Nature will always reward our courage to be out there.. The Aberdares Ranges in Kenya has some of the finest forest trails in the Kenya. Njigari Forest is one of them, buffered by Nyayo tea estates aimed at taming forest encroachment; the forest is largely untouched by human hand..
The trail begins just past Njigari Center cutting through a section of the Nyayo Tea Estate and incline of about 1km leads you into a dense rainforest.
Not for long in the giant Podo.. the trail evolves into a huge bamboo garden..some shooting ..others rotting..others hugging..others standing alone.. others broke and dying along elephant tracks ..and yet others have broken but growing again.. nature has so much to teach..
What to do in Njigari Forest?
Besides the beautiful tea plantation at the of the forest, Njigari has more to offer;
Views of Mt. Kenya.
As the trail begins at the edge of the forest there is a beautiful open space just above the tea plantation. This vantage point gives you one amazing view of Mt. Kenya on a clear day, the kind that forces you to sit down and just watch..
Forest bathing
This is slow conscious walking through the forest, relaxing your body opening the senses to feel the most subtle sensations as you walk. An energy dialogue between the forest bather and the forest happens.
Forest bathing has a calming effect on the mind as one gets awed by the beauty of the forest and singing of the birds.
Waterfall Chasing;
You not only walk one most beautiful forest trails in the country but also get to experience breathtaking waterfalls. Sit at the base and watch as each drop join million of others and thunder into a pool before heading down to form the bigger Thuti River
There are two waterfalls on this trail Muchembe Falls at 7.5km mark and Gitonga Falls at 9.5km mark. The drop to access the base of the falls can be treacherous during the rainy season but the views are worth the trouble.
Ultimately what the what you can see and the beauty you experience depends on your ability to interact with the forest as you walk.
Ready for a forest bath or waterfall chase? reach us here
Think Forest bathing. Think Hikemaniak.
