After an overnight flight from Dublin via Abu Dhabi to Nairobi, I arrived at Kitengela Glass tired but buzzing with excitement. I'd been looking forward to it for weeks after seeing the pictures online and somehow, in reality, it was even better than I'd imagined.
I felt inspired and refreshed the moment I arrived and was shown around the Glass House where I'd be staying. Mosaic and colourful glass was everywhere from floor to ceiling, hung with beautiful blown glass, and stained-glass windows in the bedroom upstairs. It was such an incredible, different space, like stepping into another world.
Nani's Wonderland
That world is Nani's Wonderland, the garden environment created over several decades by artist Nani Croze, whose son Anselm now runs the hot glass studio. It took me several days to take it all in, and I'm sure I still missed things. Every single surface, the floors, the steps, the benches, the gates — and sculptures everywhere, all beautifully created from mosaic tiles and glass.
The swimming pool, with its three dragon heads, is essentially an infinity pool looking out over wilderness beyond. It was breathtaking. I stayed up one night just to watch the sun set over it.
The bottle sauna
The bottle sauna was a genuinely worthwhile experience. Light shines in through the glass bottles set into the walls and when monkeys ran past the windows, their shadows danced across the inside. After heating up, you can plunge straight into the pool. I can't think of anywhere else quite like it.
The café (and the ice cream)
The café was excellent. A huge selection of homemade ice creams, everything from dragon fruit with ginger and lime to pistachio and piña colada and their ramen is really, really good. You can sit in the sunshine with a cold beer or a glass of wine, watching hanging glass and mosaic decorations reflect light through the trees, with cacti growing as tall as the trees around you.
There were baboons and monkeys everywhere, but I never felt remotely threatened, they were just a lovely, exotic part of the place.
A small-world connection
I met Anselm, the owner, who was absolutely delightful and we discovered we have artisans in common. It turns out Anton and Benta, the Nairobi jewellery makers AARVEN now works with, got their start at Kitengela Glass before launching their own business. Their son Domnick is good friends with Tom, the manager here. It's a small world and a reminder of how interconnected Kenya's craft community really is.
Trying glassblowing
On my last day, Tom encouraged me to get up early and try a glassblowing experience and I'd highly recommend it. I blew a small light shade in blue and clear glass, to match the glasses I already have from Kitengela.
What an experience. Being in the heat of the studio, with people dancing around holding molten glass — it's not for the faint-hearted, and I was very glad to have Alex guiding me through every step. Just taking part, and watching the process unfold, was fascinating. It gave me a real appreciation for the craft: it takes four years of training before the glass artisans here are fully qualified. The studio is employee-owned, too, which makes the skill and pride on show all the more meaningful.
The shop and gallery
There's a wonderful shop stocked with all their beautiful work and the KitenGallery next door, showing the current exhibition of eclectic work by Erick Sande alongside some of Anselm's award-winning glass art. If you're visiting, leave time for both.
Where to stay
There are three accommodations in Nani's Wonderland. I also had a look around the Pool House, which would suit larger groups or families. I was struck by how big it was inside, with a beautiful upstairs terrace looking out over the unspoilt landscape beyond.
An inspiring start
All in all, it was the most amazing start to my Kenya trip and the journey down the bumpy roads was well worth it. I came away truly inspired, I sat and drew lots of new designs from everything around me, some of which you'll see come to life in our new collections soon.
If you ever find yourself near Nairobi, go. It's unlike anywhere else I've been.
See all of the experiences at Kitengela Glass here.
View and book to stay in Nani's Wonderland.
Amy x
Follow the rest of our Kenya adventure on Instagram, and explore the work of our Kenyan makers.
