TOP THINGS TO DO AT NGARE NDARE FOREST
Ngare Ndare is an Indigenous forest located in Meru County, Timau, on the border of Meru and Laikipia. It is an extension of the Mount Kenya Forest. This forest is rich with indigenous trees and untampered with nature. It is very healthy, with evidence of mosses, fungi, and lichen on trees.
Ngare Ndare is rich in wildlife and scenic views. It is home to the famous blue pool fed by a beautiful waterfall that draws its water straight from Mount Kenya. It is also home to the famous long canopy walk.
How to get to Ngare Ndare Forest
Ngare Ndare Forest is 38 km from Nanyuki and 1-hour drive is a 15km drive on a loose surface road. You will use Thika Road from Nairobi, then divert to Nyeri-Nanyuki Road to Meru then Timau. Turn left immediately after Timau town 400 meters from the Timau police road block. Along Nanyuki-Meru road is a rough road 11km to the forest.
From the entrance to the canopy walk, it can be accessed by a private vehicle preferably a 4WD vehicle because it is high.
Activities in Ngare Ndare Forest
- Swimming and diving
Ngare Ndare forest has about 6 waterfalls. The pool has clean water and swimming and diving are allowed. For you to swim in these pools you should be an expert in swimming because the pools are very deep, and cold and the water flowing from the waterfalls has a lot of pressure.
The Jewel waterfall of Ngare Ndare forest is the Azure Waterfall famously called the Ngare Ndare Waterfall. The pool under this great waterfall is blue. You may think the color has been added to it but it is naturally blue even when the clouds are dark,
The blue color in this pool is due to copper sulphate minerals in the water. During the heavy rains, the pool turns brown due to the dirty water flowing into it from the forest, but when the water settles down it turns back to blue.
While visiting Ngare Ndare forest make sure you carry your swimming costume and enjoy swimming with your friends and family. The water in the streams and pools is clean from Mount Kenya. Unlike the Zania Falls, the Karuru, Gura Falls, and Thompson Falls where swimming is not allowed here it is an activity everyone looks forward to while visiting Ngare Ndare forest.
- Hiking the Ngare Ndare Forest trails
A hike in Ngare Ndare forest will take you through the forest, streams, and past waterfalls. When hiking in the forest you will need a tour guide. This is because there are wild animals in the forest.
On the trails, you will notice the elephant’s footprints and the animal dung indicating wild animals in the forest. The trails in the forest are clear and in some parts fenced with rails on the side. The forest is served with the beautiful noise of the birds, the streams, and the waterfalls.
- The Ngare Ndare canopy walk
This is a 420-meter-long bridge which is 10 meters above the ground. It is shaky, therefore, people with acrophobia, which is a condition where an individual experiences an intense fear of heights, may not prefer it. I have height fear but the canopy walk is manageable.
The canopy is also a safe place to watch the animals walking in the canopy forest below. On a lucky day, you can see the elephants. At the end of the canopy walk you can watch the elephants and other animals drink water from the pool.
- Picnic
You can have your picnic snacks near the waterfalls as you enjoy the waterfall’s breeze. Be careful of monkeys they are naughty and will grab your snacks if you are not careful.
- Photography
Ngare Ndare Forest has beautiful scenes that you cannot miss to capture. The blue pool, the beautiful forest, the canopy walk, and the clean streams. Do not miss to capture memories at the canopy walk. Take pictures here to add to your timeline.
From the canopy walk, you can capture pictures of animals grazing and drinking water at the pool. Do not forget to take photos and videos while swimming in the pools and diving.
- Game viewing
The best time to go for game viewing is early in the morning or evening. This is the best time to see the animals before they go searching for food in different parts of the forest.
If you want to view more animals you can visit Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
Wildlife in Ngare Ndare Forest
Lions, African buffalos, leopards, black rhinos, African elephants, bushbuck, waterbuck, bushpig, spotted hyena, olive baboon, and colobus monkeys.
Efforts were made during the construction of the Nanyuki-Meru highway. An underpass was constructed to create a corridor for the elephants to migrate safely from Ngare Ndare Forest to Lewa Conservancy.
- Rock climbing
Outside the conservancy is a rocky outcrop, which is used for rock climbing. You can climb the rock whether you are a novice or an experienced rock climber. You can visit the place and enjoy this great activity.
Children above seven years are allowed to climb the rocks under supervision. The longest climb is 15 meters. The climbing equipment is offered here. Training is offered for those who are trying the activity for the first time.
- Camping at Ngare Ndare Forest
There are two camping sites in the forest. One is near the falls to give a great view of the falls and the other In deep in the forest with a great view of the forest and the noise from birds and animals.
The camps are provided with clean water, toilets, and a fireplace. Other necessities people carry their own. There are no eateries and accommodations inside the forest.
As you plan to come camping here carry a tent if none is provided, a sleeping bag, a cooking stove, enough food, a headlamp, and warm clothes since the place is very cold.
Travel tips to Ngare Ndare Forest
Carry enough water 2-3 liters of water. Wear flexible hiking shoes and easy-to-dry clothes. Do not forget to bring along your swimming costume. It is not advisable to hike here alone therefore you can tag along with a group and have fun together.
Nearby attraction to Ngare Ndare Forest
The nearby attractions near Ngare Ndare Forest are :
- The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
- Borana Wildlife conservancy
- Mount Kenya National Park
- Mount Kenya.
