Mai Mahiu and the Travelers Chapel

In Mai Mahiu, clear road directions meet a rich local history. In the built-up area, the B3 branches off to the southwest towards Narok; the route to Naivasha follows the C88, the Old Naivasha Road. At the same time, Mai Mahiu Catholic Church, also called Travelers’ Chapel, stands at the beginning of the steep slope that rises from the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The road layout, transition in the landscape, and culture of remembrance offer several concrete points of interest on your journey through Mai Mahiu.

Roads and landscape as guides

The roads offer practical guidance for your journey: in the built-up area, the B3 branches off to the southwest towards Narok, while the route towards Naivasha follows the C88 and Old Naivasha Road. Check the current road signs and conditions as you travel. If you are considering Mai Mahiu as a place to stay overnight, compare the two routes with your travel destinations. This will help you plan your journey around the places on your own itinerary.

Travelers Chapel: architecture and history

Mai Mahiu Catholic Church, also called Travelers’ Chapel, stands at the beginning of the steep slope that rises from the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The chapel measures 15 × 8 feet, has four benches, and seats around twelve people. These dimensions give a vivid sense of the building’s scale. The chapel also connects Italian architectural heritage with its history and culture. For travellers interested in historic places, its special appeal lies in this combination of a tangible building and its history.

A travel account attributes the construction of the church to Italian prisoners of war and dates it to 1942, during the Second World War. The period of construction links Italian architectural heritage with the history of the war and the area, making the chapel a tangible point of interest for travellers interested in history.

Travelers Chapel has a long-standing role as a place of prayer and a tourist destination for visitors interested in its history. Every year on 1 January, Italians living in Kenya and visitors from abroad gather there for a memorial Mass for the soldiers. This annual event adds a commemorative dimension to the building’s history. If you are planning to visit the chapel, check in advance whether it is open to visitors.

A workshop visit on the tour itinerary

One tour itinerary includes a visit to the Ubuntu Life Foundation’s handicraft workshop in Maai Mahiu on the return journey to Nairobi, where visitors can meet the Maker Mums. This stop offers a different focus from the history of Travelers Chapel: the emphasis is on handicrafts and meeting the Maker Mums. If you would like to include this visit, refer to the tour itinerary that features it.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel plans

When looking for a holiday rental in Mai Mahiu, you can use your planned stops as a guide: Travelers Chapel offers a point of interest for local history and remembrance, while the workshop visit is part of a tour itinerary. Check access in advance for a visit to the chapel; for the workshop visit, refer to the tour itinerary when planning.

Discover more destinations: Njoro, Naivasha, Melewa, Dundori, Gilgil, Nakuru, Elmenteita.

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