Mt Kenya is a shield volcano situated along the equator (0.1521° S, 37.3084° E) in the central part of Kenya. The mountain has an elevation of 5199 metres a.s.l making it the second highest peak in Africa after Kilimanjaro. Believed to have erupted over 3 million years ago, Mount Kenya is a dormant volcano and has one collapsed central vent. Mt. Kenya can be classified as more challenging climb when comparing with Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. However, the mountain has more stunning features and scenery to be witnessed along the trails. These include glacier lakes, a wide variety of floral, wildlife and natural formations. Whereas over 35, 000 hikers attempt to summit Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Kenya only has 15, 000 climbers annually making it a more rewarding choice for an ‘off the beaten path’ experience. You require at least 5 days to successfully summit mt Kenya. Importantly, Mt Kenya has 3 peaks where Batian is the tallest at 5199 metres, Nelion at 5188 metres and point Lenana 4985 metres. Most trekkers, however, go up to point lenana as the other two would require advanced mountaineering skills.
Hiking routes
There are about 6 of which 4 are the most widely preferred. Each route presents a unique challenge and alpine experiences. The major routes are:
a) Chogoria route
This trek starts from the eastern side of Mount Kenya near chogoria town 206 km drive from Nairobi. Here, the first day drive takes you to a 2000 metres altitude in the bamboo rainforest. You will need 6 days to complete the climb through this route. Though this is the longest trekking trail in Mount Kenya, chogoria route has the most scenic features and wildlife scenes. `The route also has a lot of time for acclimatization, which makes it a good option for beginners.
In the course of your hike on this route, you will spend nights in 4 accommodations:
- Mount Kenya Bandas (2950 m)
- Lake Ellis campsite (3600 m) / Road head camp (3300 m)
- Mintos hut (4200 m)
- Shipton camp (4200 m) – after summiting.
The first major feature you will come across is lake Ellis( 3457 m a.s.l) which is the third largest tarn and spreads over 28 acres of land. The lake possesses a stunning clear water straddling alluring moorland vegetation. The Lake is a popular destination for trout fishing. Lake Michaelson (3961 m a.s.l), on the head of Nithi river is another incredible feature set on the floor of the scenic Gorges valley. Here you have an unbroken view of the 3 peaks. The gorge also features a fascinating rocky alpine landscape.
b) Sirimon route
Sirimon route is on the North Western side of the Mount Kenya near Nanyuki. This route is just 218 km from Nairobi, the capital. Here you drive up to Mt Kenya sirimon gate (2440 m a.s.l). Here you are greeted by an incredibly dense forest with stunning fauna and avian scenes as you ascend. The landscape then changeover to spectacular heathlands as you get to old moses camp. This route is the driest and offers a clear view of the three Mount Kenya peak as well as point Sendeo and Terere. Sirimon route is more scenic than Naromoru route and takes fewer days to hike than the chogoria route. It takes about 4- 5 days to complete the climb to point Lenana through this route. The hike here leads to some panoramic alpine valley and ridges
In the course of your climb, you will spend the nights in 2 camps:
- Old moses camp (3300 m)
- Shipton’s camp (4200 m)
The picture perfect Mackinder valley is the most scenic landscape you will come across with quintessential groundsel and giant lobelia flora. The edge of the ridge also has some of the best viewpoints for the 3 main peaks and point Terere which is directly on the left from Mackinder. Importantly sirimon route is the most widely followed hiking trail and is the most probable descent routes for hikers who follow other routes.
c) Naro Moru route
This is the best option if you are looking for a quicker ascent and a budget friendly option. The trail is on the western corner of Mount Kenya, just 189 km from Nairobi. Though the route doesn’t have the panoramic glaciers, you encounter in chogoria route the view of flora and wildlife is quite scenic. Unlike the sirimon route, the forest is still dense and is the best trail for sighting sykes monkey
What set apart this route from other is that you can drive to the met station (3050 m a.s.l) after which you just trek 40 km to point Lenana. During the trail, you will spend a maximum 3 days for the complete trail with nights spent in just one camp.
- Mackinders camp( 4200 m)
Note that this route has some quite challenging and steep terrains and we recommend an extra day for starters. Hiking in 3 days could also lead to altitude sickness, which may limit your success rate for summiting.
d) Kamweti route
Kamweti trek trail starts on the southern corner of the mountain at Forest castle lodge near Kutus village just 137 km from Nairobi. You can choose to start the trek at the castle lodge or drive along a paved road to Kamweti forest station ( 2600 m a.s.l) . Kamweti is the only major route that has fewer hikers seeking to summit mount Kenya. Kamweti route features alluring indigenous forest that blanket large sections of the lower reaches of the mountain. The route also features scenic sights of Sagana river which is Kenya’s longest river flowing all the way to the Indian ocean. You will come across animal tracts, especially elephants. The route also has the longest moorland trail, which starts at 3750 m a.s.l with the evening sun hard hitting to create stunning golden yellow expanses. Taleki valley( 3755 m a.s.l) at is a point of another transition into panoramic lobelia zone surrounding the enchanting lake Howell.
During your trail through this route you will spend the night in:
- Sagana river camp (2980 m a.s.l)
- Thegu river camp ( 3750 m a.s.l)
- Mackider camp (4200 m a.s.l )
You will take 5-7 days to complete the trek, depending on the descending route.
Other routes
Besides the four, there are other two routes that are barely used but boast equally exciting scenes. These routes don’t have a park gate and prior arrangements have to be made to make payments and receipts collected at another gate. Importantly, in some cases the routes may have stayed for longer time without being used and the guides have to clear the trails as you continue with the hike. These routes include:
- Timau route
The route is on the Northern corner of Mount Kenya and follows a trail near the village of Timau just 220 km road distance from Nairobi. Hikers following this route can drive to Malania campsite set at 2700 m a.s.l. Here you will enjoy the view of the lewa downhills at a distance as you ascend through the panoramic rocky moorlands. Simba tarn is the most outstanding future you will come across along this route.
- Burguret route
This route starts on the western side of mt Kenya between Sirimon route and Naro moru route. Though the route is hardly used and you might have to clear the pathways, the routes are on the transition to the drier northern slope and most of the vegetation cover are open and navigable. The route reconnects with the sirimon route at the Shipton camp.
Shorter trails in Mt Kenya
1. Lake Ellis and Nithi falls trail
The trail is on the chogoria route and follows a 15 km trail. Starting at the chogoria gate, hikers following this trail hikes uphills through the evergreen lush forest into the Nithi falls. The towering cascade is set in a desolated, forested setting in the lower reaches of the mountain. From the falls, the trails goes uphills for 7 km into the moorland section where you reach to lake ellis at 3457 m a.s.l. This trail takes about 8 to ascend and descend. Hiking the Mugi hills and the nithi mau mau caves could be added to the experiences in the trail.
2. Kamweti falls trail
Kamweti trail starts at the historic forest castle and proceeds through a 14 kilometres return trail through the lush rainforests. The Kamweti waterfalls are alluring sites with two towering cascades set in a lush, desolated setting. Hikers on this trail can engage in swimming as they contemplate the unending serenity and beauty of the rainforest.
When is the best time to go hiking Mt Kenya
The dry season between January to March and June to October are the best period to embark on a Mt Kenya hiking trail. This period is characterized by low rainfall and the temperature is slightly warm. Mt Kenya, unlike Kilimanjaro, only receives a few hikers and there is minimal likelihood of crowds. However, early January and the month of June have the fewest trekkers in the dry season.
