Travel in Mt. Kenya National Park

At 5,199m high, Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain, dominating the fertile countryside that runs north from Nairobi. To the Kikuyu tribes people it is the home of the Supreme Being: Ngai, a name also used by the Maasai and Kamba tribes. In traditional prayers and sacrifices, Ngai is addressed by the Kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga: Possessor of Brightness. The name comes from Kere Nyaga the Kikuyu name for Mount Kenya, meaning Mountain of Brightness - Ngai's official home. Part of the mountain's fascination is the variation in flora and fauna as the altitude changes. It offers easy or challenging ascents with superb scenic beauty. The lower slopes are covered with dry upland forest, the true mountain forest begins at 2,000m and is mainly composed of cedar and podo. At 2,500m begins a dense belt of bamboo forest which merges into the upper forest of smaller trees, interspersed with glades. In this area the trees are festooned with high altitude moss. These forest belts are host to many different animals and plants with at least 11 unique species. Game to view includes: Black and White Colobus and Sykes Monkeys, bushbuck, buffalo, elephant and lower down Olive Baboon, waterbuck, black rhino, black fronted duikers, leopard, giant forest hog, genes cat, bush pig and hyena. More elusive is the bongo, a rare type of forest antelope. A number of other rare or endangered species can be found here: Sunni Buck, Mount Kenya Mole Shrew, skinks (lizard), and a variety of owls. Occasional sightings have been recorded of albino zebra. The high altitude heath at the top (3,000 - 3,500m) is generally open, dotted with shrubs: African Sage, protect and helicrysum. The peak (above 3,500m) is moorland, with little game other than high altitude zebra and eland, common in the northern moorland. Its slopes, and those of the nearby Aberdare Mountains,provide beautiful settings for one of Kenya's major contributions to the world of tourism: the tree hotels. Mountain Lodge, Treetops and The Ark are all set in mountainous jungle and provide the perfect opportunities to view wildlife in close-up. Elephant, rhino, buffalo, giant forest hog, antelope and many other species may be watched from comfortable verandahs, offering ideal camera positions, as the animals come out of the jungle to enjoy the salt licks. Close by are the Outspan Hotel and the Aberdare Country Club, each set among lawns bordered with luxurious, brightly colored tropical flowers and trees. Just a few miles farther on is the Naro Moru River Lodge, a base for climbing Mt. Kenya, and a center for fly fishing for trout in the nearby mountain streams. Also on the slopes of the mountain is the world-famous Mt. Kenya Safari Club, the ultimate in luxury living, in an awe-inspiring setting with a backdrop of some of Africa's highest peaks. The Club offers such facilities as a large, heated swimming pool, horseback riding, and a fine golf course. Synonymous with "luxury off the beaten track" are Ol Pajeta Lodge, and Sweet Waters, a luxury tented camp, both situated in a 22,000 acre rhino sanctuary on Ol Pajeta Ranch. There're day and night game drives, exciting camel rides, and a refreshing swimming pool.

Travel in Mt. Kenya National Park Attractions

GeoPassage tours offers multitudes of travel opportunities, Mt. Kenya National Park is just one of the many cities we offer day tours and individual attractions to, be sure to check out our entire catalog.