KAREN BLIXEN COFFEE GARDEN AND COTTAGES - NAIROBI - KENYA:
Dr. Bonnie Dunbar of Houston, Texas (see curriculum vitae under Dr. Dunbar's background) was given the rare opportunity to buy the property previously known as the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden in Karen, Kenya (about 30 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International airport and downtown Nairobi). The property was purchased from Mr. Frank Sutton, a former Safari Guide and long time friend of Bonnie’s before he passed away in December 2000.

It is the site of the original farmhouse of the property, which now is near the Karen Blixen Museum (of “Out of Africa”) and about half a mile from the Karen Golf and Country Club where guests can enjoy golfing, tennis, squash, as well as other activities.

During Dr. Dunbar’s years of working and traveling in Africa, she has made special friends with numerous Kenyan ranchers, farmers, wildlife scientists and safari guides. She would like to share her experiences and her passion for Africa through this special project.

A stay over at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden provides many special opportunities including:
- A visit to one of the most romantic pieces of property in the history of the Africa during the 20th century.
- A place to call “home” on your way to paradise in the Kenyan “bush”.
- A refreshing alternative for business accommodations if you are not doing business in downtown Nairobi, with all the services of a large hotel.
- The Coffee Garden sits only 5 ½ acres of land with large hundred year old trees and a beautiful garden with hundreds of different varieties of blooming flowers, and a large population of birds.

Office facilities include a reception area and small business center. The Swedo house is available as a lounge for cottage guests, but can also be used as a small business conference center that can facilitate meetings of up to 17 people.

The Kifaru Gift Shop has art from local artists as well as a wide range of local artifacts. The Glass Gallery features the best in Glass Art by Philippa Simpsom. Artists can be viewed carving glass and Federal Express shipment is available. A full service beauty shop is also open next to the gift shop.

Renovation of the property has included rainwater capture systems, water filtration systems, renovated sewage systems, a large back-up generator and a sound proof generator house, resurfacing and landscaping of the and a substantial perimeter wall with hundreds of bougainvillea and bamboo plants for extra seclusion and security.

The indoor L'amour restaurant and bar were designed by Danish Architect, Thomas Gronlyke. (All buildings have been constructed to match the façade of the historical Swedo House). The restaurant has two large fireplaces and opens onto a covered verandah for outdoor dining on rainy days. The indoor restaurant and verandah will seat over 100 diners. The garden will seat 100+ diners and can also be expanded with garden tents for special functions.

The mahogany bar opens to its own verandah and has an indoor/outdoor fireplace. The bar is a popular place for mingling with locals and has a large screen TV for major news and sporting events, dart board, other game boards.

The Grand Marquee Sultan style tent is available for 'royal style' wedding functions, dinners and conferences. We now host regular performing art events including 'Dinner Theatre' in the grand tent.

These buildings are located in the midst of one of the largest and oldest formal gardens in Kenya and include huge jacaranda, candelabra cactus and bottle brush and other trees and over 200 species of blooming flower varieties.

Office facilities include a reception area and small business center. The Swedo house is available as a lounge for cottage guests, but can also be used as a small business conference center that can facilitate meetings of up to 17 people.

The Kifaru Gift Shop has art from local artists as well as a wide range of local artifacts. The Glass Gallery features the best in Glass Art by Philippa Simpsom. Artists can be viewed carving glass and Federal Express shipment is available. A full service beauty shop is also open next to the gift shop.

Renovation of the property has included rainwater capture systems, water filtration systems, renovated sewage systems, a large back-up generator and a sound proof generator house, resurfacing and landscaping of the and a substantial perimeter wall with hundreds of bougainvillea and bamboo plants for extra seclusion and security.

The cottages and restaurant are within a few minutes drive to the Nairobi National Wildlife Park. In route to the Coffee Gardens guests can be taken from the international airport and within 10 minutes be on their first safari game drive through Nairobi National Park. They will exit on the Langata side of the park to arrive at the Coffee Gardens and Cottages within 10 minutes.

The cottages and restaurant is located within 15 minutes of the Kenya Wildlife Service headquarters and zoo and within 10 minutes of the Sheldrick elephant and rhino orphanage.

The Karen Blixen Coffee Garden is five minutes from the small town of Karen and the new Karen Connection shopping centre that have banks, pharmacies, local restaurants, medical facilities, etc.

The cottages are about a half mile from the Karen Country and Golf Club. Arrangements can be made for guests staying at the cottages to use the country club facilities which include, golf, tennis and pool facilities.

The cottages are only two miles from a sanctuary managed by the National Museums of Kenya. Guided nature walks for clients on those grounds and horse riding trips can also be arranged through this wildlife reserve.

A new multiple screen movie theatre in a major shopping center, " The Junction" is only ten minutes away.

Aake Sorgren, who was the Swedish Consul in British East Africa until 1913 formed the Swedo-African Coffee Company. Sorgren and Sir Northrup MacMillan formed the Swedo African Coffee Company from this house and later commissioned Bogani House in 1912 (the house featured in the movie "Out of Africa" (now known as the Karen Blixen Museum).

Bror Blixen bought the Coffee Company in 1913 for his wife Karen. The Swedo House played a central role in the Coffee Company and served as the farm manager's house. Karen Blixen (known by her pen name Isak Dinesen) spent a great deal of time at the Swedo House and her brother, Thomas Dinesen resided in this house for several years.

While the Bogani House represents the second generation of colonial residential architecture, the Swedo House represents the first generation of houses. These houses were constructed of wooden structures on raised stilts. This typical example of architecture of the pioneering days of Kenya was raised on stilts and had corrugated iron walls which were lined with wood inside and had railed verandahs with arched roof supports. Later the outside walls were modified by removing the corrugated iron and replacing it with cement plastered over chicken wire. The colored window panes still present in the front sitting room were installed early in the history of the house and exist in the present day form. The Swedo house is now available for breakfast, lunch or afternoon teas and for "Out of Africa" style candlelight dining by the old stone fireplace.

KAREN BLIXEN COFFEE GARDEN AND COTTAGES:
The cottages are located in Karen, a beautiful, peaceful suburb approximately 20 miles from downtown Nairobi. The cottages are located in the midst of one of the oldest formal gardens in Kenya which have huge jacaranda, candelabra,cactus, bottlebrush, and other trees. Over 200 types of flowers bloom through the year and numerous bird feeders attract hundreds of varieties of birds.

Cottage facilities house as many as 30 guests. Eight of the cottages have individual suites and three have two bedroom suites with a common large sitting room. The honeymoon cottage has a large bedroom and sitting room each with a fireplace.

The cottages have been designed after the historic Swedo House to give a sense of reliving history in elegant style. All well appointed cottages have hi-beam ceilings with fireplaces, wood and mazeras stone floors. Mini bars, satellite TVs and internet connections have also been installed.

Each bedroom has a large bathroom with its own shower and bath. Internet connections and phones are available in all rooms. Three cottages have two private suites with a separate dressing room.

All cottages have a verandah for relaxing while enjoying the birds, butterflies and flowers of the garden. We provide feeders to attract a wide variety of birds.

Residents can also enjoy twenty-four-hour room service. A private swimming poOl and private garden bar are available for a relaxing afternoon or for small group get togethers. Private outdoor dinner parties by the pool can also be arranged.

KAREN BLIXEN COFFEE GARDEN AND COTTAGES DINING:
The Restaurant is open for breakfast from 7:00hr daily and the kitchen remains open until 22:00hr. (A light menu is available in the bar for late night snacks and a clay pizza oven is being built.) Diners have their choice of five areas for lunch or dinner. Residents can also enjoy dinner in their rooms or poolside.

The outdoor garden is spacious for those who enjoy watching birds and butterflies while dining. On week-ends and holidays numerous live music groups featuring African Music or Easy Listening Music play for additional enjoyment and relaxation or relaxed dining by the fish pond with waterfall.

The restaurant veranda is also a popular place to spend a relaxing lunch and afternoon.

The Large dining room of the romantic L'Amour Restaurant also has large framed windows overlooking the verandah and gardens. It has large suede chairs for comfortable seating and its two large fireplaces provide a warm and cozy atmosphere for raining or chilly days.

For many, the bar and bar verandah are a fun place to have lunch or dinner while playing darts, board games, or watching news or sporting events.

The refurbished c.1910 Swedo House is available daily as a lounge for guests or for tea or cappuccino or for romantic dining by the fireplace. The Swedo House is also a popular venue for receptions, small meetings and formal dinners by reservation.

Gala New Year's Eve, Valentine, St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, Easter Egg Hunts and other holiday parties; Weddings and private parties in the garden or L'Amour Restaurant (up to 150 people). Note: We will always keep one of the restaurants and bar facilities open for our regular clients and guests.
Black tie "Out of Africa" Events including New Year's Eve in the Grand Marquee Tent or Garden Restaurant

NAIROBI:
What once was a remote railway outpost has become the largest city between Johannesburg and Cairo and is Kenya's capital city and the world's safari capital. It has long been the commercial centre of Eastern Africa and one of the world's cross-roads with its international airport servicing most of the world's airlines. Kenya's capital city has risen in a single century from a brackish uninhabited swampland to a thriving modern capital. Nairobi is a city that never seems to sleep. The entire town has a boundless energy, and is a thriving place where all of human life can be found. This is a place of great contrasts where race, tribe and origin all become facets of a unique Nairobi character. Some of the places to visit whilst in Nairobi include; the National Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, McMillan Memorial Library, Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Parliament Buildings, Nairobi National Park, the Snake Park, National Museum, Bomas of Kenya (for traditional dancing and tribal villages), Nairobi Races (horse racing on Sundays), and the National International Show (August/September/October). Nairobi also has several modern cinemas in the city centre and two drive-in cinemas.

The City Market on Muindi Mbingu Street is worth a visit if you are shopping for curios. Depending on how good your bartering is, you can get a good bargain be it soapstone carvings, wood carvings or other handicrafts. The city has not lost its sense of the past, with an excellent museum and the historical home of Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa open to visitors.

From the wildlife to the nightlife, Nairobi is a city unlike any other. With a fantastic music scene, excellent international restaurants and an endless and colourful array of shops and markets, there is plenty on offer for the visitor.