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Mount Kenya Trekking
Most walkers and trekkers come to Kenya for Mount Kenya, the highest
mountain in the country and the second highest in the whole continent
of Africa. The are several outstanding trekking routes across the
massif, starting from the forested hills at its base and leading
to the top of the spectacular jagged snow-capped summit. The walking
and the scenery are in every way better than its neighbour Kilimanjaro,
and, being second highest, is much quieter.
The two highest points, Batian and Nelion, can only be reached by
rock climbing, and so most people make for the third highest point,
Lenana, which is a non-technical walk.
Routes
Mount Kenya is surrounded by a zone of dense forest, so to reach
the higher slopes and main peaks you have to follow an established
route. Three routes are described inside to give you an idea of
what's available.
The Sirimon Route is the most scenic
route on the mountain, passing through the complete range of landscape
and vegetation types. The ascent is longer and more gradual and
it is usually quieter than the Naru Moro Route. A trek on this route
can take three days although at least an extra night is recommended
to help acclimatization.
Other Routes - the main other route is the Chogoria
on the east side of the mountain. This is steep on ascent and is
usually used for descent.
Rock Routes
There are many rock climbing routes of all grades on the mountain,
including the ascent of the main peaks. This requires climbing to
a standard of grade IV / severe. Footloose can arrange fully qualified
guides for parties wishing to climb these, or provide full support
for independent groups.
Sirimon - Chogoria traverse
This route is the gentlest ascent track on the mountain, comfortable
huts and 200m - it's also the most spectacular. Passing up through
montane forest, bamboo and heather zones we follow the Mackinder
Valley with its amazing vegetation of giant groundsel and lobelias.
The 3 million year old volcano has been eroded by ice and glaciers
to produce spectacular chasms, jagged peaks and the "U"
shaped valleys and waterfalls of geography textbooks.
Day 1 Drive from Nairobi to our hotel on the western slopes
of Mt Kenya for lunch. A short drive, crossing the equator en-route,
takes you to the Sirimon Park Gate. Trek up through magnificent
virgin forests, bamboo and giant heather zones before reaching the
high altitude moorland and our first hut, "Old Moses"
at 3,340m. This first day's gentle trek takes 3-4 hours and climbs
690m.
Day 2 Up the spectacular Mackinder Valley past strange giant
groundsel and lobelia plants to emerge into a higher valley. Shipton's
Camp is here at 4,236m. Walking time is around 7 hours. This surreal
setting below the towering peaks and glaciers, with its resident
population of bizarre rock hyrax, is our base for the night.
Day 3 Early start to reach Pt Lenana at 4,895m for sunrise.
The climb starts on frozen scree and continues on a rocky track
with some very minor scrambling. With a good moon you barely need
a torch. Without a moon, then the pollution-free sky, bang on the
equator, gives you as good a view of the stars as almost anywhere
on Earth. The climb takes between 3 and 5 hours and to add to the
exhilaration, Kilimanjaro is usually visible on the horizon. A further
3 hours down to camp by Hall Tarns in the magnificent Gorges Valley.
Day 4 Long and gentle descent down the Gorges Valley past
spectacular chasms, waterfalls and weirdly eroded lava flows to
hot showers and log fires in Mt. Kenya Lodge. About 6 hours walking.
Wildlife viewing in evening - often from your cabin window as the
elephant and buffalo graze outside!
Day 5 Descend on a broad track through bamboo and virgin rain
forest to meet vehicles for the return to Nairobi - usually arriving
mid to late afternoon.
Liki North Route
This route is an easier paced version of the Sirimon which avoids
the long day from Old Moses to Shiptons. There is no hut at Likii
so camping is arranged.
Day 1: Drive from Nairobi to the base hotel in time for lunch.
Afternoon options include walks in the forest, riding or fishing.
Day 2: Leave the hotel to be transferred to Sirimon Park
gate. From here, walk through montane forest, bamboo and rosewood
up to the Old Moses Hut, gaining an elevation range of 700m in 3-4
hours.
Day 3: Gradual walk through the savannah, avoiding the normal
direct trail leading to Shiptons and following the one that goes
up to Likii North (3990m), where you spend the night in a tent.
Hiking time is about 4 hours, gaining 700m in altitude. There will
be ample time this afternoon to recuperate or walk around the beautiful
Likii valley for more acclimatization
Day 4: Emerging from Likii valley, you can join to the normal
route from the old Moses camp. You climb and pass over a ridge to
enter into the picturesque Mackinder Valley where you arrive at
Shiptons camp for hot lunch after a 4 hour trek
Day 5: Leave the camp at 0300hrs and hike up the steep scree
slopes and across rocks up to Point Lenana (4985m), the hikers'
summit, gaining 785m in altitude in 4 hours. Later descend back
to Shiptons camp for breakfast then relax for the rest of the day
Day 6: Descend to Sirimon Park gate to connect with a transfer
vehicle for the base hotel for a hot shower. The rest of the afternoon
at leisure.
An additional rest day is recommended at Shiptons for hikers who
wish to acclimatise more or recuperate better before attempting
the summit. This day would be spent walking from the camp to a high
viewpoint.
Sirimon - Naro Moru Crossover
This is the most common traverse on Mt. Kenya. Unless preferred,
camping is not necessary as accommodation is available in mountain
huts throughout the trip. Although the trip offers reasonably good
chances of reaching the summit, those who may not manage the challenge
can cross over via the easier summit circuit trail and join up withyour
group at the Mackinder's Camp.
Day 1: Morning transfer from Nairobi, arriving at the hotel
for lunch. Then drive to Sirimon Park gate (2600m). On completion
of park entry formalities, begin a 3-4 hour hike through forest.
Ascend 700m through the bamboo, rosewood and heather zones to Old
Moses camp. The forest and bamboo are home to hundreds of buffaloes,
elephants, bushbucks and a plethora of bird species. Dinner and
overnight at Old Moses Camp (3300m)
Day 2: A long day leading to the base of the high peaks.
Today's trek is largely through the moor lands and the Mackinder
Valley, with good views of the main peaks and a brief stopover for
picnic lunch. Total walking time is approx. 7 hours gaining 900m
in altitude. Dinner and Overnight at Shipton's Hut (4200m)
Day 3: Pre-dawn attempt of the summit starts at 0300hrs
and you hike for about 3 hours up steep scree slopes and across
rugged rocks up to Pt. Lenana (4985m), the hikers' summit. Then
down through Lewis Glacier up to the Austrian hut to join to the
Naromoru track and descend for 2 hours to Mackinder's camp for breakfast
then have the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at
Mackinder's Camp (4300m)
Day 4: Leaving early, you gradually descend for 4-5 hours
through the moor lands and the lower vertical bog up to the Met
Station, from where you walk down on a wide dirt road leading to
the Naromoru Park gate (2600m) where you meet our vehicle. You are
then transferred back to Mountain Rock Lodge for a hot shower and
lunch then back to Nairobi
Accommodation on the routes is in
comfortable huts with beds in several dormitories. They are basic,
but have running water, mattresses and toilets. Some of the routes
have a night camping, particular the Likii route. The campsites
have a cooking hut and toilet, and all equipment is provided.
Acclimatisation is extremely important,
both to let you enjoy your ascent but more importantly to avoid
any serious complications. The route is planned to optimize the
height gain, but you may still get a headache or feel nauseous.
There are two important preventative measures: to drink copiously,
even when it is really difficult, and to walk very slowly, avoiding
as far as possible increased heart and breathing rates. A drug is
available, Diamox, from your GP which is well proven to help with
acclimatization. It is important to remember that one possible effect
of altitude is light-headedness and odd behavior, which can lead
to foolish decisions.
Food and kitchen equipment will be carried by the porters and cooked
by an experienced cook. It will be plentiful and wholesome, but
may be limited by the circumstances. Your own supply of chocolate
and high-energy snacks is a good idea.
Water is available at several points and should be purified before
drinking. All water in camp will be boiled and some provided for
drinking the next day. A comforting tip is to fill your bottle in
the evening with boiled water for the next day, and to use it as
a hot water bottle overnight. Check with your guide where the water
points are.
Toilets are available at all camps and huts. Some camps have several
and so it's worth checking for the cleanest. If you are caught short
during the walk, please find a spot as far as possible from the
trail and any water. Bury your faeces and paper. It is often easiest
to move a large rock and use the indent as a hole. Mark your spot
by balancing a couple of stones.
Itineraries shown are the minimum number of days and do not give
good acclimatisation. If you have come from another high trek you
should be able to reach the summit, but if you have just arrived
it is strongly advised that you add at least another day. The recommendation
is to spend two nights at Shiptons, and / or a night at Liki North.
If you have time we also recommend spending a night at the base
hotel before you start - to leave Nairobi in the morning and sleep
at a high mountain hut that evening is quite a rushed day!
Prices
There are two ways to travel to Kenya- in an organized group on
a fixed departure or on a trip tailor- made for you. Most people
find that a tailor-made trip is more suitable as it's about the
same price and you decide the date and itinerary.
Footloose is also agent for many trekking companies and can book
you on to fixed date group. This is the best way if you are traveling
by yourself or prefer the sociability of a group.
Tailor made trips can depart on any day based on a minimum of two,
but there are substantial reductions for larger groups.
African trekking and safaris are a specialty at Footloose. In Kenya
we arrange a wide range of treks on well-known mountains such as
Mount Kenya. Elgon and the Aberdares, and safaris to the famous
wildlife reserves of Masai Mara, Samburu, Nakuru and Amboseli.
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