Mount Kenya hiking - Magical Africa safaris Ltd

Mount Kenya climbing

Climbing Mount Kenya in Africa and Kenya is now a popular out door activity. Itineraries highlighted below cover all the Mount Kenya routes. Please enquire on Mount Kilimanjaro routes and Mount Kenya technical climbing details.

MT KENYA TREK VIA SIRIMON TRACK . Ref MA 048
Duration: 5 days 4 nights
Departs daily

In this splendid high elevation scenery of mountain forest, moorland and glaciers, you will meet with colobus monkey, elephant or buffalo. You will gradually walk up the mountain via the Sirimon route with an open view of the peak area. Best season to climb mt Kenya is well spread throught the year. You will touch ice and snow on the equator!

Day 1 – Mountain Rock:
Leave Nairobi in the morning and transfer to Mountain Rock campsite near Nanyuki for lunch. Afternoon at leisure or walk to Maumau Caves. Dinner and overnight at campsite.

Day 2 – Old Moses:
A short drive in the morning will take us to the Sirimon track. Acclimatization walk (5 hours), to Old Moses camp. Night at Old Moses Camp (3,400m).

Day 3 – Shipton’s Camp:
Via Mackinders Valley we walk from Old Moses Camp to Shipton’s Camp 95 to 8 hours walk). Night at Shipton’s Camp (4,200m).

Day 4 – Metrological Station Bandas:
Early in the morning we climb Point Lenana (4,985m). On a very clear day, we should be able to see Kilimanjaro in the south. From the top, we walk down to the Meteorological Station (6 - 7) hours walk). Night at the Meteorological Station Bandas.

Day 5 – Nairobi:
We descend early in the morning to Naromoru Park gate where we take our transfer truck back to Nairobi arriving late afternoon.

HIKING MOUNT KENYA VIA NARO MORU. - Ref: MA 049
Duration: 2 nights 3 days

This ancient volcanic mountain lies astride the equator and rises to a height of 5,199m. Your ascent takes you through rain forests on the lower slopes, the bamboo belt above, then moorland leading to the alpine zone and glaciated summits. Tarns of crystal clear water surrounded by giant groundsel plants add to the magic. The two main summits, Batian and Nelion, are accessible to skilled mountaineers. This western approach to the third highest peak, Point Lenana at 4,985m, is the quickest as this is the shortest route.

Day 1 Nairobi - Naro Moru Track L . D
You drive north of the city through pineapple and coffee plantations and arrive on the slopes of Mount Kenya in time for a picnic lunch. From the Park Entrance Gate you walk to Met. Station at 3,048m for dinner and overnight.

Day 2 Mount Kenya B . L . D
Your climb continues to Mackinder’s Camp, a walk of approximately 5-6 hours. At this point the main peaks provide a spectacular view and there is also an opportunity to trek into Teleki Valley from the Camp. Overnight at Mackinder’s Camp.

Day 3 Mount Kenya - Nairobi B . L
The ascension to the summit of Point Lenana begins before dawn to ensure time to view the sunrise from the peak. From here, on a clear day, you can see Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. The descent from the peak has a short break at Mackinder’s Camp before continuing to Met. Station for lunch and then onto the Park Gate to meet your vehicle for your return to Nairobi.

CLIMBING MOUNT KENYA VIA SIRIMON ROUTE TRACK.- Ref: MA 050
Duration: 5 nights 6 days

Mount Kenya’s twin peaks of Batian and Nelion crown one of the world’s highest national parks - 704 kms of forest, moorland, rock and ice. Although the mountain’s highest point lies 17 kms to the south, the equator cuts across the northern shoulders at a height of 11,000 feet. Little grows at its extreme heights - just a few litchen cover the exposed rock but, in the high valleys, some of the world’s most spectacular mountain plants flourish - ‘water holding cabbages’ or ‘ostrich plume plants’ are actually giant groundsel, an astonishing mutation of a tiny alpine plant growing to incredible heights. The lobelias grow even higher than the twenty foot high groundsel - some up to twenty seven feet - their hairy, grey leaves dotted with tiny blue flowers. More than 30 jewel-like lakes encircle Mount Kenya’s rocky spires.

Day 1 Nairobi - Sirimon Track L . D
An early departure from Nairobi with a lunch stop enroute to the National Park Gates on the Sirimon Trail. Then a 3-4 hour steady ascent to Judmaier Camp (3,350m).

Day 2 Mount Kenya B . L . D
A 5-6 hour walk up Mackinder’s Valley to Shipton’s Caves (4,150m). It is a dramatic landscape with giant lobelias all around and the towering peaks ahead.

Day 3 Mount Kenya B . L . D
Acclimatisation day. Optional trek to Kami Hut (4,425m) and Hausberg Col (4,591m)

Day 4 Mount Kenya B . L . D
A very early start up the North Ridge to reach Point Lenana (4,985m). Descend to Teleki Valley on the opposite side of the main peaks to MacKinders Camp for a good night's rest.

Day 5 Mount Kenya B . L . D
Descend to Met. Station (road head) on the Naro Moru Track and transfer by vehicle to Naro Moru River Lodge for the night.

Day 6 Chogoria - Nairobi B
Transfer to Nairobi in the morning.

CLIMBING MOUNT KENYA VIA CHOGORIA.

Ref: MA 051
Duration: 5 nights 6 days

Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain and despite lying directly on the equator, hiking mount Kenya is a different experience, its peaks are permanently iced with snow and glaciers. The tribes living around the mountain regard it as sacred, believing it to be the home of their God. The distinctive vegetation zones passed through as you climb, each form a unique ecosystem which hosts a variety of unusual plant species and wildlife. This adventurous eastern approach to the mountain is one of the most scenic.

Day 1 Nairobi - Chogoria L . D
You depart Nairobi at 9.00 a.m. and drive north via Embu and Chogoria Village to the Park Gates (3,017m). Overnight here in a private banda.

Day 2 Mount Kenya B . L . D
A steady ascent for 3-4 hours across open ground and through rain forest to your camp at Lake Ellis (3,500m). Optional walk in the afternoon to Mugi Hill.

Day 3 Mount Kenya B . L . D
You take a little used route across gentle moorland with views of Vivienne Falls before reaching your beautiful campsite beside Lake Michaelson (4,000m).

Day 4 Mount Kenya B . L . D
An early start to reach Point Lenana (4,985m) by mid-morning. Then traverse around the main peaks to American Camp - superb views of the south face of the mountain.

Day 5 Mount Kenya - Naro Moru B . L . D
Final day on the mountain, descend through the Teleki Valley and the famous vertical bog to Met Station (3,050m) and overnight at Naro Moru River Lodge cottages.

Day 6 Naro Moru - Nairobi B
Return to Nairobi arriving before lunch.

What you need to bring for hiking.
Quilted sleeping bag, Anorak (a waterproof jacket for wet conditions), climbing boots, tennis shoes for the rain forest and moorlands, light raincoat, warm sweaters, hat, gloves, hard underwear, puttees, sun oil and lip balm, good sunglasses or snow glasses water bottle, plastic bags, torch with spare batteries and spare bulbs, small rucksack to carry yourself, rucksack - possibly with lock in which to pack your belongings to be carried by porters. Maximum luggage 15 kgs otherwise there will be a surcharge for the excess. Mountain climbing equipment in Kenya is available for hire.
Photographic gear
It is essential to use sky light filters at high elevations, less sensitive film with 15DIN for bright areas and 17 or so for use in the dark rain forests.

Included in the packages above is:

 Transport from Nairobi to and from the mountain.

 Park entrance fees
 Services of an experienced English speaking mountain guide, cook and porters.
 All accommodation in either mountain huts or tents.
 Any emergency evacuation from the mountain to the base.
 All camping equipment.
 Three meals a day while on safari, whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian all prepared by our safari cook.

NOT included
 All personal travel insurance.
 Flying Doctors' service for emergency air evacuation [available in our office at US$ 30 PP for one month]
 Sleeping bags.
 Hotel accommodation in Nairobi.

What you need to bring
Quilted sleeping bag, Anorak (a waterproof jacket for wet conditions), climbing boots, tennis shoes for the rain forest and moorlands, light raincoat, warm sweaters, hat, gloves, hard underwear, puttees, sun oil and lip balm, good sunglasses or snow glasses, water bottle, plastic bags, torch with spare batteries and spare bulbs, small rucksack to carry yourself, rucksack - possibly with lock in which to pack your belongings to be carried by porters. Maximum luggage 15 kgs. Otherwise there will be a surcharge on the excess.

Photographic gear
It is essential to use sky light filters at high elevations, less sensitive film with 15DIN for bright areas and 17 or so for use in the dark rain forests

*Other mount Kenya climbing programmes and itineraries are available on request.

*See other relevant general information on Kenya tour.

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