Is Kazuri Beads Factory free to enter?

Yes. There is no entry fee for adults or children at Kazuri Beads Factory. Checked 22 Oct 2026.

What are the Kazuri Beads Factory opening hours?

Mon-Sat 8:30am to 5:30pm; closed Sundays. Busiest: Late mornings when tour buses stop in.

Is Kazuri Beads Factory suitable for toddlers and young children?

Not ideal. Kazuri Beads Factory suits older children better. Minimum age: No minimum age. Working factory with kilns ? keep children close on the tour; closed Sundays.

What payment methods does Kazuri Beads Factory accept?

Kazuri Beads Factory accepts M-Pesa, Card, Cash.

Is Kazuri Beads Factory accessible, and is there parking?

Access and parking: Free parking, Public transport nearby.

What is the best time to visit Kazuri Beads Factory?

Weekday mornings before tour groups arrive. It is busiest Late mornings when tour buses stop in.

How do you get to Kazuri Beads Factory?

~15 km, 25-40 min from CBD. Ride-hailing: KES 500-900 one way from CBD. Public transport: No direct matatu to the gate; ride-hailing recommended On Mbagathi Ridge in Karen, a 10-minute walk from Karen Blixen Museum

Kazuri Beads Factory in Karen, Nairobi: Hours, Facilities and Family Guide

Museums and history in Karen, Nairobi

Last updated: 22 October 2026. Phone and email; whether Sunday opening has changed (one source lists Sunday hours)

Photo: Auto-generated feature card

Kazuri Beads Factory in Karen offers free guided tours of a working ceramic jewellery workshop that employs hundreds of single mothers. Entry is free, open Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 5:30pm (closed Sundays). Plan about 1 hour for the tour, more for shopping.

📍 Location

Mbagathi Ridge, Karen, Nairobi, Karen, Nairobi

GPS: -1.35, 36.7

🗺️ Open in Google Maps

What is Kazuri Beads Factory?

Kazuri ? 'small and beautiful' in Swahili ? is a working ceramic bead and pottery factory in Karen, founded in 1975 to employ single mothers. The guided factory tour is free: you walk the workshop floor watching clay being kneaded, shaped into beads, fired, hand-painted and fired again, while hundreds of artisans chat at their benches.

The tour takes about an hour and ends in the shop, where buying a bracelet or necklace is the appreciated way to support the cooperative. Closed Sundays. Great combined with Karen Blixen Museum (10-minute walk) and the Giraffe Centre.

Founded in 1975 by Lady Susan Wood with two women, Kazuri now employs several hundred local women ? mostly single mothers ? paying fair-trade wages with healthcare and childcare support. It is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization, and its beads are sold worldwide.

Free entryNo entry fee for adults or children. Food, activities and rentals are extra. Prices checked 22 Oct 2026.

💡 Money-saving tips for families

It's free One of Nairobi's best free family activities ? just don't come on Sunday
Go before 10am Beat the tour buses for a calmer workshop floor
Small beads, big smiles Simple bracelets start at modest prices if kids want a souvenir

Is it right for your child's age?

Age group	Verdict	What to expect
0-2 years	Okay	Carrier better than stroller on the workshop floor
3-5 years	Okay	Colourful painting tables hold attention briefly
6-9 years	Good	Watching clay become jewellery fascinates
10-12 years	Great	Real insight into craft and fair trade
13+ years	Great	Especially with an interest in design or social enterprise

Perfect visit planner

How much time do you have? Pick your window and we'll show you the ideal sequence.

Choose your time window

= karen craft morning

9:0

arriveask for the free guided tour

9:15

workshop floorclay, shaping, firing and painting stages

10:0

kiln roomsee the final firing

10:15

shoplet kids pick a bracelet

10:45

karen blixen museum10-minute walk for the house tour

Key details

Address

Mbagathi Ridge, Karen, Nairobi, Nairobi

GPS coordinates

-1.35, 36.7

Opening hours

Mon-Sat 8:30am to 5:30pm; closed Sundays Open now

How long to plan

1 to 1.5 hours

Suitable ages

5 years and up

Setting

Indoor

Booking

Walk-in

Payment accepted

M-Pesa
Card
Cash

Phone

+254202323890

What to expect when you visit

Walk in during opening hours and ask for the free guided tour ? no booking needed.

Follow the guide through the production stages: clay processing, bead shaping, first firing, hand-painting and glazing, and the final firing.

Finish in the shop ? purchases are how visitors support the cooperative, and prices suit most budgets.

What if...?

The questions every parent asks before booking. Tap to expand.

Do we need to book?

No ? walk in during opening hours and request the tour.

Is it really free?

Yes, the tour is free; buying something in the shop is the appreciated gesture.

What about Sundays?

The factory is closed on Sundays ? plan for Monday to Saturday.

Family essentials

Suitable age bands

0–2 years
3–5 years
6–9 years
10–12 years
13+ years

Toddler suitability

Better for older kids

Minimum age

No minimum age

Facilities

Gift shop
Toilets

Access and parking

Free parking
Public transport nearby

Safety notes

Working factory with kilns ? keep children close on the tour; closed Sundays.

Tickets and costs

Free entry rules: Free entry for everyone
Extra costs (activities, rentals, food): Bead jewellery and pottery in the shop (from a few hundred KES)

Plan your visit

Best time to visit: Weekday mornings before tour groups arrive
Busiest times: Late mornings when tour buses stop in
How to get there: On Mbagathi Ridge in Karen, a 10-minute walk from Karen Blixen Museum
By car: ~15 km, 25-40 min from CBD
Uber / Bolt estimate: KES 500-900 one way from CBD
Public transport: No direct matatu to the gate; ride-hailing recommended
Combine with: Karen Blixen Museum (10-min walk); Giraffe Centre; Oloolua Nature Trail
What to bring: Comfortable shoes, some money for the shop

Accessibility deep dive

Here is what to expect on the ground.

?? Walking tour

About an hour on foot, some uneven floors

?? Baby carriers best

Workshop aisles are narrow for strollers

??? Parking

On-site parking available

Combine your visit

Plan the perfect day

Kazuri Beads Free factory tour Mbagathi Ridge

Karen Blixen Museum Farmhouse and gardens 10-minute walk

Giraffe Centre Afternoon feeding 5-10 min drive

Resident family of 4 estimate for all three stops: ~KES 3,600 (Kazuri is free)

What to pack

Tick off what you have. Your list saves automatically on this device.

Family day bag checklist

Comfortable shoes M-Pesa or card for the shop Camera (ask before photographing workers) Water

What visitors say

Family verdict

Curated reviews from parents who visited with children.

★☆☆☆☆

Frequently asked questions

Is Kazuri Beads Factory free to enter?: Yes. There is no entry fee for adults or children at Kazuri Beads Factory. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
What are the Kazuri Beads Factory opening hours?: Mon-Sat 8:30am to 5:30pm; closed Sundays. Busiest: Late mornings when tour buses stop in.
Is Kazuri Beads Factory suitable for toddlers and young children?: Not ideal. Kazuri Beads Factory suits older children better. Minimum age: No minimum age. Working factory with kilns ? keep children close on the tour; closed Sundays.
How long do you need at Kazuri Beads Factory?: Plan for 1 to 1.5 hours.
What payment methods does Kazuri Beads Factory accept?: Kazuri Beads Factory accepts M-Pesa, Card, Cash.
Is Kazuri Beads Factory accessible, and is there parking?: Access and parking: Free parking, Public transport nearby.
What is the best time to visit Kazuri Beads Factory?: Weekday mornings before tour groups arrive. It is busiest Late mornings when tour buses stop in.
How do you get to Kazuri Beads Factory?: ~15 km, 25-40 min from CBD. Ride-hailing: KES 500-900 one way from CBD. Public transport: No direct matatu to the gate; ride-hailing recommended On Mbagathi Ridge in Karen, a 10-minute walk from Karen Blixen Museum