A Guide To Mt. Kenya National Park
The 2800km square Mt. Kenya National Park is to the east of the Great Rift Valley, about 175km northeast of Nairobi. The ecosystem lies in Central and Eastern provinces. At 5,199m, the mountain is the second-highest peak in Africa. Mt Kenya is an important water tower in the country and provides water for about 50 percent of population and produces 70% hydroelectric power.
Quick Facts About Mt.Kenya National Park
Here is a List of Facts about Mt.Kenya National Park
- Altitude: the mountain ranges between 1,600-5,199 m above sea level.
- Area: National Park 715 sq km, National Reserve 2,124 sq km.
- Location: Nyeri District, Central Province.
- Distance from Nairobi: the nation’s largest mountain, straddles the equator, 175 km north-east of Nairobi.
- Gazetted: the National Park was gazetted in December 1949 and the National Reserve in July 2000.
- Activities: mountain climbing, game watching, birding, hiking, nature walking.
- Climate: as a result of its mountain geography, Mount Kenya’s weather is notoriously unpredictable and varies with altitude.
- At points over 4,000 m mountain altitude, Mount Kenya is usually cold, misty, and windy. During sunshine, daytime temperatures may rise to over 15˚C (over 4,000 m) and during periods of cloud cover they may drop to nearly 0˚C.
- Vegetation: Kenya’s mountain alps feature alpine and sub-alpine flora with montane and bamboo forests, moorland, and tundra amongst the highest peaks.
- Mountain wildlife: includes; giant forest hog, tree hyrax, white-tailed mongoose, elephant, black rhino, suni, black-fronted duiker, bongo, leopard, Mount Kenya mouse shrew, hyrax, duiker and the endemic mole-rat.
- Birds: 130 recorded species.
About Mt. Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kenya that protects the second-tallest mountain in Africa. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including leopards, rhinos, and elephants.
The national park has an area of 715 square kilometers (276 sq mi), most of which is above the 3,000-metre (9,800 ft) contour line. The forest reserve has an area of 705 square kilometers (272 sq mi) and combined, this makes the area of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 1,420 square kilometers (548 sq mi).
Volcanic sediment in the surrounding region’s soil and the huge volume of fresh water coming down the slopes make the area specifically favorable for agriculture.
History of Mt. Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park is a national park in Kenya that was founded in 1949 around Mount Kenya to protect its surrounding environment and wildlife. It is also a drainage basin for the region’s water supply.
It was initially a forest reserve before being declared a national park. Currently, the national park is surrounded by a forest reserve, and in April 1978, the area was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Combined, the forest reserve and national park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
The Government of Kenya had four reasons for constructing a national park on and around Mount Kenya. This was done for the importance of tourism for the local and national economies, to preserve an area of great scenic beauty, to conserve the biodiversity within the park, and also to preserve the water catchment for the surrounding area.
Mt. Kenya National Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
UNESCO has acknowledged Mt. Kenya National Park as a World Heritage Site. It is depicted as one of the most impressive landscapes in the east with rugged glacier-clad summits, afro-alpine moorlands, and diverse forests that illustrate outstanding ecological processes.
Mt. Kenya National Park Animals
The Park is home to a wide variety of animals, including the elephant, tree hyrax, white-tailed mongoose, suni, black-fronted duiker, mole rat, bushbucks, waterbuck, and elands. Rarely seen include leopards, giant forest hogs, and rhinos. 130 bird species have been recorded.
Mt. Kenya National Park Activities
Trekking and Mountaineering
- Most people come to the Mount Kenya National Park to climb the Mountain. There are seven routes up the mountain, which has three peaks. Most tourists climb to Point Lenana which at 4985m is the third highest peak, and only climbers with advanced technical climbing ability are allowed to try the other two peaks.
Wildlife Viewing
- Spend the day viewing wildlife. Possible sightings of amazing wildlife species like oryx, gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and other wild animals.
Birdwatching
- The Park is a sanctuary for some of Kenya’s most beloved bird species, with the Green Pigeon, the Violet-backed Starling, and Meyer’s Parrot being highlighted, among the large number of endemics and near-endemics. The high-altitude birding knowledge is truly extraordinary.
Exploring Lakes and Glaciers
- Also, you can choose to hike the mountain Kenya till its top which is so adventurous. Upon getting on top, the views are as rewarding as you enjoy the spectacular scenes of lakes, glaciers, birds, and well as some of the animals which are so great.
Camping
- Camping at least 50 meters away from the water helps to keep human waste out of the water. Strive always to leave the camping place in a better state than when you arrived.
Nature Walks
- Short walks through the lower forested areas offer a possibility to observe: Lush flora and unique plant species, like the giant groundsel and lobelia. Also, you can spot small mammals and birds in their natural habitat.
Fishing
- Mt Kenya is a spectacular location to fish for both Brown Trout and Rainbow. Several streams have both Rainbow and Brown trout. The Lakes are mostly stocked with Rainbow trout that are known to grow to record sizes.
Mt Kenya National Park Location
The Park is located in Central Kenya about 175 kilometers (108 miles) northeast of Nairobi. The park is also home to Mount Kenya, the second-tallest mountain in Africa.
Accommodation and Hotels in Mt. Kenya National Park
KWS Self Catering
- Batian Guest House
- Sirimon Cottage
Campsites in Mt. Kenya National Park
- Kinondoni Campsite
- Road Head
- Mintos Hut & Campsite
- Narumoru Gate Campsite
- Met Station Campsite
- Mackinders Campsite
- Sirimon Gate Campsite
- Austrian Hut Campsite
- Judmaier Campsite
- Shipton Campsite
- Liki North Hut 7 Campsite
- Solo Campsite
- Major Campsite
How to get to Mt. Kenya National Park
Mt. Kenya National Park can be reached through the Nanyuki-Isiolo road via the Sirimon Track or the Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro-Moru. Another route is via Chogoria on the Embu–Meru road, about 150km north of Nairobi. The closest commercial airstrip to the park is at Nanyuki.
The KWS offers self-catering accommodation at Batian Guesthouse and Sirimon Bandas. Camping facilities are available at Kinondoni, Road Head, Mintos Hut, Naro-moru Gate, Met Station, Mackinder’s, Austrian Hut, Judmaier, Shipton, Liki North Hut 7 and Solo.
Roads
- 175 Km from Nairobi, the park can be reached on Nanyuki-Isiolo road via Sirimon Track or Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro Moru. The park is also reachable via Chogoria on the Embu – Meru road, about 150km north of Nairobi.
- Mountain climbing routes without an official gate include:
- Kamweti
- Marania
- Burguret
- Themwe
Airstrips
- The closest commercial airstrip to the park is at Nanyuki
Nairobi to Mount Kenya National Park
The best way to get from Nairobi to Mount Kenya National Park only costs $205 and takes just 1½ hours. Find the travel options that best suit you.
Mt. Kenya National Park fees
Citizen
- Adults KSH: 2350
- Child KSH: 700
Resident
- Adults KSH: 4100
- Child KSH: 1800
Non – Resident
- Adults USD: 225
- Child USD: 150
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