Have you ever wanted to escape Nairobi for a day to a place that is green, peaceful, and rejuvenating for your soul? There’s a hidden gem in Limuru, Tigoni, that offers a fresh, local approach to wellness. This spot features essential oils, herbal teas, and serene walks through Kenya’s first sensory garden.
Welcome to Gathoni Sensory Garden and Tea Farm, where you can trade the hustle and bustle of traffic and Wi-Fi for serene lavender fields, engaging distillation workshops, and a nature escape unlike any other. Honestly, it’s a retreat we didn’t realise we needed until we experienced it ourselves.
Located along Limuru Road, less than 1 km from the main gate of St. Paul’s University, Gathoni Tea Farm is renowned for its tranquillity, aromatic sensations, and delightful flavours. The farm also hosts the Naishola and Naiposha Gardens, adding to its charm.
Naishola Garden features an English-style colonial house and a large garden, while Naiposha Garden boasts well-maintained lawns with a lakeside view.
What is an Aromatherapy Safari?
Imagine taking a morning stroll through lush tea plantations, with the aromas of rosemary and lemon verbena filling the cool air of Tigoni. During this experience, you’ll get a hands-on lesson in how essential oils are made, starting from the plants to your bottle. This unique experience is known as an Aromatherapy Safari, and Gathoni Sensory Garden and Tea Farm is the only place in Kenya that offers it.
This experience isn’t just for wellness enthusiasts. Whether you are a curious foodie, a plant lover, a stressed-out resident of Nairobi, or simply someone looking for a unique way to spend a Saturday, an Aromatherapy Safari is sure to delight.
A Walk Through Kenya’s Only Sensory Garden
The day begins with a relaxing stroll through Gathoni’s tea fields, leading you to their sensory garden. This garden is the first of its kind in Kenya and East Africa. It offers a unique experience where, rather than just looking, you can interact with the plants in a hands-on way. Here, you can crush herbs between your fingers, inhale their natural scents, and discover how they can help with issues like headaches, stress, sleep, and memory.
As you explore, you will encounter well-known herbs such as lavender, rosemary, lemon thyme, leleshwa, and pineapple sage. Each herb comes with its own story and a bit of local herbal wisdom. This experience makes you realise why you’ve never spent a weekend doing something so enjoyable before.
Experience Traditional Essential Oil Distillation
After the garden walk, it’s time to head over to the outdoor classroom for an exciting workshop. Here, you’ll participate in a distillation session where freshly picked rosemary or lavender is packed into a beautiful copper distillation unit.
As steam begins to rise, the air fills with calming scents, and you’ll learn about this centuries-old method of extracting essential oils and hydrosols. Watching the process unfold is surprisingly relaxing, and you even get to collect some of the fragrant distillate to take home, which is a wonderful bonus.
Create Your Own Aromatherapy Mist
Now that you have your essential oils and hydrosols ready, it’s time to unleash your creativity. During this session, you will learn about the healing benefits of different oils. For instance, lavender is great for promoting better sleep, rosemary can enhance focus, frankincense helps calm nerves, and geranium is beneficial for clear skin and uplifting your mood.
You will also have the opportunity to create your own aromatherapy mist. Whether you prefer a soothing blend for bedtime or an uplifting spritz to energise you during challenging work afternoons, you’ll leave with a personalised bottle made just for you.
More Than Oils: Tea Tasting and Herb Bags Too
This event offers more than just one activity. While the oils are distilling, you will have the opportunity to create little herb bags filled with aromatic plants and flowers. You can place one in your pillow or closet for a natural air freshener that also provides wellness benefits.
Additionally, there will be a tea tasting session where you can enjoy hot herbal brews made from the farm’s fresh harvest. Expect to taste teas made from pineapple sage, lemon verbena, and lemongrass, all served with homemade biscuits. It’s the perfect way to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Why Nature Heals More Than You Think
Spending a day surrounded by plants, fresh air, and the absence of traffic is one of the best forms of self-care. Gathoni Farm offers more than just lessons in making oils and teas; it provides a reminder of how wonderful it is to slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with nature.
There is something special about walking through rows of herbs, learning their names and uses, and realising that healing doesn’t always come from pills or spa days. Sometimes, it’s found in the soil, the leaves, and the mist rising from a copper still.
Food and Farm Pizza
Don’t worry about where to eat. You can either bring your own packed lunch if you’re in the mood for a picnic or order one of the farm’s wood-fired pizzas. They are hot, cheesy, and taste even better when enjoyed under Tigoni’s towering trees.
Aromatherapy Safari Charges
Aromatherapy Safari tickets are priced at Ksh 4,000 per person. This fee includes a farm walk, distillation workshop, aromatherapy class, herb bag making, and a tea tasting session. Spaces are limited, so it’s a good idea to book early.
Bring the Family Along
This experience is not just for adults. Kids can also participate in activities like herb picking, tea sipping, and even fishing at the nearby Lake Tigoni. It’s a wholesome, screen-free family day out that is both fun and educational.
Why You’ll Love This Experience
- It’s the first and only Aromatherapy Safari in Kenya.
- You’ll gain practical knowledge about plants that you can use.
- It’s an affordable day out at just Ksh 4,000 for a complete experience.
- Only a short drive from Nairobi CBD.
- You’ll leave feeling rejuvenated and smelling great.
Conclusion
If you’ve been looking for a unique escape, a memorable date idea, or simply a reason to enjoy the outdoors for a day, Gathoni Farm’s Aromatherapy Safari should be at the top of your weekend plans. It’s simple, wholesome, beautifully local, and it leaves you with a mist that you made yourself.
Gathoni Sensory Garden and Tea Farm Contact
Book your spot by calling 0715 299 525 or 0746 370 700 to reserve your spot and treat yourself to a little slice of Tigoni magic.
