Naro Moru River Lodge - Mount Kenya

The Aberdares and Mount Kenya Region

Naro Moru River Lodge is a world-famous base for climbing Mount Kenya; it is also a charming weekend retreat. It is situated on the equator between Nyeri and Nanyuki, at an altitude of 1,982 m in the Mount Kenya foothills (5 minutes drive to the road that leads up to the national park). The lodge is set in lush tropical gardens through which the Naro Moru River flows. The river, fed by the snows of Mt Kenya, is stocked with brown and rainbow trout, offering fun and excitement for the fly fisherman. There is also an exceptionally diverse bird population, including Hartlaub's Turaco.

Recreational facilities include a heated deck-level swimming pool facing Mt Kenya; tennis courts, a squash court and sauna, as well as horse riding along beautiful nature trails by the river. Cuisine is offered to suit every palate, with special attention paid to the needs of climbers. The bars and restaurants are warm and friendly places to meet.

A professional base for climbing Mount Kenya, the lodge offers a fully equipped Mountain Store, which hires out hiking and climbing gear, tents and everything for the climb. The lodge is also a base for mountain guides. Additionally, the lodge runs a number of overnight huts on the mountain where good clean accommodation and food is provided to those making the ascent.

Location
Nyeri is 197 km north of Nairobi (a 3 hour 30 minute drive). The hotel stands above a gorge through which flows the Chania River. Set in rolling gardens, it features numerous ancient trees and flowering shrubs.

The Background
Mount Kenya National Park
One of the world's highest National Parks, Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano some three and a half million years old. Straddling the equator, the mountain offers a unique mosaic of forest, moorland, rock and ice and is crowned by the glittering twin peaks of Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m). The sacred home of Ngai, God of the Kikuyu people, Mount Kenya is Kenya's highest mountain, a national icon, a climbers' Mecca, the nation's namesake, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, and a wildlife stronghold. Anyone in reasonable health can attempt the steep trek to Point Lenana (4, 985 M), which is the highest point for trekkers. Of the approximately 500 climbers who attempt to scale Nelion each year, around 200 make the summit. Around 50 experienced climbers achieve the summit of Batian annually.

Wildlife highlights: includes; giant forest hog, tree hyrax, white-tailed mongoose, elephant, black rhino, suni, black-fronted duiker, bongo, leopard, Mount Kenya mouse shrew, hyrax, duiker and the endemic mole-rat. Birds: 130 recorded species.

The Aberdare National Park
Highlands, moorlands, peaks and falls
Aptly dubbed ‘Scotland with Lions', this atmospheric park showcases the chill, wild and beautiful moorlands of the Aberdare mountain range. An often mist-wreathed realm where elephants roam through lichen-hung forests; spectacular waterfalls plunge into churning pools, and trout-filled streams cascade through mossy dells, it offers matchless views of the glittering coronet of Mount Kenya and the sparkling lakes of the Great Rift Valley. Believed by the Kikuyu to be one of the homes of Ngai (God), the area became known as the ‘White Highlands' in the 1920's, due to the large numbers of Europeans who settled there. During the 1950's, the dense forests and bamboo thickets were the scene of intense guerrilla warfare between the British and the ‘Mau Mau' freedom fighters of Kenya, while the famous ‘Treetops' Hotel was where the young Princess Elizabeth heard she had become Queen Elizabeth II of England.

Wildlife highlights: colobus monkey, leopard, lion, serval cat, elephant, warthog, black rhino, giant forest hog, reed and bushbuck, buffalo, duiker, suni, eland and the rare bongo antelope. Birds: 250 recorded species.

Accommodation
The lodge offers a bewildering selection of accommodation options ranging from a campsite to bunk houses (communal sleeping huts with bunks and kitchen facilities) and from luxury ensuite rooms to stand-alone houses with self-catering facilities and gardens by the riverside. Most of the rooms are accommodated in single storey buildings that stand just above the river and are reached by winding paths leading through colourful flower gardens. Beyond these is an area of parkland, which leads into woodland. Here, dotted around in a charmingly rustic manner are a series of houses: studio, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom and 5 bedroom. All have log fires, fully equipped kitchens, comfortable lounges, fully equipped bedrooms and bathrooms.

12 standard, 10 superior, 12 deluxe, 7 cottages, 5 country homes, bunkhouses and a campsite. Rooms feature twin beds, private bathrooms and shower in most. Deluxe have a fireplace and balcony. Interconnecting rooms are available, while cottages have fully equipped kitchens.

Dining and bars
The lodge offers a spacious dining room, which overlooks the pool and the mountain. Typically, buffet styled meals are offered at breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also a modern bar. The climbers bar is located in the original timber building by the river and is decorated with T shirts and flags from all those who have made it to the top of the mountain. Atmospheric and eccentric, it also offers broad lawns and picnic tables by the river. An ideal place to spot the areas phenomenal birdlife.

Child-friendly
The lodge welcomes children

What to see and do
• Heated swimming pool
• Tennis courts
• Squash court
• Sauna
• Horse riding
• Bird watching
• Bars, restaurants and lounges
• Beautiful grounds
• Fully equipped Mountain Store
• All rooms with private bathroom

Naro Moru River Lodge - Mount Kenya • Mountain Climbing Resort & Safari Lodges
To enquire about booking this Kenya climbing safari hotel, please Contact Us!

TOURS

ACTIVITY

FACILITY

Best of Mount Kenya Climbing

On this Mount Kenya Safari - Day 1: Morning spent sorting and organizing equipment for the mountain trek. Lunch at Naro Moru River Lodge (at extra cost). In the afternoon, drive to Sirimon Gate and thence to the road head at 3,300m. An easy walk in the afternoon to help acclimatization: overnight Judmaier's Camp (3,300m) in the high altitude mountain tents. Day 2: After breakfast trek up the moorland and break away from Sirimon track at altitude of 3,940m, contouring into the Sirimon Valley.

6 days

5 nights

From USD 0