Nanyuki is a medium sized farming town northwest of Mt Kenya, originally founded by settlers in 1907. The town serves the still vibrant farming community in this agriculturally rich area and still has a has a frontier feel, with shops like the Settler's Stores which has been in operation since the 1930s.

Nanyuki's biggest claim to fame is the Mount Kenya Safari Club which is nearby. Once boasting a member list that included Winston Churchill, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope it is on the British Airways list of the world's top hotels.