Kinangop Grasslands
For a local guide please contact the Site Support Group:
Friends of Kinangop (FoKP) Joachim Simon Kiiru dkk4.kimani@gmail.com +254 (0)715 179667
The Kinangop highland grasslands, approximately 100 kilometers north west of Nairobi on either side of the Rift Valley, are unique. This type of tussock grassland is the only home for the Sharpe’s Longclaw – a critically endangered bird found only in these montane grasslands of Kenya and nowhere else in the world. Kinangop grasslands also shelters bird species such as Jackson’s Widowbird, Long-tailed Widowbird, Black-winged Plover and Wing-snapping Cisticola. The plateau and grasslands are already a favorite site for eco-tourists, especially birders, who pass through on their way to the Aberdare mountains. Other attractions include archaeological sites and caves, endemic species of amphibians and plants, white settlers’ houses, a great view of the Great Rift Valley and a rich culture and history.
Visit the grasslands for
- Exceptional birding opportunities
- A chance to visit archaeological sites and caves
- An opportunity visit to old settler houses
- An opportunity to enjoy rich traditional Kikuyu culture
- A chance to visit the Kikuyu Cultural Museum
- Great accommodation at Trees – the Kinangop Guest-House
Don’t leave the grasslands without
- Experiencing the spectacular views of the Rift Valley
- A bottle of the Kinangop Grassland honey
- A beautiful and unique piece of artwork
- Wool products from the Friends of Kinangop Plateau workshop
Approximate time to Kinangop from Nairobi: Just about 1.5 to 2 hrs drive from Nairobi, the smaller roads on the plateau, may give difficulties for low-clearance 2WD vehicles when conditions are very wet.
