When planning a trip to Ngong, it is worth looking at two levels: the Ngong Hills Forest in the surrounding area and the wider regional context of the overarching destination, Kajiado District. The forest is a specific natural attraction near Ngong; other landscape and cultural themes belong to the wider Kajiado District.

The Ngong Hills Forest nearby

The Ngong Hills Forest is home to buffalo, wild boar, porcupines and dik-diks. The animals’ presence and movements can vary, so do not plan on seeing any particular species. Both introduced and native trees grow in the forest. From the summit of the Ngong Hills Forest, panoramic views extend across the Great Rift Valley and the city of Nairobi. This means that enjoying nature does not depend solely on wildlife viewing: the trees and the views offer other perspectives, too. Entry tickets for the Ngong Hills Forest are available at the entrances. Check the latest visiting conditions before travelling.

Ngong Hills in Kajiado District

In Kajiado District, the Ngong Hills offer beautiful scenery for picnics and hikes. Thirty wind turbines are spread across the hills; this infrastructure information may change over time. The Ngong Hills in Kajiado North reach 2,357 metres above sea level and are the highest point in Kajiado County. Lake Magadi lies 595 metres above sea level and is the lowest point in the county. The elevation figures may be updated as a result of later measurements. The comparison illustrates the substantial difference in elevation within Kajiado County. Amboseli National Park in Kajiado District covers 39,206 hectares and is home to African wildlife as well as more than 400 bird species. Area and population figures may be updated following later measurements or surveys.

Salt lake and volcanic landscape

Lake Magadi is a salt lake with solid and semi-solid soda ash deposits. It lies in an endorheic basin formed by a rift valley. This connects the description of the lake with the geological formation of the basin. Mount Suswa is a double-crater volcano with a complex, branching system of lava tubes and caves. Its unusual island-block and caldera structure is also found in the lunar craters Poseidonius and Gassendi. Kajiado District therefore offers different geological perspectives side by side: deposits and basin formation at Lake Magadi, and volcanic formations and underground structures at Mount Suswa.

The cultural context

The cultural context is regional, too: Kajiado County is known for its rich Maasai culture. This adds a cultural perspective to the landscape and geological themes. The nearby Ngong Hills Forest remains the specific natural attraction around Ngong; the cultural and geological themes belong to the wider context of Kajiado District.

Discover more destinations: Namanga, Kajiado, Kiserian, Oloitokitok, Magadi

See the main travel guide: Kajiado District.