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Karura Forest

Karura Forest, Nairobi: Hours, Address, Karura Forest Reviews: 4.5/5

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Karura Forest

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Karura Forest
4.5
1,055
#3 of 119 things to do in Nairobi
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Forests
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6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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About
The Karura Forest Reserve is an urban upland forest on the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. This remarkable geographical location and natural resource is one of the largest gazetted forests in the world fully within a city limits. It covers an area of about 1,000 ha (2,500 ac) and today is a shining example of how country-based corporate social responsibility and individual philanthropy can serve to secure and protect a country's natural resources. The forest offers eco-friendly opportunities for Kenyans and visitors to enjoy a leafy green respite from the hustle and bustle of the city to walk, to jog, or simply to sit quietly and experience the serenity of nature in all its diversity.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Karura Forest and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
470 within 3 miles
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The River Cafe - Karura
100
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • International • Vegetarian Friendly
Kebab Korner
3
0.3 miTurkish
Curry Flavors
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Chowpaty
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19
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Taste of China (TOC)
150
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Attractions
84 within 6 miles
Paradise Lost
86
218 ftCaverns & Caves • Waterfalls
Fundii Centre for the Arts
1
0.3 miArt Galleries
The Village Market
549
1.5 miShopping Malls
Nairobi National Museum
1,426
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1.2 miShopping Malls
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0.8 miShopping Malls
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553
2.9 miConvention Centers
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249
2.4 miGardens
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2 miFarms
Sarit Centre
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,055 reviews
Excellent
639
Very good
367
Average
37
Poor
10
Terrible
2
Jayesh Saini
6 contributions
Wonderful
If you’re in Nairobi and haven’t visited the Karura Forest, you’re wasting your time. It’s one of the most beautiful and relaxing places in Kenya. Every hike in this forest connects me back to nature. There’s a lot to explore here, from the waterfall to the Mau Mau caves.
The forest is well preserved and the authorities take their job seriously. There are no plastics allowed in the forest (that includes plastic water bottles as well) so plan accordingly. Most residents of Nairobi city come here for morning jogs. It’s completely safe and you can even explore it all alone.
It doesn’t matter what day you’re visiting this place; it will always have its charms. This is the most relaxing getaway park in the world.
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Akinyi
4 contributions
Soothing and scenic hiking and biking trails
The trails leading to the caves and the waterfall were blocked off when I went, they had been for about two months, with no explanation or projected reopening date.

Either way, the experience was great. Karura Forest is very scenic and relaxing, with lots of trees and soothing hiking trails. Great biking trails too.

Casual clothing with comfortable walking shoes is recommended. Do not bring anything plastic (bottles, packaging, etc), it will be confiscated. There is a restaurant therein.
Written July 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
adela
Labin, Croatia2 contributions
Easy walk in well maintained nature park
Friends
Amazing place for a short walk or easy hike. We went from gate D to waterfalls, caves and the Lily lake and ended in the River Cafe, which is beautiful open air modern restaurant in the nature. The whole walk was approx 7 km and mostly in the shadows and nice forest climate.
Written March 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jolly g
2 contributions
Rude, unaccommodating staff.
Friends
Karura is a great place but I think you should.
1. Update your website. Let us know that if you bring snacks you MUST pay for the picnic charges, let us know that you also don't issue a receipt for the gate entrance fee coz you giving me a receipt without all my total payments will lead me to assuming the amount not receipted is pocketed by the guys charging at the gate (this was Limuru gate).
2. Change your staff. I only met one polite and helpful staff, sorry i have no better words for this but he was a 'mwalalo' forest guard, the rest were very rude and seemed to not want our presence around especially at the bicycle center. We were also given one of the staff's personal bicycle that he uses to commute to work instead of the ones stored there specifically for clients and it was issued for one and a half hours. When i asked why it isnt two hours as they have stated at the center and in your website, we were told 'hiyo one hour ya juu hukua bonus mia tano ni ya one hour'.
Anyway we still went for the bike ride and unfortunately got abit lost but luckily stumbled upon two scouts....the male had a sprained wrist and we asked for directions via the shortest route back to the bike center and we get directed to this certain direction that is apparently 6kms away from the center when there was an alternative route of about 3kms. This we found out after realising that we are walking closer to the sounds of heavy traffic and stopped a jogger to confirm our direction. In Short Karura is a great place with some very rude, unhelpful and unaccommodating staff that will make you feel like its not all worth it but if you can avoid much contact with them then you will get to enjoy yourself.
Written December 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Princess of nature
1 contribution
Terrible
Family
I was discriminated today by those who were responsible to take the charges of bicycle. My brother wanted to ride the bicycle so they told him to provide his ID which he gave out his copy id because he left the original at home. He told me and I went there to give out my original id but then I saw a Kenyan guy he gave out his copy ID and the man who was registering did not tell him anything. He took it from him and so I confronted him and he started to ignore me saying there’s no one who gave out a copy whilst I saw him taking the copy ID of the other guy. I am disappointed with the service and the discrimination.
Written June 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lwatson1970
Meols, UK950 contributions
Oasis in Nairobi
Friends
Well worth a visit but remember to wear good walking shoes. The rangers are very helpful with directions and the map and sign posts are easy to follow. Our visit was just after heavy rain and therefore the steps down to the waterfall and caves were very slippery under foot. Beautiful flora and if you are lucky you can catch a glimpse of monkeys on your walk. We did a 6 mile loop in the end which was very enjoyable although quite muddy. Would highly recommend as an escape from the city in a safe and beautiful setting particularly if a business trip means a weekend stay in the city.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
J Omerat
Uppsala, Sweden17 contributions
Good for 2-hour trip
Friends
Karura Forest was beautiful. Didn’t see any animals at all but they said there were monkeys inside.

You can rent bikes at Gate c. The price is 5000shilling for 2 hours. The bikes was terrible. Old, broken and small.

The Forest was beautiful though, we spent about 2hours inside on bikes. No restaurants or cafes inside and no plastic allowed in.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MunFam
Bahrain2,659 contributions
Absolutely Beautiful
We are from America and LOVE National Parks and hiking. We now live in the Middle East, so when our guide suggested we spend a few hours hiking to the waterfall, we got super excited. The trails were clean and well marked. I am so glad we got to escape for a few hours. One note: Plastic water bottles are prohibited, so we were dying by the end of our hike.
Written July 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
k3iiferz56
64 contributions
Great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the City.
Karura Forest is a great place to venture for a nature walk. It's a very calm and relaxing place where you can get away from the city life of Nairobi (for a few hours).
Reminder: wear proper attire. I have seen too many people where high heels and dress shoes only for them to get destroyed by the mud.
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Keith S
16 contributions
Lovely hiking
Great place to go to escape the hustle and bustle of Nairobi - very peaceful and serene. The waterfalls are lovely. I went with a guide but felt that you could easily do this alone as the trails are well marked and security is tight
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Karura Forest
Karura Forest is open:
  • Sun - Sat 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Karura Forest tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Karura Forest tours on Tripadvisor