Fourteen Falls Thika :Outdoor fun,the Thika way.

When was the last time you took some time for yourself..or your family,just to enjoy and have a nice time. Am not talking of the occasional drink outs, the pilau filled weddings or the normal bashes you have at your workplace when the company records super-normal profits..No,,you are not getting me. Am talking of a nature outing where you take the whole day sampling the best that nature provides. The town air is always filled with pollutants which we should escape from time after time. Thika has dozens of places to unwind. The tragic part being, many of us never take the initiative of discovering these places. Matter of fact most of the visitors are foreign tourists and some local families.

Internationally. the Fourteen Falls are the most famous falls in Thika. Foreign tourists have dedicated blog posts and articles to the experience they had in Fourteen Falls. Fourteen Falls are located around 65 Km from Nairobi and less than 15 Km from Thika Town along the Thika Garissa Highway. The falls overlooks the famous Kilimambogo Hill that is visible from all the areas along the Thika Super Highway. The Falls are near the border between Thika and Machakos Districts. The name originates from the 14 successive falls filled with thousands of litres of water that make up the Athi River. The fast flowing water pounds more than 25 meters into the large pool at the base of the fall. The loud thundering sound is heard kilometers away which makes the experience unforgettable.

Local guides provide action by jumping more than 25 meters from the top of the falls to the bottom pools. You cant help but hold your breath as they plunge through thin air into the swelling pool. It just takes pure courage, experience and nuts. To be honest, when it comes to jumping into a fall, i have none of the three traits. Fourteen Falls is surrounded by a beautiful scenery of plants and vegetation. The flora is out of this world which makes the place a darling to hundreds of tourists each year. Coupled with bird watching, boat expeditions and photography then the place becomes a candidate for fun and adventure. The scenery is wonderful for group expeditions, team building and the occasional romantic getaway.

Overlooking the falls lies the Hill of the Buffaloes popularly known as Kilimambogo. The Hill derives its name from the hundreds of Buffaloes that lived and are still found in the area. The Hills are also home to the graves of the family of Sir Macmillan. Sir Macmillan was a famous philanthropist who lived on the foot of the Hills. He made the Hills internationally known when he hosted the former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US president Roosevelt. The Hills are home to buffaloes,baboon,zebras and other wild animals.

There are local traders who offer affordable services like photography, curios and fruits like the fresh and sweet pineapples. To make the experience worthwhile you can hire local guides who will take you to the most appealing spots. They charge affordable fees for this ranging from Kshs150( $1.8) to Kshs 300( $3.5).

If you are brave enough to take a swim in the river, then Fourteen Falls would be the ideal place.
If you are planning a get away, it would be advisable you put Thika Fourteen Falls on your radar. Its a great place and you will have a refreshing experience. For those willing to spend the night you will find great lodges like Fourteen Falls Lodge near the falls at affordable rates.
Good Luck as you plan to visit the Fourteen Fall

Photos courtesy of Google