Ascend to  African Sky, spend Nights under the Stars in Acacia woodlands eventually relax at pristine African beaches

MOUNT KENYA

Kenya and Tanzania are two of the most famous safari countries in the world, both having superb national parks including the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. What is less well known is that they also have the highest and the second highest mountains in Africa – that is Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. Mount Kilimanjaro is also known is the also the highest freestanding mountain in the world. Mount Kenya is one of the Volcanic Mountain in the world, and is the second highest Mountain in Africa.

 Both are suitable for trekkers and technical climbers alike but Mount Kenya has better opportunities for serious climbing. The real attraction of these mountains is that any reasonably fit person who enjoys walking and that they can be climbed or walked for most of the year can reach the summit.

For both mountains Nairobi in Kenya is ideal. Nairobi is easily accessible from Europe and America and serviced by most of the major international European airlines. The city itself is well placed for both mountains with good travel links.

This is Africa’s second highest mountain at 5,199m and the highest of all Kenya Mountains. Mount Kenya is roughly circular, about 60km across at the 200mm contour, where the steep font hills rise out of the gentler slopes of the centred highlands. At the centre of the massif, the main peaks rise sharply from around 4,500m to the main summit of Batian 5,199m, Nelion 5,188m and point Lenana 4,985m. Other major summits on the mountain include Point Piggott 4,957m, Point Dutton 4,885 and Point John 4,883m. Of the three main peaks (Batian, Lenana and Nelion), only point Lenana can be reached by trekkers and the other two being only for technical climbers. 

After the cultivated farmlands on the lower slopes the trails pass through the rain forest, rich in trees of many species but noticeably camphors, then onto a bamboo zone growing to heights of more than 12m or more up through open moor land before reaching the moonscape of higher slopes. The forests are rich in wildlife including elephant, buffalo and monkeys with even the moor lands offering a long list of mammals including the rock hyrax, the nearest living relative of the elephant.

Mt. Kenya is an ancient volcanic mountain much older than Mt. Kilimanjaro. It’s believed to have once reached well above 600m. What is left today is volcanic plug which erosion has fashioned into the complex jagged outline of the central peaks

Best time to climb.

Although, Mount Kenya can be climbed all year round, it’s safest to climb Mt. Kenya during the dry seasons: January-February and August to September off the most reliably fine weather. The main routes are likely to be more crowded at this time of the year. If you favor complete solitude over the sunny skies, try going slightly off the peak season. It’s best to avoid the two rainy seasons from mid March until June and from late October to the end of December

Mount Kenya climbing Routes/Itineraries

There are three main routes, which penetrate the forest and the moorland. The routes are Naromoru, Sirimoni and Chogoria and each of which has something different to offer.  Naromoru is the fastest route to point Lenana but not as scenic as the other two. Chogoria is the most scenic and Sirimoni the most interesting because it is on the drier side of the mountain.

Note: The normal pattern of weather on Mount Kenya is for clear mornings with mist closing in from 10:00am although this can clear by evening. Therefore, early morning starts are the order of the day with a 2am start for the final ascent to point Lenana, if you want to catch the sunrise.

CHOGORIA ROUTE DOWN NARO MORU

Duration: 5 days.

Distance: 92 km.

Difficulty: Demanding.

Start/Finish: Nairobi.

Pack camping gear and supplies to strike out west up this long but spectacular approach through the deep chasm of gorge valley.

Day 1: Nairobi/Chogoria.

Leave Nairobi at 8am to Chogoria town for lunch and afternoon leisure walk in the town to acclimatize. Dinner and overnight at Chogoria Transit Motel, 2000m.

Day 2: Chogoria/Mount Meru Bandas.

5-6hrs, 32km, 950m ascent.

This is a long day along dirt road through the forest although the conditions under foot aren’t strenuous. You may opt to use a 4x4 to reach the bandas as sometimes the road is impassable, 2950m. Dinner and overnight at Mt. Meru Bandas.

Day 3: Chogoria Bandas/Mintos Hut.

6-7 hrs, 21km, 1,280m ascent.

After breakfast follow the track through giant heather and forest up to Chogoria road head from where the path drops to cross a stream then follows the broad ridge to the east of the gorges valley to reach Mintos Hut, 4200m. Dinner and overnight at Mintos Hut.

Day 4: Mintos/Point Lenana/Met Station.

11-12 hrs, 29km, 785m ascent/1985m descent. 

Day 5: Met Station/Naromoru/Nairobi. 

3hrs, 9km, 400m descent.

After breakfast, descend through the rainforest which is 9km to Naromoru Park Gate at 2,600m where you will connect with your transport back to Nairobi.

NOTE: You may opt to spend the night at Mackinders Camp and then on to Met station and lastly descend for a transfer back to Nairobi. This will require an extra day to complete.

Sirimoni - Naro Moru with peak circuit route. 

Day 01.

As Sirimoni route.

Day 02.

After climbing through the rain forest to 3993m. We will spend the night at liki camp north.

Day 03.

The trail proceeds to shimpton’s camp where we will rest in order to acclimatise overnight.

Day 04.

From shimpton’s camp the trail leads to kami hut below the north face of Batian. Continuing west – southwest the trails climbs up switchbacks in the fine snow before reaching Hausberg col at 4590m. We will descend into the upper Hausberg valley and rest at the aptly named oblong and Hausberg tarns. Ascending to the crest of a ridge known as Arthur’s seat we see the trail winding along a beautiful series of rock ledges. We will descend to shimpton’s camp for the night.

Day 05.

An early 2.00 am start for an attempt to reach point Lenana before descending to Mackinder’s camp for breakfast then on to met station for dinner and overnight.

Day 06

Descend to park gate and transfer to Nairobi.

OTHER ITINERARIES in mount Kenya are as follows.

6 DAYS Chogoria Route.                                 

4 DAYS  NARO MORU ROUTE.

4 DAYS Sirimoni Route.                                                          

4 DAYS Sirimon Route.