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From the mystical Nkunga Crater Lake where elephants meet for a bath, a gigantic 200-year-old Meru oak and elephant maternity to twin waterfalls, Meru Town is surrounded by eye-catching attractions.
The sight of a waterfall, the cool breeze and the crashing sound of the water as it hits the rocks below are experiences that leave you yearning for more.
Meru Town sits next to River Kathita that originates from the Mt Kenya glaciers before feeding the River Tana and the Indian Ocean.
As the dry spell sets in on the eastern slopes of Mt Kenya, many would love a cool and natural getaway from the hustle and bustle of the fast growing town.
About three kilometres from the town centre are twin waterfalls, tucked within a forested section of a river valley.
The valley offers a breathtaking view from vantage points.
Save for the now overgrown plantations and the falling river levels, the two waterfalls known as Mpuri and Ntura or M’Ntanii are the town’s hidden gems.
Closer to the Meru town-Mpuri road is the smaller Mpuri waterfall.
A walk to the twin waterfalls comes with great adventure as one needs to apply “descending skills” on the steep valley to the riverbank.
You have to make do with makeshift dugout stairways on your way down.
The many trees and bushes in the valley will act as speed breakers, saving you from plunging into the river below.
At Mpuri Waterfall, which forms a confluence with the larger Ntura, is a spacious riverside lawn from where you can enjoy the chirping birds, gurgling river and the cool breeze.
Here, visitors take time to catch their breath and take photos after a fun-filled descent into the valley.
Regular sightings of a rainbow formed from the mist makes the experience even more exciting.
A more adventurous nature trail by the river leads you to the bigger waterfall about 200 metres ahead.
On the trail, you will be compelled to crawl, climb a rock, hop and hold on to a twig to manoeuvre as the flowing river urges you on.
The rocks that line the river bank give you a chance to stand tall and have a peep at the natural formation ahead.
