Karura Forest Reserve is the city’s largest green area. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the Karura forest location. In addition, we will share what you can do in Karura Forest and how much it costs.
Karura is great for Layover Tours. Also, if you are on a business trip to Nairobi and have a few hours, it would be a great spot to connect with nature. The Kenya Forest Service and the Friends of Karura Community Forest Association take care of the forest.
Karura Forest Location, Maps & Directions
Karura Forest lies in the northern part of Nairobi, Kenya. The forest has six entrances point. However, only five entrance gates are open to the public.
Limuru Road is the main entry. It is right across from the Belgian Embassy. Also, it can be reached through Gate C, on Kiambu Road, next to the DCI offices.
These gates include;
- Gate A is the main entrance. It is on Limuru Road, across from the Belgian Embassy. From Nairobi, Focal Point takes 22 min (8.9 km)via Limuru Rd and 22 min (9.7 km) via Muthaiga Rd.
- Gate B. Closed to the public: it is a service gate only.
- Gate C, Also called “Sharks Gate,” after the nyama choma (roast meat) restaurant on the other side of Kiambu Road from the park. This forest trail is great for biking and walking dogs.
- Gate D. Cars cannot go through this gate. There is no entrance for cars. It is a Pedestrian entrance only at the end of the ICRAF access lane.
- Gate E. Solely is a pedestrian-only entrance. Located Off Limuru Road, opposite Gate A. If driving, parking is at Gate A.
- Gate F. Gate F serves the other Karura forest block, the Sigiria block. The main entry to Sigiria is at the end of Thigiri Lane, which is on Thigiri Ridge Road. Parking is inside the gate.
Karura is a calm, safe, and secure place with a lot to offer, like beautiful nature trails, archaeological sites, caves, marshlands, and well-kept cycling paths.
How Karura Forest Came to Be
Karura Forest Reserve is one of only three official forests in Nairobi. The other two are Oloolua Forest and Ngong Forest. Even though Karura was gazetted in 1932, the land around it has always been of great interest to many developers. The Karura land is very prestigious because it is a few kilometers from the capital city.
In the 1990s, during Kenya’s second president’s regime. Plans were made to cut down the size of the forest and build homes on the land. Wangari Maathai, who died on September 25th, 2011, won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in conservation. Her work included starting a Greenbelt movement in Kenya.
As part of her effort to protect Kenya’s natural areas, she set up a protest movement that led to the cancellation of the planned urban development and the protection of Karura Forest.
Karura Forest Park Entrance Fee
Citizen fees to get into Karura Forest
Citizens with Kenyan Identity Cards.
Ksh 100 per adult, Ksh 50 per child
Residents’ Entrance fee to Karura Forest
Residents are People who live in East Africa or people with work permits issued by the government of Kenya.
Ksh 200 per adult, Ksh 100 per child
Non-Residents Forest Entrance Charges
Ksh 600 per adult, Ksh 300 per child
Car Charges in Karura Forest Reserve
Karura Forest Costs to park a car every day. The Fees are based on the Vehicle type.
- Cars (4x4s) Kshs 200
- 14-seater minivan Kshs 300
- Minibus: Ksh 400 (15–31 people)Kshs 600
- Buses with more than 32 seats Kshs 1000
Things to do in Karura Forest and fees
There are many things to do in Karura, and they all follow the rule, “Leave nothing behind but footprints, take nothing away but memories.” At the moment, guests are enjoying the following activities:
Mountain-Biking in Karura Forest Nairobi
Now, people who go to Karura Forest can rent a sturdy, multi-speed trail bike to use on certain forest paths. There are three places to rent bikes: one on the KFEET grounds, best reached through Gate A (Limuru Road) or Gate D off ICRAF Road.
Gate C (also called “Sharks”) off Kiambu Road. Thirdly, Gate F on the main entrance to Sigiria gate) off Thigiri hill road. For Ksh 500, you can rent a bike without a motor from 8 am to 4 pm daily. During your ride, you must leave your Identity card or passport with the staff at the bike rental shed.
Picnic sites in Karura Forest
In Karura Forest Reserve, there are five approved picnic areas. Firstly, Amani Garden near the KFEET Centre at the Ruaka Swamp. While in Sigiria block, the picnic site is near the Obstacle Course. Thirdly is Karura Gardens on Kiambu Road.
During the week, you don’t need to book picnics, but on the weekends, you do.
Please note that weekend picnic hangouts must be reserved by email. At least one day in advance (no later than 1800hrs)
Karura Forest Picnic Site Charges
Here’s how much each person will have to pay for the picnic:
Adult -Ksh 150
Child (12 & under) -Ksh 100
Please keep in mind that Karura Forest is a plastic-free zone. Collect your trash once done.
Notice: The Picnic fees do not include the fees to get into the forest or to park. There are different fees for getting in and parking.
Trekking/Walking in Karura Forest
There are more than 50 km of tracks in Karura Forest. Every time you go there, you’ll find a new trekking trail. Wear Hiking shoes or sturdy walking shoes made for walking. Bring a lot of drinking water and maybe one or two bananas. In addition, some places have tapped water which is safe for drinking.
Eco-tours are a great way to learn more about the past of Karura Forest. There are many places with interesting stories about them, like the Mau Mau caves, which were used as hiding places during Kenya’s fight for freedom. Any gate can be used to book an eco-tour. To Book an eco-tour, contact us at +254 729 257 317 or email at [email protected]
Birdwatching excursions
There are over 250 species of birds living in Karura Forest. To list they include Hartlaub’s Turaco, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Black Cuckooshrike, Northern Fiscal, Green-backed Camaroptera, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Red-faced Cisticola, Singing Cisticola, Highland Rush Warbler, Rock Martin, Lesser Striped Swallow, Black Sawwing and more.
Our Eco-Tours will take you to the best places to see different kinds of Birds of Kenya & wildlife animals.
Dog walking in Karura Forest Nairobi.
Karura Forest is a great place to take your dog for a walk. The air is cool and relaxing, and there are many things to find with your best friend. In most of the forest, your dog needs to be on a leash, but there are places where they can run free. When you enter, you must register your dog and get a Dog Tag Card for safety and security reasons. Again, there are strict rules about dogs in the area to keep everyone safe.
Tennis Court
Visitors to Karura Forest can play tennis at the KFEET Centre, which is open from 7 am to 5 pm every day. You can play either singles or teams. On courts two and three, you should wear tennis shoes. All bookings should be made at least one day ahead of time to avoid trouble.
The court fees are Ksh 200 for people and Ksh 100 for children under 12 years old. This does not include the cost of entering the forest or parking. There are different fees to get in and park. The courts charge by the hour, so if you spend more time on the court, you’ll have to pay more.
Karura Forest Trail Running or Jogging
This is the place to go if you like to Trail Running. As you jog and sweat your way to better health and a better mood, you will learn to enjoy nature more. There are marked trails of 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, and 20 Km along forest running trails.
Team Building Venue
When looking for team-building venues in Nairobi, consider Karura. It’s very accessible and affordable. No team-building location beats fresh air and great ambiance in nature.
Horseriding in Karura Forest Nairobi
Firstly you will need to bring your horse to enjoy horse riding. Even though it’s pretty wet, you’ll enjoy your walk.
Karura Forest Attractions
The Mau Mau Caves: This is where the Mau Mau people used to hide from the colonists. There are about three caves in Karura. The caves are close to Karura waterfalls.
Karura Waterfalls Chase
Most visited spot and one of the favorite spots for many visitors in Karura. Indeed, a great spot for reading a book or just sitting to meditate. Karura Waterfalls is a 15-meter waterfall. The sound of the waterfall falling together with the songs of the birds makes one of the most beautiful euphonies.
River Gazing at Ruaka River
Rivers show what life is like. The steady hum is a great way to escape everyday life’s busyness. River gazing slows racing thoughts and clears the mind of anxiety. In addition, River gazing is said to increase mood, lower stress levels, and strengthen the immune system. Ruaka River Flows from Tigoni another great spot for outdoor adventure and tea Farming tours. An eco-tour to Karura can be combined with a Tea Farm Tour in Tigoni. Or a coffee farm tour in Kiambu. Ruaka River flows through Two Rivers Mall, the Village Market Mall. Ruaka River drains to the Athi River. Athi River is one of the largest Kenya Rivers.
The Incinerator- Karura Forest Reserve
At this place, the Central Bank of Kenya used to burn the old money that was no longer in use. Easy to access this spot from the Kiambu Road entrance.
Karura Forest Lily Lake
Lily Lake is an old stone mining pond that is no longer used. It’s a favorite for birdwatchers and Birds Photography. Has two benches on its banks. A favorite spot for couples and Book readers. Lily Lake Marshlands draw birds, including those that fly from Europe and Asia to spend the winter there. While there, mostly in the morning, you may spot Antelopes as they feed.
Karura Forest’s River Café
The River Café is near the car park at the main gate on Limuru Road. The cafe shows how beautiful the Karura Forest Reserve is. A restaurant with a raised platform that looks out over the trees and is open to the weather.
The prices are fair, and the food and service are always great. The River Café in Karura Forest has big burgers, steaks, fish, pasta, soups, sandwiches, a long list of wines and cocktails, and delicious hot chocolate for days when you’re cold and tired from biking in the woods. It’s very busy on the weekends, so I suggest you make an appointment. Dogs can come if they are on a leash.
Among other things, they plant trees.
Just Sitting Getting together in certain places for various events: Educational trips, concerts, weddings, team building, exhibitions, dog training, sports, and fitness.