This mountain is one of the most impressive views in East Africa.  Mount Kenya is home to many rare and endangered breeds of wildlife and attracts many mountain climbers.  It is also known as ‘Kere Nyaga’, which means ‘Mountain of Brightness’ and the locals believe it to be the home of the Supreme Being, Ngai.

Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain peak in Africa, standing at 5,199 m (more than 17,000 feet) high.

It was opened to visitors in 1949 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.  During dry seasons, large animals will be in the high elevations, which is generally January to March and July to October.  During the rains in March to June and October to December, the birds tend to go down to lower elevations.

There are twelve glaciers still on the mountain, although these are receding rapidly.  The entire park has many lakes, glaciers, peaks and natural mineral springs and is a real nature lovers haven.  There are dry forests, cedar and podo trees, bamboo, high-altitude heath and shrubs and then miles of open moorland where you can see elephants, buffaloes, zebras and even eland.  All have been sighted as high as 4,000 m (over 13,000 feet).

Other forest animals include Sykes monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys and buskbuck, amongst others.  Just some of the endangered animals here include Sunni buck, skinks, Mount Kenya mole shrew and bongos (a forest antelope).

Visiting Kenya is a real luxury holiday, so if you have the chance, don’t miss the opportunity to see this landscape for yourself.