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| Mount Kenya National
Park - Basic Facts |
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Size:
580 sq kms
Province: Central
Eastern
District: Nyeri/Meru
Geographical Location:
Mount Kenya straddles the equator, 193 kms north-east
of Nairobi and 480 kms from the Kenya coast.
Altitude: 1,600-5,199
m
Special Features:
Several mountain peaks with isolated glaciers. The highest
peaks are Batian, 5,199m, and Nelion, 5,188m. There are
about 20 glacial tarns (small lakes) and numerous glacial
moraine features.
Visitor Facilities: One
lodge, several climbing huts, and three campsites.
Vegetation: Rich alpine
and sub-alpine flora with montane and bamboo forests,
moorlands, and tundra. Between 3,800 and 4,500m many bizarre
species flourish, notably giant rosette plants of which
13 species are endemic to Mount Kenya.
Fauna: In the lower
forest and bamboo zone there are giant forest hog, tree
hyrax, white-tailed mongoose, elephant, black rhino, suni,
duiker, and leopard. Moorland mammals include the Mount
Kenya mouse shrew, hyrax, and duiker. At higher altitudes
the endemic mole-rat is common and there have been rare
sightings of the golden cat.
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| General Information
on Mt. Kenya National Park |
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Mount Kenya is the country's highest
mountain. Straddling the equator, it's icy summit reaches
to 5,199 m above sea level. The National Park consists
of all areas above 3,200 m. The mountain actually consists
of three distinct zones: the volcanic peak zone, with
its endless glaciers and snowlfields; the alpine zone,
with its distinctive giant vegetation such as groundsels;
and the lower slopes, with their thick forest and bamboo
vegetation.
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| Mount Kenya has always attracted
curious hikers and adventurers, including the turn
of the century British geographer/explorer Halford
Mackinder. To most modern day adventurers, climbing
to the peak of Mount Kenya is still a challenge requiring
extensive mountain climbing skills. Nevertheless,
most visitors are able to reach the more |
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accessible Point Lenana at
4,985 m and many visitors enjoy simple high altitude
walks. Wildlife below the Park boundery include
elephant, buffalo, antelope, lion and the rare bongo,
also found in the nearby Aberdares. Most wildlife
can be viewed from Mountain Lodge on the south side
of the mountain. The best times for visiting Mount
Kenya and the National Park are January and February
and late August through September.
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| How To Get To Mt.
Kenya National Park |
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Access to Mount Kenya National
Park is by three routes: the Naro Moru Route; the
Chogoria Route; and the Sirimon Route. The Naro
Moru route is from the western slopes of the mountain,
beginning in the small town of Naro Moru on the
A2 Muranga - Nanyuki road. This route is very steep,
and porters can be arranged at the Mount Kenya Guides
and Porters
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'Association Headquarters
between Naro Moru and the Mount Kenya Youth Hostel.
The Chogoria route begins near the small town by
the same name, 2 kms to the west of the B6 Embu
- Meru road, about 150 kms north of Nairobi. From
Chogoria town, you must travel 6 kms to the forest
gate and from the forest gate, a further 23 kms
to the Park gate. The thick forest on the route
to the Park gate are home to antelope and elephants,
making this approach to the Park interesting for
game enthusiasts.
Finally, the Sirimon route begins near the small
town of Timau on the A2 Nanyuki - Isiolo road north
of the mountain. The road to the Park gate leaves
the main road 1 km from the bridge over the Sirimon
River. This is the least used access point to the
park because of the rough and hilly terrain it must
pass through.
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| Lodging and Camping
in Mt. Kenya National Park |
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Accomodation in and around Mount
Kenya include the following: the Mount Kenya Safari Club
with 230 beds; the Outspan Hotel with 74 beds; the Meru
County Hotel with 98 beds; the Mountain Lodge with 86
beds; the Naro Moru River Lodge with 129 beds; and the
Izaak Walton Inn in Embu with 84 beds. The nearbly Sweetwaters
Tented Camp in the Sweetwaters Game Reserve is another
option for accommodation.
There are many camping options in and around the Park.
Along the Naro Moru Route, there is the Naro Moru River
Lodge Campsite, the Mountain Lodge Campsite, the Mount
Kenya Youth Hostel and Park Gate Campground, the Met Station
Campground at 3,050 m and Mackinder's Camp at 4,200 m.
Along the Chogoria route, options include: the Urumandi
Campsite; the Roadhead Campsite at 3,300 m; the Parklands
Campsite (near the Park gate); and Minto's Hut at 4,290
m. Finally along the Sirimon route, camping areas include:
the Park Gate Campsite (at the entrance); the Roadhead
Campsite at 3,350 m; the Shipton's Cave Campsite at 4,100
m; and Kami Hut at 4,430 m.
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| Further Information
and Booking |
| AfriChoice operates
a wide range of carefully
designed tours and safaris to Mt. Kenya National Park by
providing transport and booking hotels for you. Our safari
consultants will always be at your assistance should you
need a tailor-made holiday to this unique destination. NB:
For more information regarding this topic, DO NOT hesitate
to contact us. |
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| Related
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