Nyeri is very much the self-proclaimed gateway to the Central Highlands of Kenya, At heart, it’s a dusty transport hub of a town, with purring scooters and rickshaws moving through the square-cut blocks and between the low-rise marketplaces.

However, its enviable location on the very edge of the Aberdare Mountains, within reach of the Aberdare National Park (home to leopards, African wild dogs, giant forest hogs, cape buffalos, rhinos, and more), Mount Suswa, and the South-western Mau Reserve makes it a real magnet for outdoorsy types!

Nyeri is the home of Aberdares National Park which is only 15 km out of town. Mt Kenya, the imposing landmark around Nyeri and 20kms out of town is the Mt Kenya National Park.

Close to the town are also a number of privately owned ranchers serving as private wildlife sanctuaries for high-end tourists. The retail, banking, hospitality, and insurance industries provide formal employments in Nyeri town. The main industries are farming with main cash crops like coffee, tea, and dairy farming.

Things to do in Nyeri Kenya

Visit Aberdares national park

Aberdare National Park protects the mountain range of the same name. Tree hotels are designed for guests to observe wildlife coming to waterholes (or salt licks) in pristine forest habitat. Wildlife viewing from this elevated position is a remarkably rewarding way to see animals otherwise difficult to spot in the dense vegetation.

Visit Mount Kenya national park

Climbing to 5,199 meters, Mount Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa. The scenery surrounding this designated World Heritage Site is breath-taking. It is a pristine wilderness with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forest, mineral springs, and a selection of rare and endangered species of animals, high altitude adapted plains game, and unique montane and alpine vegetation. Visitors can enjoy mountain climbing, camping, and caving with the mountain’s rugged glacier-clad peaks providing the perfect backdrop.

Explore the town

The town is pretty lively and travelers wanting to discover the wonders of Kenyan real-life and travelers preparing to take a hike to Mount Kenya are a superb base camp to store the basics of life.

How to get to Nyeri Kenya

The quickest way to get from Nairobi to Nyeri is to drive which costs $12 – $19 and takes 2h 1m.  The distance between Nairobi and Nyeri is 97 km. The road distance is 143.3 km.

Where to stay in Nyeri Kenya

Outspan hotel Nyeri

The Outspan Hotel Nyeri, located at the heart of Kenya tea and coffee growing highlands and near the spectacular Karuru Falls is an ideal getaway for any fun-loving person. It has a great ambiance, vibrant gardens, and verdant green lawns where peacocks roam at will.
In 1926 Major Eric Sherbrook Walker and his wife Lady Bettie chose the perfect spot between the Aberdare Mountains and Mount Kenya to build their dream Hotel in Nyeri. After purchasing land from the government, they built a new four-bedroom hotel with private baths and running water.

The white Rhino hotel

In 1910, three Europeans – Berkely Cole, Lord Cranworth, and Sandy Herd – founded the White Rhino Hotel in what was then British East Africa. According to various historical accounts, the establishment was named after a rhino, which was shot at the site during one of the numerous game-hunts conducted by the white settlers.

Kuniville guest house

Kuniville Guesthouse is located in the heart of Nyeri in a secure luxuriant green neighborhood. Above a hotel setup, its comforts are ideal for business, local travels and ideal for large and small families; a unique brand of Kenyan true hospitality. Kuniville Guest House offers more in guest accommodation amenities, standards, and quality.