Are you looking for a nature escape that will heal the inner you through connecting with nature away from the chaos of the city?
Look no further, the Ngong Road Forest is here to give you what you have been missing the serenity, peace, and tranquility all in one place. Giving you a reason to appreciate nature more.
The Ngong Road Forest is renowned for being a home of indigenous trees, bird species, a few animals that thrive in the forest, and recreational activities for the benefit of the people. As the city continues to grow, the Ngong Road Forest becomes more important, reminding us of the importance of balancing development and sustainability.
In this guide, Adequate Safaris, one of the best tour companies in Kenya, will help you explore the beauty, the ecological importance, the role of the community, and the unique experiences the forest offers.
History of Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary
Let us go back in time and understand how Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary came into existence.
In the 1990s, during the colonial period, the Ngong Road Forest was first gazetted in 1932 under government protection to protect and safeguard the water catchment areas, and the Ngong Road Forest is one of those areas.
Later, in the late 21st century, environmental awareness came into existence, which led to the formation of community groups, environmental organizations, and volunteers who participate in tree planting campaigns and restoration projects.
Ngong Road Forest Location
The Ngong Road Forest is located along Ngong Road, 6 kilometers from the Nairobi CBD.
However, Ngong Road Forest has been divided into 5 Zones depending on the roads crossing the forest.
These 5 zones are:
a) Miotoni Section
b) Ngong Racecourse Section
c) Kibera Section
d) Ngong Road Sanctuary ( Main area)
e) Along Southern Bypass
Ngong Forest Size
The Ngong Road Forest covers approximately 1224 hectares (3020 acres) and is mandated to protect indigenous trees within Nairobi.
How To Get To Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary
There are several ways you can use to get to the Ngong Road Forest. You can either use Public transport, go via self-drive, or even use a taxi/Uber.
For public transport, from the Kencom bus station in the Nairobi CBD, just opposite the Nairobi Archives and adjacent to the Hilton Hotel, you will take a bus ( Metro Trans/ Super Metro) route 111 going towards Karen or Ngong, then you will alight at the Jamuhuri Showground Junction. From there, you can either walk, which is about a 5 to 10-minute walk, or take a motorcycle/ bodaboda to the Ngong Road Forest.
Best Things To Do in Ngong Road Forest
Ngong Forest Sanctuary is one of the biodiverse forests in Nairobi that one can go and unwind with several recreational activities that you can engage in.
Some of these activities include:
Bird Watching
Are you a birdwatching enthusiast? The Ngong Road Forest is one of the few places that you can go for a perfect birdwatching activity, which is done while walking along the nature trails, with your bird guide book at hand, as you also immerse yourself deeper into the forest.
Some of the birds that you can come across in the Ngong Road Forest are:
- Yellow-bellied Greenbul
- Pennant-winged Nightjar
- Common Bulbul
- Olive Thrush
- African Fish-eagle
Day birdwatching is highly recommended for everyone, for around 1-3 hours dedicated only to birdwatching. However, it might differ depending on your interests.
Solo Dates
In Life, a lot indeed can happen, unexpected challenges, daily responsibilities, deadlines, emotional challenges, etc. Going somewhere and taking time alone is not a selfish act, but instead, it’s restorative. The Ngong Road Forest gives you that quiet and peaceful environment for you to sit and forget about the world, and give a little time to yourself in the middle of the forest.
Bike Riding
Bike cycling is one of those interesting activities to introduce you to the Ngong Road Forest. If you are a beginner or an experienced cyclist, this is for you for only KSh. 500 for 2 hours. Note that the shortest distance is 5 km and the longest is more than 10 km.
Picnicking
Picnicking in the Ngong Road Forest is one of the most popular activities not only in the forest but also in Nairobi. The forest offers a serene environment with the presence of a lake and a river, perfect for a picnic. The picnic can be solo or with a few friends. Note that the forest operates from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and you are advised to get there early, especially on sundays as the forest can be crowded by 3:00 PM.
Most visitors tend to believe that the entry fee covers every activity in the forest, the truth of the matter is that every fee is different depending on the activity of the day. For picnics, it’s around Ksh. 200 and Ksh. 100 for kids.
Also, incase you do not want to have your picnic on the grounds, some benches can be an alternative.
Nature Walks
In the Ngong Road Forest, there are multiple nature trails ranging from 3 Km to 5 Km, nature walks taking about 2 hours. These nature walks are meant to improve one’s mood, reduce stress, and increase energy levels.
There are 3 main factors to consider when dressing for a day’s nature walk:
- Warmth
- Breathability
- Weatherproofing
Most people tend to ask this one burning question, can one go for nature trails in Jeans?
To answer this question, hitting the trails in jeans is not a bad idea as long as you are comfortable, and it is not a strenuous hike, for which you must be in light, breathable clothing and closed hiking shoes.
If you are a resident near the forest, it is a perfect place for your morning and evening walks or runs.
Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary Entry Fee
The entry fees to the Ngong Road Sanctuary differ as follows:
Citizens
Daily entry fee- Ksh. 200
Monthly entry fee- Ksh. 2000
Annual entry fee- Ksh. 12,000
Resident
Daily entry fee- Ksh. 300
Monthly entry fee- Ksh. 4000
Annual entry fee- Ksh. 24,000
Non-Resident
Daily entry fee- 600
However, keep in mind the following:
- Half price applies for children under the age of 12 years. ( Daily entry fee)
- For monthly and annual entry fees, double rates apply for families.
Ecological importance of Ngong Road Forest in Nairobi
The Ngong Road Forest plays a major role in the city of Nairobi.
Here is a breakdown of its ecological importance:
1. The forest regulates our climate, the clean air we breathe, and also filters the water we drink, serving as a green lung for the rapidly growing Nairobi city.
2. The Ngong Road Forest protects us from extreme weather conditions such as floods and storms.
3. The forest also provides a perfect environment for beekeeping, which is a thriving community-led activity that provides honey, which has plenty of medicinal uses.
Role Of The Community in Ngong Road Forest
Did you know that the Ngong Road Forest is managed by the community via the Ngong Road Forest Association?
In the 2005 Forest Act, a community forest association called the Ngong Road Forest Association was established in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service, whose goal was to maintain a safe and secure forest.
The community-based project was created by residents from neighbouring areas like Miotoni, Forest Edge, Karen, Dagoretti, Mutuini, Lenana, Riruta, and Kibera.
Let’s go into details about what role the community plays in this forest.
- They act as the eyes and the ears on the ground, preventing the forest from illegal deeds like deforestation.
- The local community engages in tree-planting activities to restore degraded areas.
- The community works hand in hand with the Kenya Forest Service rangers to protect the forest against poachers and illegal loggers.
- The locals engage in non-harmful activities in Ngong Road Forest, such as beekeeping.
- The community is also in charge of recreational activities, such as hiking trails and picnic areas.
Conclusion
Beyond the natural beauty that the Ngong Road Forest offers, it also symbolises the ecological importance it offers in the middle of the bustling city of Nairobi. Today, its rich biodiversity makes it an important destination for educational tours, social engagements through picnics, nature walks, cycling and community engagement in protecting the forest for the future generation.
Let us join hands to protect and preserve this valuable forest, together we can make a difference.
Are you looking forward to exploring the Ngong Road Forest and other serene, breathtaking destinations?
Contact Adequate Safaris, among the best tour and travel agencies in Kenya, on +254768555444 or email de***@*************is.com
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which type of wildlife can I see when I visit Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary?
Mammals
- Baboons
- Monkeys
- Bushbacks
- Warthogs
Birds
- African Crowned Eagles
- Hawks
- Owls
- Sunbirds
- Weavers
Reptiles
- Pythons and Cobra
2. Which is the best time to visit Ngong Road Forest?
Just like any other forest with hiking trails and recreational activities, the best time to visit the Ngong Road Forest is during the dry season ( June to October) or when it is sunny, so that you can enjoy exploring the forest with ease when the nature trails are firm to avoid sliding or rained which makes it challenging.
3. Is Ngong Road Forest Safe?
Yes, the Ngong Road Forest is considered safe during daylight hours from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Avoid going to the forest during dark hours at all costs.
4. How accessible is Ngong Road Forest?
Ngong Forest Sanctuary is easily accessible by public transport, self-drive, taxi, or boda boda from junction near the southern bypass or Ngong Racecourse road along Ngong Road.
