The National Park was established in 1949 and internationally recognized as a Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme in April 1978. Legally established as a Forest Reserve before being gazetted as a National Park. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997.
At 5,199 m. high, Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain.To the Kikuyu tribespeople it is the home of the Supreme Being: Ngai, a name also used by the Maasai and Kamba tribes. In traditional prayers and sacrifices, Ngai is addressed by the Kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga: the Professor of Brightness. The name comes from Kere Nyaga, the Kikuyu name for Mount Kenya, meaning Mountain of BrightnessThe lower slopes are covered with dry upland forest, the true montane forest begins at 2,000 m. is mainly cedar and podo. At 2,500 m. begins a dense belt of of bamboo forest which merges into the upper forest of smaller trees, interspesed with glades. In this area the trees are festooned with high altitude moss.
Game to view includes: Black and White Colobus and Sykes monkeys, bushbuck, buffalo, elephant and lower down Olive Baboon, waterbuck, black rhino, black fronted duiker, leopard, giant forest hog, genet cat, bush pig and hyena. More elusive is the bongo, a rare type of forest antelope.
A number of endangered species can be found here: Sunni Buck, Mt Kenya Mole Shrew, skinks (lizard), and a variety of owls. Occasional sightings have been recorded of albino zebra. The high altitude heath at the top (3,000 - 3,500 m.) is generally open, dotted with shrubs: African Sage, protea and helicrysum. The peak (above 3,500 m.) is moorland, with little game other than high altitude zebra and eland common in the norhtern moorland.
Attractions
» Gameviewing
» Mountaineering
» Marvellous Scenic View: Lakes, Tarns, Glaciers & Peaks
» Variety of birds & animals
» Natural Springs
How To Reach
You can find main regional towns; Embu, Meru, Nanyuki and Naro Moru, on a tar road circling Mt. Kenya. Surprisingly, this road is in good condtion. If the visitors come by air, they can land on the Naro Moru airstrip.
Located 175 kms from Nairobi, Mt Kenya Wildlife Reserve is accessible through Nanyuki-Isiolo road via Sirimon Track or Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro Moru. The park can also be reached via Chogoria on the Embu - Meru road.
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