MOUNT KENYA NATIONAL PARK
Mount Kenya National park was founded in 1949 and is located in central Kenya north of the Equator and is where the second highest peak in Africa is found. The park covers 277square miles(718sq-km), Including the lower skirts of the mountain. Mount Kenya national park is a scenic national park protecting Mount Kenya and it stands at an altitude of 5,199 meters creating breathtaking scenery surroundings which is designated as a world Heritage site.
History of Mount Kenya national park
Mount Kenya national park initially began as a forest reserve and in 1978 it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Later in 1997 the forest was joined with the reserve to become a UNESCO World Heritage site. The formation of mount Kenya by the Kenya government was to benefit the local and national economy of Kenya through tourism, conserve an area of remarkable scenery, to conserve the park’s ecosystem and to prevent a water catchment area to the surrounding.
The area of mount Kenya national park was originally the sacred home of the god “Ngai” who is the god of the Kikuyu people who are greatly attached to mount Kenya, up to date the area is still regarded as a sacred home for their god “Ngai”. Mount Kenya got its name from the Kamba people.
Safari Activities to Do in Mount Kenya National Park
Wildlife viewing:
Mount Kenya national park is a home to several wildlife species, the park is made up of mainly mount Kenya and the forest reserve. The forest reserve is a home to elephants, mole rats, leopards, white tailed mongoose, bushbucks, black fronted duikers, black rhinos, cape buffaloes and tree hyrax which are easily sighted during a game viewing.
Mountaineering:
Mount Kenya being the second tallest mountain in African continent, is one of the best destinations for mountaineering experience in Kenya and African as well. Climbing mount Kenya takes a minimum of 5 days to reach to the highest point of the human where humans can go.
Mount Kenya’s highest peak include Nelion at the altitude of 5,188 meters, Batian at 5,199 meters and point Lenana at 4,985 meters. Climbing mount Kenya is done using several hiking tracks which are Nelion normal route, Summit Circuit, Burget route and Timau route.
The junior hikers on climbing there are 8 routes to reach the main peak including Chogoria, Naro, Sirimon and Moru routes. the Summit Circuit Path circles the mount Kenya and takes one day or two days of trekking.
Bird watching:
Mount Kenya national park offers rewarding birdwatching, the park is a habitat for over 130 birds species with 6 six of the 8 Kenya mountains Endemic bird area and 54 of the 70 Afro-tropical highlands biome species that occur in Kenya.
Birds that can be spotted in the park are Abbot’s starling, Lesser Kestrel, Jackson’s Widowbird, 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, Scarlet-tufted Sunbird.
How To Get To Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya can be accessed by road and Air transport.
By Road– From Nairobi, Mount Kenya national park is about 4 hour’s drive. The road leading to the park is tarmacked except the route approaching the park gates where the road is rough and hard to pass especially when its a rainny season.
By Air– Domestic flights to mount kenya national park are offered from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to an airstrip in Naro-Moru town which is the closest to mount kenya.
When To Visit Mount Kenya Natioanal Park
Mount Kenya national park experiences strong rains from mid March to June and short rains from September to October, it is possible to visit the park all year round. However, in the long rains, the tracks tend to become muddy and challenging to pass. In the dry seasons, the park experiences scorching sun all day.
