Kereita Forest is the first of its kind in Kenya and East-Africa’s longest zip line tour, offering over 2.4km (1.4 miles) of flight across the lush Kereita forest located in Lari Kiambu County, approximately 60 kms from Nairobi.
Highlights:
Do you ever feel the need to get away from the daily hustle and bustle of life or perhaps you just like exploring the great outdoors? Join us and unleash your spirit of adventure as we head to the forest.
Kereita forest forms part of Aberdares National Park and is home to magnificent Gatamaiyu river, caves, wild animals and a waterfall which rises at the height of 60 feet.
The forest and the surrounding areas have animals such as elephants, leopards and colobus monkeys. The forest covers 47 square kilometres and is designated an important bird area with quite a number of bird species residing in the rich biodiversity.
On this adventurous and funfilled tour you will be greatly entertained doing the likes of Archery, Ziplining and Bike Riding with a break for lunch in the middle!
Our walk through Kereita Forest starts at the Carbacid Forest Gate. We will visit a small natural spring in the neighbourhood to view water bubbling from underground. This is actual carbon dioxide gas from the ground.
The trail then goes deeper into the forest, with the undergrowth now getting thicker and more interesting and varied. Giant ferns and climbers abound deep in the forest, competing for the meager light filtering though old gnarled mammoth trees that stand tall and proud, untouched by human exploitation. The sounds of various species of monkeys and birds increasingly become a regular part of the jungle. The trail is hardly discernible due to infrequent visitors to this part of the forest.
After walking up and down two steep river valleys for about two hours, we will pass by Elephant Pool, a large natural water body that Elephants love to frolic in. A further one hour walk will finally bring us to Kereita Waterfall on Gatamaiyu River. To the right side of the waterfall is a cave with a small bat population.Kereita has been classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA), and boasts over 138 species, of which 20 are considered rare.
The whole round hike takes about 6-7 hours
Come hike at Kereita Forest and enjoy the fresh mountain air free from pollution. Mingle with nature as you hike through nature trails of the indigenous forests, the 60 feet tall Kereita Waterfall on Gatamaiyu, and also visit the elephant swimming pool inside the forest as you hike.
Hike Starting Point: The African Forest Lodge.
Ending point: The African Forest Lodge.
Walking Duration: 2 hours
Terrain: Animal trails through the iIndigenous forest.
Difficulty: Moderate
The Kereita Forest at the southern-most end of the Aberdares range has interesting hiking trails and natural features like the Kereita Cave and Waterfall. One of these trails, the Carbacid trail, leads to Kereita Waterfall on Gatamaiyu River, and the adjacent cave that is home to a small bat colony.
Route Description:
The walk through Kereita Forest starts at the Carbacid Forest Gate. This general area sits on top of an underground natural CO2 reservoir currently mined by Carbacid Ltd for industrial and commercial usage.
During the first hour, the hike goes through an exotic forest interspersed with large open clearings created by the controversial Shamba System.
As you get further into the forest and descend into the first river valley, the clearings give way to the indigenous forest. The undergrowth gets thicker, more interesting, and varied. Giant ferns and climbers abound, competing for the meager light filtering though old gnarled mammoth trees that stand tall and proud. The jungle comes to life with the calls of various monkey and bird species. The trail is hardly discernible due to infrequent visitors to this part of the forest. Most of trail here follows animal trails going in the general direction of the waterfall.
After walking up and down two steep river valleys for about two hours, the trail passes by the Elephant Pool, a large natural water body where elephants come to frolic. A further one hour walk finally brings you to Kereita Waterfall on Gatamaiyu River, dropping 60ft to the stream below.
To the right side of the waterfall is a cave with a small bat population.
The return path retraces part of the trail out of the valley to the top of a ridge, before veering off on a northbound trail into a bamboo forest. This path climbs to the highest point of the hike, a clearing with excellent views of Elephant Hill, Nairobi and Mt. Longonot. This location is ideal for camping point.
The whole round trip takes about 4 hours