Karura Forest Hiking and Bike Tour from Nairobi: 350+ bird species year-round

More than 350 birds recorded here, plus waterfalls, caves and forest trails color-coded by length.

A guided hiking or biking tour of Karura Forest near Nairobi, starting with hotel pickup at 9am and lasting five hours. You choose between walking trails of five, ten or fifteen kilometers, or a twelve-kilometer biking route, both leading through forest, past waterfalls and caves. A professional guide explains the trees, birds and historical sites, including a Mau-Mau freedom fighter cave and an old Central Bank incinerator chimney. Entrance fees, bike hire and the guide are included. Bring your own lunch or use the picnic benches scattered through the reserve.

The experience

The tour picks you up from your Nairobi hotel at 9am and takes you straight into Karura Forest, a 1,000-acre reserve that sits inside the city but feels entirely separate. The trails are clearly marked and color-coded by distance, so you decide on arrival whether you want five, ten or fifteen kilometers on foot, or the twelve-kilometer bike route. A professional guide walks or rides with you, pointing out the different tree species, bird calls and the streams and riparian zones that run through the forest.

Karura is a serious birding site (more than 350 species have been recorded here), and the guide will help you spot them as you move through the green forest areas. You'll pass waterfalls and caves, including the sacred caves where Mau-Mau fighters hid during the independence struggle. There's also an old chimney from a Central Bank incinerator that destroyed decommissioned currency in the 1990s, and the remains of Lily Lake, an abandoned quarry. Picnic benches are scattered throughout the reserve if you want to stop and cool off.

The forest draws joggers, cyclists, dog walkers and people on fitness retreats, so you'll see others on the trails, but the reserve is large enough that it never feels crowded. Bike hire is included, and the trails are designed for both walking and riding. The five-hour window gives you time to move at your own pace, rest at a bench, and explore the sites that interest you most.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup at 9am.
• entrance fees to Karura Forest.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• bike hire if you choose the cycling route.
• access to all marked trails, waterfalls, caves and picnic areas.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 09:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by kenya safari bookings

Is this one for you?Choose the hiking route if you want to move at your own pace and stop often to watch birds and explore the caves. Pick the bike trail if you prefer to cover more ground and keep moving through the forest.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

How many bird species can I expect to see in Karura Forest?

More than 350 bird species have been recorded in Karura Forest throughout the year, making it a birding paradise. Your guide will help you spot them as you walk or bike the trails.

Can I choose between hiking and biking on the same tour?

Yes. You pick your route when you arrive: walking trails of five, ten or fifteen kilometers, or a twelve-kilometer biking trail. Both routes pass through the same forest areas, waterfalls and caves.

What historical sites will I see in the forest?

Karura holds several historical landmarks. The sacred caves were used as hideouts by Mau-Mau freedom fighters during Kenya's independence struggle, and you can still see an old chimney from a Central Bank incinerator that operated in the 1990s to destroy decommissioned currency.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included, but the forest has numerous picnic benches where you can rest and eat your own food. You're welcome to bring a packed lunch or purchase food before the tour.

What time does the tour start and how long does it last?

The tour starts at 9am with pickup from your Nairobi hotel and lasts five hours total, giving you time to complete your chosen trail and explore the forest at a comfortable pace.