Baden-Powell's grave in Nyeri
Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, lived in Kenya from October 1938. He died in 1941 and was buried in Nyeri. The Baden-Powell grave, which holds Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, lies in St Peter's Cemetery in the town. It is a white stone in a tended cemetery garden, with roses behind it.
The cemetery is in town, outside the national park, so the park ticket plays no part. Many visitors combine it with a day in the mountains. If you plan that, look at our Aberdare safari tours and keep the grave for the same Nyeri stay.
Paxtu: the cottage and the museum
The place where Baden-Powell lived in Nyeri.
Paxtu was his retreat in Kenya. The cottage stands in the grounds of a hotel in Nyeri, and a small museum there holds personal belongings. A visit to Paxtu is separate from any stay.
On 24 March 2025 the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the Girl Guides' world association and Nyeri County agreed to recognise Paxtu as a joint Guiding and Scouting heritage site. The announcement followed on 27 March 2025. This is a recognition by the movements and the county. It is not a UNESCO World Heritage listing, and you should not expect one on a sign.
The grave
White stone, rose bushes and a tidy garden. Go in a quiet frame of mind, as it is a cemetery and a place of remembrance for many visitors.
The cottage and museum
Personal items are on show at Paxtu. Because the cottage lies on hotel grounds, ask about access before you set off.
The wider story
Nyeri also holds the Kimathi monument and other sites of the 1950s. See the guides to Mau Mau history and the town of Nyeri.
Aberdare safaris and day trips
Safaris and day trips into the Aberdares and the Nyeri area, with live prices and availability.
Baden-Powell in Nyeri: planning your visit
Opening hours, any entry fee and reservation rules for the cemetery and for Paxtu can change. Confirm them locally before you go, ideally the day before, and ask your accommodation in Nyeri if they can call ahead. If a hotel event is on, access to the cottage may differ from a normal day.
The grave site is in town, so it is quick to reach from any Nyeri base. The national park is a separate trip. The park headquarters is about 15 km from Nyeri on the Nyahururu road, and park gates run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. A sensible split is the park in the morning and the grave in the afternoon, or the other way round if you prefer to start in town.
Do not mix up the cemetery with the park or with the waterhole lodges inside it. Baden-Powell is buried in a town cemetery, not in a lodge or in the forest.
If you add a park day
What the Aberdares cost in 2026.
Most people who come for the Baden-Powell sites also want to see the mountains. Park entry for non-residents is $70 for adults and $40 for children, and children up to and including age 5 enter free. Kenya residents pay KES 1,100 for adults and KES 675 for children, and East African citizens KES 800 and KES 500. A vehicle under six seats costs KES 600 per day. Your ticket gives access for up to 24 hours. The park fees page has the full list and the gate names.
The grave and Paxtu fit into a single afternoon, so they work well on the day before or after a park trip. Staying in Nyeri makes both easier, and the where to stay page lists the options.
A simple Nyeri half day
Timings depend on your own pace and on local opening hours.
1. The grave
Start at St Peter's Cemetery and spend a short, quiet visit at the stone.
2. Paxtu
Visit the cottage and museum if access is open on the day.
3. Nyeri town
Walk or drive through the town and ask locally about the Kimathi monument.
4. The mountains
Finish with a view toward the Aberdares, or plan the park for the next day.
Park fees and gates →More around Nyeri
Pages that fit a Baden-Powell visit.
Baden-Powell's grave: frequently asked questions
Where is Baden-Powell buried?
He is buried in Nyeri, Kenya, in St Peter's Cemetery. Lord and Lady Baden-Powell share the grave site.
Where is Paxtu?
Paxtu is the cottage where Baden-Powell lived in Nyeri. It lies in the grounds of a hotel in Nyeri and holds a small museum.
Is Paxtu a UNESCO World Heritage site?
No. In March 2025 it was recognised as a joint Guiding and Scouting heritage site by the Scout and Guide world organisations and Nyeri County. That is a different status from a UNESCO listing.
Do I need a park ticket to see the grave?
No. The cemetery is in Nyeri town, outside the Aberdare National Park. Confirm any entry fee for the cemetery or Paxtu locally.
Can I visit the grave and the park on one day?
Yes. The grave and Paxtu fit into a single afternoon, and the park headquarters is about 15 km from Nyeri. A sensible split is the park in the morning and the grave in the afternoon.