The town is noted for small- and large-scale farms, ranches and pastoral lands, and wildlife conservancies. It is also the base for people seeking to climb Mount Kenya. Nanyuki sits almost directly on the Equator.

It is situated just north of the Equator, and at an elevation of 1,947m above sea-level, is the 14th highest town in Africa. It was founded in 1907 by British settlers, some of whose descendants still live in and around the town. Nanyuki is currently the main airbase of the Kenya Air Force.