Olorgesailie pre-historic site is world renown as the “factory of stone tools” and the only place in the world with such a large number.
This Acheulian site is located about 90kms South-West of Nairobi on Magadi Road. It is characterized by in-situ displays of prehistoric materials including numerous hand axes, fossilized skeletons of extinct species of elephants and hippopotamus dating back from 1.2 million years ago. Other attractions include a camp site, bandas and nature trail.
The prominence and accumulation of human tools represents actual camping places of early men and evidence that human species had a tropical origin. The site is in a lake basin that existed about 100,000 to 200,000 years ago.
Olorgesailie has excellently preserved biological and cultural evidence about the evolution of man. This was made possible by heavy falls of alkaline volcanic ash from the nearby Mt. Suswa and Mt. Longonot, which might have contributed much to the accumulated ash in the lake basin. There is evidence of humid climate during part of the Middle Pleistocene that is given by temporary lakes and swamps that exist in the area today. The sediments left by the lake cover an area of 80 km².
Things to do/ Attractions
- Museum and site walk to see the actual site and the discoveries made here.
- Bird watching- the site is a bird watcher’s paradise citing the highest number of migratory bird species in Kenya.
- Mountain climbing- Mt. Olorgesailie was named after a reknown Maasai elder who used to meditate and hold meetings with village elders up the mountain. On average it takes 3 hours to ascend and the same to descend best climbed from 5:00 am.
- Camp site- affordable camping facilities available.
- Picnic site
- Baboon camp- congregation of baboons in the evening 1 km from the campsite.
CAMPING RATES
Citizen Adult : Ksh.300 Child (below 16 years) : Ksh.200
Residents & EA Adult: Ksh. 400 Child (below 16 years): Ksh.250
Non-Resident Adult: Ksh. 600 Child (below 16 years): Ksh. 300
BANDAS
Deluxe Bandas
Citizen Single: Ksh. 1,200 Double: Ksh. 1,500
Residents and EA Single: Ksh. 1,500 Double: Ksh. 1,800
Non-Resident Single: Ksh. 1,800 Double: Ksh.2,000
Standard Bandas
Citizen Single: Ksh 1,000 Double: Ksh. 1,200
Residents and EA Single: Ksh. 1,200 Double: Ksh. 1,500
Non-Resident Single: Ksh. 1,500 Double: Ksh. 1,800
Other Charges
Mountain Guide fees: Maximum 5pax per guide: Ksh.5,000
Baboon Camp Guide fee: Ksh. 500 per person
Picnic fees per person: Adult Ksh. 200, Child (below 16 years):Ksh. 100
BROCHURE
Contact
Cyrus Muthoka
Email: cmuthoka@museums.or.ke
Telephone: 0728389872