Most people especially Nairobians, get a fever when getting into the forest. Reason why? It’s creepy in the forest. Well, with Kereita Forest, there is nothing like creepy, it’s the opposite, adventure and fun.
Location & How to get to The Forest, Kereita
Referred to as ‘The Forest’ it is located near a vibrant Kimende Town, Lari District in Kiambu County, about 50 kilometers northwest of Nairobi and a further 10 kilometers south, 1 hour drive from Nairobi CBD.
Kereita Forest, Aberdares EcoSystem
Kereita forest, under the Aberdare forest ecosystem, is an outstanding place with natural beauty, 75% Indigenous trees, 8% exotic forest, and the rest are bamboo, shrubland, and herbaceous crops. It is classified as an important bird area by the Birdlife International Organisation and surely a bird watcher paradise.
Aburdant Wildlife & Birdlife at Kereita Forest
It’s home to the magnificent waterfall on the Gatamaiyu River, and a cave home to a small colony of bats and wild animals.
African elephants are occasionally found wandering into Kereita from Aberdare Forest.
Black and White Colobus Monkey, Sykes’s Monkeys, forest hogs, small antelopes like duikers, bush babies, porcupines, and mongoose are also found in the forest.
The forest also contains a multitude of wildlife activity, with some 138 species of bird, 31 of the bird species are from the forest, and 20 of them are considered rare including three endemic species, one being the Abbott’s Starling, where it is recorded nearly all year around.
The History of Kereita
Kereita is a Kikuyu word ‘Kere-ita’ meaning Armed people. The locals have it that the place was once teeming with warriors and it is evidenced by the Lari Massacre (1953), unmarked mass graves where over 5,000 victims of revenge attacks on the local population by the British colonial administration were buried.
Thrilling activities at The Forest
As a visitor, there are plenty of activities in the forest that you can engage in including:
Zipling by the flying fox Asia,
Nothing beats group fun
Archery,
Paintballing,
Mountain biking,
Guided nature walks,
donkey rides,
community tours,
tree planting
fly fishing,
Forest Rovers
ebiking/ Forest Rovers,
Footgolf,
Camping, and
Horse riding among others.
If you are not a fan of packed lunches, well, meals are available at The Forest’s Restaurant overlooking the distant Aberdare Ranges.
Fancy a trip here? Be sure to check out our next stop to The Forest if not talk to us, we will help you craft a day or two itinerary here.
If you are planning a team building or a staff retreat session, check out our 3-day Team Building in Naivasha with a full day at The Forest.
