Among the less common animals to be found in Tsavo are the fringe eared oryx, the gerenuk and Hunter's hartebeest. In addition to lion, leopard and cheetah, caracal and hyena are also to be found. Sitting astride the equator its icy summit rises to a height of 5 199m. All above the 3 200m contour forms a national park. Due to its unique vegetation, Unesco has declared Mount Kenya a biosphere reserve.
Most visitors are content to marvel at the mountains beauty from a distance.
For the more adventurous, the lesser peaks of the mountain can be conquered without much difficulty. However this does require a certain degree of fitness as the air towards the top is quite thin. It would be advisable to consult your physician beforehand. An attempt to reach the summit is only recommended to seasoned climbers. Lake Nakuru, an alkaline lake, part of the Great Rift Valley, has earned its fame as the home of the greatest bird spectacle in the world.