Discover Sensory Garden and Gathoni Farm Open Air Corporate Workshops
Nestled in the lush green hills of Tigoni, Limuru, Gathoni Farm is not just a place, it’s an experience. Known for its rich tea heritage and East Africa’s first Sensory Garden, Gathoni Farm blends nature, mindfulness, education, and corporate development in a single serene setting. Located less than an hour’s drive from Nairobi, this farm is quickly becoming one of Kenya’s top wellness and eco-tourism destinations.
Whether you’re planning a corporate retreat, a family outing, or a solo mindfulness escape, this nature-rich haven promises meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you’ve left.
How to Get to Gathoni Farm
By Car:
Drive along Limuru Road towards Tigoni, and look out for signs just past St. Paul’s University. Free parking is available.
By Public Transport:
Hop on a matatu from Nairobi to Limuru. Get off near the university and enjoy a scenic 10-minute walk to the farm.
On Foot:
If you’re nearby, stroll down Limuru Road and follow the signposts; it’s worth the walk.
Reconnect with Nature in the Sensory Garden
The Sensory Garden at Gathoni Farm is designed to engage all five senses—sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. Visitors can explore a variety of herbs and flowers, including lavender, rosemary, and mint, enhancing their sensory experience. The garden also offers mindfulness activities, promoting relaxation and well-being.
What You’ll Experience:
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Sight: Wander past vibrant herbs, flowers, and greenery thoughtfully arranged to catch the eye. -
Smell: Inhale the calming aromas of rosemary, lemon verbena, and mint, carefully cultivated for their scent.
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Touch: Explore textured leaves and soft petals; feel bark, soil, and herbs in hands-on planting zones.
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Taste: Sample fresh, organic herbs and garden-grown teas as part of your tour.
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Hearing: Listen to birdsong, rustling leaves, and the ambient sounds of a living, breathing garden.
This garden is more than beauty, it’s a therapeutic space for schools, therapists, and mindfulness groups looking for sensory-based healing and relaxation.
Go From Leaf to Cup on a Tea Farm Tour
Kenya is one of the world’s top tea exporters, and Gathoni Farm gives you a front-row seat to this rich cultural tradition. Here, you’re not just a spectator, you’re a participant.
Key Activities on the Tour:
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Tea Leaf Picking: Learn the art of picking only the tender two leaves and a bud, just like professional tea pluckers. -
Orthodox Tea Processing: Engage in traditional methods of tea making, including withering, rolling, oxidation, and drying.
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Herbal Tea Tasting: Savor calming infusions made from Lavender, Rosemary, Lemon Verbena, Lemon Grass, Orange Mint, Common Thyme, Lemon Thyme, and Pineapple Sage.
The tour is designed for all ages and knowledge levels, making it a great educational activity for kids and adults alike. You’ll leave with a new appreciation for the work and artistry that goes into every cup of tea.
Corporate Retreats Redefined: Open-Air Corporate Workshops at Gathoni Farm
Gathoni Farm offers unique open-air corporate workshops, providing a refreshing team-building and professional development environment. The serene surroundings enhance focus and creativity, making it an ideal venue for corporate events.
Here’s a glimpse into a typical itinerary for a corporate workshop at the farm:
Morning Session
9:00 AM – Welcome Coffee & Introduction (30 minutes)
Upon arrival, participants are welcomed with light coffee, herbal teas, and healthy snacks. This is a chance for everyone to get acquainted with the farm’s natural surroundings and for the facilitator to introduce the day’s schedule.
9:30 AM – Deep Work Session 1: Focus & Strategy (1.5 hours)
Teams are set up in shaded areas or under canopies to ensure maximum work comfort. During this session, teams engage in strategy planning or project updates, with tools such as whiteboards, flip charts, and extension cables for laptops available for use. The open-air environment fosters a collaborative atmosphere conducive to brainstorming and decision-making.
11:00 AM – Refresh & Energize Break (30 minutes)
A break to refresh with herbal tea and fresh fruit is followed by a guided sensory walk through the garden or breathing exercises to help participants regain focus. These breaks are designed to relax the mind and improve mental clarity for the next session.
Afternoon Session
11:30 AM – Team Discussion & Collaboration (1.5 hours)
This session focuses on group brainstorming or small team discussions. A unique feature of this session is the Walk & Talk discussions, where participants are encouraged to walk around the garden while conversing. Walking in nature has been shown to enhance creativity and improve problem-solving abilities.
1:00 PM – Farm-to-Table Lunch & Unwind (1 hour)
Lunch is served, featuring an organic farm-to-table meal prepared with the freshest ingredients sourced directly from the farm. This provides informal discussions and team bonding in a relaxed environment.
Afternoon Energizers and Wrap-Up (For Full-Day Workshops)
2:00 PM – Energizer Activity (Optional, 30 minutes)
A short, physical activity, such as light stretching or a mindfulness exercise to refresh the group and reset energy levels for the afternoon sessions.
2:30 PM – Deep Work Session 2: Execution & Wrap-Up (1.5 hours)
Participants focus on executing tasks individually or in small groups in this session. It’s an opportunity for teams to set actionable steps and commitments for moving forward, ensuring that the workshop outcomes are concrete and actionable.
4:00 PM – Closing & Reflection (30 minutes)
The day concludes with a group reflection on the workshop’s key outcomes and achievements. A short mindfulness session or free time to explore the Sensory Garden allows participants to unwind before leaving the farm.
Team-Building Activities at Gathoni Tea Farm
In addition to the structured workshops, Gathoni Tea Farm offers various team-building activities to enhance collaboration and teamwork. These activities include:
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Icebreaker games to get the group comfortable with one another.
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Tea-picking competitions where teams compete to harvest the most tea leaves within a set time.
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Blindfolded sensory challenges, where participants identify herbs by scent alone.
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Tug of war to test teamwork and strength.
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Running races across the beautiful tea fields. -
Orienteering is a sport where teams must navigate the terrain using maps and compasses.
These activities encourage friendly competition and foster a sense of unity among team members.
The Benefits of Open-Air Corporate Workshops
Choosing open-air corporate workshops like those at Gathoni Tea Farm offers several unique benefits:
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Boosts Creativity: Nature stimulates the mind and enhances creativity, allowing teams to come up with fresh, innovative ideas.
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Improves Collaboration: Working in an informal, relaxed environment encourages better communication and strengthens team dynamics.
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Reduces Stress: Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce stress levels and promote mental well-being.
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Enhanced Focus: The calming influence of nature helps improve focus and concentration during work sessions.
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Increased Productivity: A change of scenery and a focus on team-building activities can help revitalize teams, improving productivity once they return to their normal workspaces.
Why Gathoni Farm Stands Out
In a world dominated by screens and speed, Gathoni Farm offers a rare gift: the chance to slow down, reconnect, and reflect. Whether you’re leading a business team, teaching children about the earth, or simply looking for peace, Gathoni delivers clarity, calm, and creativity.
Plan Your Visit Today
Whether you’re organizing a company retreat, planning a romantic tea tour, or just looking for things to do in Limuru, Gathoni Farm is your go-to spot for nature, wellness, and meaningful connection.
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🌐 Visit Gathoni Farm Website
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📞 Call: +254 715 299 525