Ngong Hills, Kenya: History, Attractions, and Activities

Dec 04, 2025 0

The Ngong Hills are peaks in a ridge along the Great Rift Valley, located southwest near Nairobi, in southern Kenya.

The word “Ngong” is an Anglicization of a Maasai phrase “enkong’u emuny” meaning rhinoceros spring, and this name derives from a spring located near Ngong Town.

A Hiking Paradise Near Nairobi

A hiking paradise located about 22km southwest of the Nairobi city, these gemstones are peaks in a ridge along the Great Rift Valley. The Ngong Hills, from the eastside slopes, overlook the Nairobi National Park and, off to the north, the city of Nairobi. The Ngong Hills, from the westside slopes, overlook the Great Rift Valley dropping over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) below, where Maasai villages have been developed.

From a distance the four main summits resemble the knuckles of a giant whose eventuality is the subject of several Maasai folk tales.

The trail is well-marked, and the walk or hike takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete, depending on the fitness level of the individual.

For a spectacular hiking safari near Nairobi, head to the Ngong Hills, just a 40-minute drive away. The knuckle shaped hills offer the panoramic views of Nairobi and the surrounding mountain ranges, and you can choose to turn back at any point if you do not feel like scaling every peak (the highest rises to 8,071 feet above the sea level).

The whole mountain range is a gazetted forest reserve.

Part of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment, the Ngong Hills are actually the remains of a massive volcano, which formed from basalt lava between five and six and a half million years ago.

Today Ngong and its surroundings is a well-developed community providing a good residing place for many of Nairobi’s people.

The Ngong Hills proximity to Nairobi about 22km southwest of the city, makes it a very popular weekend safari destination for the visitors from all over the county.

Read also: Explore Falcon Hills Hotel

Historical Significance

In the early 20th century, European settlers began arriving in the area. During the years of British colonial rule, the area around the Ngong Hills was a major settler farming region, and many traditional colonial houses are still seen in the area. The hills became part of the British colonial holdings, and the surrounding lands were used for farming and ranching. After Kenya gained independence in 1963, the Ngong Hills remained an important cultural and recreational site.

Speaking of histories; in the years of the British colonial rule, the area around the Ngong Hills was a major settler farming region, and many traditional colonial houses are still seen in the area.

The hills have a rich history, and were made famous by the book and movie 'Out of Africa' by Karen Blixen. In the 1985 film Out of Africa, the four peaks of the Ngong Hills appear in the background of several scenes near Karen Blixen's house.

The hills featured in the film ‘Out of Africa', which was based on the book of the same name by Karen Blixen.

The film begins with the words ‘I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills', while in the book Karen says that her love of the hills ‘had not it's like in all the world'.

Read also: The Story of uMhlanga

The companionless grave of Denys Finch Hatton the renown aristocratic big-game hunter and the lover of Karen Blixen, distinguished by an obelisk and garden, is situated on the eastern slopes of the Ngong Hills. So fond were she and her lover, the hunter Denys Finch Hatton, of the hills, that when he was killed in a plane crash, Karen buried him on their lower slopes. According to his wishes, Finch Hatton was buried in the Ngong Hills overlooking the vast Nairobi National Park.

Thereafter the grave became the preferred haunt of a pair of lions; and later Denys's brother erected an obelisk in his honour, inscribed with Coleridge's ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', one of Denys's favourite poems.

The hills got their name from the explorer, Joseph Thompson, who camped at the foot on his way to Uganda in 1884.

The town of Ngong came into being early in the last century, when it developed as a resting place for the slave and ivory caravans heading north.

In 1887 the hills offered a 2-week campsite for the 700 members of one of the most epic safaris in East African history.

Once a popular walking and picnicking venue for Nairobi's residents, in recent years the hills acquired a notorious reputation for muggings and attacks on walkers. Thanks to the presence of armed KWS rangers who now patrol the area, security is improved and the hills are once again a popular venue for family outings.

Ngong Hills Today

The Ngong Hills Wind Power Station, the first wind farm in the country, was completed in 2015.

Ngong Hills Mbagathi Water Resource Users Association / Ngong Hills Mbagathi WRUA has been making the Ngong area Water Catchment area better by planting indigenous trees and town cleaning activities. Ngong Water catchment area covers Thogoto, Kibiko, Oloolua, Ngong Hills Forest Reserve and Nairobi National Park. It is a water catchment area for several important rivers.

The Ngong Hills is managed by the Kenya Forestry services and ensures the nature is well preserved animals in the area and all the kinds of plantations. The tour guides as always available to ensure that the visitor’s safari to the Ngong Hills is well spent by taking them across to the strategic sites such as the power plant, The Great Rift Valley viewpoint, the forested summit to view Nairobi city and many other areas.

Ngong Hills has some of the indigenous trees like the Acacia Croton, Wild plants and flowers, Cyprus, and others that grow according to the soil type and altitude.

Kenya Forest Service offers guides and security to accompany hikers for an extra fee.

Local residents still reported seeing lions in the Hills during the 1990s.

There is a walking trail along the tops of the Ngong Hills. Kenya Forest Service has a post at the NE foot of the park, where a fee is charged for touring.

Activities and Attractions

Ngong Hills offers various activities catering to all your likes and interests.

The most common activities that this place is known for are hiking and trekking. You will find various treks with varying difficulties, suitable for beginners and experienced hikers. Various designated areas on the trail are also available for picnicking.

Here are some of the activities you can enjoy at Ngong Hills:

Hiking: Trails range from easy to more challenging as you hike up and down the seven hills.
Photography: Early mornings and late afternoons at Ngong Hills provide a magical light that photographers can take advantage of.
Birdwatching and Nature Walks: Nature enthusiasts can go for bird watching and spot various bird species that inhabit the area.
Picnics: Enjoy a meal surrounded by nature.
Ziplining, archery and bike riding: Other activities include ziplining, archery and bike riding.

If you are a keen birdwatcher, you will surely be mesmerised by the variety of bird species you can spot here. Guided tours can be organized if you wish to learn more about the life of a regional avian.

You can enjoy sports like paragliding and ziplining.

You can enjoy a getaway with your family members.

The route is about 11 km (one-way) to the Kona Baridi bus stop, so runners can either take public transportation back, or shorten the route by doubling back at the highest point (about 10 km round trip). The trail across the ridgeline here is popular among recreational and elite runners alike.Most runners start from the Kenya Forestry Service station in the northeast corner of the park.From here, a gently inclined dirt road reaches up to the wind farm atop the hills and continues south with great views along the way.

The scenic beauty of Ngong Hills is enhanced by its panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley and Nairobi city, making it an attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. These rolling hills with vibrant colours are a true testament to the beauty and diversity of the African wilderness.

This unique environment not only supports numerous species but also plays a crucial role in water catchment for the surrounding areas.

To protect this natural beauty, the government established Ngong Hills Forest Reserve essential for conservation and helps preserve the rich ecosystem of the Nairobi Ngong hills.

Beyond its natural allure, Ngong Hills hold a deep cultural and spiritual significance for the local communities who inhabit the area as they believe that it is a dwelling place for ancestral spirits who are the link between human and spiritual realms.

These communities have cultivated a deep connection with their surroundings over generations, integrating traditional practices with contemporary lifestyles.

Local communities also use it as a cultural hub for their events and celebrations.

These hills are not merely a backdrop; they are intertwined with local histories and folklores that shape the identity of these communities

Explore this destination with your family today and have the best life experience in Kenya.

The ideal time to visit the Ngong Hills might depend on weather, crowds, and other personal preferences. However, the best time is to visit during the dry seasons, typically from January to March and June to October. You should avoid planning your visit during the rainy season from March to May when the rains are heavy and unpredictable.

The timings for Ngong Hills are from 6 am to 5 pm. However, if you are going for a safari trek, the recommended starting time is 10 am.

Nearby Attractions

While visiting Ngong Hills, consider exploring these nearby attractions:

Nairobi National Park: Established in 1946, home to various endemic species, and allows migrating wildlife to travel across the southern boundary to the Kitengela plains.
Oloolua Nature Trail: A spectacular safari destination in Nairobi where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of forests and serene waterfalls.
The Kazuri Beads Factory: A workshop of artisans in Mbagathi Ridge in Nairobi, renowned for making ceramic beads, pottery, and other jewellery items.

Moreover, the famous Nairobi National Park can be included in your Nairobi day itinerary as you explore more of Nairobi!

To see more of the culture in Kenya, see our best cultural safari packages from Swahili culture, Samburu, Maasai to Western Kenya and many more, here

Planning Your Visit

Getting to Ngong Hills is straightforward, especially if you start from Nairobi. You can access the hills by taxi or by self-driving, which takes about 45 minutes to one hour. The route usually starts from Ngong Road, which leads to Ngong Road. Various tour companies also provide a hassle-free shared tour option, including transportation, a guide, and, most often, additional recreation activities like planned picnics and bird-watching tours.

During peak seasons, you might encounter severe traffic conditions, so it is recommended that you check the traffic conditions prior and plan your departure accordingly.

Matatu (Shared Minibuses) are one of the most popular and affordable ways to travel around the town and are considered the most accessible mode of transport in Kenya.