Karura Forest Entrance Gates and Things to Do

Karura Forest is a nature paradise located in the heart of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. The urban forest is a great place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city. The beautiful sound of chirping birds, howling monkeys, and fresh air is something to behold.

The forest reserve is managed by the Kenya Forests Service in conjunction with the Friends of Karura Forest, a Community Forest Association comprising Kenyans and other champions who are dedicated to protecting the city’s largest green area for the sake of future generations.

It is a serene, safe, and captivating environment with a lot to offer. You can enjoy nature walks, birdwatching, trail-biking, picnics, jogging, and beautiful photography among others. In this article, I’ll explain how to get there, the entrance fees, and some of the fun things to do.

Entrance gates and how to get there

The easiest way to get to Karura Forest is by taxi or a private vehicle. If you prefer public transport, be sure to catch matatus operating on the Limuru road which are 11B, 11F, 106, or 107 and they will drop you off at Gate A, directly across the Belgian Embassy.

The forest is also accessible via Gate C (Shark’s Gate) off Kiambu Road. Mataus operating on Kiambu route 100 or 120 will take you right there. Gate F at the end of Thigiri Lane off Thigiri Ridge Road is the main entrance to Sigiria, a less crowded section of the Karura forest.

Pedestrian-only gates are also available. They include Gate B, limited to the forest’s official use,  Gate D at the end of the ICRAF access lane, and Gate E for accessing the Sigiria forest. Regardless of where you are entering from, you will be required to leave your National ID or Passport.

Operating hours

The Karura forest is open to visitors from 6 am to 7 pm daily. It is important to plan your entry and exit time carefully so that you can explore different sections of the forest before the day ends. You can hire a guide at the entrance or explore everything on your own.

The charges for FKF tour guides are exclusive of the entry fees and are applied as follows:

• General tour: Ksh. 300 for adults and Ksh. 150 for children
• Specialized tour: Ksh. 800 for adults and Ksh. 400 for children
• Exclusive VIP tour: Ksh. 1800 for adults and Ksh. 900 for children

Eco tours are recommended if you want to learn more about the history of Karura Forest. They will help you explore different historic landmarks including the famous Mau Mau caves. 

Things to do

Karura Forest is an ecotourism destination with plenty of fun activities. Here are interesting things to do when you go there.

Nature walk

Karura forest has over 50 kilometers of trails for walking. Every time you visit, an exciting new path awaits you. Make sure to wear appropriate hiking shoes as most of the trails are hilly and cause strain if you are not in the right gear. Bring plenty of water and a banana or two for energizing.

Birdwatching

Karura forest is home to over 100 species of birds both resident and immigrants. The beautiful chirping sounds of birds are enough to tell you that you are in intense bird territory. You won’t miss seeing Kenya’s National Bird, the yellow-rumped tinkerbird, singing cisticola, and many more.

Trail-biking

The forest reserve has designated bike trails for those who like cycling. You are allowed to bring your bike at a small fee but there are also trail bikes for hire at the KFEET (Karura Forest Environmental Education Trust) grounds, accessible through Gate A or Gate C at Ksh 500 for 2 hours.

Picnics

There are benches all over and grassed areas where you can spend time with your loved ones. You can book designated picnic sites – near the KFEET Centre, at the Ruaka Swamp, in Sigiria near the Obstacle Course, or in Karura Gardens on Kiambu Road.

Dog walking

Don’t leave your furry friends at home when going for a nature walk in the Karura forest. The destination permits dog walking with designated off-leash sections. For safety reasons, you’ll need to adhere to dog guidelines, register your dog, and receive a Dog Tag Card on entry.

Sporting

Karura Forest has a basketball court, tennis courts, and a makeshift football pitch near the Gate A parking. All you need is to bring your own ball and start playing with your friends or teammates. The sporting arenas cost Ksh 200 per adult and Ksh 100 for children under 14 years per hour.

Photography

Karura Forest’s scenic views are great for photography and video recordings. On several occasions, I have seen weddings and other photo sessions taking place at various attractions within the woods. Be sure to enquire about filming and photography charges at the entrance.

Food and drinks

The River Cafe is a great place to enjoy your favorite Kenyan food and other exotic delicacies any time of the day. This open-air restaurant is accessible through gate A making it a perfect stopover for meals before or after your excursion into the forest.

Other attractions in the Karura forest

• The Mau Mau Caves – The Mau Mau fighters used to hide here from the British colonial forces during Kenya’s fight for independence.
• Scenic waterfalls and rivers – The Karura Forest Reserve has spectacular 15-meter waterfalls and several streams that run through it. 
• Old chimney incinerator – This was owned by the Central Bank of Kenya for use in burning the old and decommissioned currency back in the day.
• Lily Lake – This is a stone quarry pond abandoned years ago, which is now sparingly covered by beautiful water lilies. 
• Marshlands – They attract birdlife, including winter migrants from Europe and Asia
• Indigenous trees – They act as natural carbon sinks for fumes from the city.

Karura forest entrance fee

Both local and foreign tourists are charged some fee to enter Nairobi’s largest forest reserve. The money goes to the maintenance and conservation of the forest. Be sure to use Mpesa, Airtel Money, or a credit card as the management does not accept cash payment for entry.

Category	Adult	Child
Citizens	100	50
Residents	200	100
Non-residents	600	300

Parking fees

If you are driving to Karura Forest, you can park your vehicle either at the entrance of Gate A or at the end of Thigiri Lane. However, you will be charged a daily parking fee based on the size or capacity of your vehicle. The amount also goes to the maintenance of the forest reserve.

Vehicle Type	Daily rates
Car 4×4 – 5 Door	200
Minivan -12 Seater	400
Minibus – 14-32 Seats	600
Bus – 32+ Seater	1000

A brief history of Karura forest

The Karura forest is one of the largest forests in the world fully within city limits. Gazetted in 1932, the natural resource spans 1,041 hectares (2,570 acres), becoming one of the three urban forests of Nairobi, the others being Ngong Forest and Oloolua Forest. 

Due to its strategic location in the capital city, the valuable forested land faced intense pressure from the expanding urban settlements. Plans were put in place in the 1990s to reduce the size of the forest for building homes and other enterprises.

Fortunately, the late Professor Wangari Maathai fought endlessly to stop anyone from encroaching on this forested area. This placed her at loggerheads with the then-government of the day. On several occasions, she was forcefully arrested, beaten, and jailed by the police.

Wangari Maathai’s conservation efforts led to the birth of the famous Greenbelt Movement in Kenya which championed the protection of public parks and forested areas in the city. Her efforts attracted global attention and she was crowned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.

Size, location, and wildlife

Karura Forest is located in the northern part of Nairobi. This forest is bordered by the suburbs of Muthaiga, Runda, Ridgeways, Gigiri, New Muthaiga, Peponi and Mathare North. The far western part of the forest is also known as Sigiria forest.

The flora found in the Karura forest includes several types of indigenous trees, bamboo plantations, and many others. You can find plant species such as Croton megalocarpus,  Brachyleana hullensis, and Warburgia ugandesis among others.

The forest is also home to several animals including Harvey’s Duiker, Antelopes, Hares, Dik-Dik, Squirrels, Bush pigs, Suni, Grimm’s Duiker, Bushbucks, porcupines, Fruit bats, Snakes, Genets, Honey budgers, Africa civets, Sykes, butterflies and various species of birds.

Final thought

Karura forest is a great reprieve for Nairobi dwellers and tourists who are visiting Kenya. It is a very busy area during the weekends and public holidays. I recommend getting there early if you want to explore every corner of the forest. You’ll be searched before entering, and any alcohol or plastic will be confiscated or kept for you to collect when you leave.