Nanyuki is the most famous town in Mt. Kenya region and the most sought after . It is a darling to most Britons and local tourists. Nanyuki is along the equator, something that sets apart it from other Kenyan towns. Moreover, it is only three to four hours drive from Nairobi City.
Tourists can also take a flight at Wilson Airport in Nairobi to arrive faster. Nanyuki is a fantastic destination for lovers of camping, hiking, mountain climbing, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Once you arrive in Nanyuki, here are the top things Nanyuki Tourist Attractions to do.
Top 12 Things to Do in Nanyuki’s Best Tourist Landmarks
Take a Day Trip to Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy
Olpejeta Wildlife Conservancy is an animal park in the surroundings of Nanyuki town. Covering 360-square-kilometres, the conservancy is home to two of the last female Northern White Rhinos on earth. The Olpejeta Wildlife Conservancy has preserved the embryos fertilized with the sperm of the last male rhino of this species.
The facility has a growing breeding program that will prevent this rhino species from going to extinction. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is within Olpejeta too. It is the only place in East Africa that and adopts and conserves the chimpanzees. Being in the middle of Mt. Kenya and the rolling Aberdare Ranges, Olpejeta offers spectacular views.
Climb Mt. Kenya
If you are a passionate hiker and mountain climber, Nanyuki is the best place to be. Mount Kenya is right behind the town and it rises 5,199m above sea level. After Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mt. Kenya is the second tallest in the continent.
Tourists come from all over the world just to climb this volcanic mountain. Mt. Kenya has three ice-capped, jagged peaks (Point Lenana, Batian, and Nelion). Your tour guide will select the best peak and climbing route for you based on your body fitness.
Straight below these peaks are expansive alpine moorlands. There is also a 2,100 square kilometres forested area featuring a national park and a national reserve. A Mount Kenya climbing tour is your opportunity to view wild animals, lakes, streams, cliffs, and other physical features.
Tour the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
If you are not fit to climb the mountain for any reason, you can visit the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. The wildlife facility is at the bottom of Mt. Kenya and is special because it preserves the endangered animal species. Mount Kenya Wildlife Conversancy hosts the mountain bongo antelope and white zebra.
Both animal species are almost wiped out. You can also encounter herds of elephants and buffalos. Leopard is the African big cat you can barely miss here. There is an animal orphanage within this facility that takes in orphaned animals like pygmy hippo, cheetahs, etc.
Explore the Thick Ngare Ndare Forest
Whether you are staying in Nanyuki or Meru, you can quickly access the Ngare Ndare Forest. The indigenous forest is in Timau, a small village town near the foothills of Mount Kenya. Besides the lovely landscape, Ngare Ndare Forest is the best hub for swimmers and hikers. There is a 450 meters long and 40 feet high hanging canopy bridge to cross over.
At the end of the bridge, there is a 30 feet high wooden platform providing an aerial view of the river and its waterfalls. Hikers can find a 3km walking trail right after the bridge. Ngare Ndare has a pool consisting of cold water. If you love swimming, bring your gear. Bird watching and wildlife viewing are other exciting activities you can do at Ngare Ndare Forest.
Being an Elephant corridor connecting Laikipia and Samburu National Park, Ngare Ndare Forest presents a golden opportunity to view big elephant herds. Waterfalls and trees that could be two centuries old are a common sight also.
Take a Photo at the Equator Marker
You have seen the equator latitude line on your Atlas books. Nanyuki has an equator marker, one of the things that make it super famous. Nothing major happens at the equator point. You will see a road sign telling you that you’ve reached the equator marker. So, get out of your car and take a snap.
You can also talk to the person who habitually explains the Coriolis force by performing a live experiment. Standing at the equator marker in Nanyuki will be a special experience in your life. You can take home batik, wooden gifts, clothes, masks, and other lovely souvenirs from the nearby shops.
Take an Adventure of the Mau Mau Caves
The Mau Mau warriors are a part of the rich Kenyan history we will forever cherish. We commemorate these freedom fighters in several ways, including visiting their famous hiding places. Nanyuki hosts one of their best hideouts – the Mau Mau Caves. The heroic caves are at the base of Mount Kenya and behind a waterfall.
They remind us of the price these warriors had to pay in exchange for our freedom from the British colonialists. You can access them from the Bantu Lodge, which entails an 8km walk. Go with a tour guide to ensure your safety and gather the right information about the history of this place.
Attempt to Catch Trout and Dine Out
Fishing is not a common activity in this side of Kenya. However, visiting Nanyuki can give you an amazing opportunity to catch trout. You need to be fit for mountain climbing to try trout fishing in Nanyuki. These fish live in rivers and lakes in the alpine area of the mountain. The Trout Tree Restaurant can provide fishing tackle for hire and guidance.
The beautiful restaurant anchors around a tall Mugumo tree growing on the banks of River Burguret. It serves tasty trout dishes and fresh veggies from a nearby garden.
Loldaiga Hills Ranch
Mt. Kenya is the dominant feature in Nanyuki but it hardly steals all the glory and attention. After visiting Mount Kenya, you take a half day trip to the Loldaiga Hills Ranch. The Loldaiga Hills alone are a stunning landscape. Being an archeological site, the Lolldaiga Hills site has caves with ancient paintings and burial mounds.
You can also capture the sight of the majestic Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare Ranges from these hills. Inside the forty-nine thousand acres Ranch, you will find a section for livestock and a sanctuary for wildlife.
Get a Souvenir from the Nanyuki Weavers
Nanyuki Weavers is a place where women showcase their handmade woven souvenirs. The make beautiful rugs and shawls with their bare hands. At Nanyuki Weavers, more than one hundred and ten females earn a living via their weaving talents. They use traditional methods of cleaning, dyeing, and spinning wool. You can watch how they do it and perhaps buy a few pieces to take back home.
Try White Water Rafting Along the Sagana River
Nanyuki is also a nice place for lovers of thrilling outdoor activities like water rafting. Your tour guide could take you to Sagana River for white water rafting. A day out to this place will be so enjoyable for you and other grown up friends. This place is not kids-friendly, as the river is large and dangerous.
Nonetheless, parents and kids can paddle a kayak in front of the waterfall to ensure they also experience the place. If you feel so a tired after hours of kayaking down the river, you can seek accommodation in the local bandas and camps. Sagana is quite far from Nanyuki but still a place worth visiting.
Take a Break at Chaka Ranch
Chaka Ranch is among the top Nanyuki tourist attractions for visitors. It is a perfect place for adults and children. Chaka Ranch is a leisure park offering many fun activities, including quad biking, roller skating, paint balling, swimming, etc. Chaka Ranch has an eatery that serves delicious meals and drinks. If you want to spend the night, the facility has clean tented camps and bandas.
Tour the Oljogi Wildlife Conservancy
The Oljogi Wildlife Conservancy is a private property in Laikipia County. It is near the Ewaso Nyiro River where many birds love to perch. The conservancy offers horse rides to those who wait until the evening hours. It also provides game drives for easier wildlife viewing. Oljogi comes complete with dining and accommodation facilities.
Wrapping Up
Nanyuki should be one of your top tourist destinations in Mount Kenya region. It has many tourist places that you can visit in a single day. Nanyuki is so enjoyable that you might want to stick there forever. Try it out this Christmas and see for yourself.
