Kitengela Hot Glass: All you need to Know (2024)

Kitengela Hot Glass.

So, Kitengela Hot Glass was my next destination with my friends. The Nani`s Kitengela Hot Glass and Anselm Kitengela Hot Glass, (I will be giving the difference between the two shortly) have been on my bucket list for some time and it couldn`t be a better Safari close but not so near Nairobi.

About 29Kilometers from Nairobi CBD. At the edge of Nairobi National Park, near Ongata Rongai.

Adventurous is an understatement if I was to describe the Kitengela Hot Glass tour, this place is coddiwomple. Not a single boring minute, your jaws keep dropping in every turn you make.

This is a Kenyan Hidden Gem, Before entering the Gem. Better get ready for a grand entrance for the myriad of Glass Art, scrap design Metals, sculptures, and a variety of wild animals along the way. Remember it is on the edge of Nairobi National Park.

When you arrive, Incredible mosaic pathways are leading you to an assortment of treasure troves.

Nani and her family arrived here in the ’70s. they had challenges of attack by the wild animals, at some point.

James told us a stray leopard once killed twenty Sheep and left the one to pass a message but instead it went insane after witnessing that bloodthirst vampire.

There are over 70 workers who live within making it a small community.

After the brief, we started to shove towards the magical kind of a display. Call it a workshop.

Glass Studio.

Kitengela Glass started with Stained glass which Nani who was a muralist studied in London and started her work here in Kenya in 1979.

She used to Import colored Glass but it was becoming expensive, only then did she and her Son Anselm who now runs Anselm Hot Glass Kitengela.

Decided to start recycling Brocken and used glasses, business was good as they were the first to start Glass blowing in Kenya. James added the glass is divided into six categories stated below.

Beads.

A gas-powered furnace is used to make the beads by pulling, twisting, or by flattening for the desired design. Besides the beads, they also make glossy buttons, curtain beads, pebble, rings, Napkin rings, and other beaded items.

Faceted Glass.

This is the type of glass which faceted and has a wide surface and hard making it durable, mostly used for making tables, chairs, Drinking water Glass Among Others. It is hard to break but not unbreakable.

Blown Glass.

I like this method, it looked easy to make but incredibly gives out beautiful results, this glassblowing is a technique that involves inflating molten glass into a bubble, with the aid of a blowing stick (Pipe).

Mosaic Glass.

Mosaic Glass is an Intricate pattern stylized imagery which makes stained glass mosaics an impressive piece of artwork.

Stained Glass.

 

These are the colored windows used to make pictorial glasses it could be designed as house windows and other items. It can also be molded into desired shapes or even sculptured animal-like.

Fusing and Slumping.

The fusing is melting the glass to around 800 degrees Celsius, these are different glasses of different shapes and colors, the glass melts to a certain way it is moldable and permanently gets connected to the other glasses. While Slumping is the melting of glass to the melting point and putting the class to the desired shapes.

Pottery.

Pots, jugs, and other vessels are made out of clay or ceramic which are put on high temperatures to give them a hard-beautiful hard form after the desired design.

Activities at Kitengela Hot Glass.

Though we did not manage to do all the activities I got all the information about each activity you could be interested in.

The precarious bridge.

After we were taken around the workshop and shown what I just explained above it was time to shake that adrenaline.

They say, “It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly”.

Yes, I wanted to do this so bad, though to some of my friends. This was more like a nightmare, the screaming and trembling as they crossed the bridge in a zombie-like walk left some of us in Stitches.

Before you reach the bridge there is a long steep stretch which doesn`t help either. If you have fear of heights.

I think it prepares you for the surprise that awaits you. From the look of things, one could underrate the bridge but the minute you are halfway that is when reality hits home.

Since I do not have fear of heights it was a smooth ride for me but what tingled and flattered me is my friends.

The fear and the look on their faces especially the ladies. You would think they had just seen the scariest thing on-universe.

For a long time, I felt like am kind of Samson of the Bible, strong and unmoved by little things like crossing that precarious bridge, hehe…

How Much do they charge for the bridge crossing?

The price to walk this incredible bridge is surprisingly very affordable, just kes150/ USD1.5

Swingbridge walk is kind of undercharged if you ask me, the pleasure, the adrenaline, the fun, and the feeling when walking across is more. Payless get more kind of an arrangement.

This Bridge connects you to Maasai Lodge Check Prices, Book Masai Lodge Now, and Silole Sanctuary which is a 400acres of private land adjoining Nairobi National Park.

Swimming at Kitengela Hot Glass.

Their swimming pool is designed in a way that it brings the coast mood instantly. The moment you step on, with its mosaic decorated pathways.

This swimming pool is designed in a photogenic way that pulls photographers to make more clicks than anticipated.

It is surrounded by bush making it look like a countryside swimming clean river, this swimming pool pulls your mind whichever way you look at it.

How much do they charge for the swimming pool?

The swimming pool is charged at Kes500/usd5

Carmel and Horse Riding.

Though we did not have time to do this activity, James told us it is usually an incredibly unique experience, at first it was challenging to keep the horses and camels because of the wildlife but lately it is stress-free as rarely will you come across stray animals from the Nairobi National Park.

I do not know if am right to call it land encroachment as people have settled the place almost populated now unlike when they first settled in the ’70s.

How Much do they charge for Carmel and Horse riding at Kitengela Hot Glass? They charge Kes500/Usd5

The perfect Itinerary for Kitengela Hot Glass from Nairobi CBD.

Recap of the Tour to Kitengela Glass.

You should have a plan to visit the area otherwise you may miss out a lot because of the time, this is the perfect itinerary.

Departure.

• Kitengela Hot Glass opening hours are;
• Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
• Sunday 10:00AM – 4:00 PM.

So, the perfect time to depart Nairobi CBD is 9:00 AM latest 9:30 AM.

It is a 1-hour drive depending on traffic and doesn’t forget the branching road to Kitengela hot Glass is about 6Kilometers is quite bumpy and dusty, be ready for what we call African massage.

Arrival at Kitengela Hot Glass.

You will arrive at Kitengela Hot Glass from 10:00 Am – 10:30 Am.

Relief to the washrooms as those gallbladders will be properly shaken.

Workshop Tour.

11:AM – 12:30/ 1:00AM

You will be taken through the glass workshop everything is explained and if you want to buy some sculptures.

Then you will be able to ask prices along the way. It is an interesting tour; the way time will elapse you won’t even know it.

After the workshop, you will be taken to studios where the manufacturing is done, you will be shown how they do it and even an extension for you to do some blowing of the glass will be offered.

1:00PM – 2:00PM

You can go to the mosaic-designed swimming pool where you can take pictures and do the swimming as you rest waiting to do the precarious bridge walking.

2:00PM – 3:00PM

Precarious Bridge Walking.

The epitome of the event, you will zombie walk the scary bridge, if you are brave enough and have no fear of height which is rather known as Acrophobia. You will incredibly enjoy this moment giving you one of the many reasons why you should tour Kenya.

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Return to the workshop, Rest for a while as others continue taking pictures. Then depart for late lunch at your desired `Nyama Choma` place.

Check places where you can get tasty Nyama Choma within Nairobi.

Maybe Ole polos, Osoita or any other place, as for us we went to Jungle Grill, a very nice affordable place.

A Kilo of Mbuzi (Goat Meat) going for Kes700/ $7 fair enough. You can choose to soak down your delicacies with a cold beer and if you are non-alcoholic do some cold Juice as you listen to country music.

Leave at your own Pleasure.

Difference between Nani`s Kitengela Glass Art and Anselm Kitengela Hot Glass.

Anselm is the son of Nani who started his successful workshop, which is next to Nani`s.

At Nani`s Kitengela Glass Art, apart from the studio and the work Studio. There are activities like the ones mentioned above.

That is Carmel and Horse Riding, The precarious bridge, swimming, among others. To top up the activities there are beautiful Rustic accommodation Cottages. At Anselm Kitengela hot Glass we only have the Studio and the Work Studio.

Tip: It is recommended to do both

Accommodation at the Nani`s Kitengela Art.

I did not get the chance to have a night over but I viewed the cottages they are rustic, mosaic-designed floor and windows.

James told us they were featured on “World’s Most Unusual Homes” TV Show. What I found fascinating. Just like the palm of your hand, no two cottages are alike – meals are optional but fascination and wonder are not.

Budget: A room will range from Kes4,000/USD40 to 12,000/120 Per Night depending on size and design.

When is Anselm`s Kitengela Hot Glass Open?

They do Open Sunday to Sunday as Follows.

• Mon 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Tue 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Wed 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Thurs 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Sat 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Sun 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Do you need to book in Advance?

It will be better if you booked in advance to visit Anselm`s Kitengela Hot Glass especially if you’re. However, you can always show up if you’re solo or not more than 3pax.

What Hotels are near Anselm`s Kitengela Hot Glass?

Here is the list of the Hotels near Anselm`s.

Distance from Anselm`s	Hotel	Book Now!
0.9 km	Masai Lodge	Check Prices, Book
1.8 km	Ololo Safari Lodge	Check Prices, Book
1.9 km	The IslanDream	Check Prices, Book
2.2 km	Nyati Hills Cottages	Check Prices, Book
4.2 km	Osoita Lodge	Check Prices, Book
5 km	Od Marro Lover`s Paradise	Check Prices, Book

 

Also, Read

• 19 Heated Pools in Nairobi, Kenya, and their prices.
• My Experience at Gp Karting Nairobi and the Charges
• Lake Magadi Day Trip, the budget needed.