Things To Do
in Nandi Hills

Bustling daily market where you can find fresh vegetables, fruits, roasted maize, local breads and small food stalls; great for tasting local snacks and meeting vendors.

Numerous small stalls that serve hot tea, mandazi (fried dough) and chapati—ideal for a quick, authentic breakfast.

Polite greetings are important—use Swahili phrases like 'Jambo' or 'Habari' when meeting people, and greet elders first. A handshake is common; in rural areas use a gentle handshake and maintain eye contact respectfully.

Dress modestly, especially in villages and when visiting conservative households—cover shoulders and avoid very short skirts or shorts. When attending cultural events or homestays, follow hosts’ cues.

Always ask permission before photographing people, homesteads or religious sites. When visiting homesteads, remove shoes if requested and accept food or drink politely.

Elders hold status in many communities—show deference by greeting them first and following their lead during interactions.

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory: round up small bills for porters and servers, leave 5–10% in restaurants if service is good, and give small cash tokens to local guides. For taxi drivers and boda‑boda riders, round up fares; always tip in Kenyan shillings.

Cash (Kenyan shilling) is widely used in rural areas; mobile money (M‑Pesa) is ubiquitous and often accepted for services and shop payments. Credit cards are accepted only at larger hotels or restaurants—carry cash for market stalls, remote guesthouses and park fees.

Expect frequent heavy showers and muddy trails; scenery is lush and green but some rural roads can become difficult—carry waterproofs and plan extra travel time.

Intermittent rains with warm days and cooler mornings; good for birdwatching and fewer crowds, though some excursions may be damp.

Cool, dry and pleasant—excellent for hiking and photography, with crisp mornings and clear skies; nights can be chilly at high elevation.

Warmer daytime temperatures with lower rainfall; fields may be drier but still green in irrigated areas—comfortable for outdoor activities.

Trails along the escarpment offer ridge walks with panoramic vistas, sunrise viewpoints and variable difficulty—best with a local guide and sturdy shoes.

Short forested trails for birdwatching and quieter nature walks; watch for muddy sections after rain and respect local conservation rules.

Easy to moderate walking routes that weave through tea fields and smallholder farms—excellent for photography and meeting local workers.

Guided walks organized by villages that explain traditional agriculture, livestock management and local crops—combine cultural insight with light hiking.

Vegetarian options are widely available via vegetable stews, ugali, chapati and beans. In rural eateries, specify 'hakuna nyama' (no meat) and look for vegetable dishes; confirm that stews aren’t made with broth derived from meat.

More limited but possible—rely on beans, legumes, ugali, vegetables, fruit and tea; always ask about butter or milk in dishes and request no dairy.

Ugali is naturally gluten‑free (made from maize), but watch out for chapati and some packaged snacks. Communicate needs clearly—Swahili phrases below help.

Stick to cooked foods and hot beverages from busy stalls, drink bottled or treated water, and avoid raw salads unless you’re confident of the source.