Linked to Karura Environmental Education
Please note that a picnic is defined as a small gathering of up to 25 people (including children). It should be a casual snack event for family and friends, without catering or temporary structures such as tents (see the Events section below). Open fires are also not permitted. (see Events, below).
For locations of picnic sites see the map by clicking the link below, or buy the official Karura Forest Map for only KES 200/= from any forest gate.
No booking is required on weekdays. For weekends and public holidays, please book at least one day in advance by emailing picnics-events@karurafriends.org by 1700hrs. If you don't book in advance, walk-ins are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There is no picnicking whatsoever permitted in any part of the forest apart from the designated areas indicated above.
Weekend picnics must be booked a day in advance (not later than 1700hrs) via email:
Picnic fees do note include forest Entry and Parking Fees. Entry and Parking fees must be paid separately.
Picnics are restricted to Amani Gardens, KFEET Centre, Ruaka swamp, Sigiria Picnic Site and Karura Gardens, Kiambu road.
Accompanied minor 4-12 years inclusive. Kids 1-3 years enter free. Youths over 12 years pay Adult rates.
Please note that a ‘picnic’ is NOT a ‘barbecue’. According to the Oxford Dictionary:
Picnic: An occasion when a packed meal is eaten outdoors especially during an outing OR a packed meal eaten outdoors. [Note: No mention of cooking, grilling or roasting.]
Barbecue: A meal or gathering at which meat, fish or any other food is cooked outdoors on a rack or open fire. Note: No mention of picnic.
Please remember that Karura Forest is Plastic Free, and don’t forget to take your rubbish out of the forest when you are finished with your picnic.
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The Friends of Karura is a Community Forest Association comprising Kenyans and other champions of participatory forest management who are dedicated to protecting for future generations the city’s largest green area, the Karura Forest Reserve.
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