Article by Robert Muhoho

Kenya central highlands are around the Mt. Kenya and Aberdare areas of central Kenya. Toursit activities in this areas include mount Kenya climbing, mount Kenya climb, Mt Kenya climbing, mount Kenya trekking, mount Kenya hiking, Kenya mountain. Meru Kenya is a small green town by the foot of Mt Kenya

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

Forming the eastern wall of the rift valley and climbing from the hearty of the northern plains are the central highlands, Kenya’s heartland. What better monument to the regions importance than Mount Kenya, the country’s highest mountain and Africa’s second highest peak.

Densely populated and intensely cultivated, the central highlands are home to the kikuyu people, Kenya’s largest and most politically favored group. Squeezed into the mix are the Mount Kenya, Aberdares, and Meru national parks which hold landscapes, wildlife, flora, and fauna unseen elsewhere, as well as some amazing trekking possibilities.

The Laikipia plateau, stretching into northern Kenya from northern Kenya from Nanyuki, is also home to a conservation project that has some communities and ranches working together to protect and foster wildlife outside national parks. This effort can only be for the regions future.

That said the central highland does have its problems, mostly due to the purchase, division and distribution of many white farmers’ lands to the kikuyu after independence. this subdivision and its encroachment on one of Kenya’s few remaining largest forested areas has led to water crises and soil erosion.many plots are also too small to support a family.although a lot of forest remains, demands for timber to be used as construction material and firewood (the most common form of fuel for cooking and heating) puts it at a risk.

Highlights

• Holding a frozen Kenyan flag in your frozen hands atop the frozen summit of point Lenana on Mount Kenya, just 16 km from the equator.

• Disappearing into the depths of the riverside jungle in search of leopards at Meru National Park.

• Testing your fear of heights while watching the water fall into oblivion at Karura fall in Aberdare National Park

• Meeting one of your closest relatives in the chimpanzee sanctuary at Ol Pajeta Conservancy.

• Soaring silence over the Aberdares with the gliding club of Kenya.• Living like a Somali nomad at Nanyuki River Camel Camp.

Kenya Kikuyu central highlands history

Before the Europeans arrived much of the central highlands were occupied by kikuyu people, who had been accomplished farmers and herders here for several centuries. The pleasant climate and fertile soils dint go unnoticed by settlers, whom were arriving after the completion of the Mombasa-Uganda railway, and soon the Kikuyu were sadly displaced.

The central highlands quickly became known to some as the ‘white highlands’. The kikuyu resented the lack of land on their reserves and many formed a resistance known as the Mau Mau. Resistance first took form as strikes, but after no results the Mau Mau turned to violence in the 1950s while not even the staunchest patriot could claim that the Mau Mau won, the uprising forced the British colonial authorities to reassess their position and ultimately grant Kenya her independence.

After independence this region’s stand against the British wasn’t overlooked by the Kenyan government, who returned much of the white settlers land to the kikuyu. However, the reallocation of land did lead to problems and agricultural production is yet to totally recover.

ClimateThe central highland enjoys perhaps the most agreeable climate in the country. Average temperatures rarely exceed 23 C and the nights are pleasantly cool. Rain essentially falls in two seasons: March to the beginning of June (the long rains) and October to the end of November (the short rains).

About the Author

Robert Muhoho is a tour consultant with Landmark safaris. To tailor your own Kenya Mountain vacation itinerary tour safari visit them @http://www.landmarksafaris.com/tours/wildlife.php

Originally posted 2011-03-08 18:28:18.