Utamaduni Craft Centre: quality Kenyan crafts near the giraffes
Utamaduni Craft Centre is a craft shop and gallery in Langata, south of Nairobi, close to the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum. Unlike street markets, items have marked prices: beaded jewellery, carvings, baskets, fabrics, stone jewellery, decoration and homeware from all over the country. It is a handy stop for buying without haggling, often combined with a visit to the giraffes.
Highlights
Jewellery and basketry
Beads, necklaces and woven baskets; beadwork is an emblematic Kenyan craft, also found in Nairobi workshops such as Kazuri (photo).
Carvings and decoration
Carved animals, masks, fabrics and homeware: the range is wider than on a market stall.
Marked prices
No haggling: handy if you dislike bargaining, but compare with the Maasai Market if you want the lowest price.
Practical info
Tips
- Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour. The shop accepts cards according to guides; still keep a few shillings. Check where items come from and what they are made of (no ivory or protected animal products: selling and exporting them is illegal). To build a day in the area, combine it with the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen house; see also Nairobi in one day. We found no official website: confirm opening hours by phone (+254 722 205028 according to a directory).
How to get there
Langata South Road, Langata (Nairobi), about ten kilometres from the city centre: taxi or ride-hailing app (Uber, Bolt) from the centre, and plan your way back (ride-hailing cars are scarcer when leaving). The journey time depends heavily on traffic.
Opening hours
Nearby
See on the map →
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