Ngong Hills

The Ngong Hills form a ridge of peaks on the edge of the Great Rift Valley south-west of Nairobi, rising to about 2,460 metres above sea level and overlooking Ngong town, Karen and the Rift Valley floor. The range is associated with Karen Blixen's memoir Out of Africa, in which she wrote of the 'four knuckles' of the hills. The ridge walk follows a grassy crest with the turbines of the Ngong wind farm along it, and viewpoints look east to the Nairobi skyline and west across the Maasai plains. The popular route climbs from the forest gate, follows the ridge across several peaks and descends to complete a loop, typically four to six hours. Rangers escort groups, and walking with an official guide is standard practice for safety. Wildlife includes buffalo, zebras, impala and a wide range of birds. The area is windy and cold at the top, so layers and a rain shell are useful. Weekends see many Nairobi hikers and corporate groups; weekday starts offer the quietest trails. Dry months, January-February and July-September, give the clearest views and firmest paths; after rain the trail can be slippery. Entry fees are modest and paid at the gate, with ranger fees charged on top.