Nyahururu Town Guide
Nyahururu town is set next to Thomson’s falls, one of Kenya’s impressive water falls. At 2360m, Nyahururu Kenya is Kenya’s highest major town.
One of the last white settlement to be established in the colonial era, Nyahururu town did not take off until the arrival of the Gilgil railway spur in 1929; now the trains only carries freight, and once again becoming an agricultural backwater. The surrounding plateau is highly cultivated with maize, beans and sweet potatoes –they are well represented in Nyahururu’s lively market.
The best approach to town is along the amazingly scenic road from Nakuru, which snakes up and down through the Subukia valleys undulating farmlands and dense forests.
Climate and Geography in Nyahururu Town
The climate here is mild, and generally warm and temperate. Nyahururu has a significant amount of rainfall during the year. This is true even for the driest month. The average annual temperature is 13.9 °C in Nyahururu. In a year, the average rainfall is 978 mm.
Precipitation is the lowest in January, with an average of 31 mm. With an average of 151 mm, the most precipitation falls in August.
History of Nyahururu Town
Nyahururu was founded as Thomson’s Falls after 74m high Thomson’s Falls on Ewaso Narok river, a tributary of the Ewaso Nyiro River, which drains from the Aberdare mountain ranges. It is on the Junction of Nyeri-Rumuruti road and the Nyeri-Nakuru road. Settlers were more interested in the rich lands of the neighboring environments. Lord Maurice Egerton had the largest allocation of land neighboring the town. The town grew around a railway from Gilgil opened in 1929. The town was once an important player in the timber milling industry, and the now defunct National Pencil Company had a factory there. It is also an important milk processing hub.
Economy Activities in Nyahururu Town
The region around Nyahururu is mainly agricultural. To the North Ol Ngarua is famous for its maize, while Shamata to the south is a major producer of potatoes. Lately, flower farming has brought new life to Nyahururu. Suera Flowers is a pioneer in this venture. The cool temperate weather, land availability and cheap labor may be some of the attractions to flower farming.
The town is also a commercial center. It has many supermarkets such as Spears and Mugo supermarkets. Large banks in Kenya also have their branches situated in the town. Some of the banks in Nyahururu town are Equity, Faulu Kenya limited and Kenya Women Microfinance Bank Limited.
The town has a number of resorts. The most common resorts include, Kawa Falls Hotel, Laikipia Comfort Hotel, and Thompson Falls Lodge Hotel. There are also a number of fast-food joints in the town.
The town heavily relies on the transport industry. There are major highways linking the town to cities such as Nairobi, Nakuru and Nyeri. Most of these roads are now in good condition, and properly paved.
Nyahururu is also frequented by marathon and cross-country runners for practicing before major events due to its high altitude.
Places To Visit While in Nyahururu Town
Thompsons Fall Forest
Big Spring is always fun to check out the trees of Thompson River State Forest are a splendid source of shade on hot summer days. Thompson Falls State Forest is a popular destination for people from. Thompson Falls State Forest is a good spot for a spree when you have to get out.
Thomsons Fall
Thomson’s Falls is a beautiful waterfall at the Ewaso Nyiro River in Central Kenya. The waterfall is 74 meters high. One of the biggest hippo pools of Kenya is located up stream from the falls. It’s possible to view the falls from above
Things To Do in Nyahururu Town
Nyaki Hotel
Thomsons Fall
Thompsons Fall Forest
How to get Nyahururu town
Numerous matatu run to Nakuru (Kshs 100, 1 ¼ hours) and Nyeri (Kshs 150, 2 hrs) until late afternoon. Less plentiful are services to Naivasha (Kshs 200, 1 ½ hours) Nanyuki (Kshs 250, 3 hours) and Nairobi (3 hours) the odd morning matatu reaches Mararal (Kshs 300,3 hours).
Several early morning buses also serve Nairobi (Kshs 230-250, 3 hours). If you are driving north fill up on petrol, as it is much pricier in Mararal.
Thomsons Fall Lodge (Off B5 Hwy) with plank floors, comfortable armchairs and he blazing log fires, this is the place to enjoy a cold Tusker.
Night Clubs and Nightlife in Nyahururu Town
Equator Lodge (Sharpe Rd) I’ll give this local bar an ‘A’ for effort regarding their kitschy forested facade. Inside they get a ‘C’ for late night carnage.
Kawa Falls Hotel Disco (Ol Kalau Rd; Admission Kshs 100; weekends) this popular disco occasionally hosts well known Kenyan DJs.
Accommodation and Hotels in Nyahururu Town
Nyahururu Kenya has a couple of places with single rooms for Kshs 150, but that’s really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Safari lodge (Go down Rd; s/tw Kshs 300/500) this massive new place is very clean, very bright and very affordable. Hot water is on demand and there are even sockets to charge you’re mobile.
County hostel (off Subukia Rd; Kshs 200) behind the Nyandarua County Council headquarters, this place has quiet rooms with bathrooms and even toilet seats. At this price that’s saying something! Couples can squeeze into the beds.
Nyaki Hotel (22313;off Kenyatta Rd; s/tw Kshs 350/800) this relatively modern five storey building hosts small but comfy singles and large twins that are essentially poor-man’s suites. Rooms 131,128.119 and 116 are the brightest singles. It also features hot-water showers and secure parking.
Ranika Baron Hotel (Tel32883; Ol Kalau Rd; s/tw/ ste Kshs 350/500 /850) this place is a little tattered, but the beds in the singles are large and married couples can share for no extra cost.
Education Institutions in Nyahururu Town
Laikipia University has two campuses,one within and the other on the outskirts of Nyahururu town. The town also has several highly sought after private schools. Some of the large schools within Nyahururu Town are Busara Forest View Academy and Nyahururu Ellite School.
The Pan African School of Theology, an evangelical theological college founded in 2006, is located near the town. Another Bible school is the Emmanuel Bible Institute. The Institute offers diplomas and certificates in theology.
Religion Nyahururu is predominantly christian with catholic, and protestant churches. Redeemed Gospel Church is one of the major Pentecostal Churches with its Regional H/Qs in Town and many other branches in the outskirts. Its Pastored by Pastor John K Ngugi and His wife Grace Kariuki.
Transport in Nyahururu town Kenya
Being an urban centre, Nyahururu town has quite a good and well maintained road network. Most of the roads in this town are tarmacked hence the most convenient way to move form on place to another within the town is through ‘Matatus’,motorcycles or bicycles.
Nyahururu Town: Information & Facts
Barclays bank ( cnr Sulukia and Sharpe roads) exchange cash and travelers cheques (Kshs 34 per leaf commission).with ATM.
Click cyber café (Mimi center, Kenyatta Rd; per hour Kshs 180) best internet other than post office.
Kenya Commercial Bank- kbc (Sulukia Rd) with ATM. (Visa only)
Post office (Subukia Rd) with internet and card phones.