In various cities, there are specific high points from which one can view most, if not all, of the city. These points could be man-made, such as tall buildings, or natural, like hills. In Nakuru city, geographical conditions have led to legal limits on the height of buildings. This means that from any high point, it is easy to get a good view of the buildings in the Central Business District. When in town, if one is in a building that is significantly taller than the rest, you can have a great view. The slideshow below is of photos taken from the top of CK Patel in 2017.
Photos taken from CK Patel building rooftop May 2017. Photos: Ben Omwaka
Over the years, Nakuru City has grown significantly. Many significantly high buildings have been added to those already existing. From these buildings, one gets great views of the city. The slideshow below shows views of the city from Tower One and Stone Plaza. The photos from Tower One were taken in April and September 2023, and those from Stone Plaza in April 2023.
Photos taken from Tower One (April 2023 & Sep 2023) and Stone Plaza (April 2023). Photos: Ben Omwaka
There are various places outside of town that offer great views of the town, for example, Milimani and Menengai Crater. The Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site is more than just a prehistoric site. The hill offers a fantastic view of Nakuru. There is a 360-degree view. You get a clear view of Lake Nakuru and Menengai Crater/Forest on the other side. Many neighbourhoods, both near and far, are visible. The hill, located close to town, is very easy to access by private or public transport. Over the years, I have taken many photos at and from the Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site. Hyrax Hill is so named because, apparently, a large number of rock hyraxes used to inhabit the hill, and some still do. However, I have never seen a rock hyrax at Hyrax Hill, although I have photographed them before, for example, at the Menengai Crater caves.
In Nakuru City, February is arguably the driest period and June the greenest, based on my observations. From Hyrax Hill, you can clearly see the situation. I decided to post about views from Hyrax Hill using photos all taken on the same day, 27th February 2024. I went to Hyrax Hill on the afternoon of the 27th. Upon arrival, I did not enter the museum but went directly up the hill. The hike up the hill is not limited to the fittest; even those with physical challenges can manage quite well. The challenge lies in the rocky areas close to the summit. However, at the top, the rocks are level, and one can still get a view of the town and many neighbourhoods without reaching the very top.
Slideshows of photos taken at and from Hyrax Hill on 27th Feb 2024. Photos: Ben Omwaka
I was literally alone on the hill. There was a lot of dust in the air in the distance. I chose this specific date because there were slight drizzles in different parts of Nakuru on the 26th, which suggested to me that the season was transitioning, and I wanted to take photos before the change. I spent quite some time on the hill during that dry, sunny afternoon. From the hill, many neighbourhoods are visible. One can see Naka Area, Section 58, WhiteHouse, Teachers, Milimani, and all the way to Pipeline and more. The view encompasses both near and far areas.
Photos from Hyrax Hill 27th Feb 2024: Ben Omwaka
The greenhouses at Ayana Farm, in Mau Narok, are usually very visible as a shiny surface all the way from Nakuru City, one might assume they are a water body. From Hyrax, you can see the greenhouses.
I took so many photos just to show how much can be viewed from the hill. It started raining not long after I left Hyrax Hill and ended up raining quite heavily in Nakuru on the night of 27th February 2024. Hyrax Hill is widely advertised as a prehistoric site, but there is much more to it than that. The views are one of the major attractions for me. From the photos I have taken over the years, you can see the changes in the Nakuru skyline. Many new apartments have been built, especially in Naka and Upper Hill. An observation is that many apartments almost look alike.
Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site is ideal for picnics, excursions, short hikes, photography, and various kinds of outdoor activities. Apart from the hill, there is a lot of space around the museum building where activities can take place. There is a cleared, designated parking area, and the site is safe. It is however important for us to be responsible and keep the area clean.
FUN FACT: One of the photos in the slideshow of photos taken from the CK Patel Building in May 2017 was selected as the winner in the urban public transport category in the Kenya Changing Transport photo contest, organised by the Ministry of Transport, GIZ, the Institute for Transport and Development Policy (ITDP), The Photographers Association of Kenya, and National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in 2018. Additionally, a photo I took in Magadi, Kajiado County, won the rural transport category in the same contest, making me the overall winner.
