Ngong Forest Sanctuary Nairobi Walking Day Tour

Our 1-Day guided walking tour of Ngong Forest Sanctuary in Nairobi explores the forest sanctuary, located approximately 6 km from the Nairobi Central Business District. The forest is adjacent to the Ngong Golf Club. Escape the city bustle and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Ngong Forest Sanctuary, a rare indigenous forest located just a few kilometers southwest of Nairobi.

This 1,200-hectare indigenous forest is managed by a private trust and provides a peaceful, biodiverse environment for birdwatching, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Our full-day hiking safari is ideal for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and photographers looking for a peaceful yet thrilling outdoor experience.

Ngong Forest is one of the few remaining natural forests within a city in the world and serves as a vital ecosystem rich in wildlife, bird species, and indigenous vegetation. The forest spans over 1,200 hectares, offering a network of well-marked trails that take you through scenic paths under a canopy of towering trees, across grassy glades, and past trickling streams.

As you hike, you may encounter a wide variety of wildlife, including bushbucks, monkeys, porcupines, and more than 100 bird species. Our guided tour of Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary ensures you explore its hidden corners safely while learning about its ecological importance and the conservation efforts underway.

Your adventure begins with a morning pickup from your hotel or residence in Nairobi by our friendly, professional driver-guide. After a short drive, we arrive at Ngong Forest Sanctuary’s main entrance (Ngong Road Gate, located near the Junction Mall) around 0830 Hours. 

After a short safety briefing, we set off on a guided nature hike along designated trails that wind through dense indigenous forest, open meadows, and shaded river valleys.

The hike lasts approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on your pace and the trail you choose.  Along the way, you will enjoy rich biodiversity, including native trees, butterflies, and colorful birds. Our experienced guide will interpret the forest’s flora and fauna, making the experience educational and fun.

After the morning hike, we’ll settle down for a packed picnic lunch within a scenic clearing in the forest. Relax, enjoy your meal, and perhaps spot more wildlife roaming nearby.

After lunch, we’ll have time for a second short nature walk or simply relax in the forest, soaking in the peaceful environment. We exit the forest and drive back to Nairobi. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel or preferred location by 1700 Hours, marking the end of an unforgettable day in nature.

Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary 1 Day Walking Tour Itinerary (Half-Day Focus)

0800 Hours: Pickup from your Nairobi hotel or residence
0900 Hours: Arrival at the Ngong Forest Sanctuary main gate on Ngong Road. Meet your professional guide and armed ranger
0915 – 1130 Hours: Guided walking tour along the designated nature trails. Highlights include the dam area (good for birding), spotting indigenous trees, and searching for monkeys, bushbucks, and porcupines.
1200 Hours: Optional lunch at the nearby Club Barn or Steve’s Steak House (at extra cost)
Afternoon: Return to your hotel/residence

Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary 1 Day Walking Tour Highlights 

✓ Trails: The sanctuary features well-maintained 3 km and 5 km trails
✓ Safety: The walks are accompanied by experienced, often armed, forest rangers
✓ Wildlife: While walking, you may spot monkeys, bushbucks, dik-diks, and tree hyraxes
✓ Biodiversity: The forest hosts 208 indigenous tree species and over 190 bird species, including eagles, vultures, and kingfishers

Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary 1 Day Walking Tour Includes

✓ Bottled Water: Provided during the hike
✓ Entrance Fees: Covered in the tour package
✓ Transportation: Round-trip transport from your Nairobi residence
✓ Guide Fees: Professional naturalist guide and/or armed security ranger

What to Bring

✓ Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
✓ Binoculars and cameras for birding and wildlife spotting
✓ Light clothing, but a jacket is recommended as it can be cool in the mornings

Ngong Road Forest SanctuaryActivities

✓ Cycling: You can bring your own bicycle or rent one on-site. Be prepared for some hilly terrain
✓ Birdwatching: The sanctuary is home to over 110 bird species, including turacos, kingfishers, and eagles
✓ Picnicking: Dedicated picnic areas with lawns and benches are available near the trail entrances
✓ Wildlife Spotting: While walking quietly, visitors may see monkeys, dik-diks, duikers, and occasionally leopards near the dam
✓ Nature Walks & Hiking: There are marked trails ranging from 3 km to 5 km for individual walks. Longer treks (10 km to 21 km) require an armed ranger accompaniment for security

Ngong Forest Sanctuary tour is a half-day excursion and takes place in Ngong Forest – one of the very few forests in the world that exists within a city. Our Ngong Forest Sanctuary walks take 2 hours and are guided by a qualified naturalist and accompanied by a security guard. Walkers learn all about Forest’s history, its Indigenous plants and trees, and its amazing bird and animal life.

Only 6 km from Nairobi’s central business district, Ngong Forest is a precious resource for Kenya’s capital. The Ngong Forest Sanctuary comprises 538 hectares of forest, 80% indigenous forest, and the rest exotic Eucalyptus plantations, located within the larger Ngong Road Forest Reserve.

In an unusual and dynamic movement on the part of the Kenyan Government, an area of 600 hectares of this urban forest has been entrusted to the management of a private charitable trust – the Ngong Forest Sanctuary Trust.

The Ngong Forest Sanctuary walk is great for those interested in mammals, trees, wildflowers, and birds, or for those who just want to walk in the forest. The walk in the forest offers birdwatching, plant identification, and wildlife, accompanied by a professional naturalist. Nairobi hosts 605 bird species, more than any other capital city in the world. 110 of them can be found in the Ngong Forest Sanctuary.

Some of the species include Grebes, Cormorants, Darters, Egrets, Herons, Hamerkop, Storks, Ibises, Goose, Ducks, Vultures, Kites, Buzzards, Eagles, Plovers, Sandpipers, Doves, Pigeons, Turacos, Owls, Cuckoos, Swifts, Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, Mousebirds, Woodpeckers, etc.

During your Ngong Forest Sanctuary walk, you may see over 35 species of mammals, which include Bush Buck, Dik Dik, Duiker, Suni, Leopard, Hyena (spotted), Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Aardvark, Porcupine, Squirrel, and Tree Hyrax. Ngong Forest Sanctuary has 208 indigenous tree species, plants, amphibians such as Toads and frogs, and reptiles such as tortoises, Lizards, and snakes, which together create a stunning sanctuary in the heart of Nairobi.

The Ngong Forest Sanctuary walk takes approximately 2 hours and passes through the forest or around the dam, which attracts large numbers of birds and even leopards, which have been spotted there. After the walk, enjoy a sumptuous lunch at the Rangers Restaurant and return to your hotel residence.

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