Snowy peak at ‘Arms’ length

By Charles Otieno

If there is a paradise well tucked in the expansive Nanyuki plains and the foothills of Mount Kenya that needs to be sampled, it is Sportman’s Arms Hotel. The tranquil and serene hotel stands only a few kilometres from Nanyuki Town and boasts of well-manicured lawns and great landscaping.

Guests relax at the swimming pool.

And then there is the uncanny feeling that, if you stretch out your hand hard enough, you can touch Mount Kenya’s snowy peak when standing on the second floor balcony of the room whose back faces the majestic mountain.

Surrounded by such beauty, it is easy to release pent-up tensions and relax the body and soul. I was intrigued by the hotel’s closeness to the mountain so I asked Njoroge, the general manager, exactly how far it is.

White Highlands

"It takes close to 15 minutes to drive to the mountain," he answers.

Our journey to Nanyuki, which is the last stop towards Kenya’s northern frontier and military base, began on a Sunday. We drove from Nairobi towards Thika before hitting the highway

The ultra modern, leather-furnished gym

towards Kenol Makuyu where the dual carriageway ends. We then got to enjoy the cool drive in the lush green highlands (formerly White Highlands) of Sagana, Karatina and Kiganjo before reaching Naro Moru. The lush green disappears as we reach a plateau. The trees become scattered as the strong breeze hits directly at our faces.

We crossed the Equator as we entered the multi-cultural and multi-racial town, which has many youthful British military personnel especially known for their love of the nightlife. The arrival of these soldiers — popularly known as Johnnies — beckoned commercial sex-workers to the small hub.

After driving through the town centre, which still boasts of old colonial houses and new highrise flats, we finally reached Sportman’s Arms Hotel, which is an ideal retreat for those seeking time off from their busy lives. Nestled in the heart of Mount Kenya, the now expanded hotel enjoys a magnificent view and is a hub for trekkers climbing Mount Kenya from Sirimon and Burguet routes. In addition, the hotel is an ideal destination for getaway and business executives looking for a place to rejuvenate.

We headed to the expanded reception area with soft leather seats and friendly guest relation officers who welcomed us jovially. We felt at home as they sorted out our accommodation. The reception is well lit with chandeliers hanging from the roof and beautiful metallic artwork hanging on the wall.

Fitness meets leisure

After a few minutes, the porter showed us to our deluxe rooms — ultra-modern ensuite rooms with huge television screens and whose balcony faces Mt Kenya. The large beds are beautifully spread with linen sheets, blanket and duvet to keep away the chilly nights of Nanyuki. The balconies facing the grandiose mountain are lined with cosy seats.

Horse riding is one of the sports here. [PHOTOS: Courtesy]

The Hotel has 120 rooms both colonial style cottages and modern suites. The old colonial wooden cottages are designed with a fireplace while the modern cottages are expansive with kitchenettes. All rooms have showers, bathtubs, shaver units and hot water.

After relaxing in the room for a few hours, we headed to the large outdoor swimming pool. Here, fitness meets leisure, whether you want to slim down or tone up. We chose to enjoy the blazing music from the pool bar while stretched out on the pool beds. Others chose to swim as a work out before heading to the ultra modern, leather-furnished gym.

The health club is upmarket offering free weights and cardio equipment. Fitness training sessions are held for groups as well as individuals. Besides the gym, the hotel offers Jacuzzi, sauna and a steam bath. Fitness enthusiasts would be delighted to know the hotel also owns a well-equipped squash court for sports enthusiasts to enjoy a game or two. One can also enjoy mountain climbing or a refreshing jog in the clean mountain air.

Other outdoor leisure activities include trout fishing expeditions and boating at the hotel’s man-made lake. Children can enjoy a camel ride and a horse ride within the hotel grounds as well as playground complete with swings, slides and merry-go-rounds.

Tight security

The main garden is surrounded with lush vegetation and a wealth of indigenous trees and plants including bougainvillea, providing a site that is perfect for camping and outdoor parties like weddings and corporate functions. The luscious outdoors are also home to six well fed tortoises.

For the young and hip, the Bucaneer Dance Club presents the chance to dance the night away. Equipped with state-in-the-art paraphernalia, the deejay is adept with mixes of R&B, soul, hip-hop, newjack swing, bongo, genge and kapuka among other genres. The older crowd can chill at the trendy Pirates’ Deck fashioned completely with hip music (rock, techno and trance among other genres), pool tables and a variety of indoor games. One can also catch the English Premier League action on the satellite screen. For the wazees, Chini Kwa Chini bar is their spot.

Sportsman’s Arms Hotel is centrally located and offers field trips to game ranches and game parks around. And one needs not worry about security as it is protected with modern security systems coupled with security guards who work closely with Nanyuki police officers. An electric perimeter fence is also installed to bolster security.