Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest, World Heritage Site in Kenya

Mount Kenya, located in central Kenya, rises 5199 meters and is the second highest mountain in Africa. Mount Kenya has as many as 12 glaciers, and its glacier-covered summit is a symbol of the mountain. Even in the higher elevation areas, African elephants can be found in the area.In addition, giant highland plants such as the giant lobelia can be seen, and several endemic species can be found here.

Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains why Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest is a World Heritage Site in an easy-to-understand manner. Read this and you will definitely learn more about Mount Kenya National Park!

What is Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest?

Mount Kenya is a 5199-meter-high mountain located about 193 km northeast of the capital, Nairobi, and is the second highest mountain in Africa.Currently an extinct volcano, its symbol is the summit of a U-shaped valley. When Mt. Kenya was an active volcano, its summit was over 6,000 meters, but glaciers have carved it down to its present height. Although it straddles the equator, it is also high in elevation and is famous for the 12 remaining glaciers.It was once called “Kirinyaga (Mountain of God),” and “Mount Kenya” was named by Europeans who came to the area.

The area is largely divided between the glacier-covered summit and the forested mountainside. The area benefits from volcanic deposits and the soil is very fertile. The area is known to be home to many plant and animal species, some of which are endemic to the area.In particular, the higher elevations are home to the giant lobelia (Lobelia bambuseti), which is endemic to Mount Kenya.

For what reason is Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest on the World Heritage List?

Mt. Kenya National Park was recognized for

Registration Criteria (vii)
The point that Mount Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa, with its beautiful glacier-covered peaks and forested mountainsides, is the most beautiful landscape in East Africa.

Registration Criteria (ix)
Mount Kenya’s alpine flora is extremely diverse, including the endemic Giant Lobelia, and the park is also home to the migration route of the African elephant, making it ideal for many plants and animals to live.

World Heritage Mania Conclusions and Impressions

Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa and offers some of the most spectacular views in East Africa, including the summit. And the geological formation created by volcanic ash is also valued for its unique highland plants, such as the giant lobelia, which is endemic to Africa.

Incidentally, the mountain is considered by the locals to be “God’s Mountain,” so named because the summit looks like God sitting on a golden throne. Depending on the location…there are places where it looks like a chair, as it sometimes looks like two rocky mountains of different sizes lined up in a row.You can look for them if you like!

*The content here is a discussion derived from research conducted by World Heritage enthusiasts. As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the media.