The Best Guide to Karura Forest Nairobi

Karura Forest Nairobi is an oasis of tranquillity in the centre of one of Africa’s fastest-growing and most frenetic cities. Karura Forest has 2500 acres of waterfalls, skyscraper trees, tangled vines and wild animals, through which gentle pathways twist and turn. Nairobi’s residents retire to Karura Forest to walk, bike, jog and enjoy lunch at the serenely beautiful River Café.

Karura Forest Nairobi is one of the largest gazetted forests in the world, fully within city limits. A marvel of natural geography that reminds us of the beauty of the Kenyan countryside. This area of Nairobi was once heavily forested and the remaining ancient forest is in sharp contrast to the confusion of buildings and roads that lay beyond.

You arrive at Karura Forest Nairobi along one of several busy arteries. Limuru Road is chock-a-block with traffic. Fumes belch from the water trucks as matatus’ weave on and off pavements in an attempt to gain a few extra car spaces. Driving in Nairobi is stressful. Hell, being in Nairobi can be stressful. The turning to Karura Forest winds uphill, swiftly cars are replaced by giant eucalyptus and traffic fumes swapped for the lemony sharp smell of the woodland. In minutes the smog, smoke, stress and strain of city life feels a million miles away.

Even if you are a tourist to Nairobi, you should make time to visit Karura Forest reserve. Apart from Nairobi National Park, it is one of the few inner cities places that give you an insight into the natural flora and fauna of the Nairobi area. And it’s a perfect place to wind down.

What wildlife is there in Karura Forest Reserve?

Karura Forest Nairobi has a hugely diverse range of animals for a city-centre park, including over 200 bird species. You can spot the Ayres hawk-eagle and African crowned eagle, African wood owl, grey crested cranes Desmond’s Green Banded Swallowtail, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Narina Trogon, Crested Cranes, Sparrows, Doves, Weavers and Vultures.

Mammals within Karura Forest include Harvey’s duikers, Grimm’s duiker’s bushbucks, bush pigs, genets, honey badgers, civets, bush babies, porcupines, colobus monkeys, sykes monkeys, and the epaulettes-bat.

Reptiles include pythons, green snakes and monitor lizards.

Karura Forest Nairobi activities

There are tons of Karura Forest activities, people come to Karura Forest to walk, cycle or jog along the many paths. Most of the paths are wide and well kept, although mostly dirt,in the rains a bike ride can be a muddy event. Even the short trails have steep up and down hills, so bear that in mind if you have small kids or elderly persons in your group.

The paths are often shaded by the woods, but in the open Karura Forest can get punishingly hot. Be sure to bring water with you.

There are a couple of official routes, which are signposted from the carpark. The guides will also be able to point your in the right direction. From memory there is a is a 5km, 10km, 22km and 30km route. 

If you want to go off-piste, then All Trails show you routes that previous visitors to the park have taken, along with maps and photographs.

There are waterfalls to swim in, caves to explore, steps that climb up and down from the river, secret picnic spots and enormous trees.

Karura Forest bike hire is available in two depots; One on the KFEET grounds accessible through Gate A (Limuru road) or Gate D (off ICRAF road) A second rental point at gate C off Kiambu Road, also known as ‘sharks’. 

Dogs are allowed on leads

The River Café, Karura Forest Nairobi

The River Café celebrates the beauty of Karura Forest Reserve. A restaurant that is completely open to the elements with a raised platform that looks out across the trees. 

The food and service are always excellent and it is well priced. The River Café, Karura Forest does huge burgers, steaks, fish, pasta, salads and sandwiches, plus a large wine and cocktail list and yummy hot chocolates for those days when you are cold and tired out from biking in the woods. It is very popular on weekends and I suggest you book. Dogs are allowed on a leash.  

Located near the car park at the Limuru Road main entrance. 

History of Karura Forest Nairobi

Karura Forest Reserve is one of only three gazetted forests in Nairobi, the other two being Ngong Forest and Ololua Forest. Despite being gazetted in 1932, the land around Karura has constantly been battled over. Its position in the heart of the capital city means that the land it occupies is extremely valuable. In the 1990s, plans were put in place to reduce the size of the forest and build housing. The recently passed Wangari Maathai won a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate for her contribution to conservation, which included forming a greenbelt movement in Kenya. As part of her campaign to save Kenya’s natural spaces, she created a protest movement that stopped the planned urban build and saved Karura Forest.

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Friends of Karura Forest

Friends of Karura Forest is a Community Forest Association that work towards protecting the Karura Forest Reserve, for future generations. For more information on the work that they do  Visit their Website

How safe is Karura Forest?

Karura Forest is safe. I would happily go there alone. There are many guides and scouts who patrol the forest regularly.

Karura Forest Nairobi Entrance Fee

Citizen 100 / Residents 200 / Non-residents 600 

Kids half price 

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Karura Forest Location

The main entrance is on Limuru Road, after the Belgian Embassy. There are two other entrances at the Old Kiambu Gate on Old Kiambu road or the KFS main gate, which is off Kiambu road and opposite CID Headquarters. 

Public Transport: 11B, 106, 107, 108, 114 or 116 of public service vehicles from Nairobi City Centre will get you right to the main entrance on Limuru Road. If you take the KFS main gate on Kiambu road, ride matatu numbers 100 or 120.

Opening Hours at Karura Forest

The forest is open to visitors from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Further Reading

• The best hotels in Nairobi
• 24 Hours in Nairobi
• 5 star hotels in Nairobi
• Cheap Bed and Breakfasts in Nairobi

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