TOP ACTIVITIES AT ELEPHANT HILLS
Do you want a challenging hike? Then Elephant Hills got you. Elephant Hills are located at the southern end of the Aberdare Ranges, Nyandarua County, Njabini. Njabini Forest Gate is located 4 km from Njabini town. It is approximately 90 km from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.
Elephant Hills is very scenic with its thick bamboo forest, thick forest cover, the escarpments and terrains, and the moorland. The views from this hill are just amazing. This is a place that you ought to visit to believe.
The Aberdare Ranges are essential for the residents who live around them and the residents of Nairobi. The Aberdare Ranges feed the two largest dams, which feed Nairobi with clean water. The dams are Ndakaini dam in Thika and Sasumua dam in Njabini.
TOP ACTIVITIES AT ELEPHANT HILLS
Hiking and trekking trails in Elephant Hills
The hike through the Elephant Hills starts at the Njabini forest gate. The trails start on flat wide roads. This road leads to the starting point which is approximately 3-4 km away. As you reach the starting point you will see a residential area and people herding their animals. The trail is 9km and the starting point is at an elevation of 2500 meters above sea level.
From the starting point, you will start to feel the change in altitude, and the air will start to thin out.
Bamboo site
A few kilometers from the starting point is the bamboo site at an elevation of 2933 meters above sea level. This part of the trail is dimly lit, slippery, and muddy. The shade from the bamboo trees makes the trail dark.
The scene here is beautiful with the scenery of the tall bamboo trees. As you enjoy the hike, look out for muddy puddles, safari ants, and low-hanging stalks. This part of the trail is 1.2 km and takes approximately 1 hour.it is difficult and it will make you feel like it has taken you forever to cover.
Desperado (a point of despair)
This is the third level of the trail. From the bamboo site, it will open up to mountainous vegetation with lush grass and moorland. It is at an elevation of 3255 meters above sea level. This is a point that many, especially beginners, give up after struggling with the bamboo trail.
The view from here is beautiful, with amazing escarpments, terrains, and vegetation cover.
The rocky area
From the point of despair, the hike will ease as you walk through the rocks that look like stairways. As you climb up to the summit, it will look so close yet far. Many are tempted to go back at this point but do not be one of them. The scenic views ahead and the fulfillment that comes with reaching the summit—you cannot miss that.
The summit
You can celebrate now; you just achieved your goal. The summit stands at an elevation of 12,000 feet. From the summit, you can enjoy the beautiful views of Kinangop Peak, Sasumua Dam, Ndakaini Dam, and the landscape of hills and valleys covered with green vegetation.
Descending the mountain
Climbing down almost feels like you are running down the hill. Despite being easy, be careful as you climb down because you can slip and roll down since some parts are slippery.
The hike will test your stamina, patience, resilience, and fitness. After the hike, you will feel pressure on your knees due to the series of ascending and descending. You will notice that the weather here changes from warm, sunny, and foggy to hailstorms or rain, depending on the season.
Come well prepared and dress in layers that are flexible with how the weather changes. The different vegetation zones as you climb up will serve you different weather conditions.
Trekking at Elephant Hills
Elephant Hills is a cold area. The weather conditions will tell you how to lay your outfit for the hike. Being in a cold place, you will dress warmly; remember to remove your layers before you get sweaty. Being sweaty will make you freeze as you climb up and as the weather turns cold.
To avoid being sweaty, reduce your pace when you start feeling hot. The weather may change and it starts raining; wear a raincoat. Being rained on as you hike can hinder your hiking experience and even make you sick. We do not want that we want you the same way you climbed up.
Weeks before you go hiking to Elephants Hills, do aerobic exercises like swimming, jogging, cycling, walking, and climbing stairs. This is good for your lungs and joints. You should do strength training for your muscles, especially the lower body muscles and knee exercises. This exercise will give you an easy time while hiking.
Other activities at Elephant Hills
- Naturewalk
You can visit the place to just bond with nature and breathe the fresh air of the forest. This helps to reduce stress and to change the environment from a noisy, bustling city to a quiet place with just the noise of birds, streams, and your footsteps.
If you cannot hike to the summit, you can learn about the plant species in the area and enjoy the bamboo forest and moorland.
- Birdwatching
Bring your best camera, ready to capture bird species in Elephant Hills. This is an activity that needs patience since, for some of the birds, you will have to look for them by following their sound.
Only bird lovers can understand the fun that comes with taking photos of new bird species and learning more about them.
- Picnic
You can enjoy your picnic at the desperado or the point of despair. This is the point that most hikers take a break to reenergize and encourage each other for the rest of the hike. Enjoy your snack with your fellow hikers as you enjoy the scenic views.
- Photography
The main purpose of traveling is to take photos and create memories. Do not forget to capture the scenic landscapes and hills. You can have a short photoshoot session at the Bamboo site signboard, the Desperado signboard, and at the summit. Creating memories is important.
- Visiting the Aberdare National Park
The Aberdare National Park is located in the Aberdare Forest. It hosts animals like white and black colobus monkeys, baboons, leopards, and the black rhino. The bamboo forest hosts animals like lions, golden cats, antelopes, and elephants that roam around this area.
The park has a very big and old Mugumo tree, which has a spiritual significance among the Kikuyu. The park played a vital role during the colonial period when the Maumau freedom fighters used to hide there. The fig tree acted as a post office where the freedom fighters used to place their letters for effective communication among each other.
Aberdare Ranges National Park is home to other Aberdare Ranges peaks like Mount Satima, Kinangop Peak, Ragia Falls, and Karuru Falls, among other famous destinations you should check out. This is a park that is worth your visit to just explore.
- Visiting the waterfalls
From the Shamata gate, you can visit the famous Karuru Falls and Gura Falls, which are adjacent.
Travel tips for visiting the Elephant Hills
As you plan to visit the Elephant Hills, carry enough water. Despite being a cold area, water is important to prevent headaches that come with the change in altitude. Carry enough snacks, dress warmly, and wear fitting shoes with the right grip.
I advise you to visit the place as a group and, if possible, with a travel company. This will ease the cost and give you company as you hike. It is also safe to go as a group. You should start the hike early so that you are back on time before it gets dark.
Nearby attractions to Elephant Hills
- Mount Kinangop
- Aberdare National Park
- Karuru and Gura falls
- Mount Satima.
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