Attractions in Kajiado County
1. Oloolua Nature Trail
Straddling the border of Kajiado and Nairobi Counties, Oloolua Nature Trail is remarkably calm, in the vicinity of Nairobi City, entailing a 5 kms trail through the Oloolua Forest, once utilized by Mau Mau brigades during pre-independent Kenya. “It is not really big enough for a hike, but more for a leisurely walk in lush peaceful greenery”. The 400-acres Oloolua Forest is much-vaunted for its beautiful waterfall draining into the Mbagathi River, its caves, and its bamboo forest rest-point. It is this river which offers the major attraction to the nature-lover as it peaceably winds through the picturesque Oloolua Forest, graciously curving, alternated with rocky rapids and serene, undisturbed wooded fringes forming canopies of deep shade that offer welcome relief and practicality. The first half of the trail drops down to the river, along a good path, where a useful rest area is provided. The best thing is that you can take off your shoes to walk across the shallow river strewn with big rocks. You continue climbing up a steep wooded area along the saddle of the hill, looking out over the forest canopy and crossing a few natural caves. Then continue your relaxing walk over a moderate incline through the forest to end up back at the top of the hill, with a sitting area designated for picnics. Continue down the shorter trail from here for 800 ms and you’ll end up at the beautiful waterfalls. The trail is open year-round, safe and unexpectedly pocket-friendly: Kshs. 200 for adults and 100 for children. Good news for dog owners: The trail is dog friendly as long as a leash/harness are strapped throughout. Though 5 kms long, Oloolua trail is for beginners and children above 5 years should conquer it with ease. The paths are well beaten and the weather is generally cool and pleasurable. Nevertheless, it is important to wear sturdy shoes and carry plenty of drinking water and snacks. The trail’s headquarter is at the Institute of Primate Research (IPR), a non-governmental organization under the auspices of National Museums of Kenya that undertakes research on biomedical and animal welfare. The Institute also carries out a host of educational activities centered on ornithology, entomology and geology. It is located about 500 metres from the corner of Bogani East Road and Karen Road.
2. Rongai-Kiserian Valley
This is found 17 kms from Nairobi via Langata and Magadi Roads, taking a left turnoff near Hashi Energy Petrol Station onto a murram road that terminates at the Maasai Gate to Nairobi National Park. Nestled between Ngong Hills (west) and Athi-Kapiti Plains (east) and along the southern border of Nairobi National Park, the Rongai-Kiserian Valley, which is graced by numerous hotels, is one of the idealized weekend getaways for many residents of Nairobi and its environs looking for a day or two restful repose away from the city. To others, adventure is name of the game, and day-trippers who do not fancy peace and quietude in their fleeting hours at Rongai-Kiserian participate in one or more invigorating high adrenaline interests found here, to include: a walk across Rolf’s Place high rope bridge, the Diguna High Ropes Park, paintballing and a visit to Kitengela Glass House. By evening, the Rongai valley provides tranquility. Other notable establishments along the 7 kms route to Maasai Gate include the Osoita Lodge, Oseki Farm, Nyati Hill, Maasai Lodge, Leleshwa Getaway, and Silolo Sanctuary.
3. Kitengela Glass House
Equal parts quirky and sentimentalist with a flip of colour everywhere you look, Kitengela Glass House on the plains abutting Nairobi National Park has always had a touch of fantasy and artistry about it, rich in sparkling things, like an assortment of art pieces in the house of a conformable collector, centred around a delicately created mosaic of houses, elegant sculptures and glass art – all designed from recycled glass and metal scraps. The centerpiece at Kitengela Glass House is the planetarium dome Anselm’s glass studio where all the glass magic is performed. There’s plenty of wacky-kooky touches at Kitengela Glass House and its off-centre beauty arises from the organized chaos that alternating from beautiful glass windows, novel structures, statues and uniquely designed African inspired cottages. Also of interest at Kitengela Glass are the star-beds which offer a first-rate view of the cosmos and plentiful wildlife easily spotted from the comfort of Kitengela Glass House. It is located 9 kms off Magadi Road.
4. Rimpa Estate Wildlife Conservancy
Names and places rarely strike as canny a compeer as does at the Rimpa Estate Wildlife Conservancy located midway between Ongata Rongai and Kiserian via Magadi Road. If for no other reason its names should suggest a visit. ‘Rimpa’ is the Maa equivalent of paradise and pleasantly enough sited at the foot of Ngong Hills. So much so, that it was the setting of several scenes in the oscar-winning 1985 film “Out of Africa“. Owned and run for decades by the Ole Siens Family, who are immensely dedicated to restoring a devout balance between people and nature while promoting social and economic improvement, the pleasurable 40-hectares conservancy, with very friendly hosts, has memorable mountain views and beyond-money tranquility. It’s also the best of both worlds at Rimpa, with the farm rearing cattle juxtaposed with a sanctuary that harbours giraffe, zebra, antelope and plenty of avifauna. A small cover charge is payable for a day pass – either for picnics, camping, game drives or hiking trips. It is found 6 kms from Ongata Rongai via Magadi and Rimpa Roads, and 4 kms before Kiserian Town.
5. Ngong Hills
Topologically Ngong Hills are remnants of an old volcanic cone thought to have had an original diameter of 11 kms prior to being cut by the Rift Escarpment. In 1885, Joseph Thomson, who passed through Ngong Hills on his route from Ol Doinyo Orok to Ngong, described these as “a hallmark of Kenya’s beauty”. Over the years, Ngong Hills have received lots of high-praise for their rare beauty, to include the exotic descriptions given by Karen Blixen in her book Out of Africa. A joyride over the four-peaked Ngong Hills, hundreds of feet above the plain of the Rift Valley, offers a memorable drive over one of the knockout landscape in Kenya. The scenic jaunt over Ngong Hills also beholds great views of the Kapiti Plains where one can catch a glimpse of prolific plains-game freely roaming the lowlands. The paucity of wildlife, depending on the season, is compensated for by the beauty of the area. The drive is best approached from the southeast. That is to say, you drive out on Magadi Road through Kiserian and over Ngong Hills.
Abiri Kenya 