenya; Cycles of Life Gallery; Numismatic exhibition and Asian African Heritage Exhibition gallery respectively.
Cradle of Human Kinds Gallery
In the Cradle of Human kind gallery, visitors interact firsthand with early man and Stone Age tools. Bird’s gallery depicts the diversity of birds of East Africa arranged in family groups such as birds of prey, water birds, and sunbirds. This helps visitors to envision the different ways birds are adapted to their environment and feeding.
Story of Mammals Gallery
The story of mammals from the large elephant, and bats to shrews is captured in three themes namely, evolution, locomotion, feeding adaptation, and defense mechanism.
The History of Kenya Gallery
The History of Kenya gallery details the origin of Kenya’s different communities and language groups, the pre-colonial period, the colonial period, the interaction among the communities, struggle for independence and independence.
Cycles of Life gallery
Cycles of Life gallery paints a picture of the different social interactions, and cultural activities during the life stages of man from childhood, youth, adulthood, and ancestral stage. Learners get to interact with traditional items from different communities.
Numismatic Exhibition
The numismatic exhibition exposes the aspect of trade and exchange, the history of banking, and the application of digital technology in trade and banking. Current currencies and various historical currencies are displayed as well as an interactive program on banking that encourages young children to learn best saving practices.
The Museum aims to interpret Kenya’s rich heritage and offers a one-stop for visitors to sample the country’s rich heritage both for education and leisure. In addition to the Museum, visitors are treated to a variety of shopping and dining facilities, as well as botanical gardens that offer a serene environment.
Admission Hours
Monday to Sunday: 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. All year round including public holidays and weekends.
Night Tours
Exclusive for organized groups of a minimum of 10 people, a request can now be made through bookings for night tours. The Museum will be open between 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm except when there is a privately held function.
Nairobi Snake Park at Nairobi National Museum
Nairobi Snake Park at Nairobi National Museum was started in January 1961 as a popular attraction site for visitors and as a research centre on reptiles and the breeding of snakes. The Snake Park also serves as a home for rescued and threatened reptiles.
The park attracted several researchers who donated a diversity of specimens both locally and internally. Among the donations was the American alligator in 1967, which is currently the centre of attraction.
Among the animals exhibited are, venomous and non-venomous snakes, crocodiles, tortoises, turtles, and lizards among many others. The exhibitions are used to create awareness of the threatened and endangered species, for recreation purposes, and homes for rescued, feared, injured, and unwanted reptiles from society and also serve as a research and training hub on reptiles.
The park also has an aquarium section, that exhibits both marine and freshwater fish. The beautiful freshwater fish exhibited are from lakes, dams, and rivers within Kenya. We also have a variety of collections from outside Kenya like the beautiful Malawi and Tanganyika fish.
The marine section displays assorted fish, live corals, and other invertebrates from the Indian Ocean.
Nairobi National Museum Entry Fee
2024 Nairobi National Museum Entrance Fees |
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|
Nationality |
Adult |
Child/Student |
|
Kenyan Citizen |
200 Kenya Shillings |
100 Kenya Shillings |
| East African Resident | 600 Kenya Shillings |
400 Kenya Shillings |
| Non-Resident | 1,200 Kenya Shillings |
600 Kenya Shillings |
Notes
* Bookings for all-night tours are to be done through the Public Relations Office a week before the visit
* Nairobi National Museum Day Tour booking/reservation | Click Here
Booking & Reservations Nairobi National Museum Contact
Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: info@africanspicesafaris.com
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com