Several endangered and rare species, such as sunni buck and albino zebra, also live there. Mount kenya represents so much more than a beautiful national park it has a rich history. The rough guide to kenya is the ultimate guide to east africas bestknown destination. When traveling to kenya you will want to know as much as possible about the county. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. Mount kenya is roughly circular, about 60km across at the 200mm contour,where the steep font hills rise out of the gentler. The wildlife sanctuary was established in 1946 and is located four miles south of kenyas capital, nairobi. In 1932, the government established the mount kenya forest reserve and in 1949, established a national park within its borders, encompassing an area of some 200 square miles, including the mountain and some of. Trip ideas for mount kenya in kenya africanmecca safaris. Kenya national parks adventure alternative expeditions. It is also a work of comparative analysis in the african context. Accommodation lodges and hotels in mount kenya national park. For the kikuyus, mount kenya, known as kirinyaga, or place of brightness. Located in the sprawling 2,124 km2 820 sq mile mount kenya national park, mount kenya lies 193 km 120 miles north northeast of the capital city nairobi.
Kenya is home to many different tribes, or groups of people. The mount kenya national park protects the unique ecosystem that is found on the slopes of africas second highest mountain. It is a unesco world heritage site located in the central region of the country. Where to book your safari tour to mount kenya park. In the early 1970s the mount kenya national park mountain rescue team was formed, and by the end of the 1970s all major routes on the peaks had been climbed.
It is an ancient extinct volcano, which during its period of activity 3. The mountain is popular for the glaciers, lakes, springs, dense forest and high altitude plains wildlife. Fantastic wildlife on safari in kenya 20 part 1 youtube. Many adventurous travellers come every year to hike up its challenging peaks. Kenya national park is located to the east of the great rift valley, about 109 miles northeast of nairobi. In professor maathais autobiography unbowed, she describes the history of mount kenya from her rich cultural. The ecosystem lies in central and eastern provinces of kenya. Established as a park in 1949 to preserve the areas natural, outstanding beauty.
At 5,199 m, mount kenya is the second highest peak in africa. You can also day trek or climb the 2nd highest mountain in africa mount kenya. Mount kenya national park was created in 1949 to conserve the beauty and splendour of the flora and fauna of the mountain. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more.
Although it straddles the equator, mount kenya is usually capped with ice and snow. At 5,199 meters, the mountain is the second highest peak in africa. For instance, you need the best shoes to climb through the harsh terrain as you approach the peak. The park and its environs contain a variety of large animals, including elephant, buffalo, black rhinoceros, and leopard. Amboseli national park, a former home of the maasai, lies at the foot of mount kilimanjaro. The nairobi national park is the oldest of kenyas national parks. Mount kenya is the second highest peak in africa and stands somewhat unjustly in the shadow of its taller neighbour kilimanjaro, which lies some 320km away in the south and is visible on a clear day. Kenya national park was established around the area in 1949. There are two main types of terrestrial protected areas in kenya.
Mount kenya national park was established in 1949 to protect mount kenya, the wildlife and surrounding environment, which forms a habitat for wild animals, a. It lies in the central and eastern provinces of kenya. Climbing gear mount kenya is a fascinating place to visit. It is one of the major tourist destinations in the world. This book is about kenya as a country and as a nation. Climbing to 5,199 meters, mount kenya is the second tallest mountain in africa. It is the highest mountain in kenya and the second highest in africa, after mount kilimanjaro an area of 276 square miles around the mountains centre is designated as a national park, as well as a world heritage site. It was established in 1949 to protect the region surrounding mt.
The rooms are excellent, modern bar and dinning, live traditional dances to entertain guests or just a nature walk. Mount kenya is located in central kenya, just south of the equator, around 150 kilometres northnortheast of the capital nairobi. Created approximately 3 million years ago, mount kenya is an extinct volcano, often referred to as the place of light. I spent four days in mount kenya national park between 19th and 22nd march with local guide ben njoroge and his team. Mount kenya national park 1949 covers 277 square miles 718 square km, including much of the lower skirts of the mountain. Everything from cheap flights to the country, safari tours, beaches, car hire, the best place to stay when on your holiday, and some background information like the people, food, climate, history, music etc. The kenya wildlife service kws conserves and manages kenyas wildlife for the kenyan people and the world. The national park and the forest reserve, combined, became a unesco world heritage site in 1997 the government of kenya had four reasons for creating a. Visit mount kenya national park with natural world kenya safaris to experience the natural beauty of mt. Kilimanjaro, africas highest peak, lies 320km 199 miles south in neighbouring tanzania, and is visible from the. Getting around hotels in nanyuki and naro moru can organize transfers to the gates of mt.
As well as to conserve the animal habitat and protect it as a water catchment area and encourage. In april 1978, the area was designated a unesco biosphere reserve. Sunrise views from the top of mount kenya are truly spectacular. Mount kenya is the second tallest mountain in africa.
Mount kenya national park kenya tourist spots around. It has twelve remnant glaciers, all receding rapidly, and four secondary peaks at the. It also focuses on the nation as an entity with its own personality and national character. Mount kenya national park, established in 1949, protects the region surrounding the mountain. It offers a landscape of mountain rivers, forest, moorland rock and ice and crowned by glittering twin peaks of batian and nelion and for the kikuyu people. Giraffe center, elephant orphanage and nairobi national park. Perhaps kenyas greatest cultural legacy is in its national parks and reserves. Established in 1968 shaba national reserve is adjacent to samburu. Mount kenya is the source of the name of the republic of kenya. Kenya safari from tsavo west through amboseli, mount kenya, samburu and sweetwater with fantastic views of elephants, cheetah, giraffe and many more.
I would love any suggestions on your favorite kenya related books. Kenya is one of the most wellknown countries in africa for several reasons. On july 19, 2003, a south african registered aircraft, carrying 12 passengers and two crew, crashed into mount kenya at point lenana. Mount kenya national park kenya is located approximately one hundred and seventyfive kilometers off the northeastern part of nairobi and eastern section of the great rift valley.
It is an ancient extinct volcano, which during its period. The 10 best hotels in mount kenya national park for 2020. Visit mount kenya tours ultimate wildlife experience. Its rugged icecapped summits and cloudforested midslopes form one of the most impressive east african landscapes. It started out as a forest reserve and later became a unesco world heritage site. Its nowhere near as famous as mount kilimanjaro, but we think its just as inspiring. Mount kenya national park was established in 1949 to protect mount kenya, the wildlife and surrounding environment, which forms a habitat for wild animals, as well as acting as an area for the catchment of water, to supply kenyas water. But you do need the right gear to assist you in the climb. However, the national park has education and monitoring policies in place to. The national park system of kenya is maintained by the kenya wildlife service. In april 1978 the area was designated a unesco biosphere reserve. Mount kenya national park is covering 2800 sq km and is 175 km north east of nairobi. Currently the national park is within the forest reserve which encircles it.
Mount kenya is the second highest mountain in africa. Initially, it was a forest reserve, before being announced as a national park. The annual wildebeest migration is best observed at the maasai mara national reserve, which also includes a maasai village. Situated in central kenya, just north of the equator, mount kenya lies within the mount kenya national park. Mount kenya is africas second highest mountain at 5,199m 17,058 feet and the highest of all kenya mountains. Mount kenya stands a magnificent 5199m 17,057 feet above sea level, dominating the view for miles around. In celebration of the national park services 100th anniversary, coming up on august 25th, here are 100 mustread books about americas national parks. Mount kenya national parknatural forest unesco world. Mount kenya national park was established in 1949 to protect mount kenya, the wildlife and. Mount kenya national park the ultimate visitors guide.
It is pristine wilderness with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forest, mineral springs and a selection of rare and endangered species of animals, high altitude adapted plains game and unique. It is the second highest mountain in africa, next to mount kilimanjaro, and was formed hundreds of years ago by a series of volcanic eruptions. An area of 715 km 2 around the centre of the mountain is designated a. For all communities, mount kenya remains a strong cultural symbol. Since then, tourists from all over the world have all embarked on a journey to the national park which engulfs kenya s second highest mountain. Mount kenya national park natural forest kenya mount kenya is an ancient extinct volcano and africas second highest mountain. Combined, the national park and forest reserve became a unesco world heritage site in 1997 the government of kenya had four reasons for creating a national park on and around. Currently, the national park is encircled by the forest reserve. Mount kenya national park is situated about 175 kilometres northeast of nairobi, the capital of kenya. This website gives you all the information you require. Mount kenya mount kenya national park 2020 all you.