Bomas of Kenya at a glance
Bomas of Kenya is Kenya's national cultural center. It opened in 1971 as a place for traditional dance and cultural programs, and it is known for its collection of traditional homesteads. Visitors used to come for the daily dance shows and for a walk through the homesteads.
That is no longer a safe plan. The center announced a closure of the site in March 2025, first for two months. As of August 2026, village visits and daily shows remain suspended while the site is converted into a congress complex. Do not build a day in Nairobi around a Bomas show. If you want culture and history on the same trip, the Nairobi National Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum are open every day, and the Nairobi tours below cover the wildlife side of the city.
What Bomas of Kenya is
The background, so you know what the name refers to.
A national cultural center
Bomas of Kenya was set up in 1971 to present Kenya's traditional culture, with dance and music at the center of the program. It is a cultural venue, not a wildlife park, and it has no connection to Nairobi National Park.
Dance and cultural programs
The classic visit was a scheduled dance show in a hall, followed by time outside. Dance and cultural performances are the main reason people came. Do not rely on any 2026 show time or ticket price, because the program on site is paused.
Traditional homesteads
The site includes traditional homesteads built as round huts. Walking through them was the second part of a visit. During the renovation, village visits are not offered as a sure thing.
Performances elsewhere
When the closure was announced in March 2025, the center said that cultural performances away from the site would continue. That is a different offer from a show at the old venue, so do not treat it as a reopening.
Our pick: a city walk on culture and traditions
Visits at the Bomas are not confirmed at the moment, so this walk is a way to see Nairobi's history, culture and traditions in the city centre instead.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Nairobi tours and wildlife visits
Game drives in the national park, giraffe and elephant visits and city tours, with live prices and availability.
Renovation and visitor status
The timeline in three steps.
| When | What happened | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | The national cultural center is founded | Long-running venue for traditional dance and culture |
| 24 March 2025 | A closure of the site is announced, first for two months, with performances elsewhere continuing | An announced length is not a reopening date |
| August 2026 | Village visits and daily shows are suspended during the conversion into a congress complex | Treat shows and homesteads as not available |
Websites for Bomas visits that appear in search results, including simple prototype pages, are not visitor information from the center. Do not pay a deposit or book a transfer on the strength of one.
Culture in Nairobi instead
Four stops with a clear visiting pattern.
Nairobi National Museum
Fossils, culture and history, plus the Snake Park. Open daily 08:30–17:30.
Karen Blixen Museum
A farmhouse built in 1912, with period rooms and guided house and garden visits.
Things to do in Nairobi
Museums, wildlife visits and nature in one list.
Karura Forest
Forest trails and a waterfall inside the city.
One more stop for crafts: a bead workshop in Nairobi's Karen area, Kazuri, offers a free workshop tour that you arrange in advance. It shows how ceramic beads are made by hand, fired and painted. It is a separate workshop and not the same as the bead bar workshop for visitors.
How to compare your options
What you can rely on for a half day of culture.
| Stop | Hours | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Bomas of Kenya | – | Shows and homesteads on hold during the rebuild |
| Nairobi National Museum | Daily 08:30–17:30, holidays included | Human origins, culture, natural history and the Snake Park |
| Karen Blixen Museum | Daily 08:30–17:30, holidays included | The historic house, farm tools and marked native trees |
| Kazuri bead workshop | By arrangement | A free workshop tour of hand-made ceramic beads |
For most visitors who want culture and history on one afternoon, the National Museum is the most reliable choice, and the Karen Blixen Museum pairs well with a morning in the Karen area.
Before you go
Simple steps if you still want to include Bomas of Kenya.
Check the current status first
Ask your hotel or driver to confirm that shows and homestead visits are running on the day you want. If they are not, you lose nothing by planning a museum instead.
Do not prepay a show
Do not pay in advance for a dance show or transfer that is not confirmed in writing by the venue itself.
Keep a second plan
Pick one of the museums above as a backup, so a closed gate does not cost you the afternoon. The page on things to do in Nairobi lists more options.
Check the surroundings
The weather, traffic and your arrival time all matter on a city day. See the Nairobi weather page for the rainy seasons.
Bomas of Kenya: frequently asked questions
Is Bomas of Kenya open for visitors?
Do not count on it. Village visits and daily shows have been on hold since the site closure announced in March 2025, and as of August 2026 they remain suspended during the conversion into a congress complex.
Can I still see a Bomas dance show?
Shows at the old venue are not a sure thing. The center said in March 2025 that performances away from the site would continue, but that is a separate offer. Check any show with the venue before you plan around it.
When did Bomas of Kenya open?
The national cultural center was founded in 1971, with traditional dance and cultural programs as its core.
What can I visit in Nairobi instead?
The Nairobi National Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum are open every day from 08:30 to 17:30, holidays included. Karura Forest and the Giraffe Centre are good outdoor options. See the museum page and the Giraffe Centre page.
What are the entry fees?
There is no 2026 fee to give while the program is on hold. For museum tariffs, see the National Museum page.
Is this the official Bomas of Kenya website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by Bomas of Kenya, a museum or any operator, and it does not take bookings for the centre.