In this article, we will look at the best places to visit in Nanyuki. If you’re looking for a great weekend getaway from Nairobi, Nanyuki is an excellent option. Located only 3 hours away from the city, Nanyuki, a town known as a gateway to Mount Kenya, offers amazing activities to make your weekend trip worthwhile.
Here is a list of the best activities and the top tourist attractions in Nanyuki.
Affordable Places To Visit In Nanyuki
1. Visit the Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Located in the Laikipia Plateau between the Aberdares and Mount Kenya, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of the best places to visit in Kenya. The 360-square-kilometre private game reserve is devoted to protecting wild animals and is home to endangered white rhinos. globally recognised for housing the last two remaining Northern White Rhinos in the world. Besides nature walks and game drives, visitors can enjoy horseback riding or visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya.
2. Swim at Ngare Ndare Forest
Located in Timau, Ngare Ndare Forest is one of the best places to hike in Kenya. The lush indigenous forest offers a lot of beautiful scenery. walking over the 450-metre hanging canopy hanging bridge. After the walk from the bridge, you can hike for about 3 kilometres. Enjoy swimming in the cold water of the pool, birdwatching, and viewing the wonderful wildlife. Since the forest is located in a remote place, a solo trip can be confusing and costly. We, therefore, recommend joining this affordable experience with a local guide. Entry fees are Ksh 2,000 per day.
3. Stop at the Equator Marker
The Nanyuki Equator Market is little more than a battered sign next to the road, but it is fun to jump out of the car and take a picture at the very centre of the world. There is usually a guy there with a bucket system that shows you the Coriolis effect. Essentially, water flows in different directions in the northern and southern hemispheres. There’s also a parking space and shops selling souvenirs.
4. Explore the Mau Mau Caves
The Mau Mau Caves are located near Nanyuki town at the foot of Mount Kenya. These epic caves used to be a hideout for the Mau Mau freedom fighters during the Kenyan emergency period from 1952 to 1960. The caves offer a great opportunity to explore nature and are located inside an indigenous forest that opens up to a beautiful waterfall.
5. Climb Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya is the second-highest mountain in Africa and the first-highest in Kenya. The mountain is accessible from Nanyuki via Burguret or Sirimon gates. Travellers prefer the latter, as it’s considered the easiest and most scenic route. The mountain has three main peaks: Batian (5,199 m), Nelion (5,188 m), and Lenana (4,985 m). Of the three peaks, Point Lenana is the most popular. However, if you’re a more advanced and experienced climber, you may prefer attempting the more technical peak, Batian.
6. Visit Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy
This is a private conservancy located in Laikipia. Here, one will be able to experience explicitly awesome views of Mount Kenya. Ride horses in the evening, enjoy game drives and watch the most exotic birds on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. The accommodations provided are very comfortable and serve as your home away from home. With delicious dishes offered and uniquely furnished rooms with bespoke furniture and sculptures
7. Visit Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
Located at Mount Kenya’s base is the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. The conservancy was established to protect some of the area’s pristine wilderness and wildlife, including the almost extinct mountain bongo, a species of antelope. Elephants, leopards, buffalo, giant forest hogs, and many other wildlife species can be found in the conservancy. The conservancy runs a breeding programme for the rare white zebra and the bongo, as well as rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and abandoned wild animals.
Visitors to Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy are welcome to stop by the animal orphanage, where they can get to know and learn about the local animals. The orphanage also houses cheetahs, leopards, pygmy hippos, and other native animals; it may be your only chance to see a mountain bongo in the wild.
8. Eat at the Trout Tree Restaurant
Trout Tree Restaurant prides itself on being a farm-to-table restaurant. It’s famous among travellers for its delicious fresh trout and natural setting. Their trout is taken straight from the pond and vegetables are sourced directly from the garden. The restaurant is built around a huge mugumo tree on the banks of the Burguret River. Besides the vegetarian dishes, they also serve beef, pizzas (on weekends only), and cocktails.
9. Have fun at Chaka Ranch
The Chaka Ranch Leisure Park, which is in Kiganjo, is well-known for its all-inclusive family entertainment options. From the largest selections of quad bikes and go-karts to skating, paintball, team-building activities, and kid-friendly games. In addition to providing accommodations in their hotel, they also provide luxurious tented camping, which is far superior to staying in regular hotel rooms.
10. Whitewater Rafting at the Sagana River
For the whole family, whitewater rafting down the river is an adrenaline rush. While adults can only kayak along long stretches of the river, children can paddle around in smaller boats and even try to sail beneath a waterfall with their parents. Many organisations offer lodging options and whitewater, kayaking, and ziplining facilities. Savage Wilderness and Rapids Camp are two of our favourites. Despite being about 40 minute’s drive from Nanyuki, both locations are worth the trip. There, you are welcome to pitch a tent for the night.
11. Sleep in the 100-year-old house
Just right opposite the Nanyuki Airstrip at the beautiful One Stop Nanyuki Gardens, lies this 3-bedroom house. It was originally built in 1912 in Nairobi, Hurligham, and was moved piece by piece to Nanyuki in December 2018. The house can comfortably accommodate six people, but extra beds can be added on request at an additional charge. Apart from this house, they have four “shepherds’ huts,” which can accommodate a maximum of three guests per hut.
12. Visit Solio Ranch
Solio Ranch, located 180km north of Nairobi, is a privately owned wildlife conservancy located between the slopes of Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare ranges. The 45,000-acre conservancy is home to a large number of wild animals, among them black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, zebras, impalas, and elands. The Conservancy also has a rich variety of birdlife, such as flycatchers, eagle owls, long-crested eagles, buzzards, cranes, and storks.
13. Train at Mount Kenya Climbing Gym
The Mt Kenya Climbing Gym is located just 4 km east of Nanyuki town at the base of Mt. Kenya. The climbing tower is visible from the Nairobi/NNanyuki Road and is a perfect place to get a workout, get fit for Mt Kenya, or have lunch and coffee. Stair masters and climbing machines at the gym will work if outdoor hiking isn’t an option. Mt Kenya Climbing Gym is a great place to try climbing for the first time, get some exercise, improve technique, or just have some fun. The gym has many routes set up for beginners as well as more experienced climbers.
WONDERFUL Post.