Nairobi Arboretum

The Nairobi Arboretum is one of the most loved urban green spaces or destinations in Kenys. It’s a living forest strategically placed just a few minutes from the busy Nairobi city. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, fitness lover, birdwatcher of just a visitor planning to travel to Kenya, this guide will explain everything you need to know about Arboretum entrance fee, what to do and see when you visit, how to combine your tour with other activities through trusted travel agencies in Kenya such as Adequate Safaris.

A Brief History About Nairobi Arboretum

Dear readers the Nairobi Arboretum has a pretty interesting history to what is it today and what is used be. Most people jut visit this destination and don’t know the history behind it however, I am here to give you a brief history and development of Arboretum. It was established in 1907 by Mr. Batiscombe to do a trial on exotic timber on a 30.5 hectare in Nairobi. Nairobi Arboretum is a historic protected green zone in Kilimani, Nairobi.

It was gazetted as a National Reserve in 1932 during this entire time exotic timber trees would be planted for the purposes of supplying fuel for the steam engine. Currently it serves as a very critical recreational and botanical park. There are more than 350 tree species within Nairobi Arboretum Park which is usually managed by Kenya Forest Services and Frends of Nairobi Arboretum.

Directions to Nairobi Arboretum

Getting to Nairobi Arboretum is quite easy as you can get there by a private car or ride in a shared car from the CBD you should drive through the Arboretum Road Off State House Road in Kilimani which will take you directly to arboretum where parking is usually available at the gate. If you opt to use a public transport means then you can try taking a matatu plying through route number 48 from the main stage at the CBD. You will then alight at the Shell Petrol Station besides which is the lower arboretum side of the gate. If you love trekking then you can decide to walk from the CBD which will take you about 30 minutes to reach the Nairobi Arboretum.

Nairobi Arboretum Visiting Hours

The Nairobi Arboretum is always open for 365 days a year from dawn till dusk since the early 1900s. The specific time that would be convenient and safe for you is between 6:00 am to 6:15 pm.

Why Visit Nairobi Arboretum as a Special Destination?

If you are an international visitor planning for a Kenyan Itinerary then your first stop to cool your mind and unwind would be arboretum before even thinking of hitting other destinations in Kenya. It’s often a natural place in the middle of the city that is perfect for both amateur and seasoned travellers. There is no trip to Nairobi Kenya that would be complete without stopping and exploring the Nairobi Arboretum. There are lots of nature related activities that you can engage in thus making it a perfect destination for nature lovers.

Nairobi Arboretum Entrance Fees and Other Charges

Visiting the Nairobi Arboretum used to be free until September of 2016 when entry fee was introduced. As of 2026, the arboretum entrance fee for adult citizens is Kenya Shillings 242.00 while children aged between 3-13 years the entry fee is 63.00 Kenya shillings. For resident adult entry free is Kenya Shillings 479.00 while children aged between 3 and 13 years is Kenya Shillings 121.00.

Non-Residents charges are a little bit higher as adults are charged an entry fee of Kenya Shillings 716.00 while children of ages 3 to 13 years are charged Kenya Shillings 179.00. These charges are always inclusive of a 16% Value Added Tax and the E-Citizen platform convenience fee.

There are different activities you can engage in while at Arboretum Nairobi which all come with different charges. For instance, the environment within arboretum is very cool and peaceful which makes it the ideal place for you if you are looking for a place to have a budget picnic. Now the picnic charges at Arboretum Nairobi are 2,390.00 Kenya Shillings. You can also have an event or a small meeting within the confines of arboretum at a fee of 58,050.00 Kenya Shillings.

There are various movies and films that have been produced from arboretum which of course they have to pay in order to film at arboretum, the filming fees is 46, 450.00 Kenya Shillings. Business owners also like going to the Nairobi Arboretum to make advert photography which costs them 5,850.00 per session. The common activities that you are likely not to miss is photography and videography which costs 1, 372.00 Kenya Shillings and 3,356.00 Kenya Shillings respectively. Depending on the activity that brings you to Arboretum Nairobi there are some travel agencies in Kenya that would help you explore the destination fully and feel the value for your money.

There is also parking fees for those that are accessing Nairobi Arboretum with their cars. The parking fees for normal personal cars is Kenya Shillings 100.00, minibuses or mini van the parking fee is Kenya Shillings 200.00, Public school buses are charged 100.00 Kenya shillings and private school bus or bus the parking fee is 500.00 Kenya Shillings.

It’s important to note that visitors such as students from recognized private and public learning institutions that is from primary schools, secondary schools and colleges that have come to Arboretum for learning purposes must seek organized arrangements with the Nairobi Arboretum management.  The children allowed in arboretum are of between 3-13 years. Remember all payments are completed through MPESA or AIRTEL MONEY or can be completed on the E-Citizen platform also bank or card swipes are allowed. Cash Payments are not allowed strictly.   

What to Wear, Carry and Important Tips for a Great Nairobi Arboretum Visit

To enjoy your time and have fun while at the Nairobi Arboretum there’s a few things that you need to consider such a comfortable clothing, shoes and things to eat as will be shown below. Some travel agencies in Kenya might advise you on the right choice of clothing and shoes to wear to make your safari easy and fun.

What to Wear  

• Wear comfortable footwear which is essential for walking through the trails, you can either wear a sturdy or trainer walking shoes.
• Consider wearing casual light clothing which are breathable to make you feel comfortable as you engage in your activities.
• Having layers would be wise such as a light jacket or a sweater since some mornings might be cool.
• You cannot forget to carry a wide brimmed hat for your skin protection and sunscreen to ensure that you are protected from the sun heat of the day.

What to Carry

• Carry clean drinking water or bottled water make sure its enough with light snacks to keep you energized as you explore arboretum.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen is essential for your skin protection against the sun and bugs.
• Since you want to make your visit to the Nairobi Arboretum a living memory, then you will need to carry a camera and a binocular to capture some iconic moments.
• Carry a picnic gear which is simply a mat or a blanket which you can use to relax at the lawns.
• You don’t want to be visiting such a cool place without money either on MPESA or on Cash.

Important Tips to Exploring Nairobi Arboretum

• The best time to enter arboretum is to arrive in the destination prior to 9:00 am as you will get the chance to enjoy the cool and quiet environment.
• Make sure to follow the write rules to make it easy for you to explore everywhere.
• While doing the casual events taking photography with your phone would be cheap since professional photography will be at an additional cost.
• The areas are good for doing various interesting activities such as yoga, jogging and walking as will be discussed later in the article.

Things to Do at Nairobi Arboretum

1. Fitness and Jogging: The Nairobi Arboretum has shaded areas or trails which is usually ideal for runners and walkers that are seeking to combine fitness with fresh air with a scenic backdrop. There’s nothing that makes you feel healthier than taking a morning run along a cool and silent trail. This can only be achieved in Nairobi Arboretum; it’s the only place you will see people freely doing yoga.

• Picnics and Family Outings: The Nairobi Arboretum has open lawns and picnic spots which make it a popular destination for family outings, photo sessions with friends and family or just hanging out with friends.
• Creatives Project: Due to its scenic beauty, most photographers have been utilizing arboretum for generating portraits, fashion shoots and arts projects. Remember you have to take a permit for commercial use otherwise you might be faced with copyrights issues.
• Nature Walks and Tree Tours: On average thousands of visitors come to Nairobi Arboretum just to stroll under the towering trees and learn from the hundreds of labelled species of trees scattered across the forest. Most tourists tend to visit the Nairobi Arboretum during the morning hours just to have the opportunity to listen to the bird’s chirp as they walk on the trails.

• Birdwatching: Local travel agencies in Kenya have recommended Nairobi Arboretum to most tourists as the perfect destination for birding within Nairobi. The rich bird population is one of the biggest attractions to people visiting arboretum. Just having the time to watch and spot both migratory and resident birds is one of the best experiences for both amateur and experienced bird watchers.

Things Not to Do at Nairobi Arboretum

• You should never feed the wild animals at all. Feeding wild animals interferers with their feeding routine which might lead to irregular feeding patterns.
• Never start fires in the forest. Through forest fires you can lead to destruction of properties and pollution of environment.
• Do not take away plants or parts of the plants. This leads to destruction of property, natural beauty and environment.
• Do not take away wild animals or animal product. The animals within Nairobi Arboretum are protected thus they have a right to life which means if you are found trying to harm them you shall be prosecuted.
• Do not mark or deface tree trunks or stones this act interferes with natural beauty and loss of biodiversity.  
• Do not litter the compound. Its always make sure to take care of the environment each time you visiting such a place as a courtesy.
• Avoid walking off the designated tracks. Let us all try to be respectful to nature each time we are visiting such destinations and only use the designated areas for us to walk on.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nairobi Arboretum

1. How to reach Nairobi Arboretum?

You can reach Nairobi Arboretum through air transfer if you are flying in from another country. Upon reaching Nairobi you can rely on local travel agencies in Kenya to transfer you from Nairobi CBD to Arboretum.

• What is Nairobi Arboretum known for?

Nairobi Arboretum is well known for preserving and conserving a wide variety of trees. It is also the home to various monkey species.

• What is the best time to visit Nairobi Arboretum?

Since the only thing that would affect your visit to Nairobi Arboretum is rain then the best time to visit the destination would be between July to October since during this period there is less rainfall tours and travel companies in Kenya usually advise tourists to visit in the early mornings so as to have the perfect view.

• What are some of the activities to do in Nairobi Arboretum?

There are various activities you could do at Nairobi Arboretum including wildlife watching, bird watching, photography, picnic spots, walking, jogging, cultural events and cultural events.

• How is the weather within Nairobi Arboretum?

Since the Kenyan climate is tropical, most of the time Nairobi’s environment is usually pleasant. Despite most of the time within the year being rainy, Nairobi still remains conducive for visiting.

Conclusion

Whether you are local tourist or an international traveller planning to visit Nairobi Arboretum. It is one of the most refreshing and rewarding sights within Nairobi for you to visit. Once you land in Nairobi, arboretum is the perfect nature escape that you can enjoy of just a few minutes from the bustling streets of Nairobi CBD. The arboretum entrance fee is very affordable thus any traveller can enter and do a wide variety of activities. It is a destination that fits to the different ages and interests making it an ideal destination for travellers of different ages and different safari dreams.

There are those seeking to have a broader travel plan in Kenya combined with natural beauty which sounds like a dream tour for everyone. To achieve this, you need to work with experienced tours and travel agencies in Kenya such as Adequate Safaris. Most of these travel agencies in Kenya are well known for enhancing experience, comfort, fun and offering insider knowledge through the journey.

Are you ready to explore Nairobi Arboretum with one of the best tours and travel agencies in Kenya and have an unforgettable experience? Book with us to day at Adequate Safaris through sending an email at de***@*************is.com or give us a call at +25468555444.