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Mt Kenya around mt: Budget Towns, spots, places, sports, activities, sites |
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Around Mt Kenya towns, activities, places, highlights, mt Kenya attractions, scenes, sights, sounds, entertainment information and guide. Naro Moru, mt Kenya golfing, fishing, camping, nature walks, horse riding, hotels around mt (mount) Kenya guide |
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| Author: Robert Muhoho |
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Mt Kenya’s vast bulk looms over the entire region, and the snow-covered peaks can be seen for miles until late-morning clouds obscure the view. The sheer distance involved and the variety of landscapes covered while circumnavigating the mountain, says something of its majesty.
To the west sit the undulating grassy plains of the Laikipia Plateau, home to the friendly town of Nanyuki, oodles of agriculture and one sub-Saharan Africa’s most important wildlife conservation sites. Skirting north of the mountains are the vast northern plains, dotted with volcanic cones and the Matthews range in the distance.
To the east and south, the landscape is more steep and home to thick forests ,although logging (both legal and illegal ) is paving the way for more crops of coffee and miraa (a leafy shoot with amphetamine like effects ),and threatening what is one of the country’s most important water catchments areas. Further east is one of Kenya’s most diverse and underrated National Parks, Meru.
If we haven’t made it clear already, there’s much to see around Mt Kenya besides Mt Kenya. Break the mould and delve a little deeper into this unique region.
Naro Moru
The village of Naro Moru, on the western side of the mount, is little more than a dusty string of shops and houses, with a couple of very basic hotels and market, but it’s the most popular starting point for treks up Mt Kenya. There is a post office with internet, but no banks (the nearest are at Nanyuki and Nyeri).
Sights and activities around Mt Kenya
Apart from gawking at Mount Kenya and starting the Naro Moru route up to its summit (p267), there are some fine things to do here. Mount Keya Hostel & campsite organizes a number of excursions, including nature walks and hikes to the Mau Mau Caves. Mountain rock lodge also run similar trip, as well as offering horse riding and fishing.
Sleeping and Eating near Mt Kenya
Although there are a number of basic hotels in Naro Moru town, the best option are in the surrounding few kilometers. Eating option is incredibly slim, with only some hotels offering meals. There is a tiny store selling food stuffs next to the post office, but you are better off shopping in Nanyuki or Nyeri.
Budget accommodation around Mt Kenya
Note that both of the midrange and to-end option have great campsites.
Mt Kenya Hostel & Campsite- ( camping Ksh 250, dm kshs400) about 8.5km from town and 7.5km from the park gate, this place offers simple accommodation, large campsite, kitchen facilities and a bar. The restaurant (lunch /dinner kshs200/300) provides much needed calories, but don’t expect your taste buds to sing. They rent limited mountains gears as well as a 4wd vehicle. Mt Kenya treks can be arranged here too.
Mountain View hotel (A2 Hwy: Ksh 520) this is the best option in town and its very basic. Patent red cement floors host large single beds (couple can squeeze in for no extra dough) and the bathrooms have hot showers. Treks and equipment can be arranged here.
Blue line hotel (camping Ksh 150, s/d Kshs400/800) similar in scope to its sister hotel the Mountain View, but hot showers are only available in the morning here. Blue line is 3km from town and 1.5km from the mount Kenya Guides & Porters office (convenient for organizing guides the day before), but lies 13km short of the park gate. The hotel is generally pleasant and quite, and has a bar and restaurant (meals Ksh 180 to Ksh 280). Rooms are clean.
Mt Kenya guides & porters Safari Club (camping Ksh 150) you may also camp here. The club can provide tents (two-person tent Kshs600). The sight is rather primitive and the loos are rather grim – showers come in brackets.
Joruna Lodge (s/tw with shared bathrooms Ksh 200/300, Kshs250) just east of Mountain View, the single with bathrooms and twin rooms pass the cringe test, but the rest don’t. You get what you pay for and that’s not much.
Mt Kenya Naro Moru Luxury, Top End, 5 star Lodges
Naro Moru river lodge (Nairobi camping US$10, dm US$8, May-Jun to mid-sep-mid-Dec half board from s/tw US$55/82,Mar-April US$66/96, rest of the year US$90/120;)
This relaxing lodge is about 1.5km north of town and is set on the slopping bank of the Naro Moru River in beautifully landscaped gardens. The standard rooms are well-equipped, while the pricier ‘superior’ rooms also have shady balconies. The ‘deluxe’ rooms are large and also boast vaulted ceiling and fireplace. In addition there’s a well equipped campsite as well as a dormitory block offering hot showers, toilets and firewood. Campers are able to use all the hotel facilities, which include two bars and a restaurant (breakfast/dinner kshs500/kshs1000).
Mountain Rock Lodge (camping US$5, standard s/t US$24/32 superior s/tw or trUS$32/48) this place is located 6km north of Naro Moru, tucked away in the woods less than 1km from the Nanyuki road. The standard rooms at the lodge are decent value, while the superior rooms have a bit of character to go with their fire places. You could also save a few dollars if you rent a fixed-tent (s/tw/tr US$ 15/20/24) or setting up your own in the campsite. Camping facilities include hot water, toilets, cooking facilities, electricity and ample firewood. It is a friendly and reliable place with a spacious dining room, two bars and a lounge. See p264 for information about the lodge’s guide guided trucks.
Getting there and away
There are plenty of buses and matatus heading to Nanyuki (kshs60, 30munites), Nyeri (Kshs80, 45minutes) and Nairobi (Kshs300 three hours).
Naro Moru River Lodge operates transfers between the lodge and Nairobi (US$80) or Nanyuki airstrip US$25), but you must book 24 hours in advance.
About Author
Robert is a tour consultant with landmark safaris in Kenya. Click here to plan your Naromoru Kenya vacation http://www.landmarksafaris.com/planner
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