Nairobi Hiking Tour 2 Hour Walk Karura Forest
Nairobi Hiking Tour 2-Hour Walk Karura Forest is a half-day excursion to Karura Forest Reserve – an urban upland forest located about 5 km on the outskirts of Nairobi’s central business district, the capital of Kenya. This 564-hectare forest is surrounded by the northern up-market suburbs of Muthaiga, Runda, and Gigiri, with Kiambu Road on one side and Limuru Road on the other.
The tour begins with a pickup from your hotel/ residence, followed by a short drive to the starting point, Karura Forest Station, along Kiambu Road. Our Karura Forest hiking tour features an easy walk along a dirt road that turns into a narrow trail near the end. It lasts about 2 hours and is ideal for the whole family or a team-building group.
Karura Forest offers various attractions to its visitors, such as picnic sites, Mau Mau caves, marked walking trails, scenic waterfalls and rivers, and small wetlands that serve as bird habitats.
There is also the incinerator formerly used by the Central Bank of Kenya to burn old currency notes, and the area around which the late Professor Wangari Maathai carried out a campaign against the illegal acquisition of forest land.
Tour Highlights & Itinerary
✓ Wildlife Spotting: Frequent sightings of Sykes’ monkeys, bushbucks, and over 200 bird species
✓ Cultural Sites: See the old chimney incinerator once used by the Central Bank of Kenya to destroy decommissioned currency
Visitor Essentials
✓ Operating Hours:0600 Hours to 1800 Hours daily
✓ Plastic Ban: Karura is a plastic-free zone; visitors must use reusable water bottles
✓ What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and a form of identification (required for bike rentals)
✓ Best Entrance: Gate A (Limuru Road) is recommended for proximity to the River Café and Lily Lake, while Gate C (Kiambu Road) is often preferred for quieter nature trail
Nairobi Hiking Tour 2-Hour Walk Karura Forest is a half-day excursion to Karura Forest Reserve – an urban upland forest located about 5 km on the outskirts of Nairobi’s central business district, the capital of Kenya.
This 564-hectare forest is surrounded by the northern up-market suburbs of Muthaiga, Runda, and Gigiri, with Kiambu Road on one side and Limuru Road on the other. The tour begins with a pickup from your hotel/ residence, followed by a short drive to the starting point, Karura Forest Station, along Kiambu Road.
Our Karura Forest hiking tour features an easy walk along a dirt road that turns into a narrow trail near the end. It lasts about 2 hours and is ideal for the whole family or a team-building group.
Karura Forest offers various attractions to its visitors, such as picnic sites, Mau Mau caves, marked walking trails, scenic waterfalls and rivers, and small wetlands that serve as bird habitats.
There is also the incinerator formerly used by the Central Bank of Kenya to burn old currency notes, and the area around which the late Professor Wangari Maathai carried out a campaign against the illegal acquisition of forest land.
The Forest offers the following activities:
* Cycling
* Running
* Picnicking
* Forest walks
* Forest drives
* Bird watching
* Butterfly watching
Nairobi Hiking Tour 2 Hour Walk Karura Forest Route Description
Karura Forest hiking tour begins from the Forest Station on Kiambu Road, and the walk to Karura Caves and Waterfalls is about 4 km long. This family trail was opened to the public in early 2009 through the collaborative efforts of the Kenya Forest Service and Friends of Karura.
After walking on motor vehicle dirt roads from the Forest Gate for a couple of kilometers, you’ll encounter a sign pointing to a trail on the right that leads to the Caves. The trail drops sharply until it reaches the Karura River, before leveling off to follow the course of the river.
A few meters on, you’ll come upon the Karura Caves. These caves were considered sacred by the local community and had a long history of religious worship. They are also reputed to have served as a hideout for the Mau Mau during the fight for independence from the British colonial government.
A kilometer further down the trail is the spectacular 50ft Karura Waterfalls, with water cascading over three shelves before settling to a gentle flow down the river. In addition to the two attractions above, Karura Forest has over 50 km of nature trails, a bamboo forest, and marshland teeming with a wide range of birdlife.
They provide the perfect backdrop for nature lovers. An old chimney incinerator, once used by the Central Bank of Kenya to destroy decommissioned currency notes, still stands in the forest.
Nairobi Hiking Tour 2 Hour Walk Karura Forest Prices
Nairobi Hiking Tour 2-Hour Walk Karura Forest Rates Include:
✓Price per person
✓ 2 Armed Rangers from Kenya Forest Services
✓All Park Entry Fees, Service Charge, and Taxes
✓ Visit Karura Forest along Kiambu Road, Nairobi, Kenya
✓ Pickup from your hotel in Nairobi and drop-off at your hotel & a professional English-speaking guide from Friends of Karura Forest
| Dates From | Dates To | Price Per Person | Children Aged 8 to 12 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st January 2026 | 31st December 2026 | Request for rates | Request for rates |
Notes
* The forest is very secure with security guards all over the forest
* During the rainy season, Karura Forest gets muddy, so you need comfortable walking shoes or trainers
* Bring along drinking water, binoculars, a camera, and wildlife books to educate yourself, especially for birds and butterflies
Nairobi Hiking Tour 2-Hour Walk Karura Forest Rates Excludes:
* Travelers Insurance
* Gratuity to your Driver/ Guide
* Personal expenses such as drinks
* Optional activities in the stipulated itinerary
* Meals and sightseeing are not included in the package
* Communication charges, visas, international airfares, and airport taxes
* Transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)
Booking & Reservations, Nairobi Hiking Tour 2 Hour Walk Karura Forest, Contact
Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com