Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain and offers a choice of exciting treks and climbs through varied ecosystems and awe-inspiring scenery. With its volcanic ridges and glacial valleys radiating across the land like spokes from a wheel, the massive bulk of Mount Kenya straddles the Equator yet is permanently crowned with snow. The Mount Kenya National Park, surrounded by 2000 square kilometres of Forest Reserve, is dominated by the twin summits of Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m).
The Mount Kenya Forest Reserve provides the ideal habitat for vast herds of buffalo and elephant as well as a bright kaleidoscope of birds and other wildlife. At higher altitudes, the forest gives way to lush bamboo groves where colobus monkeys leap and leopard prowl and, higher up, there is tussock grass and alpine moorlands, jewel-studded by icy glacial tarns and moraines. As for the globally unique alpine flora, it features 13 species endemic to the mountain including giant lobelias, groundsel and water-holding cabbages.
Mount Kenya Treks & Climbing
We offer tailor made treks on Mount Kenya for small private groups. Our trips are flexible, personalised itineraries (without set departure dates) with experienced guides who will make sure your trip is safe and enjoyable.
Climbing Mount Kenya is an experience of a lifetime, highly recommended to the adventurous traveller willing to forego some of life’s luxuries for a few days. Point Lenana (4985m) can be achieved by any physically fit person and no climbing experience is necessary.
It is also possible to hike on the mountain without the pressure of a summit climb. There are plenty of trails off the beaten track where you can spend time appreciating the dramatic and varied landscape.
Personalised Treks & Climbs
Your trip will be just yours – a private trek. You will not be joining a bigger group. So even if your group is just two people, you will be on your own with your Guide. Small groups make the whole experience more personal and less regimented.
The Mountain Team
Your trip will be supporting a local group which makes its living from guiding guests around the mountain. The Guide will lead you at a leisurely pace and chat to you about the mountain on the way. The Cook will produce delicious meals in camp and provide picnic lunches. The porters will help you with all your kit and also set up camp.
The Guide, Cook and porters are all registered with the Kenya Wildlife Service, and are all locally based in and around Nanyuki town, located on the north western side of Mount Kenya.
When to visit Mount Kenya
The best times to visit Mount Kenya are June to October and December to March. The ground is at its driest from January to March, the ideal months for camping and access to the park gates. At other times of the year, the ground is wetter and occasionally an itinerary has to be changed if an access route becomes too waterlogged.
It is advisable to avoid April to May and November, the long and short rains respectively. You may well experience the odd shower whatever time of year you visit. The mountain has its own micro-climate with convectional rainfall sometimes occurring from late morning to late afternoon.
Our featured itineraries show the popular routes, but we can tailormake your trek depending on your exact requirements and the fitness levels of the members of your group.
