Located on the western foothills of Mount Kenya, it lies only 8 kilometres (5.0 mi), south of the Equator.

Barney's Restaurant is open from 8 am to 5 pm daily, serving hot and cold drinks, breakfast, lunch and snacks.

During the 1970s the present site was purchased by the Kenya government for military and official business and named the Laikipia Air Base.

It is also a key airport for Air Kenya, East African Safari Air, and Fly540 who operate daily scheduled services linking Nanyuki with Nairobi, Lewa, Laikipia, Samburu, Meru and the Maasai Mara.

To accommodate the many thousands of passengers that pass through the airfield each year, Tropic Air Kenya established a waiting area, with a restaurant, shop and toilet facilities.