What if this year's Mazingira Day celebration involved more than planting a tree and going home? What if you could spend a day surrounded by nature, challenge yourself on a forest trail, introduce your children to the wonders of the outdoors and, most importantly, return months later to see how the trees you planted are growing?
On Saturday, 10 October 2026, Ngubi Adventures Forest Camp in Limuru will host the Ngubi Forest Trail Fest, bringing together families, friends, running enthusiasts and nature lovers for a celebration of fitness, family and environmental conservation.
With 5km, 10km and 15km trail options, a guided nature walk for children, tree planting and activities for the whole family, the event promises something for everyone. But beyond the excitement of a day in the forest lies a bigger ambition: to inspire a lasting culture of environmental responsibility, beginning with the simple act of getting outdoors together.
More than planting a tree
Kenya's forests are among our most valuable natural assets. They support biodiversity, protect water catchments, help prevent soil erosion and play an important role in regulating our climate. Yet forests continue to face pressure from land-use changes, deforestation and other human activities.
Indigenous trees are particularly important to the health of our ecosystems. Having evolved in local environments over generations, they are adapted to the conditions in which they naturally grow. They provide food and habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife, helping sustain the complex relationships that make a forest thrive.
Their roots help stabilise soil and reduce erosion, while healthy forest ecosystems support water retention and the natural flow of water. Like other trees, indigenous species also absorb carbon dioxide as they grow.
Restoring indigenous forests, therefore, is about much more than increasing the number of trees. It is about rebuilding ecosystems and protecting the biodiversity that depends on them.
This is the thinking behind the indigenous tree-planting initiative being launched at the Ngubi Forest Trail Fest. The goal is to plant 1,000 seedlings on the day and continue the effort over the following year, with a target of 10,000 seedlings.
What makes this initiative particularly exciting is that participants will have the opportunity to maintain a connection with the trees they plant. Unlike many tree-planting activities where people plant a seedling and never see it again, this initiative aims to encourage families to return, visit their trees and track their progress over time.
Imagine bringing your children back to the forest months after the event and showing them the tree they planted together. They can see how it has grown, learn what it takes to nurture it and appreciate that environmental conservation is a long-term commitment.
It is an opportunity to turn tree planting from a one-day activity into a meaningful family tradition.
A trail for every pace
The Ngubi Forest Trail Fest is designed to welcome people with different fitness levels and outdoor experience. Participants can choose between 5km, 10km and 15km routes, whether they are taking their first steps into trail running or looking for a more demanding challenge.
Trail running offers a refreshing alternative to the usual urban workout. Instead of traffic and concrete, participants will encounter forest paths, fresh air and the changing terrain of a natural environment. It is an opportunity to challenge yourself physically while enjoying the restorative experience of being outdoors.
For those who prefer walking to running, the trails also offer an opportunity to enjoy the forest at a more relaxed pace.
Children are an important part of the experience, too. Those who may not be ready to complete the 5km route can take part in a guided nature walk, giving them an opportunity to explore the forest, discover its natural features and learn about the environment in an engaging way.
The aim is not to make the day about who runs the fastest or covers the longest distance. It is about participation, discovery and creating memories together.
Building a culture of family wellness
For many families, daily life is a constant negotiation between work, school, household responsibilities and screen time. Finding opportunities to exercise and spend meaningful time together can be a challenge.
The Ngubi Forest Trail Fest offers a chance to step away from those routines. Parents and children can walk together, friends can take on a new challenge, and families can celebrate the simple achievement of spending time outdoors.
There is also a powerful connection between personal wellness and environmental wellness. Healthy forests provide spaces where people can exercise, relax and reconnect with nature. At the same time, physically active families can help build a stronger appreciation for the natural environment.
When children see their parents participating in conservation, it becomes more than a lesson in a textbook. It becomes a value they experience and practise. Planting a tree together, learning about indigenous species and returning to watch a seedling grow can help nurture a sense of responsibility that lasts well beyond childhood.
By bringing fitness and conservation together, the event hopes to inspire families to make outdoor activity and environmental stewardship a regular part of their lives.
Run, restore and repeat
The event begins at 8am at Ngubi Adventures Forest Camp in Limuru. Individual tickets cost KSh 2,000, while groups of five or more pay KSh 1,800 per person. Children aged 12 and under pay KSh 1,000, with a group rate of KSh 800 per child.
The ticket covers participation in the trail run or hike, a commemorative T-shirt, a tree seedling and a finisher medal. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase from vendors at the venue, giving families an opportunity to relax and enjoy the day after their time on the trails.
Participants can register through the Ngubi Adventures website at ngubiadventures.or.ke/events/trail-fest-2026/ or contact the organisers on 0702 428 654.
Mazingira Day is a reminder that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility. But conservation need not feel like an obligation. It can be joyful, active and something we do together.
On 10 October, come run, walk, explore and plant. Bring your family, invite your friends and become part of a community working towards a greener future.
The trees we plant today will take years to mature. The habits we nurture today can last a lifetime. And perhaps the most rewarding part will be returning to the forest with your family and watching your contribution grow.
