Mount Kenya, the highest mountain in Kenya and second largest in Africa, offers a wonderful opportunity for serious hikers. Kenya has an area of about 150,000 square kilometers, which is located in the eastern part of Africa. Besides a very popular tourist destination, it’s also a hotspot for climbing and hiking. A couple of hundred kilometers north of the equator lays Mt.Kenya, in the central highlands. It is here, where the Kikuyu god ngai resides. It is one of the few places with permanent glaciers, near the equator on Africa. Mt.Kenya was formerly known as Mount Kirinyaga, the name of the country has been known to have been derived from.
Located 180 kilometers north of Nairobi, the mountain can often be seen from high-rise buildings from Thika and in Nairobi. It is an extinct volcano, which formed a couple of million years ago located in the Mount Kenya National Park. Around the mountain above 3200m altitude, it is a designated protected area. The Kenya Wildlife Service manages the park. Since established in 1949, the national park covers an area of 700 square kilometers.
With average annual temperatures of about 26oC, Kenya enjoys an equatorial climate and diurnal temperatures of about 3oC. From October-December and April-June, There are two rainy seasons on the mountain. Many rivers such as the Naro Moru emerge from the melting glaciers, so that the mountain is an important water catchment area.
Halford Mackinders was the first documented ascent of the mountain. The mountain attracts several thousand climbers at the moment, both international and local annually. It is this popularity, which has contributed to the litter accumulation and the deterioration of the environment.
At around and the base this mountain are famous hotels such as the Outspans, Mount Kenya Safari Club, Treetops, Naro Moru River Lodge, Bantu Lodge, Mountain Lodge, and several others. Tourists who do not wish to climb often visit the hotels for the view, fresh air, luxury accommodation and the tranquil atmosphere.
In May 98, the Mount Kenya Clean Up Mission 1998 was formed. Based on previous attempts, it was an idea 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 educate climbers and create environmental awareness on the necessity to conserve the environment on the mountain.
Other articles you might like;
- Italy is Famous with the Food
- England is a Dream Country
- The Romance of Paris
- The Beauty of Holland
- Singapore The Fine City
Related posts:
Save Bucks
Europe Hotel
Travel
Accommodation for
Cheap Accommodation