• You are here:  
  • Home /
  • Mt Kenya Climbing

Mt Kenya Climbing

Mount Kenya – Africa’s second highest mountain – offers a choice of exciting treks and climbs through its varied scenery of volcanic ridges, deep valleys and rugged landscape. To climb 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.

 

Mount Kenya Treks & Climbing Routes

There are three main approaches to the summit of Mount Kenya and ideally you walk up one route and come down another to experience the very different views. The best choice of routes depends on a number of factors from the time of year to the nature of the terrain.

Access to the eastern side of the mountain and the Chogoria route is only possible from December to March and August to mid October, although this may change as the road is currently being improved.

The Naro Moru route, on the west of the mountain, is a popular choice. However, there is a section known as the Vertical Bog which consists of clumps of tussock grass interspersed with deep and muddy gullies.  If taken slowly, this section of the route is challenging but manageable on the way up, but it is trickier to negotiate walking down and we do not recommend it as a descent route.

  • The Sirimon route is the most gradual ascent and there are excellent views of the peaks from this combination of routes.
  • The Sirimon route, approaching from the north west, is easily accessible from Nanyuki and Naro Moru and will always be included in a high altitude trek, either up or down.
  • The Summit Circuit is a ten kilometre trail around the base of the peaks up and down over several passes with spectacular views of the peaks up close.
  • For an off the beaten track wilderness experience you can camp on the Chogoria side at Lake Ellis and Lake Michaelson where – apart from your mountain team – you may not see other people until you reach Shipton’s Camp at 4,200 metres.

 

Our example itineraries / prices show the Sirimon-Naro Moru route and Sirimon-Chogoria route but we can help you sift through the options to tailor a climb to your exact requirements accounting for your levels of fitness and budget.

 

How long does it take to climb Mount Kenya?

There are many tour routes, each with different scenery and varying degrees of exertion required. However, it is the duration of a climb that is as important as the ease of the route.

On climbs to the summit it is advisable to join a trek of at least 6 days in order to acclimatise your body to the increasing altitude as you pass through different climatic zones. Gamewatchers treks have been carefully devised at around this duration to give you the best chance of success. Longer durations can be arranged for those that would prefer a slower pace.

At the start we recommend staying overnight near the mountain to acclimatise. A mid-range hotel used by many trekkers is the Kongoni Camp, where you can relax after travelling from Nairobi before starting your trek on the following day.

After your mountain trek, you could spend some time on safari at the exclusive camps and lodges in nearby Laikipia, Meru or Shaba. A perfect addition is Porini Rhino Camp.

 

Sirimon & Naro Moru Route

5 NIGHT SIRIMON – NARO MORU ROUTE

DAY 1

Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Nanyuki. On arrival you’ll be met and transferred to Kongoni Camp for 1 night including Lunch and Dinner. (Optional upgrade to Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club).

DAY 2

Breakfast at camp / lodge. You will be collected at approx 09.30 for the 45 minute transfer to the Sirimon Gate where your Guide will register with KWS, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and pay the park fees.  The Cook and porters will organize the distribution of the packs and provisions and then set off for the first camp.

This is a four hour trek up a fairly steep vehicle track through the forest where you will see evidence of elephant and buffalo and possible sightings of bushbuck and baboons.  If you are setting off around 11, you will have a picnic lunch on the way, weather permitting.  If your departure is delayed, you may have an early picnic lunch at the gate.  This walk takes you up to 3,300 metres to Old Moses camp.

DAY 3

Your climb continues up to Shipton’s Camp (4,236 m).  This walk is 14 km and takes about 6-7 hours.  You cross three rivers and two valleys before reaching one of the main U-shaped glacial valleys.  You then walk along Mackinder’s valley to Shipton’s Camp, where you will be staying for two nights.

You are now deep in the Afro alpine zone with large stands of giant groundsel and lobelia, and in camp you will see rock hyrax sunning themselves.

DAY 4

A rest day in Shipton’s Camp and an opportunity to do an acclimatization walk up to the Hausberg Col at nearly 4,600 m, with spectacular views of the main peaks up close. Supper and bedtime are early, so that you are well prepared for your dawn ascent the following morning.

DAY 5

You leave Shipton’s Camp between 2.30-3.00 a.m. for your very early morning ascent of Point Lenana (4,985 m).  This 4 km walk takes 3-4 hours, as you are now at very high altitude.  The aim is to reach the summit by sunrise.

You walk down to Mackinder’s Camp for breakfast, via Austrian Hut, a 2.5 hour walk covering 4.5 km.  Then you continue down to Met Station which takes another 4 hours, covering 12 km.  You reach Met Station (3,048 m) by mid-afternoon, where you will be staying overnight.

DAY 6

After breakfast, you walk down to the Naro Moru Gate, a 2 hour walk covering 9 km, where you will be met and transferred to Nanyuki Airstrip, a drive of 40 minutes. Fly back to Nairobi Wilson.

Alternatively, add a few nights on safari at Porini Rhino Camp before returning to Nairobi. Ask us for details and prices.

Sirimon & Chogoria Route

6 NIGHT SIRIMON – CHOGORIA ROUTE

DAY 1

Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Nanyuki. On arrival you’ll be met and transferred to Kongoni Camp for 1 night including Lunch and Dinner. (Optional upgrade to Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club).

DAY 2

Breakfast at camp / lodge. You will be collected at approx 09.30 for the 45 minute transfer to the Sirimon Gate where your Guide will register with KWS, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and pay the park fees.  The Cook and porters will organize the distribution of the packs and provisions and then set off for the first camp.

This is a four hour trek up a fairly steep vehicle track through the forest where you will see evidence of elephant and buffalo and possible sightings of bushbuck and baboons.  If you are setting off around 11, you will have a picnic lunch on the way, weather permitting.  If your departure is delayed, you may have an early picnic lunch at the gate.  This walk takes you up to 3,300 metres to Old Moses camp.

DAY 3

After breakfast, you leave at around 7.30.  An early start is advisable for the best views, as the weather can close in during the afternoon.  The walk crosses two ridges and several streams and in 3-4 hours, you reach the beautiful valley of Liki North dominated by the peaks of Sendeyo and Terere.  This walk takes you from the moorland to the Afro alpine zone with its giant groundsel and lobelia, evoking the Jurassic age. There is a small mountain hut for cooking, and you camp overnight.

DAY 4

After an early breakfast, you climb out of the Liki North Valley, crest a ridge and descend into Mackinder’s valley, dropping down to pick up the trail on the valley floor.  You then climb up the other side of the valley to reach Shipton’s Camp at 4,236 metres.  This 6km walk can take about 5 hours.  Shipton’s Camp has a large bunkhouse and campsite.  It is one of the main bases for summit attempts, mainly by trekkers but also by mountaineers.

DAY 5

This is a rest and acclimatization day at Shipton’s Camp to prepare for the ascent of Point Lenana.  It is well worth walking up to the Hausberg Col from where you get spectacular views of the peaks including Point Peter and Point Dutton.  This is a good dry run as you reach 4,591 metres, only 394 metres lower than Point Lenana.  Then an early supper and bed to get some sleep before the next day’s very early start.

DAY 6

You leave Shipton’s Camp between 2.30 and 3am for your early morning ascent of Point Lenana (4,985 m).  This 4 km walk takes 3-4 hours due to poor light and high altitude.  The aim is to reach the summit by sunrise.

Then it’s a steep descent down a scree slope towards the spectacular Gorges Valley. Dotted with giant groundsel, this is the most extraordinary landscape.  Breakfast is near Hall Tarns, a distance of about 4.5 kms, then continue to the Meru Mount Kenya Lodge, a simple mountain lodge near the Chogoria Gate.

This is a long day as the walk covers 14 km and takes about 6 to 7 hours, but the rewards are a hot shower and supper in front of a log fire.

DAY 7

After a leisurely breakfast, you walk about 10 kms down through the forest to meet a Landrover to take you down the rest of the track and on to Chogoria town. From here you take an onward road transfer (approx 4 hours) to Nairobi.

Alternatively, transfer to Nanyuki area (approx 3 hours) and extend your trip with a few days on safari at Porini Rhino Camp before heading back to Nairobi.

Chogoria & Sirimon Route

6 NIGHT CHOGORIA – SIRIMON ROUTE

DAY 1

Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Nanyuki. On arrival you’ll be met and transferred to Kongoni Camp for 1 night including Lunch and Dinner. (Optional upgrade to Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club).

DAY 2

Breakfast at camp / lodge. You will be collected at approx. 9.30 for the transfer to Chogoria via Meru, which takes about 2.5 hours. Then you continue to the Chogoria Park Gate (2,950 m) and the Chogoria Bandas (just near the Gate) where you’ll be staying overnight.  This transfer takes about 1.5 hours and covers 32 km, including 22 km up a steep track through the forest.

On arrival, you have a late lunch followed by a gentle stroll in the surrounding parkland.  You have your own room with attached bathroom, and hot showers are available in the early evenings.  Supper is served in front of a log fire in your sitting room.

DAY 3

After breakfast, you set off along the Chogoria route towards the conical Mugi Hill.  Then you turn off the main route and walk to Lake Ellis at 3,405 m, where you’ll be camping overnight.  This walk takes 4 hours and covers 10 km. One option is to take a detour to the Nithi waterfalls for a picnic lunch, or alternatively have lunch by the lakeside.

DAY 4

You walk to Lake Michaelson at 3,900 m, and camp overnight. This walk is 8 km and takes about 6 hours as you are now climbing steadily, although the last section of the walk is a steep descent down to the lake.

DAY 5

You walk to Shipton’s Camp where you’ll be camping overnight.  This is a lovely 3 km route via the Simba Col at 4,620 m, and if the weather is good, you can aim for a daytime ascent of Point Lenana at 4,985 m, a 2-3 hour detour from below the Simba Col.

If you didn’t make a daytime ascent, supper and bedtime will be early, in preparation for your night-time ascent of Point Lenana.

DAY 6

If you didn’t walk via Point Lenana on the previous day, you make a very early start at 2.30 a.m., with the aim of reaching the summit by sunrise. This walk covers 4 km and takes 3-4 hours. You descend to Shipton’s Camp for breakfast and then continue down to Old Moses Camp. This walk is 14 km and takes a further 5-6 hours, depending on your pace.  You arrive at Old Moses Camp by mid-afternoon.

If you made the ascent of Point Lenana on the previous day, you walk down to Old Moses Camp after breakfast, arriving around lunchtime.

After a snack lunch, you transfer from Old Moses Camp back to Nanyuki via the Sirimon Gate, which takes just over an hour.  You are staying overnight at Kongoni Camp on Full Board.

DAY 7

Breakfast at camp. Later in the morning, transfer to Nanyuki airstrip for flight back to Nairobi.

Alternatively, add a few nights on safari at Porini Rhino Camp before returning to Nairobi. Ask us for details and prices.