HIKING KARURA FOREST: GET THE COMPLETE GUIDE

Nairobi is lucky to have a sprawling urban forest that occupies 1,041 ha (2,570 acres)! For a long time, I had heard of Karura Forest and had toyed with the idea of hiking it. But these thoughts had never come to fruition and remained but an idea. So, when a friend suggested we try hiking Karura Forest, I did not turn down the request. Here I was, trying to become fitter and eager to hike something less difficult than Ugali Hills. Here’s how the trip went down:

Getting to Karura Forest

The nearest gate to Karura Forest was Kiambu Road (Gate C). So, we used public means and were dropped off at the entrance at about 1 pm. We paid KSH 200 ($2) each to access the forest and were given a few guides on accessing the paths. The rules were pretty clear. We were to stay on the main trails; if we were unsure, we could always follow the markers.

We took a picture of the map to be safe. But nowadays, you can access the map through this link. We also used a washroom near the gate before starting the hike. It’s best to do this anytime you see a loo, as there are few options along the trails. It could be a while before you come across another one, and waiting that long is not good for your kidneys.

Hiking Karura Forest

From the gate, we were free to venture into the forest as we pleased. We mainly wanted to visit the waterfall. So, we avoided the subsidiary trails and stuck to the main path. Our pace was slow as we were mainly talking and taking pictures. We would sometimes sit to enjoy nature, as the forest has many benches along the paths.

The air felt cool as we walked under the shade of trees. The ambiance was quiet, and as much as we came across other hikers and bikers, the peace was unmatched. It was hard to believe that such a forest existed amid the hustle and bustle of the city. We had a gem right in our midst! I could immediately understand why many people opted to hike this forest regularly.
After walking for about an hour, we reached a stream that separated the main trail from the trails that led to the waterfall and the caves. Bikers also had to leave their bikes at this point and walk to the other side. We followed suit, and soon, we descended toward the waterfall. It was roaring as it crashed into the water below, and the view was incredible.

Some brave souls were nearing the waterfall, taking off their shoes and ready to take amazing shots. We stood by the riverbank as we had not come prepared for this and instead watched the water and took a few pictures.

The view was so nice that we lingered for a while before heading to the caves, which we accessed using the adjacent trail. The caves were also quite breathtaking. More importantly, they gave us a lot of insight into the fight for our independence. Freedom fighters would hide in these caves as they strategized how they would finally be free of oppressive leadership. So, being here was quite a bit sad and enlightening at the same time.
It was almost 3 pm by now, and we were feeling hungry. So, we opted to call it a day and left the forest using the same gate we had used to enter. You can also leave using any of the other public gates, depending on what’s easier for your commute.

The Journey Summary – Hiking Karura Forest Rating.

Hiking Karura Forest is an overall refreshing experience. Anyone can do it regardless of their fitness levels. Our hike summed up comes down to:

1. Two hours of hiking through the forest,
2. Exploring the main trails in the forest, and
3. Visiting the caves and waterfalls.

I’d rate it a 9.5/10. And it was so good that I visited it again several times. You can read the other experiences in the blog section, where I tried out other activities.

What are the entry charges for hiking Karura Forest?

The adult citizen charges are KSH 200 ($2). However, you can always refer to the forest’s official website to keep abreast of all price changes.

Would I recommend hiking Karura Forest?

Besides walking, there are many other things you can enjoy in the forest, including:

• Watching the waterfall, which has a height of up to 15 meters,
• Exploring the archaeological sites in the forest,
• Visiting the old chimney incinerator that was previously used to burn decommissioned currency,
• Passing by Lily Lake, which was once a stone quarry pond,
• Exploring the caves used by freedom fighters as hideouts,
• Appreciating the indigenous trees in the forests,
• Accessing the marshlands where you can interact with birds, other animals, and plants,
• Biking through the trails.

So, when it comes to things to do in Karura Forest, you will always have a list of things you can try, especially if you are trying to get fitter or enjoy better sleep.

How do you get to Karura Forest?

There are many ways to access the forest, including:

• Limuru Road (Gate A),
• Kiambu Road (Gate C), and
• End of Thigiri Lane (Gate F).

These are the main entrances. You can also use Gate D and Gate E, pedestrian entrances.

When to Hike Karura Forest

The forest is accessible throughout the year. If you want to hike, you can visit in the warm and cold months. But if you want to bike, you are better off doing so in the warmer months when the trails are less slippery. In one of my recent visits, a friend fell off his bike and broke his leg. So, if you’re not experienced in riding bikes on slippery trails, I would advise that you bike in the warmer months. The gates open from 6 in the morning to 6 in the evening. You will not be allowed to enter past 5:45 pm, and the gates are locked at 7 at night. So, you must be in and out by this time. Please note that the forest is home to animals, and adhering to these rules is best for your safety.

Is hiking Karura Forest Safe?

Hiking Karura Forest is safe. Even so, it is a forest home to hundreds of animal species. You must stay on the trails to avoid interacting with animals that may harm you if they feel cornered or provoked. You can safely hike the forest alone or with friends if you stick to the designated paths.