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