During one of those long holiday weekends, we set out on a mission to discover a family-friendly hangout spot in Kajiado—somewhere new, with great nyama choma. A friend had once mentioned a place in Kisaju, and after a quick Google search for “family-friendly nyama choma in Kisaju,” Fred’s Ranch stood out. The online reviews were promising, so we decided to give it a try.
The drive from Kiserian to Isinya was smooth and scenic, thanks to a well-tarmacked road with minimal potholes and light traffic. Fred’s Ranch is just past Isinya town and easy to spot, thanks to a large billboard marking its location. Although the final stretch off the main road was a rough, unpaved path, it wasn’t long—and clear signage led us right to the gate.
The moment we entered, the lush, well-kept picnic garden and spacious grounds gave us a great first impression. We were directed to a secure parking area and welcomed by the sight of horses ready for rides, with a pathway leading us to the main reception.
Having made a reservation in advance, we were quickly assisted by the friendly reception staff and shown to our table—strategically located near the children’s playground. We chose this spot instead of the poolside because of our two little ones who haven’t yet learned to swim. Thankfully, the pool wasn’t visible from where we sat, sparing us the challenge of constantly keeping the kids away from it.
Fred’s Ranch is a haven for families. The playground was well-equipped with swings, a bouncing castle, face painting, slides, a sandbox, and a creative climbing structure made from tires. At just KES 100 per child, the playground was affordable, and we appreciated the attentive staff (both male and female) supervising the children.
While I didn’t get a detailed look at the swimming pool, it seemed spacious. It wasn’t clear whether there was a dedicated baby pool, but that would be something to check if you plan to swim with younger kids.
From our table, we had a perfect view of the playground, making it easy to enjoy our meal while keeping an eye on the little ones.
Service was quick—we received our meals within 10 minutes, likely because we arrived before the peak rush (around 2 PM). Initially, we asked for half portions of pork and chicken, but the restaurant only serves meat by the kilo. So, we opted for mbuzi wet fry with a variety of sides: fries, greens, kachumbari, mashed potatoes, and ugali.
The meat was flavorful but not heavily spiced, which some may prefer. If you’re looking for bolder seasoning, it might feel a bit underwhelming. Interestingly, many tables around us ordered chicken—so that might be their specialty. I plan to try it next time.
Pricing was: the mbuzi was KES 2,100; ugali KES 250; fries and mashed potatoes at KES 300 each. Unfortunately, the chicken nuggets were too dry for the kids, so we ended up sticking with mashed potatoes, which they did not eat and ended up enjoying the fries more.
Final Thoughts
Fred’s Ranch is a great destination for families with young children. Our kids had a blast at the playground, especially with the pleasant weather. However, on a hotter day, the playground equipment could become too hot to use comfortably—so swimming might be a better option then, especially if your kids are confident in the water.
They also offer farm tours for children, which we skipped this time because the kids were already tuckered out. But it’s something we’d love to explore on a future visit.
If you’re planning a trip, I recommend budgeting at least a minimum of KES 5,000 to fully enjoy what Fred’s Ranch has to offer. All in all, it was a lovely experience—relaxing, fun, and worth the visit.
