The African Heritage House In Kenya | Africa's Most Photographed House

Africa is well known for being home to many cultures; it shouldn’t be surprising then that within the continent exists a house accommodating diverse treasures. Situated in Nairobi, Kenya, the African Heritage House is a one-stop place for an enjoyable multi-cultural experience. Follow us on a trip from Kenya, pass through Nigeria, take a detour to Ghana, fly to Morocco and jump to South Africa.

Front view of the house -courtesy of Kifaya Abdulkadir.

This striking building, known as the African Heritage House, sits on a hill overlooking the Nairobi National Park. It was built between the years 1989 and 1994 by Alan Donovan, who modeled it with inspiration drawn from the mud architecture of the Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali. The interior is a typical African presentation, with the doors being obtained from Lamu, an interior courtyard derived from Moroccan culture and fabric that showcases the detailed and artistic African eye among others. What sets this house apart is the collection of artifacts from all around Africa, so diverse and valuable that it has turned the house into a national monument.

The Ashanti Room- courtesy of Kifaya Abdulkadir.

The rooms have been decorated in a wide range of styles, all representative of different African cultures. The Ashanti suite, the Lamu suite, the Moroccan suite and the Bakuba suite, all of which are the guest rooms, depict the culture of these disparate regions. Down from the Kente curtains to the artworks by African artists hung on the walls, it will feel like you’re traveling through Africa.

In a similar manner, the pool house exhibits African design with sculptures by African artists. The nature that surrounds and enhances the beauty of this wondrous place is bound to have a soothing effect on your body and mind.

Pool House View From the Rooftop- Courtesy of Kifaya Abdulkadir

For a complete well-rounded experience, the food served is characteristic of African dishes, ranging from Swahili coconut rice to groundnut stew from Ghana. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with authentic divine cuisine guaranteed to keep you coming back for more.

The Parks View From The Railway Tracks- Courtesy of Kifaya Abdulkadir

With wildlife being a part of African culture, you will get a chance to see plenty of animals such as zebras, giraffes and gazelles in the distance going about their daily lives as you sip your morning cup of tea. Be prepared for the occasional sight of ostriches dashing across the field or the giraffes’ long necks all seen from the sanctuary of the house – or from a close view of the park, for those adventure seekers.

Rooftop Balcony- courtesy of Kifaya Abdulkadir

Just imagine waking up to the chirping of birds instead of your alarm, opening your eyes to the sight of the sun rising from the horizon, the quiet serene feeling you’ll experience, the fresh breath of life you’ll take in.

The Pool House in African Heritage House- Courtesy of Kifaya Abdulkadir

The house is ideal for just about anyone, whether on vacation, on a work break or even an architecture student who would love to know more about African architecture.
So the next time you decide to take a break from that monotonous nine-to-five, don’t think of Paris or The Maldives – come to the African Heritage House in Kenya for the ultimate cultural experience.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.