Top 4 Best Waterfalls in Nairobi (2025 Guide) - Hidden Nature Escapes
- BeyondForest
- Mar 8
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 4
By the end of this section we will look at
0.)List of Waterfalls In Nairobi
1.)Secret Waterfall In Nairobi
2.)FAQ About Waterfalls In Nairobi
Karura Forest Water Fall
Karura Forest Waterfall is a serene natural feature nestled within Nairobi’s Karura Forest Reserve, a protected urban oasis in Kenya. Surrounded by lush indigenous trees, the waterfall offers a tranquil escape from the city’s bustle.
Image of a waterfall at Karura Forest
The water cascades gently over a rocky ledge into a shallow pool, creating a soothing ambiance enhanced by birdsong and rustling leaves. It's accessible via scenic forest trails popular with walkers, joggers, and nature lovers. The area around the waterfall is rich in biodiversity, with butterflies, monkeys, and rare plants. Benches and signage nearby make it ideal for quiet reflection, photography, and eco-tourism exploration.
Paradise Lost Waterfall, located in Kiambu County, Kenya, is a captivating natural feature within the Paradise Lost Resort. The waterfall gracefully cascades over rugged rocks, creating a serene ambiance complemented by the surrounding lush greenery. This picturesque setting is part of a 54-acre park that also houses ancient caves estimated to be over 2.5 million years old, with obsidian artifacts from the Late Stone Age discovered within .
Image of a waterfall at Paradise Lost
Visitors can enjoy various activities such as boat rides on the nearby lake, bird watching, and exploring the rich biodiversity of the area . The waterfall, with its soothing sounds and tranquil environment, offers a perfect escape from the city's hustle, making it a popular spot for picnics, photography, and nature walks.
Oloolua Forest Waterfall is a tranquil gem nestled within the Oloolua Nature Trail in Nairobi’s Karen suburb. This 7-meter-high cascade flows into the Mbagathi River, creating a soothing ambiance complemented by birdsong and rustling leaves.
Image of a waterfall at Ololua Forest
Surrounded by indigenous tropical dry forest, the waterfall is accessible via a 5-kilometer trail that meanders through lush vegetation, bamboo groves, and a papyrus swamp. Nearby attractions include a 37-meter-long cave once used by Mau Mau fighters, offering a glimpse into Kenya's rich history. Visitors can enjoy picnics at designated spots, with benches and signage enhancing the experience. The trail is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with entry fees payable through the eCitizen platform
Windsor Falls Experience
We were just from Starehe Girls School to pitch them that we would be up to the task in supplying them with Mexican Cypress seeds but unfortunately we received a NO and they are just interested in Fruit Seeding so we head back home
and on our way we just take a short detour and ALAS! We could not believe our eyes. First just above there are gentlemen in Polo Shirts and Blue Caps wearing Khaki pants laying Golf. Yes It Definitely has to be Windsor Golf Club and you can Cleary see a flight of stairs that just takes you straight to the course and we are very curious to see more and just below we are mesmerized by a cascading waterfall.
Getting to this point was a feat of hardship as we had to brush ourselves past the Lantana Camara that had really grown and we even feared we might step on a snake and the thought of my friend telling me that one day as they were just detouring this route they spotted a Huge massive Python taking a shower (Haha) and they had to run for their dear lives since if the python saw them it would have turned into chaos and I insisted I wish I was there to witness the Python but this time round we were in the same scene as most of my Friends call It Waterfall and here we were.
The waterfall just looks to have clear water while falling but once it comes down and continues as a river you can clearly see the true color of the river as it flows headed towards Marurui,
Actually it will not even get closer to Marurui but Marurui residents who farm just at Gumba will feel its impact as they farm Spinach and Skuma wiki which is sold to Mama Mboga in the estate
Just after getting familiar with the surroundings Malon decides that there has to be more of it and he decides to get on top of the waterfall which scares the hell out of me as I know it is a risky move and since he had started climbing the slippery rocks with his shoes on he had to get rid of them as the rocks were very slippery for water running through them 24/7 and so he tells me to take more pictures of him "Take a Picture It will Last Longer "
Sooner than Later Malon Is on top of the waterfall and I am just contemplating on whether to take the risk and therefore am all left with myself and the Waterfall down here and take a selfie
During the dry season Windsor Dam dries up and My Friend told me he once had the experience of collecting Golf Balls inside the dried dam which Golfers would hit to the dam implying if this dam dries up which feeds the waterfall implying the waterfall also dries up
Image of Windsor dam
Before I decide to go up I take pictures of the scene down here .Th sun was scorching and down here we could not feel its impact since we were under a massive Indigenous tree and just below the tree seems we were also trespassing into someone's territory as there was a bench strategically placed facing the waterfall giving the one sitting there best views
The blue carrier bag contains Mexican Cypress seeds
A well crafted bench placed just directly opposite the waterfall and providing good views of the waterfall plus the sound of the sound splashing makes it a worth while scene
Malon Jokes that some coming Saturday he will have to buy a one liter coke then get a boom box and head over to this place again and play some rhumba music.
I take one last picture of the waterfall before going up and seeing what s there since I was very certain that this might be my last chance accessing the waterfall from this section since the land that we accessed it through seemed to being partitioned and sold thereby making it illegal in the future trespassing therefore I make it a duty to myself to seize the moment
I manage to climb and sooner than later I just figure out that am now not in Gumba but in Windsor Golf Club grounds as adjacent to us seems to be a generator or some sort we could not figure out what it was.
This bridge just act as a gate through to Windsor Golf Club and the river flowing down the bridge if what makes the waterfall down there
We question ourselves whether we should cross to the other side and get to Windsor Golf Club and Malon warns me that there might be Askaris who are guarding the club from the furthest end in order to protect the Big Kahunas and so we are left with the option of just taking pictures
The area is cleary bushy just making me paranoid as I remember of the python story and just as we are about to leave we just note the flight of stairs that we had seen while on the other side
We decide that we have had enough of the viewing and we decide to go back to the waterfall as we take last images
Windsor Waterfall can be accessed through three main points .Above is the Starehe girls route incase you are driving this is the easiest way for you to get to Windsor Waterfall . While the other option includes by foot implying you must first be inside marurui estate and pass Southern global apartments and cross the rickety bridge
The other option for you to have a view of Windsor Waterfall will involve you to be part of Windsor Golf Club Membership so as to be able to access the Golf area thus accessing the Waterfall through Windsor Golf Club entrance
FAQ About Waterfall In Nairobi
Best waterfall in Nairobi
The best waterfall in Nairobi is the Karura Forest Waterfall, thanks to its accessibility, serene beauty, and central location. Conveniently sandwiched between Kiambu Road and Limuru Road, Karura Forest is just minutes from the city center, making it ideal for both locals and tourists seeking a quick nature retreat.
Waterfall in Nairobi directions
Two of the most notable waterfalls in Nairobi are found in Karura Forest and Oloolua Nature Trail, each easily accessible from the city center. Karura Forest Waterfall is conveniently located between Kiambu Road and Limuru Road, near the Belgian Embassy. Oloolua Waterfall lies in Karen, off Karen Road near the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
How many waterfall are in Nairobi
Nairobi hosts three main natural waterfalls, each nestled within protected green spaces offering unique experiences. The most accessible is the Karura Forest Waterfall, located between Kiambu Road and Limuru Road. It features a serene cascade along a scenic forest trail popular for walking and cycling. In Karen, the Oloolua Nature Trail Waterfall is tucked inside indigenous forest and flows into the Mbagathi River, surrounded by bamboo groves and caves. Just outside the city, Paradise Lost Waterfall in Kiambu offers a dramatic fall with historical Mau Mau caves and recreational facilities.
Karura waterfalls
Karura Forest Waterfall is a serene natural feature nestled within Nairobi’s Karura Forest Reserve, a protected urban oasis in Kenya. Surrounded by lush indigenous trees, the waterfall offers a tranquil escape from the city’s bustle. The water cascades gently over a rocky ledge into a shallow pool, creating a soothing ambiance enhanced by birdsong and rustling leaves.
Karura Forest waterfall directions
To reach Karura Forest Waterfall, head to Gate A, the most direct access point, located off Limuru Road near the Belgian Embassy and next to United nations .Visitors can also access the forest via Gate C on Kiambu Road , though it’s farther from the waterfall.
Where is 14 Falls waterfall
Fourteen Falls is a breathtaking natural attraction located in Kiambu County, near Thika town, approximately 65 kilometers northeast of Nairobi. Named after the 14 distinct waterfalls formed as the Athi River cascades over a series of rocky ledges, the falls plunge approximately 25 meters into a large pool below, creating a thunderous roar and misty spray.
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