Famous Serena Lodge in Mount Kenya
Translucent mountain snow
Undoubtedly, Mount Kenya’s eternal and perpetual snows provide its real fascination. At the height of 3,000 meters, they appear pellucid. At 4,000 meters the ice-cliffs sparkle. These diamonds change their beauty with the daily freezing of the snow. The shape changes with the melting of the snows. But the 19th century geographers rejected the marvel of snow on the Equator as improbable. They ridiculed the reports by Ludwig Krapf, the German missionary, of a snow-capped mountain. And the most skeptical among those learned men only grudgingly accepted the eyewitness confirmation of the peak.
Glittery mountain sun
The sheer face of one cliff named ‘Diamond Couloir’ refracts the light of the morning sun. It is 700 meters high. The sun during the first half of the year is in the southern hemisphere. In the second half of the year it is in the northern hemisphere. This creates a unique phenomenon to Mount Kenya. The south receives direct sunlight. The ample light provides ideal rock climbs in the first 6 months. During this time, the north face remains iced-up. That is because it is excluded from direct sunlight. Then within days in the 2nd half the solstice changes. At that time the situation reverses.
Defiant mountain climb
John Gregory was a Scots geologist. He undertook the earliest recorded ascent to Mount Kenya’s glacial zone in 1893. But the 1st to climb Bastian was Sir Halford Mackinder. Eric Shipton led the 2nd expedition to the summit 30 years later. And until date, the peaks challenge the masters. It provokes and stimulates the people who have conquered Himalayan routes. Indeed, mountain climbers and experts rate Mount Kenya as the most terrible ice mountain in the world. For amateur climbers, it is possible to ascend up to the Lenana peak. But the higher peaks are for hardcore mountain climbers. Even then, it is highly advisable to climb very carefully. The mountain has no motor access to great heights. So, it has the world’s highest incidence of pulmonary edema.
Take a walk
The ice-capped, craggy topmost peaks of Mount Kenya rise from the base of the dead volcano. The excitement begins with a stroll around this base. Mount Kenya’s walks are unique with the tarns that stud the radial valleys. Indeed, its moorlands are as varied. The mountain is as exciting as that of the neighbouring Mount Elgon and Aberdares. Magnificent predatory birds haunt the cliffs and lower peaks. Here, there is a chance of spotting the melanistic black leopard.
Famous Serena Lodge
For those unwilling or unable to ascend to Mount Kenya, it is worth spending a couple of nights at Serena Lodge. It has dramatic features. The panorama surrounding the lodge is delightful. It is set in the dense rainforest zone on the slopes of Mount Kenya within the national park. Kenya’s Nyeri district is about a 3-hour drive and 193 kilometres from Nairobi.
Tree hotel beckons
Similar in concept to the tree-hotels of the Aberdares, Serena Mountain lodge has a setting above a waterhole. It is overshadowed by Mount Kenya and rimmed by rainforest. The lodge boasts the most spectacular forest waterholes. It has a constant ballet of wildlife including a variety of bird and mammal species.
Mountain hotel view
Serena mountain lodge Source: Naivasha hotels
The lodge has a viewing-deck over the waterhole. The  veranda gazes down on to a salt lick. Numerous herds of buffalo and elephant frequently visit this place. The lodge also offers an introduction to other wildlife of the montane forests of Kenya. They are colobus monkeys, giant forest hogs, trumpeting hornbills and touracos. Chirping tree frogs and wailing tree hyraxes are regularly seen. Leopard, rhino, waterbuck and lion are occasional visitors. A tunnel connects the lodge to a specially built viewing bunker hideout. From here, there is a chance to get very close to the wildlife. This offers spectacular photographic opportunities just meters away from the animals. As night approaches, the night creatures begin their nightly rituals. The surrounding trees come alive with a melee of sounds. This makes the bush so exhilarating and unique. The cold and clear mountain air beckons. Undoubtedly, the sweeping views across the treetops provides opportunity for exploration and discovery.
Luxuriously decorated rooms
Serena Mountain Lodge Source: Naivasha hotels
The Serena Mountain lodge has cabin-styled rooms. They are built of timber. They have a private balcony and luxury ensuite bathroom overlooking the waterhole. The furnishings of rooms are of indigenous African and wood art. They are decorated with rugs. The décor echoes the Kikuyu culture. It features soft lighting and hand-woven wall hangings. The dining room serves international cuisine. Game drives, guided forest walks, and hikes to Mount Kenya are on offer. Guests also have a chance to view birdlife and game in the open forest. Game drives are in roofless vehicles.
Energy-efficiency
Kilaguni lodge was off the national power grid because of its location inside a national park, and relied on diesel generators that was not environmentally-friendly because of the noise generated and whose use was expensive. But recently, the lodge has been upgraded to tackle climate change and contribute to conservation projects making it Kenya’s 1st solar-powered lodge. Set on 2 acres of land, it features a fixed tracker system of panels that follow the movement of the sun and alter position depending on the times of the day. Both systems combined generate about 307 kilowatts of energy that powers the lodge’s rooms and other auxiliary services. The solar plant has reduced the lodge’s carbon footprint considerably by removing about 513 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the air.
5 Frequently asked questions about Mount Kenya Lodge
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