Expat information on the Karen area of Nairobi

Use this guide to check out Karen, Nairobi without missing the good bits. Recces are usually a period of anything from a few days to a week of scurrying around, hopefully sans kids, trying to work out if you really want to live in this place. If you are lucky your itinerary only consists of wafting around a bit to see if your potential new home suits you, but things grow ever more complicated when you need to scout out a place to live/schools etc all within a few days, as we did! Here is my ideal 48 hours in Karen and what to check out if you are short of time.

Here are a few tips that we’ve picked up along the way.

Flights to Nairobi:

International flights land at Jomo Kenyatta Airport a 30 minute taxi journey from Karen. Hire a car rental in advance or even better hire a driver to drive you around.  I have a great contact if you want to send me a message.

Local flights land into Jomo Kenyatta or Wilson Airport.  Wilson is closer into town, about 20 minutes into Karen

You need a yellow card vaccination and it should be done at least 10 days before you fly. Some people state that you don’t from certain countries but mostly that’s a load of rot, I’ve been checked loads at the airport and I say better safe than sorry.

Visa:

You’ll need a visa:  get it online at ecitizen.co.ke, do it at least a week or two before as it can sometimes take a while to process. If you forget then you can get one at the gate, it is 50 dollars per adult (kids don’t need one) and you need the cash. If you don’t have cash you can go through to the other side and get money out the ATM but this will put you right at the back of a sometimes lengthy queue.  Visitor visas are for 3 months but an often be renewed in country to take it up to 6

48 hours in Karen – where to stay

Accommodation is wide and varied from 5* hotels to Safari lodges and Airbnb.  I use Tripadvisor to seek out the best deals or Flipkey or Airbnb to find a nice little cottage. The following are a few suggestions for hotels in the Karen area.

$$$ Hemmingways: Karen: gorgeous 5* hotel, you wont be disappointed but costs the big bucks

$$$ House of Waine: Luxury boutique hotel in Karen

$$ Karen Gables Cape Dutch reproduction built in a peaceful spot just up from the river, spacious rooms, elegant furnishings, pool and outside bar. Meals available around a big table in the dining room with other guests, although can also be taken outside.

$$$ Giraffe Manor small hotel in Hardy which is made special by its proximity to the Giraffe House… Â that infamous picture of a giraffe poking its head into a hotel was taken here. Very costly

$$Karen Country Club The residences range from single rooms to two bed cottages, very neatly appointed you are also able to make use of the Country Club facilities including golf, pool, spa and several restaurants.

$The Brandy Bus Book through Airbnb for the unforgettable and very affordable chance to stay in a bus that has been converted into a comfortable and unique place to sleep.

Schools:

Your child’s education is no doubt top of your list if you have kids, below are some of the schools the expat kids go to, they are all located along Magadi Road. I’ve already written in detail about these schools here. 

• Brookhouse
• The Banda School
• GEMS
• Hillcrest

Where to eat and drink when you have 48 hours in Nairobi 

Boho Eatery: chic little veggie place in Langata.

Urban Burger: within the Galleria Mall but do Burgers to rival any abroad.

Haru: Really good sushi. Read my review here.

Matbronze: art gallery specialising in Bronzes but also does breakfast and lunch. Great place to let the kids run around whilst you have a cappuccino and a cake.

Hemmingways: if you are feeling flush then eat here, if you arent then sup cocktails on the balcony; they are the same price as elsewhere around town and the view is unbeatable.

Artcaffe is located within The Hub shopping malls, great for coffee, cake and yummy breakfast with salads and bigger meals for lunch.

Talisman: another place you should definitely visit;  you’ll spend lots of time here. Gorgeous sitting out garden with delicious food. If you come in the evening you’ll find most the male population of Karen propping up the bar inside.

Tamambo/Tamarind: bar and restaurant residing on the old Karen Blixen Estate;  as it’s part of the Carnivore group, the Dawa cocktails are a must have.  The bar is atmospheric and often has live music, the restaurant is towards the upper end of cost and food.

Wondering which ones are best for kids.. have a glance at my ‘Kid friendly places to go in Karen blog’ 

Shops in Karen

I always like to check out the local shops and malls to find out availability of goods.

The Hub: is the newest and biggest and best in my opinion. A large open modern mall with a huge Carrefour (French supermarket). It has lots of places to eat and drink, activities for kids and one of the best selection of international shops in Nairobi.

Galleria: with the demise of Nakumatt not an awful lot of reason to visit (unless you are taking a trip to Urban Burger) but there is a school uniform shop there and the awesome Planet Yogurt, beloved of my children.

The Waterfront a huge mall on Karen road with a few good shops and eateries.

Hardy Shops (HPS): small mall in Hardy area that houses a hairdressers, pharmacy, optician, Newscafe, a couple of lovely curio shops filled with desirable things from England and South Africa. Most importantly a supermarket that despite being small is perfectly formed with everything you’ll need in stock.

Karen Provision Store (KPS): although there are lots of other shops within the complex, in this case I’m referring to the small supermarket. A veritable Aladdin’s cave of food and err other stuff, you’ll get all your want for a top up shop and also find lots of things you never knew you needed. Every trip is an adventure.

Tourist sites in Karen

If you still have the energy then check out these, all within Karen:

Giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, for a more luxurious experience book afternoon tea at the Giraffe Manor next door.

Kazuri beads on Mbagathi Road

Orphaned elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Safari Walk in Langata

Nairobi National Park easily accessible from Karen

Ololua Forest is  an easy 5k walk through indigenous forest

Finding a place to live in Karen, Nairobi 

It’s typical that the best places are usually found through word of mouth, but as you are new and don’t know anyone try some of the some great Facebook groups inhabited by locals. Nairobi Expat Housing and Nairobi Expat Social are a great place to start.

Always a good idea to register with an agency and you can’t beat www.peponirealestate.com for unbeatable service and a great range of desirable houses in the Karen area.  Use your 48 hours in Karen wisely and go with an estate agent that knows Karen life the back of his hand.

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