"Ngong" means "knuckles" in Maasai, a fitting name since these beautiful pointed green hills resemble the back of a fist facing the sky. They are a popular place to visit close to Nairobi and provide a welcome respite from the city heat. The hills are the peaks of a ridge overlooking the Great Rift Valley, and many white settlers established their farms here in the early colonial days. Half-timbered houses and flowering gardens remain, but seem more suited to southern England than Africa.
Several walking trails traverse the hills offering beautiful views of the valleys below. Wildlife is also visible in the area. Buffalo, gazelles, giraffes, bushbuck, the occasional klipspringer, and troupes of baboons are often glimpsed grazing along the roadside. For Out of Africa fans, the grave of Denys Finch Hatton, the lover of famous Danish author, Karen Blixen, lies on the eastern slopes, graced by an obelisk and garden.
Ngong hills forest is located in the northern tip of Kajiado County and it’s about 25Km from Nairobi city. The forest covers an area of 3077.6 ha. It is managed by Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
Flora
The vegetation of Ngong hills forest includes exotic and indigenous tress for example pine, cypress(Exotic)sandal wood, Acacia, croton (Indigenous) mainly determined by altitude, soils type and human utilization of the land. Grazing, forest fires also determine the spatial variation in vegetation cover.
Fauna
The forest is known to host a variety of animals which includes: buffaloes, wild pigs, porcupine, and dik-diks.These animals are residents of the forest and their movement is usually determined by factors such as drought, water availability and forage availability.
Areas of special interest
•High points for installation of communication masts.
•30 wind energy generation power sites.
•Tourism attraction sites due to its vantage point and associated scenic beauty.
•High altitude sports training and hiking areas.
•Religious retreat sites.
•Panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley and Nairobi city from the summit.
•Beautiful grounds for hire
Activities
•Hiking
•Picnics
•Camping
•Viewing
•Religious activities i.e. prayers
•Team building
•Weddings
Getting there and around
Public Transport: board matatu no.111 from railways matatu terminus and alight at Ngong town which is about two kilometres to Ngong entry point, so one can choose to either walk or take a bodaboda that will cost Ksh.100
For Corner Baridi entry point board matatu no.112 from railways matatu terminus and alight at Kiserian town which is about two kilometres to Corner Baridi entry point. One can choose to either walk or take a bodaboda.
Private Transport:
Taxi from Nairobi city centre to Ngong entry point is approximate -Ksh 2000
Taxi from Nairobi city centre to Corner to Baridi entry point is approximate - Ksh 2500
Taxi from Ngong town to Ngong entry point is approximately Ksh -500
Taxi from Kiserian town to Corner Baridi entry point is approximately Ksh-500
Visiting hours
Visiting time is from 8.00 am to 5.00pm and entry tickets are found at entry points. Those wanting to make visits earlier than this time can make arrangements to obtain tickets a day before.
NB: Those hiking up to the peaks require to be accompanied by KFS Rangers for security.
What to wear and carry
Comfortable shoes or trainers and loose-fitting clothing for hikes and mountain climbing
Warm clothing for those visiting the energy-generating power site.
Carry a camera, binoculars and drinking water
Climate
The short rains fall between October and December, and the long rains fall between March and May. The annual rains are strongly influenced by altitude with the mean annual rainfall varying between 400mm and 1200mm per annum
Important things to remember when visiting Ngong Hills Forest
•Enjoy yourself; in addition to seeing, pause and listen regularly.
• Stop to allow wildlife to move off the tracks before you pass.
• Do not feed wild animals.
• Do not start fires in the forest.
• Do not take away animals, animal products, plants or plant parts.
• Do not mark or deface tree stems, stones and other features.
• Avoid noise as it disturbs both wildlife and other visitors.
• Be careful as animals here are wild and can be dangerous.
• Take all the litter that you brought away with you.
• Keep to the designated tracks and paths when walking and always be sure of where you are headed to
