The second-biggest African mountain, Kenya, is found in Central Kenya, which is also home to the largest tribe in Africa, the Kikuyu.
Bamboo forests cover the slopes, which are home to large forest boars, white mongooses, black leopards, elephants, and rhinoceroses.
Nyeri, is one of the oldest cities in the nation, with stunning views of Aberdare National Park. Its distinctive vegetation, wide gorges, and waterfalls give the impression of seclusion and tranquility from the outside world.
Private ranches can be found close to the city. Numerous of them are exclusive wildlife sanctuaries.Â
Tennis and golf players from all across the nation travel to Kiambu to practice their sports. You may visit Chania Waterfall in Thika and take in stunning mountain views of Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro in Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park.
1. Visit Solio Ranch
This ranch is found inside a Solio game reserve tucked in the valley between the lofty slopes of Mount Kenya and the peaks of the Aberdare mountains.
Solio lodge offers a lot of fun activities that you can engage in including; game drives, horse riding, bird watching, visiting a coffee plantation among otters.
You can also take a helicopter to nearby Mount Kenya and for a hilltop picnic breakfast or even go trout fishing in the Aberdare national park.
2. Go Water Rafting in Sagana
Make your heart pump hard and blood rush all over your body by visiting this place and engaging in rafting. This adventurous activity will give a whole new experience like you have never felt before!
If you have a fear in water this is the best place to remove that fear and see the fun side of water. Apart from rafting this place also has camping sites that you can enjoy narrating stories of the day’s activity.
3. Explore the Aberdares National Park
This park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including the lion, leopard, elephant, olive baboon, Sykes monkey, common eland, black rhino, and numerous bird species among others.
Aberdares National Park also has accommodation nearby including The Ark Game Lodge and Aberdares Country Club.
Enjoy game drives, bird watching, horse riding, and hiking among other activities.
| Entrance fees | citizens | residents | non-residents |
| adults | Ksh250 | ksh250 | $30 |
| children | ksh200 | Ksh200 | $20 |
4. Visit the Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
The Animal Orphanage at the Mount Kenya Wildlife conservancy is a unique facility to give orphaned, injured, neglected, abused, or frightened wild animals a second chance.
The orphanage provides shelter and professional care with the goal to release these creatures back into the wild where they belong. There is also rehabilitation for Bongo which you can visit while here.
5. Hike in the Aberdare Ranges
The aberdare Ranges are the third highest range of mountains in Kenya.
If you love hiking this is an ideal place to do that. Engage your body in some fitness at this perfect location.
Here are the most popular hiking destination in Aberdare Ranges, Central Kenya
- Castle Forest Lodge
This is an ecotourism facility that is located deep in the thick forest on the slopes to the south of mount Kenya.
It’s set in a natural surrounding of rainforest, fresh water rivers with falls, fabulous view of the valley on one side of the lodge, and the impressive peaks of mount Kenya on the other.
This is a perfect escape from the city as it is! Engage in nature walks, bird watching, trout fishing, horse riding and swimming.
- Karuru Falls
If you are wondering where the tallest waterfall is? visit Nyahururu county and you will get yourself to Karuru falls.
It is the tallest and highest waterfalls in Kenya. It makes it unique since it is surrounded by tall indigenous trees.
It is home for 52 of Kenyans and 62 highland bird species that includes; Sharpe’s Long Claw, Aberdare Cisticola, Abbott’s Starling, Jackson’s Widowbird, the African Green Ibis and Ayer’s Hawk Eagle, among others.
- Gatamaiyu Forest, Kiambu
This ancient forest is one of the last surviving that is still existing.
A stunning walk through the forest takes you to a river with foggy waterfalls and guess what you can see fresh elephant tracks or even find delicate orchids hidden in between branches.
This forest reveals what Kenyan highlands might have looked like a century ago a very interesting thing to see.
- Mt Kipipiri
| Entrance fees | citizen | residents | non-residents |
| Adults | Ksh 200 | ksh 400 | ksh 600 |
An isolated volcano forest that is part of Aberdare national park in Wanjohi valley.
It is home for elephants, Columbus and Sykes monkey, buffalo and lots of birdlife. The approximated hiking time is 8-9 hours and in case you are wondering the timings and don’t think that you can make it to come hiking and go back home worry not!
There are lots of accommodation facilities around the area as well.
- Kereita Cave & Waterfalls
Just 60 kilometers from the capital city, Nairobi, you will come across Kereita cave and waterfalls.
The cool climate and the green environments will ensure that you get the most fresh air ever. Have a bamboo walk in the natural forest, have a peep into the scenic caves and take photos of the stunning waterfalls as well.
It being a natural forest there are numerous birds and see elephants, white Columbus and Sykes monkey.
Accommodations are available around the area as well.
- Dragon’s Teeth
Explore the Aberdares by spending the weekend hiking in dragon’s teeth, Satima and more country peaks as well. Dragon’s teeth is the furthest point of the park and halfway to Satima, the highest point in the Aberdare.
In this place hiking is best experienced and can be an overnight adventure as well but remember to carry your own facilities as there are none available in the place.
Add it to your bucket list!
- Elephant Hill
Prepare early for hiking at the elephant hill. The hiking takes about 4-5 hours so it is important to check on timing as you don’t want to be caught up in the afternoon showers. It can get really cold so choose a warm but light hiking dress code.
If you have an objective to become a mountain climber, hiking in this destination is best at preparing you for the same.
- Mt. Rurimeria
Prepare your packed lunch and get ready to go hiking on this hill which is actually the third highest peak on the Aberdares.
It is a beautiful beast and you as a hiker will definitely fall in love with it. Rurimeria hill is much more challenging than the other hills, be ready to involve your muscles intensely.
- Table Mountain
This hill may be smaller than Rumeria but equally challenging as well.
As always remember the best hiking time is during the morning hours. Enjoy the green view of the place and also the view of the other hills. This will only take a duration of 2hours.
- Mt. Kinangop
Kinangop is in one of the remaining jungles in East Africa, Aberdare and as a hiker you should know that the summit is rocky.
6. Zip lining at Kereita Forest by The Flying Fox, Kiambu
This is the longest zip lining in East Africa that comprises 6 lines stretching up to 2200 meters. It is the fastest in the region.
The requirements of zip line are: solid shoes and warm clothes as well and should not be over 120Kgs in weight
It costs KES 1,800 for 2 lines and KES 2,800 for 6 lines for citizens
7. Learn about tea at the Kiambethu Tea Farm, Kiambu
This farm is in the ever green and cool Limuru and it is one of the largest exports.
You not only get to learn the process of making tea but you also get to have a cup of the fine cup of tea from the farm itself. Take a walk in the forest and identify the numerous plantation.
This venue always has scrumptious buffet lunch in the veranda as you get to a view across the tea farm plantation.
Charges are KES 3,800 all inclusive of tea and lunch.
Children above 12 years pay half price.
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8. Thompsons Falls, Nyahururu
It was named after the first European to reach here who was called Johnson Thompsons.
This fall acts as one of the major economic sources in Nyahururu.
Experience a heavenly feel as the falls hit you.
The entrance is cheap KES 70 for adults and KES 20 for children.
9. Go hiking at the Fourteen Falls, Thika
Visit this spectacular waterfall in Thika, just an hour drive from the capital city. Take caution and be close to the local guides. You can combine this visit with a hike at Oldonyo Sabuk as well.
| Entrance fees | citizens | residents | non-resident |
| Adults | KES 200 | KESÂ 1,000 | $20 |
| Children | KESÂ 100 | KESÂ 100 | $10 |
10. Learn about Coffee at the Fairview Coffee Estate
In the heart of Kenya’s central highland, you find the world\’s finest and tasty coffee farm since the early 1990’s.
Get to have a tour to the coffee farm, learn how it is processed and have a hot mug of coffee fresh from the farm.
Grab yourself a packet as well too!
11. Bungee Jumping
Get a thrill and feel your heart floating as you experience this activity.
You may feel your heart in your mouth as well but trust me it is worth it.
This activity involves climbing up to 60 meters high and jumping with an elastic cord tied in your back. scream as loud as you can while descending down the wind blowing so hard on your face.
