EXPLORING KEREITA FOREST: WATERFALL AND CAVES
Kereita Forest is a forest, hiking destination, and tourist attraction with the most activities to engage in. This is a family-friendly forest where you can visit with your family and enjoy a weekend getaway.
Kereita Forest is like a fun park in nature and surrounded by nature. It is located in the southern part of the Aberdare Ranges. A few kilometers from Kimende town, Kiambu county.
The Kereita forest trails were established by the Kijabe Environment Volunteer (KENVO). This is a local community-based organization that works to conserve this rich biodiversity.
The starting point of this trail is the Carbacid Forest Gate, which is also the ending point. This trail leads to Kereita waterfall on the Gatamaiyu River.
The area sits on top of an underground natural carbon dioxide reservoir currently mined by Carbacid Limited for industrial and commercial usage. The forest once had a Shamba system, but now the Kenya Forest Service is trying to build the forest back. As you hike, you will come across an open area as you head to the indigenous forest.
Kereita Forest Location And How To Get There
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 to Kereita Forest using the Nakuru-Nairobi highway, 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 view the escarpment.
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.
Hiking Trails In Kereita Forest
Kereita Forest is a 12km trail that starts at the Cyprus tree plantation. This is a very scenic plantation with Cyprus trees, which are mostly used by people for Christmas decorations. 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 plantationÂ
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 the vibe of 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. The trail in the forest is visible in some parts, but in some parts, 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 because it is stunning.
The hike through the indigenous forest is an easy one; some parts are slippery but very manageable. Through the trail, you will see streams of clean water. There is a trail through the bamboo jungle that is wet, muddy, and slippery.
You will come across a different variety 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.
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 the Ragia Forest in the Aberdare Ranges.
Top activities in Kereita Forest
- Ziplining at 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.
This activity gets a lot of people, hence it is always crowded.
 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$.
-  2.   Visiting Kereita Forest waterfall and caves
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 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 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.
 Other activities at Kereita Forest
- 1.   Horse riding
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.
Prices
| 30 minutes KSH | 1 hour KSH | 4 hours KSH | |
| Adult | 1800 | 2200 | 5000 |
| child | 1300 | 1700 | 4000 |
- 2. Paintball 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.
Prices
| Adults | Child |
| Ksh1750/17.5$ | Ksh 1600/16$ |
- 3. Bike riding at Kereita Forest
Kereita Forest offers mountain biking opportunities. For you to engage in this activity, you need to be an experienced bike rider. Riding up a mountain needs a lot of training and fitness. This is a chance for you to exercise.
 Bike riding Charges
| 1 hour | 2 hours | 4hours |
| Adult ksh 1000/10$Kid Ksh800/8$ | Adult Ksh 1200/12$Kid Ksh 1000/10$ | Adult Ksh 2000/20$Kids Ksh1700/17$ |
The Best Time To visit Kereita Forest
You can visit Kereita Forest any time and any season. The best time is during the dry season and the short rains. The forest is in the highlands; therefore, it receives more rain throughout the year.
What to bring
As you plan to hike Kereita Forest, you should have flexible hiking shoes, warm flexible hiking attire, rain gear, and warm clothes to add to your layer when it gets cold. Pack enough water to stay hydrated, snacks to reenergize, and enough money to pay for the different activities in the forest. Don’t forget your camera to capture the panoramic views of the forest.
Contact information for Kereita Forest
Contact Us:
[email protected],
0711 11 22 33/0711 22 33 66
Kereita Forest, Kimende Town,
Lari Sub-County, Kiambu County.
Conclusion
Kereita Forest is an ideal destination for a family getaway. The forest is full of activities to engage in and panoramic views of the forest, the waterfall, and the caves. This forest has a full package of fun.
If you are planning to visit this forest but do not know how to worry anymore, book with us for a fun, safe, and affordable adventure. Let us explore Kenya on a budget.