Search
Add Listing
  • You have no bookmark.

Your Wishlist : 0 listings

Sign In

Description

Ultimate Panoramic Experience

Dominated by a small mountain covered in montane forest, the Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park is home to 45 species of birds including the white-browed sparrow weaver, grey- headed sparrow weaver, African pied wagtail, mourning dove, augur buzzard, African hawk eagle and purple-breasted sunbird. Buffalo are the dominant animals in the ecosystem and other wildlife include bushbucks, leopards, olive baboons, aardvarks, porcupines, mongoose, pythons and monitor lizard.

Prominently lying above the Athi plains, Oldonyo Sabuk is referred by the local Kamba community as ‘The mountain of the buffalo’ and to the Maasai community as ‘The big mountain’. The Park can be indistinctly viewed from Nairobi and it particularly attracts day trippers, hikers or groups of friends and families yearning for some bit of adventure out of their normal routine and confinement.

The National Park was once an expansive farm and home to William Macmillan, a game hunter from America, who visited and decided to settle in Kenya in 1901. On different occasions, he hosted explorer and former American President Theodore Roosevelt and British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill. The renowned world leaders were on game hunting trips to Kenya. Another interesting fact is that the late Tom Mboya, a popular politician in the President Jomo Kenyatta era was born at Ol Donyo Sabuk where his father worked as a casual laborer at Macmillan’s sisal farm.

The vegetation here is essentially comprised of the giant plants commonly associated with the Afro-alpine zone of Mt. Kenya and Mt. Elgon called giant lobelia.

Attractions & Activities

The 9km drive or hike up the summit from the main gate is majorly one of the activities visitors can enjoy in the great outdoors. The hike up in the company of an armed KWS ranger will take you approximately 3 hours.

At 7kms towards the summit lies an ‘unusual burial site’. The grave of Sir William Northrup McMillan a wealthy African farmer whose initial wish was to be buried at the summit though this vision didn’t come into fruition. The site also holds the grave of McMillan’s wife, their maid and the family dog.

Game viewing is a must do here while buffalos are the dominant wildlife in the ecosystem. Other wildlife species include bushbucks, leopards, olive baboons, aardvarks, porcupines, rock hyrax, pythons and monitor lizard.

Additionally, the park is a bird watchers paradise with 45 species of birds and rare butterflies. The mountain’s summit also offers visitors beautiful scenic views of Mount Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The Park offers great camping, picnicking and team building grounds for visitors looking for a more adventure and fun activities in the wild.

Other attractions within the ecosystem include the famous fourteen falls which boasts of a 27 meter deep scenery where activities such as boating and fishing can be done.

Promo Video

Accommodation

Stay in the Wild. Explore. Create memories

There’s no self-catering accommodation provided in the Park but visitors intending to stay overnight can opt to camp.

Public Campsite
• Turacco

For this category standard amenities are provided; water, toilet/bathroom and kitchen area. Public campsites do not require prior booking.

Special Campsite;
• Summit Lookout

For this category, only camping grounds are provided. The visitor has to reserve the campsite well in advance for exclusive use. Visitors are required to bring with them personal effects, drinking water, source of fire and kitchen utensils. Most special campsites are located near rivers in the park unless otherwise indicated.

*Reservation of special campsites should be done through the park warden or through KWS headquarters reservations desk; reservations@kws.go.ke
*Prevailing camping rates apply per person per day for both special and public campsites including other park charges.
*Request the Park for security services while camping.

What to take with you
Whether camping or just visiting for a day trip, visitors are advised to carry with them the following; personal effects, drinking water, food, camping equipment if the visitor intends to stay overnight.
Also important are; Camera, binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellant, first aid kit, sunglasses, appropriate hiking gear and reserve car fuel if intending to be in the park longer.

Special Services

Security/Guided tour per guide
• KES 1,720 – up to 4 hours
• KES 3,015 – Over 4 hours

Vehicle Charges per day
These range from KES 300 to KES 5,000 depending on vehicle seat capacity normally from less than 6 seats to 45 seats and above.

How to get there

By Road: From Nairobi, travel approximately 85 Km North-East of Nairobi to Thika town. Proceed 22Km along the main Garissa road to Makutano junction. At Makutano, follow the KWS sign and turn right. Proceed 4km on an all-weather murram road to Donyo town. At Donyo, turn right and proceed a further 2 km to the main gate.

It is recommended that visitors approach the park via the spectacular Fourteen Falls on the Chania River.

Add Review

Your email is safe with us.
Quality
Location
Price
Service
3.5 Your Score

Working Hours

Now Open UTC + 0
  • Monday Open all day
  • Tuesday Open all day
  • Wednesday Open all day
  • Thursday Open all day
  • Friday Open all day
  • Saturday Open all day
  • Sunday Open all day

Booking Inquiry

Citizen/ Resident: Adult
$x
+
-
Citizen/ Resident: Child/Student
$x
+
-
Non-Resident: Adult
$x
+
-
Non-Resident: Child/Student
$x
+
-
Total Cost
The total cost above doesn't include 10% service fee.

Price Range

Hosted by :

KWS
KWS 33 Places Hosted