Discover Kereita Forest: Trails, Wildlife, and Waterfalls

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KEREITA FOREST

Looking for a place you can spend away with family on a budget? A beginner-friendly hike. Kereita Forest is here for you. Kereita Forest is located in the southern part of the Aberdare Ranges. A few kilometers from Kimende town.

From Nairobi via the Embu-Nairobi highway or the Meru-Nairobi highway, it is 55.9 km and will take you approximately 1 hour 9 minutes. You can also use the Waiyaki way through the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, then branch off at Total Petro station in Kimende. It is approximately 60 km from Nairobi to Kimende town.

On your way there, you can stop at the viewpoint and enjoy the beautiful view of the Rift Valley escarpment. If you are using public transport, you will not be able to stop and viewpoint to see the Rift Valley landscape. You can take a matatu in town heading to Kijabe at the Globe Roundabout in Nairobi. You will alight at Kimende and take a motorcycle or a taxi to the entrance.

Kereita Forest is rich in forest plantations, natural forests, wildlife, waterfalls, and streams. The views are very beautiful here. There are so many activities here: paintball, ziplining, mountain biking, footgolf, and many other activities. The forest is full of fun activities to engage in. Being bored here is your personal decision.

KEREITA FOREST TRAILS

Kereita Forest is a 12km trail that starts at the cypress tree plantation. This is a very scenic plantation with cypress trees, which are mostly used by people for Christmas decoration. The Cyprus tree plantation forms a very beautiful canopy, which makes the forest dark. From the main highway, the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, you can see this plantation.

The shade that the trees make prevents any vegetation from growing under it. There is no vegetation on this trail, just a nice shade as you make your way through the woods. On my visit, the trees were recently pruned, and there were fallen branches all over the trees. 

This trail gives a movie background. The elevation at this point is 2475 meters above sea level. The weather is cool around this area.

The next level is the indigenous forest. This is a thick, dense forest with a lot of indigenous trees. The trail in the forest is visible in some parts, but at some point, the vegetation has overgrown, covering some trails. There are big and old indigenous trees that should be protected from deforestation. The vegetation in this forest will steal your mind for a while.

The hike through the indigenous forest is an easy one; some parts are slippery but very manageable. Through this trail, you will cross streams of clean water. There is a trail through the bamboo jungle that is wet and muddy and hence slippery. The view of the jungle is just amazing. 

You will come across different varieties of herbs used as medicine and others used to make beauty cosmetics. I came across some leaves that were used to make perfume; they smell like mint. The leaves are dried and mixed with dried flowers like roses or lavender to make perfume.

Along the indigenous forest, there is an elephant bath pool, which is purely for elephants. This is where the elephants cool off when they are in this part of the Aberdare Forest.

This hike is very beginner-friendly. If you are a novice hiker, this is the place to start. The trails are shaded from the sun, and the hike is manageable. This is not as tough as hiking Ragia Forest in the Aberdare Ranges.

KEREITA FOREST WATERFALLS

Kereita Forest has several scenic waterfalls that are fed with water from the Aberdare Ranges. One of the waterfalls that is easily accessed through the indigenous forest is the Kereita waterfall and caves.

This is a very scenic waterfall surrounded by nature; beside it is a cave used during the colonial period. The surroundings of the waterfall are misty and cool. This is just the right background to do a photo shoot session. To just make use of this beautiful view.

To get to this waterfall, you will have to descend a steep, slippery slope to where the waterfall is. 

Kereita forest is a very big forest. Inside it, there is the Gatamaiyu forest, which hosts 3 other waterfalls, which are: the waterfall through the cave, the Gatamaiyu waterfall inside the Gatamaiyu forest, and the waterfall near the residential areas.

At Kereita waterfall, swimming is not allowed in the pool because the pool is very deep and muddy. From the waterfall, one can see the tallest tree in Kereita Forest, which was planted by Wangari Maathai.

From the waterfall, you will ascend the steep, slippery slope up to the trail and back to the starting point. 

ACTIVITIES IN KEREITA FOREST

Kereita forest is a forest full of activities. The fun in this forest is just amazing. This is a place I will recommend you take your family out for an experience they will always remember. There are a handful of activities here.

• Ziplining in Kereita Forest

This is the main activity that everyone looks up to in their visit to the forest. This activity involves riding a steel cable with protective gear from one point to another. This activity will send your heart flying in the air. If it is your first time, do not worry; you will be given a detailed tutorial on how to go about this activity.

The 2-line ziplines are 750 km, and the 6-line ziplines are 2.2 km. The distance is long enough to give you a delusional feeling of flying. This is the best way to create memories of this place.

Zipline charges

The zipline charges are the same for everyone. Whether a citizen, resident, or non-resident. The six-line zipline tour for adults is Ksh 2800, which is 28$. The two-line zipline for adults is Ksh 1800, which is 18$. For children, doing a meter 40 centimeter is Ksh 600, which is 6$.

• Horse riding at Kereita Forest

A ride on the horse as you enjoy the scenic view of the forest. It gives the cowgirl or cowboy vibe in a ranch. This is an activity favorable for everyone. You can bring your family along and enjoy the ride.

Charges for horse riding

• Piantball at Kereita Forest

This is a game that involves two teams hunting each other using guns loaded with fake bullets. A tutorial is offered to you if it is your first time. Protective clothes are provided; in this case, you need to cover your eyes, ears, and chest. Extra care is needed in this game not to get hurt by the ball bullets.

If you plan to bring your children to play this game, they will need supervision not to hurt themselves.

Paintball Charges

The above prices are for 100 paintballs and an additional 50 paintballs, Ksh 500/5$.

• Bike riding in Kereita Forest

Kereita Forest offers mountain biking opportunities. For you to engage in this activity, you need to be an experienced bike rider. Riding a bike up a mountain needs a lot of training and fitness. This is a chance for you to exercise.

Bike riding Charges

• Footgolf

This is a very interesting game in Kereita Forest. The game involves kicking a ball to enter a small hole. No scorer experience is needed here, and you do not need to know how to use a golf stick to play it. It’s like the way you play golf, but now you are using your foot to kick the ball. 

The best way to relax after a long hike.

Footgolf charges

• Archery at Kereita forest

This involves shooting using a bow and an arrow. The main aim is to shoot at the center of the circle. You can try this game to practice your concentration. It is an interesting and challenging game that you can try out with family and friends. It needs patience and consistency.

Archery Charges

• Tree planting in Kereita Forest.

Kereita Forest is one of the forests that needs a lot of conservation. Efforts have been put in place to tackle the deforestation that has been going on. In May 2023, there was a tree planting session that involved BAPS Charities volunteers together with Kijabe Environment volunteers (KENVO) and planted 2000 seedlings in the forest.

Kereita Forest being part of the Aberdare Ranges, these efforts are put in place to conserve water sources. You can reach out to this group or to Kenya Forest Services to donate seedlings or engage in a tree-planting activity.

The trees were planted in the agroforestry form. Where the residents could plant crops in between the trees before they grow tall. This method is effective in protecting the seedlings from being eaten by animals.

CAMPING AT KEREITA FOREST

Camping is allowed in Kereita Forest at designated places. Before you plan to camp here, you need to inquire in advance. Inquire about what you need to bring along and about your security.

Camping at Kereita Forest, a guard is provided for your security at a cost. Camping here is not a must—to bring along food or to cook. There are restaurants with nice food near the forest in the zipline area.

Plan your camping schedule to make good use of the days you will be camping here.

Camping Charges

A guard for the night is Ksh 1000 and a guard for the day is Ksh 600

PREPARATION FOR HIKING KEREITA FOREST

Kereita Forest is not a tough hike; it is friendly for everyone, even beginners. All you need is a good shoe with a group grip because of the slippery area. Light clothes with long sleeves for the top and bottom.

Carry enough water for hydration and snacks, though there are eatery points near the forest. Come with a good camera and capture the moments while here.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT KEREITA FOREST

You can visit Kereita Forest any season. The forest is easily accessible. During the wet season, which is April, June, and partly July, the trails in the indigenous forest are slippery and muddy. Visiting during this season, you will need high-rise boots to conquer the hike.

During the dry season, the sun is not hot, and the shade from the trees makes the hike favourable. Therefore, you can visit Kereita Forest any season of the year. 

If you are looking for an adventure full of activities other than hiking, we got you. Book with us as we explore this rich forest hike. We create memories like no other.