shouldn't you have had a picture of this beautiful place?
| Paradise Lost: Nairobi's hidden picnic spread |
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Like a faded Hyde Park, Paradise Lost is the insiders-only Sunday hang-out for Nairobeans keen to barbecue beside a boating lake, stroll beside waterfalls and old Mau Mau caves, and treat the kids to a burst of ostrich feeding, pony and camel rides. ‘There are over a hundred varieties of birds,’ says Michael Mutinda, the marketing executive at Paradise Lost, ‘although there is usually the issue of bird migration, you are sure to watch different varieties of them as you take a nature trail through the forest.’ The nature trail is also exciting for nature lovers as you get to explore the indigenous and exotic trees and of course enjoy the freshness of the atmosphere. The parkland is built around a boating lake with 15 boats for nine people, hired out with life jackets, and useable for fishing, but not as a base to swim from. There are around 19 horses and 4 camels that you will get the opportunity to ride on. The rides on the camels are 50m to and fro and for the horses it’s 100m.The adventurous ones however can explore the forest on either the camel or the horse and be charged per hour. For the normal rides, it’s free on weekdays and shs.50 for the camel and shs.100 for the horse the whole day. Paradise Lost is also a home to ancient caves and you get a little of Kenyan history as you learn as you how they were formed and who used them. ‘We’ve installed some lighting so you do not have to fear going in,’ says Mutinda. Our professional guide will explain to you all about the British and the Mau Mau,’ he adds. Kids can also enjoy feeding the ostriches and the rabbits. ‘Kids just love looking at the ostrich’s mouth as they feed it so we give them sukumawiki (kales), to feed them’. Says Mutinda. Currently, there are only 3 ostriches as some died out of old age, but Mutinda promises that they will bring in more sometimes next year. And you do not have to worry about food. Paradise lost gives you the freedom to organize your own catering. ‘There are makuti bandas and you can carry packed food, or even come with your own mbuzi (goat) and caterers and have your nyama choma. We won’t charge you for that’. Mutinda says. Kids are also treated to face painting and there is a large compound for all kinds of games. The biggest pull of Paradise Lost, however, is the Sunday picnic. Picnic bandas spread across and around the hillside, holding tables that families fill to heaving with spices and dishes of every kind ahead of long, lazy afternoons of too much food, games of cards and even boules, and occasionally a bear or two, as the children romp. Located off Kiambu road, Paradise Lost is on your left, shortly after the Evergreen centre. Entry fee is Kshs.200 for children and Kshs.250 for the adults. Written by Rose Muragu of African laughter Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Directions and Contact Details
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i love the place and am planning to come with my baby gal to 
