KIRINYAGA COUNTY - A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR FARM TOURISM

Kirinyaga - the county in centraly Kenya is named after Mount Kenya, which was originally known as Kirinyaga, meaning the crest of whiteness, synonymous with its snow-capped peaks. 

Sitting at the foothills of Mount Kenya, some 112km from Nairobi, Kirinyaga County covers 1479.09 square kilometers, Kirinyaga borders Embu to the east, Machakos to the south, Murang’a to south west and Nyeri to the west.

Kirinyaga County is home to Mt. Kenya and offers a breathtaking view of the mountain with its snowcapped peaks, v-shaped valleys, and indigenous forests.  The county is also home to the Mt. Kenya Forest that is inhabited by a variety of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, monkeys, and birds. Kirinyaga has over 17 waterfalls which are found along the course of the six major rivers; Sagana, Nyamindi, Rupingazi, Thiba, Rwamuthambi and Ragati,as they cascade from the mountains downwards.

One can also climb Mt. Kenya from Kirinyaga County through the Kamweti route which leads you to old elephant pathways through dense rain and bamboo forests to the highland swamps and moorlands of Mt. Kenya.

While in Kirinyaga, lovers of the outdoors can engage in extreme sports like bungee jumping, canoe kayaking, white water rafting, rapids river trekking as well as enjoying Sagana chopper trips. Several lodges also offer ideal environments for camping and bonfires which can be used by friends and families to bond.

A drive away from the Nairobi – Embu highway, hidden amidst the scenic view of Mt. Kenya lays the natural bridge known as Ndaraca ya Ngai (God’s Bridge). The Bridge is of age because it was a hide away joint for more than fifty mau mau men and women during the colonial times. The British never discovered the scene and so it was a safe heaven. It is a breathtaking imagery of which nobody has a clear answer on how it came to existence. A remarkable image only in the county of Kirinyaga.

Kirinyaga is also the home of the Mwomboko Kenya Dancers, a dancing troupe formed in the 1940’s.  The group resides from Mukuura, Ndia – in Kirinyaga county. The name comes from the Kikuyu traditional dance known as Mwomboko. The group educates the public on the kikuyu culture through dance and music.

Travellers can also visit  a cultural village built on an 18 hectares piece of land, Thingira village teaches about the origin of Kikuyu, Meru, Kamba and Embu. It is located within a semi-arid area of rocky indigenous acacia thicket along the Nairobi – Embu highway across the Tana River Bridge near Makutano junction in the County. Thingira village serves a delicacy of the traditional cuisine in addition to other delicacies. The delicacies include mukimo, muthokoi and fermented porridge among other delicacies. One gets to experience the traditional attire that our ancestors wore, the dishes that they ate on. The famous mud huts are also a good imagery, because they represent the origin of the Bantu culture. 

Other spots of interest include Mau Mau caves along the banks of various Rivers and within the forest. 

Set directly below Mount Kenya, Kirinyaga is one of the wettest counties. With annual temperatures ranging between 12 °C and 26 °C or an average of 20 °C and annual precipitation of about 1250mm. Kirinyaga enjoys two rainy seasons – the long rains (March-May) and short rains (October-December).

How about a short trip like this?

Day 1: Thingira Village Visit

After breakfast, we depart for a road trip through the Agricultural-rich Central Kenya highlands to Thingira Cultural Village. Tour highlights include Cultural experience, tour of the village, Crocodile farm, traditional cuisine and dances. After lunch, you proceed to kerugoya town for your overnight

Day 2 : Full Day Farm Experience

Wake up to the noises of birds in the village. After breakfast proceed to the farm. Learn land preparation and gardening, how tea is picked and also help in taking the tea to the buying center. After lunch, the afternoon is spent at leisure waiting to grab a beer in the local pub before transfer to your hotel or homestay.

Day 3: Trekking adventure

On this day, you will trek a series of waterfalls while also visiting the Mau Mau caves. Brief history of the Kenyan Freedom fighters will be given by the guide. We will have simple hikes to like 5 different waterfalls and most interesting visit 2 natural soda water collection point sample drink and carry for your dinner preparation later visit castle forest lodge that once hosted queen Elizabeth before departing to your final detination.

Karibu in the heart of Kenya!