Afrika House, Langata, Nairobi
Nairobi’s coolest contemporary homestay—aexciting, unique and inspiring retreat where art, nature and adventure meet, Afrika House is filled with culture and creativity and makes the perfect place from which to enjoy and experience the city in a new, nature,exciting and independent way.
Summary
- An original and vibrant new place to stay hidden away in leafy Langata
- An exuberant modernist mansion with in-house art gallery and exhibition spaces
- Private holiday home or boutique guest house, cultural hub and creative meeting place
- Huge Ground Floor living, dining and entertaining areas
- Veranda looking onto lush and secluded 1-acre gardens
- Four First Floor bedrooms – two master suites with private verandas and two ensuite doubles
- Airy Second Floor living and work spaces with treetop roof terraces
- Close to all the cultural, culinary and wildlife attractions of Karen and Langata
- The perfect venue for retreats, workshops, events and gatherings of all kinds
- Curated tours of Nairobi’s art scene – to studios, galleries and creative collectives
- Afrika House accommodates up to 8 adult guests – additional child guests on request
- Exclusive-use rentals and room-by-room stays are both available
Location
Ngong Hills at Dusk
The leafy and affluent suburb of Karen sits to the south-west of Nairobi towards the foot of the Ngong Hills. Karen is an attractive and peaceful place to stay away from the city center—which is easily accessed via ever-improving ring roads and bypasses. The neighborhood of Langata, quieter and less developed than central Karen, is the southern part of Karen and adjoins Nairobi National Park.
Karen Blixen House Museum – Karen
Karen’s most famous resident is probably Karen Blixen, whose 6000-acre farm and coffee plantation covered much of the area. Her Kenyan life is immortalized in the book and film Out of Africa. Karen Blixen lived in Bogani House on Karen Road between 1917 and 1931—now owned by the National Museums of Kenya, it is open to visitors daily. The nearby Karen Blixen Coffee Garden houses the farm manager’s house from 1906 and the historic Grogan Macmillan House.
AFEW Giraffe Centre – Karen
The area’s wildlife and conservation attractions include the AFEW Giraffe Centre, where feeding the several resident Rothschild’s giraffes is a must. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Elephant Orphanage is situated just inside Nairobi National Park. Watching the baby elephants receive their 11 am feed is always very popular, and booking well ahead is advised. Private visits are also available by special request.
Afrika House is situated in the quiet Hardy area of Langata, where zoning laws ensure that no high-density or high-rise construction is allowed, making the area extremely peaceful and surrounded by nature. Afrika House is within walking distance of Hardy Post with its shops and ATMs, the Langata Link shops, and the Giraffe Centre. It is a few minutes’ drive from Nairobi National Park and the entrance to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.
Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Nairobi National Park covers an area of 117.21 square kilometers (29,000 acres) and is easily accessed from Karen via Magadi Road or Langata Road. The park hosts a wide and diverse wildlife population—it is common to see rhinoceros, lions, and buffalo as well as large numbers of plains game, and the park is home to up to 500 species of permanent and migratory birds. One can also visit the Animal Orphanage and Safari Walk—both situated at the park’s main gate.
Nairobi National Park
There are numerous retail and culinary attractions in Karen and Langata—major shopping malls include Karen Crossroads, Galleria, and The Hub on Dagoretti Road. Boutique shopping centers for arts, crafts, clothes, and souvenirs include Langata Link on Langata South Road and The House of Treasures on Dagoretti Road—both of which also house nice places to eat and drink. Favourite restaurants and bars in Karen include The Talisman, Haru Sushi Bar, and Cultiva Farm.
Talisman Restaurant, Karenre
Detailed Information
Accommodation and facilities
- Wi-fi internet
- Good cellphone signal
- Battery inverter power back-up system
Ground Floor
- Entrance hall
- Large open-plan living and dining room
- Lounging area with baraza seating
- Dining table for 10
- Additional dining/study table
- Bar area with fridges
- Kitchen, dhobi and stores
- Bedroom 1 – Double bedroom with private front veranda, ensuite bathroom
- Guest cloakroom
First Floor
- Bedroom 2 – Double bedroom with private front veranda, ensuite bathroom
- Bedroom 3 – Double bedroom, centrally located, ensuite bathroom
- Bedroom 4 – Double bedroom with front veranda, ensuite bathroom
- Bedroom 5 – Twin bedroom connecting to Bedroom 4 and its bathroom
- All bedrooms have ample wardrobe space and dressing areas
- All bedrooms have overhead fan, mosquito net and dressing table/desk
- Spacious central living area with extensive built-in sofas
- Drinks fridge and games etc
- Front veranda with relaxing Lamu beds
- Raised study area with desk and internet booster
Guest Cottage
Ground floor
- Living room and front veranda
- Bathroom and kitchenette
First Floor
- Bedroom areas with 1 double and 2 single beds
Outside
- Swimming/plunge pool 1 – 5 x 3.5 m
- Swimming pool 2 – 14 x 8 m (at widest and longest points)
- Poolside beach shower
- Outside sitting and lounging areas
- Sunbeds
- 2 acres of gardens
- Direct access to beach
- Beach view seating
How to get there
- Afrika House is situated just off Ushirika Road in Langata’s Hardy neighborhood. Access from Nairobi City Centre, from central Karen, and from the city’s two airports is via Langata Road and Langata South Road. Driving time from Wilson Airport is around 30 minutes and to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around 45 minutes. Central Karen is about 15 minutes away.
Visitors Book
“It says it was open, so we went there today. Apparently you have to make an appointment in advance by writing them an email.
They also said that there were ‘guests’ today, so it was closed.
It would have been nice to know this upfront.”
Anne E
Rates
Room Rates – 2026
Large double or twin bedroom with ensuite bathroom and private balcony
- $285 per night for a bed & breakfast
Double or twin bedroom with ensuite bathroom
- $215 per night for a bed & breakfast
Individual Room Rates – 2027
Large double or twin bedroom with ensuite bathroom and private balcony
- $315 per night for a bed & breakfast
Double or twin bedroom with ensuite bathroom
- $240 per night for a bed & breakfast
Exclusive-Use Stays
- $2,000 per night for a bed & breakfast
Stays include sole occupancy of the entire house and grounds.
Maximum occupancy—8 adult guests
Additional child guests—available on request and at additional cost
Stays are on a bed & breakfast basis
Additional meals are available on a self-catering basis, including the services of a chef and staff.
Larger Retreats, Workshops, Events, and Gatherings
Please contact us for rates and possibilities.
Check-in from 1 pm, check-out by 11 am.
These rates and terms and conditions are valid for stays up until 31st December 2027.
The owners require all adult guests to sign an indemnity/disclaimer form on arrival.
The pool is unfenced. The property and grounds contain open roof terraces and steep slopes and drops and staircases. Children must be closely supervised around the pool and these areas by an adult guest and should never be left unattended in any part of the property at any time.
Please contact us for rates and to make a booking. g
Please familiarize yourself with all our terms & conditions when making a booking.
Bookings can only be confirmed upon receipt of payment. Until a booking is confirmed, availability is subject to change without notice.
“Thanks so much for the most incredible stay. Your house is so so beautiful, such an amazing place and everything was perfect!! And what an incredible private beach. The team were awesome. Thanks so much again.”
LW, Masai Mara
260 Beach House is a really attractive, imposing, well-equipped and much-loved family home and the ideal location for a happy, relaxing and undisturbed coastal getaway. With 5 double bedrooms in the main house, additional accommodation for 2-4 guests in the guest cottage, two swimming pools and miles of deserted beach and seashore to explore and enjoy, it will suit one, two or more families or a group of friends.
“We really enjoyed our stay at 260 Beach House. The staff are absolutely amazing and helpful and the chef’s delicacies are all top notch.”
IK, Nairobi
Set in 2 acres of secluded gardens and grounds, the house has direct access to the lovely and often empty Vipingo/Kuruwitu beach. The property is bright, breezy, well-furnished, well-maintained, roomy and uncluttered throughout. It has comfortable and expansive living areas upstairs and down, and multiple verandas and sitting and lounging areas inside and out. Bedrooms are all extra-spacious, with ensuite bathrooms, dressing areas and ample storage and wardrobe space.
“This place is awesome and beautiful and the staff are great. We loved everything.”
RR, Maai Mahiu
The house comes fully-staffed including the services of a good chef and housekeeper, plus a Vipingo-based manager who can help plan your stay. Wi-fi internet is also included. Despite its quiet and relatively ‘off-the-beaten-track’ location, the house is far from remote. Vipingo Ridge airstrip is very close at hand and has daily scheduled flights to and from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and Diani/Ukunda airstrip with Safarilink. Kilifi is approximately 15 kilometres to the north and Mtwapa approximately 15 kilometres to the south.
