Karura Caves & Waterfalls

A visit to Karura Caves & Waterfalls inspires wonder at how such tranquility and natural splendor could exist within a big city. It is situated in Karura Forest about 5km outside the Nairobi central business district. This 564 hectare forest is surrounded by the northern up-market suburbs of Muthaiga, Runda and Gigiri, with  Kiambu Road on one side and Limuru Road on the other.

One controversy after another have bedevilled this forest over the years, with logging activities and land grabbing reducing it to its current size from the officially gazetted forest area of 1041 hectares in 1994. The Late Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai and other conservationists fought the corrupt government of the former President Daniel Arap Moi, and continue to do so, to preserve this forest.

Hiking Trail to Caves and Waterfalls

From the Forest Station on Kiambu Road, the walk to Karura Caves and Waterfalls is about 4km long. This family trail was opened to the public in early 2009 through the collaborative efforts of the Kenya Forest Service and Friends of Karura. After walking on motorable dirt roads from the Forest Gate for a couple of kilometers, you’ll encounter a sign pointing to a trail on the right that leads to the Caves. The trail drops sharply until it reaches Karura River, before leveling off to follow the course of the river. A few meters on, you’ll come upon the Karura Caves. These caves were considered sacred by the local community, with a long history of usage as a place for religious worship. They are also reputed to have been a hideout for the Mau Mau during the fight for independence from the British colonial government. A kilometer further down the trail is the spectacular 50ft Karura Waterfalls, with water cascading over three shelves before settling to a gentle flow down the river.

Besides the two attractions above, Karura Forest has over 50km of nature trails, a bamboo forest, and a marshland filled with a wide range of birdlife. They provides the perfect backdrop for nature lovers. An old chimney incinerator that was used in the past by Central Bank of Kenya for destroying decommissioned currency notes still stands today in the forest.

Getting There

The Karura Caves and Waterfalls can be accessed from the Karura Forest Station on Kiambu Road, opposite CID Headquarters and 1km from Muthaiga Golf Club. Alternatively, one can get to them from the Gate on Limuru Road near the Belgium Embassy.

If using public means, take matatus number 100 to get to the Kiambu Rd entrance, or matatu numbers 11B, 11F or 107A to get to the Limuru Rd entrance.

If driving, take Muranga Road till Muthaiga Roundabout, then turn left on to Kiambu Road. The turn off to the Karura Forest Gate is about 300m on the left from Muthaiga Golf Club. Alternatively, you can use Limuru Road and get in through the Gate on that road, opposite the Belgian Embassy.

Entry Requirements

Kenya Forest Services charges are:

Kenyan/EAC Citizens – Ksh 100 per adult, Ksh 40 per child,

Residents – Ksh 200 per adult, Ksh 100 per child

Non-residents – Ksh 600 per adult, Ksh 300 per child

Optional  Ksh 600 per 2 hrs for two armed Rangers from Kenya Forest Services, or a guide from Friends of Karura Forest for Ksh 300 per 2 hrs

Useful Contacts: John Chege – 0724-215423, Sgt Julius – 0720-616452