In this article, we will explore the best walking trails in Nairobi, perfect for beginners. Life in Nairobi, like any other city in the world, can be fast-paced and stressful. While recreation spots may attract a lot of people looking to relax, gyms have become increasingly popular as a neutral space to release stress and tension.
For those who enjoy walking, jogging or running, there are plenty of safe routes to choose from, each offering a different challenge and requiring a moderate fitness level to tackle.
Best Walking Trails In Nairobi
1. Uhuru Park
Uhuru Park is a 12.9-hectare recreational park adjacent to the Nairobi CBD. Uhuru Park was gazetted and opened to the public by Kenya’s first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, on May 23, 1969, in the embodiment of the country’s freedom.
The refurbished Uhuru Park now boasts manicured lawns, maintained trees, enhanced walkways, and green spaces, offering diverse recreational and leisure options for parkgoers, as well as a children’s play area with bouncing castles and merry-go-rounds.
There are no Entry Fees to access Uhuru Park, but all visitors are required to present their IDs to security personnel at the entrance.
2. Oloolua Nature Trail (5/10KM)
The 5km Oloolua Nature Trail can be found in the upmarket suburb of Karen, where 250 hectares of the indigenous tropical dry Oloolua forest stand. The trail ambles through thick forest vines and undergrowth below giant indigenous trees and bushes. In some places, it follows the course of the Mbagathi River, which cuts through the forest.
Oloolua Nature Trail provides stunning scenery of indigenous trees and chattering birds, as well as a cave, a picnic site, and a spectacular waterfall. The trail is a great place to hike if you love nature, and it’s suitable for hikers of all levels. You can walk, hike, jog, or stay the night and camp in this serene forest. It is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
The entry fees for this trail are Ksh 600 (non-residents), Ksh 400 (residents), and Ksh 200 (citizens). Children pay half the price.
3. Nairobi Jaffrey Sports Club
Nairobi Jaffery’s Sports Club is located in the leafy suburbs of Lavington, next to Jaffery’s Academy. It is a part of the 15-acre parcel of land owned by the Jaffery community and also includes a cricket pitch, volleyball court, and indoor arena. Apart from the school, the community also has a mosque.
The Nairobi Jaffery Sports Club is a great place to spend your weekend with exercise and sports activities, while your kids can enjoy themselves at the playground. You can also treat your kids to delicious snacks at the Sports Club Café, and then they can cheer you on as you exercise around the track. The green open field is also perfect for your kids to run and play on the grass.
The Nairobi Jaffery’s Sports Club is an exclusive facility open to members of the public who want to keep fit. The club has no set time limit as to when one should exercise. Cars start driving as early as 5 am to as late as 9 pm. The floodlights offer strollers a great opportunity to catch up with their daily routine under the dark clouds.
For starters, pets are not allowed in the field. Loud music is a total no-no, and alcohol consumption is not welcomed. Skimpy, sporty outfits are also not permitted. As for shoes, sports shoes with grips are acceptable. However, spiky shoes and heels are discouraged because they damage the walking surface.
It’s worth noting that entry into Nairobi Jaffery Sports Club is free, but car parking is charged.
4. Nairobi Safari Walk
The Nairobi Safari Walk is a nature trail set inside Nairobi National Park. It takes approximately 2 hours to complete the walk. A winding boardwalk covers three major habitats. The first is a wetland area where crocodiles idle, and the second is a savanna grassland where you can spot wildlife, including an albino zebra, leopards, and the rare bongo. The third habitat is a woodland area exhibiting indigenous plants labelled with their traditional uses.
The entry fees for the Nairobi Safari Walk are Kshs 250 (adult) and Kshs 125 (child).
5. Ngong Hills (5/10/15/21KM)
Ngong Hills is a great place to unwind and connect with nature. It has far-reaching views over the Rift Valley, Nairobi National Park, Mount Suswa, and the Nairobi skyline. On a good day, you can see both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya from the Ngong Hills.
The hiking route starts on the northern side. The initial part of the trail cuts through a village, then past a wind farm, and finally, you get to the radio repeater stations. From then on, you climb and go down the undulating series of hills. The trail ends at the southern part of the hill known as Kona Baridi and takes approximately 4–5 hours to complete all seven hills, depending on your fitness level. A windproof jacket is a must-have when attempting this hiking trail, as the Ngong Hills is notorious for cold, strong winds.
The Kenya Forest Service is in charge of maintaining the forest, and to enter, you must pay an entrance fee at the gate of Kshs 232 per adult and Kshs 58 per child.
6. Karura Forest (5/10/15KM)
Karura Forest is one of the best walking trails for families. This is a nature lover’s haven, with marshland, a wealth of tree species, and birdlife. There are numerous hiking trails, covering a distance of 50 km. The trail leads to caves and a waterfall. The initial 2 km is a steady walk on a dirt track, which then turns right at a marked point and drops down a steep hill to the river. From there, it steadies again until you get to the caves. These caves are thought to have been a hideout for Mau Mau fighters during the struggle for independence. Further on, you will find the waterfall. Other activities include tree planting, picnics, bird-watching, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
The forest is safe since it is manned by park wardens. It opens to the public at 6 am and closes at 6 pm. There is a lot of emphasis on adhering to the rules and regulations of the forest, as they are designed to protect the ecosystem, so you have to comply.
You pay an entrance fee of Kshs 100 for adults and Kshs 40 for children to gain access to the forest.
7. Hon. John N. Michuki Memorial Conservation Park
Formerly known as Mazingira Park, it is located along the Nairobi River, from the Globe Roundabout to the Museum Bridge. Named after the late Environment Minister Hon. John Michuki, the park was established in 2008 through concerted efforts geared towards creating a public recreation area at a site previously used as a dump site and a criminal hideout, which came about as a result of the rehabilitation and restoration of the Nairobi River. The park now spots greenery and walking paths as the Nairobi River lazily snakes its way through the park.
No entrance fee is charged.
8. Nairobi Arboretum (3KM)
Nairobi Arboretum is a nice green space within the vicinity of Westlands, Nairobi. It is one of Nairobi’s few remaining green spaces. It has shaded walkways, picnic lawns, and jogging trails.
It was set aside by the government in 1907 to plant fast-growing exotic trees for use during the construction of the Mombasa-Kampala railway. Back then, they would cut indigenous trees along the railway, which was not sustainable because indigenous trees would take a long time to mature. To date, the Nairobi Arboretum has over 350 species of indigenous and exotic plants, most of which are labelled, is home to over 100 species of birds, and has a significant population of sykes and vervet monkeys.
It is also a popular recreational park for city dwellers who come for peace, long walks, picnics, or to connect with God. Large groups frequently visit the park on weekends for team-building activities and games on the centre lawn, while lovers enjoy spending romantic moments in its isolated areas. Runners also love to jog around the Arboretum’s forest trails.
The entry fee for adults is Kshs 65, while that for children is Kshs 27.
9. Giraffe Centre Nature Trail (2KM)
Giraffe Centre is located in Karen, Nairobi, and is managed by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. It is a lovely park to visit, and you can spend time with your family and friends as you feed the friendly giraffes. You can also kiss and touch the giraffes.
After spending some time with the giraffes, you can go for a stroll through the 1.5-kilometre nature trail. The nature trail is available to guests at no extra cost. You might see warthogs, antelopes, and a variety of bird species on the trail.
Visit a gift shop called Daisy Zoovenir Shop if you want to pick up some souvenirs. You can also sit down, relax, and enjoy some tea at the tea house. All proceeds from the sales at the gift shop and tea house go towards conservation efforts.
The entrance fee is Kshs 400 for resident adults and Kshs 200 for resident children. The cost includes food for you to feed the giraffes.
10. KEFRI Forest Nature Trail (12KM)
KEFRI Forest is located near the Nderi shopping centre, just after Zambezi town, off the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. The forest’s natural setting makes it a great escape from Nairobi city. Its hiking trail is rated easy to moderate, making it perfect for beginners.
Location: Muguga/Nderi, about 30 km from Nairobi.
Starting Point: KEFRI Headquarters (Nderi)
Difficulty Level: From Easy to Moderate
Hiking distance: about 12km (5 hours)
Before going out for a nature walk, make sure you;
- Wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear for walking.
- Apply sunscreen and carry insect repellent to protect yourself from the sun and insects.
- Carry enough water to stay hydrated throughout your walk.
- Bring a camera to capture the beauty of nature along the way.
- Follow all given instructions and obey signage within the parks and forests.
- Respect the environment by not littering and leaving only footprints behind.
