Ditch Nairobi - Part I

Mary Keria
Dec 2, 2018
3 min read

Hey people! This past week I was in Nyeri County to explore different event sites for your occassion! The weather was beautiful - as a first time Nyeri visitor, and having left Nairobi raining, I wrongly assumed Nyeri would be cold and grey! Far from it!! The weather was fantastic!!! - and I’m excited to share all the pictures and information I collated on the trip.

Site I – Kagumo Teachers Training College (KTTC)

First stop was Kagumo Teachers Training College located along Kangatia Road in Kagumo about 15 minutes’ drive from Nyeri town on your way to Mukurwe-ini. KTTC is expansive: it has three large event grounds all surrounded by beautiful trees, coffee bushes and idyllic pathways that would make a beautiful scenic backgdrop for photography and drone cinematography. KTTC's expansiveness makes it ideal for all kinds of events.

Ground hire rates per day: KES 3,000 – 5,000 (This is not a typo!)

Catering: Self catering or you have the option of hiring onsite catering. Costs depend on menu chosen.

Pros:

- Proximity to Nyeri town;

- The option of choosing between three large grounds (the graduation square, the hockey and football/rugby fields), each with it's own perculiality;

- Large shady trees within some grounds offer shade and hence minimise the need for tents;

- The extremely affordable cost of hiring the grounds;

- You can host as many people as you want in the large hockey and football fields;

- The picturesque pathways on the property are perfect for pictures;

- The option of onsite catering;

- Possibility of minimising transport costs (the institution has adequate rooms - made available on prior notification to the intitution - that can be used for bridal preparation as well as host the wedding and the reception).

Cons:

- The path to one of the grounds is quite steep which may be challenging for event suppliers and older guests to access;

- You will have to hire tents, chairs, DJ/PA system and other supplies from outside;

- You may also have to hire toilets due to proximity of two of the grounds to the administration block.

Contacts: 0701 972912 / kagumotc@gmail.com / info@kagumocollege.ac.ke

Enjoy the stunning pictures below!

Site II – Wajee Nature Park

Wajee Nature Park is a tranquil bird and nature conservancy located in Mukurwe-ini about 40 minutes’ drive from Nyeri town on the Mukurwe-ini - Muranga highway. The park has beautiful grounds, various camping sites, a nature trail where you can bird watch, a hall for indoor events and cozy cottages. Wajee is ideal for team building events, wedding receptions and photoshoots.

Ground hire rates per day: KES 5,000 – 10,000

Catering: The park has a kitchen that can be used by your caterers at a small fee.

Pros:

- Serene and beautiful natural environment;

- On site accommodation;

- Camping grounds;

- Nature trails;

- Affordable ground hire rates;

- Ideal for small wedding parties;

- Possibility of minimising transport costs (Apart from rooms used for bridal preparation, the various cottages can be hired to accomodate guests who travel from far and would like to have a rest day).

Cons:

- You will have to bring in your own caterers, tents, chairs, DJ/PA system and other supplies from outside;

- Room and hall upgrades ongoing but should be ready by the end of 2018;

- A little further from Nyeri town;

- Not an ideal location for large wedding parties but can be the venue for photshoots at it's numerous pathways and well manicured gardens.

Contacts: 0735 377233 / info@wajeenaturepark.co.ke

Enjoy!