OL DONYO SABUK NATIONAL PARK
Highlights
Ol Donyo Sabuk mountain is known to the local Kikuyu as ‘The Mountain of the Buffalo’, and to the Maasai as ‘The Big Mountain’.
Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park is dominated by a densely forested mountain. The road to Ol Donyo Sabuk is charming and offers 360 panoramic views over the Athi River, the pineapple fields of Thika, and the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.
The lush vegetation and cool air of the national park make it ideal for trips and camping weekends. History Ol Donyo Sabuk was named by the Maasai pastoralists, meaning a big mountain.
The park was established in 1967, with an excellent clear view of Nairobi and other lowlands areas. The first one to settle ever on the national park was Lord William.
The mountain peak is situated inside a game park, but the rest is partially owned by a family named Kenyatta family.
Visitors can spot buffalo, colobus monkeys, baboons, bushbuck, impala duiker, and abundant birdlife in the park. Location Ol Donyo Sabuk is a mountain adjacent to a small town near Thika Kenya.
The height of the mountain is 2,145 meters.
The town is situated in Kyanzavi Division, Machakos County, 18.5 kilometers east-southeast of Thika. Near the peak is the grave of Lord Macmillan, his wife, and their dog. There is also the grave of Louise, who started working for Lord Macmillan when she was 13 years old.
Partying is allowed to go on during the nights.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The weather in the park is hot and dry. It is only a few months when there is rain. From January to March marks the driest season.
April to June is wet and hot whereas from July to October, it’s warm and dry. November to December is warm and wet.
ATTRACTIONS
- Montane landscape
- An unusual burial site, McMillan grave
- Wildlife Watching
- Abundant forest birds
- Fourteen Falls
- Scenic views of Mt.Kenya from the summit
WILDLIFE IN OL DONYO SABUK
Animals:
One of the highlights of the park is that you can get to see the animals closely during game drives, walks or during a hike.
That is why it is preferable and safer to walk with a guide. You will definitely enjoy wild viewing of; Olive baboon Mongoose Bush back Duiker Sykes monkey Bush babies White colobus monkey Leopards Porcupine Water bucks Kirk’s dik dik Bush pigs Aardvark Rock hyrax Impala Tree and ground squirrel Buffaloes Birds
The park has 45 bird species.
In the wet season, there are more birds that join the group especially, so you will have a lot to see.
Purple breasted sunbird Yellow vented bulbul Mourning dove Bronze sunbird Bateleur Ring necked dove Grey headed sparrow Weaver African hawk eagle Grey tit Starling Helmeted guinea fowl Mackinnon grey shrike African pied wagtail Great sparrow hawk White browed sparrow weaver Augur buzzard Speckled mouse bird
ACTIVITIES.
Dry season
- Game drive
- Hiking
- Nature walks
- Mountain climbing.
Wet season
- Birds Watching
- Camping.
Hiking:
It is one of the most enjoyed in the park. It is 10km to reach the peak but achievable in 2 or 3 hours, according to one’s fitness.
Game Drives:
Get on a game drive and search for wildlife in the area. Spot animals in the short grass, along water sources, and in their comfortable grounds. Buffalos are the commonest to see.
Bird Watching:
This activity is breathtaking for there are only a few times where one sees many bird species within a small geographical location as this. Birds in Kenya and surrounding areas will be at your disposal, as you will get to see the rarest kinds of birds and yet so clearly especially with binoculars.
Nature walk:
Enjoy nature to the fullest and feel the place. Sometimes you will reach where a car can’t and enjoy what lies there.
You will enjoy the rivers, tour the forest, and walk along the foothills of the mountain.
Camp site:
There’s a spacious ground for camping. You will need your personal camping equipment.
You will enjoy the sun set and rise and never forget the sights and sounds of wildlife in the place.
Picnic:
The park is a wonderful ground for having a picnic. Get an opportunity to visit the Fourteen falls.
- Campsites Turacco
- Public Campsite
- Rock Hyrax Summit Campsite
HOW TO GET THERE:
By Road:
85 km north-east of Nairobi. From Thika town proceed 22 km along the main Garissa road to Makutano junction.
At Makutano follow the KWS sign and turn right, proceeding 3 km on an all-weather murram road to Donyo town.
At Donyo turn right and proceed a further 2 km to the main gate.
Park Entry Fee Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park
Citizen Resident Non - Resident
Adults Child Adults Child Adults Child
KSH KSH KSH KSH USD USD
250 200 250 200 20 15
Ol Donyo Sabuk is a mountain and an adjacent small town near Thika Kenya.
The mountain was named by Maasai pastoralists, meaning big mountain.
