Mount Kenya National Reserve. For those who are not content to simply enjoy the view of the mountain from the foot hills, a 5199 metre climb will get you to the top of Mt Kenya. It is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa after Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It straddles the equator and the entire mountain above the 5199 metre contour forms the Mt Kenya National Park.

Scaling the mountain’s heights is a feat that takes plenty of perseverance. Many visitors have explored the moor lands of the mountain and go hiking around the mountain to enjoy its breathtaking vistas. It is very important that mountain climbers undergo acclimatisation for a few days before proceeding to scale the mountain to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. The best months for climbing are January, February, August and september. For those who wish to savour the mountain air, the glorious views and the peace and tranquillity which emanate from the mountain, there are many hotels around the foothills.

Wildlife within the forests below the Mt Kenya National Park boundary includes elephant, buffalo, lion, several species of antelope including the rare bongo and the occasional leopard.

Lake Rutundu is situated in the northern slopes of Mt Kenya at 10,200 feet which is just above the forest line. The picturesque alpine country is a world away from the neighbouring rugged moor lands and is home to unique birdlife and vegetation. Trout fishing and horse riding are popular activities here. lake Rutundu and lake Alice (12,200 feet) are privately stocked with Rainbow Trout and provide excellent opportunities for fishing. Horse riding excursions to these lakes can be arranged from surrounding lodges and camp sites.

Nyeri town, at the foot of Mt Kenya has a lot to offer by way of activities and site seeing. This small town is renowned as being the resting place of lord Baden Powell (founder of the scouting movement) and his wife olave Baden Powell. Baden-Powell’s grave is a national monument and their Paxtu cottage, now a small museum, stands on the grounds of the outspan Hotel.

The Aberdares is best known for being the home of the famous Treetops hotel. It was where on the passing of her father in 1952; Princess Elizabeth became Queen of England.

Part of the range is protected as the Aberdare National Park and encompasses all the land above 3200 metres as well as a portion of the land towards the east, known as the salient, which reaches down to 2130 metres near Nyeri town.

The Aberdares forest is rich in wildlife such as elephant and rhino, warthog, bush pig and giant forest hog, water buck, duiker, suni, dikdik, reedbuck and the shy and very rare bongo. This is also home to masses of dazzling birdlife. The highest point of the range is ol Doinyo satima (the mountain of the young bull in Maa the language of the Maasai), which reaches 3998 metres. The wonders that lay between the Aberdares National Park and the magnificent snow-capped Mt Kenya are still something of a secret, with much that is still undiscovered by tourists.

Nanyuki is the equator town which also serves as a popular base for people climbing Mt. Kenya. The equator splits Kenya into two almost equal parts. To the north it is hot and the area receives little rain and to the south there are three meteorological zones; humid, temperate and tropical. At the equator you will receive a demonstration showing how water drains from a bath in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction North or south of the Equator.

Kiamaina Farm is situated on the slopes of Mount Kenya, and showcases traditional organic farming. In addition to coffee husbandry there is also bee-keeping, poultry, dairy and horticulture and examples of mixed crop management.
Nearby is Karatina Market, the second largest open-air market in Africa. Excursions to cultural centres and fishing trips to River Likii can be arranged from hotels and lodges in the area.

Thomson’s Falls is at the northern foot of the Aberdare range situated at 7,800 feet. Thomson’s fall was discovered in 1883 by Joseph Thomson, a scottish geologist and naturalist. The Ewaso Narok River drops a sheer 243 feet over a ledge of volcanic rock, to create these magnificent falls. Most activities in this area focus around the water falls. A nature trail at the base of the falls and through the gorge is a safe haven for the endangered Colubus monkeys, baboons and small animals. This is a popular location for high altitude training used by Kenya’s renowned international athletes.

| more