Mountain Kenya National Park

   Mount Kenya

Kenya was named after Mount Kenya, a significant country’s landmark and second among Africa’s highest mountain peaks. On Mount Kenya; the origin of the name Kenya is not clear, but the locals say it is linked to the Kikuyu, Embu and Kamba words Kirinyaga, Kirenyaa and Kiinyaa which mean “God’s resting place” in all three languages.

Mount Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa with about 5,199 meters after Tanzania`s Mt. Kilimanjaro with 5895meters. Mountain Kenya National park started in 1949 and is located in the eastern part of the great rift valley. Mount Kenya National park was meant to conserve Mount Kenya’s’ wildlife and the surrounding environment as well.

Mountain Kenya National park covers an area of 2800km². Mount Kenya National park is roughly 175km northeast of Nairobi. A Kenya safari ride offers chance to tourists to view great scenery around Mount Kenya for it offers magnificent views of lakes, moorland rock, mountain rivers, glaciers, mineral springs, dense forests with glittering twin peaks of Batian and Nelion. It also features a range of wild game and bird life.  Mount Kenya is the country`s national icon and the nations namesake.

Background of Mountain Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya National Park was a forest reserve and was later declared a UNESCO Environment Reserve; in 1978. Later on, it was combined with the forest reserve to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Mount Kenya National park was originally the Sacred home of the god Ngai. The kikuyu people who mostly surround the park have great attachment to Mount Kenya. The area is still regarded as a sacred home for their god ‘Ngai’. It was named Mount Kenya by the Kamba people which finally became the country`s name. The Embu and Maasai people also gave different names to the current Mount Kenya such as the mountain peaks Batian, Nelion ant Point Lenana and such names are given to the Maasai brave men and medicine men. They are many other legendary stories connected to mountain Kenya that are told to people on Kenya cultural safaris.

During a game drive in Kenya

Mt Kenya National Park is suitable for a Kenya wildlife safari because it’s home to diverse species of wild animals such the Black rhinos, white-tailed buffalo, leopards, African Elephant, genet cat, black fronted duikers, giant forest hog, antelopes, bongo antelope, waterbucks, albino zebras, spotted hyenas among others.

The Mount Kenya National Park has a forest reserve that acts as home to variety of animals such as elephants, leopards, white tailed mongoose, tree hyrax, mole rats, bushbucks, black fronted duikers, elands, waterbucks, black rhinos, and buffaloes. These animals have attracted so many Kenya wildlife safaris.