Machakos People’s Park was opened in February this year. I had heard a lot about it  and been planning to visit to see what the fuss was all about.

Some of the best trips are unplanned. We had spent the Saturday morning lazing around when my sister suggested we head to Machakos to check out the park.

We were soon on our way, although we got stuck in a bit of traffic after Mlolongo. We arrived at the park around 5pm. This was much later than we had anticipated, we had taken  a detour on the way so that I could pick up a camera. Entry into the park is free of charge.

Machakos People’s Park_Ampitheatre3

 

Machakos People’s Park_Entrance

 

Machakos People’s Park_Fountain1The park is clean and the grounds well maintained.

I have come to expect the worst when it comes to public toilets but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the toilets were very clean. There was running water in the taps and tissue in each stall and also a hand dryer.

Machakos People’s Park_Bathroom facilities

 

Machakos People’s Park_ToiletEven better is that there was another toilet on the other side of the park.

There is a man-made lake right at the parks outer boundary. I had heard one can take a boat ride but on the day we visited there were no boats in sight and the water levels looked rather low.

Machakos People’s Park_Bench overlooking lake

 

The weather was overcast but the sunset was beautiful.

Machakos People’s Park_Sunset

 

Machakos People’s Park_Sunset over lake

 

Machakos People’s Park_Sunset over lake (2)

 

I saw a sign for the swimming pool but didn’t actually see the pool so I can’t say anything about it. If anyone has seen/ used the pool, please leave a comment about your experience.

Machakos People’s Park_Restaurant

 

The most disappointing part was the food. Specifically the food from Restaurant 1, it was horrible. We were served cold food and it looked a hot mess and to make it worse, it was overpriced. The staff seemed reluctant to help and when I complained about how the meat was mostly fat and bone, they simply shrugged. Lesson learnt, do not go to Restaurant one.

Machakos People’s Park_Restaurant1

 

Machakos People’s Park_Food

One plate cost around Kshs400-500 ($4.5 – $5.8)

There is another restaurant and a bar too but we didn’t go in. I would say order food from there at your own risk and if you can, carry your own food. As far as I know there are no restrictions of bringing your own food into the park.

If you’re with young children, you need not worry about entertainment,  there is a  well-equipped playground for kids within the park. In comparison to other places I have been to the prices are very cheap. I paid Kshs 50 ($0.6) for my niece to go on the trampoline and there was no time limit. I suppose this is because she was the only one who wanted a go.

Machakos People’s Park_Playground

 

Machakos People’s Park_Children's playground

 

The last part we visited was the amphitheater. There was some sort of event going on and we found a dance off competition going on stage.

Machakos People’s Park_Ampitheatre

 

We had gotten there at the tail end of the event and soon almost everyone was gone.

Machakos People’s Park_Ampitheatre1

 

Machakos People’s Park_Ampitheatre2

 

Machakos People’s Park_People2They requested me to take their photo.

When it comes to security, there is a police post inside the park. You can’t miss it, there is an aquarium outside.

Machakos People’s Park_police post

 

I generally felt safe inside the park. I was able to leave my bag on a bench while taking photos of my sister and her children. That said, do keep in mind that the park was rather empty .

Machakos People’s Park_SisterThe little girl stopped us to say hi to my nephew

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Machakos People’s Park_NephewMy sister and nephew

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Though not yet complete, the landscaping is beautiful. There is even a ‘dancing fountain’ but we were not able to see it in action.

Machakos People’s Park_Hill

 

Machakos People’s Park_Fountain

 

Machakos People’s Park_View2

 

Machakos People’s Park_Sister2

 

As it got darker and we were getting ready to leave, the floodlights were switched on. The park is well lit and you need not worry about staying in the park once night falls.

Machakos People’s Park_Lights

 

We weren’t able to spend too much time in the park as we had arrived late and we wanted to get back home as soon as possible. That said we did enjoy the short time we spent inside the park. It makes for a lovely destination for an out of town picnic and if it were not for the distance, I would visit more regularly.

Machakos People’s Park_People

 

Machakos Peoples Park_night drive

 

How to get there: drive along Mombasa road until the Makutano junction. Turn left and drive along the Makutano-Kitui road and just before you get to Machakos town, take a right turn onto the road that leads to the park. You will drive approximately 5km and at the end of the road you will find the park. There are signs on the route, so it is unlikely that you wiill get lost. There is ample parking outside the park.

Without traffic, it is about a 1hr drive from Nairobi’s CBD.

Makutani-Kitui Road

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If you are using public transport, you can get a boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) once you get to Machakos town.

If anyone has any information about the opening and closing times (I was unable to find any information online), please leave a comment so that I can include the information in the post

 

This week Safari 254 links up with;

1. Reflections enroute #wkendtravelinspiration

2. Adelina’s Pack Me To in  #SundayTraveler

Please visit the sites for more wonderful photos and posts.

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26 Comments

  1. November 10, 2014 at 2:38 pm — Reply

    Beautiful…

  2. November 10, 2014 at 7:50 pm — Reply

    This looks like a great place to spend a quiet afternoon. Too bad that the food at the restaurant sucked! And glad to know that the bathrooms are clean – hopefully they’ll stay that way as time goes on. 😉

    • November 12, 2014 at 3:20 pm — Reply

      I hope so too. I’ll be sure to visit sometime next year and see if anything has changed.

  3. November 12, 2014 at 12:01 am — Reply

    As usual, your pictures are insanely beautiful! And the place looks very very nice. I wouldn’t go though (too many kids..) 🙂 .

    • November 14, 2014 at 4:49 pm — Reply

      There’s lots more to the park apart from the playground. It wouldn’t be too hard to avoid the kids

  4. November 12, 2014 at 1:18 am — Reply

    Hi Rachel, although it not yet complete this park surely look lovely. It certainly a pleasant place to spend some fun time with the family. Too bad about the restaurant. I hope they read your review and make effort to improve. Love your photos, especially the ones with kids and dramatic clouds.

    • November 12, 2014 at 3:22 pm — Reply

      I doubt that they will. Customer satisfaction is anything they seemed to care about.

  5. November 12, 2014 at 7:20 am — Reply

    What lovely shots of the park!

    • Stephen
      October 16, 2017 at 2:59 pm — Reply

      Best shots

  6. November 12, 2014 at 7:23 am — Reply

    The park looks so perfectly well manicured and clean, Rachael! You know what a foodie I am…I would NOT have been happy with that cold food you had. Sorry that happened to you guys. But, still a great post! 🙂

    • November 14, 2014 at 4:54 pm — Reply

      Thankfully everything else made up for how crappy the food was.

  7. Manesha
    November 12, 2014 at 9:38 am — Reply

    Finally, yaay! That trip was very memorable..

  8. November 16, 2014 at 3:36 pm — Reply

    This place looks great for a day out – cannot believe it was free to enter! Shame about the food, but everything else looks really good!

  9. November 18, 2014 at 11:39 am — Reply

    This could be a really nice city break on a weekend from Nairobi. Thanks for reviewing the food…sounds like a picnic is the best option for the park.

  10. November 19, 2014 at 3:48 pm — Reply

    What expressive skies! Would love to check this out when I’m in Nairobi next. But will follow your advice and avoid the restaurant!

  11. November 20, 2014 at 9:42 am — Reply

    This is a beautiful park with many amenities and a great place to spend the afternoon. It seems like they have something for everyone. That is one of the cleanest public restrooms I’ve ever seen too. I’m sorry about the restaurant food. I really like how that amphitheater looks.

  12. Joe
    November 28, 2014 at 7:16 am — Reply

    i have just loved this place! was thinking of a cool place for a picnic on my birthday and this sounds just perfect! sory about the food,thanks for the information and the photos they really look nice

  13. hilda
    August 11, 2015 at 8:17 pm — Reply

    Love the pictures may want to borrow some hope it’s ok

    • September 28, 2015 at 7:01 pm — Reply

      What exactly do you need them for?

  14. Frank
    April 1, 2016 at 5:45 pm — Reply

    I love the serenity of the place. It’s a great place!

  15. Julius Ongalo
    February 28, 2017 at 4:39 pm — Reply

    Thanks for the information, should visit with my family, my 2 year old daughter will love it

    • April 8, 2017 at 2:25 pm — Reply

      You’re welcome. I hope you enjoyed your trip.

  16. July 13, 2018 at 2:21 pm — Reply

    very good piece

  17. rodley
    December 1, 2018 at 12:52 pm — Reply

    I have looked at the photos the place looks woow bt kindly send me the charges to rodleyonyango@gmail.com as soon as possible so that i plan my self

  18. October 16, 2020 at 12:23 pm — Reply

    Will be visiting the park on Saturday the 17th of October 2020.
    Looks like a nice place to scout for property around the park.
    I will also see if the standards have been maintained.
    I think the food was horrible because it was almost closing time and you were served what was leftover, but I will sample and give a review.

  19. November 17, 2021 at 9:08 pm — Reply

    This looks beautiful! Planning to visit this weekend.

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