The December holidays provide an opportunity to unwind and connect with family.
With the prevailing tough economic times since the Covid-19 days, it helps when one can afford an outing with family and relive the moments.
Kenyans.co.ke has compiled a list of some of the affordable places you can organize for meet-ups at during this holiday.
Karura Forest
The famous evergreen forestry offers a better getaway to chill and relax with the family in the serene environment of birds chirping while taking in the fresh air.
Karura forest features include scenic waterfalls, serene picnic sites, beautiful caves and spectacular indigenous trees.
Families can engage in activities such as nature walks and drives, hiking, jogging and riding bicycles.
To access the forest, these are the charges;
Citizen Fee:- Adult - Kshs.100 | Child - Kshs. 50
- Resident / Non-Citizen Fee:- Adult - Kshs. 200 | Child - Kshs. 100
- Non-Resident Fee:- Adult - Kshs. 600 | Child / Resident - Kshs. 300
Parking Fees (Daily Rate)
- Car 4x4 (5 Door):- Kshs.100
- Minivan (12 Seater):- Kshs. 200
- Minibus ( >14<32 Seater):- Kshs. 300
- Bus ( >32 Seater):- Kshs. 500
Ngong Hills in Kajiado
The Ngong Hills Forest Reserve sits upon the misty blue outline of the knuckle-shaped Ngong Hills making for a distinctive landmark, that can be seen for miles around Nairobi.
The sharp spine of the Ngong Hills stretches for 20 km and takes several hours to walk from end to end.
The hike up Ngong Hills starts from Ngong town at the northern foot of the hills 1961m above sea level and traverses the whole range to the southern end at Kona Baridi.
This takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete, depending on your fitness levels.
The first kilometre from Ngong Police Station is a gradual ascent through human settlements until you get to a barrier indicating the start of the Ngong Hills forest reserve.
On a lucky day, you are likely to encounter buffalos around the fourth hill, on account of the abundant bushes at these higher altitudes.
Activities you can look forward to include:- cycling, picnics, camping, hiking, outdoor Zumba session and other team-bonding activities
The best part is that the Ngong hills entrance fee is very affordable Ksh464 for citizens for adults and Ksh. 174 for children.
Non -Residents pay Ksh696 per adult and Ksh. 174 for kids, making it a great day trip for the whole family.
How to get there
By road: Take Ngong Road out of Nairobi and proceed via Karen to Ngong Town.
At the T- junction in the centre of town, turn right and follow the road around to the left for 1 km (passing Ngong Police Station).
Where the tarmac ends, turn right up a rough track, which leads (in 1.9 km) to the KWS barrier.
The Nairobi National Park
It is the most unique national park in the world where you can spot lions, rhinos, buffalos and giraffes just minutes from a nation's capital city.
The park also features the highest density of black rhinos in Kenya as it functions as a rhino sanctuary.
Nairobi national park is home to a variety of wildlife and bird species, the park hosts over 600 recorded species of birds, 500 of them permanent species and migratory species.
For Kenyan citizens and residents, the entry fee is Ksh 430 for an adult or Ksh 215 per child.
Non-resident adults pay Ksh5246 per visit, while non-resident children pay Ksh3172.
Diguna high ropes challenge
If you can’t stomach heights, this one isn’t for you.
The Diguna High Ropes Challenge is a series of obstacle courses (more like walking through hallways made of rope) while harnessed at the waist, hips and upper thighs.
Just like in bungee jumping or rock climbing, the harness rope is strong enough to support an adult elephant hanging in mid-air so if you weigh less than that, you need not worry about plummeting to the ground if you miss a step.
Like the name suggests, the course is a challenge, but that’s the whole point.
Location: AIC Diguna, Ongata Rongai, Maasai Lodge Road (Near African Nazarene University)
Charges: Kshs.150 each for 12 people, so the minimum charge is Kshs 1800. If your group is less than 12, you have to top up the amount.
