Nairobi Hiking Tour 5 KM Oloolua Nature Trail Karen
The Oloolua Nature Trail in Karen is a popular 5 km hiking trail located approximately 20 km from Nairobi’s city center, on Karen Road, Karen, Nairobi (just past Karen Blixen House, where Karen Road dead-ends).
Managed by the National Museums of Kenya, the trail offers a moderate 1–2 hour hike through an indigenous tropical dry forest, featuring a waterfall, a 33-meter-long cave, and a bamboo forest.
Operating Hours: Daily from 0900 Hours to 1800 Hours, including weekends and public holidays
Oloolua Nature Trail Features
✓ The Waterfall: A 7-meter drop on the Mbagathi River, surrounded by lush vegetation and a bamboo rest area
✓ Wildlife: Sightings often include Sykes monkeys, baboons, and various bird species such as the Crowned Eagle
✓ Other Facilities: The site includes a papyrus swamp, a wooden viewing tower, and designated picnic and camping areas
✓ Mau Mau Cave: A 33-meter-long subterranean cave historically used by freedom fighters; visitors are advised to bring a flashlight to explore it
Tips for Hikers
✓ Pet Friendly: Dogs are allowed on the trail
✓ Gear: Wear sturdy hiking shoes, as parts of the trail near the river can be steep or rooty
Oloolua Nature Trail Activities
✓Camping
✓Birthday party
✓ Church service
✓ Team Building
✓ Chama meeting
✓ Garden Wedding
✓ Corporate function
✓ Wedding Reception
✓ Commercial function
Nairobi Hiking Tour: 5 KM Oloolua Nature Trail, Karen. This excursion takes you to Oloolua Nature Trail, situated 20 km from the city centre in the Karen suburb.
Activities include: jogging, picnicking, camping, short hikes, birdwatching, guided forest tours, and visiting caves, swamps, and waterfalls. Oloolua covers 250 hectares of indigenous tropical dry forest and is home to the Institute of Primate Research (IPR).
The National Museums of Kenya, the institution that runs this biomedical research facility, established the 5 km (3 miles) long Oloolua Nature Trail in part of this forest, providing an oasis of tranquillity for city residents looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
Nairobi Hiking Tour: 5 KM Oloolua Nature Trail, Karen. Karen is a favorite with visitors for a short hike, jogging along the trail, walking their dogs, or just a relaxing picnic in this serene setting.
Organized groups also come to learn about environmental conservation through guided forest tours.
Nairobi Hiking Tour 5 KM Oloolua Nature Trail Karen
The Oloolua nature trail meanders through thick forest vines and undergrowth below giant indigenous trees and bushes, in some places following the course of the Mbagathi River that cuts through the forest.
Giant riverside bamboo stands beckon you to descend some rickety stairs to the river and rest on benches built under the bamboo. Trickling water and chirping birds, the only sounds you hear as you rest, lull you into a reflective mood.
Further along the trail, close to the river, you encounter a 33-meter-long cave. If you brought a flashlight, an exploration of this dark subterranean world takes you through numerous underground caverns reputed to have once been home to Mau Mau freedom fighters during Kenya’s colonial period.
A thick pile of guano underfoot and the occasional disturbance of bats flitting past you bring to your attention the existence of a bat colony within. A papyrus swamp further down the river offers a further glimpse into the rich biodiversity of this indigenous forest.
From here on, the trail climbs out of the river valley, occasionally bursting upon glades bathed in bright sunlight before diving back under the canopy of the cool forest cover. A picnic site complete with benches, drop toilets, and trash bins offers a nice setting for couples or groups to rest, play, or enjoy a meal within the forest.
For those wishing to spend more than a day in the forest, a secure campsite is also available with tap water, drop toilets, and firewood for lighting a bonfire. You’ll have to bring your own tent, food, and cooking utensils, though. Last, and perhaps the most spectacular of the attractions in the forest, is a 20-foot waterfall near the forest entrance.
As you pick your way along the trail to the waterfall, you’ll go past a wooden tower that was constructed some years back for viewing a Crowned Eagle’s nest that was situated nearby.
Scientists used this tower to study the Crowned Eagle’s behavior in its natural habitat. Sadly, human activities and settlements near the forest have led the birds to migrate from this haven.
Nairobi Hiking Tour 5 KM Oloolua Nature Trail Karen Prices
Nairobi Hiking Tour 5 KM Oloolua Nature Trail Karen Prices Include:
✓ Guide + Armed Security provided
✓A guided forest walk and waterfall visit
✓ All conservancy and entrance fees to Oloolua Nature Trail
✓ Transportation from your Nairobi hotel/ residence to the Oloolua nature trail and back to Nairobi
| Dates From | Dates To | Price Per Person | Children Aged 3 to 11 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st January 2026 | 31st December 2026 | Request for rates | Request for rates |
Notes
* You can bring along bird guidebooks, binoculars, cameras, and some drinking water
* Open daily: Mondays – Fridays: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, including Weekends/ Public Holidays
* Dressing may depend on the weather, but generally, light clothing and walking shoes are recommended
* The walks last 1 to 2 hours on average. We will allocate you a guide experienced in birding and an armed ranger
Nairobi Hiking Tour 5 KM Oloolua Nature Trail Karen Rates Do Not Include:
* Drinks
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers Insurance
* Communication charges
* Minimum of one person required
* Visas, international airfares, and airport taxes; meals
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* It does not include the activity of choice (advance notice is required if you choose to do other activities other than hiking)
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)
Booking & Reservations Nairobi Hiking Tour 5 KM Oloolua Nature Trail Karen Contact
Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com