| Nyahururu -Thomson's Falls town | | | | 350/800)this relatively modern five storey building |
| Set next to Thomson's falls, one of Kenya's | | | | hosts small but comfy singles and large twins that |
| impressive water falls and the town's former | | | | are essentially poor-man's suites. Rooms |
| name sake is Nyahururu. At 2360m, this is | | | | 131,128.119 and 116 are the brightest singles. It |
| Kenya's highest major town, and it has a cool and | | | | also features hot-water showers and secure |
| invigorating climate. Besides the falls and some | | | | parking. |
| nice forested walks, most travelers find little | | | | Ranika Baron Hotel (Tel32883; Ol Kalau Rd; s/tw/ |
| reason to linger more than a day or two. | | | | ste Kshs 350/500 /850) this place is a little |
| One of the last white settlement to be | | | | tattered, but the beds in the singles are large and |
| established in the colonial era, Nyahururu dint take | | | | married couples can share for no extra cost. |
| off until the arrival of the Gilgil railway spur in | | | | Thomson Falls Lodge |
| 1929;now the trains only carries freight, and once | | | | (Off B5 Hwy; camping Kshs 300,s/tw incl |
| again becoming an agricultural backwater. The | | | | breakfast Kshs 2200/2800)while the white |
| surrounding plateau is highly cultivated with maize, | | | | planters are long gone, this nostalgic and cozy |
| beans and sweet potatoes -they are well | | | | lodge that overlooks the falls still has character to |
| represented in Nyahururu's lively market. | | | | spare. The main building and several cottages |
| The best approach to town is along the amazingly | | | | scattered around the manicured grounds have |
| scenic road from Nakuru, which snakes up and | | | | rooms with log fireplaces and descent facilities. |
| down through the Sulukia valleys undulating | | | | The grassy campground is a right bargain, with |
| farmlands and dense forests. | | | | free firewood and hot showers. As you would |
| Nyahururu Information & Facts | | | | expect, the lodge also has a charming bar, lounge |
| Barclays bank ( cnr Sulukia and Sharpe roads) | | | | and restaurant. |
| exchange cash and travelers cheques (Kshs 34 | | | | Eating Places in Nyahururu |
| per leaf commission).with ATM. | | | | Noni's Café (Mimi Center, Kenyatta Rd; |
| Click cyber café (Mimi center, Kenyatta | | | | meals Ksh 60-150) easily the cleanest and most |
| Rd; per hour Kshs 180) best internet other than | | | | welcoming of Nyahururu's local eateries. it's a |
| post office. | | | | great spot for breakfast. |
| Kenya Commercial Bank (Sulukia Rd) with ATM. | | | | Thomson's fall lodge (off B5 Hwy; mains Kshs |
| (Visa only) | | | | 150-500, buffets Kshs 800) this is the best (and |
| Post office (Sulukia Rd) with internet and card | | | | only )place to go for a minor splurge. Stuff |
| phones. | | | | yourself at a buffet or delve into Irish stew, |
| Nyahururu Sights, sounds, highlights & | | | | mutton specialties or beef burgers. Packed lunches |
| activities | | | | (Kshs 350) are also available for guests. The |
| The Thompson Falls Kenya-River Vacation Spot | | | | grounds are a great place for picnics though it will |
| Located on the town's outskirts, and formed by | | | | cost you Kshs 50 per group. |
| the waters of Ewaso Narok River, Thomson Falls | | | | Nyaki Hotel (Off Kenyatta Rd; meals Kshs |
| plummets over 72m into a ravine and the | | | | 80-200) probably the best of many hotels that |
| resulting spray bathes the dense forest below in a | | | | serve standard Kenyan fare |
| perpetual mist. Get down, get close, get wet, we | | | | Ranika Baron Hotel (OL Kalau Rd; meals Kshs |
| say! A series of stones leads down to the bottom | | | | 75-200) like Nyaki, it serves quality Kenyan eats. |
| of the ravine -do not attempt to go down any | | | | for those who want to prepare their own meals, |
| other way as the rocks on the side of the ravine | | | | they can get fruit and vegetables at the open air |
| are very loose. | | | | market (off Koinange Rd).the brave can also find |
| There are some fantastic walks downstream | | | | meat at the covered market (Off Koinange Rd) |
| through the forested valley of the Ewaso Narok | | | | the fair Budget Stores Supermarket (Kenyatta |
| River and upstream and up stream a couple of | | | | Rd) is fairly well stocked. |
| kilometers to one of the highest hippo pools in | | | | Drinking and entertainment |
| Kenya. Take time to explore. Guides are fairly | | | | Thomson Fall Lodge (Off B5 Hwy) with plank |
| easy to find especially around the souvenir shacks | | | | floors, comfortable armchairs and he blazing log |
| overlooking the falls, but you'll have to bargain | | | | fires, this is the place to enjoy a cold Tusker. |
| hard. | | | | Equator Lodge (Sharpe Rd) I'll give this local bar an |
| The falls were named by Joseph Thomson, the | | | | 'A' for effort regarding their kitschy forested |
| first European to walk from Mombasa to Lake | | | | facade. Inside they get a 'C' for late night carnage. |
| Victoria in the early 1880. | | | | Kawa Falls Hotel Disco (Ol Kalau Rd; Admission |
| Places to Sleep in Nyahururu | | | | Kshs 100; weekends) this popular disco |
| Nyahururu has a couple of places with single | | | | occasionally hosts well known Kenyan DJs. |
| rooms for Kshs 150, but that's really scraping the | | | | Getting there and away |
| bottom of the barrel. | | | | Numerous matatu run to Nakuru (Kshs 100, 1 |
| Safari lodge (Go down Rd; s/tw Kshs 300/500) | | | | ¼ hours) and Nyeri (Kshs 150, 2 hrs) until |
| this massive new place is very clean, very bright | | | | late afternoon. Less plentiful are services to |
| and very affordable. Hot water is on demand and | | | | Naivasha (Kshs 200, 1 ½ hours) Nanyuki |
| there are even sockets to charge you're mobile. | | | | (Kshs 250, 3 hours)and Nairobi (3 hours)the odd |
| County hostel (off Sulukia Rd; Kshs 200) behind | | | | morning matatu reaches Mararal (Kshs 300,3 |
| the Nyandarua County Council headquarters, this | | | | hours). |
| place has quiet rooms with bathrooms and even | | | | Several early morning buses also serve Nairobi |
| toilet seats. At this price that's saying something! | | | | (Kshs 230-250, 3 hours) |
| Couples can squeeze into the beds. | | | | If you are driving north fill up on petrol, as it is |
| Nyaki Hotel(22313;off Kenyatta Rd; s/tw Kshs | | | | much pricier in Mararal. |