Previously known as Fort Hall, Muranga is a peaceful town inhabited by the Kikuyu people that lies in the rugged terrain north of Nairobi. It enjoys a cool, elevated position at 1,255 metres above sea level and is known for its richly fertile soil, which supports the cultivation of tea and coffee, as well as food crops that include sweet potatoes, maize and bananas.
Things to do in Murang'A
As you explore the town, soak up the panoramic views of the rolling Kikuyu farmlands that stretch to the west of Muranga. The region was settled in the 17th century by missionaries who were forced from the coast by Portuguese colonists, with the remains of a British administrative post at Fort Smith still visible today.
North-west of Muranga sprawls Aberdare National Park, a high-altitude protected area that encompasses 4,000-metre-high mountain peaks, bamboo forests and wild moorland. It’s inhabited by a diversity of big-game species that include elephants, lions and leopards, as well as eastern black rhinoceros, olive baboons and black and white colobus monkeys.
Also within Aberdare National Park is Mount Kinangop, a dormant volcano whose rocky summit is a popular multi-day hiking destination. Despite being the second-highest peak in the Aberdare Range, it’s considered the most challenging to climb, with the reward being its stunning views across the Great Rift Valley from the summit.
Getting there
Muranga is around 1.5 hours’ drive from the heart of Nairobi and just under two hours from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Buses and matatus connect the town with destinations across the region while the centre of Muranga is compact enough to navigate on foot.