Mount Kenya is often overlooked in favour of its more famous and higher neighbour, Kilimanjaro. This is a shame because it is a great trek with fewer trekkers and a better wilderness experience (and half the price!): it stands at a place where the great plains of East Africa give way to the southern margins of the Sahara. 100 miles south of Mt Kenya you’ll find all the Big Five living in Kenya’s national parks; 100 miles to the north and you’re in Samburu lands, pastoralists who tend camels, cattle and goats in a desert environment.
Itinerary summary:
Day 1. Fly London to Nairobi. Transfer to the Fairview hotel.
Day 2. Breakfast departure for East foothills of Mt Kenya. Camp at Meru Bandas.
Day 3. Trail Head camp.
Day 4. Hall Tarns camp
Day 5. Summit and Shipton’s camp
Day 6. Gentle descent to Old Moses Camp.
Day 7. Exit mountain through Sirimon Gate and return Nairobi. Flight departs evening.
Day 8 Arrive London.
Mount Kenya (5,199m) is the second highest mountain in Africa. Although it lies only a few km from the Equator, it’s heavily glaciated. The summit area consists of several false peaks surrounding the two main peaks of Nelion (5,188m) and Batian (5,199m). The whole upland area is a national park and the walk in leads through forest and moorland habitats. Acclimatisation problems on Mt Kenya are underestimated by many people; a three day itinerary is not recommended.
To ascend the highest summits requires technical rock and snow climbing of at least grade IV (Severe) standard. Batian was first climbed by H J Mackinder with C Ollier, J Brocherel, 13 September 1899, and not again until 1929. The third highest peak, Pt Lenana (4,985m), can be reached by trekkers.
Day by day itinerary
Day 1. Arrive in Kenya
Flight time to Nairobi is approx 9-and-a-half hours with most flights arriving around mid-day. Met on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and after clearing customs, transfer to our recommended hotel, the Fairview. Free afternoon. Overnight Fairview. Dinner & breakfast.
6 DAYS Mt Kenya: CHOGORIA ascent; SIRIMON descent.
Day 2.
Pick up from hotel at 8.00 am and drive to the region of Chogoria on the eastern side of Mt Kenya. Arrive in the afternoon and connect with the 4x4 vehicles. Drive through the equatorial rain forest, on a shockingly rough track, then walk the last stretch into camp (3 hrs). The forest is home to elephant, cape buffalo, leopard and Colobus monkeys. Dinner and overnight at Meru Bandas 3,000m.
Day 3.
Today is an acclimatisation day: the distance is short and the height gained less then 300 m. After breakfast, follow the trail as it leads through glades of Montane forest to our private camp at 3,300m. Arrive in camp in time for lunch. After a short siesta in the afternoon, a short walk to Mugi Hill is a great way to assist acclimatisation. Total trekking time 4 + 2 hrs.
Day 4.
Today, by contrast with the previous day, is full on! The altitude gained today is nearly 1,000 m. The morning is spent traversing the eastern moorland along the edge of the Nithi Gorge with a picnic lunch taken above Vivien Falls, overlooking the majestic gorge. The falls were named after Vivien De Watteville a Swiss huntress turned local naturalist. In the afternoon, continue up the ridge to our private camp at Hall Tarns at 4,677 m; 6 hrs.
Day 5.
Another long, hard day with 800 m gained and 800 m lost in the same day. An early start to reach the summit, Point Lenana at 4,985 m by dawn. Skirt around the main peaks and descend to Shipton’s Camp at 4,250m. Enjoy the superb view to the south of the peaks of Batian and Nelion. Dinner and overnight. 8 hrs.
Day 6.
After breakfast, descend through Mackinder’s Valley to Old Moses Camp 3,300m .
Day 7.
After breakfast, descend for 2 hrs through the rain forest. The trail is 9 km to Sirimon gate at 2,600m. Re-join the 4x4’s and return to Nairobi arriving in the afternoon. Long leisurely lunch in hotel. Day rooms will be available for showers, dozing and repacking. Check-in for flight in evening.
Day 8.
In-flight Nairobi to London.
Arrive London early morning.
Note.
Even in the best season (end December to mid March) there can be periods of 2 or 3 days when the weather might be bad and snowfall could be expected. We have known access roads in the park to be closed after several consecutive wet days to avoid damaging them. Moorland paths can become very boggy - particularly on the Sirimon descent route, if there’s heavy rain.
The Chogoria route is especially beautiful and gives a magnificent wilderness walk through unspoilt forest and moorland and is the best route choice for Mt Kenya. The routes which approach from the west are more commonly used, and are much busier and not a patch on the Chogoria experience.
Unmanned huts on the mountain are generally small and dirty. Camping is recommended!
Group leader and support staff
The group will be led by an experienced, English-speaking local guide who knows mountain environments. A minibus is used between Nairobi and the mountain and 4x4 on the mountain itself, to reach the road-head.
Equipment required
Walking boots, full waterproofs and cold weather gear. Fleece jacket, warm hat and thermal gloves, a daypack of around 30 lt, a torch, 3lt water in Camelpack & bottle, sun glasses, sun cream; sleeping bag and camping mattress. A detailed packing check-list will be provided.
Equipment hire
It is possible locally, but better not to rely on it.
A typical day
Porters will carry the group’s personal equipment and the entire camp to the next overnight stop. During the day’s walk, you will carry a daysack large enough to pack a fleece, wet weather gear, water bottle (or camel pack), packed lunch and other bit and pieces such as a camera. Breakfast is usually around 7.30 a.m. except on summit day, when it’s earlier. Lunch is en-route and picnic style. On arrival at camp, there will always be plenty of time to rest, enjoy a brew and soak up the surroundings, before we sit down to a 3 course evening meal.
Accommodation
The first night is in a good, reliable hotel in Nairobi, from then onwards it’s under canvass. We use three-man tents but for two persons. Single rooms and single tent occupancy is available, but a modest charge will apply.
General Information
Flights
KLM, and Kenyan Airways are the favoured choice. Both carriers touch-down en route to Nairobi. BA offers a direct service, for a small premium.
Climate
Mount Kenya is on the Equator. There is a pronounced wet season from March to May, but apart from that, the mountain is good to visit in any month. Temperature at dawn is typically 9º and mid-day 22º. As you gain altitude the temperatures decline and the summit is often dusted in snow.
Visa requirements
A valid passport is required. Visas are required by UK or EC passport holders and can be obtained upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta airport, Nairobi for $50 (cash).
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are compulsory. Check with your local clinic and inoculations such as cholera, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies and hepatitis should be considered.
Altitude
This itinerary involves significant altitude; it is paced so that you have plenty of time to acclimatise, but altitude is an unpredictable beast. Your leader is well-used to watching for the early signs of problems, but if you feel uncomfortable at any time, you should seek assistance immediately. It is important to keep well hydrated when trekking at altitude, particularly in hot conditions.
First Aid
The local leader will have appropriate first-aid training and experience and will carry a basic medical kit. We should bring your own personal first aid kit consisting of the following: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium) painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent (DEET), and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets or Kendal Mint cake.
Price.
£1,595 (20112) per person including Trek Handbook (sent to you pre-departure); international flights, pre-paid airport taxes, full board and lodging throughout; local guide throughout; all group transport and airport transfers in Kenya; National Park entrance fees and trekking permits.