Ndare forest is full of surprises, you need to visit to witness for yourself

What you need to know:

  • At the heart of this forest is a unique canopy that stretches for 500 metres on the tree tops and is suspended about 27 feet off the ground.

  • Tourists pay a modest fee to access the facility for free. The proceeds are used for  conserving the forest and helping the surrounding communities.

The tranquillity offered by the Ngare Ndare Forest reserve in Meru County is unmatched.

Strolling through its dense foliage provides a perfect break to relax or get seriously active by hiking.

And the forest is full of surprises. At the heart of this forest is a unique canopy that stretches for 500 metres on the tree tops and is suspended about 27 feet off the ground.

Then there is this walkway made of spectacular engineering masterpiece, a complex system of steel wires, ropes and metal frames entangled together.

A leisurely but jaw breaking walk on the nature trail offers a distinct difference from the normal game drives that snake their way through the animals’ natural habitat.

This is because visitors can savour the flora and fauna below them without interfering with the ecosystem.

Tourists are advised to walk in groups of about five people on the walkway.

Acrophobic visitors access the boardwalk with the help an overhead cable. At the end of the walkway is a section where visitors can rest.

Ngare Ndare has a wide variety of game. The forest boasts of elephants, buffalos, Columbus monkeys and a variety of birds and butterflies.

Trees are well labelled here so if you have a special interest in trees, this is the place to visit.

Regular sightings of a rainbow formed by the mist from the nearby crystal clear waterfalls makes the experience even more exciting.

All the activities in this forest are guided by well-trained community rangers.

Visitors are also advised not to wear bright colours as this tends to scare the animals. While at the top of the walkway, minimal disturbance is required to keep the animals there for long.

Another strike feature is the interaction with the locals who are the Meru’s and Masaais.

Tourist can access Ngare Ndare through the Meru-Nanyuki route at Timua Town  or  Lewa Downs conservancy on the Meru-Isiolo route.

Tourists pay a modest fee to access the facility for free. The proceeds are used for conserving the forest and helping the surrounding communities.