"Karura Forest Map 2025 – Updated Trails, Gates & Attractions (PDF Download)"
- BeyondForest
- Jun 1, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 4
By the end of this section you are going to learn
2.)Free road map of karura forest
7.)FAQ About Karura Forest
The Map of Karura Forest cost 200Ksh.The dimensions which are 21cm by 24.5cm while if you flip it it becomes double the lengths 42cm by 29.5cm . The Front Section of the Map has the Wangari Maathai Trail with the Karura Forest Map Heading with the edition Numberd as 5th Edition .On the bottom of the cover is a logo of Kenya Forest Service, Travel Discover Kenya ,Yellow Pages and a Logo of Friends of Karura Forest
The Main Section of Karura Forest Map on the second page includes a brief history about Karura Forest , The Map also gives out information on the amenities available at Karura forest from three dog off leash areas, bicycles and guides . Still on the second page there is the famous mau mau caves , an Image of Wangari Maathai with primary children holding some trees also on the same page there is the Karura forest playing field plus a brief view of the forest in the evening .
On the third page of the Map there is a description of Karura Forest Physical Geography, stating that the average annual rainfall in Karura is 1000 mm.The section also describes the vegetation at Karura forest with specimen of Manilkara discolor which is famously referred to as Old man of the forest. The section also explains that Karura forest has over 200 birds species and at the end of the section they explain at least 500,000 people visit Karura forest each year
The Main Section which includes Karura Forest Map has the Forest Guidelines at the top in Yellow one of them being Do Not Liter at the bottom is a log of Friends of Karura Forest and small mini logo of certificate of excellence from Trip Advisor at the bottom of the map is a logo of Yellow pages . At the furthest edge of the map includes the Karura Forest Legend which includes the gates around the forest plus various tracks in the forest there are markings of parking, Toilets, Picnic Site, River Crossing plus a small section dedicated for Dog owners labelled Dog off Leash Area at the furthest bottom is a logo of Kenya Forest Service and at the footer of the map is contacts of Karura forest Operations Manager to the Accounts Office
Karura Forest is a 1,041 hectare (2572.367acres ) Forest reserve in the Kenyan Capital Nairobi. Karura Forest is Located in Nairobi County and the Forest is sandwiched between Kiambu road and Limuru road.
The Karura Forest itself has 3 main sections which is the Sigiria ,the main forest karura block and Karura Forest Picnic site .
Karura Forest was used traditionally for food, fuel and fiber ,as a sacred burial place and a source of herbal remedies ,such as the bark of the famous Muthiga tree.
Karura Forest has been occupied for thousands of years and until 1932 is when the Forest became a reserve when the colonial government set it aside as source of fuelwood for the new Ugandan Railway and three quarters of the forest was felled and replanted with exotic species Cyprus, Eucalyptus and Araucaria.
I did not buy the map to be honest, I was given free but it came with a prize. I wanted to go to Karura forest that day and I had just cash 600ksh to be exact and nil on my M-pesa and when am at gate C ,I realize wait a minute you cant pay using cash you only pay using your phone and I go out of the forest entrance and cross the road and head over to Sharks where there is an M-pesa and deposit then cross the road and return to the Forest Entrance .
Image of Karura Forest Map
And when am about to pay I check over on my left and there is a merchandise store selling Karura forest Mugs ,shirt and I got interested with the book which was 500ksh and then
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I saw the map which was 200ksh and am at a fix ,I clearly wanted both but I had 600ksh and the Forest entrance fee is 100ksh so I can only buy one Item and If I bought the Book then I would be completely bullet and that's what I did and after paying 600ksh they add me the map and so am very excited am inside Karura forest the umpteenth time but now I have a Map!
You definitely do not need an ID to enter Karura forest.
Adults
Kenyan Citizen | 100Ksh |
Residents | 200Ksh |
Non-Residents | 600Ksh |
Kenyan Children | 50Ksh |
Resident Children | 100Ksh |
Non-Resident Children | 300Ksh |
Parking fees at Karura Forest applies depending on the type of the vehicle.
Cars | 200Ksh |
Mini Van | 400Ksh |
Minibus | 600Ksh |
The Karura Forest Reserve map was a joint contribution of both Kenya Forest Service ,Friends of Karura Forest and Yellow Pages with their "Let your Fingers do the Walking
According to Karura Forest ,there are number of stakeholders who have really put their best foot forward in rehabilitating Karura Forest .Companies that have collaborated on project sponsorship at Karura Forest Include
African Fund For Endangered Wildlife Kenya
APA Insurance |
Barclays Bank |
Davis & Shirtliff |
East African Breweries Limited |
G4S Kenya |
George Drew Foundation |
H Young & Co (EA) |
KPMG |
KulGraphics |
Pelican Signs |
Postel Directories Kenya |
Samsung Electronics |
SBM Bank (Kenya) |
Sukuma Twende Trust |
There are seven images in the map cover and the Karura forest cages is the first .Karura forest cave or Mau Mau caves is proved to have been occupied for thousands of years
The second image is the famous Leopard Mathai with a group of children posing for a photo I can notice a cypress tree or is it a casuarina
Image of Karura Forest Reserve Map
The green lawn is Amani Garden café a world class restaurant inside the forest .Then the famous Waterfalls which when you are in Karura you are most likely to visit. I find it that there seems to be some co-relation to what happens at Karura gate A and Karura gate C.Karura gate A is located just next to UN headquarters Gigiri
FAQ About Karura Forest
Where is Karura Forest located?
Karura Forest is located in Nairobi County and is also referred to as the green lung of the city as with the bustling of life around nairobi, all the Co2 gases emission from the thousand of motors while at Karura forest you get to experience a quiet and tranquil experience throughout the forest
How much is the entrance fee to the Karura Forest?
The entry fee to karura Forest is as follows for Kenyan Adults entry is 100Ksh while Kenyan Children the entry fee is 50Ksh this makes it one of the cheapest places be it national parks, national reserves that has cheap and affordable entry fee in Kenya
What is Karura Forest famous for?
Karura Forest is Famous due to the former Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai who fought tirelessly for the forest which was to be deforested and turned to be an economic hub for offices and residential building . The forest is famous for being among the largest forests in Kenya and at the center of the capital city Nairobi
Which gate to enter Karura Forest?
To enter Karura Forest the two main gates are Gate A which is along Limuru road and Gate C which is Along Kiambu road while there are close to 6 gates majority of the gates are for official use while some can just be used for exit for instance gate D which is a pedestrian gate there are two Main gate entrance while still you can leave through gate D while some gate
Which matatus go to Karura Forest?
To get to Karura Forest while in Nairobi Central Business district the best and convenient Matatus that will get you to Karura Forest Gate C will be Matatus that go to Kiambu as Karura Forest Is Located along Kiambu road .Matatus that go up to Kiambu town must pass through Karura Forest gate C . Alternatively if you do not want to pass through Kiambu road Karura Forest Gate C you can choose to pass through Limuru road which offers entry to Karura Forest gate A and will require matatus that go to Ruaka as the matatus that head to Ruaka pass through Limuru road gate A
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And houses lots of attention since while at Karura gate A that way you are headed to Lavington, Runda ,Rosslyn, Parklands, and mostly all embassy in Kenya
Inside Karura Forest reserve
During the bomblast that happened in Nairobi town, they proposed to keep the embassy on in-estate compounds where there are no lots of movements and if there is the movement can be noticed so mostly Runda houses the embassies and also just opposite Karura Forest gate D is the US embassy
If we were to compare between the two main gates in Karura Forest we would clearly see that Gate A seems to be among the busiest and by the fact that Gate A in Karura forest is just few minutes walk from UNEP headquarters and UN embassy .
While at Karura Gate C opposite is Sharks place and just few minutes drive is DCI headquarters while the adjacent estate around gate C is Muthaiga ,Horse shoe estate, Muthaiga North estate,Old muthaiga north.
Karura Forest Rules and Guidelines
No littering
Karura is plastic free
Picnics are enjoyed only at the five official picnic sites
Vehicle Parking only at designated sites
Dogs must be under control at all times and only off-leash in 3 clearly designated areas
To Bikers: Walkers and joggers have right of way
To Walker & jogger Wildlife have right of way
Karura Forest has 6 gates with the Main gates being Gate C which is along Kiambu road just few minutes walk from Muthaiga North Entrance and Gate A which is located along Limuru road
Karura Forest’s Limuru Gate A is one of the main entry points to Nairobi’s largest urban forest, offering a serene escape with lush greenery and well-maintained trails. Located off Limuru Road, this gate provides access to scenic routes perfect for hiking, jogging, cycling, and birdwatching. The gate operates from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with affordable entry fees (around KSh 100 for residents, KSh 600 for non-residents).Security is tight, with armed guards and CCTV cameras ensuring safety. Nearby amenities include parking, clean washrooms, and Amani café.
Karura Forest’s Kiambu Road Gate C is a key access point to Nairobi’s premier urban forest. Located along Kiambu Road, this gate is easily accessible for visitors from Runda, Garden Estate,Ridgeways and Thika Road, and surrounding areas. It opens daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Dog off Leash Areas on the bottom right which are three and include Sigiria Glade between Junction 61 and 63a the Main forest paths and Wangari Maathai Track between junctions 30 &40a,Ruaka Picnic Site area and Tara Path there is yellow pages logo with their slogan labelled on the logo "Let your Fingers do the walking" the map and Useful numbers of the authorities plus a statement about the Map created by Harvey Croze. With the Map being a product of many sources Kenya Forest Service, FKF ground surveys, Google earth ArcGIS Mapping Tools from ESRI.
Karura Forest Management Contacts
FKF Operations Manager 0721112607
FKF Chief Forest Scout 0728501333
KFS Forest Station Manager Karura 0728501944
FKF Infrastructure Coordinator 0728606449
FKF events Coordinator 0791398371
FKF Accounts office 0721111085
At the back of the Karura forest Map is a list of special Karura Animals .With a statement indicating there are nocturnal species in Karura .
Images of Karura Forest animals
African crowned eagle
Silvery -cheeked hornbill
Sykes monkey
Guereza colobus monkey
Bushbuck female & young
Harvey's duiker
Suni female & young
Slender mongoose
Bush squirrel
Jackson's chameleon
Green-banded swallowtail
Noble swallowtail
Collared fruit bat
African civet
Large-spotted genet
White-tailed mongoose
Bush pig
Crested porcupine
Giant pouched rat
Small-earned galago (Bushbaby)
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