Cycling for sport is very popular in Kenya. The outdoor variety isespecially popular. Many sportive outdoor enthusiats travel far and wide to ride a bike in the wild. You do not even need to have a bike to enjoy this great outdoor sport. There are many companies hiring bikes on short term basis. Most are actually situated where cycling the cycling takes place
Among the popular circuits is Karura in Nairobi, Ngong in Kajiado and Hells gate National park in Naivasha. In the coast there is Diani Beach, Malindi and Watamu. It is a pity that the city barons of all major urban areas do not provide for cycling.
Category Archives: outdoor sports
Rafting
As an adrenaline filled outdoor activity rafting in Kenya is mainly done on white water. Rafting is mainly done in Tana river around Sagana with rapid camp ans savage wilderness being the main players. Some expedition tour operators also offer rafting expeditions along the river Athi. Rafting down the Athi river is alos a way to watch and interact with wild game at East Tsavo national park. Other rivers where white water is available for rafting include Ruvingaci and Thuci both in Embu county. Though not in Kenya Jinja in Uganda too offers rafting down the Nile. So if you are a fan of white water rafting you may want to watch wild game in Tsavo Tsavo National Park as you drift down the Athi in a raft
To arrange a trip you may contact
| Rapids Camp
P. O. Box 66908 – 00200, City Square – NairobiKenya Camp +254 732 308 026 |
Savage Wilderness
P.O.Box 1000
|
Wildtrek
Post Office Box 17634-00500
|
Olesekut
| Location | Kisamis |
| Starting Point | Foot of Ole Sayeti |
| Ending point | Foot of Ole Sayeti |
| Walking Duration | 6 hours |
| Terrain | Loose stones and pebbles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Elevation gain |
The objective of the hike is to get to the summit of Olesekut hill in the southern Rift valley, one of the hills in the Oloroka ridge in the southern rift valley.
Olesekut is the hill bordering Oltepesi on your way to Magadi. The hike is a thrilling day excursion into maasai land. The hill is Maasai communal land and must be respected as such.
Route Description
The trail starts at the saddle of ole sayeti where you walk up a gentle uphill slope along a motorable road up to the brow of the hill to reveal your intended destination, the ole sekut a distant off to the east. At the brow of the hill you, deviat
e from the road and make your way east following human footpaths and grazing paths up to the primary school. Avoiding the school compound you swing south and head straight for the hill walking past two or so Manyattas.
At the foot of the hill the going gets quite rough with loose stones and pebbles that keep sliding you back a notch with every step. Without a good hiking shoe, this becomes quite a frustration but what is hike without frustration.
As with every hilly hike, the false summit happens when the trail plateaus to reveal stunning views of more undulating hills, gorges, and ridges. Skirting through dangerously sharp cliffs and soft rock you make your way round the first hill and your summit comes into view. The summit is the
n a quick one hour away from where you are treated to breath taking views of Olorgesailie hill to the south, Ngong hills to the north, the plains of Masai-mara to the west and a spec of lake Magadi.
Getting there:-
Public means: From Kiserian, take matatus going to Magadi, Tinga or Kisamis and a light at Kisamis. If you are early enough you may start your walk from here, otherwise take boda-bodas to the foot of the hill.
Driving:
Normally, you pick a guide at Kiserian or Ngong then drive like you would to Magadi up to Kisamis and then on to JM Kariuki murder site. Turn left into a load facing a pass between two hills and on to the foot and saddle of the hills.
Guides
A local guide is essential to hike trail because like mentioned above you will be traversing communal land.
Contact
| Paul Kalaile | 0714 155872 | paulnteyierr@gmail.com |
| Emmanuel Kaimarish | 0704 866745 | emmanurish@gmail.com |
Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route
For most Kenya outdoor enthusiasts, the ultimate is to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. Many people considering trekking Kilimanjaro ask what the best route is. “Best” can mean anything. But perhaps most people asking this question mean which route guarantees success.
Marangu route should be the easiest route to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. But it has the worst success rate because climbers are least prepared. The Marangu route takes you at a gentle pace through rain forests, moorlands and the alpine desert at the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi.
To ensure success summiting Kilimanjaro, one needs to anticipate the difficulties and make plans to surmount them.
These are:
1. General fitness
2. Endurances fitness.
3. Altitude
1. General fitness: Establish that the body is fit enough to withstand sub-zero temperatures and other vagaries of outdoor living for five to six days. It is also important to note the bod’s ability to adabt to abrupt change of diet. Hand in hand to this is the mental attitude and willingness to go through it.
2. Endurance fitness: In general the body should be able to withstand four contiguous days of uphill walking for five to six hours daily while carrying about six Kilograms of gear. This calls for strict regimes of exercises that can be done in the house, field or gym, such as cardio, squats, jogging, treadmill or skipping rope.
3. Altitude: Hiking and trekking at least once every two months preferably in altitudes over of 2500 metres e.g. Ngong hills, Longonot, Oldonyo sabuk, Kinari forest, Elephant hill, Kipipiri, mount Kenya (preferably to Leanna point) will give the body the much needed acclimatisation.
It is important to deliberately choose at least one wet season hike in order to test rain gear.
Below is a list of items that one needs to collect and test in advance in order to make the climb as friendly as possible.
I have used the key below to rate the items
Key
**** Crucial to have
*** Important to have
** Good to have
* luxury
| ITEM | Description | QTY | Cost (Ksh) | Total cost(Ksh) | |
Clothing |
|||||
| Rain coat or poncho with hood**** | Waterproof enough to keep off heavy rain | 1 | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 | |
| Warm jacket**** | Water resistant and breathable- can be made of down, thinsulate or fleece. Down and fleece dry much faster than wool | 1 | 15,000.00 | 15,000.00 | |
| Long Sleeve thermal vest*** | 3 | 2,000.00 | 6,000.00 | ||
| Short Sleeve Shirt, light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric | 5 | 2,000.00 | 10,000.00 | ||
| Waterproof trousers, breathable (side-zipper recommended)*** | 1 | 8,000.00 | 8,000.00 | ||
| Hiking Pants (convertible to shorts recommended)**** | 1 | 9,000.00 | 9,000.00 | ||
| Long Underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended) | 2 | 2,000.00 | 4,000.00 | ||
| Underwear (boxers or briefs)*** | moisture-wicking fabric recommended choose something that allows you to change in the presence of women |
3 | – | ||
| Gloves, warm (waterproof recommended)**** | 1 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | ||
| Brimmed Hat, baseball cap for sun protection*** | 1 | 500.00 | 500.00 | ||
| Warm Head wear**** | Fleece or woollen cap. If you choose one that covers the sides and neck then you don’t need the balaclava and scarf | 1 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | |
| Balaclava or scarf** | 1 | – | |||
| Hiking Boots**** | High cut, warm, waterproof, broken-in, half or one size larger to allow wearing excess socks. | 1 | 15,000.00 | 15,000.00 | |
| Gym shoes, trainers or sneakers*** | To wear at camp | 1 | 4,000.00 | 4,000.00 | |
| Socks**** | Thick, woollen or fleece. You might want to get a pair to use when testing boots | 6 | 200.00 | 1,200.00 | |
| Gaiters** | Effective in keeping water, pebbles out of your shoes and the lases in place | 1 | 1,500.00 | 1,500.00 | |
| – | |||||
Equipment |
– | ||||
| Sleeping Bag*** | rated +10 to +35 0F. Go for mummy type (with hood) as opposed to rectangular because it fits close to the body leaving less chance for cold spots. |
1 | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 | |
| Head lamp, with extra batteries**** | for summit night | 1 | – | ||
| Rucksack*** | Enough for porters to carry your equipment in. Kili porters are allowed to carry only 15 Kg of your gear. Line it with garbage bags for extra water resistance. Use stuff bags to separate things e.g. socks and underwear, sleeping bag, toiletries, T-shirts, rainwear, used clothes etc. | 1 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | |
| Backpack**** | with waterproof cover for you to carry items you may require during the day and delicate items like electronics and glass. | 1 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | |
| Sunglasses or Goggles*** | Snow blindness can be catastrophic after Gilman’s point. Test glasses that you can wear on your spectacles | 1 | – | ||
| Vacuum flask* | To carry hot water to use after 5000 metres | 1 | – | ||
| Camel-back water pouch*** | Two litres capacity. Your potter can carry the extra water | 1 | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | |
| Small Towel*** | lightweight, quick-dry | 1 | – | ||
| Stuff bags* | to keep gear dry and separate e.g. a pouch each for shoes, socks and underwear, sleeping bag, wet towels, garbage, T-shirts, rainwear, used clothes etc. | 5 | 200.00 | 1,000.00 | |
| – | |||||
| – | |||||
| Other | – | ||||
| Toiletries**** | – | ||||
| Prescriptions*** | – | ||||
| Sunscreen*** | – | ||||
| Lip Balm*** | – | ||||
| Hand Sanitizer*** | – | ||||
| Toilet Paper*** | – | ||||
| Wet Wipes*** | – | ||||
| Snacks, light-weight, high calorie, high energy (optional)*** | – | ||||
| WC liner* | – | ||||
| Pencil and Notebook, miniature, for trip log (optional)* | – | ||||
| Camera, with extra batteries* | – | ||||
| Power bank* | from 10000mAh. Keep devices in Aeroplane mode to conserver power. | 1 | 10,000.00 | 10,000.00 | |
| Book reader/ePad* | – | ||||
| Board game (if in a group)* | – | ||||
| – | |||||
| Cost | – | ||||
| The direct cost of the trip from Nairobi are as follows | – | ||||
| To JKIA and back | 1 | 10,000.00 | 10,000.00 | ||
| JKI-JRO return ticket | 1 | 40,000.00 | 40,000.00 | ||
| JRO-Moshi and back | 1 | 9,000.00 | 9,000.00 | ||
| Trip Charges | covers hotel accommodation, accommodation on the mountain, porters salaries, food, travel to the park gate | 1 | 40,000.00 | 40,000.00 | |
| Tips | for sharing with your climb partners per the whole trip. – Support Crew sh300-sh400 – Cook sh600-sh800 – Chief Guide/guide sh1,000-sh1500 – assist Guide sh600-sh800 |
1 | 4,000.00 | 4,000.00 | |
| – | |||||
| Statutory Requirements | – | ||||
| Passport | – | ||||
| Yellow fever Papers | |||||
| For prep hikes | https://www.facebook.com/groups/hikerske/ | ||||
| https://www.facebook.com/groups/123821337675197/ | |||||
| For hiking gear | www.nairobisportshouse.com | ||||
| www.kingscollection.co.ke | |||||
| http://www.sportsdirect.com/ | |||||
| https://www.thenorthface.com/ | |||||
| https://www.jumia.co.ke | |||||
| http://www.yaya-centre.com/?portfolio=extreme-outdoors |
3 day Karuru waterfall
3 day Karuru waterfall.
| Location | Aberdares |
| Starting Point | Kahuruko forest gate |
| Ending point | Kahuruko forest gate |
| Walking Duration | 3 days |
| Terrain | Motorable road or mashes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Elevation gain | 600m and 300m |
The objective of the hiker is to spend 3 days exploring the western side the Aberdare mountain range. This hike may be suititable for anyone wishing to acclamatise for a mt. Kenya or Mt. Kilimanjaro trek.
Day 1. The hike starts from the forest gate at Kahuruko. After zipping boots, you take the tarmac road going up to the park gate. You walk the afforested part of the KFS managed forest that rapidly gives way to thick bamboo. The road gets lonely and treacherous as meadre through it climbing steadily from 2600 metres asl to 3200 metres asl.
Pitch camp at the part gate for overnight stay.
Day 2: From the Mutubio park gate whence you walk down a motororableroad for 
half a kilometre then turn right into the moorland. You descend gently towards the catchment of the tributary to the karuru river and walk along the edges following animal trails till you get to the road.
Once you get to the road, walk along it until you get to the campsite. After a short rest you walk down a steep path, across the bridges with crystal clear water and up to the view point.
The other alternative is to walk along the motorable road from the gate until you get to the first turning to the right. Take this right turn, then walk along it to the campsite and onwards to the view point.
Then you walk back to the park gate for over night stay
Day 3: You start early morning to descend the 10 kms to the forest gate.
Guiding
KWS rangers
Fee
Standard KWS park fees
Standard KWS rangers fees
Getting there
Public means:
Take matatus to Kahuruko
Karuru waterfall.
| Location | Aberdares |
| Starting Point | Mutubio park gate |
| Ending point | Mutubio park gate |
| Walking Duration | 8 hours |
| Terrain | Motorable road or mashes |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Elevation gain | 300m |
The objective of the hiker is to get to the waterfall overlooking the spectacular Karuru falls and back to mutubio.
The hike starts from the mutubio park gate whence you walk down a motororableroad for half a kilometre then turn right into the moorland. You descend gently towards the catchment of the tributary to the karuru river and walk along the edges following animal trails till you get to the road.
Once you get to the road, walk along it until you get to the campsite. After a short rest you walk down a steep path, across the bridges with crystal clear water and up to the view point.
The other alternative is to walk along the motorable road from the gate until you get to the first turning to the right. Take this right turn, then walk along it to the campsite and onwards to the view point.
Guiding
KWS rangers
Fee
Standard KWS park fees
Standard KWS rangers fees
Getting there
Public means:
Take matatus to Ndunyu-njeru and hire a taxi to the Mutubio park gate.
Private means:
From Ndunyu njeru drive through the earth road up to the forest gate. Then meadre your way into the thick bamboo forest. The road through the forest is tarmacked for the rest of the uphill 10 km journey to the park gate.
.
Ololosukuan (Savannah Sunset Resort)
| Location | Kibiko, Ngong |
| Starting Point | Savannah sunset resort |
| Ending point | Savannah sunset resort |
| Walking Duration | 1 hour |
| Terrain | Rocky |
| Difficulty | Very Easy |
| Elevation gain |
The purpose of this hike is to spend an hour or so enjoying the natural habitat of the private conservancy.
Outdoor enthusiast will find Ololosukuan, also called savannah sunset resort, fascinating. Within a very small area, you get to experience the thrill of hiking, riverine 
walk, and nature trail as the birds chirp all around you.
But is not only the die-hard outdoist find this place thrilling. Its proximity to the city makes it attractive to city residents wishing for a quick afternoon away from the concrete jungle. Moreover it gives a not so enthusiastic hiker a chance to climb 5 metres and assess ones fitness.
The Ololosukuan fun hike starts at the resort bar (after ordering meat and drinks). You walk down over a couple of boulders past the bar and suddenly disappear into the bushes and suddenly emerge at the campsite at the centre of the conservancy. You then make a further sharp descent, round and around a massive boulder onto a track that leads out of the bushes into the grazing fields. From here you may walk along the fence past the home with a tractor packed outside (I have seen there for donkey’s years), till you reach a road. Turn left at the road and move on to the riverbed that is mostly dry. Turn into the river bed and walk upstream on and out of the river bed ascending gently to the waterfall and back to the road.
Warning: Do not try the riverine walk during the rain season.
Back on to the campsite you will get to marvel at the nostalgic undulation of the southern hills such as Ole Sayeti, Ololroka, Olesekut and Olorgesailie. Suswa crater will be visible to the West-Northwest. The sun sets very fast so if you are a sunset person, better be on the lookout. If you are lucky to be around when night falls, you be treated to the melody of crickets.
Getting There
Public Means: Board bus number 111 at railway terminus and alight at Ngong town. Walk Kibiko stage near the Oloolaiser water fending point and from here either take the Probox matatus, a tuk-tuk or Boda-Boda.
Private means: At Ngong town, turn into Kibiko road near Ngong Matonyok and drive to the end of tarmac (2km), and past Kibiko secondary(2.5KM), Kibiko shopping centre (3km), and to the Savannah Sunset Resort (6KM) just before tunnel one of the SGR.
If you are using an electronic navigator put destination as savannah sunset lodge
Guide
Resort staff
Fee
Sh100 per person
Hiking the Aberdares mountain range, Kenya
The Aberdares is a mountain range. Being a range, it offers numerous ridges, peaks, valleys and rivers to challenge the peak bagging hikers, professional climbers and outdoor enthusiasts. Most of the mountain range is a National Park under the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). It is therefore subject to the normal entry requirements and charges. Some parts are under the management of Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and are subject to the KFS regulations and requirements.
Aberdares is generally open to walking in the moorland zones but the rainforest areas have pretty of wildlife a could be dangerous. If contemplating trekking the aberdares, iIt is best to enquire at the KWS Park Headquarters in Mweiga regarding any limitations or recommendations especially regarding armed escort. Established hiking groups and tour operators also may know where to walk and where not to.
The Aberdares main attractions to the hiker are the:
Mountain peaks
Satima
Oldoinyo Lesatima, or Satima is the highest peak at (3999m asl). It is has three main trails. The Wandare gate trail, the Shamata gate trail and Olborosat trail.
Kinangop
Kinangop at (3906m asl) is the second highest peak. It has two trails; Njabini gate and Mutubio gate trails.
Elephant hill
Is the third highest. It has one trail from Njabini.
Kipipiri
Is the 4th highest peak at 3348m asl
Despair hill
This is the 5th highest peak and his often tackled as part of the Despair hill-Elephant hill-Kinagop peak trek.
Forests
There are three main distinct eco-systems within the Aberdare Mountains that change drastically with altitude: the dense rain forest where most of the wildlife is, which gives way to dense bamboo forests, which itself gives way to the beautiful high moorland with sub-alpine vegetation.
Caves:
Popularly referred to as Mau-Mau caves, overhangs are dotted doted all over the mountain ridge. They serve as shelter to the hiker and honey gatherers and help do away with the need to carry tents.
Waterfalls
The park is host to a number of spectacular waterfalls in including the
Chania Falls –
Karuru Falls
-With a total height of 273 m. It occurs in three steps of 117 m, 26 m and 130 m. 
Zaina –
Ragia no. 18 and 17
Gura Giant Falls at 305 m
Home
“Everybody’s talking about people breaking into houses but there are more people in the world who want to break out of houses.” -Thornton Wilder, writer (17 Apr 1897-1975)
Kenya has a rich repertoire of things one can do outdoors. There are attractions for the sportive kind looking for outdoor adventure, there are luxury safaris for those seeking less vigour. Besides, it is endowed with fine weather all year round. Be it backpacking, riverine walks, undulating hills, horseback rides, sunrises and sunset, bird – watching, swimming, nature walks, cycling, game drives or wilderness trekking, sandy beaches, a beautiful of landscapes, birds, plants, and fascinating cultures Kenya has it all.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast or need an occasional one off outdoor excursion for a new experience, this website will guide you on how to get there. You will find one day excursion, longer excursions require camping or hotel lodge and mostly budget travels
But perhaps your fancy is not in our list. In that case feel free to send us a word and we shall do a research for you.
But don’t take my word for it. Visit the places and try them out.
Where the services are offered by the government, they are quite affordable. Moreover you don’t need to wait until you can make a large group of friends. There are many groups organising schedule excursions around the country. You only need to search online and join in but read the reviews of those who have used them.
But don’t take my word for it. Visit the places and try them out.
Ragia forest
Ragia Forest – Sasumua River Hike
| Location | Njabini |
| Starting Point | Ragia Forest Gate |
| Ending point | Ragia Forest Gate |
| Walking Duration | 6 hours |
| Terrain | Slippery animal trails through thick bamboo forest |
| Difficulty | Moderate. |
| Elevation | Lowest: Highest: |
The objective of this hike is to traverse the bamboo section of Ragia forest, and descend to then ascend from the deep valley of the Ragia two waterfalls number 17 and number 18.
The Ragia forest trail may start from Ragia forest gate or from the Sasumua dam depending on the r
oute one takes from Njabini. You walk on a motorable road along the fringes of Sasumua Dam (that supply’s water to Nairobi), from where you will be treated to spectacular view of elephant hill.
About a kilometre from the dam, the trail abandons the motorable road and diverts into the thick bamboo, where you try to make out animal trails until you reach the clearing marking the water pipeline wayleave. Your struggle with the bamboo abates briefly until suddenly the guide turns left into the bamboo again and the struggle resumes but abruptly ends as the trail deeps as dramatically as the bamboo gives way to a rain forest.
From boots to butts
During the rainy season the place can be serious slippery and many a hiker gives up using boots and reverts to butts. As the roar of the waterfall assaults your ears, the trail drops vertically 2.5 metres into the Sasumua River from where you make a short but exiting riverine walk up to the magnificent Ragia waterfall (waterfall 17)
You camera comes handy on the centre rock.
Your journey back is as dramatic. Where gravity aided the descent it thwarts the ascent. Butts are replaced by knees and hands (sometimes ladies remember they haven’t paid the manicurist for the last visit). Once you get to the way leave, you decide whether to proceed to waterfall 18 or back to the gate.
Getting There
Public means: From Nairobi, take Njabini matatus at the junction of Keekorock road and the Nation House roundabout. Alight at Njabini town. At the Njabini matatu stage you will easily negotiate for a Matatu to Sasumua.
Private means: Drive towards Njabini and take a right turn just before the river sasumua bridge. Drive four kilometres to the forest gate.
Entry charges:
| Category | Charge (KSh) |
| Residents | 200 |
| Non Residents | 600 |
| Guide fees: | 2,000 (every 10 pax or less) |
| Armed escort | 3,000. |
| Camping | |
Guide
Local community organisation,
Kenya Forest Service
Make prior arrangement