Ngong Conservation

Good to Know:

Ngong is a town near the Ngong Hills along the Great Rift Valley within Kajiado County, located in the southwest of Nairobi, in southern Kenya. The word "Ngong" is a Maasai word derived from the word "enkong'u' meaning "the 'eye' of water" or spring from where Rhinos came to drink water. Therefore, the original name of Ngong was "enchoro e'muny", meaning the spring of the rhinos. The Maasai also refer to a spring as the "eye" of water. The Ngong Hills, (known to the Maasai as 'Oloolaiser") from the eastside slopes, overlook the Nairobi National Park game reserve and, off to the north, the city of Nairobi. The Ngong Hills, from the westside slopes, overlook the Great Rift Valley dropping over 4,000 feet below, where nomadic Maasai live.

Today Ngong and its environs is a well-developed outskirt providing a good residing place for many of Nairobi's workers

Ngong division consists of the Nairobi suburbs of Ongata Rongai, Kiserian, Matasia Oloolua and Embul-bul where the residents are primarily Nairobians who build houses in the more quiet regions of the city.

Flora:

The vegetation of Ngong hills forest includes exotic and indigenous tress for example pine, cypress(Exotic)sandal wood, Acacia, croton (Indigenous) mainly determined by altitude, soils type and human utilization of the land. Grazing, forest fires also determine the spatial variation in vegetation cover. 

Fauna:

The forest is known to host a variety of animals which includes: buffaloes, wild pigs, porcupine, and dik-diks.These animals are residents of the forest and their movement is usually determined by factors such as drought, water availability and forage availability. 

Areas of special interest:

•High points for installation of communication masts.

•30 wind energy generation power sites.

•Tourism attraction sites due to its vantage point and associated scenic beauty.

•High altitude sports training and hiking areas.

•Religious retreat sites.

•Panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley and Nairobi city from the summit.

•Beautiful grounds for hire

Activities:

•Hiking

•Picnics

•Camping

•Viewing

•Religious activities i.e. prayers

•Team building

•Weddings

Climate:

The short rains fall between October and December, and the long rains fall between March and May. The annual rains are strongly influenced by altitude with the mean annual rainfall varying between 400mm and 1200mm per annum.

Important things to remember when visiting Ngong Hills Forest:

 •Enjoy yourself; in addition to seeing, pause and listen regularly. 

• Stop to allow wildlife to move off the tracks before you pass. 

• Do not feed wild animals.

• Do not start fires in the forest. 

• Do not take away animals, animal products, plants or plant parts. 

• Do not mark or deface tree stems, stones and other features. 

• Avoid noise as it disturbs both wildlife and other visitors. 

• Be careful as animals here are wild and can be dangerous. 

• Take all the litter that you brought away with you. 

• Keep to the designated tracks and paths when walking and always be sure of where you are headed to.

What to wear and carry:

1) Comfortable shoes or trainers and loose fitting clothing for hikes and mountain climbing. 

2) Warm clothing for those visiting the energy generating power site.

3) Carry a camera, binoculars. 

4) Drinking water.