Matthews Range
{{Short description|Mountain range in Kenya}}
{{Infobox mountain range
| name=Matthews Range
| other_name=Lenkiyio Hills
| photo=
| photo_size=280
| photo_caption=
| country=Kenya
| state=
| area=
| state_type=
| length_km=150
| length_orientation=N/S
| width_km = 40
| width_orientation=E/W
| highest=Warges
| elevation_m=2688
| range_coordinates = {{coord|1|15|N|37|15|E|type:mountain_region:KE_dim:200000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates =
| geology=
| geology1=
| period=
| map = Kenya
| region =
| map_caption = Location
| label_position =
| map_size=
}}
The Matthews (or Mathews) Range, also known as the Lenkiyio Hills, is a range of mountains in Kenya.
Geography
The range is about 150 km long, oriented north–south. It is located in the Laikipia district of the Rift Valley Province in northern Kenya. The town of Wamba lies at the southeastern edge of the range.Rough Guide Map to Kenya
=Peaks=
The highest point is Warges, at {{convert|2688|m|ft}} above sea level, a peak located the southern end of the range, separated by a valley from the rest of the range.{{cite web|url=http://mapcarta.com/12702218|title=Warges|work=Mapcarta|accessdate=18 September 2016}}
There is also a breast-shaped hill locally known as Sweet Sixteen in the range.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/safariandwildlifeholidays/4227500/Africa-taking-flight-over-Kenyas-elephant-country.html Africa: taking flight over Kenya's elephant country]
=Table=
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| + Matthews Range
! Name ! Elevation/Height above sea level ! Notes | ||
| Ilmara Muroi | {{convert|1289|m|ft}} | |
| Ilpisyon | {{convert|1491|m|ft}} | |
| Ldoinyo Lenkiyo | {{convert|1809|m|ft}} | |
| Lekat | {{convert|1625|m|ft}} | |
| Lolgek | {{convert|1184|m|ft}} | |
| Lomolok | {{convert|1472|m|ft}} | |
| Mathews Peak | {{convert|1890|m|ft}} | |
| Namanyaraboo | {{convert|1216|m|ft}} | |
| Oldoinyo Sabachi | {{convert|1963|m|ft}} | |
| Tipito | {{convert|1861|m|ft}} | |
| Warges | {{convert|2688|m|ft}} |
Ecology
The area is isolated, and holds montane forests of African juniper (Juniperus procera) and cycads. It is home to elephants and other large mammals, and was one of the last places in northern Kenya to have wild Black Rhinos. The last Black Rhino in the Mathew's was poached out in the 1990s. The Mathew's are also home to the Samburu people. The mountain range is a sky island: surrounded by plains, with Ndoto Mountains to the north and the Karisia hills to the west. A number of the species in the Mathew's have evolved independently and the diversity of the forest is of great conservation value.{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10450433|title= Biological bonanza in Kenya's threatened forest|author= Peter Greste|date= 14 July 2010|work= BBC News|publisher= BBC|accessdate=14 July 2010}} Part has been designated as a wildlife sanctuary.
Mathews Range Forest Reserve was established in 1956, and covers an area of 973.92 km2.UNEP-WCMC (2024). [https://www.protectedplanet.net/7649 Protected Area Profile for Mathews Range] from the World Database on Protected Areas. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
In 1995, a Trust was formed by the Samburu tribes to preserve the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, which remains one of the most successful community conservation programs in Kenya.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Category:Mountain ranges of Kenya
Category:East African montane forests
{{RiftValleyKE-geo-stub}}