Ngong Hills is situated 25 kilometres from the CBD on the outskirts of Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi. This remarkable geographical location gives the forest a unique role in Nairobi and Kenya. The Kenya Forest Service and the Ngong Road Forest Association manage the forest, covering 1,224 ha, as a community forest association formed under the Forest Act of 2005.
The Ngong Road divides it into two major sections: Miotoni to the north and Racecourse and Kibera to the south. The Southern Bypass further divides these sections.
Ngong Hills is one of Kenya’s most stunning hiking trails. Enjoy wonderful views of the city of Nairobi and the Great Rift Valley while hiking the Ngong hills. This majestic mountain range spans the western end of Nairobi. It is famous in many historical works, including Karen Blixen’s film “Out of Africa”. Her lover, Denys Finch Hatton, was buried along the hills and the story was that Karen could see the grave site from her house. The peak of the Ngong Hills lies at 2,460m. This exciting hiking tour will help you unlock this and many more fascinating features of the legendary Ngong.
The Kenya Forest Service has a guard stationed at the gate to collect the park fees and has also provided designated parking spots for vehicles.
How do you get to Ngong Hills?
There are three main ways to get to Ngong Hills
- Public means
Take a matatu No. 111 at Railways opposite Memorial to drop you off at Ngong town, 2 kilometres from the Forest Reserve Gate. Once you reach Ngong town, you can either walk or take a motorbike/boda boda, which takes an average of 10 minutes. Feel free to negotiate with the riders and also, ask them for their mobile number so they can ferry you after the hike.
- Private means
Use Ngong Road and drive past Dagoretti Corner, Karen, and Ngong Town until Ngong Police Station. Google Maps will come in handy.
- Cab
You can now use ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Bolt, Little Cab, Yego and InDriver, among others. They have options for a cab, motorbike/Boda Boda, and vans. It is easier to either take a cab to the Forest Reserve gate or take public means to Ngong town and use Boda Boda to get to the gate.
Ngong Hills Forest Entrance Fees
The modes of payments accepted are M-PESA and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. Below are the entry rates:
| Citizen – Kenya | Charges |
| Adult | Ksh 232 |
| Child | Ksh 58 |
| Residents – East Africa | Charges |
| Adult | Ksh 464 |
| Child | Ksh 174 |
| Non-Residents | Charges |
| Adult | Ksh 696 |
| Child | Ksh 174 |
Ngong Hills Activities And Prices
1. Zip-lining at the Kompass
There are two options, you can do one zipline, which costs Kshs 700, or two lines, which cost Kshs 1,000.
2. Bike Riding
If you have a bike, cycling is Kshs 116. You can also hire a bike for up to three hours for Kshs 500.
3. Archery
You pay for 20 archery arrows for Kshs 1000.
4. Picnics
5. Hiking
6. Quad Bike Riding
It will cost you Kshs 1,000 for ten minutes.
7. Camping
It will cost you Ksh 986 to camp at Ngong Forest for one night
8. Filming
Cost: Ksh 46,400
9. Photograph
Cost: Ksh 1,160
10. Video Shoot
Cost: Ksh 2,900
11. Ranger Escort
Cost: Ksh 1,160
12. Horse Riding
Cost: Ksh 342
Ngong Hills Opening Hours
Visitors are admitted from 6 am and the hills should be cleared by 6 pm. You can visit earlier if you buy a ticket a day earlier.
Ngong Hils Contacts
Contact: 0797 480 784, 0755 838 360
