Sacred Mount Kenya Soars to the Heights of whl.travel

whl.travel
17 February 2011

* MAKALA PIA KATIKA KISWAHILI HAPO CHINI / SEE BELOW FOR THIS ARTICLE IN SWAHILI

A towering and unmistakeable peak on the stunning African Central Highlands ridge, Mount Kenya has made such an enduring mark on the landscape that its ancient name now refers to the entirety of the country in which it stands. Set amidst majestic forests, unhindered rivers and grassy savannahs approximately 150 kilometres north of the capital city of Nairobi, this mountainous region has long been sacred ground to the native Kikuyu people, although the area surrounding Mount Kenya has now also been protected as a national park since 1949 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site notable for its astounding scenic beauty and rich biodiversity.

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya encompasses about 60,000 acres and supports over 70 animals, including the endangered black rhino.

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy initiative began with 5,000 acres back in 1983. Its mission was to help in the fight to protect endangered black rhinos. It now encompasses about 60,000 acres and supports over 70 animals, some of which can be seen on a safari to see the work they have done.

There are several small towns located in the Mount Kenya region, all of which are excellent jumping-off points for thrilling tours of the area. Of course, the main event for many travellers visiting the Central Highlands of Kenya is the legendary trek to the summit of Point Lenana, the most accessible of the peaks, since it can be reached without any climbing. However, for trekkers who have extra time and enjoy a physical challenge, the five-day Mt Kenya: Sirimon/Naromoru Trek takes in the roof of the world for a breathtaking sunrise after an extra day at the Mackinders camp to allow for acclimatisation before the summit attempt. There are heaps of other itinerary combinations too, including the Mt Kenya Climb: Sirimon/Naromoru Route and the Mt Kenya Climb: Naromuro/Chogoria Transverse. While the routes and tour length vary, the views are equally stunning and experiences truly memorable.

When mountain heights don’t suit, visitors can easily indulge in other joys as well. There are bush hikes, game drives and cultural interaction tours, or just taking advantage of local hospitality, the convenience of quality cuisine and easily accessible shopping.

The small towns of Embu, Nyeri, Nanyuki, Nyahururu, Meru, Naro Moru and Isiolo all offer a range of Mount Kenya hotels for weary and contented explorers. The Outspan Hotel in Nyeri, for example, is the closest accommodation to the renowned Karuru Falls and also right in the middle of the town’s picturesque tea and coffee farms. For travellers that prefer to sleep outside the confines of normal civilisation, the Rhino Watch Safari Lodge is located in the heart of the Solio Game Reserve, a haven for black and white rhinos and one of the best places in Kenya to spot these amazing and endangered animals.

Mount Kenya offers several walking routes for trekkers to reach the summit peaks and drink in the vast views

Mount Kenya is the tallest mountain in Kenya and second only to Mount Kilimanjaro on the continent of Africa. There are several walking routes for trekkers to reach the summit peaks and drink in the vast views.

whl.travel welcomes Daniel Odongo and his team at Impact Adventure Travel as the expert local connection in Mount Kenya. “We are very happy to be a member of the whl.travel family as they share our values and ethos,” commented Odongo. “At this time of diminishing resources and increasing human-wildlife conflict in Kenya, we feel joining whl.travel is our chance to help lessen pressure on the already popular destinations by presenting an alternative yet very attractive destination: Mt Kenya. The region’s immense potential has not been fully cultivated. We look forward to tapping into whl.travel’s expertise and global network to awaken the sleeping giant that is Mt Kenya tourism.”

www.mountkenyatours-hotels.com joins Masai Mara, Nairobi and Mombasa as the whl.travel network of local connection in Kenya.

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KISWAHILI / IN SWAHILI:

Katika eneo la kati mwa Kenya na nyanda za juu hupatikana mlima Kenya. Mlima huu ambao ndio wenye urefu zaidi kuliko zingine nchini Kenya uko takribani kilomita mia moja hamsini kaskazini mwa Kenya. Mlima Kenya una manufaa tele sio tu kwa jamii zinazoishi chini yake bali kwa taifa zima. Kwa jamii ya wakikuyu, mlima Kenya unaaminika kama makao ya mungu wao. Kwa uchumi wa Kenya, eneo la mlima Kenya linadhihirika kama kivutio muhimu cha watalii na pia hifadhi ya vianzo via mito ambayo husambaza maji kwa taifa. Kwa sababu hizo, serikali ya Kenya ilitenga mlima huu pamoja na misitu inayoizunguka kama hifadhi ya kitaifa mnamo mwaka wa elfu moja mia tisa na arobaini na tisa. Hifadhi hii pia inatambuliwa na shirika la umoja wa mataifa la sayanzi na utamaduni (UNESCO).

Kuna miji midogo mingi ambayo ina makazi ya kuwezesha kila mgeni kutalii eneo hili. Hata ingawa nia ya wageni wengi wanaozuru eneo hili ni kuukwea mlima Kenya, kuna vivutio vingine vingi kama wanyama wa pori, tamaduni za jamii mbalimbali, vyakula na ununuzi wa bidhaa. Kuna njia mingi ambazo hufwatwa na wanaoukwea mlima kama Sirimon na Naromoru na pia Chogoria.

Aberdare National Park is found in Central Kenya and teems with wildlife roaming across the plains, such as these African elephants. The native people of Kikuyu believe that this mountain range, where the park is located, is a home of Ngai, or God.

Miji midogo ya Embu, Nyeri, Nanyuki, Nyahururu, Meru, Naro Moru na Isiolo ina mahoteli inayotoa makazi bora kwa watalii. Kwa mfano, hoteli ya Outspan katika mji wa Nyeri ndio ya karibu sana na maanguko ya maji ya karuru na pia iko katikati mwa mashamba ya majani chai na kahawa. Kwa wale wanaotafuta makazi tofauti iliyo mbali na miji, hoteli ya Rhino Watch Safari Lodge ni chaguo bora na iko katikati mwa mbuga ya wanyama pori ya Solio, ambamo utapata wanyama wengi kama vifaru na ndovu.

Shirika la whl.travel linamkaribisha ndugu Daniel Odongo pamoja na wafanyi kazi wote wa kampuni ya kitalii ya Impact Adventure Travel kama wahudumu wake wa eneo la mlima kenya. “Tunafurahi sana kuwa mwanachama wa whl.travel kwa sababu maadili yao ya utendaji kazi na uhifadhi wa mazingira inalingana na yetu.” asema Odongo. “Kwa sasa maeneo mengi ya kitalii yana shida mingi za kimazingira. Tunaamini kwamba iwapo watalii wataonyeshwa vivutio vingine kama mlima kenya basi hiyo itapunguza mzigo wa watalii wengi katika maeneo chache na kusaidia katika uhifadhi wa mazingira katika sehemu hizo. Twanuia kunufaika na utaalamu wa shirika la whl.travel katika uuzaji wa mlima kenya kama kivutio maalum cha kitalii.”

www.mountkenyatours-hotels.com inajiunga na Masai Mara, Nairobi na Mombasa kama mtandao wa whl.travel nchini Kenya.

whl.travel

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