EXPLORING THE SEVEN PONDS ABERDARE KENYA
Our goal is to explore the Aberdare Ranges as much as we can. So far we have explored Elephant Hills, Mount Satima, Kipipiri, and Table Mountain. Today we are exploring the magical Seven Ponds.
The Seven Ponds are interesting ponds found in the Aberdare Ranges between Table Mountain and Rurimeria. The ponds increase to 16 ponds during the rainy season. The ponds are at a flat summit. It is so interesting that you have to ascend steep slopes to see ponds at the summit.
The Seven Ponds are located in the Northern Nyandarua moorland. It is Kenya’s best moorland hiking trail and the fourth-highest peak in Aberdare. It serves as the best high mountain attempt. Seven Ponds are located 400 meters from the Kwa Matu shopping center.
How to get to the Seven Ponds?
You can go to Seven Ponds from Nairobi via A104, which is the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, then divert at the flyover or divert at the Limuru road. You can also use the A2, which is through Thika Road to Nanyuki-Meru Highway.
The Seven Pond Hike
The 7 Ponds Trail is approximately 14 km. The starting point is the Kenya Wildlife electric fence. Seven Ponds share the starting point with The Table Mountain. The trail to Table Mountain is to the left, and the trail to Seven Ponds is to the right.
The trail starts on thick forest vegetation like the Table Mountain trail. Something interesting you will notice about this hike is that the vegetation zone changes as you ascend. This was fun. I was looking forward to seeing new vegetation and plant species and learning more about them.
The first 2 km are tough. This part will send you panting as you climb up. During the rainy season, this part of the trail is slippery and muddy. This hike is not beginner-friendly. It needs fitness and experience in hiking. Before you get to the heath and moorland, you will start thinking of going back. The views will not allow you to, because once you get to the flowery part of the trail, it opens up to a very beautiful view of the landscape.
The thick forest vegetation will open up to a flowery area, and I could not help but take photos of the beautiful flowers. The part of the trail was so beautiful and satisfying. The views from this part are amazing.
From the flowery part, you get to the heath and moorland. During the rainy season, this part is slippery, and the flat part tends to be swampy. This part flattens as you get nearer to the summit. It is rocky, cold, and windy. Most of the time it starts raining at this part of the trail.
From the hearth and moorland is the summit and our goal. The view of the flat summit will heal all your fatigue. It is so beautiful. The ponds are scattered on the flat summit with clean blue water. The beauty in this place you just have to visit to believe. The summit stands at approximately 3840 meters above sea level. The hike takes 6–8 hours, which may vary with your pace.
How to Prepare for the Seven Ponds Hike
Essential gears
- Waterproof tops and bottoms.
- A raincoat
- A warm Marvin
- Trekking pole to enable you to climb the slope easily.
- Enough water, at least 2 liters
- Enough snacks like energy bars and drinks, chocolate, cheese, meat sticks, and crackers.
Dress in such a way that it will be flexible to add or subtract your layers.
Preparation steps.
- Eat a heavy, well-balanced meal one week before the hike day. It should include a high amount of carbs and proteins. This will help with energy.
- Two weeks before the hike, do aerobic exercises like bike riding, running, jumping the rope, and swimming. This will help to enhance your cardiovascular. Do knee exercises like squats, lunges, and step-ups. Mountain climber exercise is also essential before going for this hike.
- Get enough rest and sleep. Three days before the hike, ease off the exercise and concentrate on stretching.
- Increase your water intake one week before the hike day. This will help you stay well-hydrated, which is essential for dealing with headaches while hiking.
Comparison to William Hill Hike
Compared to William Hike, the Seven Ponds is harder and steeper. William Hill is beginner-friendly, while Seven Pond needs experience in hiking. The vegetation in Seven Pond is dense forest at the beginning, which changes to hearth and moorland as you climb up. Williams Hill is hot and dry since it is a semi-arid area and consists of acacia trees, thorny bushes, and cactus.
The William hike is short while the Seven Ponds is a long hike.
Activities at Seven Ponds
- Wildlife viewing
From the Seven Ponds, you can view the wildlife from the Table Mountains. Wildlife found here are the black and white colobus monkeys, syke monkeys, and olive baboons. The monkeys are mostly found in the indigenous forest. There are reptiles like snakes and lizards, which are found in rocky areas. You will see squirrels running across the trails. Other animals are bushbucks, reedbucks, hyenas, and leopards, which are mostly seen at dusk.
- Birdwatching
The Aberdare forest has a variety of bird species. It is rich in vegetation cover and waterfalls, which attract birds. Carry your camera and capture bird species as you hike the mountain to add to your collection. Some of the species are the Augur buzzard, Moorland chat, crowned eagle, African yellow warbler, olive ibis, bronzy sunbird, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, and many more.
- Picnic
The summit of the Seven Ponds near the ponds offers the best picnic area. Come with enough snacks to enjoy with your fellow hikers as you enjoy the view of the ponds. During the rainy season, it can be challenging to have a picnic at the summit due to the rain.
- Photography
The main purpose of traveling is creating memories. We create memories by taking photos and video. Capture the beautiful scenery of the landscape and the Seven Ponds to share with your family and friends.
Best Time to Visit the Seven Ponds
You can visit the Seven Ponds any season of the year. The place is mostly cold and wet. The weather can start warm at the entrance, but as you climb up, it changes to very cold and windy, especially at the hearth and moorland and the summit.
The long rains are from March to May, and the short rains are from November to December. This is not the best time to visit the Seven Ponds because the trails are very slippery, especially in the rocky area, and the forest is muddy. January to February is the dry season; the mountain receives little rainfall. This is the best time to visit Table Mountain.
Safety and Etiquette Tips while visiting the Seven Ponds
As you plan to visit the Seven Ponds, go with a group. This is safe and the best way to have fun. Plastic disposable water bottles are not allowed; carry reusable water bottles. Start your hike early so that you have enough time to enjoy the hike and the views. Try your best not to be left behind by the lead guide. Keeping up with the group will help you reach the summit, which is the main goal of the hike.
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