This is a list of top 10 best places to visit in Nyeri County. It covers an area of 3, 356 square kilometres. It happens to be one of the major players in the central tourism circuit. There are many beautiful sceneries and points of interest to visit in Nyeri County.
In no particular order, here is a list of best places to visit in Nyeri County.
1. Aberdare National Park
The park is characterized by steep forested ravines and open moorland. It is a habitat for abundant birdlife and wildlife such as elephants, leopards, black rhinos, buffalos, colobus monkeys, warthogs, bushbucks, spotted hyenas and olive baboons. It is a perfect destination for game viewing, bird watching, camping and nature walk.
2. Solio Ranch
It is a private ranch that was established mainly for the purpose of rhino conservation. It is one of the most successful private rhino breeding ranches in Kenya. The ranch is also inhabited by other wildlife such as buffalos, zebras, gazelles, giraffes, antelopes, waterbucks, oryx and warthogs. You can visit the ranch for game viewing activities and nature walks.
3. Baden Powell Museum
It was named after Lord Baden Powell, the founder of the Boy Scout Movement Association. The museum features scouting scarfs and other attires aimed at preserving, exhibiting and communicating the heritage of the Boy Scout Movement. It is located along the Nyeri-Kamakwa road, in the Outspan hotel compound.
4. Chaka Ranch
It is a leisure park and entertainment facility located in Kiganjo. It is set on an expansive space that offers beautiful sceneries and views of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare mountain range. It is a perfect haven for outdoor lovers. It boasts of the biggest and widest collection of quad bikes and buggies in Kenya. It also offers luxury accommodation in tented camps.
5. Mau Mau Caves
It is a historic site located in Narumoru forest, that was used as a hideout by freedom fighters during the mau-mau uprising. Beautiful attractions such as waterfalls and indigenous forests with monkeys and birds are also located around the caves. It is a paradise for hiking and bird watching.
6. Italian War Memorial Catholic Church
It was built by Italian soldiers who were captured as prisoners during world war 2. The church is characterized by a beautiful architectural design, with names of fallen soldiers inscribed on the walls. There is also a tomb and a shrine within the compound. An annual mass is usually held in November to commemorate the fallen Italian soldiers.
7. Nyeri Museum
The museum is housed in a national monument which was built in 1924. The monument was once used as a native law court, mainly to deal with customary law cases. You can visit the museum to learn the history of Mau-Mau freedom fighters and tools used during the colonial period.
8. Thunguma Museum
The museum was opened in 1998 to preserve, communicate and inform about the Kikuyu culture and origin. The museum features traditional artefacts of the Kikuyu and live animals such as crocodiles, tortoise and porcupines.
9. Chinga Dam and Waterfall
The magnificent waterfall is located near Othaya town, on your way to Chinga Boys. Chinga dam is actually the biggest water reservoir in Nyeri county. The dam offers opportunities for fishing and boat riding activities. You can visit the place to have a glimpse of the magnificent waterfall and also to engage in boat riding activities in Chinga dam.
10. Rhino Watch Camp
It is set in 30 acres, just adjacent to the Solio rhino sanctuary. It is surrounded by 3 wildlife reserves, thus provides an ideal base for safari game drives and beautiful views of Mount Kenya. Other facilities offered at the rhino watch camp include; luxury accommodation for wildlife enthusiasts, bush meals, game walks and an art gallery for traditional artefacts.
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Nyeri Old Clock Tower located at Mathari
- Lord Baden Powell Clock
- The Baden Powell Scouts Information Centre
