ZAINA FALLS, ONE OF THE TREASURES OF NYERI
Those of you asking, what good can come out of Nyeri, then here it is. Nyeri has a lot to offer from food to beautiful sceneries to visit and see. Let us explore the Zania Falls together.
Zania Falls is located in Ihururu, Nyeri County, central Kenya. This is not just a fall, visiting this place with open your eyes to a lot more of the place. Zania Falls is located in a forest the Zania forest, served by the Zania river and valley.
The surrounding of Zania Falls has a history of colonialism, with the evidence of the famous Maumau caves. Be ready to explore this place beyond and above your imagination.
LOCATION OF ZANIA FALLS
Zania Falls is located in the hilly and fertile lands of Nyeri County Ihururu. It is approximately 164.5km from Nairobi then 10 km from Nyeri town towards the foot of the Aberdare ranges in Zania forest.
Coming from Nairobi, you will use Thika road, 150 km away after Nyeri town you will turn right off Nyeri-Nyahururu road toward Ihururu shopping centre. The actual hiking begins at a small Zaina shopping center.
Before you get to Zania Falls, you can explore the Chinga Dam at Othaya. This is a very beautiful dam surrounded by nature. Here you will get a chance to have a boat ride at Ksh 200 another fun adventure.
ATTRACTIONS AT ZAINA FALLS.
Zaina Falls has a lot to offer let’s get unto it;
- Zaina River
This is the river along the Zaina valley. You can enjoy the stream on the trail as you make your way to the Zaina Falls. The river drains and joins the Chania River along the ridges. The water in the river is very clean, which shows that the conservation measures here are taken seriously by the wildlife rangers in the area.
The river is very beautiful with the surrounding nature, be sure to be tempted to quench your thirst. But not to worry according to the ranger guide the water is safe for drinking and serves the people in the area with drinking water.
2. Mau-mau caves
With the help of a tour guide, you will get to visit the Maumau caves. The guide will help you to maneuver the trails to the place. The caves are in a high place such that from there you will enjoy the beautiful view of the Chania River below and the Zania valley.
You will enjoy the view of the caves and learn a lot from the tour guide about their use in the colonial period. Just to give you a taste, the caves served as a shelter for the freedom fighters to hide from the colonizers in their fight for independence.
They would hide here from the colonizers and even hold meetings to plan their moves toward acquiring independence. The caves also covered them from harsh environmental conditions. This is just interesting.
3. Chania River
When you get to explore Zania Falls, please take some time and check on Chania River. It is wider, with a loud roaring noise of the water as it flows down. River Zania drains into it.
The beautiful conserved nature around the river is beautiful and therapeutical. This is a good place where you can sit for a while and meditate with the noise of the river, bringing all sorts of inspiration.
4. The Zania Falls
This is now the main target of the visit, this is the scene everyone looks up to. A breathtaking scenery that may give you the illusion of not being real but getting closer you realize it is real. To get similar views of waterfalls you can visit Thompson Falls in Nyahururu and the Karuru Falls in Aberdare Ranges.
The fall flows on the clusters of rocks giving you the thought of being shaped. So amazing. The water seems to be feeding from one cluster of rock to the other. The nature surrounding the fall is so beautiful. A dense forest and vegetation cover the mountain, the fall seems to be in the middle separating two small mountains.
The vegetation around the fall will give you the vibe of the movie ‘JUMANJI: Welcome to the Jungle.’Very relatable to those who have across the movie.
Activities at the Zania Fall
The fall gives the best view for a photoshoot. Come prepared with your nice dress and shoes to take a photoshoot session here. The amazing view of the waterfall gives the best background for amazing photos to put in your socials and timelines.
The air here is relaxing and cool. This is the best spot to take a break with your group or friends and have lunch or some snacks as you chat and enjoy the view.
For swimming you will have to consult with the guide. For you to swim here if permission is granted, you ought to be a really good swimmer due to the pressure of the water and the depth of the stream and the surrounding nature. The water is also very cold due to the weather in the area.
HIKING TRAILS
The trail to the Zania forest is a Murram road. This trail is safe and easy for you to trek in all seasons of the year. When you get to the forest the trail becomes steep but manageable even for the kids.
To the Maumau cave
This trail is steep and during the wet season, you will need a walking stick to go up. This trail will get you out of your comfort zone, it is an exercise. The view up there will make all the effort worth it. Getting down is easy but needs care.
To Zania falls
From the Maumau caves back to the trail to Zania Falls, you will have to cross manmade bridges to connect. Do not be scared the bridges are safe since the streams running below them are small streams with clean water.
There are residents around some of the trails you will be walking through but the range guide will help you not to invade into people’s properties.
When you will be getting to the Zania Falls the trail is steep and narrow, opening up to the fall. The mist of the water from the fall will invite you to this beautiful scenery.
CAMPING AT ZAINA FALLS
One of the activities that Zania Falls has for you is camping. On camping, you will have to consult with the Kenya Forest Service Rangers. They will guide you further on the campsite areas, your security, boundaries, and the amenities required.
You should make the inquiries before coming to the camp so that you can prepare yourself and come equipped with everything not offered here.
Alternatively, there is a private nature park approximately 76km away, The Wajee Nature Park. It is a bird conservancy and nature park located at Mukurwe-ini Nyeri. Here they offer camping gear like tents, mattresses, toilets, bathrooms, and a nice cooking area. The environment is also very beautiful and safe to camp.
You can try the place for camping at a fee. There are public transport means that you can use to come to Zania Falls and explore it further while there. Wajee Nature Park also has a lot to explore.
WILDLIFE AT ZANIA FALLS
Zania Falls has a great habitat for a lot of animal species. The residential area around has made some species rare in the forest. The dangerous animals are rare to see in the area. You will come across monkeys, birds, squirrels, and reptiles like snakes.
The forest is also home to rare species like Hindes Babbler and Stripped Jackal. On a lucky day, you will meet honey badger famously ‘Thegere,’ common duiker, and African wood owl’
ACCOMMODATIONS AROUND ZAINA FALLS
Do not worry about where to eat and probably spend the night here. There are accommodation options in Nyeri town and its surroundings ready for you.
- 1, Peak Meadows Hotel, Nyeri Kiandu Road.
- 2, Peak Leader Hotel, Mweiga 3-star hotel Nyeri-Nyahururu road, Mweiga.
- 3, Sagana County Hotel, Nairobi-Sagana road, Sagana Nyeri.
- 4, Eland Safari Hotel Chania Bridge, Nyeri.
TRANSPORT INFORMATION TO ZANIA FALLS
You can get to Zania Falls by private car. At the entrance, there are Kenya Forest Service rangers they will show you a place to park and your car will be safe.
You can also visit the fall with a group of people using a traveling company. This is the best option for the company as you will come as a group. They will also help you create memories by taking photos and trailing together.
Public transport is another suitable and great option for you. From where the transport ends to the start of the hike is a trekking distance of 7km. Zania Falls is easily accessible by any means available for you or that suits you.
OPENING HOURS
Zania Falls is open for you to explore from 6:am till evening. Morning hours are the best so that you can have an easy time hiking around the attractions and also have enough time to explore all the attractions. You can visit any day you are available and have a good time there.
WHAT TO BRING ALONG AND SAFETY TIP EXPLORING ZANIA FALLS.
As you plan to visit this hidden treasure be sure to have very nice, flexible shoes for hiking. Wear warm clothes since the weather here is cool. It is inspired by the Aberdare Ranges a destination you should check out, cool and misty.
Carry enough drinking water even though there are clean water sources around for safe drinking. Carry enough snacks to sustain you through the hike since there are no food or snacks sold around. If you have a walking aid it’s better, it will help to maneuver the trails easily.
NOTE; Please get a tour guide who will guide you on the trails to the attraction points. They are also armed which means you will be safe as you explore the area. The tour guide fee should be in your budget which ranges from KSH3000.
Another hidden treasure to add to your bucket list. This is a place to get away with friends and family and bond with nature on a budget. Kenya has a lot to offer get out of that comfort zone and explore.