Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya National Park is a scenic Kenyan safari destination located on the eastern side of the Great Rift Valley, about 175 kilometers northeast of Nairobi, the capital city of Nairobi. The park is surrounded by Mount Kenya, the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest mountain. a mountain in Kenya. The continent of Africa at an altitude of 5199 meters.

Mount Kenya is a stratovolcano mountain that formed during the formation of the East African Rift Valley about 3 million years ago.

Mount Kenya consists of three peaks,

• Batian – the highest peak of Mount Kenya at an altitude of 5199 meters
• Nelion – stands 5188 meters above sea level
• Point Lenana – is the lowest peak of Mount Kenya at 4985 meters above sea level.

Mount Kenya has created a beautiful landscape that is considered one of the most fascinating and breathtaking landscapes in East Africa, the mountain is formed by jagged glaciers – Rad Peak (Batin and Nylon), lakes, mineral springs, desert rocks and ice, mountain rivers, swamps, swamps of the African Alps and various forests. Mount Kenya is an important source of water for Kenya, supplying water to about 50% of Kenya’s population and producing 70% of Kenya’s hydropower.

Mount Kenya National Park is a breathtaking untouched wilderness consisting of beautiful glacier peaks, lakes, forests, ice reservoirs, mineral springs, geological diversity, mountain, and alpine vegetation, and endangered species of animals and birds. Mount Kenya Park is home to a variety of animals such as elephants, eland, hyrak, antelope, white-tailed mongoose, antelope, dog, mole, duck, rhinoceros, leopard, giant wild boar, bongo, mole rat, a skink (lizard), owl, bushbuck, etc.

Mount Kenya National Park is a rewarding Kenya bird safari home to more than 130 bird species recorded in different forest zones. Bird populations found in the park include 6 of the 8 montane endemic bird areas of Kenya, 70 of Africa’s 54 of Kenya, and the global highland biome. species and endangered birds in the tropics. Mount Kenya National Park is home to Abbot’s thrush, Jackson’s widow, Little-billed Jackson’s widow, Sharp-billed grebe, Olive eagle, Lammergale, Ayers’ eagle, African crowned eagle, Tawny owl, Horned owl, purple eagle, Long-tailed widow, Long-tailed widow. (Very rare and little studied), Scarlet Tufted Sunbird, Kenrick’s Starling, etc.

History of Mount Kenya National Park

Mt Kenya National Park was originally established as a forest reserve, but was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and merged with the forest reserve to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Mount Kenya was established as a national park to preserve the ecology, protect the surrounding watershed and benefit the local and national economy through tourism. Mount Kenya is an important place for the local people because it was originally the sacred home of the local god Ngai, one of the gods of the local Kikuyu people who came to the mountain to worship their god.

What to do in Mount Kenya National Park

Mountain climbing

Mount Kenya National Park is the best mountaineering destination in Kenya and is located among the peaks of the African continent. Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain on the African continent after Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbing Mt Kenya takes at least 5 days to reach the highest point of the mountain and the Mt Kenya climbing safari uses different trekking routes/circuits including Summit Circuit, Nelion Normal, Burget Route, and Timau Track. These routes lead to the highest peaks of the mountain, Batian Peak 5199 meters, Nelion 5188 meters, and Point Lenana 4985 meters. The routes used to climb Mount Kenya are classified by the type of trek i.e., experienced trekkers and novice trekkers,

Experienced trekkers use the Summit Track, Nelion Normal Route, Burget Route, and Timau Track

Beginners use Chogoria, Moru, Naro, and Siromon routes.

Climbing Mountain Kenya National Park is very challenging and adventurous and allows hikers to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Wildlife watching

Wildlife viewing is another exciting safari activity, the park has gradually become a very exciting Kenyan wildlife safari destination that offers the opportunity to spot a variety of wild animals such as black ducks, eland, water antelope, black rhinoceros, buffalo, tree hyrax, elephant, leopard, white-tailed mongoose, etc.

Bird watching

Mount Kenya National Park is a great birding destination in Kenya, the park is home to over 130 bird species including mountain endemics, African tropical highland biomes, and global and endangered birds. Bird watching in Mt Kenya National Park takes place along a series of forest trails that offer an exciting experience, alpine forests, mountain savannas, bamboo, and heather. Some of the birds found in Mt Kenya National Park include the little birds, Abbott’s thrushes, Jackson’s widowbirds, and Sharp’s Longclaw.

Other birds include brown-headed kingfisher, giant kingfisher, gray olive-green booby, Hartlaub’s turaco, black-necked tern, bush brown-back, Zanzibar dark-green booby, singing, red-winged, skinny and hooked, mountain tit, broad-tailed tit, African bearded, yellow-crowned bishop, African golden weaver, yellow-bellied wax duck, African firefly and Abyssinian red wine.

When to go to Mount Kenya National Park?

Mt Kenya National Park experiences heavy rains from mid-March to mid-June and intermittent rain from September to October Mt Kenya National Park can be visited year-round, but it is recommended to avoid periods of heavy rainfall (mid-March to mid-June). During prolonged rains, the route through the park becomes muddy and navigation becomes difficult, almost impossible.

Overnight in Mount Kenya National Park

Accommodation in Mount Kenya offers a variety of safari lodges and hotels ranging from luxury to mid-range, and budget. Safari lodge, Mt Kenya National Park Serena Lodge, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Castle Forest Lodge, Rutondu Lodge, Shipton Camp, Buffalo Bay Resort, Laragay Lodge, Olympic Demosse Camp.

How to get to Mount Kenya National Park?

Mount Kenya Park can be reached by air and road transport,

Go, Overland

By road, the park is a 4-hour drive from Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. The road leading to the park is paved and has a planned route to the park gate. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended to get to Mt Kenya National Park.

Air Transport

Mount Kenya National Park is served by an airstrip near the town of Naro-Moru on Mount Kenya. The runway can accommodate scheduled domestic flights from Nairobi Wilson Airstrip.

Kenya Wildlife Adventures and Mountain Climbing Tours