With beauty and splendor of the rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mt. Kenya takes the second position in the list of highest peaks in Africa. It has taken a number of years without being active (last active 3.1-2.6 million years ago) and this explains its rise to 6,500m much as it is currently at a height of 5,199m. Mt. Kenya’s three highest peaks include Nelion (5118m and 17021 feet), Batian (5199m and 17057feet) and Lenana (4985m and 16059feet and can be reached by trekkers) perform well in as far as enticing visitors to come is concerned in addition to providing a cross-country view irrespective of which peak you climb.
The mountain has twelve remnant glaciers that recede rapidly in addition to the four peaks sitting ahead of its U-shaped valley. It also straddles the equator that is about 193 kilometers North-east of Nairobi and 480 kilometers from Kenyan coast.
The mountain is famous for its evolutionary and ecological role it has played due to the fact that it has acted as home to a multitude of fauna and flora species. It also lies within the ancient migration route of the African elephant population.
In relation to people, Mt. Kenya has been a throne for Ngai the god of the Kikuyu people who dwell in the area. The mountain is also of importance on national level as it serves almost 50% of Kenya’s population with water and 70% hydroelectricity.
Mt. Kenya – the sacred home of the Kikuyu god (Ngai).
The Kikuyu are one of the ancient dwellers occupying the lower slopes of Mount. Kenya. For a long time, they consider this as a sacred home for their God – Ngai. The mountain is also home to other communities who live in harmony with the Kikuyu, including the Embu and Masai; each tribe refers to this ancient with different names.
Several legendary stories are told about Mt. Kenya and one of these stories is that the god of the Kikuyu people lives here. The other people that find their dwelling in the mountain are the Embu, Kamba and the Masai (who are believed to have given the mountain peaks local names after their three brave and medicine men).
Climate and weather in Mount. Kenya national park.
The climate and weather of the park varies with altitude since most parts are mountainous. Areas at a high altitude are often freezing, cold, misty and windy. The changes in the vegetation are easily noticed and they vary from bamboo forests, moorland and tundra depending on temperature.
The beautiful permanent crown of glacier.
One the things that explain Mt. Kenya’s beauty and splendor is permanence of the crown of glacier at its peak, known as Lewis Glacier. The beauty is supported by the fact that the equator crosses Kenya with this mountain just 16km south of the line.
Climatic conditions.
Like in any other part of the country, Mt. Kenya receives two dry seasons and wet seasons per annum with daily temperature changes dropping to almost 40C. Much rainfall is received in the south eastern slopes in combination with warm moist air that comes from Indian Ocean. Precipitation that occurs in form of frost or snow feeds the other eleven glaciers of the mountain.
Mt. Kenya peaks.
Betian, Nelion and Lenana makeup the three beautiful peaks of Mt. Kenya. They range from the lowest (Lenana) to the highest (Betian and Nelion) who serve all tourists’ choices; whether to trek the lowest or climb the highly technical rocks. The peaks appear in an alpine formation due to their craggy nature at the center of the mountain.
Vegetation on these peaks is strictly mosses, lichens and small alpine plants found within rocks and growth of these plants is somehow supported by the volcanic ash.
The topmost peaks are Batian (5,199 meters), Nelion (5,188 meters) and Lenana (4,985 meters). The Gate of the Mists gap (5,144 meters) separates Betian and Nelion. Corydon Peak (4,960 meters) follows the other two in terms of height but does not form any part of the central plug.
Pt. Piggot (4,957 meters), Pt. Dutton (4,885 meters), Pt. John (4,883 meters), Pt. John Minor (4,875 meters), Krapf Rognon (4,800 meters), Pt. Peter (4,757 meters), Pt. Slade (4,750 meters) and Midget Peak (4,700 meters) are some of the other peaks around the central plug that form a pyramidal shape as a whole.
Terere (4,714 meters) and Sendeyo (4,704 meters) form a pair of twin peaks to the north of the main plug where by a combination of the two forms a large parasitic plug. Together, they form a large parasitic plug.
Flora.
Like stated before, vegetation around Mt. Kenya is determined by temperature and altitude in that the higher you go the more plants become specialized in effort to adapt to strong sunlight and freezing night temperatures that sometimes fall to 4 0C.
Plants with these special adaptation features include the giant senecio, giant thistle and giant lobelia which use an adaptation feature known as the giant rosette (budding leaves in effort to protect them from freezing).
WHAT TO DO AT MT. KENYA N/PARK?
Mountain climbing.
Most of the park visitors enjoy being part of this great venture – mountain climbing. Much as a good number of tourists prefer climbing the shortest of the peaks (Lenana) to the other two peaks. This is because one ought to be physically fit to attempt climbing the other two peaks. Currently, the park has 7 routes that all lead to the tallest peaks, however all the seven routes enable you to watch plants such as bamboo and heath and animals like elephants and buffaloes.
It is also advisable for you to spend at least 3 nights as you ascend the mountain in order not to suffer from altitude sickness. The most appropriate time for mountain climbing is from mid-January to late-February and between August and September. This is the period of the year when the areas is dry and easily navigable unlike wet season when temperatures are extremely low and there’s too much freezing at the top.
It is an experience that turns your moments into memories and no one has ever regretted engaging in the Mt. Kenya trek.
Bird watching.
The park has a total bird population that does not go below 160 species where 53 of these belong to the 67 Kenya’s African highland biome species including the less common and threatened Abbott’s starling. The park owns six of the eight Kenyan mountain endemic birds. In addition to the above, Mt. Kenya national park has a multitude of eagle species some of which soar high above the mountain (130 species on record).
Highland castling.
This is one of the most interesting activities in which mountain climbers have an opportunity to take part while using the Burguret route. The castle is about 3700meters up the mountain and involves viewing the beauty of Batian and Nelion peaks.
Playing golf.
The golfing activity that takes place in Mt. Kenya National Park has turned Kenya into one of the world’s top golfing destinations. The activity is supported by cool weather within the park. Anyone interested in world class golf courses should put Kenya into consideration.
This is a game that gives participants an opportunity to interact with nature as they enjoy the game itself since it is competitive. The courses are at world standard and facilitated by the best country clubs designed to meet the needs of all golfers.
All you need to remember is that chances of learning golf are open to all classes of people irrespective of how old they are; get yourself a chance of killing two birds with one stone by visiting Mt. Kenya national park.
Camping and Caving.
Camping and caving are some of the adventurous activities one would never wish to miss while in Mt. Kenya national park. One of the best camps in the park include Shipton’s camp situated near the snow-capped peaks which has an alpine hut for renting by climbers interested in spending a night there.
Next to this camp is Shimpton’s cave, named after Eric Shipton who became the first person to ascend Nelion peak in the year 1929. He is also popularly known for giving a young sharpa Tenzing Norgay his first job as a porter on Mt. Everest in 1935.
HOW ONE CAN REACH MT. KENYA NATIONAL PARK?
Reaching Mt. Kenya national park is possible both on land (road transport) and by air (air transport). One can reach Mt. Kenya national park via the nearest commercial airstrip at Nanyuki town.
On the other hand, one can drive a 175km road from Nairobi to Nanyuki-Isiolo road. The road passes through either Sirimon track or Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro Moru. You then reach the park through Chogoria on the Embu-Meru road (150 kilometers North of Nairobi).
The following are the routes one can use without accessing the official gate;
- Themwe
- Burguret
- Kamweti
- Marania
Appropriate season to visit the park.
For one to have a best experience while in the park, they ought to visit the park during the dry months of January, August, September and December. This is the period when the park is visually appealing, mud-free and not slippery thus making all activities as beautiful as possible.
Accommodation.
Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Shipton’s Mountain Hut, Serena Mountain Lodge and Castle Forest Lodge are some of the accommodation properties available in the park. They are always prepared to make you the first on their priority list.
