Trip Planner:   Africa  /  Kenya  /  Nairobi  /  Karura Forest

Karura Forest, Nairobi

4.7
#2 of 289 in Outdoors in Nairobi
Biking Trail Jogging Path
Explore caves and waterfalls in lush urban greenery at Karura Forest, Nairobi's flagship preserve and a getaway from the bustling capital. Spanning 564 hectares (1,394 acres), this scenic forest interlaced with rivers features a bamboo grove and marshlands sheltering colobus monkeys, galagos, bushpigs, porcupines, and dik diks amidst shrubs and croton trees. Explore 50 km (31 mi) of well-maintained nature trails, with views of African olive trees and Uganda greenheart. See caves used by the Mau Mau rebels in their epic independence struggle against the British Empire. There is also a memorial to the 2013 terrorist attack and an old chimney incinerator used to destroy decommissioned banknotes. Use our Nairobi trip builder site to add Karura Forest and other attractions to your Nairobi vacation plans.
Improve this listing »
Create an itinerary including Karura Forest
map
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
Karura Forest Tours
Half-Day Karura Forest Small-Group Tour from Nairobi with Optional Trail Bike BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $110
Duration: 4 hours
Buy tours from $110
Karura Forest Reviews
Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5
896 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By 2terryachieng2
    My recent three-hour Karura Forest evening walk with my daughter who was vising from Vancouver, Canada was enjoyable and very refreshing thanks to the tireless efforts of the late Prof Wangari Maathai...  more »
  • By pnmugambi
    The best family recreation place in Nairobi. Karura forest offers well marked jogging paths 5KM, 10KM, 20KM. It offers walking as well as bicycle hire service. In the forest you can see mau mau caves.  more »
  • By wekesahilary
    I love visiting this place for a walk. It's peaceful, quiet and smells so...natural. Definitely check it out and you may fall in love with it like I have.  more »
View more on TripAdvisor »
Places to stay near Karura Forest

Plan your trip to Nairobi

  • Get a personalized plan

    A complete day-by-day itinerary
    based on your preferences

  • Customize it

    Refine your plan. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules

  • Book it

    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off

  • Manage it

    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Nairobi

View all >
©
Safaris
4.7
Duration: 8​h
©
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
4.7
Duration: 1​h
©
Nairobi National Park
4.3
Duration: 8​h
©
African Heritage House
4.4
Duration: 1​h

Kids friendly things to do in Nairobi

View all >
©
Giraffe Centre
4.4
Duration: 1​h 30​min
©
Civvet African Tours & Safaris
5
Duration: 4​h
Samburu National Reserve
5
Duration: 3​h 30​min
©
Balloon Rides
4.5
Duration: 8​h

Shopping in Nairobi

View all >
Penny Winter Boutique
4.5
Duration: 1​h 30​min
Matbronze Wildlife Art
4.6
Duration: 1​h 30​min
Utamaduni Craft Centre
3.9
Duration: 1​h
©
The Hub Karen
4.5
Duration: 1​h 30​min

Side trips from Nairobi

©
Central Island National Park
Turkana District
2.9
Duration: 8​h
©
Kiambethu Farm
Limuru
4.9
Duration: 4​h
Mugie Ranch
Laikipia County
5
Duration: 2​h 30​min
Kereita Forest
Nairobi Region
5
Duration: 4​h

Hidden gems in Nairobi

©
Ngong Hills
4.2
Duration: 3​h 30​min
©
Nature & Wildlife Tours
4.5
Duration: 5​h 30​min
The Forest
5
Duration: 4​h
©
Climbing Tours
4.7
Duration: 8​h

Nearby attractions in Nairobi

©
Explorer Kenya
4.8
Duration: 8​h
©
Natural World Kenya Safaris
4.8
Duration: 4​h
©
Nairobi National Museum
4
Duration: 3​h
©
Perfect Wilderness Tours and Safaris
4.8
Duration: 4​h

Featured attractions

©
Gracepatt Ecotours Kenya
4.9
Duration: 3​h 30​min
©
Boundless Africa Journeys
5
Duration: 8​h
©
Safari Herd
4
Duration: 4​h
©
Kalexy Kenya Holiday Safari and Tours
5
Duration: 4​h
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Plans to Karura Forest by other users

39 days in Kenya BY A USER FROM ESTONIA February, popular sights PREFERENCES: February ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 13 days in Nairobi BY A USER FROM SOUTH AFRICA May, culture, outdoors, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: May, culture, outdoors, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 5 days in Nairobi BY A USER FROM FINLAND April, culture, outdoors, relaxing, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: April, culture, outdoors, relaxing, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 14 days in Nairobi BY A USER FROM KENYA March, outdoors, popular sights PREFERENCES: March, outdoors ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 18 days in Kenya & Uganda BY A USER FROM CHILE April, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: April ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 4 days in Nairobi BY A USER FROM KENYA June, culture, historic sites, museums, wildlife, hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, culture, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 7 days in Nairobi BY A USER FROM TAIWAN April, popular sights PREFERENCES: April ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 21 days in Africa BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, culture, outdoors, historic sites, wildlife, popular sights PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 14 days in Africa BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 30 days in Voss Municipality, Oslo & Nairobi BY A USER FROM KENYA June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, shopping, wildlife, popular sights PREFERENCES: June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 25 days in Kenya BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM March, popular sights PREFERENCES: March ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 22 days in Kenya BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM March, culture, outdoors, romantic, beaches, wildlife, fast-paced, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: March, culture, outdoors, romantic, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Fast-paced
View more plans