Karuru Forest Reserve in Kenya; Karuru forest reserve is one of the largest urban gazette forests in the world located in the northern side of Nairobi city that covers about 1,041 hectares to inhabit the fauna and flora. This forest is home rich in wildlife inhabiting around 605 species of animals including the three types of antelopes. However, it was gazette as reserve in 1932 and is under the protection of Kenya Forest Service.
Karura forest reserve is one of last remaining local indigenous forests that contains a vital carbon sink for Nairobi’s industrial activity. It also serves as an important water catchment area and has great recreational value for Nairobi city dwellers.
The forest is developed with lots attractions, activities that attracts both local and international people, the area is created with 50kilometers of stunning nature trails for walking, enjoy the bike around the nature.
This reserve is home to variety of wildlife species especially the primates like colobus monkeys, bush baby, bushbuck, bush pig, porcupines, duiker, genet, dik dik, Africa civet, honey badgers, bush babies, porcupines, bush squirrels, hares and East African epaulette fruit bat. These species are inhabitant of waterfall, bamboo forest, marshland, Mau Mau cave home to bats as well as home to variety of reptiles and butterflies. Furthermore, Karura forest is hoven for birders with over 200 bird species including; Singing Cisticola, African Goshawk, African Crowned Eagle, Augur Buzzard, Grey Cuckoo, Narina Trogon, Long Crested Eagle, Brown-chested Alethe, spot-flanked Barbet, Paradise Flycatcher, Yellow-rumped Tinker bird, African Black Duck, Slender-billed Greenbul, White-headed Barbet, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Malachite Kingfisher, Long crested Eagle, among others. Birding tour can take two hours guided with a trained guide. The place is suitable for families, children and solo
Things to do in Karura Forest /Activities
They include; nature forest walk, visit the stunning waterfall and caves, enjoy the biking and walking in fresh air.
Horseback riding
This is one of the most impressive activity done in a group of riders, riding through different interesting terrains of the forests and to the surrounding local farms. It is quite full of excitements as you ride in scenic nature landscape, attractions like primates and having a chance to get close to animals like antelopes.
Mountain biking experience
This is truly an inspiring activity though it needs a lot of energy to ride up the hills and mountains on stiff terrain, when you get into ride on African continent, there are many chances of interacting with the locals, they wave to you, ride through magnificent trails within the forest and be able to view wildlife of the areas. It will put less stress on your joints than any other aerobic activities liking running.
Dog walking
This is a rarely done activity in visited Kenya safari destination, meaning a visitor visiting Karuru forest is able to enjoy more of the unique activity in life, something like dog walking which will help your body to improve on cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, stress up your muscle and bones and decrease on stress.
Tree planting
This is environmental activity done with the guides around the forest in matter of raising awareness to the society, visitors in the importance of planting and saving trees to the climates.
Tennis Experience
It is unique activity to those who have under gone training first.
Bird watching
This is special activity done in different interesting forest trails of Karuru, has your walking in those trails you need to keep your eyes widely open in order to be able to watch notable bird species such as Singing Cisticola, Long crested Eagle, Narina Trogon, Brown chested Alethe, Grey Cuckoo, Augur Buzzard, African Goshawk, African Crowned Eagle among others.
Note; The place is safe and secure to visit and no motorbikes, loud music, campfires or fireworks are allowed.
