Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park is situated to the east of the Great Rift Valley, approximately one hundred and seventy five kilometers North-East of Nairobi City.
Contents
Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya climbing is the centre piece of Mount Kenya National Park, one of life’s most spectacular experiences trekking up the mountain. Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya with the highest peaks of the mountain being Batian; 5,199 metres, Nelion; 5,188 metres and Point Lenana at 4,985 metres above sea level.
Mount Kenya’s magnificence and alpine evolution are extremely remarkable that it has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site and World Biosphere Reserve. It is widely known as one of the most remarkable landscapes in Eastern Africa with its stunning Afro-alpine moorlands, glacier-clad summits and several different forests that illustrate extraordinary ecological processes.
The mountain is an extinct volcano, which was created about three million years ago. Before glaciations the mountain was covered by ice. Although this has been eroded away and very few places are covered with ice. The mountains slopes are covered in forest, scrub, moorland and bamboo leading to the highest peaks of the mountain.
Additionally Mount Kenya is also an essential water tower in the country, providing about fifty percent of its population with water as the forested slopes have played a key role as the source of water and seventy percent of Kenya’s hydroelectric power.
The park can be accessed though Nanyuki-Isiolo road via Sirimon which is about 175km from Nairobi or Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro Moru. The park can also be accessed via Chogoria on the Embu – Meru road, about 150km north of Nairobi. It can also be reached through air and the nearest commercial airstrip to the park is at Nanyuki.
The best time to climb the mountain is between January to February and August to September to hopefully avoid the harshest weather conditions. It usually gets very cold as you proceed high up the mountain, remember to bring proper clothing.
Nairobi to Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park is situated 175 Kms from Nairobi. It can be accessed on Nanyuki-Isiolo road through Sirimon Track or Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro Moru. It can also be reached through Chogoria on the Embu – Meru road, approximately 150km north of Nairobi.
The nearest commercial airstrip to Mount Kenya National Park is at Nanyuki
Gates to the Park
- Narumoru Gate
- Mawingu Gate
- Kihari Gate
- Chogoria Gate
- Kamweti Gate
- Sirimon Gate
Activities that can be carried out
- Game viewing
- Camping
- Mountain Climbing/Trekking.
- Cave Exploration
- Special guided forest walks
- Trout fishing in mountain streams
- Scenery Viewing
Things to Do In Mount Kenya
There are quite a number of things to do in Mount Kenya national park. Below are some of the things you can do.
Trekking/Climbing
You can challenge yourself by hiking and climbing Mount Kenya as you enjoy the beautiful scenery. Your hike will be past the magnificent tarns, lakes, glaciers and peaks.
Photography
Mount Kenya offers one of the best places where you can take photos.
Camping
If you are that person who loves camping, there are a good number of campsites in Mount Kenya where you can do camping. There are camps where you can rent before proceeding with your hike.
Special guided forest walks
It not all about staying indoors, you can do a guided Nature walk in Mount Kenya.