# National Museum of Kenya — Nairobi, Kenya

> The National Museum of Kenya on Museum Hill in Nairobi is East Africa's flagship museum. Founded in 1910 as the Coryndon Museum, it was renamed after independence and has undergone major renovation to become a modern cultural centre.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Daily: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Admission: From KSh1,200 foreign visitors
- Free entry: East African residents discounted · Children under 16 half price
- Address: Museum Hill, Nairobi, Kenya
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
- Official website: https://museums.or.ke/nairobi-national-museum/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Turkana Boy — Homo erectus · c. 1.6 million years ago
- Early Stone Tools — Oldowan culture · c. 2 million years ago
- Kenya Wildlife Dioramas — Natural history · permanent
- Contemporary East African Art — Various · rotating

## FAQ
**What is the National Museum of Kenya known for?**
Human origins galleries featuring fossils from the Leakey family's East African excavations — some of the oldest hominid evidence ever found. Also strong on Kenyan wildlife and contemporary art.

**How long should I spend at National Museum of Kenya?**
Plan 2 hours for the highlights. Emotionally intense history museums reward unhurried visits — allow longer if reading extensively.

**What is National Museum of Kenya best known for?**
East Africa's flagship museum on Museum Hill — human origins, the Leakey family collections, Kenyan wildlife dioramas, and contemporary East African art under one roof. Key highlights include Human origins and Leakey family fossils, Kenyan wildlife dioramas, Snake park and reptile house.

**How do I get tickets for National Museum of Kenya?**
From KSh1,200 foreign visitors East African residents discounted · Children under 16 half price. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://museums.or.ke/nairobi-national-museum/

**What is the connection to the Leakey family?**
Louis, Mary, and Richard Leakey conducted decades of excavations in the East African Rift Valley, discovering key hominid fossils. The museum's human origins gallery displays many of these finds and tells the story of human evolution in Africa.

**Is the snake park included in admission?**
The snake park is a separate attraction on the same campus. A combined ticket is available at the main entrance. It houses venomous and non-venomous snakes found in Kenya.

**Can I visit the National Museum and Nairobi National Park in one day?**
Yes — Nairobi National Park is a 20-minute drive south. Many visitors combine the museum in the morning with an afternoon safari in the park — the only national park bordering a capital city.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/national-museum-of-kenya/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.