Mount Kenya National Park Kenya

History of Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya

Mount Kenya National Park started as a forest reserve, in April 1978, Mount Kenya was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and in 1997, Mount Kenya National park was combined with the forest reserve which is 705Km² to become UNESCO World Heritage Site. The government of Kenya highlighted four clear reasons for the creation of a national park on and beneath mountain Kenya. They included; 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 to preserve the water-catchment for the surrounding area.

 The Traditional Natives Surrounding Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya.

The Sacred home of the God Ngai!

The kikuyu people of Kenya are one of the communities surrounding the park and are closely attached to Mount Kenya National Park, believing that it is a sacred home for their God whom they refer to as the Ngai. Other communities surrounding mountain Kenya include the Kambas who game the name to the mountain that was finally referred to as the countries name and finally the Embu and Maasai also gave different names to the Mountain, like the mountain peaks Batian, Nelion ant Point Lenana which are named after the Maasai brave men and medicine men; among many other legendary stories attached to mountain Kenya.

Attractions in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya

Wildlife in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya;

 Mt Kenya National Park in Mt Kenya has a wide variety of wild animals which can be seen in and around the park including the white-tailed buffalo, African Elephant, Black rhino, black fronted duikers, leopards, genet cat, giant forest hog, waterbuck, antelopes, olive baboon, Bush Pig, black and white Colobus and Sykes monkeys, bongo antelope, suni antelope, rock hyrax, albino zebra and the spotted hyena and many more. A number of other rare or endangered species can be found here such as the Sunni Buck, Mount Kenya Mole Shrew, skinks (lizard), and a variety of owls.

Birdlife in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya;

Mount Kenya has a rich montane avifauna. More than 130 species of birds have been recorded including six of the eight Kenya Mountains Endemic Bird Area and 54 of the 70 Afrotropical Highlands biome species that occur in Kenya. Mountain Kenya area has records of globally and regionally threatened species including  the Abbott’s Starling, Lesser Kestrel (a passage migrant on the moorland), Jackson’s widowbird (at up to 3,000 m), Sharpe’s Longclaw, Olive Ibis, Lammergeier, Ayres’s hawk-eagle, African Crowned Eagle, African Grass Owl, Cape Eagle-Owl, Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike, Long-tailed widowbird, Abyssinian Owl (very rare and poorly researched), Scarlet-tufted Sunbird, and Kenrick’s Starling which is confined to this area in Kenya.

 Scenery of Mount Kenya in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya;

It’s not every day that you get to see breathtaking scenery Right? But the Kikuyu tribesmen are blessed to see it every day of their lives!! However, to them, Mount Kenya is the home of Ngai, the Supreme Being. But to the ordinary traveler, the mountain fortress is a sight to behold. Explore Africa`s secret here!

Activities in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya

Mountain climbing-Mount Kenya national Park, Kenya;

One of the main daring goings-on that tourists to Mt Kenya can involve in is mountain climbing that takes a minimum of five days to climb to highest humans can go on Mount Kenya. The trekking roads in Mt Kenya include the Summit circuit in Mt Kenya, Nelion normal route in Mt Kenya, the Burget route in Mt Kenya and the Timau route in Mt Kenya. The mountain offers easy or challenging ascents with superb scenic beauty. Its highest peaks are Batian (5,199 m), Nelion (5,188 m) and Point Lenana (4,985 m). Mind you, Mountain Kenya is 5,199metres high, it is Africa’s second highest mountain after Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895) in Tanzania.

For the less skilled, there are eight climbing routes up to the main peaks. Perhaps trekking might be a more appropriate word for this activity. The most common routes are the Chogoria, Naro Moru, and Sirimon routes. There is also a Summit Circuit path that circumnavigates the whole mountain in a day or two walking.

Animal Viewing Safari in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya;

The Mount Kenya National Park includes Mount Kenya and is basically a forest reserve. Forest belts play host to a great variety of animals. These include elephants, tree hyrax, white tailed mongoose, black fronted duikers, mole rats, bushbucks, waterbucks, elands, leopards, black rhinos, and buffaloes.

Bird Watching in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya;

Birding activity in Mount Kenya National park especially at the forest trails is one of the spectacular activities that can enhance your satisfaction. The different habitats, that is, the montane forest, the montane grassland, the bamboo and the moorland, look out for globally threaten species such as lesser Kestrel, Sharpe’s Long claw, Abbott’s Starling, Jackson’s Widowbird. Other birds to see include Hartlaub’s Turaco, Brown-Hooded Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Grey-olive Greenbul, Zanzibar Sombre Greenbul, Brown-backed Scrub-Robin, Black-Throated Wattle-eye, Singing, Red faced, Winding, Rattling, Croaking Cisiticolas, Mountain Yellow Warbler, African-moustached Warbler, Broad-tailed Warbler, African Golden Weaver, Yellow-crowned Bishop, African Fire finch, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, and Abyssinian Crimson wing.

Birds of Northern Kenya Green Ibis, Long-crested Eagle, Mountain and Augur Buzzards, Rofous-breasted Sparrow hawk, Red-fronted Parrot, Red-throated Wryneck, Common Stone-chat, Kenrick’s and Waller’s Starlings, Oriole Finch, Montane White-eye, African Hill Babbler, Montane Greenbul, White-headed Hoopoe,  Grey , Black-throated, Black-headed, Chestnut-throated Apalises, Green, Olive, and Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeons,  Lemon, and Tambourine Doves, Moustached Green Tinker bird, White-headed and White-eared Barbets, Scarce and Alpine Swifts,  Eastern and Northern Double-collared sunbirds, Green Headed, Golden- winged and Tacazze  sunbirds among more common species. More than 130 species of birds can be sighted here.  If you’re a passionate birder, you have reached.

How to get to Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya

Mount Kenya is about 4hours drive from Nairobi. Roads are well paved all the way to the towns at the foot of the mountain, however, the last stretch of road up to the park gates is a rough dirt road that can get almost impassable in the rainy season, a 4WD is highly recommended

An airstrip in Naro-Moru town in Kenya is available for those who wish to take a flight to Mt Kenya and avoid a road trip to Mt Kenya though you later take a short drive to the Mt Kenya National Park in Kenya.

When to go to Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya

Kenya is subject to two rainy seasons, the long rains from mid-March to mid-June and the short rains from September to October. Mount Kenya remains trekkable throughout the year, but during the long rains especially, you will need to be prepared for some heavy rainfalls and muddy tracks. The good news is that even in the depth of the long rains, there is usually reliable sunshine for a good portion of the day (10am – 3pm). Outside the rainy season, you can expect plenty of sunshine.

Accommodation in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya

1. Serena Mountain Lodge in Mount Kenya national Park-Kenya

Sailing like an ark amid the primeval forests of Kenya’s highest mountain, Mount Kenya, this lodge-hotel offers champagne-clear mountain air, sweeping views across the tree-canopy, sparkling trout streams, and gentle forest walks. Located at 2,134 meters above sea level, on the lower slopes of the mountain, our Mount Kenya lodge is cool, tranquil and hushed for optimum game-sightings. The open-air viewing-deck looks down on to its own water hole and salt-lick, which attracts numerous herds of elephant and buffalo. There is also a tunnel leading to a photo-hide, which offers spectacular viewing and photographic opportunities just meters away from the wildlife at the water hole.

Raised on stilts above the forest canopy, a timbered drawbridge leads from the Mount Kenya forest and up on to the wooden ‘decks’ of Serena Mountain hotel. Inside, the impression of having boarded a ship is perpetuated by a combination of log paneled walls, timbered game-viewing decks and winding stairs leading to a selection of snugly comfortable, cabin-styled rooms.

Accommodation facilities at Serena Mountain Lodge in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya

• 41 rooms (all non-smoking)
• Gallery dining room at tree-top level
• Bar with central fireplace and viewing deck
• Gift shop and business center
• Bush breakfast, Bush lunch and Dinner at the Rooftop
• Massages, facials, pedicures, manicures
• Board games and library of Africana books
• Special dietary needs catered for with advance notification
• Wake up calls to view animals at the waterhole on request.

2. Fairmount Mount Kenya Safari Club-Mount Kenya National Park, Kenya

With magnificent views of majestic Mount Kenya, the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club Resort’s 120 luxuriously appointed hotel rooms, set in over 100 acres of landscaped gardens, offer a unique blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure.

For those who wish to spend time relaxing at the Mount Kenya resort hotel, there are many Nanyuki recreational activities available: horseback riding, golf, croquet, a bowling green, table tennis, swimming, an animal orphanage and much more. To be able to relax and appreciate the superb setting, the personal attention lavished on all our visitors, the numerous activities and superb cuisine, one night is just not enough.

Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club is the ideal base for a truly superb holiday in Nanyuki, Kenya. With some of the country’s finest attractions on the doorstep, visitors to the resort can enjoy an enormous range of excursions and activities without spending hours and even days traveling between each. Making it one of the most truly best hotels in Kenya. The Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club introduced Tusker and Grammy, as canine ambassadors.

3. Castle Forest Lodge in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya

Featuring a garden, Castle Forest Lodge offers accommodations in Mount Kenya. Free private parking is available on site. All units include a sitting area. Some units feature a dining area and/or patio. Bed linen are provided. Castle Forest Lodge also includes a year-round outdoor pool. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar and restaurant. This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Mount Kenya.

Other Facilities available at Castle Forest Lodge in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya include;

• Two-bedroom chalet
• Two-bedroom bungalow
• Deluxe Bungalow
• Double or twin room with garden view
• Budget double or twin room.
• Free Wi-Fi
• Cuisine and special dietary needs are catered for.

4. Bantu Mountain Lodge in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya

Bantu Mountain Lodge, a delightful country style holiday resort tucked away in the woods on the lower slopes of Mt. Kenya, 7kms North of Naro moru, 15kms south of Nanyuki and less than 1km from the main road.

The lodge is surrounded by luxuriant gardens with a spacious lawn, and their own lake. The tranquil atmosphere and all-round professional service, promise you a truly memorable stay.

Apart from being the natural base for budget adventure lovers heading to climb Mount Kenya, Mountain Rock Lodge is also attractive as a stopover for those tourists visiting the northern Kenya circuit.

Facilities at Bantu Mountain Lodge in Mount Kenya National Park-Kenya

• The lodge has 28 rooms falling into either superior or standard room categories. There are 12 Superior double rooms convertible to triples comfortable.
• Superior rooms have inbuilt fire places useful if you want to lounge in your room during the cold or rainy season.
• 16 Standard Rooms; 2 singles and 7 doubles. The remaining Seven Doubles are convertible to either triples or quads. This is good shared accommodation for school/college groups or budget travelers.
• Well stocked bar
• Three course meals, both of African and continental buffet
• Dining hall which can host over 50 guests at the same time.