COMPLETE GUIDE TO OL DONYO SABUK NATIONAL PARK
Oldonyo Sabuk is a National Park and mountain that was established in 1967. It is located in the Kwanzaa division of Machakos County, 65 km from Nairbi and 18.5 km from Thika.
Oldonyo Sabuk is a Maasai word that means big mountain. The Kikuyu call it Kea Njahe, the mountain of big rain. Others call the mountain Mount Kilimambogo, which means the mountain of buffalos.
This is a mountain with a very thick forest cover that covers the mountain, leaving an open area at the summit. The scenery from the mountain is just breathtaking, with wildlife the most dominant being buffalos.
OL DONYO SABUK NATIONAL PARK DIRECTIONS
From Thika town, you will drive eastward along Garissa Road. Enter earth road at Makutano, toward St. John’s Kilimambogo Teachers Training College.
At the T-Juction, you will take a left towards the Athi River Bridge. After crossing the bridge, you will take a dusty road to Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park.
On your way past Makongeni, you come across Delmonte Farm, where they produce pineapples and mangoes. You will see some on your way. Oldonyo Sabuk is also near the famous 14 falls.
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OLDONYO SABUK MOUNTAIN HIKE
Ol Donyo Sabuk is the best place to get away with family and friends for the best hike, bonding, and just having fun. It is surrounded by an ecosystem that consists of the entire mountain covered with a dense forest leaving the top.
The hike starts off on aflat murram road across the national park. The hike is beginner-friendly and also suitable for children from the age of 10 years. You can take your children along for the hike.
Before reaching the summit is the grave of Sir William Northrup McMillian, his wife Lady Lucie, and their dog. Next to them is an extra grave of one Louise, who had worked for the Macmillan‘s from the age of 13 until his death.
This is very historical. You should visit and see more. Around the grave there is a sign that was installed by McMillian, which is the centre of the mountain. There are also telecommunication boosters around the area near the graves.
The hike up the mountain is steep and slippery. You need to be careful when climbing because a wrong move can send you rolling down.
This is the only mountain I have visited where one can reach the summit with a bicycle, a motorcycle, a 4×4, or a vehicle that is raised like a Range Rover.
On your way through the hike, there is a view point with a sitting area. Here you can sit and take some rest as you enjoy the beautiful view. The whole hike is 9 km and will take you approximately 5 hours to and fro depending on your hiking speed and resting time.
The paths are well labeled for easy access, and some paths are rocky but very manageable. From the summit there is a very beautiful view of Nairobi city, Thika industrial town, Ngong hills and Kapiti plains of kajiado. You can also have a very beautiful view of Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro.
The peak stands at 2145 meters above sea level.
The Oldonyo Sabuk National Park History
Sir William Northrup McMillan and his wife were philanthropists, which are people who sacrifice their time, money, skills, and experiences to benefit others and change the world.
Sir William Northrup McMillian established the McMillian Memorial Library, which is located at the center of Nairobi. This is a library with old books full of history.
A short drive east of Oldonyo is the Macmillan home. If you have time in your visit here, you should check it out. The home has been visited by the former president of America, Theodore Roosevolt, and the British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, among other very important guests.
The house has an exciting discovery at the basement. It served as a jail in the 2nd world war. Prisoners were kept captive below in the basement.
Entry fee to OL DONYO SABUK NATIONAL PARK
| Adult | Kids | |
| Citizens | 300 | 215 |
| Residents | 300 | 215 |
| Non-residents | 30$ | 20$ |
Camping At Ol Donyo Sabuk
Camping is available for you. You can spend more time here and explore the park and its surroundings more. There are three campsites: Summit campsite, this is located at the summit with the great view below of Nairobi City, Thika Industrial Area, and other places. Very beautiful.
The second one you can camp on is Turracco public campsite and Rock Hyrax special campsite. The camp will provide a pit toilet, running water, benches to rest, showers, and electricity.
You will come with a tent, a sleeping bag, your personal items, and enough food to sustain you throughout your stay here.
Things To Do At OL DONYO SABUK NATIONAL PARK
- Nature trail
You can visit the park and just have a walk around, enjoying nature and rejuvenating after a long week. This is a nice place to isolate yourself and refresh.
- Mountain Climbing
This is the major activity here and what everyone looks up for. You can visit the place and practice hiking. This is a great place to start your hiking journey as you look forward to more hiking experience.
- Running
You can visit Ol Donyo Sabuk and practice running; they have nice trails where you can run. This is a great place to exercise as you enjoy nature. The trails are marked, therefore it is easier to maneuver.
- Picnic
Ol Donyo Sabuk has you sorted on this side; they have two picnic areas: near the entrance and at the summit. Come with family and friends with a lot of snacks and enjoy as you bond and catch up.
Make sure you do not litter, for it is not allowed for the safety of animals.
- Visit The Fourteen Falls
When you plan on coming here, plan yourself well and get to visit the fourteen falls. They are located a few kilometers from the park Ol Donyo Sabuk.
This is a very beautiful destination with a spiritual aspect also. The Indian Community use the area for spiritual aspect. This is where they threw away the ashes of their loved ones. They believe the water will take the ashes to the Indian Ocean to meet their ancestors.
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Wildlife and bird watching in OL DONYO SABUK NATIONAL PARK
Ol Donyo Sabuk has a variety of birds and wildlife. The wildlife in the area are colobus monkeys and other types of monkeys like syke monkeys, baboons, bushbucks, impalas, and duikers. The most dominant animals are the bufallos, as the name of the place depicts ‘Kilimambogo.’
You can go for a game drive and see the animals. Are you a bird lover? This is the right place for you. As you go for a nature walk, you can take photos of the birds and add them to your collection.
Some of the bird species are: crowned eagle, montane white eye, whisked greenbul, helmented guinea fowl, commo
n bulbul, and black-backed pufback.
Accommodation Around OL DONYO SABUK NATIONAL PARK
- Ol Donyo Sabuk has guest house where you can eat after a long day and also spend a night or two in this beautiful nature. Here you can spend the night and continue exploring the next day.
- Koma Garden and Resort located at Kangundo road
- Fourteen Falls Lodge, located at Township Garissa Road, Mary Dairy Farm, is another great place near the famous fourteen falls.
- Mountain Home Getaway is located at Ol Donyo Sabuk, Thika.
Ol Donyo Sabuk Travel Information
You can visit Ol Donyo Sabuk any time of the year. The weather here is warm and dry except during the long rains. The long rains are from April to June and the short rains from November to December.
Where visiting the place, carry enough water and snacks. I always say the medicine of hiking is water. This is to avoid unnecessary headaches. Wear flexible shoes and clothes to have an easy time hiking.
Carry your sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from sunburn. The best time to visit Ol Donyo Sabuk is during the dry season for easier access of the trail and the roads towards it.
For a wonderful experience and easier access to the place without struggle, book with us and let’s go together to this wonderful adventure easier, affordable, and better.