Into the Mouth of a Gentle Beast at Kimungu kia Mbugi
Plunging yourself head first into the unknown is easier said than done. To do something so brave and almost reckless requires some practice. The Kimungu kia Mbugi experience offers a practice run for that risk you are about to take. You get to walk into a dark tunnel with no idea if you are ever going to make it to the other end in one piece. To up the ante, the locals will regale you with stories of murders and the possibility of finding the Ninja Turtles in there. The Kimungu kia Mbugi is one of the unique hiking trails in Kenya albeit a little short and yet more daunting than most.
Key Attractions
- Before the SGR Ngong tunnel was built, the Buxton tunnel was considered the longest railway tunnel, in Kenya. While it has been dethroned as the longest railway tunnel, the Buxton tunnel is still a worthy experience. With an ominous entrance resembling the mouth of a gentle beast, the tunnel does not pamper you. You can see right from the beginning that you are going to be using senses other than the eyes if you did not bring a flashlight.
- Settled comfortably in rural Limuru among farms and forests, the tunnel curves a little bit at some point. This is where you will feel mud on your feet and breathe more laboriously both as the air gets thicker and your fears markers spike.
- As you come around the bend and start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, you realize that you have triumphed and perhaps you might be able to conquer your fear of other crazy risks you need to take in your life.
Challenge Level
The Kimungu kia Mbugi experience will be easy. That is if you take away the darkness and the possibility of stepping into a puddle of mud or god knows what. Walking in the dark enhances your other senses anyway.
Logistics
The central meeting point is on the benches near Bata Hilton Nairobi CBD. From there, we head out to take public transport to Limuru. The journey to the starting point is about one hour long.
The trail is also self-drive friendly in case you don’t want to take public transport.
What do you need for the trail?
- 3Ltrs water (bring a reusable bottle or a hydration pack)
- Snacks: fruit salad, energy drink, warm beverage, biscuits, sandwich, trail mix (nuts), etc.
- Personal items (ID, pocket money, hand sanitizer, facemask, phone, and camera, Lighter, Pocket Knife, and First-aid Kit)
- Trekking pole
- Headlamp
- Change of clothes and shoes in case you get wet or muddy.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, sun protection
Here’s a list of resources for hiking gear you can check out.
Hiking Gear Vendors – Lets Drift
Can you bring your kids with you?
Yes, Kimungu kia Mbugi is a weird yet wonderful place to be, the only consideration is that this experience is unsuitable for people with extreme fear of darkness.
Now that you know about Kimungu kia Mbugi, we hope you will tag along for the next adventure!
Similar trails
If you are a fan of unique hiking trails in Kenya and one of a kind experiences, Book now, be notified when tickets become available. Similar trails to Kimungu kia Mbugi are:
Catch the Train and Kijabe Private Hike
