Ol Pejeta; wildlife conservancies; Sweetwaters Game Reserve

A Bed room at the prestigious Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki.

 By Peter Muiruri

Mention Nanyuki and the adventurous ones wag lyrical due to the region’s former tag as the frontier of the once famed happy valley. Situated on the North-western face of Mount Kenya, Nanyuki was established in 1907 by British settlers whose progeny are still scattered around the greater Laikipia.

Interestingly, although the equator divides the country by half, it is Nanyuki that has capitalised on the geographical, invisible line to market itself with photos taken on the ‘equator’ forming one’s cherished memories of Nanyuki.

In addition, Nanyuki had and continues to play a vital role in the agriculture sector due to the large scale wheat farms around Timau. Today, however, the town is the de facto “tourism headquarters” of the greater Laikipia

Country where adventure and luxury are bedfellows. Little wonder that some have labelled the area as a millionaire’s playground. The presence of the British Army Training Unit in Kenya is an added bonus to Nanyuki’s economy.

The hospitality industry in Nanyuki is vast and varied mainly due to its proximity to the many ranches and wildlife conservancies strewn across Laikipia. Sirimon, one of the bases for climbing Mount Kenya is a few minutes drive from the town.

Mountain town

As expected, one of the main attractions around Nanyuki is the mountain that looms large over the town. To get here, one has the option of either flying with the several local scheduled or chartered planes using Nanyuki Airstrip, located a few kilometres before Nanyuki. However, many visitors choose to use the smooth tarmac road from Nairobi.

Nanyuki has accommodation that caters for both high and low clientele. One of the top notch hotels in the area is The Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club. Set on 100 acres of lush forest, it was originally the retreat of the founder who also dubbed as a movie star, William Holden. With the list of former members including Winston Churchill, be ready to pay top dollar at the establishment.

The relatively new Kongoni Camp located a couple of kilometres from Nanyuki is the latest addition to the local eateries. Kongoni is set on a tranquil environment surrounded by cedar cypress trees with camping facilities available. The picturesque thatched huts offer a tired traveller some homely feeling.

Those seeking some country resort will find this at the Sportsman Arms Hotel within the town. The hotel is a hub for trekkers climbing Mount Kenya through Sirimon and Burguret routes. Other establishments around the area include Naro Moru River Lodge and the Trout Tree Restaurant.

Wildlife lovers can enjoy a visit to the nearby Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Sweetwaters Game Reserve), home to the largest sanctuary for black rhinos in East Africa. Overnight visitors will be accommodated in any of our five luxurious facilities: Sweetwaters Tented Camp, Ol Pejeta House, Porini Rhino Camp, Kicheche Camp and Ol Pejeta Bush Camp. 

It is only in Ol Pejeta where one can get a glimpse of chimpanzees at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzees Sanctuary.