Kirinyaga Village Tour
The county 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 a 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 it and so it was a safe
haven.
It is a breath taking imagery which nobody has a clear
answer on how it came into existence only in the county of Kirinyaga.
A dancing troupe was formed in the 1940’s and resides in
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
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 semiarid 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 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 the Gikuyu ancestors wore and their tradition dishes.
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.
Climate and weather
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).
Day 1: After breakfast then proceed to the day’s activities
Activities Highlights;
Trekking to a series of waterfalls with major highlight on
the mysterious gravitation phenomenal to cross the river bank
Mau Mau caves, brief history of Kenya’s freedom fighters
then later start our journey to Castle forest lodge for a fun and adventure
hike thereafter lunch at the same venue.
Note: Castle Forest Lodge once hosted Queen Elizabeth
Day 2: Breakfast then
proceed to the farm as per the day’s activities
Activities Highlights;
Tea collection, processing and tasting, Land preparation and
gardening, crop harvesting
Lunch break then afternoon at leisure waiting to grab a beer
in a local pub in the evening
Day 3: Breakfast then proceed to Thingira village
Thingira Cultural Village is a multicultural village located
along the Tana River, north of Nairobi along the Nyeri-Nairobi highway. When
you visit this place it will make you feel like you’ve traveled hundreds of
years back. From life in prehistoric times right up to date; for young and old
alike, a visit to Thingira Cultural Village is an unforgettable experience.
Feast your senses on stories, smells, flavors and images of the living history
that will make a lasting impression, bringing back memories and astonishing you
by turns. Immerse yourself in the past and get to know the culture of the
Bantus of Mt Kenya and the history of Kenya.
In this unique Thingira Cultural Village, activities are
carried out on a daily basis making it a fascinating interactive experience for
visitors, making the place The home of living memories.