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In a holiday season characterised by the Covid-19 shocks, most people have cut back on travel to cushion themselves from the virus, and also save money after a tough year. For Nairobians who will not be travelling far, and would like to unwind, herein are alternatives places where they can spend quality time with family and friends having a good time.

Zip-Lining in Kereta Forest

Situated in the heart of the Aberdare Ranges, Kereita Forest provides a wide range of affordable activities that will quench the thirst of adventure.

The place can help revitalise body and soul through active learning and direct experiences in a safe and friendly environment.

Kereta Forest provides an amazing zip tour in the most spectacular location just an hour’s drive from Nairobi.

It has a 2,200m zip line which will take you whizzing over the forest canopy.

If you just want a taster, there’s the option of two lines rather than six. The latter takes about two hours to complete.

Nairobi Safari Walk

Run by the Kenya Wildlife Service in Langata, this tourist attraction falls among one of the most visited by both domestic and foreign tourists.

With its raised wooden boardwalk that allows uninterrupted views of the animals, the Safari Walk is a showcase for Kenya’s Parks and Reserves, allowing visitors to discover what they can expect to see in game parks.

The facility offers a unique setting for visitors to see Kenya’s flora and fauna in habitats that simulate natural environments.

Visitors can see sample the country’s rich animal life including the rare bongo, white rhino and albino zebra as well as big cats, antelopes, and primates. It is home to some 150 species of local trees. 

Michuki Park

Formerly known as Mazingira Park, Michuki Park is located along the Nairobi River from the Globe Roundabout to Museum Bridge and covers an area of approximately 10.4 ha.

Named after the late Environment Minister Hon. John Michuki, the new park is a result of a rehabilitation programme where 20,000 tonnes of solid waste was removed following a major cleanup of the entire city.

It is now open for the public on a daily basis from 8am to 6pm free of charge where they can go relax under serene environment, enjoying fresh air.

It is the perfect place to watch birds with a total of 6,357 indigenous trees planted so far.

Chaka Ranch

The Chaka Ranch Leisure Park is an entertainment facility in Kiganjo, Nyeri county. Only a two hour drive from Nairobi City Centre, the ranch is open daily including public holidays.

The Leisure Park is a beautiful and intimate haven for outdoor lovers, set on an expansive between the breathtaking views of Mt Kenya and the Aberdare Mountain Range.

Chaka Range also boasts a unique outdoor entertainment facility comprising the widest collection of quad bikes and buggies in Kenya.

It is a one stop point for family fun and wide depth of outdoor activity.

Chaka ranch rates are determined by the outdoor activities you choose and whether it’s for kids or adults.

The Chaka ranch entry fee is Sh300 for adults and Sh100 for children.

Machakos Peoples Park

With the conceptualisation of the devolved units, some counties set up recreational parks within the cities and towns. Machakos is one of those counties.

The park provides a clean park, with well-maintained grounds that are ever green, throughout the year.

Except on Mondays and Tuesdays when the facility is closed for maintenance and recovery it opens at 9am and closes at 11pm with the existence of two restaurants inside the park.

Paradise Lost

Located in Kiambu town in Kenya, only 14 kilometers from Nairobi, and about 10 minutes drive from the city centre is Paradise Lost Resort and park. The magnificent tourist attraction in Kenya is basically an oasis in the middle of a coffee farm.

The main attraction at Paradise Lost Resort in Kiambu which is a 54-acre farm is the Paradise Lost Resort caves in Kenya eroded by the nearby Gichi River in Kenya, with their entrance screened by the impressive cascading Paradise Lost waterfall.

This, together with the Paradise Lost Resort facilities and quality services have made the place extremely popular and a perfect place to spend the weekend.

Maasai Ostrich Farm-Kajiado

The Maasai Ostrich Farm, which is East African’s largest commercial hub for ostrich farming, was established in 1991.

Named after the semi-nomadic ethnic group living in the area, the farm ships feathers, meat, skins, and live ostrich throughout Kenya and abroad.

Around 1000 birds of two breeds are maintained: the blue-neck or Somali ostrich and the Maasai ostrich, which has a pink neck and legs.

It also has well-organised recreational activities involving a walk to see the ostriches. It is a closer interaction with the ostriches in a serene and secure environment.

One has the privilege to hold the world’s largest ostrich egg, see the downy and active ostrich chicks within the brooding facilities, and crown it with the heard of adult breeder stock.

Go Karting-Lang’ata

If speeding is your poison of choice, then you can Go Karting on Lang’ata road.

The facility offers 10-minute sessions of speeding and racing their counterparts through a windy track that can be floodlit at night.

GO Karting which is a professionally run outfit offers a fun day out. For night crawlers, there is a floodlit track for night racing.

At Mai Mahiu and Athi River also exists other Karting tracks where youngsters usually enjoy their afternoons, particularly at the weekends.

The equipment in place are very well maintained and the karts are very stable.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is dedicated to the protection and conservation of wildlife and habitats in Kenya.

The place is best known for the rescue and hand-rearing of milk dependent orphaned baby elephants and rhinos so that they can return to the wild when grown.

The elephant orphanage is only open to the public from 11am to 12pm. The Elephant Orphanage in Lang’ata gives one the rare opportunity to have an uninhibited view of the majestic giants — Elephants.

You will get to experience firsthand just how devastating poaching is in the world.

It also gives you hope, for, within all that anarchy, there is a sanctuary for the baby elephants left behind.

Karura Forest

Karura Forest is an urban forest in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The forest was gazetted in 1932 and is managed by the Kenya Forest Service in conjunction with the Friends of Karura Forest Community Forest Association.

Karura Forest is 1,041 ha consisting of three parts separated by Limuru and Kiambu roads.

The forest offers eco-friendly opportunities for Kenyans and visitors to enjoy a leafy green respite from the hustle and bustle of the city to walk, to jog, or simply to sit quietly and experience the serenity of nature in all its diversity.

This remarkable geographical location and natural resource is one of the largest gazetted forests in the world fully within city limits. It offers a place to jog and ride bicycles peacefully in busy Nairobi.