Below are some of the frequently asked questions by both those who have not visited Tafaria and those who have:

Where is Tafaria located

Tafaria is approximately 65kms from Nyeri towards Nyahururu and 39kms from Nyahururu towards Nyeri and the boarder of Laikipia, Nyandarua and Nyeri counties

Who owns Tafaria?

George Tafaria Waititu and his family, a former Managing Director of Steadman Group (now Ipsos Synovate/Ipsos). He envisioned it as a catalyst for social and economic change in his rural village where he grew up and now uses the Tafaria center for the arts to advance rural transformation. You can always contact him directly on +254722206980

Why was Tafaria built?

To Transform the village where George Tafaria grew up.

When was Tafaria Built?

Tafaria Castle was built between 2008 and 2012 and opened to the public in October 2012.

Is Tafaria Located in Mt Kenya Region?

Yes! it is at the intersection of Laikipia, Nyandarua and Nyeri counties.

How much is a leisure package at Tafaria?

Tafaria changes Ksh 1250 for an all-inclusive package that includes mini golf, swimming, tennis, volleyball, indoor games, medieval bowling, Vikings giant pillow, swings and slides for kids, outdoor gym, archery, tour of the museum, tour of the herbarium and nano farm.

Is Tafaria a wedding venue?

Yes! It’s a fairy-tale wedding venue with a castle backdrop, royal-like horse-drawn carriages and two dedicated wedding grounds

Does Tafaria have family rooms?

Yes, Tafaria has 20 cozy family rooms with interconnecting doors with fireplaces

How many rooms does Tafaria have?

Tafaria has 80 rooms, 9 of them are located inside the castle building while the rest are in the sprawling country lodge.

What does Tafaria offer?

Tafaria has a country lodge, a conference center, a center for the arts and recreational facilities

How long does it take from Nairobi to Tafaria

It takes approximately 3.5hours by private means via Nyeri or Nyahururu?

Does Tafaria offer Transfers?

Yes it does through its transport partners.

How much is a lunch package at Tafaria?

The best lunch package starts at Ksh 4,000 and includes lunch and all leisure activities

What does it cost to stay at Tafaria per night?

Rates start at Kshs 11,750 per person sharing inclusive of all leisure activities

Does Tafaria charge at the gate?

If one does not have a prior reservation, Ksh 1,000 per adult and Ksh 500 per kid is payable at the gate which is fully redeemable with food, accommodation or leisure activities

What are the main attractions at Tafaria?

There are many attractions at Tafaria including the evolution science museum, medieval sports like archery, horseback riding and medieval archery. The center for the arts is another major attraction where one can take an art tour, interact with the artist in residence, make own art or simply be inspired. Farm and herbarium tours are also quite popular while a ride on horse drawn carriages like royalty is Tafaria’s signature. Those with time to spare go for picnics at the Aberdare next to Tafaria or hike to Satima peak or go for game drives at Solio Ranch or Olpajeta.

Tafaria Conference Center FAQs

How big is Tafaria Conference Center?

Tafaria Conference Center has 3 meeting rooms with a capacity of 200pax plus indoor and outdoor breakout spaces.

How big is Tafaria Amphitheatre?

Tafaria Amphitheatre has a capacity of 400pax

How much is a conference package at Tafaria?

A conference package at Tafaria starts from Ksh 4,500 per person per day (includes lunch and teas)

Does Tafaria offer Team building?

Yes it does – Tafaria offers free Team building facilitation based on its custom teambuilding package which is based on the Tafaria Taxonomy

What is Tafaria Taxonomy?

Tafaria Taxonomy is a fun and easy way to understand the plants we see every day. It groups plants into 10 simple clans so that we can understand them better. Every plant is placed into a clan based on what it’s dominant attributes.

Tafaria goDream FAQs

What is goDream?

goDream by Tafaria is a program for students that teaches them life skills, leadership, and applied arts.

Where does it happen?

goDream is run at Tafaria Castle & Center for the Arts. It is an immersive, educational, and fun program for students.

Can we attend as individuals?

goDream is booked through schools at a date of choice that is convenient for the school.

How long does it take?

goDream is customized for each school group to run between 1 to 3 days, depending on the school’s needs and the scope of coverage across the three modules (Life Skills, Arts and Leadership).

How much does it cost?

A cost proposal is given depending on the length of stay, number of students, and scope.

Do teachers get involved?

Teachers may get involved, but Tafaria has experienced facilitators for the three modules, so teacher involvement beyond accompanying students is not required.

Do students get a certificate?

Yes, all students receive a certificate of participation, which is a valuable addition to their portfolio.

Tafaria Center for the Arts Residency FAQs

What is an artist residency?

An art residency is a program that provides artists with time, space and resources to focus on their creative work, often in a new and inspiring environment. At its core, an art residency allows artists to step away from their usual routines and immerse themselves in a setting that supports exploration, collaboration and growth.

What facilities are available at Tafaria?

Tafaria Center for the Arts has facilities for visual and performing arts. These include studios for fine art, sculpture, fashion design, graphics & print, pottery, software development, beauty, culinary, music recording and a dance studio. This vast center also has an auditorium, training rooms, workshops and galleries and accommodation for artists.

What is the typical length of a Tafaria Art residency?

The typical length of a Tafaria Foundation sponsored residency is one month. Self-Sponsored residencies range from one week onwards depending on ones needs.

What do self-sponsored Tafaria Art residencies cost?

A typical self-sponsored residency costs approximately 500 dollars per week.

Are art collectives eligible for the Tafaria Art residency?

Typically, not but sometimes Tafaria does calls that require collaborations. However, for self-funded residency, yes, collectives are eligible for the residency.

Does Tafaria own my work after the residency?

No, the work produced whilst in residence belongs to the artist. They may credit Tafaria if they so wish but it is not mandatory. Tafaria however encourages arts to leave some work behind to inspire others (Visitors & artists). All works produced in residence is copyrighted to the artist under the KECOBO via the National Rights Registry.

Are Tafaria Art workspaces provided during the residency?

Yes, we have working spaces available. Tafaria is a residency program providing access studios, workshops, exhibition spaces etc during residency. Access to these spaces is managed by the center staff according to the needs of each artist. In case an artist wishes to make an installation at a public space e.g. a school, market, church etc, the same is facilitated by the Center where possible.

Can I use the Center equipment during the residency?

Absolutely, there is always the possibility of borrowing some Center equipment during the residency period depending on the availability.

Are the Tafaria Center for the Arts spaces accessible by people with reduced mobility?

The Center spaces are partially accessible for those with reduced mobility, although if additional assistance is required it can be arranged with artists who require it. This needs prior arrangement.

Is there an application fee for Tafaria Art?

There is no application fee. All applications unless otherwise stated are made and processed for free.

Can I submit an existing idea during my application?

Existing ideas for sponsored residencies are not eligible for this residency. Creatives are encouraged to take the formative days in residence to ideate inspired by their new residency environment or based on pre-determined themes if specified on the call.

Is there any letter or agreement to sign before my Tafaria Art residency commencement?

Yes; all participating artists sign a Letter of Agreement with the residency terms and conditions.

Are spouses and other visitors allowed to visit me during my Art residency at Tafaria

Yes, all are allowed as regular visitors to the center with prior reservations.

Are pets allowed at the Tafaria Art residency

NO

Will I be contacted by Tafaria if my application is not successful?

All applicants are notified once the selection process for each call is complete.

Can Tafaria provide me support to obtain funding for my art residency?

We can provide official documentation to help you in your applications for self-funded residency funding from other sources if you don’t qualify for a Tafaria sponsored residency.

How are artists selected for the Tafaria Art residency?

The selection is undertaken by a committee composed of Tafaria staff and invited external professionals who reflect a diverse set of expertise and perspectives and lived experiences.

On what criteria are the Tafaria Art Residency applications evaluated?

This is largely based on how well one articulates/responds to the various objectives of the call, evidenced experience and general approaches to the stated theme.

One must be an established or emerging local or international artist.

What disciplines does Tafaria accept?

We accept applications from all creative disciplines, including but not exclusively: visual artists, photographers, sculptures, illustrators, culinary arts, ceramicists, furniture designers, product designers, graphic designers, fashion designers, jewellery designers, filmmakers, creative writers, musicians, performance artists and craftsmen.

What does Tafaria cultural tourism program offer?

The Tafaria Cultural Tourism Immersion Program offers visitors a transformative experience that blends artistic exploration, community engagement and rural transformation. Anchored at Tafaria Castle & Center for the Arts, participants immerse themselves in projects that support local rural development while broadening their personal and professional horizons. From working in education, health and environmental conservation to engaging in arts, agro-innovation and cultural exchange you get a deep connection with local people.