Kilima Gardens Guidebook
Sightseeing
Mount Kenya has three main peaks and the two larger peaks of Batian (5199m) and Nelion (5188m) are both technical climbs, however the third peak, Point Lenana (4,985m) is a trekking peak.
If you regularly trek in hills and mountains then you'll already be well equipped to climb Mount Kenya, but it shouldn't be underestimated as both the landscape and summit routes are challenging so you need to attempt it with a good guide and support team, ensure that you have the correct equipment, eat well and drink lots of fluids so that by the time you reach the higher camps you’ll be well acclimatised to the lower levels of oxygen in the air, hydrated and full of energy ready to summit. Calculate 4-5 days for the summit. If you don’t have the time or energy then a day hike is also a great option to experience the serene nature of Mount Kenya!
Depending on the route you chose there are different gates to get into the reserve and up. The most popular is the Sirimon Gate between Nanyuki and Timau. Closest to us is the Naro Moru Gate.
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Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya has three main peaks and the two larger peaks of Batian (5199m) and Nelion (5188m) are both technical climbs, however the third peak, Point Lenana (4,985m) is a trekking peak.
If you regularly trek in hills and mountains then you'll already be well equipped to climb Mount Kenya, but it shouldn't be underestimated as both the landscape and summit routes are challenging so you need to attempt it with a good guide and support team, ensure that you have the correct equipment, eat well and drink lots of fluids so that by the time you reach the higher camps you’ll be well acclimatised to the lower levels of oxygen in the air, hydrated and full of energy ready to summit. Calculate 4-5 days for the summit. If you don’t have the time or energy then a day hike is also a great option to experience the serene nature of Mount Kenya!
Depending on the route you chose there are different gates to get into the reserve and up. The most popular is the Sirimon Gate between Nanyuki and Timau. Closest to us is the Naro Moru Gate.
Self drive wildlife experience with great chances of seeing elephant and rhino. Visit the chimpanzee rescues center and feed ‘Baraka’ the tame blind black rhino.
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Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Self drive wildlife experience with great chances of seeing elephant and rhino. Visit the chimpanzee rescues center and feed ‘Baraka’ the tame blind black rhino.
Wildlife conservancy with great chances of seeing big elephant herds. Nestled between Lolldaiga hills that you can see from out plot, the landscape in this park offers some stunning views of the area and Mount Kenya. Come here for a more untamed wildlife experience. All visits to Lolldaiga are on a pre-booking and pre-payment basis only and are subject to availability. Please contact bookings@lolldaiga.com to make your reservations.
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Lolldaiga Main Gate
Wildlife conservancy with great chances of seeing big elephant herds. Nestled between Lolldaiga hills that you can see from out plot, the landscape in this park offers some stunning views of the area and Mount Kenya. Come here for a more untamed wildlife experience. All visits to Lolldaiga are on a pre-booking and pre-payment basis only and are subject to availability. Please contact bookings@lolldaiga.com to make your reservations.
4WD vehicle is needed. Swim in the blue pools and explore the forest canopy on their amazing swinging walkway. With a guide enjoy walking (about 6 km) and bird watching in this beautiful natural forest.
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Ngare Ndare Forest Park
4WD vehicle is needed. Swim in the blue pools and explore the forest canopy on their amazing swinging walkway. With a guide enjoy walking (about 6 km) and bird watching in this beautiful natural forest.
A perfect stop on the way to or from Nairobi to us. Proper whitewater rafting on the Tana river. We recommend Savage Wilderness for the ultimate adventure!
Savage Wilderness Whitewater Rafting Centre
A perfect stop on the way to or from Nairobi to us. Proper whitewater rafting on the Tana river. We recommend Savage Wilderness for the ultimate adventure!
Food scene
Collection of our favorite Cafés and restaurants close by Kilima House and in Nanyuki.
Beautiful lunch spot built in and around a huge Mugumo (sacred fig) tree. The restaurant serves fresh trout from the trout ponds below, char-grilled to perfection. A bit pricy but really worth a visit especially for families. You can watch troupes of resident Colobus Monkeys and Tree Hyrax, as well as an abundance of bird life.
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Trout Tree Restaurant
Beautiful lunch spot built in and around a huge Mugumo (sacred fig) tree. The restaurant serves fresh trout from the trout ponds below, char-grilled to perfection. A bit pricy but really worth a visit especially for families. You can watch troupes of resident Colobus Monkeys and Tree Hyrax, as well as an abundance of bird life.
Bundu Café: open Tue-Fr 9-16:30, Sa-So 10-16:30, closed on Mondays, +254 702228625
Laid-back café by the Burguret river that is also our closest neighbor. Indulge in freshly baked pastries, cakes or simply a good cup of coffee. Their small shop offers handcrafted carpets and candles. Yoga session every Friday morning 9:30-10:30 but book ahead +254 792717846 or email: cafebundu@gmail.com
Bundu Café
Unnamed RoadBundu Café: open Tue-Fr 9-16:30, Sa-So 10-16:30, closed on Mondays, +254 702228625
Laid-back café by the Burguret river that is also our closest neighbor. Indulge in freshly baked pastries, cakes or simply a good cup of coffee. Their small shop offers handcrafted carpets and candles. Yoga session every Friday morning 9:30-10:30 but book ahead +254 792717846 or email: cafebundu@gmail.com
Very casual pizza place half-way to Nanyuki opposite the airstrip. The social hockey and Sundowner night every Tuesday from 5pm is popular among the locals. There is also a small supermarket, veterinary service (should you need it), hair & beauty salon and play area.
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One Stop Nanyuki
Nyeri - Nanyuki RoadVery casual pizza place half-way to Nanyuki opposite the airstrip. The social hockey and Sundowner night every Tuesday from 5pm is popular among the locals. There is also a small supermarket, veterinary service (should you need it), hair & beauty salon and play area.
Casual restaurant with large garden and vibrant bar. Maybe the best food experience in Nanyuki. Completely new menu is created each week with dishes from around the world. All dishes are prepared from freshly sourced local, seasonal and organic ingredients.
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The Nook Cafe & Bar
Casual restaurant with large garden and vibrant bar. Maybe the best food experience in Nanyuki. Completely new menu is created each week with dishes from around the world. All dishes are prepared from freshly sourced local, seasonal and organic ingredients.
Nice fine dining restaurant and a bar connected to a hotel. Bar offers a good selection of cocktails. We recommend their sticky baby back pork ribs! Come here for chill lunch on their patio for a spectacular Mount Kenya view.
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Soames Hotel & Jack's Bar
Nice fine dining restaurant and a bar connected to a hotel. Bar offers a good selection of cocktails. We recommend their sticky baby back pork ribs! Come here for chill lunch on their patio for a spectacular Mount Kenya view.
Centrally located café/bar/restaurant in Nanyuki with an modern urban feel. Great place to get some drinks with friends. We tried their grilled kebab which was really good. Not many options for vegans/vegetarians.
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Jib's Café Bistro
Centrally located café/bar/restaurant in Nanyuki with an modern urban feel. Great place to get some drinks with friends. We tried their grilled kebab which was really good. Not many options for vegans/vegetarians.
Café with very central location in Nanyuki making it a convenient meeting spot. They offer Wi-Fi connection. Great club sandwiches and coffee!
Dorman's Coffee shop
Café with very central location in Nanyuki making it a convenient meeting spot. They offer Wi-Fi connection. Great club sandwiches and coffee!
Garden restaurant in a quiet location close to the Nanyuki Cottage Hospital. The delicious Curry Buffet every second Sunday is a secret tip and local social event!
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Cape Chestnut Nanyuki
Garden restaurant in a quiet location close to the Nanyuki Cottage Hospital. The delicious Curry Buffet every second Sunday is a secret tip and local social event!
Shopping
Great lunch place offering tasty fusion cuisine. They also sell good imported wines and treats in their deli. You can even find various glutenfree-options and products.
Shop 14
Unnamed RoadGreat lunch place offering tasty fusion cuisine. They also sell good imported wines and treats in their deli. You can even find various glutenfree-options and products.
The Cedar Mall
Nanyuki-Rumuruti RoadNanyuki Mall
Nyeri - Nanyuki Road