Advice on Visiting Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve Known to be the only indigenous forest in Kenya with the increasing canopy cover, the Ngare Ndare forest is a lush indigenous forest located at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy at the northern foothills of Mount Kenya. Some ancient African Olive and Red Cedar trees within it are believed to be around 20 years old. For the Kenya wildlife safari, which features several bird species and mammal species, Ngare Ndare is quite important corridor. Outside Timau, Meru Kenya, lies Ngare Ndare woodland.
Here the visitors of the Ngare Ndare forest enjoy seeing the nature of the forest included the several amazing colorful bird species floating from tree to tree and animal species like the elephants down below. Usually, the visitors enjoy the canopy walk since it is quite an interesting one; at the end of the bridge, there is a lovely wooden terrace facing the forest.
Although the guests here are always welcome to the plunge into the icy waters of the main waterfall and pool, providing they are good swimmers, the Ngare Ndare forest is a hiking destination; the hiking safari here is quite easier than the Mount Longonot. Advice for visiting Ngare Ndare forest reserve.
Ngare Ndare Forest’s Blue Pools and Waterfalls
For everyone who visits the Ngare Ndare Forest, the blue rivers and waterfalls define the forest to be largely seen by the visitors on a Kenya Safari compared to any other forest in Kenya.
Challenge involving mountain bikes.
Mountain Bike challenge occurs once a year in Ngare Ndare that hosts the 10 to 4 Race, the cycling race is a wonderful for pros, but also for the amateurs or beginners, but there is a variation of different pathways and lengths for different degrees of the skill.
Entrance and Guide Fees Ngare Ndare
While the non-residents adults pay Ksh 4000, the residents and Kenyan adult visitors to the Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve pay Ksh 2,000 daily to obtain access to the forest, pools, canopy walkway. Children from 10 to 15 then pay half of the adult’s rates. Apart from that, each group pays a Ksh 500 automobile entrance fee and a Ksh 1000 guide/ranger cost.
If you choose to camp inside the forest, the fees are Ksh 3000 per person for the residents and citizens, Ksh 5000 for the non-residents, and Ksh 1000 for the armed ranger since the youngsters pay the adult’s price.
Usually falling between the months of June to October and as well December to March, the dry seasons are the ideal times to visit the Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve. With climate change occurring, during the dry seasons the roads leading to the forest are more easily accessible (especially if you do not have a 4×4 vehicle) and the pools retain a beautiful turquoise blue colour while during the rainy season they have a brown hue and a 4×4 vehicle is required to negotiate the roads. Advice about visiting Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve.
The Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve opens from Sunday to Saturday from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM.
Condition of the roads leading to Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve.
You only start to travel off-road about 11km away from the jungle; the roads from Nairobi to Nanyuki town are outstanding and beautifully paved. The path to the Ngare Ndare forest is mainly chosen during the dry season; if you are traveling during the wet season, then a 4 wheel drive is absolutely necessary.
Where in the Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve would be to lodge?
The most accessible lodging in the Ngare Ndare forest reserve is camping; if you dislike camping, there are other lodging options outside the forest that also provide guest accommodation. These fall into Budget, Mid-range, and Luxury categories. The Bessotten Farmstay, Penguin House, Alba Hotel Meru, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Le Rustique and many more.
Directions to Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve.
About 235km to the forest, Ngare Ndare forest reserve lies 4 to 5 hours North of Nairobi. Renting a 4x 4 car or at least two-wheel drive car costs Ksh 3,500 (35 USD).
And in a rainy season, you might need a 4×4 automobile if you wish to avoid the disturbance of the rain since the roads are not good.
Regarding public transit.
Still another choice is public transportation. Once you reach Nanyuki, taking a local taxi to Ngare Ndare forest costs approximately 30USD to get you there and collect you back in one or two days. This is via getting the matatu, a minibus, from Nairobi to Nanyuki which is about Ksh 400-500 or 4 to 5USD per person.
Two nights of automobile rental for seventy USD plus petrol (about thirty USD) equals one hundred USD (you also have to visit surrounding Borana and Lewa Conservancies).
From Nanyuki, get a matatu and a taxi for two people there and back for five USD X+ thirty USD (but then you only have feet to get you somewhere).