Mount Kenya National Park is located in Kenya’s northeast region, approximately 110 miles from the capital city, Nairobi. Mount Kenya National Park is 715 square kilometers (276 sq mi). Mount Kenya National Park was established in 1949 when the government set out to protect Mount Kenya, its surrounding environment, and wilderness. Previously, it was a forest reserve, before being announced as a national park. the park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and along with the surrounding forest reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The forest reserve has an area of 705 square kilometers (272 sq mi). Combined, this makes the area of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 1,420 square kilometers (548 sq mi). The national park is home to the second highest peak in Africa straddling an altitude of about 5,199 m above sea level and is an ancient extinct volcano. The creation of Mount Kenya National Park was not only for tourism reasons but also to preserve the beauty, biodiversity, and most importantly, the area’s important role as a key water catchment area.
Weather And Climate Of Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park has a cool and wet climate. The temperature range diminishes with altitude. In the lower alpine zone, temperatures usually don’t go below 12 degrees Celsius (54 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow and rain are common from March to December, but especially in the two wet seasons, The driest month occurs in September with just 6 days of rain, while the month when it rains the most is November with 21 days of rain. In January, the climate is just ok, with a recorded temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. In February, the climate is good, with an average morning temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit and about 4.3in of rainfall
Attractions Found At Mount Kenya National Park
Bird species of Mount Kenya National Park
The park is one of the best and top birding destinations in Kenya. the park is home to over 130 different bird species recorded including the endemic and forest bird species. Some of the birds you may encounter here include; Gray Crowned-Crane, Little Grebe, Secretary bird, Osprey, Pink-backed Pelican, Hamerkop, Reed Cormorant, African Openbill, African Jacana, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Blue-billed Teal, Yellow-billed Duck, Helmeted Guineafowl, Elgon Francolin, Western Barn Owl, Jackson’s Spurfowl, Red-eyed Dove, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Pied Cuckoo, Red-chested Cuckoo, Alpine Swift, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Red-knobbed Coot, Crowned Lapwing, Speckled Mousebird, Common Greenshank, Yellow-billed Stork, African Spoonbill, Little Egret, Egyptian Vulture, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Crowned Eagle, African Fish-Eagle, Mountain Buzzard, Eurasian Hoopoe, Southern Ground-Hornbill, Malachite Kingfisher, Broad-billed Roller and White-eared Barbet among others.
Wildlife
Mount Kenya National Park is home to various animal species including elephants, cape buffalos, leopards, tree hyrax, suni antelopes, black-fronted duiker, mole rate, bushbucks, waterbuck, eland, bongo antelope, giant forest hogs, genet cats, zebra, bat-eared fox, wild dogs, warthogs, mongoose, jackal, hyena, black rhinos, impales, white-tailed mongoose as well as primates like black and white colobus monkeys, baboon and many more.
Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya is an amazing sight to behold, located in the Mount Kenya National Park. This mighty mountain was once a volcano that erupted a long time ago, during the Plio-Pleistocene era. The original crater was incredibly tall, reaching heights of over 6,000 meters (19,700 feet) or even up to 7,000 meters (23,000 feet). That’s taller than Kilimanjaro Mountain, Africa’s highest peak. Today, Mount Kenya stands proud as the second-highest peak in Africa. You can find it in the eastern and central parts of Kenya, where it’s now divided into six counties: Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, and Tharaka Nithi. Did you know that Mount Kenya’s name is also the inspiration for the country of Kenya? The mountain is home to many ethnic communities, including the Kikuyu, Ameru, Embu, and Maasai people.
Natural glaciers and peaks
Mount Kenya boasts 12 remnant glaciers, sadly receding rapidly, and four secondary peaks overlooking U-shaped glacial valleys. With rugged glacier-clad summits and lush middle slopes, the mountain forms one of East Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes
Activities To Do At Mount Kenya National Park
Mountain Climbing
One of the most iconic activities in Mount Kenya National Park is mountain climbing. This exhilarating experience lets you trek to the snow-capped summits of Mount Kenya, but you’ll need to be physically fit to enjoy it. Climbers have seven routes to choose from, but if you’re not super fit, the Naro Moru route might be a better bet. This route takes around four days and follows the summit circuit path, Chogoria, and Sirimon circuit. And, get this – anyone can access a peak that’s 4,895 meters above sea level.
The best Mount Kenya climbing time is during the dry season especially in mid-January to February and August to October. By this time the area is dry and thus provides you with a comfortable hiking experience.
Hiking to the peak of Mount Kenya
One of the most exciting activities is climbing to the summit of Mount Kenya. You need to be physically fit in order for you to enjoy this wonderful climbing experience. Upon reaching on top, the views are as rewarding as you enjoy the stunning scenes of the glaciers, the birds, lakes, and well as some of the animals which are so amazing.
Game drive
Mount Kenya National Park is home to many animal species, including African elephants, bush pigs, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, genet cats, leopards, buffaloes, black-fronted duikers, black rhinos, suni antelope, bongo antelope, zebra, bat-eared fox, eland, wild dogs, warthogs, mongoose, jackal, hyena and more. Game drive in the park is done at schedule sections, that’s morning and afternoon. These exciting safaris are carried out using 4X4 wheel drive vehicle and you will be able to see a lot of wildlife species especially those congregations on water channels and banks.
Bird Watching
Mount Kenya National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The park is home to over 160 bird species, including endemic and forest birds. While on your birdwatching excursions, you’ll have a great time spotting birds such as Mountain Buzzard, Violet-backed Starling, Olive Pigeon, Eastern Bronze-napped Pigeon and Oriole Finch, Meyer’s Parrots, African Green Pigeon , Black-and-white Mannikin and Spot-flanked Barbet, Red-fronted Parrot, Jackson’s Francolin, Moorland Chat, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird , Black-headed Waxbill, Slender-billed Starling, Waller’s Starling, Montane White-eye, Eastern Double-collared Sunbird, Hunter’s Cisticola, Moorland Francolin, and many other birds.
Nature walk
Nature walks are one of the most exciting ways to explore the hidden gems of the park and a way to connect with nature. These safaris are guided footwalks, while on it, you’ll be able to trek through the park’s terrain. You will be rewarded with closed views of the park’s wildlife such as elephants, tree hyrax, white-tailed mongoose, black-fronted duikers, mole rats, bushbucks, waterbucks, elands, leopards, black rhinos, and buffaloes. You will also have the chance to spot different bird species and the astonishing views of the beautiful landscape.
Best Time To Visit Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season especially in mid-January to February and August to October. By this time the area is dry and thus provides you with a comfortable hiking experience. During the dry season, there is less rainfall or even no rainfall in the park therefore hiking trails to the summit will be dry hence making hiking successful. There will be short shrubs and bushes in the forest which enables you to clearly view the animals in the park.
Where To Stay In Mountain Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park has affordable accommodations that cater to individuals. The accommodation facilities range from Budget, mid-range to luxury levels. Some of these include Mackinders campsite, Sirimon cottages, Old Moses mountain hut, Serena Mountain lodge, Hotel Fairmount, Shiptons Camp Mountain Hut, Castle Forest Lodge, Bantu Mountain Lodge, Mount Kenya Safari Club, Naro Muru river Lodge among others.
How To Get To Mount Kenya National Park
Getting to Mount Kenya National Park is easy, and you have two main options: driving or flying.
If you choose to drive, you’ll need to fly into Nairobi’s airport first. From there, you can take a road trip to the national park, which takes around 4 hours. It’s a scenic route, and you’ll get to see some beautiful Kenyan landscapes along the way.
Alternatively, you can take a domestic flight from Nairobi airport to Nanyuki town. From there, you can connect to the park headquarters and start your adventure.
If you’re coming from abroad, there are many international airlines that offer flights to towns near Mount Kenya National Park. You can fly into nearby cities like Nanyuki, Nyeri, or Meru, and then make your way to the park. Some of the airlines that operate these flights include African Express Airways, Air Canada, Air France, Air India, Air Kenya, Brussels Airlines, Coastal Aviation, Egypt Air, and Eagle Air.
