THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KIJABE HILLS
Another amazing hike, another adventure like no other. Come with me as we explore a treasure in the Rift Valley Escarpments. Kijabe Hills is located in the northwest of Nairobi at the Rift Valley Escarpment. Despite being located in the Rift Valley escarpment, the Kijabe Hills are located in Central Kenya. One of its attractions is the Kikuyu escarpment.
When you talk of the beauty of nature, you are now talking about Kijabe Hills. If beauty was a place, then this is the place. Kijabe Hills is just beautiful, with nature that is well conserved, thick forest with thick vegetation cover. The forest is also very healthy, with evidence of moses on trees, and the caves have moses also.
The forest is packed with clean water streams, springs, waterfalls, tunnels, and caves. Very rich indeed.
DIRECTIONS TO KIJABE HILLS
From Nairobi via A104, it is 59.3 km and will take you 1 hour, 21 minutes. This, for those who may not know, is the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. From this road, you will have a stop at the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint and enjoy the beautiful view of the landscapes. Kenya is just beautiful.
From Nairobi via Limuru Road and A104, it is 60.7 km, and it will take you approximately 1 hour 29 minutes, depending on the state of the road and traffic. From this road also, you have a chance to view the Great Rift Valley at the view point. The view point is before you get to Limuru road diversion.
From Nakuru via A104 and Old Naivasha Road/C88. It is 109.6 km and will take you approximately 2 hours and 19 minutes. From Nakuru via A104, it is 116.2 km and will take you approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes.
KIJABE HILLS HIKING TRAILS
The main agenda here at Kijabe Hills is hiking. Come well prepared mentally to hike. Do not forget to equip yourself with the hiking spirit, because this is the only way you will survive and conquer the trail.
The trail, without a doubt, will get you out of your comfort zone. Come prepared; the trails not to surprise you. Kijabe Hills has different attractions and circuits; some of them are Kereita Forest and Kereita Falls. Gatamaiyu Riverine and waterfall, Wiliam Hills Trail, and Kiharu Kijabe Circuit, among many others.
For our case, we started our hike through Kiharu trails. This is one of the toughest entries into Kijabe Hills. Kijabe Hills has different entry points and starting routes to start your hike from. Some prefer to start their hike from KiJabe Church; others start from the railway, among others.
This trail will take you off through the forest that looks like it is a manmade forest before proceeding to a thicker forest with thicker vegetation. In all hiking groups, there are different types of hikers: the fast one who is always ahead of everyone, the medium one, and the slow one who takes their time to enjoy every view and digest it. Which one are you?
Kijabe Hills, especially when hiking the forest, you will need to stick together and hike as a group. Getting lost in the forest is just a minute. As you hike in the forest, you will come across several hot springs. The water flowing from them is hot or warm. You ought to visit the place and see it yourself for you to believe.
The nature along the trail is well conserved and not so much tampered with. The forest vegetation is very thick and green. At some point the trails will be rocky; you will have to climb the rocks and even walk under them as if entering a cave. Flexibility is needed in this hike.
The trail to the dark tunnel was a tough one. Here you will need to use your hands for support as you descend down. The tree roots act like the stepping stones as you descend down. The whole hike will be filled with ascending and descending to reach different destinations. There are very steep slopes that are very slippery due to the sand. Extra care is needed to pass through safely.
The underwater tunnel is a man-made tunnel that is very beautiful. It is dark inside; hence, you will need courage and boldness as you go through it. Its optional; you don’t have to, but if you are an explorer and your curiosity leads you like me, you will definitely try it. Kijabe Hills is very scenic indeed.
To the waterfall
On the Kiharu Trail, you will need to maintain the riverbank trail and not use any other trail. The river bank looks like a river that was there then it dried up.
To get to the waterfalls, you will be required to ascend the slope with a rope. This was so interesting but very hard. For you to go up, you will need to stand vertically such that you can see your shoes and support yourself with rope and go up. It was very tough.
Related: Mount Suswa: Hike, Location, Trails, Camping, Hotels
Through the railway station
This is also an attraction that was constructed many years ago by the missionaries. And some parts of the railway hang unsupported. This was due to the land slide that happened during the heavy rains, forming a depression that led to the railway line hanging in the air.
The landslides are the reason some trails are very difficult to maneuver. From the railway, there is a hill standing tall on the other side. The hills are very steep and rocky, but manageable compared to the trails in the forest. From the summit, the views are just amazing.
From the summit there is the beautiful view of the hills and escarpments. The thick vegetation covers all around the escarpments. To the south is Suswa, to the west is Mount Longonot, and to the east Elephant Hills. The maximum elevation is 2688 meters above sea level, starting at 2010 meters above sea level.
The hike is 11 km. We descended via the Nairobi-Nakuru highway to exit at Soko Mjinga.
HISTORY OF KIJABE HILLS AND SURROUNDING AREA
The Kijabe Hills have an association with the early missionaries. The missionaries established churches, hospitals, and schools around the area in an effort to grow Africa and civilise it. Kijabe Hospital is one of the hospitals constructed during that time.
They also constructed the railway line, which was used to transport goods from one town to another. The railway line is an attraction in Kijabe Hills.
Among the Kikuyus, they take Kijabe Hills as a sacred place due to its very dark caves, hot springs, and thick forest vegetation. The hills were also used during the struggle for independence by the freedom fighters.
WILDLIFE IN KIJABE HILLS
The thick vegetation in the forest is home to different wildlife. As you hike, you will come across colobus monkeys and baboons. Their poop will really irritate you on the paths.
There are brd species like African Crown Eagle and the surn burns, among others. Do not forget your camera to capture more bird species and add them to your collection and timelines.
You will also come across antelopes, bushbucks, and buffaloes. At night you can hear the hyenas crying. The thick vegetation cover in the forest is good habitat for snakes, lizards, and all types of frogs due to the wet surroundings.
ACTIVITIES AROUND KIJABE HILLS
- A VISIT TO MAUMAU CAVES
You can create time and visit the caves and learn more and explore more. This is one of the ways to fully utilise one’s time here.
- Mount Longonot
It is just a few kilometres from Kijabe Hills. Another hiking adventure you should try out. The views are just amazing, but the vegetation cover at Kijabe Hills is better than at Mount Longonot.
Other things to do at Kijabe hills
- Picnic
As you visit Kijabe Hills, come with a lot of snacks as you prepare to have a picnic at the summit of the hills. This is a great way to enjoy the beautiful views while at the same time rewarding yourself for making it that far.
- Photoshoot
The scenic views at Kijabe Hills offer the right background for a photo shoot and taking pictures of nature. You take photos at the railway line at the summit, near the water falls, and near the hot springs and the streams.
Photos keep memories to be remembered forever.
Other activities are having a peaceful nature walk, which helps rejuvinate and have some mental rest. You can also learn the local culture of the people in the area, which is Kikuyus.
BEST TIME TO VISIT KIJABE HILLS
You can visit Kijabe Hills any time, any season. The best time to visit is during the dry period from December to March and August and October. During this period, the trails are accessible, and the little is little.
Though the dry period may actually not be dry here, you will experience some rain. Therefore, wear warm , waterproof clothes while coming here or carry a raincoat. July is very cold here, just like Nairobi and its surroundings.
Related: Exploring Menengai Crater:Hikes, Location, Map
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AROUND KIJABE HILLS
Kijabe Sunset View Guest House. Located at Kijabe Mission.
- Zambezi Cabin Resort is located at Kamandura-Mai mahiu-Narok road, Maai Mahiu. They have special double rooms to enjoy with a family.
- Camping in Gatamaiyu Nature Forest Reserve.
- Lesioi Farm is located in LImuru, a unique farm and campsite.