Every year, thousands of visitors to Nairobi search for a Kibera slum tour. Many of them leave with photos but little real understanding. At Kibra Youth Network, we think there’s a better way to see Kibera: on foot, with the young people who grew up here, and with respect for the people who call it home.
Kibera is more than its headlines
Kibera is often described only by what it lacks. But walk its streets and you’ll find tailors, welders, barbers, artists, small shops, schools and youth groups working hard every day. Our tours show that side of Kibera, the side that rarely makes the news.
What a tour with KYN looks like
- A walk through Kibera’s streets and markets with a local youth guide
- Stops to meet traders, artisans and small business owners
- A visit to KYN projects, like our training centre and poultry farming project
- Stories about Kibera’s history and what life is like today
- Time to ask questions and have real conversations
We keep groups small and we can shape each tour around what you care about, whether that’s youth mental health, skills training, enterprise or community work.
How we keep tours respectful
Slum tourism has a bad name for good reasons. Too often, visitors walk through taking pictures of people without asking. We do things differently:
- We always ask before photographing people, homes or children.
- We don’t enter homes unless we’re invited.
- We focus on people’s skills and stories, not on poverty.
- Your visit supports our youth programmes in Kibera.
Tips for your visit
- Wear closed, comfortable shoes.
- Dress modestly.
- Leave valuables at your hotel.
- Bring some cash if you’d like to buy from local artisans.
How to book
Booking is simple. Send us a WhatsApp message with your preferred date and how many people are coming. We’ll reply with the price, time, meeting point and your guide. Schools, universities, NGOs and corporate groups are welcome too.
See full details on our Kibera Tours page.
