Authentic Kenyan Craft Shopping Before or After Your Nairobi National Park Safari
If you’re planning a Nairobi National Park day trip, you can easily add a custom Masai Market Tour to your itinerary — either before or after your safari. NairobiPark.org offers flexible private tours that fit seamlessly around your schedule, whether you’re in the city for a few hours or the entire day.
Our Masai Market Tours are conducted in a comfortable Toyota Noah minivan, not a safari Land Cruiser, since the markets are within the city and don’t require 4×4 capability. The Noah’s smaller size makes it easier to navigate Nairobi traffic, park near markets, and keep your costs lower — while still offering full air-conditioning and comfortable seating.
We pick you up directly from your hotel, Airbnb, or airport (JKIA/Wilson) and take you on a guided market circuit lasting up to 5 hours, visiting one or two of Nairobi’s best Masai Markets depending on the day and your interests.
🌍 Why Take a Guided Masai Market Tour
Nairobi’s Masai Markets are famous for their color, energy, and artistry — but they can also feel overwhelming for first-time visitors. Prices are not standardized, haggling is expected, and it’s easy to pay double what locals do if you don’t know the real value of items.
🧭 Why You Need a Driver-Guide
Our driver-guides are not just chauffeurs — they’re experienced local negotiators and market insiders. Having them by your side ensures you:
- Understand fair prices before you start shopping — many first-time visitors report on travel forums that initial quotes are 2–3× higher for foreigners.
- Know where to find what you want, whether it’s authentic Maasai beadwork, high-quality leather sandals, or hand-carved sculptures.
- Shop confidently and respectfully, with tips on how to haggle politely and when not to push too far.
- Identify trustworthy stalls that display prices openly or offer honest bargaining, so you avoid tourist traps.
- Navigate between markets efficiently, especially if you want to see more than one venue (for example, Yaya Centre and Village Market on the same afternoon).
💬 What Travelers Say
According to numerous traveler discussions on TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet Thorn Tree, and Reddit travel threads, haggling at the Masai Markets is part of the fun — but also a challenge:
- Many visitors admit they’re unsure whether they’re overpaying.
- Some prefer vendors with fixed prices, but these can be limited.
- Most agree that having a local guide or driver who knows the vendors makes the experience smoother, fairer, and more enjoyable.
Our guides ensure you get authentic items at reasonable prices, understand the stories behind what you buy, and support the artisans directly — without unnecessary markups.
🎨 What You’ll Find at the Masai Markets
- Beaded Jewelry: Maasai necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and belts — each color and pattern has cultural meaning.
- Textiles & Shukas: Brightly colored checked cloths, kikoys, and scarves.
- Woodcarvings & Sculptures: Hand-carved elephants, rhinos, lions, and masks.
- Leather Goods: Handmade sandals, belts, wallets, and handbags.
- Art & Paintings: Colorful wildlife and landscape pieces by Nairobi artists.
- Home Décor: Baskets, placemats, calabash, pottery, and ornaments.
- Souvenirs: Maasai shields, drums, magnets, keychains, and curios.
🗓️ Best Masai Markets in Nairobi (Days & Highlights)
| Market | Days | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Village Market | Fridays | Gigiri (off Limuru Rd) | Upscale, calm, ideal for first-time shoppers. |
| Yaya Centre | Sundays | Kilimani (Argwings Kodhek Rd) | Central, diverse, large artisan mix. |
| Nairobi High Court | Saturdays | City Centre | Bustling, authentic, best for bargains. |
| Two Rivers Mall | Daily | Runda (Limuru Rd) | Organized, tourist-friendly setting. |
| Capital Centre | Wednesdays | Mombasa Rd, South C | Quieter, easy browsing; close to JKIA. |
| Galleria Mall | Thursdays | Lang’ata Rd, Karen | Family-friendly; near Nairobi National Park. |
| Lavington Mall | Daily (varies) | James Gichuru Rd | Small and calm, perfect for relaxed shopping. |
| Westgate Mall | Saturdays | Westlands | Stylish, upscale artisans and décor. |
| Junction Mall | Fridays | Ngong Rd | Balanced selection of crafts and textiles. |
| Adam’s Arcade | Mondays | Kilimani | Quiet, affordable, great for last-minute shopping. |
Your driver-guide will confirm the best market for your travel date — or combine two if your schedule allows.
🧾 Tour Details
⏱ Duration: Up to 5 hours
🚐 Vehicle: Toyota Noah Minivan (AC, 6 passengers max)
📍 Pick-up: Any hotel, Airbnb, JKIA or Wilson Airport
🛍 Stops: 1–2 Masai Markets (depending on day and interest)
🍴 Optional: Coffee or lunch stop at a nearby café/mall
💰 Tour Pricing (Private, All-Inclusive Transport)
| Group Size | Toyota Noah Rate (Total / Per Person) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $100 total |
| 2 people | $70 per person |
| 3 people | $60 per person |
| 4 people | $50 per person |
| 5 people | $40 per person |
| 6 people | $35 per person |
Includes:
- Private air-conditioned Toyota Noah
- Driver-guide and market escort
- Bottled water in vehicle
- Hotel / Airport pick-up and drop-off
Excludes:
- Your purchases at the markets
- Meals / beverages
- Tips (optional)
🕓 Suggested Timing Options
- Morning Option (9:00 AM–1:30 PM): Ideal if you have a late flight or want to shop before crowds.
- Afternoon Option (1:00–5:30 PM): Perfect after your morning Nairobi National Park safari.
- Layover Option (Flexible): Timed around your flight; we prioritize markets near Capital Centre or Village Market for easy access.
🛍️ How to Haggle Like a Local (with Help from Your Guide)
Haggling at the Masai Markets is part of the Nairobi experience — an art form blending humor, patience, and cultural etiquette. Yet for many visitors, it can be intimidating.
Why it feels tricky:
- Prices often start 2–3 times higher than local rates.
- No set price tags — vendors adjust depending on perceived tourist familiarity.
- Some stalls use fixed-price displays, but these are in the minority.
- Bargaining too aggressively can cause offense or ruin rapport.
How your driver-guide helps:
- Sets expectations before entering (typical range for each item type).
- Advises which stalls are fair and where artisans sell directly.
- Steps in politely if a vendor quotes something unreasonable.
- Coaches you to bargain respectfully — starting around half the asking price and working upward with humor and appreciation.
- Ensures you pay fair local rates without getting overcharged.
With a good guide, you don’t just “shop” — you learn the cultural rhythm of Kenyan markets, meet real artisans, and take home pieces whose stories you understand.
🧳 Add-On Options
If you’d like to combine shopping with a touch of culture, we can easily add:
- Giraffe Centre or Elephant Orphanage (DSWT) visit.
- Kazuri Beads Factory Tour in Karen — to see bead-making firsthand.
- Karen Blixen Museum or Bomas of Kenya for a cultural afternoon.
- Nairobi National Park morning safari if you want the full combo day.
💳 Booking & Payment
- Reserve with a 50% deposit via secure Pesapal link (card or mobile money).
- Balance payable on the day (card, M-Pesa, or cash).
- Cancellation Policy:
- 31+ days: full refund
- 15–30 days: 50% refund
- 8–14 days: 25% refund
- Within 7 days: non-refundable
✉️ Ready to Book?
Tell us:
- Your preferred date
- Whether you want the markets only or combo with other Nairobi attractions
- Your pick-up location and number of people
We’ll confirm the best markets open that day, share your exact rate, and send your payment link to reserve your driver and vehicle.