Nyandarua County

Scenically Splendid Highland

A Summa Digest of Nyandarua

Resembling Elgeyo Marakwet County in size, shape and orientation, the long and narrowed Nyandarua County, tapering southward in tandem with the far reaches of Aberdare Forest Reserve, is dominated by low undulating hillocks, plateaus and mountains. But, unlike Elgeyo Marakwet County that only enjoys a bijou longwise strip of highland along its western boundary with Uasin Gishu County, Nyandarua County is almost entirely a highland with altitude ranging between 2000 to 3000 ms culminating at Kenya’s second highest point of Ol Doinyo Satima; 4001 ms asl.

Spatially, Nyandarua County in Central Kenya uniquely lies betwixt the Rift Valley and Aberdare Range. End-to-end along its entire eastern frontier, from Njabini in the south to Ndaragwa in the north, Nyandarua is traversed by the 120 kms long Aberdares Mountain Range with year round great scenery and an abundance of varied montane flora not usually found in the tropics. This is also a sanctuary for elephants and buffalo. Even without the possibility of seeing game, the views of the scenically splendid Aberdare Ranges, marked by heavily gullied and wooded tops, which in some sections become sheer cliff walls, offers a pleasing attraction.

It’s all too common in Nyandarua County, turning off the main roads into the rural tracks, kicking up a trawl of dust behind you, that you find yourself climbing over winding, unsullied and barren passes through the mountainous region, heading deeper into the fertile wooded hills, to end up at one of many imposing-looking edifices left behind from the infamous era of the ‘happy valley’. Feeling nervous and curious in equal proportions on arrival at one of these old and worn stucco bungalows that feel empty, out of place, is like a kind of rare spectral adventure.

Lost in history, these relics bring to light a lesson they forgot to teach you in class. What was taught was that Nyandarua was part of the “White Highlands” during the British colonial period, attracting European settlers – thanks to its fertile soils and favorable climate. Perhaps the whole episode and chronicles of the ‘happy valley set’ turning this slice of the Kenyan highland into a hedonism haven in the 1920-40’s left a bad taste in the mouth. But history is very opaque. You see what comes out, not the script that produces the event. Which is why, these forgotten oddments of the ‘happy valley’ have fundamental incompleteness despite being actually pleasing for the intrepid and history buff, worth a looksee while they last!

Away from the unsung relics, along its main roads, many travellers to Nyandarua take in the scenic Aberdare Ranges, originally known to the native Kikuyu people as Nyandarua Range, on a touring circuit that includes Aberdare National Park. A good number of the latter on reaching Naivasha along the A104 Nairobi-Nakuru-Uganda Road turn right, and take to the rarely-busy winding C77 Road that travels over the Aberdares before dropping down into Nyeri. Enroute is a bucolic setting of unvarying farms mixed with forests and modest rural development. Nyandarua is dubbed Kenya’s food basket thanks to its significant contribution to vast output.

On a lesser extent for motorists with the objective of a quiet beautiful drive on reaching Naivasha-Flyover Bridge, 62 km from Nairobi, turn left, then left, aiming for Njabini town. It’s a seldom busy road marching along with the lofty Aberdare Ranges for 50 km through Njabini, Engineer, Ndunyu Njeru and Miharati. From Miharati drivers can drop over to Naivasha town or into Nyahururu through Ol Kalou. The latter can detour to drop in on Lake Ol Bolossat. If, instead of turning left into Njabini at Flyover, one proceeds along C67 Flyover-Gatura Road, the drive also goes over the Aberdare Ranges before joining the A2 Road at Thika.

Nyandarua is crossed with a handful of other great roads that include the Gilgil-Nyahururu Road, Njabini-Naivasha Road, and Ndunyu Njeru-Ndaragwa-Nyeri Road. The improvements in its road network to facilitate agricultural trade, though some rural areas still face challenges, has been godsent for the travellers. Any kind of vehicle can now take you across much of Nyandarua County touring circuit. As a whole it falls into the Central Highlands and the combined geological activities, together with a good climate, has resulted in the formation of extensive areas of plateaus and scarps, mountains and hills; most notable of these being the mighty Aberdares that offers great opportunities for hiking expeditions and alpine escape.

Salient Features of Nyandarua County

County Number 18
Area – 3245 km2
Altitude – 8380 ft
Major Towns – Ol Kalou, Engineer, Njabini
Borders – Laikipia, Nyeri, Kiambu, Nakuru, Muranga

Greatly positioned as an agrarian hub, with increased investment in infrastructure, Nyandarua County is also famous for its scenic landscapes and montane climate. Named after the Aberdare Ranges, with an extensive presence, Nyandarua grew as an agribusiness locale but is well making a name for itself as an alpine escape.

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Explore Destinations in Nyandarua County

A Guide to Nyandarua County

A Summa Digest of Nyandarua

About Nyandarua Way Back When

45 Destinations in Nyandarua County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north then west - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Matches Dam, Gitwe Viewpoint, Mawingu Camp Kenya, Heni Viewpoint, Kijabe Hills, Kinangop Step, Ragia Forest Trail, Sasumua Dam, Sharpe's Longclaw Nature Reserve, Elmer Resort & Spa, Cheese House, Njabini, Elephant Hill, Aberdare Range, Kinangop Plateau, Mount Kipipiri, Mount Kipipiri Golf & Resort, Wanjohi Valley (Happy Valley), Davida Getaway, Wanjohi Falls, Kenungu Falls, Buxton House, Rurimeria Forest Trail, Mount Satima, Table Mountain, Dragon’s Teeth, Cedar Retreat (Log Cabin), Ndaragwa Falls, Ndaragwa Forest, Maverick Camp Rondavels & Farmstay, Malewa Bundu Camp, Plovers Eco Camp, Dundori Forest, Lake Ol Bolossat, Samawati Conservancy, Olrok Farm House, Laikipia Plateau, Tafaria Castle & Center for Arts, The Fairway Residence, Carnegie House (Ngobit Girls School), Knessiah Jewish Synagogue, Thompson Falls

Know More About Nyandarua County: Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Air Like, Nyandarua?

Thanks to its high altitude, all of Nyandarua experiences pleasant to low temperatures. Highest temperatures are in the month of December that bears an average temperature of 25^oC: Lowest in July, 14^oC.

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.18?

To the east, the Aberdare Range traverses its border with Nyeri County. End to end, the Aberdare Range, with vast presence in Nyandarua is a whooping great 565 km.