Thomson's Falls

Perched at over 2,300 meters above sea level, Nyahururu is Kenya's highest-altitude town — and home to one of the country's most underrated natural landmarks: Thomson's Falls (Thompson Falls). A stone staircase winds down the gorge right to the base of the waterfall, where the roar of falling water and drifting mist make it easy to slow down and just sit for a while. If you're building a Kenya itinerary that goes beyond the usual safari circuit, Thomson's Falls is a worthwhile detour. Thomson's Falls Entry Fees & What to Expect Kenyan citizens: KSh 100 Foreign visitors: KSh 500 (official rate) — in practice, this is negotiable, and we paid around KSh 250 per person after a bit of polite bargaining Photo fee near the falls: roughly KSh 100 (vendors may initially ask for $4) The path down to the falls is entirely stairs, so wear comfortable, closed shoes. Along the way you'll likely encounter wild baboons — they're used to tourists and quick to investigate bags left unattended, so keep your belongings close, especially when setting things down for photos. Once at the bottom, there's shaded seating right in front of the falls — a good spot to sit with the spray in the air and just take in the sound of the water for a while. How to Get to Nyahururu Getting to Nyahururu usually involves a couple of legs, especially if you're coming from the northern Kenya route: Wamba → Maralal: ~KSh 700. Buy your ticket and grab a seat early (6–7am), then go back to finish packing — vehicles typically don't depart until they're full, which can mean a 3–4 hour wait. Expect a stretch of unpaved road, and keep an eye out for wild zebras along the way. Maralal → Nyahururu: KSh 500, roughly a 40-minute matatu ride. Vehicles leave once full, are relatively new and spacious, and the road is in good condition. Where to Stay in Nyahururu Bettan Hotel & Lodge is a solid, budget-friendly pick at around KSh 1,000/night. A few reasons it stands out: Friendly, accommodating management — if you're short on cash, they may be willing to accept M-Pesa transfers Walking distance to both the bus stage and Thomson's Falls Surrounded by local eateries and a large market, making it easy to eat well without going far What to Eat in Nyahururu Nyahururu's street food scene is worth exploring on its own: Sugarcane — KSh 20 Red-skinned mango — KSh 30–40 each, and genuinely delicious Chapati (roadside, buttery) — KSh 20 Roasted maize — KSh 20–40 Beef offal (matumbo/tripe) triangle snacks — KSh 20 Choma (grilled meat) — KSh 400–500 Ingredients here are fresh and plentiful, so you can graze from stall to stall without much risk of a bad meal. Thomson's Falls Nyahururu: Quick Travel Tips Bring small denomination Kenyan shillings for entrance fees, photo fees, and street food Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes for the stairs down to the falls Watch out for baboons near the viewing area — don't leave bags or food unattended Mornings are cooler and better for both the falls and hippo-spotting Pack a light jacket — Nyahururu's high altitude means big swings between day and night temperatures, with lows around 10°C in February A short walk from town (and completely free) is a wetland area where wild hippos can often be spotted. Head toward the swamp, cross the small bridge you'll find along the way, and continue a bit further. Early morning is the best time to go — local villagers are usually out and about and happy to point you in the right direction if you show them a map. Hippo sightings vary by the day, so consider it a bonus rather than a guarantee.