Unusual Attractions in Makueni
Emali Trigonometrical Beacon: Mercury Rush
The flat area enclosed by the C102 Emali-Mashuru Road is mostly grass covered, with widely spaced Acacia trees. Shrubs increase in density on the hills south of Sultan Hamud running up to the valley of Emali Hills that’s thickly wooded. While being only moderate in elevation, the apposite landscape over which the conical hills emerge gives them a lofty impression. One of the highest hills in the area is Emali Hill, attaining a height of 5,953 ft, a top which sits the Emali trigonometrical beacon. Dubbed the ‘trig’, these are essentially fixed surveying stations, used in geodetic surveying and other surveying projects, in Kenya fabricated in the 1920s.
A graven metal plate on the top of a pillar or on the ground provides a mounting point for a reflector with known coordinates and elevation, often referenced with a tricky combination of letters, numbers and signs. Emali trigonometrical beacon, alongside those at Chyulu, Ngulia, Abosi, Kimenderit and Kakamega Reserve et.al., most underlain by a cover of soil and vegetation, was, in the 1970’s, the subject of fascinating interpretations none, perhaps, as nostalgic as the rumour that the ‘trig’ marked the presence of red mercury, stirring up the contrived “mercury rush”.
In the 1920s in Kenya, a “gold rush” sparked a significant increase in gold mining, particularly in the Migori Gold Belt. This period also saw a substantial rise in the demand and use of mercury for extracting gold through amalgamation, a process which, while efficient, also resulted in mercury contamination of the environment and posed health risks to the miners. The concomitant scam around the country, especially in Western Kenya, was that these trig beacons contained red mercury and were placed specifically in remote high areas as a state secret. Many went on a wild goose chase in search of the trigs and potential millions – in vain of course.
Around Kenya are a selection of natural landmarks, cultural shrines, architectural oddities, and technological installations that offer incredible, almost surreal experiences that can make you feel as if you’ve stepped into another world. Hauntingly beautiful to some, eerie sights for others, and still, for others, down right strange, these site provide unique experiences for adventurous travelers.
Index of Unusual Attractions Around Kenya
Baringo County - Olduka (Mogotio) Valley, Busia County - The Alupe Leprosy Centre, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Kipteberr, Isiolo County - Magado Crater, Magado Cave Dwellings, Nantudu Spire Rock, Merti Catholic Church, Buffalo Springs, Harr Girrissa, Kericho County - Van Wicker's Cave, The Kipkelion Monastery, Kilifi County - Hell's Kitchen, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Kwale County - Three Sisters Caves, Mrima Hills Rare Earth Mine, Laikipia County - Sirmon & Nyariginu Confluence, Lamu County - The Lamu Donkey Sanctuary, Machakos County - Komarock Shrine, Kituluni Magical Hill, Makueni County - Kenze Gorges, Virgin Mary Shrine, Emali Trig, Holy Nzaui Rock, Mandera County - Marehan Sandstone, Marsabit County - Chalbi Desert, Meru County - Mystical Lake Nkunga, The Giant Footprints, Mombasa County - Kizingo, Mbaraki Pillar, Muranga County - Muranga Gorges, Nakuru County - Longonot Earth Station, Menegai, The Djinn House, Diana Caldwell's Shrine, Nandi County - Sheu Morobi Cliffs, Kopere Rocks, Nyandarua County - The Kinangop Step, Wanjohi Happy Valley, Dragon's Teeth, Nyeri County - Italian Memorial Church & Somali Wall, Taita Taveta County - The Taita Skull Caves, Shetani Lava, Yatta Springs, Nyiri Taru Desert, Crystal Caves at Lake Chala, Salaita (Slaughter) Hill, Haunted Sniper's Tree, Turkana County - Kapedo Falls, Lake Alablab, The Turkana Boy Monument, Samburu County - Samburu Singing Wells, Ngurunit Pools & Slides, Mystical Emuruangogolak, Vihiga County - Wagevere Rock, Nganyi Rainmakers Forest, Wajir County - Shaletey Caves
outlook
Flanked by the A109 Nairobi-Mombasa Road on its eastern flank, Makueni County is part of the Lower Eastern Kenya region. Major towns like Mtito Andei and Emali serve as trade hubs along the A109, the former being the traditional halfway stop and rest. Other towns enroute are; Sultan Hamud and Kibwezi. Home to Akamba people, it is so commonly referred to Ukambani – alongside Kitui and Machakos.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Emali Trigonometrical Beacon
A Guide to Makueni County
A Summa Digest of Makueni
About Makueni Way Back When
50 Destinations in Makueni County, arranged as one would visit these - north, east, west then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Mbooni Hills, Konza Technopolis, Kilima Kiu Manor, Mulima Dam, ACK Resort Salama, Makongo View Point, Katithini, Wote Green Public Park, Thwake Dam, R. Kaiti Bridge, Kampi ya Mawe, Kusyombunguo Hotel, Nzueni Hill, Nzaui Heritage Trail, Nzaui Rock, Mii Project, Makueni Cultural Center, AIC Kalamba, Kalamba Fruit Factory, Virgin Mary Rock, Emali Hills, Emali Trig, Ka Kindui Falls, Dare Devil's Rock, Kyanzizi Falls, Ilovoto Falls, Kyale Catholic Church, The Kenze Gorges, Kilungu Hills, Hunter's Lodge, Makindu Handicrafts, Makindu Sikh Temple, Mbiu Nzau Hills, Kambua Resort, Kivungoni Springs, Kibwezi Forest, Umani Springs, Chyulu Hills National Park, Kisula Caves, Tsavo West National Park, Tsavo East National Park, Yatta Plateau, Ngai Ndethya National Reserve, Kilalinda Conservancy, Tsavo Safari Camp, P. Cameron Camp, Patterson's Safari Camp
Know More About Makueni County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Makueni County’s terrain is generally low-lying, falling to 600 ms near Tsavo at the southern region. That is to also say, land rises from low-lying terrain of about 600 meters above sea level in the southern Tsavo area to higher elevations in the hills. Prominent ranges include the volcanic Chyulu Hills in the south-west, Mbooni Hills and Kilungu Hills.
Climate about Makueni varies based on altitude – with the north being cooler – 20oC to 24oC, while the south, more so during the dryer months, between May and October, experience generous heat.
