Kikuyu is a semi-urban town located 20 kilometres northwest of Nairobi’s central business district. You can access Kikuyu town from the capital through Waiyaki Way or the Southern Bypass.
The area has cool weather, a serene atmosphere, and a steadily growing population, making it suitable for doing business, buying land, or visiting for leisure. Kikuyu also has a rich history dating back to the arrival of the first Scottish missionaries in Kenya, with a few historical sites standing to date.
Here’s a list of places you can visit and things you can do in Kikuyu town to inspire your next trip.
Best Places to Visit in Kikuyu
Whether you’re planning a full-day trip, a stopover, or just an activity for a few hours, there are many things to do and places to visit in Kikuyu town.
Some of the most popular places are:
Ondiri Swamp
Just a few hundred metres south of Kikuyu town and right next to the Southern Bypass is one of the lesser-known but largely significant wetlands in Kenya: the Ondiri Swamp. It was originally named Old Lake by colonial settlers, but finding it hard to pronounce, the local people resorted to calling it Ondiri or ũndirĩ.
When you visit Ondiri Swamp, you’re greeted by trees and other vegetation which then open up to a clearing with the approximately 34.5 hectares of wetland. A big part of the swamp is covered by reeds and peat (decomposed vegetable matter) which bounces when stepped on because of the water below. It’s the second-deepest swamp in Africa and the source of the Nairobi River.
Besides its natural wonders, Ondiri Swamp offers a serene environment for nature walks and picnics. There’s a hotel on the slopes of the swamp overlooking the East, with views of the Ngong Hills and its majestic windmills. If you’re looking for a more immersive ecotourism experience, you can contact the Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya (FOWK) to plant trees and learn more about their conservation efforts.
Nachu Caves
Located in Lusigetti near Kikuyu town, Nachu Caves is a popular spot among hiking fanatics. The caves are famously referred to as ‘Ngurunga Cia Njangiri’, which translates to ‘thug caves’ in Kikuyu, and can be accessed by a hike up the steep and rocky Gatune Hills.
From one side of the caves are panoramic views of the Ngong Hills and Mount Suswa in the backdrop, while on the other are views of the sparsely populated Nachu Village.
254 Brewing Company
254 Brewing Co. is a craft beer manufacturing company located along the Kikuyu-Nderi Road, just five minutes from Kikuyu town.
The site where the factory is located has a taproom that’s open from 11 AM, where craft beer lovers can enjoy one of 254’s seven flagship beers straight out of the tap. You can also request a guided factory tour and tasting session during happy hour to learn more about their beers and the manufacturing process. Its combination of an indoors intimate setting and a small outside area makes it perfect for solo, couples, or a hangout with friends.
Church of the Torch
Kikuyu is rife with the history of colonial missionaries in Kenya. Thogoto in Kikuyu was the second place in Kenya where missionaries established a station after abandoning Kibwezi. One of the remaining testaments to this is the Church of the Torch (Kimuri), which opened its doors to believers in 1933 and still stands to date.
For history lovers, being inside the church feels like you’re transported back in time with its neo-gothic architecture, characterized by large arch doors and windows. Outside the church is an African-style hut monument with the names of PCEA mission churches across Kenya and their year of establishment.
The oldest PCEA church in East Africa, and a gazetted national monument, the Scott-Watson Memorial Church, is located just across the road. There’s also a guest house and restaurant near the Church of the Torch, whose building housed the church missionaries and was called Bangaru by the local people.
Garden Restaurants in Kikuyu Town
If you’re looking for an outdoor setting to relax, have a meal, or hang out with friends or family, a garden restaurant is the perfect choice. These restaurants come with expansive grounds fitted with gazebos for relaxing and a children’s play area.
Because of its semi-urban feel, garden restaurants in Kikuyu are quiet, cool, and with surrounding greenery views. Some of the gardens you can visit in Kikuyu are:
- Leilani Gardens
- Levilla Gardens
- Goshen Gardens & Retreat Centre
- Bethsaida Park
- Sigona Golf Club
- Rio Breeze gardens
Due to its proximity to Nairobi city, Kikuyu town is also a prime location to consider for land ownership. Speak with a trusted land-selling agent at Pettmall Shelters by calling +254 726 333 222 to arrange a free site visit to our various plots for sale in Kikuyu.