Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya was originally referred to as “Mt. Kirinyaga” by the indigenous people meaning mountain of whiteness’ because of its snow capped peak”. The name was subsequently changed to Mt. Kenya because of the inability of the British to pronounce “Kirinyaga” correctly.

Mount Kenya is the highest peak in Kenya at 5,199m and has three permanently snow-capped peaks.  It is located in Kirinyaga county. It has a breath taking landscape which makes it one of the best sites for trekking, hiking and rock climbing.

Facts

• Mt. Kenya is a World Heritage site
• Mt. Kenya is a water tower for River  Tana & Ewaso Nyiro River
• It is an Important Bird Area with species of birds such as The African Green Ibis, African Long-eared Owl, Scarlet-tufted Malachite,  Sunbird, as well as the endangered bird named Abbott Sterling
• It is the only snow capped mountain that lies within the equator.

Wildlife

• Monkeys: Orange Monkey, Abyssian Black and white Colubus Monkey, Olive Baboon and Sykes monkey
• Snakes : Mt. Kenya Bush Viper
• Mammals: Elephant, Buffalo, Leopards, Lions, Bongo, Hyena, Zebra, Giant Forest Hog, Suni, Yellow Spotted Hyrax, Black Rhino.
• Trees: African Pencil Cedar, Podo, Strangler Fig, Camphor, Meru Oak.

Information courtesy of Nature Kenya.