Kenyan Top Bar Hives

A selection of various Kenyan top bar Hive images framed inside honeycomb shapes. Some are close-ups and some are images of Adrian teaching beekeeping courses.

The Kenyan Top Bar Hive (KTBH) offers a simple, sustainable, and bee-friendly design that supports the bees’ natural rhythms.

This hive is designed to work with bees rather than against them, allowing them to build combs naturally and thrive without the use of chemicals or intrusive practices.

Ready to take the next step in natural beekeeping?

Order your hive today

Two young kids looking at a comb from a beehive. Young girl is touching the bees.

A close up of the entrance holes in a Kenyan top bar hive, with bees flying in an out.

A close up of Adrian Iodice pointing to bees on a honeycomb

A close up view of several bees, clustered on a piece of honeycomb inside a Kenyan Top Bar Hive.

A close-up shot shows numerous bees crawling on a section of golden honeycomb.

Beekeeper, Adrian Iodice, is holding up a Kenyan top bar hive frame of honeycomb, showing five class participants a piece of honeycomb covered in bees.

Beekeeper, Adrian Iodice, is carefully inspecting a frame of honeycomb covered with bees inside a wooden Kenyan Top Bar Hive.

Two fair-skinned hands are carefully lifting a frame of golden honeycomb densely covered with dark bees out of a light-colored wooden Kenyan Top Bar Hive. The hive is open, revealing multiple top bars and another frame of honeycomb with bees below. The setting is outdoors in a sunny environment with blurred green foliage in the background. The focus is on the delicate process of inspecting the bee colony and their honeycomb within this type of natural beehive. The bees appear to be Western honey bees (Apis mellifera).

Natural Beekeeper, Adrian Iodice, with open hands towards a Kenyan Top Bar Hive. He is explaining the positioning of the hive.

The Kenyan Top Bar Hive is a favorite among natural beekeepers.

Designed to reflect the way bees naturally build their homes in the wild, it provides a sustainable, low-maintenance environment that minimizes disturbance for the bees and makes life easier for the beekeeper.

Ready to take the next step in natural beekeeping?

Order your hive today

Why choose a Kenyan Top Bar Hive?

Supports natural beekeeping
Allows bees to follow their natural instincts with minimal human intervention.
Sustainable and eco-friendly
Requires fewer materials and promotes environmentally conscious beekeeping practices.
Simplifies hive management
The design makes inspections easier and less stressful for both bees and beekeepers.

A young child with fair skin and long, light blonde hair is smiling at the camera while holding a piece of light yellow honeycomb covered in dark bees. The honeycomb is attached to a light-colored wooden frame that the child is holding with both hands, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with rainbow stripes on the cuffs. In the blurred background, there is a wooden Kenyan Top Bar Hive on a stand in a grassy outdoor setting. Another similar beehive is partially visible further in the background. The lighting suggests it is daytime.

Key features of the Kenyan Top Bar Hive

Supports natural beekeeping
Allows easy access to the hive for gentle, non-intrusive inspections without having to lift and stack heavy boxes full of honey.
Single Room Structure
Mimics the natural cavities or hollows that bees occupy in the wild, providing a familiar and comfortable environment for the colony.
Frameless
Allows bees to build their combs naturally without the constraints of rigid four sided frames.

A person wearing dark gloves is carefully removing a frame of golden honeycomb covered with numerous bees, from a light-colored Kenyan Top Bar Hive. The inside of the hive reveals multiple top bars and other sections of honeycomb. The hive is located outdoors, with bright sunlight illuminating the scene and casting shadows. Lush green foliage, including large leaves resembling banana plants, is visible in the background, suggesting a potentially warm climate. The focus is on the gentle handling of the honeycomb during a hive inspection.

How the Kenyan top bar hive supports bee health

Minimizes hive disruption
Inspections can be done with less disturbance, keeping the bees calm.
Single Room Structure
Mimics the natural cavities or hollows that bees occupy in the wild, providing a familiar and comfortable environment for the colony.
Frameless
Allows bees to build their combs naturally without the constraints of rigid four sided frames.

A large cluster of light brown and black striped bees, hangs downwards from the underside of a light-colored top bar from a Kenyan top bar hive. The bees form a dense, teardrop-shaped mass, with many individuals clinging to each other. The background is blurred but appears to be a grassy area with some out-of-focus green vegetation and possibly trees. The scene is brightly lit, suggesting it is daytime and outdoors.

A head-shot of Les Crowder. An older, white man with blonde-grey long hair in a pony-tail and a grey beard — ~ Les Crowder
Author, Expert Beekeeper

The Kenyan Top Bar Hive was a perfect choice to help us reduce our footprint. It was easy to build at home, it was affordable and eco-friendly!

~ Julia Sequoia

Castlemaine

Picking up a swarm and rehoming them into a Kenyan box was an amazing experience.

~ Joe Middleton

Burwood

The Kenyan Top Bar Hive has been a game-changer. The bees seem happier, and it's much easier to manage. The top-bar system gives me easy access, and I don’t have to lift heavy boxes!

~ Sydney K

Kenyan Top Bar Hive enquiries

To order your Kenyan Top Bar Hive for delivery anywhere in Australia, fill out the form and I’ll be in touch shortly. To find out more about the options available, see the FAQs HERE.

FAQs

Hives and Beekeeping

What is a Kenyan top bar hive?
The Kenyan top bar hive is a favorite among natural beekeepers because it truly supports their bees’ health and well-being while staying simple to manage. Designed to reflect the way bees naturally build their homes in the wild, this hive provides a sustainable, low-maintenance environment that minimizes disturbance for the bees and makes life easier for the beekeeper. You can read more about the key features and benefits here.
What makes the Kenyan Top Bar Hive different from conventional hives?
The Kenyan Top Bar Hive is designed to replicate the natural conditions bees prefer, allowing them to build comb freely along horizontal top bars. This frameless, horizontal design aligns with the bees’ natural instincts and simplifies hive management.
How does the horizontal design benefit the beekeeper and the bees?
The horizontal layout eliminates the need for heavy lifting and makes inspections less invasive. It also provides a stress-free environment for the bees, promoting a healthy and productive colony.
How does the frameless design help the bees?
Without rigid frames, bees can build combs of varying sizes and shapes to suit their needs, promoting adaptability and a stronger, healthier colony.
What materials are used to make the Kenyan Top Bar Hive?
Our hives are crafted from sustainably harvested Australian Cypress Macrocarpa, a termite-resistant, durable, and lightweight timber that provides excellent insulation.
Is the Kenyan Top Bar Hive suitable for beginners?
Yes! Its simple design is easy to set up and manage, making it a great choice for new beekeepers who want to focus on natural and sustainable beekeeping.

What is Natural Beekeeping?
At its core, natural beekeeping encourages minimal interference with the bees’ natural processes. Natural beekeepers work with the bees rather than against them, using treatment-free methods to foster resilient colonies.

For a quick overview you can read more here.

Or for something more in-depth read The Foundations of Natural Beekeeping: A Beginner’s Guide here.
How do I get started with Natural Beekeeping?
You are in the right place.

Start reading, listening and watching!

Knowing what is out there and keeping up to date with best practice will make sure your efforts are rewarded.

You can make a start by reading Backyard Beekeeping: 10 Tips for beginners here.

Beekeeping Naturally courses are also great for budding beginner beekeepers. You can find a course near you here.
Where can I learn Natural Beekeeping?
You are in the right place. There is plenty of free information on this site, so please explore.

Check out the Beekeeping Naturally Blog HERE

Watch Beekeeping Naturally videos HERE

Find an in-person Beekeeping course near you HERE

Or join the waitlist for our online course which is coming soon.
What's the difference between Natural Beekeeping and conventional Beekeeping?
One of the most distinctive differences between conventional and natural beekeeping is the approach to swarming. In a natural beekeeping model, swarming is seen as a positive indicator of hive health, as it’s the primary method by which bees naturally reproduce and expand. Conventional beekeeping, however, often prevents swarming to retain high honey production.

Natural beekeeping incorporates hive designs that more closely mimic the wild habitats bees have thrived in for ages. Instead of the conventional Langstroth hives, many natural beekeepers opt for Kenyan or Warré hives. These hive types allow bees to build comb freely from the top bars.

Read more here.

Hive Options and Ordering

What are the options when purchasing a Kenyan Top Bar Hive?
There are three options to choose from.
- Ready to Assemble Kenyan Hive
- Pre Cut Pack
- Rough Sawn Timber Pack
What is included with a Ready to Assemble Kenyan hive?
This option comes with all the components to make your hive, including:
- 30mm thick cypress macrocarpa boards for the sides, ends, floor
- 25mm thick cypress macrocarpa gables and follower boards
- 800mm long cypress macrocarpa legs
- Cypress macrocarpa weatherboards
- 31 precut and grooved topbars
- Detailed instructions for easy setup
It’s everything you need to get started.
What is included with a Pre-cut Timber Pack?
This pack comes with all the timber already cut to exact dimensions to make your hive, including:
- 30mm thick cypress macrocarpa boards for the sides, ends, floor all cut to size
- 25mm thick cypress macrocarpa gables and follower boards
- 800mm long cypress macrocarpa legs
- 6 x Cypress macrocarpa weatherboards and ridge cap
- 33 precut and grooved topbars
- Detailed instructions for easy setup
- All screws and fixings
It’s everything you need to get started, all you need to do is measure and drill the holes then fix the screws in place.
What is included in a Rough Sawn Timber Pack?
These packs come with all the timber you need to make your own hive, including:
- 30mm thick cypress macrocarpa boards for the sides, ends, floor
- 25mm thick cypress macrocarpa gables and follower boards
- 800mm long cypress macrocarpa legs
- Cypress macrocarpa weatherboards and ridge cap
- 33 pre-cut and grooved topbars
- Detailed instructions for easy setup
It’s all the timber you need to get started.

How do I order a Kenyan Top Bar Hive?
To order your Kenyan Top Bar Hive for delivery anywhere in Australia, fill out the form HERE
Do you ship the Kenyan Top Bar Hive?
We offer both shipping and local pickup options in the Bega Valley or Castlemaine. Shipping costs will be calculated based on your location anywhere in Australia.

We do not ship hives outside of Australia, but you can download the plans to build your own hive here.
How long will it take to receive my hive after ordering?
Delivery times vary based on your location. Most orders are processed and shipped within 5-7 business days. You’ll receive tracking information once your order is dispatched.
Do you offer assembly support for the hive?
Yes, we provide step-by-step instructions and are happy to assist with any questions you might have during assembly.
What is your return policy?
If your hive arrives damaged or defective, please contact us within 7 days of delivery. We’ll work with you to resolve the issue, including replacements if necessary.
Can I buy replacement parts for my hive?
Yes, we offer replacement components. Get in touch to let me know what you need and I’ll send you a quote.