central kenya region
Nairobi (green city in the sun)
Is an attractive and growing city that stands on the edge of the Athi Plains and the gentle slopes of Limuru that rise in the Aberdare Mountains. It is an important business and social center with high-rise buildings, international hotels and a good selection of restaurants serving Indian, Chinese, French, Italian and other cuisine. All about the city are public parks and gardens full of shrubs and flowers and the main routes out of town are tree-lined avenues.
Interesting architectural buildings include Parliament, the Law Courts and City Hall. There are two cathedrals, the Jamia Mosque and the two Main Universities (Nairobi and Kenyatta). Towering above the city is the Kenyatta International Conference Center, designed and equipped for major international conventions, on top of which is a revolving restaurant that offers superb views of the city and surrounding country.
There is a national Museum and Snake Park, and an Arboretum with the finest collection of trees and shrubs in Eastern Africa. The McMillan Memorial Library has some excellent Africana among its 70,000 volumes, and the Aquarium has a fine collection of marine life from Kenya’s coral reef.
The capital lies only 140 km (87 miles) south of the Equator, but its altitude of 1,745m (5,500 ft) above sea level ensures an exhilarating climate. Temperatures rarely fall below
10 ºC. (50 ºF.) at night or rise above 25 ºC. (77 ºF.) during the day. The population of Nairobi is about 3 million and the city area extends to 692 sq. kms (266 sq. miles).
There is a good selection of shops in the city from the sophisticated to the pavement stall, and the City Market is well worth a visit to see its vast colorful arrays of tropical fruits, beautiful flowers and exotic vegetables – on the upper balconies are stalls of local goods. There are several art galleries in the city exhibiting work by the country’s leading artists. Within a short distance of the city center are ten golf courses, a motor racetrack, and a number of sports clubs. Nairobi Racecourse is a colorful, cosmopolitan and friendly scene, where first class horseracing takes place some forty Sunday afternoons throughout the year. Traditional dancing can be seen, particularly at Bomas of Kenya, a complete cultural center on the city outskirts. Nairobi is the starting point for the world famous Safari Rally, an annual event each year attracting international rally teams.
For evening entertainment there are a number of cinemas and theatres, of which the Phoenix Players Limited is one of the professional repertory company in tropical Africa, and the Kenya National Theatre specializes in amateur productions, music festivals and recitals. National nightlife does not compete with that of cities such as London, Paris, and Rome, but there are smart grill-rooms in the major hotels, casinos and a number of discotheques and nightclubs.
Nairobi enjoys a standard of health comparable to any leading city in Europe or America and has fine hospitals with excellent medical services. It is not difficult to obtain an appointment with specialists, general practitioners, surgeons and dentists.
Central Kenya, a paradise for daredevils, it is the high hill country above Nairobi – a land of mountain peaks, spectacular waterfalls and remote alpine moors that provide a unique and breathtaking African landscape. It is also an area of coffee plantations and small farms that make up the region’s thriving agricultural sector.
There is ofcourse wildlife to view but most importantly, this is an area in which to enjoy adrenaline-fuelled sports such as white-water rafting, mountaineering and bungee jumping and a chance to participate in less strenuous activities not usually associated with Kenya, such as hill walking and trout fishing.
The jewel in the crown of the Central Kenya circuit is Mt Kenya which, at 5,200 metres, is Africa’s second highest mountain. It is certainly a much more challenging and interesting climb than the ‘walk-up’ that is used to reach the summit of Africa’s highest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro.
Nearby is Aberdare National Park, which complements Mt Kenya. The National Park is an area of moorland offering the perfect location for hill walking.
ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK
Altitude: 7,000 to 14,000 feet above sea level.
Area: 767 square kilometers.
Airstrips: Mweiga and Nyeri.
Opened: May 1950.
Activities: Night game viewing from Ark or Treetops, Game Drives, Trout fishing, visit to the Kimathi hideout used by the legendary Mau Mau General.
The Aberdare National Park is part of the Aberdare mountain range and got its name from Lord Aberdare, one of the founder members of the Royal Geographical Society. It is a fascinating region of Kenya and according to Kikuyu folklore they are one of the homes of Ngai (God).
The scenery is very dramatic, mountain ranges soar to around 14,000 ft., giving way to deep V-shaped valleys with streams and rivers cascading over spectacular waterfalls. The forest is the water source for the entire local area and Nairobi.
At 10,000 ft. is a belt of Bamboo forest which is the favorite haunt of the rare and elusive Bongo, above this the Bamboo forest gives way to moorlands, reminiscent of European highlands, where the largest of the Antelope, the Eland, roam.
Animals are abound in the forest, and game viewing is very rewarding: elephant, buffalo, black rhino, giant forest hog, lion, leopard, baboon, black & white colobus and sykes monkeys are abundant. Bird viewing is incredible with over 250 species of birds recorded.
There are a variety of accommodations. Treetops tree-house lodge and the Ark, a lodge built in the shape of Noah’s Ark. Night game viewing is the purpose of these lodges in the Salient area of the park, with excellent sightings of elephant, buffalo, lion and rhino, drawn to the waterholes and saltlicks each evening.
MT. KENYA NATIONAL PARK
Altitude: 11,000 to 17,058 feet above sea level.
Area: 715 square kilometers.
Airstrips: Naro Moro and Nanyuki (20 Kilometers).
Opened: December 1949
Activities: Mountaineering, Nature walks, game and bird viewing.
At 5,199 meters high, Mt. Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain. It offers easy or challenging ascents with superb scenic beauty.
To the Kikuyu tribes-people it is the home of the Supreme Being; Ngai, a name also used by the Kamba and Masai tribes. In traditional prayers and sacrifices, Ngai is addressed by the Kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga “The possessor of brightness”. The name comes from Kere Nyaga, the Kikuyu name for Mt. Kenya, meaning the mountain of brightness – Ngai’s official home.
Part of the mountain’s fascination is the variation in flora and fauna as the altitude changes. The lower slopes are covered with dry upland forest, the true montane forest begins at 2,000 meters is mainly cedar and podo. At 2,500 meters begins a dense belt of bamboo forest, which merges, into the upper forest of smaller trees, interspersed with glades. In this area trees are festooned with high altitude moss.
These forest belts are home to many different animals and plants with at least 11 unique species. Game to view includes; Black and White Colobus monkey, Sykes monkey, bushbuck, buffalo, elephant and lower down olive baboon, waterbuck, black rhino, black fronted Duikers, leopard, giant forest hog, genet cat, bush pig and hyena. Most elusive is the Bongo, a rare type of forest antelope, whose beautiful hide was used to make Bongo drums.
The high altitude heath at the top (3000-3500m) is generally open, dotted with shrubs like Sage, Protea and helicrysum. Above 3,500 meters is moorland and with little game other than high altitude zebra and eland, common in the northern moorland.
There is one lodge inside the park, Mountain Lodge, which works on the same principles and ideas as the Ark and Treetops, in the next-door mountain range, the Aberdares. There are 7 mountain huts and a base hotel for climbers.
Ol’ Donyo Sabuk National Park covers 20 square kilometers surrounding a mountain of the same name. The mountain rises to 8,000 ft. above sea level and is particularly attractive for hikers and families wanting some freedom and exercise out of the constraints of vehicles. Visitors are recommended to approach via the spectacular Fourteen Falls on the Chania River.
The Park’s attractions are its beauty and views of both Mt. Kenya and Kilimanjaro (from the same point!). There is game including; baboon, colobus monkey, bushbuck, impala, duiker and abundant birdlife for ornithologists.
The solitary mountain rears up to 2,145 meters from an otherwise flat area. The steep ascent, if done by vehicle, requires four-wheel-drive.
Mwea National Reserve also in this area, was opened in January 1976 and covers an area of 68 square kilometers. The main feature is the meeting of the Tana and Thiba rivers within the reserve and the Masinga and Kaburu hydroelectric dams.
Elephant are plentiful in this reserve. Other game includes; buffalo, impala, hippo, baboon, vervet and sykes monkey, warthog, bushbuck, Heartebeest, lesser Kudu, jackal and crocodile.
MT. LONGONOT NATIONAL PARK
A young volcano, which rises to 2,776 meters above sea level, is an arresting sight for visitors to the Naivasha basin. Created amongst the massive eruptions which formed the Great Rift Valley, its sides now have beautiful V – Shaped valleys and ridges with impenetrable forest around the area of the crater giving it a lush green aspect. The park surrounds the volcano.
Mount Longonot offers a wide range of attractions for visitors keen on activity-based holidays, including; hiking, rock climbing, biking, bird viewing and game viewing. Accommodation within these parks is based from around Lake Naivasha, where there is a good lodge and a number of luxury ranches and homestays. Lake Naivasha provides ample accommodation for all tastes and budgets.
NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
Altitude: 5,500 feet above sea level
Area: 117 sq. Kms
Airport: Wilson and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Opened: December 1946
Activities: Game Drives, Rhino Sanctuary and birdlife
A glorious stretch of Savannah set against the dramatic skyline of Nairobi, the cosmopolitan capital city of Kenya, Nairobi National Park is Kenya’s oldest animal sanctuary.
The only city in the world which neighbors a national game protection area, harboring over 100 species of mammals. The park borders the traditional South Kapiti Plains and Kitengela Migration Corridor and attracts a range of exciting game. It is a seasonal park but most of the game; like Kenya’s indigenous Black Rhino, live in the protection of the park all year round. Herds of plains zebra, wildebeest and eland enter the park during the great migration in July and August to enjoy the rich grazing until the next rains come.
In recent years a unique trend has been recorded: with increasing frequency a cheetah has successfully raised eleven cubs in the park to the delight of local and international visitors. The park is an ideal starting point for ornithological safaris, with over 400 species of bird life.