Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park was established in 1949 to protect Mount Kenya, its wildlife and the surrounding environment, which is a home to wild animals and acting as catchment water area for Kenya. Initially, Mount Kenya national park was a forest reserve before it was changed to a national park. However, in 1978, the reserve was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve, which was later combined and became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997.
Mount Kenya National Park s suited on an area of 715 kilometers squared, and above the 3,000-meter contour line. The forest reserve has an area of 705 square kilometers, and when combined, it makes 1,420km2 of the UNESCO area. The area is surrounded by volcanic sediment, with huge volume of fresh water sloping down, making the area favorable for agriculture.
Mount Kenya National Park is surrounded with rugged glacier clad summits and forested middle slopes, making it one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa and providing an outstanding example of ecological processes.
Mount Kenya straddles across Meru and Nyeri counties and part of Kirinyanga, making it the second highest peak in Africa standing at 5.199 meters high. The area has 12 remnant glaciers on the mountain and four secondary peaks that sit on the head of the U-shaped glacial valleys. The park hosts 20 lakes and tarns and 3 major peaks dot the mountainous scenes namely; Batian and Nelion and these are mainly the visitors’ interest in technical climbing activities.
Mount Kenya is also a home of the supreme being (Kikuyu tribesmen) and Ngai is a name used by Maasai and Kamba communities. It is also used in prayers and sacrifices by kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga.
What to expect at mount Kenya National Park
The national park has different tourist attractions travelers may enjoy and they include the following;
- Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya is the main tourist attraction in the park, the mount is an extinct stratovolcano in Kenya and the second highest peak in Africa after Kilimanjaro. The mountain has several vegetation bands from the base peak and the lower slopes are covered by different types of forest making it important to visit and it receives over 16,000 visitors per year.
Mount Kenya National Park is surrounded with rugged glacier clad summits and forested middle slopes, making it one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa, providing an outstanding example of ecological processes. This attracts tourists for a safari in Kenya.
- Nairobi animal orphanage
This orphanage gives treatments and rehabilitation center for wild animals, hosting; lions, cheetahs, hyenas, warthogs, leopards, baboons, monkeys, buffalos and others. Tourists can also see various birds including; parrots, crowned cranes, ostriches, guinea fowls among others. Tourists will enjoy this area and also get time to learn and know more about the animals, while experiencing different birds.
- Ragati conservancy.
The Ragati Conservancy sits on the southern slopes of mt. Kenya, UNESCO heritage site and consists entirely of Afro-montane forest and afro alpine health. It consists of an ecosystem which includes the Ragati river and its tributaries and a home to abundance of wildlife, for example; elephant, buffalo, leopard as well as the rare mountain bongo, crowned eagle and African clawless otter.
- Sweetwater Game Reserve.
It’s a private area with magnificent views across the plains to the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya and is the closest reserve to Nairobi, home to all the big five game. The chimpanzee sanctuary is also set at Sweetwater game reserve which will give you a 30-minute boat ride on the river and chimps attracts no extra charge. The reserve offers Mount Kenya views, wild dogs at Ol Pejeta, night game drives among other activities.
- Solio rhino conservancy
The conservancy is one of the finest wildlife parks in Africa and the park is a fenced privately-owned wildlife conservancy geared towards rhino conservation. The entrance to this place is located 5 minutes away from the rhino watch safari lodge making it a main reason to consider the place an attraction. The reserve is an ideal place for birdwatching due to the acacia forest in the middle of the reserve. It is traversed by a river that at times turns into a swamp like area.
TOURISM ACTIVITIES IN MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK.
Mount Kenya National Park has several tourist activities for travelers who visit the park. Below are the activities in the national park;
- Mountain climbing
This is a popular activity in the national park which involves trekking up Mount Kenya to the snow capped summit. This activity calls upon physically fit tourists in order for you to enjoy the climbing experience. The climbers have 7 trails used to reach the top but the less fit use Naro Moru route which is easier, and the activity lasts for 4 days using summit circuit path, Chogoria and the Sirimon circuit.
- Game watching in the park
In order to enjoy the game drive safari, you need to wake up very early in the morning with the help of a tour guide or even you can hire a ranger from Kenya wildlife services in order to accompany you during the game drive. Game drives are done using 4×4 wheel vehicles due to the steep areas and this will help you see various wildlife species especially on water channels and banks.
- Birding in Mount Kenya park
This is also an important activity that are done within the national park, and this can be done during the game drive where you can enjoy different birds especially around the lakes and on the slopes of Mount Kenya.
- Camping and cave tours.
This is a thrilling experience in the national park that tourists don’t miss. Tourists can camp on top of the mountain since there are camping locations reserved for tourists, and there are caves which tourists can visit at a throw stone distance.
WHEN SHOULD YOU VISIT THE PARK?
December to March are the best time to visit since it is the sunniest months. The park experiences some cloudy periods and rain from march to may also drizzle from October to early December, which may restrict clear views.
The climate and weather vary with attitude, at high attitudes due to the mountain geographical of Mount Kenya. It is freezing cold, misty and windy and the vegetation is mainly alpine and sub alpine flora, bamboo forests, moorland and tundra and the vegetation changes notably as you ascend because of the variations in temperatures.
HOW TO REACH THE PARK.
Mount Kenya National Park can be accessed with either by road through different routes offering unique experience namely; sirimon route, Chogori route, Burguret route and Naro Moru route. However, the national park can also be accessed by air.
By road
Sirimon gate
This is one of the popular routes to climb Mount Kenya located on the northwest side of the park through sirimon gate. It is located 200km north of Nairobi to Nanyuki making it 1 to 2 hours to Sirimon gate by road and the route is used for trekking which takes 4 to 6 days depending on your fitness.
Chogoria gate
You can reach chogoria gate through driving from chogoria town which is about 200km northwest of Nairobi, the journey is 4 to 5 hours by road northeast of Nairobi. The Chogoria route is also used to access the eastern side of the mountain. Tourists are advised to use 4×4 vehicles due to the rough and muddy road conditions, most especially towards the higher elevations. The Chogoria route is 5 to 6 days however customized based on your preferences.
Burguret gate
The route is not far from Naro Moru path approached from the west and also a KWS park gate. The route is rarely used due to lack of amenities and lack of development, the route is also used to approach Mount Kenya on the western side via Nanyuki town and it is quieter route than the northern slopes.
By air
The national park can also be accessed through the closest airport which is nanyuki and Laikipa airport, however, there are also several other small airports near the private lodges in the area, tourists can fly into Nairobi and then be driven to the mt. Kenya park by road.
WHERE TO STAY IN MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK.
The national park is surrounded by accommodation ranging from luxury, mid-range and budget for travelers who are visiting Mount Kenya national park. However, most accommodation is outside the park but near it. The national park also reserves camping sites for tourists who wish to camp on the mountain. Below are some of the accommodations in different ranges.
BUDGET ACCOMMODATION
Mountain 64
It is situated away from the hassles of town and located in Naro Meru with breathtaking views of Mount Kenya, offering an area of adventure. The place is built to offer the ultimate experience of living in nature to tourists with a variety of activities like; golf, fishing in the dam, pool, darts, and more.
Mt. Kenya safari halt inn
The hotel is located in Thungari offering the natural beauty of Aberdare forest and Chinga dam to be enjoyed by everyone. The hotel includes a hotel, room service, breakfast, bar, free Wi-Fi and parking among others, with standard single room and standard twin room.
Mount Kenya riverside retreat
The accommodation is located in Embu 26 miles from Kiangombe forest reserve, garden and free private parking. The rooms are equipped with wardrobe, flat television, private bathroom, towels, a river view and a fridge. There are activities like playing dart and fishing is a popular activity in the area.
LUXURY ACCOMMODATION
Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club
The property is set over 100 acres of pristine gardens, ponds and forest, blending seamlessly into the foothills of the majestic Mount Kenya. The property has 100 rooms, suites and cottages decorated in elevated country club style. It will give you a thrill of horseback safari in Mount Kenya wildlife conservancy.
Sweet waters serena camp
It is located inside the landscaped grounds and accessible via winding stone pathways, it offers a tented safari retreat that is an elegant experience amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of Ol Pejeta. There are standard tents and deluxe tents, 39 standard tents “12 double and 27 twins”. The tents are reasonably large canvas tents with solid thatched roofs above and sold ensuite bathrooms behind.
Giraffe ark game lodge
The lodge offers non-water sport and outdoor activities for example; bicycle renting and horse riding to enjoy while staying there. The lodge provides daily housekeeping, restaurant and bar, room service, laundry service, luggage storage, meeting room and a lot more.
Aberdare Country Club
The club is two- and half-hour drive northeast from Nairobi, which is located on a slope of mweiga hill in the Aberdare highlands. The club has retained the charm of a private home with the simple comforts of a country in.
The club was a homestead of an English couple that settled in Kenya almost a half century ago.
MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION
Mount Kenya Guest House
The guest house is located at the base of Mount Kenya, 170km north of Nairobi on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya. It offers excellent opportunities for hikes planning on Mount Kenya, it is also a prime place for getting the latest travel information, gives a friendly environment, beautiful grounds and is clean.
Mount Kenya Leisure Lodge
The lodge is 300metres away from mt. Kenya Park Gate on the foothills of Mount Kenya, found in Naro Moru 6km off Nairobi. The lodge is convenient and good for hosting mountain climbers, bird watchers and other different guests with its views. It is made of 64 well designed and magnificent rooms with a clear view of mt. Kenya with a reflection of traditional building style with modern comfort.
Anabas Resort
The lodge is located at 3000m altitude in the parklands, by the Chogoria park gate on the Chogoria route with spectacular views. These hidden gems are located in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties, allowing guests to engage with their natural surroundings. Guests and given a chance to enjoy cocktails, wines and spirits with a good old chilled Kenyan beer, making it more than a stay but an adventure.
Mount Kenya eco camp and villas
This is a mid-range accommodation located in the foothills of mt. Kenya Nanyuki town in the park, just 22 miles from Mount Kenya park and 10 miles from Mt Kenya wildlife conservancy, a 2-3-hour drive from Nairobi to the park and 30 minutes by flight from Nairobi to the closest Nanyuki airport. The camp and villa consist of 10 well designed spacious rooms that reflect the architectural building style with modern comfort.
Always remember that plastics are not allowed in the park because they produce harmful chemicals which may seep into ground waters and the eco system.
Endeavor to pack enough warm and layered clothing in preparation for changing temperatures on the mountain.
What should you know before visiting the park?
Visitors should enter the park with qualified and certified guides and will have badges and identification cards to support them in order to know their category of guiding.
Luggage cannot exceed 55 pounds during mountain climbing and it will be weighed on the entrance
Wear supportive hiking boots to give you support as a climber in steep terrain where flexible boots could cause unsure footing and result in a fall.