Mount Kenya national Park is situated in the eastern -side of the great rift valley approximately 175kms from Nairobi city. Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa and the source of 50% of water that drains Kenya and 70% of hydroelectric power in the country.
Mount Kenya is inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is regarded among the most fascinating landscapes in the whole of Eastern Africa with its jagged glacier-clad peaks, Afro-alpine moorlands as well as a variety of forests that demonstrate its exceptional ecological processes.
Today’s Mount Kenya national Park was a forest reserve before awarded the status of the National Park. The park can be accessed by road or air transport. The six-entry point of Mount Kenya National Park include Naru moru gate, Kihari Gate, Mawingu gate, sirimon gate, Kamweti gate and Chogoria Gate. Walking and hiking are the major activities in Mount Kenya National Park and park entry fees are cleared at the entry point. Self driving kenya is possible.
Rules and regulations governing Mount Kenya National Park
- Visitors should entre with qualified and certified Tour guides in the park.
- All visitors must check out or in after the recoding their person information by the park authorities.
- Avoid plastic disposals in the park
- Porters and Guides are not allowed to carry luggage exceeding 25Kg and the weighing is done at the gate.
Major tourist attractions in Mount Kenya National Park
- Mount Kenya – it’s the second highest mountain in Africa at 5199 meters of Batian peak.
- Wildlife species – they include white tailed buffaloes, black rhinos, black- fronted- duikers, leopards, giant forest hog, bongo antelope, suni antelope, rocky hyrax, black and white colobus monkeys, and albino zebra.
- Bird species – they include red-headed parrots, bronze napped pigeon, scaly Francolin, Ayres hawk eagle among others.
Tourist activities in Mount Kenya National Park
Game viewing – During nature walks, expect to see a number of wild animals like white tailed buffaloes, black rhinos, black- fronted- duikers, leopards, giant forest hog, bongo antelope, suni antelope, rocky hyrax, black and white colobus monkeys among others.
Birding in Mount Kenya National Park -Both Indigenous and migrant birds can see in the park. Possible birds here include red-headed parrots, bronze napped pigeon, scaly Francolin and so on.
Hiking the slopes of mountain Kenya – however, some level of fitness is required before embarking on this physically fit demanding activity. Explore Mount Kenya to encounter the hidden attractions.
Fishing – its on record that 50% of water used by Kenyans originates from Mount Kenya. Do spots fishing in the water streams on the mountain.
Nature guided walks to visit local communities, see birds and so on.