I visited Ngong Hills May this year. From the entrance where the wind mills are located to the other end a spot called 'Kona Baridi' the trek is challenging ascending and descending all the 7 hills, the 4th 'Buffalo's Hill' is particularly challenging. It's steep, very steep, and your need joints are on trial here. the track is narrow snaking under a thicket, you cannot even stand straight. we found some fresh buffalo dung but weren't lucky enough to encounter the animal.
On the eve of our hike it rained heavily around Nairobi. It was therefore not surprising to find that Ngong was really muddy, cold and with poor visibility. At the start, the visibility was so poor that one could not see more than a 100 metres ahead. It only started clearing after the fifth climb. By the time we reached corner baridi it had not cleared enough for us to fully appreciate the views. While preparing-:1. Basic fitness is necessary since the 1st four climbs are demanding.2. You'll roughly lose between 3000-4000 calories for the entire hike. Therefore carry enough snacks and water to hydrate.3. To appreciate the views more, weather permitting, you could carry a binoculars.4. Don't forget a camera to capture the moments.5. Security is advisable.6. If doing the entire hike arrange for a driver to pick you at corner baridi.All the best.
Great place to go hiking! Vies are superb though it is windy. Go prepared as facilities are limited.
Away from hectic Nairobi, check out the Ngong Hills which have been many a setting for Hollywood Blockbusters. I volunteered not far from here on a project and was lucky to see this lovely part of Kenya. Come here for some peace and quiet
Great place for take a rest for a while from the nairobi's hectic, enjoying nairobi in a different atmosphere, rerfeshing !!
We had such an amazing time going up the hills, looking down into Maasai land over the cliffs, The sunsets are so divine, the wind and the breeze. just so much for look forward to. It is ideal for picnics, relaxing hiking, games for the entire family, retreats. go, see for yourself.
Wonderful place for hiking and mingle. the place required a spirit of hiking. the place is cold with fresh air. it a nice place for refreshing your mind.
I visited with a group of college mates, and the walk uphill was fantastic. We braved the rain but it cleared once we were uphill, giving us a nice view. We however met a guard who was unnecessarily rude and almost getting aggressive as we were way behind schedule. I appreciate the fact that he was saying that it was dangerous after 5 but we were 14 guys. It anyway killed our excitement by the time he allowed us to proceed further. We just took 'selfies' and started the long way down.
I grew up near the foothills of Ngong Hills. When I was a boy, I always said: One day I will build a house there and live in it. Well I did. I cris-crossed the Hills many times. Today I sit on my 'out of Africa balcony overlooking the Hills and enjoy the views, the birds chipping on my lawn all the time, the whispering winds racing towards corner Baridi and Jazz from the great band era played on a classical record player.. One time my family and I visited the famous Tree Tops in Nyeri. It was here that we learned that Ngong Hills was the original site of Sagana Lodge, the Royal Residence to be. Canal Cowie was to build this Lodge. I got to meet and work with him at the Flying Doctor Service. The then governor said the place had too many burrows. So the lodge never happened. South Africa's General Jan Smuts referred to the Hills as " the most beautiful vista of Africa he had ever seen". Karen Blixen's Finch made it his final resting place. Explorer Thompson could not resist passing through Ngong Hills. Ngong is as great and beautiful as its history. Next time you visit the Hills, stop by at our home and enjoy a cup of tea and raisin barns at the balcony as the magic of Ngong Hills sinks in.
I was based in Ngong Hills for volunteering so I realise it's a bit of a distance from Nairobi but if you get a chance to go it's definitely a good day trip. You can walk from the town which adds on an extra 45 minutes, all the locals can direct you, or you can take a motorbike up to the ticket office. As a lot of things, tourists get charged double the locals and the security guard even tried to persuade us to pay extra for him to escort us but it's not necessary. Although, you can't complete the entire walk without an escort but it's a good couple of hours so we were happy not to do the whole thing anyway. The views are great but it's very windy!