The Best Trails, Gardens & Wildlife Stops in Karen Nairobi
The sun has just risen over Karen, casting golden light through the canopies and warming the dew-kissed gardens. And you? You’re sipping on a double-roast Kenyan coffee at Hatton’s Restaurant, quietly choosing between the eggs benedict and the fresh papaya bowl. It’s the kind of breakfast that doesn’t just nourish, it gives you permission to explore. Because what awaits just beyond the hedges is a full day of nature, culture, and curated calm, all within reach.
Whether you’re the type to chase waterfalls, chat with giraffes, or admire artisan craft with a story, Karen offers more than just a pretty suburb. It’s where soft adventure, colonial charm, and leafy wonder meet. And when you’re staying or dining at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden, you’re already at the heart of it. So, lace up your shoes or slide into something stylish, and let the day unfold.
Oloolua Nature Trail
Just a five-minute drive from your breakfast table, the Oloolua Nature Trail feels like a secret tucked into the edge of Nairobi. Tall bamboo groves hush the air as you walk. A waterfall gurgles in the distance. Caves carved into time hint at ancient stories. The full loop takes about 90 minutes at a gentle pace. Expect birdsong, shaded paths, and the occasional colobus monkey. It’s the kind of place that invites you to breathe deeper and think slower. And when you return? The garden lunch menu is waiting. Start with the chilled avocado soup
A Kiss from the Giraffe Centre
There are few things more delightful (or Instagram-worthy) than being eye-to-eye with a giraffe. At the nearby Giraffe Centre, you can feed and yes, possibly get kissed by the endangered Rothschild giraffes that call this area home. Staying at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden? Let us book it for you. We’ll handle the transport and have a chilled glass waiting for your return. All you need to do is lean in.
Kazuri Beads
Before it was a global name, Kazuri began right here in Karen as a single pottery workshop empowering local women through craft. Today, it’s a working studio where every bead is hand-shaped, hand-painted, and full of story. Tour the factory. Meet the artists. Then find something for someone back home. Or better yet, just step into the Souvenir Shop by Karen Blixen we proudly stock select Kazuri pieces on-site.
Staying In Can Still Take You Away
Maybe you don’t want to go far. Maybe the most soul-soothing thing you can do is settle into a bench beneath the jacarandas and listen. At Karen Blixen Coffee Garden, the gardens themselves are part of the experience. Watch sunbirds dart between hibiscus. Feel the breeze move through acacias. Let the world soften. Order something floral from the tea menu. Leave your phone in your room.
Why It All Comes Back to the Garden
There are few places in Nairobi where nature, comfort, and heritage converge so effortlessly. Here, you’re not commuting to adventure you’re living within it. You’re not finding luxury at the end of a journeyyou’re waking up in it. nSo whether you’re in Karen for a weekend retreat, a safari stopover, or a long brunch with old friends, Karen Blixen Coffee Garden is your doorway to a different rhythm of travel. Let your next adventure begin at breakfast.
