The 12 best places to visit in Nanyuki

The best places to visit in Nanyuki have spread further afield than the shepherd’s huts and old stone buildings of the town itself. While Nanyuki has some excellent restaurants and places to stay, it is more than a sum of its parts. Nanyuki is Mount Kenya and its alpine forest, it is a safari in the green fields of Ol Pejeta or the ancient landscape of the Loldaiga Hills. It is zip lining through the Ndare Ngare forest or crashing through waterfalls on the Sagana River. 

I know Nanyuki as a gateway to Mount Kenya and the wilderness of Mount Kenya National Park. It sits on the equator, 3 hours north of Nairobi. Its elevation of 2000 metres means it is colder and wetter than the rest of Kenya. Nanyuki is the largest town in the area, settled by British immigrants and still favoured by their descendants. Business in the area comes from ranches, farms, and game parks, or the supply of goods to them. Tourism is huge as there is a lot to see and do in Nanyuki.

The 12 best places to visit in Nanyuki 

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Ol Pejeta 

Ol Pejeta is one of my favourite safari destinations in Kenya and one of the best places to visit in Nanyuki. One of the most famous safari parks in Kenya, it is globally recognised for housing the last two remaining Northern White Rhinos in the world. Ol Pejeta handles the innovative breeding program which may see the re-emergence of the now nearly extinct species. The remaining rhinos are both females, but sperm from the recently departed male rhino has been used to create embryos. We keep our fingers crossed that we can use science to repair the mistakes we have to make in hunting these animals and bring the species back from the brink of extinction. 

Ol Pejeta is also home to the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya. The sanctuary rescues chimps, often from abusive captivity, from all over East Africa. The park, which is home to all the big 5, is a vast, green, river daubed spectacle that is even more beautiful at the moment when Mount Kenya emerges from its cloudy cover. Read my blog on Ol Pejeta and my experience of wild camping in the park here. 

Mount Kenya 

At Mount Kenya, just over 5000 feet of jagged glacial peaks rise above the equator. Mount Kenya is the second-highest mountain in Africa and the first highest in Kenya. The peak was covered for many years by an ice cap which brought the mountain to 7000 feet high. The ice cap melted and there are now 11 glaciers making their way down the slopes of Mount Kenya. Global warming means the glaciers are expected to have melted by 2050. Below the three peaks of Mount Kenya are the Afro-Alpine Moorlands, giant heath, large stands of bamboo, and diverse canopy forests that make up a National Park and National Reserve, some 2,100 km2 of protected area. 

The forest on Mount Kenya is reminiscent of Switzerland with bounteous lakes, rivers, cliffs, and paths for activity on the mountain. Visitors to Mount Kenya can hike to the three peaks. Pt Lenana is possible for unskilled and non-climbers, but the other two main peaks, Batian and Nelion, are for experienced rock climbers only. Hiking is popular, as there are paths all over the mountain, as is mountain biking, fishing, and game spotting. 

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Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy 

The Mount Kenya Wildlife conservancy sits at the foot of Mount Kenya. The conservancy was set up to preserve some of the pristine wilderness and wildlife that exist in the area, including the nearly extinct mountain bongo, a type of antelope. Wildlife species in the conservancy include elephant, leopard, buffalo, giant forest hog, and many more. The conservancy rescues and rehabilitates wild animals who have been orphaned or abandoned including a breeding programme for the bongo and the rare white zebra. 

Visitors to Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy can visit the animal orphanage where you can meet and educate yourself on the animals within the area. The orphanage may be the only chance you ever have to see a mountain bongo,they also have cheetah, leopard, pygmy hippo, and other local animals. 

Ngare Ndare Forest

Ngare Ndare Forest is an indigenous forest at the foothills of Mt. Kenya which serves as an elephant corridor linking Laikipia and Samburu. The forest is now fenced off from farmland after generations of human/elephant clashes. The elephants still patrol their pathways and the forest is an emerald green vista of 200-year-old trees and crashing waterfalls. Ngare Ndare is notable for the swimming pools and series of crystalline waterfalls that run alongside the banks of the river.

Visitors to Ngare Ndare will be eager to experience the canopy walkway – a 40 ft. high aerial bridge that runs nearly half a kilometre through the tree canopy and extending for 450 meters. The walkway ends at a 30-foot high wooden platform, where you can enjoy a view of the river from this elevated vantage point, it is one of my favourite things to do in Nanyuki.

As with many of the places to visit in Nanyuki, visiting Ngare Ndare offers you a real insight into the importance of conservation of habitat and wildlife in the area. So much is precious and on the brink of being lost.

Trout fishing and Trout Tree Restaurant 

The very best places for trout fishing are high up in the alpine lakes and rivers of Mount Kenya. Read about a Mount Kenya fishing trip here. For easier access to trout fishing, you can visit the Trout Tree Restaurant for fishing and the freshest trout meals in the area. You can read the full blog on the Trout Tree Restaurant here. It’s a beautiful place, crouched in the arms of a sacred fig tree surrounding by brown rivers, circular trout pools, and lush forest. Rent a rod at the restaurant and spend the afternoon contemplating nature and catching your own supper. 

Mount Kenya Climbing Gym

If you want to get in training for climbing Mount Kenya then there is no better place to start than the Mount Kenya Climbing Gym. A climbing wall with a sweet little café, its located centrally to town between One Stop and Nanyuki. There are different routes to suit both beginners and experienced climbers. The club can organize trips out to Turamen where there are a series of walls and pinnacles suitable for climbers of all levels. 

​​Nanyuki Equator Sign

The Nanyuki equator market is little more than a battered sign next to the road, but it is fun to jump out of the car and take a picture at the very centre of the world. There is usually a guy there with bucket system that shows you the Coriolis effect. Essentially, how water flows in a different direction in the northern and southern hemisphere.

Loldaiga Hills

Lolldaiga Hills Ranch is a 49,000-acre livestock ranch and wildlife conservancy with outstanding views of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. Aside from the stunning views and full complement of wildlife, the Lolldaiga range is a series of folding hills that house a series of archaeological finds. Visitors to Lolldaiga will find cave paintings and burial mounds dating back to early mankind.

Nanyuki Weavers

Nanyuki Weavers is a special stopover in Nanyuki allowing you to observe traditional weaving methods and buy gorgeous rugs and shawls. Nanyuki Weavers employs over 110 women who will guide you through the workshop showing you each stage of the weaving process. Watch the women cleaning and dyeing the wool and spinning it on traditional looms. My kids loved it. 

Mau Mau Caves, Nanyuki

You need a guide to reach the Mau Mau caves, which are accessible via an 8km walk from Bantu lodge. Mau Mau warriors would hide in these caves which are sheltered behind a waterfall, during the Mau Mau wars. The caves are an interesting geographical exploration at the end of a picturesque walk, but it’s extraordinary to note that people lived here as recently as 60 years ago and staged a rebellion from places like this. 

White water rafting at the Sagana river 

One of the best placest to visit is the Sagana river. White water rafting along the river is a super high adrenaline thrill for the entire family. While kayaking along large stretches of the river is only for adults, kids can bob about the waters in small boats and even join their parents in trying to sail under a waterfall. Several outfits provide white water/ kayaking/ ziplining facilities and accommodation. My favourite is Savage Wilderness and Rapids Camp. Both places are located quite far out of Nanyuki – around 40 minutes – but it is definitely worth the journey. You can camp there or overnight in bandas. 

Visit Chaka Ranch

Chaka Ranch located close to Kiganjo is a full activity leisure park where you can zoom around on quad bikes or go-karts, roller skate through obstacle courses, cool down on the water park, or suffer the agony and indignity of paint balling. They focused the park on kids, so they have adult and kiddie quad bikes, a café to feed the tired masses, and you can even stay over in a decent-looking tented camp or permanent bandas. Arguably, one of the best places to visit in Nanyuki to entertain kids.

Things to do in Nanyuki – where to stay and eat

For the best places to stay in Nanyuki, check out my complete guide to Nanyuki accommodation. 

My favourite restaurants in Nanyuki are the aforementioned Trout Tree restaurant and La Rustique a fine dining, Moroccan cuisine. There is also a cool little shop/café up towards Timau, which is always worth a stopover. I can’t for the life of me remember the name, but it’s right by the road. Morani’s is decent food but it’s located within Ol Pejeta Conservancy, so you can only access it by paying the conservancy fee. A nice chance to visit the old blind rhino who resides next door.

For drinks then Jack’s Bar at the Soames hotel is favoured by locals for a sundowner and the restaurant there is lovely too. 

For easy eats, there is ever-reliable Java at the Cedar Mall and Barneys, a restaurant at the airstrip which is usually very busy and popular. 

You can lunch at Kongoni camp, but I’m afraid we didn’t enjoy it very much… do let me know if it improves. 

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How to get to Nanyuki

Nanyuki is approximately 3 – 4 hours north of Nairobi, depending on traffic. The drive, once you get past the conjested roads around Thika are smooth going. Driving through banana and pineapple plantations, and if the day is clear heading for the snowy peaks of Mount Kenya.

Several flights a day operate to the teeny Nanyuki airport, from Wilson airport in Nairobi. Try Safarilink airlines to start.

Matatus and buses whizz up and down all day long.

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