The Karura Forest is the largest gazetted natural forest in the world fully within city limits. It offers eco-friendly opportunities for Kenyans and visitors from abroad to enjoy a leafy green respite from the bustle of the city, to walk, jog or just sit quietly and enjoy nature in all its diversity. Karura is a remant of the so-called montane sclerophyllous (meaning 'small leaves') forest that covered all of the Kenya highlands from Nairobi to the Aberdare moorlands in pre-colonial times.
In 1997, Nobel laureate Wangai Maathai led a group of stakeholders to confront and rid the forest of developers trying to grab the northern portion. She helped secure Karura for the future. Since 2009, it has been managed carefully by Friends of Karura Forest, a Community Forest Association comprising Kenyans and other champions of participatory forest management, to enhance its integrity as a native forest and to promote its wise use by Nairobi residents and its many visitors from near and far.
Karura Forest is a priceless "green lung" for a rapidly growing city; it is an important water catchment and fresh air filter. Enjoy your walk.