All You Need To Know Before Visiting Kitengela Glass

Here is everything you need to know before visiting Kitengela Glass. It is one of the few places in the world that makes glass items from recycled glass. Kitengela Glass is not located in Kitengela but in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County. You will not get to Rongai town but you take a left turn at Maasai Lodge Road. From there, you take the turn to Africa Nazarene University and drive past it. From that point, you will notice the signs leading to Kitengela Glass.

Historically, there were Kitengela Hot Glass and Kitengela Stained Glass. The stained glass studio was founded in 1981 by Nani Croze (and is now closed), and her son, Anselm Croze, owns the glass blowing. Anselm has consolidated his brand under the masthead of Kitengela Glass and is revamping the Nanis area under Nani’s Wonderland.

Kitengela Hot Glass Location

Google pin of your final destination here. Don’t use this first, or Google will get you lost. Only plug it in after you turn left at waypoint 3. 

You get to see amazing views of the city and, if you’re lucky, some of the animals roaming around Nairobi National Park. Here is a quick review of what Kitengela Hot Glass has to offer;

1. Kitengela Glass

From the moment you get into Kitengela Glass, art welcomes you. Art of different shapes and sizes is made out of a variety of recycled raw materials like glass, plastic bottles, bottle tops, metal cans, clay, and more. The bright glass pieces dangling from the trees draw your attention to the whimsical café. The paths are lined with lovely glass furniture, and the flowerbeds are dotted with glass sculptures and pieces. Metal butterflies adorn the walls, creating an almost fairy-like atmosphere. They have art pieces all over the place, which is a visual feast.

a) The Studio

The Studio is dome-shaped. It is bustling with glass artisans. The Studio is divided into two sections, one of which is primarily dedicated to the production of gin bottles for Procera Gin, a Kenyan craft gin brand. The other section is devoted to the creation of vases and other products. You will be guided through the fascinating process of making a vase out of recycled glass. The studio receives scrap glass bottles and windows, which are selected and broken down further into smaller pieces. Clear glass is preferred because it is easier to color when molten. The broken glass is then melted in furnaces that heat up to 1240 degrees Celsius. 

Several furnaces are housed in the studio, some of which run on gas and others on electricity. Once the glass is molten, it is gathered out on a blowpipe, and new life is breathed into the old. The artisans continue to blow the glass until it reaches the desired size and shape. The glass is then colored and returned to the furnace. It is then removed, blown, and flattened if necessary. Once the glass has taken shape and is finished, it is allowed to cool for 24 hours in a cooling oven at 520 degrees Celsius. 

The glass-making process is deeply satisfying, and the amount of effort that goes into it will astound you. The artisans are very proud of their work. They’re talented and inventive. A lot of time and effort went into mastering the skill. An artisan can become skilled in their craft after three to four years of training. Kitengela Glass makes all of its pieces by hand, making each one unique. Aside from that, glass made from recycled glass is more durable than regular glass. 

For a fee, visitors can also participate in guided activities such as glass blowing and making glass objects from start to finish. The objects you create as a result of these experiences are then delivered to their shops in the Junction Mall or Village Market the following day for collection. 

b) Gallery

This is where the finished glass pieces are sold. Glasses, tumblers, chandeliers, bowls, mugs, jugs, wine stops, key chains, bottles, drink dispensers, and other accessories are available in the store. The one-of-a-kind glass items can be purchased from the on-site store, their stores in the Village Market Mall and the Junction Mall, or online through their website. The various colors of the items blend perfectly in the light and airy store.

The shop is well-curated, and it also sells glass from other countries, such as Ngwenya glass from Swaziland (which is made from recycled Coke bottles). The items from the Czech Republic, on the other hand, are not made of recycled glass. They also make furniture, and the on-site restaurant serves food and beverages in bowls and glasses made in the studio. 

Kitengela Glass Opening Hours 

Open every day from 0800-1630. Sun and Monday’s demos end at 1300, usually.

Note: The studio and the Café are open until 1630. Please keep in mind that they are closed on the 25th Dec and 1st of January every year.

Kitengela Glass Charges

Touring the studio and watching the demos is free for groups of less than 5, however, you can partake in the glass-making process.

• Blowing bubbles (on request) costs Ksh 500 (3 minutes standing up to blow a giant bubble) 
• Touching fire (one hour’s notice) costs Ksh 2,500 (15 minutes at a bench, shaping a paperweight) 
• Blown to life (two hours notice) costs Ksh 5,000 (30 minutes, making a glass from start to finish, or 2 smaller objects)
• Catching light (two hours’ notice) costs Ksh 10,000 (60 minutes, 2 to 4 objects). Can be shared with up to three other people. 

2. Nani’s Wonderland

The compound next door is where Nani Croze, Anselm’s mother lives and is now managed by Anselm under the brand ‘Nani’s Wonderland’. When you walk into Nani’s, you will notice sculptures all over the place, mosaics on the walls and steps, and wind chimes dangling from the ceiling. You can tour the sculpture garden and gallery for a fee, and they also offer other activities such as;

a) Swimming

Nani’s Wonderland has a sizeable swimming pool accessible between 0800 – 1600 at a cost of Kshs 500 per person and Kshs 250 for children under the age of 16. (Please note that children under 5 years are not allowed in the pool).

b) Pottery

Adjacent to the pool, is a sauna which costs Kshs 800 to use. It, however, takes some hours it to be prepared for use – thus you are advised to book in advance for the same to be ready for you.

c) Scary Bridge

The scary bridge is suspended over a river and connects Kitengela Glass to Maasai Lodge. It’s long and narrow, and the best part is that it swings with every step. If you are afraid of heights, this may not be for you because it is only 30 meters above a deep river valley. Not only that, but your movement along the bridge combined with the wind will cause the bridge to sway sideways, adding to the thrill. The bridge can only accommodate six people at a time, and you are accompanied by a guide. We would not recommend it for children due to the lack of side coverage. 

The Kitengela Glass Bridge entrance fee is Ksh 300 for both adults and children. 

d) Sculpture Garden and KitenGallery

Visitors can also pay Kshs 200 to enter the gardens and gallery. They also have quaint, quirky cottages on-site where you can spend the night, as well as an artsy treehouse they designed in Watamu. 

Kitengela Glass Contacts

SMS, WhatsApp, or call the main studio line: +254 (0)11 0001499 

Email: info@kitengela.glass