African Heritage

Alan Donovan’s African Heritage House at the edge of the National Park

Alan Donovan’s African Heritage House is a hidden gem in the outskirts of Nairobi. The eye-catching building stands out on the small hill where it is located, and offers a splendid view of Nairobi National Park.

He designed the building himself, inspired by the mud architecture of West Africa. He claims his home is the “most photographed house in Africa”, featured in most of the top publications on Earth. The place remains notoriously hard to find, though.

Having collected and traded African handicraft arts for most of his life, Donovan now runs African Heritage as a private museum and guesthouse.

African Heritage is not open to the general public, You need to contact the owner to arrange a tour, and he is not big on advertising! He doesn’t seem to need it either, as there always seems to be a group visiting.

Alan Donovan also runs a small restaurant. Definitely a recommendable addition when visiting.

The tour offers an impressive insight into a collection of both modern and traditional carvings, paintings, woven fabric and jewelry collected by Donovan and other contributors throughout a lifetime.

African Heritage also offers hotel services, with 6 room for hire, for those who want the fullest experience of the place.

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