Last
weekend, I found myself busy looking for a picnic spot for a Father's day
family lunch. I must say that the search wasn't a walk in the park as there are
very few pointers and needless to say, my search did not yield much in time for
Father's day but good thing is, this article was borne out of that search. If
you every find yourself in a similar situation, I hope this article will come
in handy. Enjoy!
1. Paradise Lost
Paradise lost is another expansive picnic gem in Nairobi. It is
located away from the city, along Kiambu road and it has numerous attractions
including caves, waterfalls, boat riding, camel riding and horse riding. There
is also a nature trail that leads you away from the boats and towards the caves
and falls. The falls fall from up high so the impact is loud, with a cool
breeze gently blowing over the area. There are huge rocks all around where you
take photos with the falls and scenery in the background
While the caves mostly lack natural light, they make for great
adventure since you have to fumble your way through the darkness in some parts.
Try walking in stark darkness, in an unfamiliar location with uneven and rocky
grounds. You are bound to cling to your partner, while the echo picks and
amplifies your secrets. Light bulbs have since been installed in some parts of
the cave so you need not shy away in case you are afraid of the dark. Visitors
are required to pay an entrance fee that excludes a couple of activities like the
horse, camel and boat rides.
2. Nairobi National
Park
The Nairobi
National Park is a pride of Kenya and a major attraction that also provides for
great picnic spots. Set your picnic in the wild with friends and family as you
try and spot the variety of Wildlife attractions including lions, rhinos,
cheetah, hyena, leopard, buffaloes, Giraffe, zebra and wildebeest amongst
others. The scenic Nairobi Safari walk nature trail that is close by plays
hosts to a variety of animals as well.
3. Oloolua Nature
Trail
Oloolua Nature
Trail is in Karen, in the vicinity of the Karen Blixen Museum. The ambiance is
tranquil and relaxing and walking through the trail will expose you to the best
of nature and vegetation and provide you with the perfect picnic spot. There
are natural caves and waterfalls, as well as primates, and exotic birds. It is
an overall beautiful place and nature lovers ought to set a picnic there.
Guests visit from 9 a.m. up until 6 p.m in the evening and a fee is charged at
the entrance.
4. Nairobi
Arboretum Park
Arboretum makes
this list for its proximity to the city centre and how it still manages to
maintain tranquillity. It is a great picnic spot, complete with picnic tables,
nature walks, exotic vegetation and trees and enough grounds to have fun in a
large group There are dozens of nature walks, picnic tables and enough space to
have a wonderfully peaceful family fun day.
5. City Park
As parks
go in this city, Nairobi City Park stands above most in its rich biodiversity.
A recent biodiversity survey of the Park by Friends of Nairobi City Park identified about 988
species of flora and fauna. The forest is indigenous, with a number of tree
species that are endemic to Kenya.
The nature trails in Nairobi City
Park are a favourite with nature lovers who come to get away from the city’s
noise and congestion. Runners too love to jog on the Park’s trails.
The
open spaces in the Park get a lot of picnic lovers on weekends who often bring
enough food to share with the troops of Sykes Monkeys milling around this area.
Some hawkers operate in this area, armed with snacks and other items of
interest to visitors.
There
is a bar and restaurant near the Nairobi County offices, providing a more
conventional fare in this natural setting.
Not to
be missed is the magnificent sculpture garden whose pieces include the Bird
of Peace by Elkana Ongesa, at the Murumbi Memorial Park.
The Park is open for free to the public. There
is a charge for use of the toilet facilities in the Park.
6. Uhuru Park
The expansive lawns, shade trees, and
well tended gardens in Uhuru Park make this one of the most attractive green
spaces in the city, drawing throngs of city residents on weekends and public
holidays. This in turn has made it a favorite with charismatic preachers
looking to bag a few souls, and make a living from tending to their spiritual
needs.
Boat
riding on the artificial lake in the Park is another popular pastime. Several
foot bridges adorn the Park, as they provide eye-catching links to an
artificial island in the Lake.
For
Picnic lovers, Uhuru Park provides the ideal setting, with the option of buying
snacks from food vendors dotting various corners of the Park’s walkways.
The
Park also features some monuments, with the most prominent one built during
former President Moi’s rule,
a fountain celebrating his regime’s mantra of love,
peace and unity. And if you would like to take home with you
memories of your visit to the Park, you’ll find a swarm of professional
photographers ready to provide you with this service.
The Park is open for free to the public. The Nairobi City County, however, charges for boat rides, and for the use
of toilet facilities in the Park.
7. Uhuru Gardens
A 24-meter high monument
commemorating Kenya’s struggle for independence is the centrepiece of
attractions at Uhuru Gardens. To one side of this monument is a statue of
freedom fighters raising the Kenyan flag. About a hundred meters away is
another monument with a fountain.
The
expansive grounds are a favourite with picnic lovers who often drive up to
secluded spots under some of the scattered trees in the area.
Uhuru Gardens is situated in the
Langata area of Nairobi, along Langata Rd, bordering Carnivore Restaurant
to the south, and Wilson Airport to the east. The Park is open for free to the
public
8. Ngong
Hills
Ngong Hills are a popular picnic destination for hikers and
nature lovers as they get to explore the trail as they search for the perfect
picnic spot. The hike makes for a good sport and views of the surrounding are
incredible so it won’t be too hard to get a good spot to set your picnic. Ngong
Hills is also great for those travelling in groups. There is a fee per person
to be paid to Kenya Wildlife Service and guests are advised to get armed escort
and avoid travelling alone.
9. Karura Forest
Karura Forest is just a few metres from Nairobi CBD and it is a
beautiful haven for those who are in love with nature. It is expansive, with a
nature trail all round surrounded by acres of trees and grassland and a field
on one side where you can picnic or host events such as weddings, parties and
sporting activities. At the field, one can also hire a bike for about Ksh.500
and ride around the forest along the trail before or after picnicking.
In addition, there are caves, a natural lake and waterfalls that
are a perfect backdrop for photos. Picturesque picnic spots are many at Karura,
but setting your picnic by the rocks at the river facing the falls fills like a
scene from a film. There is a minimal entrance fee at the gate and almost
everything else is free with the exception of hiring bikes. Karura is beautiful
and scenic with such a rich history that will make you want to return.
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