Where Nairobi Gets Personal 

I am Daniel Njiriri, and I’ve been part of the Angama family since 2015. I started as a Guide in the Mara, and after a wonderful time there, I moved to Nairobi in 2023 to become Angama’s city-based Guide. It’s a role I truly love — being the first person to welcome guests to Kenya and the last person to wave them off, often with hugs and a few joyful tears.   

Every guest arrives with different interests, so I tailor each Nairobi experience to suit them. Some are keen to see wildlife straight away, so we visit the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or even Nairobi National Park. For guests who want to meet people and understand everyday life, we explore the city centre, visit the Kibera settlement, spend time at local businesses like Ubuntu Life, Browns Cheese Farm, or the glass blowers at Kitengela. For those interested in coffee, we suggest the Karunguru coffee farm tour.   

To do this job well, you have to know Kenya's history, the people, and the places our guests will want to go next. I curate the day based on each guest. Once, I guided two curious teenagers who wanted to immerse themselves with the locals of Nairobi, learning how they do their business as small traders in a market. The boys spent the day selling products and working alongside mechanics. In true Nairobi style, I ended the tour with a personal touch, knowing they would enjoy a ride in a matatu. They were delighted with their experience.

Another place I see guests so happy is Kobe Tough, a Maasai women's project of about 60 ladies in Karen. They take you through the process all the way to beautiful beads and then necklaces as they sing and dance together with guests.  

Founded in 2019 as a direct response to climate change in the Maasai Mara. Today, Kobe Tough employs 470 women — 70 in its workshop in Karen and 400 across Maasai Villages. These makers can now support their families and rebuild their lives after the effects of COVID-19, and the team has purchased land to build a permanent home on the outskirts of Nairobi.  

They began with a few beaded items and have since created a world first: Maasai beaded Apple Watch bands. Since then, they've expanded their craft to include ceramic beads, becoming Kenya's largest maker of ceramic bead jewellery and Maasai beadwork. They are reimagining the Maasai sandal, improving its durability, fashionability and quality.

Guests can expect an authentic and warm African experience where artistry is woven into interaction. More than just handmade jewellery, the hope is that visitors leave carrying the story, spirit, and soul of the women behind the work.