The Karura Forest; All You Need To Know 2023

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The Karura Forest is an urban forest upland forest on the outskirts of Nairobi Kenya. This geographical location and natural resource is one of the largest gazetted forests in the world fully within a city limit. The beautiful forest is home to different species including birds, bush squirrels, hares, genets, bushbucks, bush pigs, porcupines, monkeys, honey badgers, bush babies, and so many others, giving you a great experience as you explore the forest.

A visit to the forest is essential for sentinels and explorers whether it is just to take you or your dog for a walk, running, or even biking. The five entrances are open to the public the main one being the Limuru Road entrance, directly across from the Belgian Embassy.

Residents pay Ksh. 200 for adults and Ksh. 100 for children as the entrance fee while non-residents pay Ksh. 600 for adults and Ksh. 300 for children. The parking fee is Ksh. 100. In case you would want a guide, it will cost you Ksh. 3000 for 2 hours. The modest entry fee and all proceeds go to maintaining the safety of the forest.

READ: INCREDIBLE HISTORY OF FORT JESUS FROM 1593

INCREDIBLE HISTORY OF FORT JESUS FROM 1593

Activities Inside Karura Forest

The faculty offers a variety of activities that are friendly to individuals and groups. We are going to go through some

1. Bike Riding.

This is one of the most common activities in the faculty. The charge for a two-hour hire is Ksh 500. This is a must-try activity for lovers of cycling. There is a specific path for cyclists making it safer to avoid being lost in the huge forest. There are always people cycling in the forest making it even more interesting.

2. Picnics

The picnic fee per person is ksh150 for adults and 100 for children. The picnic fees do not include forest entry and parking fees, they are paid separately. There are five picnic designated sites Karura Gardens on Kiambu road, near the KFEET Center, adjacent to Amani Garden, at the Ruaraka swamp, and in Sigiria near the Obstacle course. Weekend picnics are booked a day in advance via the email [email protected] or a call. On the weekdays, however, there is no need to book picnics

3. Walking

Over 50 kilometers of trail await you in the beautiful Karura. Every path leads to another and there are many roads leading to different destinations. You will need appropriate shoes and probably a bottle of water.

4. Bird Watching

The faculty is home to over 200 species of birds, which you can hear chirping as you walk through it. Eco-tours will take you to places to see the birds.

5. Tennis

The tennis court at KFEET Center is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm. To avoid inconvenience, reservations are made at least a day before and both singles and doubles games are permitted. The court fees are 200 for adults and 100 for children.

6. Guided Tours

Eco-tours are booked at any gate by lovers of history. They guide you as they give you the history of Karura. There are many landmarks such as the Mau Mau caves which were used as hideouts during the struggle for independence. The prices of the tours vary depending on the quality but the most affordable is 300 for adults and 150 for children.

7. Jogging

You can jog around the forest, the place is interactive as you jog.

8. Horse Riding

If you love horse riding, Karura is the place to be.

Read: Karura: The forest in a concrete jungle

Karura Forest Attraction Sites

Apart from the many recreational activities that make the forest a place to be, there is a lot of history and treasures in the beautiful forest.

1: The Mau Mau caves- hideout of the Mau Mau in the Colonial period

2:The incinerator used to burn the old currency in the past

3:Marshlands- attract winter migrants from Europe to Asia(birdlife)

4:Water falls and rivers within

5:Lily lake-a stone quarry pond

The forest is open to all visitors who not only love nature but have a common respect for Kenya’s well-maintained natural beauty. The tranquility in the place is unmatched. If you are stressed and looking for a calm and beautiful place to sit and think things out, Karura is the place to be.

If you are a tourist and wondering where to sleep around Karura, there are a variety of affordable hotels with great views. Nairobi is also the home of the Giraffe Center, Nairobi National Park, Bomas of Kenya, and Karen Blixen Museum among others. You have a variety to choose from.