Climbing Mount Kenya

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Climbing Mount Kenya | Mount Kenya Climbing Trekking 2 Days 1 Night Package | Climbing Mount Kenya Safety | Mount Kenya Trips Mount Kenya Park Entrance Fees | Safari Extensions After Climbing Mount Kenya | Mount Kenya Climbing Tours | Mount Kenya Routes | Guides, Cooks & Porters | Mt Kenya Treks Weather on Mount Kenya | Met Station Lodge Mount Kenya Climbing Accommodation | Shiptons Hut Mount Kenya Climbing Accommodation | Kenya Climbing Accommodation | Mackinders Hut Mount Kenya Climbing Accommodation | Old Moses Hut Mount | Getting to Mount Kenya

Climbing Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya is the less climbed cousin of Mount Kilimanjaro nearby in Tanzania, however many people prefer the wilderness, abundant wildlife, and stunning mountain lakes that you find on Mount Kenya.

Point Lenana at 4985m meters is a feasible trekking peak and also currently the world’s highest via Ferrata summit route, which adds to the challenge and enjoyment. The panoramic views of the jagged volcanic peaks, wide valleys and surrounding savannah makes a trek on this mountain a thoroughly enjoyable African experience.

We have been guiding trips on Mount Kenya since 1996 and have full-time mountain staff at the base. We adopt a proper approach to acclimatization which means that the ascent is not rushed.

We run advertised trips on all the main routes with scheduled dates but can also offer tailor-made private trips and can add-on safari’s to experience a bit more of Kenya’s diverse culture and unique wildlife in some of the world’s great National Parks, Game Reserves, and Conservancies

We have a trip for everyone ranging from Mount Kenya 1 Day Hiking trips to 7 Days Climbing Trips. Have a look at our popular Climbing Mount Kenya Trips and Packages below, contact us with any questions or requests.

Climbing Mount Kenya Information Guide

Climbing Mount Kenya Fitness, Altitude And Safety

Generally speaking, it isn’t necessary to undergo a grueling fitness regime prior to attempting Mount Kenya, anyone who is trek fit, and is comfortable walking 6-8 hour days should be fine.

It is recommended that you start a training program at least one, if not two months before your safari.“Running, swimming, cycling, and stair-climbing are all good ways of toning up muscles.”


Guides, Porters and Cooks

The trekking crew will usually consist of a guide, cook, porter for the cooking gear plus a personal porter per trekker. All our guides and porters are registered with Kenya Wildlife Services and hold a mountain guide park from Mt. Kenya National Park.

They also have wildlife knowledge and experience of dealing with altitude sickness issues

Climbing Mount Kenya Routes

There are 5 main routes to the peak. See below;

Sirimon Route

Sirimon Route is the most popular ascent as the altitude gain is nice and steady and it offers one of the most beautiful approaches to the peaks.  Allow a minimum of 2 nights to peak when ascending, although we recommend spending an extra night at the last camp (Shipton’s) on the way up.


Burguret Route

Burguret Route is the best if you want to avoid the crowds then Burguret is the best route. You’ll be hacking through pristine rainforest on this little-used route, spending nights at wilderness campsites.

Going up this route is challenging, it is little more than a game track in places, often muddy and rough underfoot. Burguret is usually combined with Chogoria or Sirimon descent.


Naro Moru Route

Naro Moru Route is the most popular descent route, fast and easy (at least on the way down!). Naro Moru passes through the notorious vertical bog section which gets very waterlogged in the rainy seasons.

The vegetation is at its most striking on this route. It can be descended in one very long day, usually done in two days and one night.


Chogoria Route

Chogoria Route is the best if you have time then choose dramatic Chogoria over Naro Moru for the descent. The Chogoria route passes by tarns, waterfalls, and an incredible gorge.  Allow two or three days for your descent.


Time Route

Timau Route is little used nowadays; there is a little forest on this side of the mountain and no facilities, just lots of wide-open country.


Weather/ When To Go Climbing Mount Kenya

First things first, although Mount Kenya is on the equator, at an altitude of 4,000m it gets freezing at night!  You need to be prepared for overnight temperatures well below freezing (a good three/ four-season sleeping bag is a must).

Minus 10 or even minus 20 degrees Celsius are not unheard of at Point Lenana. Otherwise, expect plenty of hot overhead sun and rain if you are trekking during the short or long rains.

Kenya is subject to two rainy seasons, the long rains from mid-March to mid-June and the short rains from September to October. Mount Kenya remains trek-able throughout the year, but during the long rains especially, you will need to be prepared for some heavy rainfalls and muddy tracks.

The good news is that even in the depth of the long rains, there is usually reliable sunshine for a good portion of the day (10 am – 3 pm). Outside the rainy season, you can expect plenty of sunshine.

It’s safest to climb Mt. Kenya during the dry seasons: January – February, and August to September of 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 Location

From Nairobi, Mount Kenya is around a 4 hours drive (220 km). We offer roundtrip transport for guests from Nairobi or from any other part of the country to the Mountain.

Mount Kenya National Park Conservation/ Entrance Fee (Per Person)

The Kenya Wildlife Service entrance costs to climb Mount Kenya are as follows:
1 Day Trip is  US Dollars Non-Resident Per Person/  Kenya Shillings Resident
5 Day Package is US Dollars Non-Resident Per Person/ Kenya Shillings Resident
6 Day Package is US Dollars Non-Resident Per Person/ Kenya Shillings Resident
2, 3 or 4 Day Package is US Dollars Non-Resident Per Person/ Kenya Shillings Resident

Climbing Mount Kenya Accommodation

There is a number of accommodation huts around the base of the mountain and on the various trekking routes. Reservations should be made in advance. The major accommodation huts are as follows:

Old Moses Hut – Sirimon Route (at 3300 Meters) Accommodation

Old Moses Hut – Sirimon Route (at 3300 Meters) Accommodation

Old Moses Hut Accommodation is located at an elevation of 3300m on the Sirimon Route and is the first campsite encountered while climbing the mountain using the Sirimon route. From Sirimon gate it's a 2-3 hour hike to Old Moses hut. You can choose to drive up to Old Moses and hike around there. The campsite features several wooden cabins, with sleeping arrangements in the form of dormitory-styled houses, with each room having several bunk beds. Apart from that, there is one large communal dining hall, a kitchen, with running cold water available at its facilities. All toilets are W.C's located indoors, within the same buildings as the accommodation rooms. Hikers using the campsite would have the option of either using the rooms available (pre-booking required) or sleeping in their own tents at the campsite nearby. The Old Moses campsite is located at the end of a dirt road, just a short distance from the mountain's rainforest and the early stages of the moorland zone. Most of its surrounding vegetation consists of open scrubland with spectacular plants, including lobelias. There also are quite a few animals to spot here, with the smaller rodents and birds being more common.

Price Per Person:
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Mackinder's Hut – Naro Moru Route/ Teleki Valley (at 4200 Meters) Accommodation

Mackinder's Hut – Naro Moru Route/ Teleki Valley (at 4200 Meters) Accommodation

Mackinders Hut Mount Kenya Climbing Accommodation is a basic self-service accommodation located at 4200 meters on the Naro Moru Route/ Teleki Valley accommodating 66 people. Mackinder's hut of mount Kenya is the second campsite encountered along the Naro Moru trekking route and is located within the Teleki Valley. The onsite accommodation is a stone-built house called the Teleki lodge, with glass windows and dormitory-style rooms - each with several bunk beds as well as a camping space and water supply.Mackinder's campsite is located on the upper end of the Teleki valley and within the last stages of the afro-alpine zone of mount Kenya national park. It actually is a short distance from the actual valley floor and its roof can be seen from several of the mountain's peaks, a tiny speck in the vast emptiness of the valley. Despite its altitude, the area around the campsite has a lot of vegetation, mostly patches of grass and groundsels, with a few rock hyrax and birds being the common animals to be seen atop the many rocks that make up the landscape. Foggy mornings do occur in the area, with the occasional rainfall or snow.

Price Per Person:
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Met Station Lodge – Naro Moru Route/ Met Station (at 3050 Meters) Accommodation

Met Station Lodge – Naro Moru Route/ Met Station (at 3050 Meters) Accommodation

The Met Station Lodge of Mount Kenya is the first accommodation encountered while climbing the mountain using the Naro Moru route. It is also the location of a meteorological station and one of the few campsites that are accessible by road, with a dirt track that ends at its location. Climbers at the Met Station Lodge have the choice of either using the cabins for accommodation. These are dormitory-style wooden houses with bunk beds in each room capable of accommodating up to 20 people, with toilets being external latrines. There is no food available thus everyone using the camp has to bring their own food, but there is a good supply of cold water available from several taps. Apart from the cabins, climbers at the camp can also sleep in their own tents and the camp is open to those climbing the mountain, as well as those seeking to just spend a night out in the wild without trekking. The Met Station Lodge is located inside mount Kenya's rainforest zone, albeit just about a kilometer shy of the edge and the start of the heathland zone of the mountain. Animals you most likely would see include monkeys and birds.

Price Per Person:
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Shipton's Hut – Sirimon Route/ Mackinder's Valley (at 4250 Meters) Accommodation

Shipton's Hut – Sirimon Route/ Mackinder's Valley (at 4250 Meters) Accommodation

The Shipton's Hut of mount Kenya is the second encountered when climbing the mountain using the Sirimon route, coming just after the beautiful Mackinder's valley and with breathtaking views of the mountain's main peaks. It has cabin accommodation inside dormitory-style wooden houses, each with several rooms and several bunk beds in each room. There also is a large communal area that is used for meals, as well as kitchens. Visitors at the campsite have the choice of either using the cabins or their own tents for accommodation; However, the cabins require pre-booking. For the toilets, there is the choice of a long drop pit latrine outside or W.Cs inside the main campsite houses that have running cold water. The campsite also has separate sleeping quarters for guides and porters. The Shipton's campsite of mount Kenya is located right next to and on the upper end of Mackinder's valley and the river Liki (also downhill from it), with just a 3-hour hike up a steep slope before getting to point Lenana. There are a few animals in the area mostly rodents and birds. The vegetation is characteristic of that found in the early parts of the alpine desert region of the mountain.

Price Per Person:
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Mount Kenya Accommodation includes Hotels in Nanyuki, Aberdare, Laikipia, Naru Moru, Mount Kenya Region and Timau.  Looking for hotels around Mount Kenya ? Click Here

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