Some 62 years ago, just after Kenya attained its independence, Alan Donovan arrived in Kenya and got to work on the building of the iconic African Heritage House. Donovan created this marvellous structure that stands as Africa’s most photographed building. He also co-founded the African Heritage Gallery together with the late Joseph Murumbi, who served as Kenya’s first Vice President.
Overlooking the mighty Nairobi National Park sprawling from one end of the city into Kajiado and Machakos counties, the African Heritage House is breathtakingly beautiful. It is a one-stop point for the African culture and the African art collection. Now, this iconic architectural marvel went on sale for $ 2,991,175 (Ksh322 million) in 202. What’s so special about this house?
What is the History of the African Heritage House?
African Heritage House is a stunning collection of mud architectures from across Africa with an endless list of an invaluable collection of African art. There are an estimated 6,000 pieces of art collected across Africa on exhibit at this American-designed house. The house sits on 7.7 acres of land, spreading to the edge of the Nairobi National Park. When he arrived in Kenya in 1970, Donovan who is now 84 years old, visited Turkana in the far north. He was amazed by the rich cultural artefacts in the north despite it being arid.
African Heritage House is the most photographed safari destination in Africa. Overlooking the mighty Nairobi National Park sprawling from one end of the city into Kajiado and Machakos counties, the African Heritage House is breathtakingly beautiful. Photo/TripAdvisor
The American-born art lover collected a few artefacts, and this is what birthed the African Heritage House where he held his first-ever art exhibition in the same year. He also met Murumbi, who was a thriving private art collector. Together, they teamed up and opened the African Heritage gallery – the first Pan African gallery on the African continent, in 1972. More than 40 years later, Donovan felt it was time to hand over the mantle to another caring lover of African art to take care of the precious house.
He told The Standard in an interview that his decision to sell the house came about because of the deep connection he had with the place. He wanted to hand it over to someone else who would take care of it. Donovan stated that he was too old to take care of the house as per his wishes. Already, the African Heritage House is a national monument in Kenya, a status it acquired in 2016 following the government’s recognition.
In January 2016, the House was declared a national monument. Once sold, the status of the house remained unless the new owner changed its architectural design. Donovan hoped that the new owner of the house would continue safeguarding Africa’s heritage through artefacts that he and Sheila, Murumbi’s wife, preserved over the years.
Alan Donovan built the African Heritage House, Kenya’s most photographed safari destination. He sold it in 2021 citing old age which made it impossible for him to take care of the house. Photo/
Donovan designed the house with guest services. You can spend as much time as you wish in the house while immersing yourself in the beautiful art collected from every corner of Africa. All over the guest facilities at the African Heritage, bits of African art from Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt and other places make up the furnishing.
The House has a lunch menu for 28 people and a guided tour of the African Heritage House. The lunch comes with free access to a large swimming pool that overlooks the Nairobi National Park. It costs $40 per person for lunch, which is inclusive of your favourite glass of wine or beer. A sundowner dinner and a guided tour of the African House follow. Again, the menu caters for 25 people with the best of meals on offer and sundowners to while away the evening as the sunsets at the vast Nairobi National Park.
How Much Does it cost to go to the African Heritage House?
A guided tour of the iconic African Heritage House requires advance booking and costs as follows:
- Ksh 4,000 minimum for up to 4 guests
- Ksh 1,000 for each additional person
The tour takes two hours. Guests can access the sculpture garden, poolside grounds, four floors of curated African art and architecture. In addition, they access a rooftop lookout with panoramic views of the park and Ngong Hills.
