The Grand Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro. The mountain is located 180 kilometers north of Nairobi and it can often be seen from high-rise buildings in Nairobi and from Thika. It is an extinct volcano, which formed a couple of million years ago. The mountain is located in the Mount Kenya National Park, which is a designated protected area around the mountain. It is regarded as the realm of Ngai, god of the local Kikuyu people. Traditionally, all Kikuyu homes were built to face this sacred peak. They call it Kirinyaga, or place of light. The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian (5,199 m), Nelion (5,188 m) and Lenana (4,985 m). At the base and around this mountain are famous hotels & lodges and tourists who do not wish to climb often visit these places for the view, luxury accommodation, fresh air and the tranquil atmosphere. Many rivers flow from the perpetual snows, among them the mighty Tana, Kenya's largest and longest river and source of much of Kenya's electricity supply. Most visitors are content to marvel at the mountain's beauty but some will want to attempt to reach the peaks; a feat requiring considerable rock climbing skill. Wildlife within the forests below the Mount Kenya Park boundary includes elephant, buffalo, lion, several species of antelope including the rare bongo and occasionally the melanistic forms of both the leopard and the several others. Occasional sightings of albino zebra have also been recorded. Much of this wildlife can be seen from the safety of mountain lodges which can be found just inside the forest on the south side of the mountain. The bird life is prolific and large birds of prey that can be seen include lammergeyer, verrauxs Eagle, white backed vultures, crowned hawk eagle, long-crested eagle, and mountain and auger buzzards. Smaller birds of prey include the great sparrow hawk, the African goshawk and the cuckoo falcon. Within the forest, some of the more conspicuous birds are Hartlaubs turaco, the silvery cheeked hornbill and the black-headed oriole. Sunbirds that can be seen hovering around the flowers include the malachite, golden-winged, double collared and olive. The black duck, mountain wagtail and rarely, the giant kingfisher are seen on the forest streams.