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The official guide of the Mount Kenya Tourism Circuit Association promoting the Mount Kenya region. Published by Land & Marine Publications Ltd.
Citation preview
GENERAL INFORMATION
03 FOREWORDMajestic scenery and royal connections
05 DESTINATION MAP
07 PARKS FACT FILE
12 TRAVELLER’S INFORMATION
16 FALLS OF ABERDAREEscape to the sights and sounds of tranquillity
18 ROYAL DESTINATIONIn Diamond Jubilee year, there’s nowhere more romantic to stay
23 LAKESWho says you can’t go fishing on a mountain?
24 NANYUKI BY NIGHTCome in out of the cold – the music’s lovely
26 SECRETS OF MOUNT KENYAFascinating legacy of Kenya’s secret wars
30 GOLFTeeing off at the equator
31 BADEN-POWELL AND NYERI
FEATURES
33 SCC 34 CTDLT
34 TROPIC AIR 35 LAIKIPIA WILDLIFE FORUM
36 WHITE RHINO HOTEL 37 KONGONI CAMP
38 KTDC 39 SAFARI AIR EXPRESS
40 KTB 41 FALCON HEIGHTS
41 LADY LORI 42 BATIAN HOTEL
42 HIGHLANDS MINERAL WATER 43 MOUNT KENYA TRUST
MEMBER INFORMATION
44 MEMBER INDEX 45 MEMBER LISTINGS
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 1
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF:
MOUNT KENYA TOURISM CIRCUIT ASSOCIATION
2nd floor, West Wing, Central Plaza, Kimathi Way PO Box 2669-10140, Nyeri Tel: +254 (0)20 232 6170Email: [email protected]
www.mount-kenya.org
PUBLISHED BY:
LAND & MARINE PUBLICATIONS (KENYA) LTDSuite A5, 1st f loor, Ojijo Plaza20 Plums Lane, off Ojijo Road, ParklandsPO Box 2022, Village Market 00621Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 (0)20 374 1934Fax: +44 (0)1206 842958Email: [email protected]
The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor nor of any other organisation associated with this publication.
No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions.
Photographs courtesy: Simon Wachira, Job Weru, Joseph Kanyi, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Solio, Ol Pejeta, and Kenya Tourist Board
ISSN 2045-6476
© 2012 Land & Marine Publications (Kenya) Ltd
T here is a mindset we are trying to move
away from here at Mount Kenya Tourism
Circuit Association that tourism is all
about wild animals, because it’s not, fortunately.
Take the Aberdare National Park, for instance –
an area of beautiful landscape and topography
covering 766 sq km. And, yes, there you will find
some of the Big Five, such as leopard, elephant
and lion; but in addition this area has some of the
best waterfalls in the region. In this issue, we shine
a spotlight on the waterfalls of the Aberdares and
other falls scattered across the Mount Kenya region.
We have fashioned this issue towards romantics,
lovers and honeymooners. We have combed
most of Mount Kenya for couples who are looking
for romantic getaways. And we have suggested
romantic wooden cabins where lovers can spend
quality time doing nothing but fish for trout, swim
in the clear, fresh rivers and basically enjoy the
serenity of nature. Try out Rutundu cabins up near
Lake Alice and experience the true wonder of
the wild. There is a rich relationship that royalty
has had with the region over time and we have
highlighted some of them in this issue.
Apart from being a tourist destination, the region
also offers some options for investments. For
instance, the Secret Valley in Nanyuki, with its
strategic location before Mount Kenya, is an
attractive place where wild animals occasionally
come to drink. This area once had a lodge that burnt
down, but it’s still a rich area begging for some
investment and creativity. And there are countless
areas like this scattered all over Mount Kenya.
Recommended
For those who may find themselves in Nanyuki
and want to go out for a drink and a good time, the
question normally is, where to go? In this issue
we have recommended our top five spots that will
ensure you have great fun. Check them out.
The turnaround in perception is what we here
at Mount Kenya Tourism Circuit Association are
struggling with. And once we change the direction
of thought towards this region then we will know
we are on the right track towards achieving full
utilisation of the resources the region has to
offer. The Mount Kenya region is indeed a duo
hemisphere destination.
So please, enjoy the issue and recommend it to
someone who is looking to please a loved one.
Happy reading.
Simon WachiraCEO, Mount Kenya Tourism Circuit Association
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 3
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 5MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 5
Lodges: The Ark, Treetops, Fishing Lodge, Ruhuruini, Tusk Camp, Sapper
Hut, KWS hut at Treetops and KWS HQ bungalow.
Campsites: Reedbuck, Ruhuruini, Wandare and Shamata.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 7
and Twin Hills, moorland, Karuru Falls, Chania
Waterfalls, Magura Falls and Queen’s Cave, Karimu
Circuit and Sapper Hut Falls, Kimathi Post Office
and the Salient. Treetops Lodge and The Ark are
legendary attractions.
Activities: Mountain hikes and climbing, nature
walks in the moorland, game viewing and night
game viewing at Treetops and The Ark, trout fishing,
birdwatching, camping, picnics and parties.
Wildlife: The park is home to large mammals such
as elephant, buffalo and black rhino. Endangered
species include the rare mountain bongo, giant forest
hog, wild dog, endemic mole rat and mole shrew,
leopard, endemic bird species, reptiles and insects.
Access: The park is readily accessible on
tarmacked roads from Nyeri to Nyahururu on the
eastern side (160 km from Nairobi) A road crosses
the park to connect with another from Naivasha and
North Kinagop in the west. Main towns from which
the park can be approached are Nyeri (154 km
from Nairobi), Nyahururu (188 km from Nairobi)
and Naivasha (87 km from Nairobi).
Airstrips: Mweiga is next to the park headquarters.
Nyeri is 12 km from Mweiga.
Park gates: Kiadongoro Gate is accessed via the
Nyeri-Tetu road; Ruhuruini Gate accessed via the
Nyeri-Ihururu road; Treetops Gate via the Nyeri-
Njengu road; Ark Gate via the Mweiga-Amboni
road; Wadare Gate via the Mweiga-Endarasha road;
Shamata Gate via the Nyahururu-Shamata road;
Mutumbio Gate via the Naivasha-Kinagop-Geta road.
T he Aberdares are an isolated range of
volcanic mountains forming the eastern
wall of the Rift Valley, running north-
south for around 100 km between Nairobi and
Thomson’s Falls.
There are two main peaks, Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999
metres) and Kinangop (3,609 metres), separated by a
long saddle of alpine moorland at over 3,000 metres.
The topography is diverse, with deep ravines cutting
through the forested eastern and western slopes.
There are many clear streams and waterfalls. The
mountain is an important water catchment, supplying
the Tana and Athi rivers and part of the Central Rift
and Northern drainage basins.
Location: Central Highlands west of Mount Kenya.
Surrounded by Kiambu, Muranga, Nyeri and
Nyandarua counties.
Distance: 160 km from Nairobi to the park
headquarters.
Size: 767 sq km.
Climate: Mist and rainfall throughout much of the
year, with annual precipitation varying from about
1,000 mm on the north-west slopes to as much as
3,000 mm in the south-east.
Major attractions: Ol Donyo Lesatima Peak,
Kinagop Peak, Elephant Hill, Table Mountains
M ount Kenya is an impressive extinct
volcano dominating the landscape of
the Kenya highlands. The mountain
has three main peaks: Batian (5,200 metres),
Nelion (5188 metres) and Lenana (4,985 metres).
Its slopes are cloaked in forest, bamboo, scrub
and moorland, giving way on the high central
peaks to rock, ice and snow.
Mount Kenya is an important water catchment area,
supplying the Tana and Northern Ewaso Ngiro
systems. The park contains a variety of habitats
including higher forest, bamboo, alpine moorland,
glaciers, tarns and glacial moraines.
The park was declared a Unesco World Heritage
site in 1997 and is also a biosphere reserve. It
covers 715 sq km and includes the peak, consisting
of all ground above 3,200 metres, with two small
salients extending lower to 2,450 metres along the
Sirimon and Naru Moru tracks. Surrounding the
park is the 2,095 sq km Mount Kenya reserve.
Location: Mount Kenya lies about 140 km north-north
east of Nairobi with its northern flanks across the equator.
Distance from Nairobi: 175 km.
Size: 2,800 sq km.
Climate: Climate, f lora and fauna on Mount Kenya
vary with altitude.
Major attractions: Pristine wilderness, lakes,
tarns, glaciers and peaks of great beauty, geological
variety, forest, mineral springs, rare and endangered
species of animals. Unique montane and alpine
vegetation with 11 species of endemic plants.
Wildlife: Giant forest hog, tree hyrax, white-tailed
mongoose, elephant, black rhino, suni, black-fronted
duiker, mole rat and over 130 species of birds.
Access: The park can be reached via the Nanyuki-
Isiolo road via Sirimon track or the Nyeri-Nanyuki
road near Naru Moru. The park is also accessible
via Chogoria on the Embu Meru road, about 200
km north of Nairobi.
Airstrips: Closest commercial airstrip to the park
is at Nanyuki.
Activities: Mountain climbing, rock climbing,
mountain biking, snow marathon, birdwatching,
nature walks, wildlife viewing, camping, cave
exploration and primate tracking.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 9
Lodges: Serena Mountain Lodge. Various lodges offer accommodation in
the region.
KWS catering accommodation: Batian Guest House and Sirimon Bandas.
There are also various bunkhouses and climbing huts on the climbing route.
1010
M eru is a savanna grassland national
park, 35 km east of Maua town in
the north-eastern lowland of the
Nyambeni Hills. It is a complex of protected areas
along the Tana River that includes the adjacent
Bisanadi and Mwingi national reserves, Kora
National Park and Rahole National Reserve. The
wetter national reserve sector is hilly, with rich
volcanic soils. The land f lattens towards the east,
where grey alluvial volcanic soils appear.
The area is crossed by many permanent streams,
draining from the Nyambenes and f lowing in parallel
between tongues of lava south-east towards the
Tana River. In addition to the many streams that
cross it, the park is bounded by three big rivers: the
Tana to the south, the Ura to the south-west and the
Rojaweru to the east. There are several prominent
inselbergs, notably Mughwango and Leopard Rock.
A section of the park has been designated a
wilderness area with no roads. The park is part of the
domain made famous by the writings of Joy Adamson.
Location: East-north-east of Mount Kenya in Meru
district of the Eastern Province.
Distance from Nairobi: 348 km.
Size: 870 sq km.
Climate: The parks are in a semi-arid zone with
irregular rainfall. Wet seasons are April to June and
November and December. Rainfall is 635 to 766
mm in the west and 305 to 356 mm in the east.
Major attractions: Former home of Joy and George
Adamson and Elsa the lioness; views of Mount
Kenya, Tana River and Adamson’s Falls.
Wildlife: Grevy’s zebra, elephant, eland, bush pig,
cheetah, leopard, reticulated giraffe, hippo, bohor
reedbuck, hartebeest, python, puff adder, cobra,
buffalo, gerenuk and over 300 recorded spices of birds.
Access: Access from Nairobi (348 km) is via
Nyeri-Nanyuki-Meru or via Embu all-weather
roads. Access to the park from Maua to Murera
Gate (35 km) and 348 km from Nairobi. The other
access is via Embu to Ura Gate (120 km) 290 km
from Nairobi (inaccessible at moment).
Airstrips: Main airstrip at Kina, Mulika next to
Meru Mulika lodge and Elsa’s Kopje airstrip.
Best time to visit: All year round.
Activities: Wildlife viewing, camping.
Lodges: Elsa’s Kopje, Leopard Rock Lodge.
KWS self-catering accommodation: Murera Nandas, Kinna Bandas.
Special campsites: Kampi Baridi, Kitanga, Makutano, Rojoweru, Mugung,
Ken Mare and Kanjoo.
Public campsite: Bwatherongi.
There are no lodges, tented camps or self-catering accommodation options
in the Mwea reserve. Masinga Lodge is located at Masinga Dam outside
the reserve. Various camping facilities can be found outside the reserve.
Wildlife: Elephant, lesser kudu, Nile crocodile,
hippo, giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, buffalo, leopard,
grey duiker, black-backed jackal, bushbuck,
waterbuck, olive baboon, Sykes’ monkey, serval
cat, spotted hyena, warthog, rock hyrax, bush pig,
impala and hartebeest. Rare animals include striped
ground squirrel, genet, black-backed jackal and
yellow baboon.
Birds: Over 200 species of birds. Mwea is
renowned for its water birds and waders. It is
the only protected area in which the globally
threatened and Kenya endemic Hinde’s babbler is
known to occur. Two other rare species are Pel’s
fishing owl and the white-backed night heron.
Access: From Nairobi via Thika-Matuu-Masinda
Dam (160 km). This route is surfaced until Masinga
Dam bridge. A further 10 km of dirt road lies
between here and Makima Gate. Access is also
possible via Embu-Machanga.
Airstrip: Masinga airstrip near Masinga Lodge.
Best time to visit: All year round.
Activities: Game viewing, birdwatching, boat
rides, canoeing, kayaking at Kamburu Dam and
nature walks.
T he reserve was gazetted in 1976 and
covers an area north-west of Kamburu
Dam at the conf luence of the Tana and
Thimba rivers. Two islands within Kamburu
Dam, built in 1976, are in the protected area. The
southern boundary is the Tana River, the eastern
boundary is the Thimba River and the northern
boundary is an electric fence that stops animals
from invading Makima settlement.
The earliest human settlement in Makima dates from
1914, although wildlife conservation intervention did
not commence until 1972. Today, the Mwea National
Reserve is co-managed by Kenya Wildlife Service
and Mbeere County Council.
The Mwea National Reserve Trust was founded in
1991 with the aim of soliciting funds to develop the
reserve. Various projects have been funded through
donations including a boat and outboard engine,
energy-saving jikos and translocation of zebras.
Location: Mbeere District, Eastern Province.
Distance from Nairobi: 160 km north-east of Nairobi.
Size: 42 sq km.
Climate: Semi-arid with annual rainfall of 510
to 760 mm.
Major attractions: Game viewing; boat rides at
Kamburu Dam; Hippo Point, realm of rare birds;
walking circuit.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 11
12
T his town is located in the scenic valley
between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare
range of mountains with perfect views of
the snow-covered peaks of Mount Kenya and the
plains of Laikipia. The valley is surrounded by hills
and evergreen ranges with rivers and streams
f lowing from the mountain to the plains below.
Established by the British in 1907 in the early days
of colonisation, Nyeri has many historical ties. It
is the epicentre of Kenya’s decolonisation through
the Mau Mau struggle for independence led by
Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi. There are displays of
the British colonial presence in Kenya, the Second
World War and the genesis of the worldwide
Scouting Movement started by Lord Baden-Powell,
who lived in the town with his wife and whose
remains are both buried there.
Down the years, Nyeri has retained its scenic
beauty and a serene, homely atmosphere. It is
surrounded by three game parks of international
reputation – Aberdare, Mount Kenya National Parks,
and the Solio game reserve and rhino sanctuary.
‘Must see’ attractions:
1. Paxtu Museum
2. Italian Memorial Church
3. Native Court (Ruringu)
4. Treetops Lodge
5. Karuru, Chania, Magura and Zaina falls
6. Kimathi Post Office/Mau Mau Caves
7. Coffee and tea farms.
1. Outspan Hotel2. Greenhills Hotel3. Batian Grand Hotel4. Banana Leaf Hotel5. Ivory Resort6. Mountain Lodge7. Treetops Lodge8. Mpeta Guest House9. Annbell Guest House10. Aberdare Country Club11. Ark Lodge12. Tusk Camp13. Fishing Lodge14. Solio Lodge15. Rhino Watch
16. White Rhino Hotel17. Westwood Hotel 18. Eland Safari Hotel19. Imperial Hotel20. Ibis Hotel21. Mountain Palace22. Tickle Hotel23. Central Hotel24. Paresia Hotel25. Maru A, B, C Hotels26. Bells Inn Hotel27. Safari Paradise Guest house28. Regency Guest House29. Green Edge Guest house30. Serene Guest House
Nyeri has a wide choice of hotels, lodges and camps to suit every visitor, ranging from a five-star hotel to guest houses and hostels.
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T he cosmopolitan town of Nanyuki lies on
the north-western slopes of Mount Kenya
along the A2 Nairobi Moyale via Isiolo
Great North Road. The Kenya-Uganda railway
from Nairobi to the north ends here. The town is
right on the equator on the slopes of Mount Kenya
with a spectacular view of the snow-capped peaks
and the plains of Laikipia. Its strategic location
and spectacular views prompted the British
settlers during the early days of colonisation to
build a town. Many remnants and descendants of
these early settler families still live on the ranches
around the town.
Today, the town is a multicultural market centre
serving farms, ranches, game parks and wildlife
conservancies. It is also a base for adventurers
looking to climb Mount Kenya. Owing to its
location on the equator surrounded by Laikipia
high country and with picturesque Mount Kenya
as a backdrop, Nanyuki is a destination for both
domestic and international visitors who find it
ideal for getaway excursions and retreats from the
stressful daily routine of the city.
Where to stay:
Nanyuki has a wide choice of hotels, lodges and
camps to suit every visitor, ranging from five-star
to non-star-rated accommodation.
1. Mount Kenya Safari Club
2. Sportsman’s Arms Hotel
3. Naru Moru River Lodge
4. Old House
5. Sweetwaters Tented Camp
6. Mount Kenya Leisure Lodge
7. Kirimara Spring Hotel
8. Falcon Heights Hotel
9. Kongoni Camp
10. Polini Camp
11. Equatorial Hotel
12. Mount Kenya Paradise Hotel
13. Joskaki Hotel
14. Ibis Hotel
15. Batian Guest Hotel
16. Bantu Mountain Rock
17. Serenkang
18. Solio Gardens
19. Royal Cottages
20. Comfort Hotel
21. Nanyuki Sports Club
22. Lion’s Court Hotel
23. Triple N Resort Hotel
24. Summer Garden Cottages.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 13
Must-see attractions Must-do list1. Mount Kenya National Park Mountain climbing and hiking2. Ol Pejeta Conservancy Game drives 3. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Nature walks and birdwatching4. Ngare Ndare Forest Horse riding and biking5. Nanyuki and Liki rivers River f ishing6. The equator Primate tracking7. Lily Pond Arts Centre Picnic and camping8. Mau Mau Caves Camel riding9. Mackinders and Teleki Valley
1414
S urrounded by a rich and fertile farmland,
Meru is located in the eastern highlands
of Kenya overlooking the Nyambene Hills
and the snowcapped peaks of Mount Kenya. The
town lies strategically on the north-eastern slopes of
Mount Kenya. The Kathita River, f lowing from Mount
Kenya, passes through the town.
The equator is about fi ve miles south of the town.
Meru is the traditional home of the Ameru people
with a rich cultural heritage spanning hundreds of
years. This fast-growing urban centre is a hub for
traditional foods and the hospitality of the Ameru
people. Located on the edge of the forest, the
town is close to Mount Kenya National Park, Meru
National Park and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
1. Three Steers Hotel2. Meru Incredible Hotel3. West Wind Hotel4. Transit Motel Chogoria5. Royal Prince Hotel6. Maua Basin Hotel7. Meru County Hotel8. Blue Towers Hotel 9. White Star Hotel 10. Meru Safari Hotel
11. Brown Rock Hotel12. Milimani Hotel13. Pig & Whistle14. Rhino River Camp15. Rhino River Lodge16. Meru Mulika lodge17. Ikweta Safari Camp18. Kinna Guest House19. Bwatherongi Bandas 20. Murera Bandas
In response to a growing number of visitors, Meru Town has many hotels lodges and camps. Classes range from five-star to starless accommodation.
A cosmopolitan culture has developed in Meru
owing to its diversity of ethnic communities and a
free fl ow of visitors.
Must-see attractions
1. Meru National Museum
2. Njuri Ncheke Court
3. Gakoromone open-air market
4. Nkunga Sacred Lake
5. Rukunga’s private museum
6. King Muhuru
7. Mount Kenya National Park
8. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
9. Meru National Park
10. Murera Cultural Centre
15
The town has a fast-growing hospitality industry with a diverse array of hotels lodges and other accommodation.
1. The Izaak Walton Inn2. Masinga Dam Resort3. Kwetu lodge4. Gerish Hotels5. New Thuci Lodge6. Maina Highway Hotel7. Valley View Hotel8. Baraka Guest House9. Philadelphia Retreat10. Hotel Chakaka Sagana
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION
Embu town lies about 120 km (75 miles)
north-east of Nairobi. Located on the
south-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya, the
town has a population of 41,092. Embu plays host
to adventures on Mount Kenya and to the north.
Many expeditions set out from Embu each year
to scale the slopes. From Embu, visitors can go
water rafting on the mighty Tana River or canoeing
at the Seven Forks Dam. This is an ideal base for
trout fishing on the many steams that f low from
Mount Kenya. From Embu there are spectacular
views of Mbere Plains. The nightlife in Embu is
accompanied by African drumbeats with a
rhythm of real fun.
Must-see attractions Must-do list1. Karue Hill Birdwatching2. Ena River Picnics3. Thenge Njeru Waterfalls Nature walks4. Njukiri Forest Bungee jumping5. Seven Forks Canoeing 6. Kigari Church Bells Camping7. Bridge of God Rock climbing8. Mau Mau Caves River f ishing
16
Aberdare National Park, 100 km north
of Nairobi, could be described as the
stepchild of Kenya’s national parks.
Although not as glorious as, say, Amboseli or the
Masai Mara, Aberdare remains one of the richest
parks in terms of topography.
Covering an area of 767 sq km, the Aberdare
mountain ranges consist of deep ravines that wedge
through its forested eastern and western slopes.
The park was established in 1950 and it contains
a rich animal population that includes black rhino,
leopard, baboon, black-and-white colobus monkey
and Sykes’ monkey. A bonus for visitors is the
park’s many clear freshwater rivers, ideal for
trout fishing, and there are also opportunities for
camping on the sprawling moorlands.
Then there are the waterfalls of Aberdare.
Karuru Waterfall
This is one of the highest waterfalls in the region
and probably the most awe-inspiring. Karuru
plunges in three stages. The first consists of a 383
ft fall, followed by a second fall of 84 ft and finally
a staggering 427 ft fall. This unique formation is
magnificent, to say the least.
A viewing platform offers great opportunities for
photography and there is a series of amazing trails
with viewing points leading up to the waterfall.
Chania Falls
Chania is a boisterous, almost furious, waterfall.
The water moves rapidly as it churns down a short
fall. It is not uncommon to find rafters paddling
through this stretch and enjoying the adrenalin
rush; or naked children, screaming gleefully, as
they jump off cliffs into the churning brown waters.
Chania Falls, to all intents and purposes, is a tamed
waterfall and man’s friend.
Magura Falls
In 1952 the present Queen Elizabeth lunched here
at Magura Falls. She sat on a wooden structure
overlooking the falls and enjoyed a fish delicacy
prepared by Eric Sherbrooke Walker, the man who
built the hotel Outspan. Apart from a fresh coat of
paint, the structure has not been tampered with.
Magura Fall, like most falls of its size and width,
is loud. It is also unique, however, because of the
cave under the falls. Visitors can walk through here
provided they are wearing the right shoes. It is an
ideal place for picnics.
Sapper Hut
It has to be said that getting to Sapper Hut is tricky.
The road that leads there – the Karimu circuit that
goes from the airstrip to Kiandongoro gate – is a
treacherous path that swallows four-wheel drives
when it rains. Perhaps it should be this way; perhaps
this is what safari is all about. The good thing is that,
when you finally get to Sapper Hut, you will be glad
you trudged through hell to get there.
Sapper Hut is a modest two-roomed cabin house
facing a nameless waterfall. It is removed from
human interference; a place of quiet and calm
where the only sound you will hear is the water.
The hut accommodates only two people. Cooking
equipment is provided and you can cook your
own meals. The best activity here, apart from trout
fishing, is skinny-dipping by the waterfall – that is,
if you can stand the cold water.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 17
On the death of her father, King George
VI, on 6 February 1952, the young
Princess Elizabeth became Queen
while on holiday at this lodge. Do you need any
more convincing, in the year of the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee, that Treetops is a special place?
Lovers often visit places to make memories, but
at Treetops the memories are already there. All
lovers do is go there to be a part of them and to
develop their own.
Treetops is quaint and in its quaintness evokes
a sense of raw romanticism. This is an old lodge
dating from the 1930s. It was built during a
tumultuous time of colonisation and it burned down
during the ensuing colonial upheaval. The history
is undeniably rich and lovers f lock there because
of this – but also because it’s in the middle of
nowhere in the heart of Aberdare National Park.
18
The original Treetops was built by Major Eric
George Sherbrooke Walker, who had come to
Kenya from Ethiopia. He settled in Nyeri and built
Treetops in 1932. Treetops began with only three
rooms and bunk beds. Now it is a luxury lodge,
complete with fine dining, where lovers can enjoy
excellent meals by candlelight.
Romantic
The showy at heart might impress their dates
with their Wikipedia-informed knowledge of
animals such as hyena and buffalo that come to the
watering hole near the hotel to drink. But the truly
romantic will show his date what the year 1951
might have smelt like. He will walk his date to the
library, where a simple old bookshelf, running the
breadth of the room, contains hard-cover guest
books, marked according to the years from 1951 to
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MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATIONMOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION
2012. He will then reach for the 1951 book, with its
rustic-looking leather cover.
When he opens the guest book, he and his date
immediately notice the uniformity of the guests’
handwriting and the fact that they always wrote in
blue ink with fountain pens. Back in 1951 they wrote
immaculately, as if they knew that many years later,
people would marvel over their calligraphy.
Now, he asks his date to close her eyes and then
bring the book to her nose. They smell the pine-
woody smell of 1951. “Smell that?” he whispers
in her ear. “That’s 1951.” It smells untouched and
uninitiated – the smell of lost time.
If that doesn’t impress his date, if that doesn’t stay
with her for a long time, then he will have to stick to
memorising Wikipedia.
Rutundu Log Cabins
Prince William knew what he was doing when he
took the lovely Catherine to the end of the world to
propose to her. Reports indicate that he proposed
to her at Rutundu Log Cabins near Lake Rutundu,
overlooking the north-east face of Mount Kenya.
You won’t get a better place to go down on your
knees because up there nature conspires to make
every man a winner.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 19
Rutundu Log Cabins is breathtakingly gorgeous. It
is a cosy, rustic private property characterised by
open log fires and fresh air. Rutundu has only two
log cabins, so that privacy is guaranteed. There is
a sitting and dining room, a veranda, a kitchen and
en-suite bathrooms.
Given the cold climate of Mount Kenya, the cabins
were built along the principles of the Alaska log
cabin using large cedar logs, interspaced with
moss to keep it warm. Take the lady fishing. Or for
a long walk. Or just sit by the roaring log fire and
rub her feet as she pretends to read a book.
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Endemic to Kenya, the mountain bongo
(Tragelaphus euryceros isaaci) is one of
two recognised subspecies of the bongo
in Africa. The other subspecies is the lowland
bongo (Tragelaphus euryceros).
Bongo conservations
Fencing: Since 1988, Rhino Ark has supported
conservation of the Aberdare ecosystem through
fund-raising for construction and maintenance
of fencing around the Aberdare National Park
and surrounding forest reserves. The fence
serves as a deterrent to would-be poachers and
logging gangs, while keeping wildlife away from
neighbouring farmland. It has provided a safer
environment for wildlife. The Aberdares are
home to most of the remaining mountain bongo
population.
Surveillance: The Bongo Surveillance Unit is
a group of experienced trackers from local
communities supporting conservation. They
conduct regular patrols, collect evidence of bongo
presence, report on illegal activity and remove
snares and traps. Through their efforts, a clearer
picture is emerging of the range and population
size of bongo.
Reintroduction: In the 1960s and 1970s wild bongo
from Kenya were exported to zoos in the USA. In
2004 a project was initiated to introduce descendents
of the exported bongo to Kenya. Male and female
bongo have been repatriated to Mount Kenya under
this project, which aims to establish a self-sustaining
population in the bongos’ native habitat.
Bongo education and awareness: Community
awareness and education programmes for schools
are organised through the Bongo Wildlife Club.
Conservation status: The mountain bongo is an
endangered species, found only in Kenya. Fewer
than 200 are believed to survive in the wild. Their
known distribution is restricted to parts of the
Aberdare and Mount Kenya forests; east of the Rift
Valley; and small, especially vulnerable, groups in
the Mau and Emburu forests, west of the Rift Valley.
The human population has increased considerably
in the past decade in the areas surrounding the
Aberdare Forest. This human increase has brought
a greater demand for meat, regardless of the
source. In recent years, poaching, together with
illegal logging activities, have been a real threat to
the bongo.
Bongo are susceptible to diseases such as
rinderpest and various predators have taken
their toll. But certainly, the most serious of these
predators are people living near the forest.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 21
Physical characteristics: Bright chestnut colour with old males almost black; 12 to 14 vertical stripes; large and broad ears; spiral lyre-shaped horns (male and female).
Swahili name: Bongo.
Scientific name: Tragelaphus euryceros isaaci
Size: Height (standing) 1 to 3 metres; length (nose to tail) 1.8 to 2.4 metres;
Weight 240 to 400 kg (male) and 200 to 250 kg (female).
Lifespan: 19½ years recorded in captivity.
Habitat: Rain forest and dense undergrowth.
Diet: Herbivorous browser.
Gestation: About nine months.
Predators: Humans, spotted hyenas, leopards.
Kenya is blessed with some beautiful
lakes. Its diverse countryside provides
an array of lakes that are not only scenic
but offer excellent opportunities for fishing. These
range from the cool highland trout streams of the
Aberdare Mountains and the mountain tarns of
Mount Kenya to Lake Turkana in the north. To the
west there is also Lake Victoria, where Nile perch
offer excellent sport fishing.
Mount Kenya itself has small beautiful lakes that
add to the grandeur of the area. High-altitude
fishing is possible at over 11,000 ft in the ‘blue
tarns’, characterised by glacial water and a rich
school of gigantic trout. Some of the best trout
fishing happens in these waters, where you are
likely to net rainbow trout, introduced to Kenya
from Scotland.
Unique
Lake Rutundu is situated on the northern slopes of
Mount Kenya, 10,200 ft above the forest line. It is
surrounded by alpine moorland, a home for unique
birdlife and vegetation. This is a most stunning
mountain tarn with crystal-clear water. You won’t
get much fishing done from the shores, but if you
take a rowing boat (available) and row further
inside, you will increase your chances of catching
something big. Since the lake is quite deep,
catching a big trout is a possibility. The wonderful
scenery makes this lake a true fisherman’s haven.
Lake Alice is a different kettle of fish. Situated slightly
higher up the mountain, inside the national park, this
is undeniably one of the best places in Kenya for trout
fishing. It has an amazing topography and the silence
here is broken only by the sound of fish eagles and
mountain hyrax. The waters are so clear that you can
actually see the fish swimming about.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 23
24
Nanyuki is deceptive at night. At 10 pm
this town on the equator settles into
an eerie quiet. There is an occasional
boda boda zipping down the street, chasing a
fare, or the odd truck trumpeting up the road
towards Isiolo. An outrageously cold breeze blows
into the town from the icecaps of Mount Kenya.
It’s a ghost town. But Nanyuki at night is a rough
diamond, waiting to be turned into an adventure.
Your voyage of discovery should begin at Old
House Bar and restaurant off the Nairobi-Nanyuki
highway. This old-style colonial farmhouse is built
at the edge of the Nanyuki River in a setting of
open pergolas that assures privacy. It gets nippy
at night because of its proximity to the river.
There is a pool table. The music here is beautiful.
They play old Congolese music like Pepe Kale,
Madilu System and the great Franco Makiadi. Most
customers order their whisky or other spirits by
the bottle and it’s not uncommon to see others with
thermos f lasks of tea in front of them. Laughter will
occasionally fill the air, yes, but what mostly fills
the air is nostalgia.
Shiny dresses
Before your beer freezes over in your glass, slip
some money into the glass containing your bill
and slip out. Drive to Sherlock’s Den, just above
Nakumatt supermarket. This is a bar you can never
quite predict. Some days it will be spilling over
with patrons and on others you will feel as if you’re
drinking in a cave in Tora Bora. If you go there on
a good night – Fridays usually are – you will find
a youngish crowd, no doubt drawn by the more
conventional modern sound. Chris Brown will be
holding court, and so will Beenie Man. Beers are
fairly priced but the price of spirits might force
you to break into a bank. You might see British
servicemen from the barracks doing body shots,
cheered on by frail girls in small shiny dresses.
So, yes, it can get boisterous and loud at times, but
This is loud and packed like a sardine truck. Old
air conditioners spit cold air above the club. The
music is excellent, with modern hits. Everywhere
is a dance f loor. You walk past revellers standing
all over, clinging to their drinks as they sway to the
music. It’s great fun. It’s electric. Just don’t leave
your drink unattended – not to say that it’s likely to
be spiked, but why take the chance?
War stories
The night, as all great nights should, will end in
Kongoni Camp, a traditional lodge popular with
patrons looking for that old quaint feel of huts and
basic accommodation. With its fantastic two-storey
wooden bar and restaurant, this is the home of the
local Nanyuki mzungus. You will find lots of British
soldiers there, enjoying a night on the tiles as they
swig beers and trade war stories. They are loud
and they drink like lads, but they won’t bother you
if you don’t bother them. Fights are uncommon
because civility reigns, somehow. The pricing
is not easy on the pocket, but it’s well worth the
fun. Dancing, as you would expect of this group,
is atrocious and hilarious, but somehow nobody
minds, or even notices. Neither should you.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 25
before it gets to that point because you can head
down the staircase, zipping up your jacket against
the cold, and hightail it out of there.
Stop by the bar at the Falcon Heights Hotel, a five-
star boutique property, opened less than a year
ago. Falcon Heights has gained a reputation as
an alternative luxury venue for those looking for
high-end accommodation in Nanyuki other than the
conventional big hotels. There is a pool bar and
on most weekends they will be roasting meat on
the spit. The bar is simple, the music is hip and the
patrons are upper-middle-class Nairobians who
are staying over or passing through town. Because
of the cold weather, patrons will sit around fires
and bond. The cold brings night revellers together
because when you’re forced to share a fire with a
total stranger over drinks, at some point you will
feel obliged to say more than: “ If this cold isn’t
about global warming, I don’t know what is.”
Drinking dens
Nanyuki by night is a bit like quicksand: you stay in
one place for too long and you won’t leave. So jump
in a cab and tell the cabbie: “Take me to a place
with the loudest music, loud enough to warm my
frozen bones,” and he will head towards the most
famous joint in Nanyuki, the Sportsman Arms. This
famous establishment has been there since God
was a boy. It’s synonymous with Nanyuki town. To
put it graphically, if Nanyuki were a picture, the
Sportsman’s Arms would be its frame. There are a
few drinking dens here, but the cabbie will point
you towards the club.
26
The history of the Mount Kenya region
is bound up with the struggle for
independence. It is a place of war secrets
and untold tales, with places of interest that few
outsiders know of and insiders often dismiss as
normal. Yet these locations are an important part
of the history of the region and its people. Below
are a few:
Kimathi Post Office, Nyeri
This is not your conventional post office with
postboxes and postmen. This is a post office
without a key, a secret post office, if you will.
Over 60 years ago, when the Mau Mau fighters
were combating the British, they adopted ways of
passing on messages between themselves. The
mugumo tree, an important tree for the Kikuyu,
was often used to hide messages for different
squadrons of the Mau Mau soldiers. The messages
were left between the thick curling trunks of the
huge tree, away from the reach of the British.
One of these trees can be found in the Aberdare
National Park. It is well over 100 years old, the
wardens believe, and represents a significant
chapter in the struggle for Kenyan independence.
Bells of Embu
In the compound of ACK Emmanuel Church in
Kigari, a bell hangs. Weighing about 200 kg, this
bell was a gift from the Church Missionary Society
in Canada, who shipped it to Mombasa in about
1910. From Mombasa it was taken by rail to Thika,
where nine strong men carried it on their shoulders
to Embu. The 190 km journey took over a month.
The first missionary in that church, John Comely,
received the bell on behalf of his f lock and it was
hoisted up a tree. Years later, Comely fell gravely
ill and was taken to King George’s Hospital (now
Kenyatta National Hospital) in Nairobi. Legend has
it that, on the day Comely died, the bell started
ringing on its own. Without prompting, it rang nine
times as birds f luttered around his house and, it is
said, outside his hospital window. This inexplicable
event is still the talk of Embu. Although the tree
from which the bell originally hung has since fallen,
the legend remains alive.
Secret Valley, Nanyuki
To get here, you have to drive to up the forestry
office and then many kilometres deep into the
indigenous forest. You need a sturdy vehicle for
this journey, and warm clothing, because Secret
Valley overlooks Mount Kenya.
Once upon a time this valley was home to Forest
Lodge, which burned down. This is a beautiful
valley with a calm watering swamp where wild
animals congregate to drink. On a clear day, the
view of Mount Kenya is clear and unobstructed.
And it is silent – that loud silence.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 27
The beauty of this area inspired the making of the
film ‘White Mischief’ which tells the story of a white
millionaire coming to Kenya with his wife to find the
British expatriates living a disreputable life, with
drugs, wife swapping, horse racing, etc. Someone
is murdered – but who fired the fatal shot? Well,
like the valley, that’s a secret.
Embu Tunnel, Embu
This actually looks like a cave at first glance; or
rather, it starts as a cave but turns into a tunnel
because it opens up on the other side of the
mountain. The 3 km long Embu Tunnel lies next
to Thege Njeru Waterfall and was used by the
Mau Mau when evading the British soldiers. It is a
monument to the struggle for independence.
St Phillip Church, Naro Moru
In 1952 Princess Elizabeth attended a service at
this church. The next day she was proclaimed
Queen of England after the death of her father, King
George VI. Recently, to mark the Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee, CNN filmed the proceedings from this
church and broadcast it to the world.
The first stone of this church was laid by Major G.
Baynes in 1949. Over time, the brick church has
retained its different-era feel of wooden pews, a
wooden lectern and antique features such as a
British coat of arms, a gift from the Queen.
Italian Memorial Church, Nyeri
Built in 1952, this church represents Italian
martyrdom of a sort. Located about 5 km from
Nyeri town, the church is special because it is
the burial place of 676 Italian soldiers who were
captured by the British in Ethiopia and transferred
to Kenya as prisoners of war. Many of them died of
malaria and tuberculosis in the war camps.
There is a marble tomb of Prince Amedeo Savoia-
Aosta, the Duke of Aosta, a distinguished soldier
who was appointed commander-in-chief of the
Italian forces by Benito Mussolini.
In a separate structure there are several vaults
containing the remains of African soldiers, mostly
from Somaliland, who fought alongside the Italians.
Every year, on 4 November, a mass is held at the
church to commemorate the soldiers’ dedication
to their country. This service is attended by Italian
families, friends and government officials in Kenya.
The Italian and Kenyan f lags are hoisted at the
entrance and the interior walls of the church are
decorated with green, white and red ribbons.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 29
30
At Mount Kenya Safari Club you can drive
off from any tee and land your ball in a
millionaire’s backyard.
It’s only a par three, nine-hole course, but Mount
Kenya Safari Club attracts golfers from all over
the world to this meticulously tended setting with
its rich royal history and, of course, the enigmatic
Mount Kenya.
The course has recently been renovated to meet
international standards and there has been a
growing level of interest from corporates, with
business people making their way to Mount Kenya
Safari Club for a round or two. The picturesque
landscape lends a serene atmosphere to the
course and provides an ideal backdrop. The
weather is perfect, never too hot or cold.
This exclusive rich man’s retreat opened in 1959
and Sir Winston Churchill is believed to have been
one of its founding members. Celebrities and royal
family members are known to be among its current
members. The club is set in 37 hectares of pristine
gardens and the area teems with wildlife. There are
over 65 species of birds including marabou storks
and peacocks. When you cross into the Mount
Kenya Game Ranch you will find eland, zebra,
Cape buffalo and other animals.
Both on its fairways and its greens, the well
maintained golf course is carpeted by indigenous
Kikuyu grass, which holds the ball well and offers a
good – albeit slow – putting surface.
Probably most memorable hole on the course is
the third, which promises every golfer the longest
drive of his life. While the hole measures only 174
yards, the tee is halfway round the world from the
green. To put it more succinctly, the tee is situated
in the southern hemisphere while the green is
in the northern hemisphere because the fairway
straddles the equator.
The most difficult hole is the 144-yard sixth, where
a high and straight drive is required in order to
avoid the two large bushy trees located between
the green and the tee. After the game, you can sit
on the patio of your suite and watch the snowcaps
of Mount Kenya. This can ease the pain of a poor
round and a few lost balls.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 31
One of the little known facts about Nyeri
is that the town’s St Peter’s cemetery is
the final resting place of Lord Robert
Baden-Powell of Gilwell – the founder in 1908 of
the worldwide Scouting Movement. Today, Scouts
are thought to number between 25 and 45 million.
Aside from his famed association with the Scouting
Movement, Baden-Powell was a man of many
talents; excelling at fishing and polo while enjoying
big-game hunting. He was also an accomplished
watercolourist and sculptor and took a keen
interest in cine-photography.
Soldier
Despite his dalliances with the arts, Baden-Powell
was ostensibly a soldier at heart; rising to the
position of Inspector General of Cavalry in the
British Army. The Scouting Movement’s roots and
activities are firmly embedded in the bushcraft that
Baden-Powell learned as a soldier during his time
in southern Africa.
Lord Baden-Powell first visited Kenya in 1906 and
was immediately smitten by the area around Mount
Kenya. So many years later and his work more
or less done, Baden-Powell and his wife Olave
decided the to live full-time in Nyeri. They rented
a modest one-room cottage in the grounds of the
Outspan Hotel close to the centre of Nyeri. Baden-
Powell named his humble dwelling Paxtu.
It was Baden-Powell’s second property named
Pax (Latin for ‘peace’) as the great man had also
lived in a property with same name in the UK, so it
became known as Pax Two or Paxtu.
Baden-Powell, who had earlier recuperated at Outspan
after an illness, bought a share of Walker’s hotel
business to pay for his cottage. Baden-Powell once
remarked that “closer to Nyeri, closer to bliss”. Sadly,
his final years in Nyeri were short-lived. On 8 January
1941, aged 83, the founder of the Scouting Movement
died and was later buried in St Peter’s Cemetery.
His gravestone bears a circle with a dot in the
centre which is the trail sign for ‘going home’
or ‘I have gone home’. Otherwise, the headstone
just states: ‘Robert Baden-Powell, Chief Scout
of the World’ surmounted by the Boy Scout and
Girl Guide Badges. It summed up the man who
led a simple life and wanted for little in the way of
material possessions.
When his widow Olave died 36 years later in 1977 in
the UK, her ashes were flown to Kenya and interred
next to her beloved husband.
The Safari & Conservation Company (SCC)
is a portfolio of lodges and unique safari
experiences in Kenya with a significant
presence in and around Mount Kenya – a prime
location with a diversity of environments ideal for
exploration and adventure.
SCC offers its guests a chance to experience all
the thrills and wonder of the mighty mountain.
Guests can choose from a range of activities that
includes tailor-made riding safaris with Riding
Wild; helicopter and f ly-fishing excursions with
Tropic Air; and luxury accommodation at Borana
Lodge, Laragai House and the charming Rutundu
Log Cabins.
Borana Lodge and Laragai House are perfect
bases for an African adventure on Mount Kenya,
whether hiking, riding or f lying to the summit.
Both lodges offer unparalleled panoramic views
of the mountain with its white-tipped peaks and
undulating foothills. Here, guests can enjoy some
luxury before their epic mountain quest, encounter
fascinating wildlife and revel in the astounding
beauty of the area.
Escape on foot, on horseback or by helicopter to
the rustic-chic cabins of Rutundu, on the edge of
Lake Rutundu, overlooking the north-east face of
Mount Kenya. Located off the beaten track, the
cabins are surrounded by pure wilderness, a
paradise for hikers and fishermen, with heather
forests and glacial streams teeming with brown
and rainbow trout.
Tailor-made
Guests can enjoy their own tailor-made safari
experience of the mountain with Riding Wild
or Tropic Air. Ride across Borana Ranch and
neighbouring ranches and journey through the
rugged Laikipia Plains, lush fig and cedar forests
and the moorlands of Mount Kenya with Riding
Wild. Or take to the sky and soar above the
scenery in a Tropic Air helicopter, witnessing a
view fit for the gods.
Embark on the ultimate adventure safari and
become part of the exquisite landscape and
wildlife with the Safari & Conservation Company.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 33
THE SAFARI & CONSERVATION COMPANY
34
Catering & Tourism Development Levy
Trustees (CTDLT) is established
pursuant to the provisions of the Hotels
and Restaurants Act, Cap 494, Laws of Kenya.
Vision
To be a lead source of funding for the sustainable
development of the tourism industry.
Tropic Air, located at the foot of Mount
Kenya, is a leading air charter company
with 20 years of f lying experience. Its
base, Nanyuki Airfield, is a busy hub linking
Samburu and other northern destinations with
Nairobi, the Masai Mara and Meru.
Tropic Air operates a fleet of Cessna aircraft and
employs a team of experienced and knowledgeable
pilots. In addition to charters, its services include
aerial filming and photography, geo-survey, medical
The mandate of the organisation includes:-
• To collect, control and administer the training
and tourism development levy fund.
• To establish, equip and control such establishments
for the training of persons for employment in the
hotels and restaurants as the Minister may approve.
• To establish and develop national standards for
testing the skills required by the tourism industry.
• To make such payments out of the Fund as may
be necessary to enable the Kenya Tourist Board
promote Kenya as a tourist destination both
locally and internationally.
Mission
To effectively collect levy, establish and fund training
institutions, facilitate destination, marketing and develop
standards for testing skills in the tourism industry.
evacuations and support for conservation initiatives.
A decade ago, Tropic Air launched its helicopter
division, pioneering heli-safaris throughout the region.
Its tailor-made safaris cover wild and spectacular
mountains, valleys, forests and deserts with a focus on
‘remote and unknown, unexplored and unforgettable’
destinations. The company operates Eurocopter AS 350
B3 helicopters, chosen for their superior performance
in hot and high altitude environments, and for their
flexibility to work on a wide range of tasks in the East
African environment.
Tropic Air is committed to supporting the Mount Kenya
National Park, providing mountain rescue support.
Its pilots are familiar with the mountain terrain,
experienced in high altitude flying and trained in
first aid. Every year Tropic Air, together with the park
rangers, carries out a mountain clean-up operation to
help conserve the natural environment.
CTDLT
TROPIC AIR
Laikipia is one of the world’s most exciting
wilderness safari and wildlife tourism
destinations. Lying on the threshold of
Kenya’s wild northern rangelands, it stretches
from Mount Kenya to the rim of the Great Rift
Valley and is larger than all of Kenya’s national
parks and reserves except Tsavo.
After Tsavo, Laikipia is Kenya’s most extensive
wildlife haven. All of the Big Five mammals can be
found here. It is a sanctuary for over 80 species
of mammal including black rhino, elephant, lion,
leopard, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe,
aardwolf and wild dog. Laikipia is also renowned
for the richness of its birdlife.
Night game drives, guided nature walks, bike tours,
horse-riding and camel treks – all prohibited in most
parks – are just some of the exhilarating activities.
In addition, visitors have privileged access to the
cultures and customs of the region’s Mukogodo,
Maasai, Samburu, Pokot and other peoples.
Large areas have been set aside by local
communities for conservation and ecotourism
developments. Tourism investments have been
structured as jointly owned ventures, in the form of
lodges or tented camps, between private investors
and the local land-owning communities. These
ventures include Il Ngwesi Lodge, Tassia, Koija
Star Beds and The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille.
There is a diverse range of facilities including
small lodges, tented camps, ranch houses,
community lodges and resorts/hotels. Based in
natural wildlife areas, they focus on wilderness-
based tourism. There are over 40 places to stay in
the wider Laikipia area, many of which have won
tourism awards.
The Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF) is a member
based environmental conservation organisation.
LWF promotes the region’s tourism internationally
to help generate benefits from wildlife and to
develop the local economy. It supports the sector
in many different ways, with special attention to
community owned tourism enterprises.
For more information on Laikipia’s tourism, visit
www.laikipiatourism.com
For more information on conservation in Laikipia,
visit www.laikipia.org
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 35
LAIKIPIA WILDLIFE FORUM
36
There are many reasons why the White
Rhino Hotel is special. First, there is the
Aberdare National Park, not far from the
hotel. This is an old volcanic mountain range with
short peaks owing to long erosion. For a modest
outlay, guests can go and experience the beauty
of this park with its waterfalls, campsites and game
viewing opportunities. Weather permitting, they
will have an opportunity to see Mount Kenya and
the Great Rift Valley.
The rugged terrain of Aberdare, with its deep
ravines cutting through the forest and its clear-
water streams, make this national park a ‘must
visit’ location. Be sure to visit the Karuru Falls with
their spectacular drop of 272 metres. If you can,
go fishing in those clear waters, where you may be
lucky enough to catch a rainbow trout.
The park is also home to endangered species that
include the rare bongo as well as giant forest hog,
wild dog, black rhino, leopard, reptiles and birds,
so be sure to carry your binoculars.
Location
The White Rhino Hotel is an important fixture in
Nyeri. It is located right in the town centre, yet has
its own distinct identity.
Accommodation consists of 11 tastefully furnished
rooms, all en-suite with private balconies. The
rooms feature a classic blend of rustic charm with
a twist of modernity. All come with digital satellite
TV. The rates are friendly, so if you are in town on
business and need a comfortable place that does
not compromise on quality, this is it. Five twin
rooms and six double rooms are available, while
90 more rooms are being built and will open soon.
WHITE RHINO HOTEL
Kongoni Camp Restaurant is a piece of
paradise set in a forest glade with Mount
Kenya as an iconic backdrop. Guests can
enjoy a tranquil natural environment surrounded
by cedars and cypress trees.
The resort is situated off the Timau Road
just outside Nanyuki town and offers quality
accommodation in an informal atmosphere as well
as a grill, pizzeria, bar and coffee shop.
Kongoni and its staff pride themselves on being
good hosts and offering guests a high quality of
service. All the buildings work in harmony with the
landscape. The restaurant is housed in a traditional
double-storey cedar farm-style building and offers
a warm and rustic dining experience surrounded
by contemporary decor with a gigantic fireplace
out on the porch. A display of classic ‘retro’ art,
featuring showbiz personalities, adds to the special
ambience. A spacious fully stocked bar is available
with DSTV and Wi-Fi. A fine selection of wines
from around the world can be purchased from the
restaurant and natural organic products from the
coffee shop.
Guests can relax in sofas and armchairs round
a huge open fireplace on the porch, or sit in the
shaded garden and enjoy the bright sunny days
and clean crisp air of Nanyuki.
Kongoni Camp Restaurant is an ideal spot for mountain
enthusiasts on a weekend getaway or looking to tour
Laikipia. Nature walks, horse riding and camel riding
can all be arranged. Its close proximity to Sirimon
Park base, the gate to Mount Kenya, makes Kongoni
Camp ideal for trekking. There are also excellent
opportunities for birdwatching, with up to 75 species
within the grounds.
Guests can choose to camp or stay in one of
the rustic double rooms. Kongoni has various
accommodation options including five thatched
double-bed rondavels, a rustic self-contained 17-
bed double-storey cabin and the option of a natural
campsite surrounded by a forest landscape teeming
with birdlife and offering views of Mount Kenya.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 37
KONGONI CAMP
38
Africa is the new frontier for tourism and
development. The potential for growth is
huge for both investors and stakeholders
and there is no better time than now to invest in
the continent.
While opportunities for tourism development
abound, the conference also addressed the
challenges that face Tourism Development in
Kenya and in Africa as a whole.
The two-day conference was hosted by the
Kenya Tourism Development Corporation
(KTDC) in partnership with Bench Events. It
attracted government leaders and officials,
financiers, entrepreneurs, architects, lawyers and
transactional advisers.
The Corporation’s managing director, Marianne
Jordan said the conference showcased to potential
investors different locations with tourism potential
and the distances between them hoping that they
would consider investing in Kenya.
About KTDC
KTDC is a Development Finance Institution
(DFI) with a mandate to facilitate and provide
development financing for long-term investments
in Kenya’s tourism sector.
Vision 2030 acknowledges the vital role played
by tourism, stating that ‘Kenya aims to be among
the top 10 long-haul tourist destinations globally’.
Achieving this involves addressing constraints
facing the sector and implementing strategic
projects to improve the quality and breadth of
Kenya’s tourist offerings at the coast, in game
parks, in the conference sector, and in niche
products such as culture and ecotourism.
Major projects now being fronted for funding by
the KTDC under the Public Private Partnership
(PPP) include a world-class convention centre in
Mombasa and development of a marina at Shimoni.
These and other projects are aimed at reducing
poverty, creating jobs, boosting foreign exchange
earnings and increasing GDP. This conference has
been a catalyst for the realisation of these projects.
About AHIF
AHIF was a platform that brought together both local
and global players in the tourism and hotel industry
to share their expertise and who discussed best
practices for hotel development. The forum also
looked at how to conduct business across the whole
continent and how to assess the potential risks and
rewards of what is a hugely varied product base.
KTDC
Safari Air Express (SA X) is a proudly Kenyan-
owned airline operating f rom both Jomo
Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and
Wilson Airpor t. SA X is small enough to offer its
customers a personal service, but large enough to
accommodate all kinds of requests and requirements.
Aircraft
The SA X f leet comprises one 80-seat Douglas
DC-9 aircraft, one 68-seat Fokker F28, one 19-seat
Beechcraf t B1900 and two Cessna C208 Caravans
seating 10 and 12 passengers respectively.
All of the company’s aircraft are available for
private charter.
Diverse
SAX operates from both Wilson Airport and JKIA and
caters for a diverse and dynamic market. Its flights from
Wilson Airport serve the domestic and international
tourism market and are performed using B1900 and
C208 aircraft. The airline’s safari circuit operates to
Amboseli, Masai Mara, Ukunda (Diani), Kilimanjaro,
Vipingo, Nanyuki, Lamu, Meru and Malindi airports.
SAX operates from a bright, happy and recently
refurbished departure lounge alongside its own
40s café in Langata House at Wilson Airport.
Its f lights from JKIA are performed using DC-9
and F28 aircraft and operate to regional airports in
East Africa. These f lights operate from Unit 3. The
airline’s international f lights check in and depart
from the international terminal at Unit 1.
SAX foresees an exciting future in Kenya.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 39
SAFARI AIR EXPRESS
40
Kenya is a destination of diversity: from
safari, finest beaches on the Indian Ocean,
entire spectrum of luxury hotels, tented
camps, our breath taking landscapes, all wrapped
in the warmth of the Kenyan people. The Kenya
Tourist Board (KTB) was voted Africa’s leading
Tourism Board 2012 in the Africa category during
19th World Travel Awards nomination ceremony
held in September in the UK .
Kenya is the original home of the safari and the
ultimate destination for a world-class holiday.
Sitting astride the equator, halfway down Africa’s
eastern coast, Kenya is the most accessible country
in the region. With some 90 international f lights
arriving and departing Nairobi every week, visitors
can be enjoying dinner and observing elephants and
other wildlife within a few hours of leaving the office.
Kenya offers a world of attractions and opportunities
for the discerning visitor – more than any other
destination. Visitors can expect to find stunning
landscapes, a diversity of culture and myths, sandy
beaches, a range of adventure sport activities and,
above all, the chance to observe rare wildlife.
Kenya’s cosmopolitan capital, Nairobi, is the only city
in the world with a national park attached to it. The
city’s famous hotels and restaurants offer the perfect
start to a memorable vacation. But it is on the plains,
beneath the majestic snow-capped mountains, that
you will find Kenya’s most memorable entertainment
– the great annual migration of some 2 million
wildebeest, half a million zebra and thousands of
gazelle in search of pastures new.
After the wonders of a wildlife safari, Kenya’s
beaches offer the ultimate in relaxation. With 480
km of beaches – 50 per cent of them sheltered by
unspoilt coral reef – Kenya is the ideal destination for
adventure and sports tourism.
Kenya’s wild assets are accompanied by the warmest
of welcomes. Visitors can experience the vibrancy of
Kenya’s 42 cultures and become part of an extended
national family. Home stays can also be arranged.
In the Northern Laikipia area, ranches covering
hundreds of thousands of acres offer private game
viewing with eco-friendly private community lodges
catering for only a couple of customers.
Wherever you go in Kenya, you are delivered right to
the heart of the action.
KENYA TOURIST BOARD
One of the best and more experienced
operators of specialist helicopter
services is Lady Lori, which provides
a comprehensive range of air transport and
support services in East and Central Africa. These
range from scenic f lights and helicopter safari
adventures to highly technical surveying and
logistical support for the oil and gas industries and
from airport and city shuttle services to external
load and fire suppression.
In March 2012, when fires raged out of control on
Mount Kenya, the pilots of Lady Lori played a key
part in tackling the crisis.
Award-winning
Lady Lori operates a f leet of modern, well appointed
helicopters, with cabins in mint condition. The
helicopters are maintained by the company’s award-
winning in-house engineering team. Every detail of
each f light is meticulously scrutinised by this team.
The company also operates a hot air balloon service
in the Masai Mara and provides a tailor-made travel
concierge service throughout East and Central Africa.
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 41
LADY LORI
Falcon Heights is a small, luxury, boutique
hotel, less than a year old, situated in
Nanyuki town. Accommodation consists of
16 luxury rooms and an executive two-bedroom
cottage. The rooms have all the trappings of an
upmarket hotel, with LCD f lat-screen televisions,
Wi-Fi, hairdryer and shaving unit and plush
lounge chairs as well as complimentary tea and
coffee services.
In addition, the hotel has a conference facility that is
able to host up to 50 guests indoor and outdoors.
There is a swimming pool and a separate baby pool
where children can play. At night, the chefs bring out
a grill and serve dinner by the poolside. The choice
includes meats, salads and Continental cuisine.
Intimate
Falcon Heights is an alternative destination for those
looking for something small, intimate and uncomplicated.
FALCON HEIGHTS
4242
Batian Grand Hotel and Mpeta Guest House
offer visitors a choice of accommodation
in Nyeri with ready to access to local
services and amenities.
Batian Grand Hotel, located in the heart of Nyeri
town, is a favourite stopover for travellers on their
way to the Mount Kenya highlands with its many
fine features, including Mount Kenya National Park,
the Aberdare Ranges, the Mau Mau Caves and the
grave of Lord Baden-Powell. The two-star hotel
offers warm hospitality in a friendly and tranquil
environment. It is also an excellent venue for
seminars, conferences, parties and other functions.
The hotel has a 70-seat restaurant, a coffee shop,
a residents’ bar and a sports pub, all offering
excellent cuisine and service.
Mpeta Guest House
Mpeta Guest House offers comfortable self-catering
apartments for both families and business travellers.
Located within easy reach of the central business
district of Nyeri, the apartments are located in the lush
green suburb with fine views of Mount Kenya and
the surrounding farmlands. The smartly designed
apartments consist of one- and two-bedroom units
with a modern kitchenette, large living room and
terrace. Each apartment has wireless internet, DSTV,
intercom and personal safes.
BATIAN GRAND HOTEL & MPETA GUEST HOUSE
42
One of the pioneers of Kenya’s soft
drinks industry, Kenya Highlands
Mineral Water Co Ltd was established
in 1954 in Nyeri. As a world-class organisation
with products conforming to Kenyan and
international standards, it has been providing high
quality soft drinks for over half a century
Highlands offers bottled drinking water, certified by the
Kenya Bureau of Standards Diamond Mark of Quality.
Natural
The Highlands range also includes still natural
and fruit flavoured cordials and ready-to-drinks
in orange, pineapple, tropical, lemon, strawberry
and blackcurrant flavours. In addition, sugar-free
Highlands Light Drinks, developed for health conscious
individuals and suitable for diabetics, are available.
The company operates through distributors
countrywide and in the East African region.
Highlands is committed to giving something
back to the community through corporate social
responsibility projects.
Highlands is the official supplier of water for
the Safaricom Lewa Marathon and the Rhino
Charge, supporting wildlife conservation. It
also supports the East African Wildlife Society,
East African Environmental Network and other
conservation projects.
Other events in which Highlands is proud to be
involved include rally sport, the Diabetes Walk and
Operation Smile.
Highlands is continuing to expand its market share
in Kenya and East Africa.
HIGHLANDS MINERAL WATER CO LTD
MOUNT KENYA TRUST
Mount Kenya is recognised as a World
Heritage Site and Biospehere Reserve.
The Mount Kenya Trust has been working for 12 years
in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the
Kenya Forest Service, local communities and other
non-profit organisations to help conserve Mount
Kenya. The Trust works with
Government agencies, provides
employment and community
education, saves wildlife and
sensitizes the public about habitat
destruction.
The Trust is wholly reliant on donations
from individuals, local companies
and the international community.
© P
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44
AFRICANA CURIO SHOPLocation: SaganaAddress: PO Box 1890, SaganaTel: 061 72556; 0722-881991 Email: [email protected] located on the Nairobi-Nyeri highway, this is a one-stop shop for all African curios and gifts.
BANANA LEAF HOTELLocation: NyeriAddress: PO Box 2081, Nyeri Tel: 061-2031655 Email: [email protected]: www.bananaleafhotel.comBanana Leaf, on the main Nairobi-Nyeri highway, is a tranquil town hotel offering a blend of comfort and luxury.
HOTELS
BBanana Leaf Hotel 44
Batian Guest House 45
Batian Grand Hotel 45
Blue Hills Resort 45
GGerish Hotels 45
Greenhills Hotel 45
HHotel Incredible 45
Hotel Three Steers 45
IImperial Hotel 46
Ivory Resort Hotel Ltd 46
Izaak Walton Inn 46
KKwetu Lodge 46
MMark 5 Resort 46
Masinga Dam Resort 46
Maua Basin Hotel 46
Mount Kenya Safari Club 46
Mpeta Guest House 47
NNaru Moru River Lodge 47
New Thuchi Lodge 47
OOld House 47
RRoyal Prince Hotel 47
SSerena Mountain Lodge 47
Sportsman's Arms Hotel 48
Sweetwaters Tented Camp 48
TThomson's Falls Lodge 48
Transit Motel 48
Treetops Lodge 48
VValleyview Prime Lodge 48
WWestwind Hotel 48
White Rhino Hotel 48
TOUR OPERATORS AND SERVICES
AAfricana Curio Shop 44
BBongo Asili 45
EEmbu Tourism Development Organisation 45
KKenya School of Adventure and Leadership 46
L Lorian Safaris 46
NNyeri Youth Mount Kenya Climbing Club 47
S Sagana Total Station 47
Slopes Mineral Water 48
UUniq Shop 48
RESTAURANTS
RRaybells Restaurant 47
For further information regarding membership, existing members and their services contact:
MOUNT KENYA TOURISM CIRCUIT ASSOCIATION
2nd floor, West Wing, Central Plaza, Kimathi Way PO Box 2669-10140, Nyeri Tel: +254 (0)20 232 6170Email: [email protected]
www.mount-kenya.org
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 45
BATIAN GUEST HOUSELocation: NanyukiAddress: PO Box 1391-10400Tel: 0718-635577Email: [email protected] in Nanyuki, on the main highway from Nairobi, this standard hotel is the town’s newest landmark.
BLUE HILLS RESORTLocation: SaganaAddress: PO Box 41-00520 NairobiTell: 0722-581497A country hotel located on the banks of Tana river, on Nairobi-Sagana highway with a perfect view of the meandering waters of Tana.
BONGO ASILILocation: NyeriAddress: PO Box 873-10100Tel: 0700-391203Email: [email protected]: www.bongoasili.comAs an international tour operator, Bongo Asili is familiar with the local terrain and offers top-of-the-range services.
GERISH HOTELSLocation: EmbuAddress: PO Box 1760-60100, EmbuTel: 06830440/0202056649Email: [email protected] Hotels is a budget hotel 2 km from the central business district of Embu town. Along with its convenient urban location, the hotel has the ambience of a rural setting.
HOTEL INCREDIBLELocation: Meru Address: PO Box 2020-60200, MeruTel: 0722-885511/064-30227Email: [email protected]: www.hotelincredible.comLocated on Kirukuri Road in Meru, this town hotel is a magnet for business travellers and a popular venue for domestic and foreign visitors.
BATIAN GRAND HOTELLocation: Nyeri Address: PO Box 12100-10109Tel: 061-2030743/020-3535266Email: [email protected]: www.batianhotel.co.keLocated in the heart of Nyeri town, overlooking the stadium, this luxury hotel offers great views of the peaks of Mount Kenya and the plains of Laikipia.
EMBU TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATIONLocation: EmbuAddress: PO Box 1760 EmbuCell: 0716376356/0725603231Email: [email protected] is a community-based organisation that brings community members together with the aim of facilitating the growth of tourism in Embu.
GREENHILLS HOTELLocation: Nyeri Address: PO Box 313-10100, NyeriTel: 061-2030604Email: [email protected]: www.greenhills.co.keLocated in the suburbs of Nyeri, this three-star town hotel is surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens and enjoys stunning views of Mount Kenya.
HOTEL THREE STEERSLocation: MeruAddress: PO Box 21113-00505, MeruTel: 0728-588005/0724-398935Email: [email protected]: www.nairobipacifichotels.comThis cosy and luxurious town hotel on the Meru-Isiolo road offers a wide variety of cuisine and accommodation to meet the demands of business travellers and domestic and international visitors.
MEMBER INDEX
46
IMPERIAL HOTELLocation: NyeriAddress: PO Box 2606-10140, NyeriTel: 0722853724Email: [email protected]
This town hotel in the heart of Nyeri offers luxury accommodation and is an ideal place for business.
IZAAK WALTON INNLocation: Embu Address: PO Box 1, EmbuTel: 068-31128/9, 31237Email: [email protected]: www.izaakwaltoninn.co.keThe style of this historical masterpiece combines a f lavour of bygone days with a touch of the future. The hotel is located 2 km from the town centre in the serene outskirts of Embu.
KWETU LODGELocation: EmbuAddress: 1241-60100, EmbuTel: 068-30692This lodge in the heart of Embu town is ideal for business travellers or those looking for a quiet place to relax.,
MARK 5 RESORTLocation: EmbuAddress: PO Box 65-60121, EmbuTel: 0705-585857Email: [email protected]: www.mak5fresh.comA gateway to Mount Kenya and stopover on the main highway from Nairobi to Sagana equipped with a restaurant, bar and swimming pool.
MAUA BASIN HOTELLocation: MauaAddress: PO Box 452, MauaTel: 0617-21519Email: [email protected] its tranquil setting, affordable accommodation and excellent customer services, the Maua Basin Hotel prides itself on creating an atmosphere that is both relaxing and comfortable.
IVORY RESORT HOTEL LTDLocation: Nyeri Address: PO Box 959, NyeriTel: 0722-929013Email: [email protected] on the Nyeri-Nairobi highway at Skuta, this town hotel is set in a lush green environment of coffee and tea plantations.
KENYA SCHOOL OF ADVENTURE AND LEADERSHIPLocation: MeruAddress: PO Box 4055-00506Tel: 020-237626Email: [email protected]: www.kesal.co.keEstablished in 1990, the Kenya School of Adventure and Leadership (KESAL) offers a unique and high-impact range of experiential-based training solutions.
LORIAN SAFARISLocation: NyeriAddress: PO Box 2669-10140, NyeriTel: 0720-957881Email: [email protected] lovers of adventure, Lorian Safaris can provide skilled experts familiar with the local terrain and equipped to provide insightful community integration.
MASINGA DAM RESORTLocation: EmbuAddress: PO Box 47309-00100, EmbuTel: 020-2096288Email: [email protected]: [email protected] next to Masinga Dam in the Mwea National Reserve, this resort enjoys spectacular golden sunrises and sunsets all year round.
MOUNT KENYA SAFARI CLUBLocation: NanyukiAddress: PO Box 35-10400, NanyukiTel: 062-2030000 Web: www.fairmont.comA five-star club located on the slopes of Mount Kenya in the serene Mount Kenya Game Ranch.
MEMBER INDEX
MOUNT KENYA: A DUO HEMISPHERE DESTINATION 47
MPETA GUEST HOUSELocation: Nyeri Address: PO Box 12100-10109, NyeriTel: 061-2030743/ 020-3535266Email: [email protected]: www.batianhotel.co.keMpeta is a cosy and luxurious furnished apartment located on the Nyeri-Nanyuki highway with spectacular views of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains.
NEW THUCHI LODGELocation: MeruAddress: PO Box 7-60100, MeruTel: 020-2074549Email: [email protected] Thuchi Lodge is situated on the banks of the Thuchi River on the Nairobi-Meru highway on the eastern side of Mount Kenya.
OLD HOUSELocation: Nanyuki Address: PO Box 340, NanyukiTel: 062 31556/ 020-3526007Email: [email protected] standard town hotel on the banks of Nanyuki River in the serene suburbs of Nanyuki.
RAYBELLS RESTAURANTLocation: NyeriAddress: PO Box 1363-10100, NyeriTel: 020 2370035Email: [email protected] with both local people and international visitors, Raybells is a modern family restaurant in the heart of Nyeri specialising in Continental and African cuisine.
SAGANA TOTAL STATIONLocation: SaganaAddress: PO Box 317, SaganaTel: 020-2033985/ 020-2737100Email: [email protected] ideal halfway gas station on the Nairobi Highway at Sagana town with a convenience store, restaurant and rest rooms.
NARU MORU RIVER LODGELocation: Naru MoruAddress: PO Box 18-10105, Naru Moru Tel: 062-31047/ 062-31048Email: [email protected]: www.naromoruriverlodge.comThis country lodge on the banks of Naru Moru River is an ideal base for climbing Mount Kenya, with splendid views of the snowcapped peaks.
NYERI YOUTH MOUNT KENYA CLIMBING CLUBLocation: NyeriAddress: PO Box 2669, NeriTel: 0721-119708Email: [email protected] is a club of experienced and skilled young tour guides and porters serving mountain climbers and hikers on Mount Kenya.
OUTSPANLocation: NyeriAddress: PO Box 24, NyeriTel: 061-2032424Email: [email protected]: www.aberdarehotel.comLocated on Baden-Powell Road in Nyeri, the Outspan is a country hotel surrounded by beautifully kept gardens and lawns.
ROYAL PRINCE HOTELLocation: MeruAddress: PO Box 964-10200, MeruTel: 064-30115/0722-508417/0701685455Email: [email protected]: www.royalprincehotel.comLocated in the heart of Meru, the Royal Prince Hotel is a magnet for local and international tourists visiting this busy eastern town.
SERENA MOUNTAIN LODGELocation: Naro Moru Address: PO Box 123, KiganjoTel: 0711-109637/ 0711-109638Email: [email protected]: [email protected]: www.serenahotels.comA forest lodge in the pristine tropical forest of Mount Kenya. The lodge faces a watering hole frequented by big forest game.
MEMBER INDEX
48
MEMBER LISTINGS
SLOPES MINERAL WATERLocation: NyeriAddress: PO Box 1290-10300, NyeriTel: 0723-878932Email: [email protected] the tourism industry in the Mount Kenya region, this bottled water company offers crystal-clear mineral waters.
SWEETWATERS TENTED CAMPLocation: NanyukiAddress: PO Box 763, NanyukiTel: 062-32430/062-32409Web: www.serenahotels.comA tented camp situated in Ol Pejeta Conservancy facing an animal waterhole with scenic views of Mount Kenya.
TRANSIT MOTELLocation: Chogoria MeruAddress: PO Box 190-60401 ChogoriaTel: 0733-573494Email: [email protected]: www.transitmotelchogoria.comOffering a perfect base for climbing Mount Kenya, this motel has a rural location at the base of one of the three main routes to the summits of the mountain.
UNIQ SHOPLocation: KaratinaAddress: PO Box 412-10100, Karatina Tel: 061-72 343 Email: [email protected] Shop is a specialist in African designs and artefacts located on the main highway from Nairobi to Nyeri.
WESTWIND HOTELLocation: MeruAddress: PO Box 730-60200, MeruTel: 064-31980Email: [email protected]: www.westwindhotelmeru.comThis town hotel on the Meru-Maua road at Makutano is a favourite destination for visitors to the mountain region, offering superb African cuisine.
SPORTSMAN’S ARMS HOTELLocation: NanyukiAddress: PO Box 3, NanyukiTel: 062-2032348/7Email: [email protected]: www.sportemansarms.comA three-star hotel in the heart of Nanyuki town overlooking the snowcaps of Mount Kenya.
THOMSON’S FALLS LODGELocation: NyahururuAddress: PO Box 38 ,NyahururuTel: 065-2022006/065-2032176Email: [email protected]: www.thomsonsfallslodge.comSituated at the world-famous Thomson’s Falls, this Swiss chalet-style lodge is set in lush lawns shaded by African olive and cedar trees.
TREETOPSLocation: NyeriAddress: PO Box 24, NyeriTel: 061-2032424Email: [email protected]: www.aberdarehotel.comA five-star forest lodge located strategically overlooking a legendary waterhole visited by wild animals. The queen of England ascended to the throne while on holiday at this lodge and has revisited the lodge while on her visit to Kenya.
VALLEYVIEW PRIME LODGELocation: EmbuAddress: PO Box 563, EmbuTel: 0721-813867 Email: [email protected] for business guests, this town hotel in the heart of Embu offers luxury accommodation and mouth-watering African cuisine.
WHITE RHINO HOTELLocation: Nyeri Address: PO Box 3011-10140, NyeriTel: 020-202609198 /0726-967315/ 0736-046784Email: [email protected]: www.whiterhinohotel.comLocated on the main highway from Nairobi, this newly refurbished hotel is the jewel of Nyeri town and a favourite spot for entertainment.
MOUNT KENYA TOURISM CIRCUIT ASSOCIATION
2nd f loor West Wing, Central Plaza, Kimathi Way, PO Box 2669-10140, Nyeri
Tel: +254 (0)20 232 6170 • Email: [email protected]
www.mount-kenya.org
MOUNT KENYA TOURISM CIRCUIT ASSOCIATION GUIDE 2013-14
is the official publication of:
MOUNT KENYA TOURISM CIRCUIT ASSOCIATION
2nd f loor West Wing, Central Plaza, Kimathi Way, PO Box 2669-10140, Nyeri
Tel: +254 (0)20 232 6170 • Email: [email protected]
www.mount-kenya.org
MOUNT KENYA TOURISM CIRCUIT ASSOCIATION GUIDE 2013-14
is the official publication of: