Shimba Hills
Shimba Hills in Kenya is a lush green playground waiting to be explored. It’s a magical place where dense forests meet rolling hills, creating a paradise for nature lovers. You can hike through winding trails, surrounded by towering trees and the chirping of birds. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants, buffalo, and antelopes roaming freely in their natural habitat. The highlight is a visit to the stunning Sheldrick Falls, where you can cool off in the refreshing waters beneath the cascading waterfall. The hilltops’ panoramic views are breathtaking, especially during sunrise or sunset. After a day of adventure, you can unwind at one of the cosy lodges nestled in the heart of the hills.
Taita Hills
While on safari, hiking enthusiasts can enjoy trekking Taita Hills. The hills consist of three massifs: Dawida, Sagalla on the southern side of Voi township and Kasigau in the south near the border of Tanzania. The Dawida massif is the largest and tallest of the three, with an altitude of 2,228 metres (7,310 ft) above sea level at its highest peak, Vuria. Dawida has three other main peaks: Iyale, Wesu, and Susu. Around the hills are various lodges that enjoy the view of the hills and carry out activities including hikes, nature walks among game drives.
Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
The Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is located in Nairobi. The main objective of the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves and later reintegrate them into the wild. The orphanage also provides veterinary care to injured and sick elephants, as well as other wildlife species. The orphanage offers a unique opportunity for visitors to observe the orphaned elephants during their daily feeding and mud bath sessions. These visits allow visitors to learn about the challenges facing elephants in the wild and the conservation efforts being undertaken to protect them. The orphanage holds a public visiting hour every day from 11 AM to noon and advanced booking is required. The trust also runs an adoption program that allows individuals to foster an orphaned elephant or rhino. By symbolically adopting an orphan, supporters contribute to the ongoing care, feeding, and rehabilitation efforts. In return, they receive updates and exclusive access to information about their adopted animal.
Gatura Greens
Gatura Greens is the world’s first purple tea farm and offers an authentic Kenyan Tea Farm Tour experience. The tour is an opportunity to learn about the different types of tea, enjoy a long beautiful walk, and swim in a waterfall. This paid experience involves people picking their tea, processing it and keeping it as a souvenir, as well as a tea tasting ceremony and a 3 – course vegetarian lunch. Gatura is becoming more popular as a fun weekend activity with friends surrounded by a bamboo forest and even the option to camp at the location or stay the night at the farm cottage.
Brakenhurst
In the lush and beautiful Limuru lies Brackenhurst – a retreat centre about 30 KM from Nairobi. Brackenhurst has a long history dating back to the early 20th century when it was established as a colonial tea farm. Over the years, it has transformed into a vibrant conference and retreat centre while preserving its natural beauty and historical charm. The centre offers a range of facilities to accommodate conferences, workshops, retreats, and other events. These include conference halls, meeting rooms, accommodation options (such as cottages and guest rooms), dining areas, and outdoor spaces for recreational activities such as nature walks and bird watching. In addition to hosting events and conferences, Brackenhurst Nairobi offers various activities and excursions for guests to enjoy during their stay. These include guided nature walks, visits to nearby attractions (such as the Limuru Tea Plantations or the Ngong Hills), cultural experiences, and team-building exercises.
Giraffe Centre
Enjoy sights of some of the biggest animals that wander the face of Earth with a visit to Giraffe Centre in Nairobi. Run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), the centre’s main objective is to secure the imperilled Rothschild giraffe which is found to roam about in free and protected captivity around the meadows. Over the years, Giraffe Centre has become a favourite of tourists and students. Visitors are given the opportunity to observe and interact with giraffes in a natural setting. Visitors can hand-feed giraffes from a raised platform, allowing for up-close encounters and memorable experiences. Educational talks and guided tours are also available to learn more about giraffe biology, behaviour, and conservation. In addition to giraffe encounters, the Giraffe Centre features a nature trail that winds through the adjacent Gogo River Bird Sanctuary. The trail offers a chance to explore the surrounding habitat, observe native bird species, and enjoy scenic views of the landscape.
Ngong Hills Hike
A short drive from Nairobi city, Ngong Hills is home to one of the most fantastic views in the country. Not only is it a natural wonder, Ngong Hills is also a popular location for adventure lovers. With breathtaking scenery, surrounded by rolling green hills and lush grasslands, Ngong Hills is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, antelopes, and monkeys. The Ngong Hills attracts outdoor enthusiasts and hikers seeking to explore the scenic trails that crisscross the hills. Ziplining, hiking, trekking, and birdwatching are popular activities, offering people an opportunity to experience nature and enjoy panoramic views of Nairobi and the Rift Valley. One of the most notable things about the hills is the large wind turbines that make the area cooler and make the landscape even more interesting.
Oloolua Nature Trail
Oloolua Nature Trail is a scenic nature reserve located in Nairobi. It’s located in the Karen-Langata area and is popular for its beautiful views, indigenous trees and calm atmosphere. Oloolua is ideal for nature walks and bird watching and has a few beautiful waterfalls that drain into the Mbagathi River that flows through the trail. The trail offers hiking opportunities suitable for all skill levels and people can explore the winding paths that meander through the forested areas and along the riverbank. There are also designated picnic spots where visitors can relax and enjoy food immersed in nature. The trail is also popular for events, photo shoots, and camping and is also a historical site through the natural caves that are 37 metres deep into the forest surface. The trail also has a bamboo resting point and a papyrus swamp that is a usual visitor favourite.
Arboretum
The Nairobi Arboretum is a botanical garden in Nairobi. It covers 74 acres and is managed by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). Arboretum is a popular area for residents who enjoy fresh air and nature. The arboretum is home to a diverse collection of trees, plants, and shrubs, both indigenous and exotic, and visitors can explore the garden through guided tours. Visitors can also explore walking, jogging, picnicking and birdwatching – with well-maintained paths and trails winding through the garden, the arboretum is perfect for a well-deserved break in the middle of the city. The Arboretum also holds events and cultural activities such as tree planting events, environmental awareness campaigns and concerts. If you’re planning a visit, the Arboretum has the right facilities to make the experience easier such as restrooms, picnic areas, benches, parking areas and a small cafe where you can enjoy drinks and snacks.
Karura Forest
Karura Forest is a protected urban forest in Nairobi. It covers about 2.570 acres and consists of 3 parts and 5 gates of entry. It’s one of the largest forests in the world and it plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance in Nairobi. At Karura, visitors can participate in multiple activities, the most popular being walking, jogging, cycling, tennis (Bikes can be hired) and picnicking. The forest also has several caves and waterfalls, one of the most beautiful being the Karura Forest Waterfall. The forest is managed by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in collaboration with the Friends of Karura Forest, a community-based organisation dedicated to the conservation and protection of the forest. Their efforts include tree-planting initiatives, conservation education programs, and wildlife monitoring. Karura is also a big favourite for dog owners who can be seen mostly on weekend mornings with their favourite pets going for long walks. Accessing the forest is easy with all their entry points but it is important to note that entry is not free and more information can be found on their website.