Mount Kenya is the highest peak in Kenya.


Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya is the highest peak in Kenya and the second highest in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro. Batian, Nelion, and Lenana are the highest peaks of Mount Kenya. It is located in the central Kenya, just south of the equator and northeast of Nairobi city. The area around the mountain forms the Mount Kenya national park which is a designated world heritage site of UNESCO. The park receives a considerable number of visitors.


Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano standing alone, it is said to have last erupted a couple of millions years ago. The slopes of Mount Kenya have several distinct biomes; the lowest parts are dry upland forest, changing to montane forest of juniper and podocarpus, with a belt of bamboo that changes to an upper forest of similar trees covered with, moss and lichen. There is an afro-alpine zone above a distinct timberline, with its characteristic giant rosette plants. Around twelve glaciers may be found scattered among the complex of peaks, of which Batian and Nelion are the highest.

The first documented ascent of Mount Kenya was by Halford Mackinders. At the moment the mountain attracts several thousand climbers both local and international annually. It is this popularity, which has contributed to the deterioration of the environment and the litter accumulation.

The Mount Kenya Clean up Mission 1998 was formed in May 98. It was an idea based on previous attempts by the community to clean the mountain. Financial backing and funding was done entirely by local companies. Today the establishment is not active and the main aim remains to create environmental awareness and educate climbers on the necessity to conserve the environment on the mountain.

The main tribes living around Mount Kenya are Gikuyu, Meru, Embu and Maasai. They all see the mountain as an important aspect of their cultures. The Gikuyu people believed that their God, Ngai lived on Mount Kenya.

The Embu name for Mount Kenya is Kirenia, which means mountain of whiteness. They consider it the home of their God also. The Ameru occupy the East and North of the Mountain. The Meru names for the Mt. Kenya are Kirimara (That which has white stuff or snow). Unlike the Kikuyu who believed their god resides in the mountain, the Meru god murungu was from the skies.

While the Maasai call Mount Kenya Ol Donyo Keri they have a prayer based on the mountain that says; God bless our children, let them be like the olive tree of Morin tat, let them grow and expand, let them be like Ngong Hills like Mt. Kenya, like Mt. Kilimanjaro and multiply in number.

There are two rainy seasons on the Mount Kenya from April-June and October-December. Mount Kenya is an important water catchments area and numerous rivers such as the Naro Moru emerge from the melting glaciers. At the base and around this mountain are famous hotels such as the Mount Kenya Safari Club, Outspans, and Naro Moru River Lodge, Treetops, Mountain Lodge, Bantu Lodge and several others. Tourists who do not wish to climb Mount Kenya can often visit the hotels for the view, luxury accommodation, fresh air and the tranquil atmosphere.

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