9 Karura Forest Tours in Nairobi to Build a Day Around

1.From Nairobi-Karura Forest Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 2 hours · from $45Our pick

Join English-speaking guide Ishmael Nzioka for a two-hour walk through Karura Forest. Look for monkeys, dik-diks, bushbucks, and birds, visit Mau Mau-era caves and Karura Falls, then take a canopy walk or pause for a picnic.

“This tour was perfect and exceeded my expectations. Ishmael is an excellent guide, and everything was well organized. He is also very flexible with special requests. The forest is a beautiful, peaceful area that I recommend to anyone looking to escape the city for a few hours. Ishmael shared fascinating insights about the history of the forest, and we enjoyed some great conversations. By the end of the tour, it felt like I had spent the morning with a friend rather than just a guide. Thank you for this wonderful experience!”

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2.Karura Forest: Walking tour with Nature and Waterfalls.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 3 hours · from $40Best value

Join Allan for a three-hour walk through Karura Forest, with two waterfalls, historic caves, Lily Lake, bird areas, monkey territories, and a stop at The River Café. The pace includes plenty of photo time, simple Swahili lessons, and useful stories about Kenyan history and forest life.

“Alan was very informative about the history of the forest and he knows his way through the force very well! This is our last day in Africa and for whatever reason we click on his activity and it was worth every minute.! I recommend Alan as your tour guide :-)”

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3.Karura Forest Horseback Riding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 11 reviews · 1h 30m · from $90

Meet your horse and English-speaking guide at Karura Forest’s Sigiria Gate for a 90-minute ride past rivers, ponds, and lush forest trails. David, Moffat, or Mwangi may guide you, with patient help for beginners and faster riding on designated paths for experienced riders.

“I loved my ride. The horses were beautiful well fed well taken care of~ equipment in excellent condition too. I rode with David~ great rider and teacher. He teaches lessons so the ride was super fun. He had a wonderful demeanor. The forest is super cool~< the trail narrow and lush with turns and lots of interest. Wear long sleeves because the forest is grown and natural. Wear saw plenty of monkeys too! Highly recommend. Thanks for such a great time. I am returning with my daughter. It was that good.”

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4.Hike in The Karura Forest

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 10 reviews · 4 hours · from $41

Walk Karura Forest with English-speaking guide Musa in a small group of up to six. Over four hours, follow leafy trails to a waterfall, caves, picnic areas, and wildlife spots. The hike costs $41 per person, with hotel pickup available for an extra fee.

“The tour was good! Guide was very informative and answered questions that were asked. A little disappointed there were no monkeys in sight. Overall it was a nice little hike away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Out of the traffic and into this quiet and relaxed environment.”

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5.Karura Forest Nature Trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · from $90

Start with 8am hotel pickup and spend 3 to 5 hours exploring Karura Forest on foot or by bicycle. Your local guide leads you past forest paths, waterfalls, caves, and wildlife habitat. Obed has guided this walk, which includes transport, water, and entry. Bicycle hire costs Ksh 500 extra.

“Obed was a great guide. Very knowledgeable. We saw the waterfall and caves as well as a Colobus monkey!”

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6.Karura forest A walking tour from Nairobi

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 4 reviews · 1 day · from $95

Travel from your Nairobi hotel to Karura Forest with an English-speaking guide such as Joe. Walk about 5 kilometers past waterfalls, caves, streams, trees, archaeological sites, and possible wildlife sightings. Hotel transport is included, but the short outing may not justify the $95 price for every visitor.

“Not worth the Price. The description says 1-day activity, it only took two hours from Pick-up to drop-off at the hotel again. Nice driver and guide, but the trip only includes a 5km hike on total. You are better off if you take a trip to the forrest on your own, pay the entrance fee and then enjoy a half/whole day as you like. And also, No drinking water.”

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7.Karura Forest Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3 hours · from $51

Join Joel, also called Joe, for a private three-hour walk through Karura Forest from Nairobi. You’ll visit Mau Mau caves, Freedom Corner, a waterfall, pine and bamboo trails, and quiet streams, with transport, entry fees, and reflective pauses included.

“Very interesting and the guide was so friendly It was a really great day !!!”

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8.Karura forest: A walking tour into Nairobi’s Nature Oasis

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 3 reviews · 3 hours · from $50

Meet your English-speaking guide at Karura Forest Gate C for a three-hour private walk through Nairobi’s forest oasis. Follow shaded trails to Karura Waterfalls, the Mau Mau Caves, fig trees, and riverbanks. Diana may host, though guide assignment can vary. Entry, food, drinks, and transport cost extra.

“Our guide was warm and friendly and it was great to spend time in a natural area after the busyness of the city. But she new very little about the plants and trees and had only a little to say about the history of the park.”

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9.Karura Forest Hiking and Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $100

Start with 9 AM hotel pickup, then spend about five hours exploring Karura Forest by hired bike or on foot. Your guide leads you past waterfalls, caves, streams, birdlife, Lily Lake, and the old incinerator chimney. The private format suits families, friends, and active visitors.

“Perfect activity to do with family and friends on a half day or less. They picked us up from the hotel and drove us to the forest where we were always accompanied by a tour guide and a park guide!”

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