Navigating amid dense wet vegetation, through foggy rugged hills covered by exotic and indigenous forests, opening up to exquisite views of thundering water tumbling down, pounding on rocks, spraying the air with moisture, then foaming the serenity pool and gently flowing down swishing over pebbles, the waterfall views are nostalgic.
There’s something untold about waterfalls, whether it’s the thundering mass of water hitting the ground and splashing you up, the amazing feeling that chill sends down your nerves or it’s the splendor from staring and wondering how such appealing sceneries exist.
Our magical landscapes are endowed with diversity and these waterfalls embodied in rivers give more life to the surrounding forests and more meaning to beautiful sceneries. All these waterfalls are located in forests and with a variety of wildlife to view, photogenic sceneries and numerous outdoor activities to indulge in they make for a great camping trip, a day trip from the city or just a random hike and lunch in the exquisite restaurants and hotels overlooking the falls.
I thought about it and came up with:
Top WATERFALL Destinations in KENYA.
THOMSON’S FALLS – Nyahururu
Image source: Madrileo
The majestic Ewaso Nyiro River draining from Aberdares and cascading its way to Nyahururu boasts of this Approximately 74 meter high plunge that offers life to the surrounding dense forest in Nyahururu. It is also home to one of the highest altitude hippo pool upstream and captivating surrounding views. Located in Nyahururu about 180 Kms. from Nairobi.
FOURTEEN FALLS –Thika
A series of 14 amazingly spectacular 27 meter high waterfalls on Athi River are the best there is in Kenya. Spice that up with the beautiful Oldonyo Sabuk National park landscape views and swinging variety of birds you’ll come across while fishing, bird watching and boat riding and it makes for a perfect escape. Located about 85 km from Nairobi off Thika-Garissa road.
KARURU FALLS – Aberdare Forest
Image Source: Enchanted Landscapes
Hiking the Aberdare forest trail and hours of taking in the moorland take you up to one of the must visit sites in Nyandarua county within the forest that is a unique 3-tier plunge approx. 273 meters high, making it the tallest waterfall in Kenya. Located 3 hours away about 172 Kms. from Nairobi, in Nyandarua.
Also located across the valley is GURA FALLS which is similar to Karuru falls.
CHANIA FALLS – Thika
A few kilometers from the City Centre these falls make Thika Town a camping and retreat center due to its magnificence and scenic views. With Nairobi as its catchment and Pouring down 25 meters deep to drain into the Aberdares forest, Chania falls give Thika town the wild forest sounds.
SHELDRICK FALLS – Shimba Hills
Image source: NIEDBLOG
The quiet laid back Shimba hills are brought to life by this whooshing 25 meter high fresh spring water plunge that cools down the air and thunders through the silent forest across the hills.
OTHER FALLS:
ZANIA FALLS – Aberdare Ranges
ADAMSON FALLS – Koru National Park on River Tana
LUGARD FALLS – Tsavo East National Park on Galana River
LIMURU FALLS – Limuru
MAKALI FALLS – Lake Nakuru.
TOROK FALLS – Iten, Kerio Valley (Read about my Torok Falls Hike HERE)
Also note there are other numerous small falls within Forest Rivers you could check out in case you visit any National Park or Forest.
Back in campus I used to be a waterfall chasing addict, and am not talking about the huge ones but those small ones from Rivers whose name you can’t even pronounce. Any weekend involved finding a random place with a small river and going hunting with the crew just to jump in and get wet.
That has changed a bit to more of exploring other places as well but my love for waterfalls is still personal.
Happy chasing.
🙂 🙂
