Just less than 45 minutes drive from Kenya’s capital Nairobi is Kikuyu Escarpment home to an Old Christian Misson town Kijabe.
However for the outdoor lovers and the hiking community in Kenya this is their perfect spot for a day out to challenge themselves physically or just go unwinding after a week long pressure at work or home. Or an artist or entrepreneur setting to reset and in effortless search for inspiration.
The escarpment at the border of Rift Valley and the Central Highlands has about six trails up the this magical geographic feature. At the summit excellent views of Mount Longonot in close range Ngong Hills , Olo oroka ranges and Mount Suswa further out.
The beyond promise
Our adventure team prides in going beyond.. seeing further and bring you extra ordinary experiences even on the traditional trails.
Earlier this year-in January we set out to do exactly that joining forces with our ever supportive local guides in Kijabe
Along Kijabe Kiharu trail and or on a clear day from the century old rail you can spot the waterfall in the green valley but how do you get to its base?
The adventure bug activated we hit the river line and discovered not one not two but a 5 stair case waterfall dropping on average 30m with the longest one thundering 45m down to power the other 4 down.
We named the trail the Kijabe 5th Waterfall trail and has turned out to be one of the toughest one day hiking trails in Kenya. It has some exposed parts and as such we usually fix a temporary rope line to ease access and help hikers access the base of the magical waterfalls.
Birth of Abseil in Kijabe
We didn’t stop there because our beyond promise cannot allow us to.
When we looked at the falls and we saw another opportunity for adventure for the mountain lover and thrill seeker and that is how Kijabe Abseil was born.
So what is abseiling?
Its a mountaineering term that refers to a controlled descent or lowering on a vertical drop such as a cliff or rock face using a rope with a friction or belay device.
We took time to look at the all safety aspects of the adventure, the gear, finding the perfect anchor and landing space for the abseil and when we were finally satisfied we fixed the ropes and Kijabe Abseil had come to existence.
Our adventure team lead by Gitonga Wandai tested the abseil on the 3rd Waterfall about 35m long vertical drop and it was just Magic!!! Scary? Maybe but that the reason we do it, to feel more alive and appreciate our existence. To face our fears because we know beyond our fears is our freedom.
The following weekend we welcomed mountain lovers to feel the thrill down the waterfall, the new adventure on the trail and they loved the experience.
The trail lover interacts more intimately with nature they become one with the waterfall feeling its thunder and tapping into its fearless energy.
What skills do I need?
Where as previous experience in abseil would be an advantage . You dont necessarily need prior experience to enjoy abseiling. Our expert instructors have a prototype training on site where they take time to explain the dos and donts and even further how to enjoy your first abseil experience.
Is abseiling dangerous?
Like many extreme adventures abseiling too has a risk factor to some extent . However our expert team have ensure the safety of your with quality ropes and equipments. Further more we take time in choosing the perfect spot to install an anchor and this gives the abseilers the necessary confidence to enjoy the experience.
After a successful inaugural abseil in Kijabe it was time to set our eyes further into the horizon. And yet another magical trail in the slopes of Mount Kenya was calling, Nthenge Njeru Waterfall in Embu. Dropping approximately 45m is our next rope and courage magic with you. We look forwarding to experiencing this with you.
Book your next abseil experience with us here
