Nairobi Kibera: Walking Tour, Toi Market & Local Home Visit

Summary

Walk Nairobi’s Kibera slum meet locals see Toi Market crafts & school

You’ll walk through Nairobi’s Kibera slum with a local guide, wander the vibrant Toi Market, visit a community crafts center, step inside a family home for chai, and see how your booking supports children at Hope and Shine School. Expect laughter, honest conversations, new smells and tastes — plus moments that stay with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sound — not noise exactly, but layers of life all at once. We met Lucas outside Greenhouse Mall, where he greeted us with this huge smile and a quick rundown of what we’d see in Kibera. I remember feeling a bit nervous, honestly — it’s one thing to read about Africa’s largest urban slum, another to stand right there on the edge of it. The air was warm and carried a mix of charcoal smoke and something sweet from street stalls nearby.

We walked into Toi Market together, and suddenly everything was color and movement. Sellers called out in Swahili (I tried to say “asante” back — Lucas laughed at my accent), piles of secondhand clothes everywhere, radios playing different songs at once. There was this woman selling fried dough balls; she handed me one, still hot, and I burned my fingers a little but didn’t mind. It tasted like cardamom and oil. Lucas seemed to know everyone — always stopping to chat or wave.

Later we ducked into a small workshop where women were making jewelry from animal bones and brass. The tools looked worn smooth from years of use. One woman showed me how she polishes each bead by hand; her palms were strong but gentle. She said something quietly about teaching her daughter this craft so she could go to school someday. That stuck with me.

The home visit surprised me most — Lucas invited us into his place, which was smaller than my bedroom back home but somehow felt full of warmth anyway. His sister made us chai on a tiny stove while we talked about football and music (she likes Sauti Sol). Before leaving, we stopped at Hope and Shine Centre where kids waved from the classroom windows — some shouted “hello!” in perfect English. It made me think about how much happens here that never makes the news, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kibera slum and local sites

• Meet at Greenhouse mall
• Brief guests on tour plan
• Visit Toi Market and interact
• See crafts made from animal bones
• Meet women at Power Women shop
• Home visit inside slum house
• Visit Hope and Shine Kibera Centre

Top questions

Is the Kibera slum tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Does the tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; guests meet at Greenhouse Mall on Ngong Road.

What markets do you visit during the Kibera tour?

The tour includes Toi Market, Nairobi’s second largest open-air market.

Will I get to visit a local home in Kibera?

Yes, the experience includes visiting one of the guide’s homes inside Kibera.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

Are there child-friendly options on this tour?

Infants can ride in prams or strollers and must sit on an adult’s lap.

How does this tour support the local community?

A portion of income supports Hope and Shine Kibera Centre school for over 40 children.

What’s included

Your day includes all entry fees and taxes as you walk through Kibera with your local guide; you’ll explore Toi Market, visit craft workshops and shops run by women educators, step inside a family home for conversation (and sometimes chai), then see firsthand how your booking helps support education at Hope and Shine Centre before returning independently from Greenhouse Mall.