Nyeri

Nyeri

eri, town, south-central Kenya. Nyeri lies at an elevation of about 5,750 feet (1,750 meters) in the heart of the Kikuyu people’s homeland. This was a hub of Mau Mau rebel activity in the 1950s.

Nyeri, town, south-central Kenya. Nyeri lies at an elevation of about 5,750 feet (1,750 meters) in the heart of the Kikuyu people’s homeland. This was a hub of Mau Mau rebel activity in the 1950s.

Nyeri is a pleasingly arranged town in the Aberdare foothills, with extensive green meadows and gardens. The foothills are covered by a dense eucalyptus forest and afford a magnificent view of Mount Kenya to the northeast.

Much of the surrounding area is utilized for farming, and coffee and tea are important cash crops. The town’s major industries include production of leather goods, soap, wood and furniture, processed food, soft drinks, cord, rope, twine, clay and concrete products, agricultural implements, and fabrics.

Nyeri serves as the gateway to Aberdare National Park. The town is linked by road and rail with Nanyuki, about 36 miles (58 km) to the northeast, and Nairobi, about 60 miles (96 km) to the southwest. There is an airfield nearby.

Nyeri Kenya

Nyeri County is situated about 150 km north of Kenya’s capital Nairobi. This is in the country’s densely populated and fertile Central Highlands. Nyeri lies between the eastern base of the Aberdare (Nyandarua) Range.

This forms part of the eastern end of the Great Rift Valley, and the western slopes of Mount Kenya. The most imposing landmark around Nyeri is Mount Kenya.

About twenty kilometers out of town is the Mount Kenya National Park. Mount Kenya is an imposing extinct volcano lying strategically astride the Equator. The mountain has two main peaks – Batian (5200m) and Nelion (5188m).

It is the highest mountain in the Kenya. This is also the second, after Kilimanjaro, in Africa. It has two main snow covered peaks, Batian and Nelion.

The majority of Nyeri residents are Kenya’s largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu. The Kikuyu language is therefore widely spoken, along with Kenya’s national language, Kiswahili as well as Kenya’s official language, English.

Black Africans from other Kenyan ethnic groups (most of them being state and private sector employees) make up a small minority, with the rest of the population comprising Kenyans of Asian origin and a small white.

Tourist Attractions in Nyeri

Nyeri

Mt. Kenya National Park

Inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the 5,199 m mountain is the highest in Kenya and the second highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro. It is 25 km from Nyeri town and 175 km from Nairobi.

The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian (5,199 m (17,057 ft)), Nelion (5,188 m (17,021 ft)) and Point Lenana (4,985 m (16,355 ft)). Mountain climbers must train and be acclimatized before climbing to reduce risk of high altitude sickness. Best months to climb: January, February, August and September for the stunning views of the landscape.

Aberdare Ranges and National Park

Established in May 1950, the Aberdare National Park covers an area of 766 kml on the Aberdare Mountain Range between 7,000 ft (2,100 m) to 14,000 ft (4,300 m) above sea level. The park has stunning landscapes – from the mountain peaks to deep valleys with streams, rivers, and waterfalls.

The mountains have moorland, bamboo and rainforests. The two highest peaks are OI Donyo Lesatima (13,120 ft) and Kinangop at 12,816 ft. The park is 100 km north of Nairobi. The Aberdare Range was named by J. J. Thomson in 1884 in honour of Lord Aberdare, who at that time was President of the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Historical Society.

The Rhino Charge is an annual fund raiser to cater for fencing the Aberdare National Park as a means of protecting East Africa’s largest indigenous forest from destruction.

Lord Baden Powell’s grave

The grave of the scouting Movement’s founder, Lord Baden-Powell at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Baden-Powell died on 8 January 1941. Lord Baden Powell’s grave site is a national monument.

The gravestone bears a circle with a dot in the centre, which is the trail sign for “Going home”, or “I have gone home”. His wife, Olive’s ashes were sent to Kenya and interred beside her husband.

Paxtu House

Paxtu House is a small museum standing on Outspan Hotel grounds. The house was built for Lord Baden Powell, the founder of the scouts’ movement in the world. Room 45 of the hotel was his bedroom and has been converted into a scout’s museum.

Nightlife in Nyeri

Many places to go hang out at night, we have Outspan Hotel, with Kirinyaga Tavern kicking every Friday and Saturday night, dance to new music and old traditional Mwomboko dance, (Native dance by the natives, also called Kikuyu’s)

Impala Place just opposite Lord Baden Powell’s grave. This is a popular joint for young executives especially over the weekends. It is absolute fun, very good music and kicks well upto late morning hours.

Zebra Pub, is housed in Batian Grand Hotel, downtown Nyeri just off Temple Road, on Gakere Road. A popular joint for teens. Dance to soul, rap and all new music.

Green Hills club is one of the most modernised clubs here in Nyeri, with an underground disco, sound proofed and great light s effects. A few others were closed, White Rhino, Havana, and Club Ozone

Bhais Bar is located Centrally on Gakere Road, a few floors above Gakere Rd and here you get a great view of the town below from above as you enjoy your drink. We got Green Oak, a few blocks up on Gakere Road, and many others.

I’d say, Nyeri is the best place you’d be in, with Friendly people, great climate, no wonder the Late Baden Powell (the founder of the Scouts Movement) said,  Closer to Nyeri, Closer to Bliss.

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