The picturesque flanks of Mt Kenya | Sue Badyari
The picturesque flanks of Mt Kenya  | Sue Badyari
Group photo at Point Lenana upon Mount Kenya  | Heike Krumm
En route ascending nearby Mugi Hill to help acclimatise  | Heike Krumm
Trekker descends Mt Kenya  | Sue Badyari
Follow Shipton's route to the summit of Mount Kenya  | Sue Badyari
Sitting upon Mugi Hill before we reach our Lake Ellis campsite  | Heike Krumm
Approaching our stunning Lake Ellis campsite  | Heike Krumm

Mount Kenya Ascent

Summit Mount Kenya with a chance of wildlife encounters

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 6 reviews

7 Days from

$2460 USD

Trip Code: MKA
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Foam Sleeping Mat Hire
$13 USD
Sleeping Bag Hire
$38 USD
Single Supplement - hotel only
$50 USD
Single Supplement - tent only
$110 USD
Single Supplement
$160 USD

Duration

  • 7 Days

Activities

  • 5 day trek

Accommodation

  • 1 night hotel
  • 5 nights camping/ mountain hut

Meals

  • 5 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 6 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

6 / 10

Moderate to Challenging

Mt Kenya Trek Trip highlights

  • Climb Point Lenana (4985m), the highest trekking peak on Mt Kenya
  • Traverse Mount Kenya from East to West via the Chogoria and Sirimon routes
  • Ascend via the quieter and more dramatic Chogoria route
  • Delight in the beautiful alpine scenery and views
  • Search for wildlife in the lower slopes

Overview

A Mt Kenya trek is one of Africa’s most rewarding alpine experiences, offering dramatic landscapes, rich biodiversity and far fewer crowds than Kilimanjaro.

Rising to 4,985m (16,355ft), Point Lenana is the highest trekking peak on Mount Kenya and an achievable challenge for fit hikers seeking something more remote, more varied, and more immersive than the region’s better-known climbs. With towering cliffs, glacial tarns, and Afro-alpine flora, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed massif is often considered the most visually stunning of Africa’s ice-capped mountains.

Our Mt Kenya trek begins in Nairobi and takes the scenic Chogoria approach, renowned for its alpine lakes and excellent acclimatisation. After a night in the forest Bandas near the park gate, we begin the ascent via Lake Ellis and Lake Michaelson — two of the mountain’s most picturesque high camps — before entering the alpine zone at Simba Tarn. The pre-dawn summit of Point Lenana is a highlight of the journey, with panoramic views over the jagged peaks of Batian and Nelion, and Kilimanjaro visible in the far distance on clear days.

The descent via the Sirimon Route completes a spectacular mountain traverse, offering contrasting views and a peaceful final walk through the Mackinder Valley.

With unique wildlife sightings, varied terrain, and some of the most dramatic scenery on the continent, this Mt Kenya trek is ideal for those seeking a quieter, more scenic alternative to Africa’s more commercial climbs.

Itinerary

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On arrival in Nairobi, please make your way to the group hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure in Kenya's capital city.

Meals: Nil

This morning we head to Chogoria Village (approx. 4-5 hours drive). In the afternoon you will ascend the steep and rutted track to the Bandas (cottages) in woodland near the Chogoria gate (3,017m) of the Mt Kenya National Park. We will stay here for the night. Our gear will be transported by Land Rovers while we acclimatise with our first walk at altitude (approx. 1 hour).

Meals: B,L,D

The flora and fauna surrounding the Bandas is prolific, with the possibility of seeing game in the surrounding forest (Elephant, Buffalo, Antelope, Colobus Monkey, Augur Buzzard & Verreaux's Eagle). As we walk, the forest gradually drops away and we enter a high moorland zone. En route we ascend nearby Mugi Hill (3600m) to help with acclimatisation before arriving to camp. Lake Ellis (3500m), where we camp tonight, is a peaceful spot with good views of the main peaks and we arrive in time for lunch. (approx. 6 hrs)

Meals: B,L,D

The initial trek away from the lake ascends gentle moorland to attain a ridge that eventually joins the main Chogoria route at its best viewpoint. After enjoying views of Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley we descend to the little visited Lake Michaelson (3,900m) and possibly the most beautiful campsite on the walk. Overhead tower the cliffs of the Temple while Tacazze Sunbirds flit amongst the giant Groundsel and Lobelia and Hyraxes hop around in the rocks. (approx. 6-8 hours)

Meals: B,L,D

The trek now enters the Alpine Zone - after quite a boggy start to the walk the walking surface soon becomes scree. You will soon reach Simba Tarn at 4560m, in time for a late lunch. An afternoon walk will assist with acclimatisation. (approx. 4-6 hrs)

Meals: B,L,D

After a hot drink you will leave at 3:30 am for the steep ascent (2 - 2.5 hrs) of Point Lenana (4,985m) in time for sunrise. Although the climb is straightforward, the final section is hard work at this altitude. From the summit it is often possible to see Mt Kilimanjaro 320km away as well as the nearby climbing peaks of Mt Kenya; Nelion and Batian which should be bathed in golden sunlight at this time of the morning. We descend back to Simba Tarn for a well-earned cooked breakfast, and continue our descent via the Mackinder Valley to Shipton's Camp before joining the Sirimon Route to Liki North where we camp. The walk today is long and exhausting and will challenge even the fittest of walkers. However the thrill of standing on the roof of Kenya, will be sure to make the effort worthwhile. (approx. 9-10 hours walking)

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast we continue descending for approximately 2 hours to Old Moses camp 3400m and the tarmac roadhead at the forest line. Here we bid farewell to the porters and crew and drive down through the lush forest belt to the Park Gate. After completing the exit formalities our transport will take us on the 5 hour drive back to Nairobi, where the trip concludes on arrival at the hotel from where we started. We farewell our Kenyan crew here. (Note: arrival at the hotel in Nairobi is around 16:00hrs. We recommend an overnight stay in Nairobi before commencing onward travel. If you need to depart today, please do not book onward flights departing before 20:00hrs)

Meals: B,L

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

  • 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
  • 1 night in 3 star hotel on a twinshare basis
  • 5 nights fully supported camping on a twinshare tent basis
  • Group camping equipment including tent (sleeping bag and mat not included)
  • Experienced local guides, cook and camp crew
  • Porters to carry personal and group equipment
  • Private return transfers from Nairobi to Mt Kenya
  • Park entrance fees valued at US$300

Not included

  • International flights
  • arrival and departure transfers
  • Sleeping bags & sleeping mats
  • Restaurant meals in Nairobi and meals not mentioned in the itinerary as included.
  • Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc
  • Tips
  • Airport and departure taxes
  • Visa
  • Travel Insurance
  • Additional transport or accommodation required due to any emergency situation. (This would be covered by an adequate insurance)

Reviews (6)

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