Mount Kenya dominates the landscape of the Central Highlands. It lies in the Mount Kenya National Park (700 square kilometres) , and lies 150 km from Nairobi, Kenya's capital. The mountain has two main peaks - Batian (5200m) and Nelion (5188m). The flora and fauna is fascinating here as it changes dramatically with altitude. Dry upland forest and rainforests are supported on the lower slopes while a bamboo forest melts into a upper forest of smaller trees covered in high altitude moss. Between 3000m and 5000m vegetation types include African Sage, protea, helicrysum and moorland with giant lobelias and heather. Mt. Kenya is an important water catchment area, supplying the Tana and Northern Ewaso Ngiro systems. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and is also a Biosphere Reserve. 

Seasons: January and Febuary are popular months, with a dry and hot climate, and richly abundant birdlife in the Rift Valley lakes. June to September months also experience dry weather. The rains fall mostly from March to May, and certain roads can become inaccessible. 

Wildlife: You may see: Olive baboon, Banana Bat, Bongo; Buffalo, Bushbuck, African Wild Cat, Civet, Black and White Colobus, Hunting Dog, Dormouse, Duiker, Elephant, Genet, Hare, Giant Forest Hog, Spotted Hyaena, ; Hyrax, Jackal, Jackal, Klipspringer; Leopard; Lion; Mongoose, Sykes Monkey, Otter, Bush Pig; Porcupine, Mt Kenya Mole; Reedbuck, Black rhino; Serval; Shrew, Mole; Suni and Zebra 

Precautions: Malaria area - minimize mosquito bites by wearing light, long sleeved clothing and using effective insect repellents (containing Diethyltoluamide DEET) on exposed skin. Sleep under treated mosquito netting or ensure that the doors and windows of your accommodation are screened against mosquitoes. Having a fan or air-conditioner on at night will further suppress mosquito activity. Currently, the three effective anti-malaria tablets are Mefloquine (Lariam or Mefliam), Doxycycline and Malarone (Malanil). It is still possible to contract malaria while on malaria prophylaxis. Note that Lariam may present serious side-effects - please test before you depart.