Friends of Mount Kenya Trekking

General
Mount Kenya is located on the equator. Magnificent cliffs and glaciers protect the highest peaks of Nelion (5188m) and Batian (5199m). The third highest summit - Point Lenana, (4985m) - is also glaciated but accessible to walkers. Tarns and alpine meadows; exotic, equatorial, high-altitude vegetation; sunbirds, hyrax and soaring eagles make the walk around the peaks one of the most beautiful expeditions in the East African mountains. On account of the high altitudes it is wise not to rush to the summit areas and the very shortest trip to Lenana should allow for 3 nights on the mountain. To combine this ascent with a circumnavigation of the main peaks requires at least an extra day.
Walking Trips on Mt Kenya

Private Year Round Trips
We offer year round departures for any route combination and any length of time. We pick you up at the airport, organise your accommodation in Nairobi at a hotel. Our guide will meet you there and take you to Mount Kenya by private transport where we pick up our porters and a cook.

Accommodation on the mountain will be in roomy double skin, dome tents. We provide a mess tent in the event of bad weather. Porters are provided to carry all communal equipment and 10kg. of your equipment. More porters could be provided on request.

Trip Details
Prices are worked out on a sliding scale depending on the group size and the length of the stay. Check the route details on our detailed information pages and look at the route map. On the Chogoria Route it is best to use the Mount Kenya bandas for the first night. These are located not far from the Park Gate and provide accommodation in four person rooms, with clean linen and hot showers.

Access to the mountain
Tarmac roads lead to towns at the starts of the three principal routes up the mountain; see road map. Dirt roads lead to the park gates and on up to the roadheads; in wet weather these may be impassable, even to 4WD vehicles. National Park fees are payable in Kenyan Shillings at the three main park gates (about $10 per day in 1991).

Walking routes to the peak area
Chogoria Route: From roadhead the fastest and most spectacular route to approach Point Lenana. Driving from Embu two turn-offs are sign-posted "Meru Mt. Kenya Lodge"; the second is better; dirt roads for 9km. to the Forest Gate (1700m.). Now a track for 22km. (high clearance 4WD advised even when dry) through beautiful rain forest, bamboo then parkland to the Park Gate and Meru Mt. Kenya Lodge (3017m., 9 h. on foot). Campsite at 2700m., water in valley to south. There are fine walks in the "Parklands" near the Park Gate. Now two options: 1. Via Urumandi Hut. 5 mm. from the Park Gate turn left and follow an overgrown track to the Kinithi stream, campsite, then on to hut (3063m., 1 h.). Path over natural bridge then through heather moorlands to roadhead, campsites, fine watertall (3300m., 1 h.). 2. Follow the main track, cross the Kinithi stream, pass special campsite, (photo) and ignore turn-off right to Lake Ellis and Mugi Hill (2 h.). Dry ridge with views over Gorges Valley to Hall Tarns and Minto's Hut (4297 m., 5 h.); campsite and viewpoint over Lake Michaelson. Further information on peak area diagrams. Guided tours on the Chogoria Route.

Naro Moru Route: The most popular and quickest route to the south side of the mountain. Good access to Naro Moru from Nairobi; from there limited public transport goes part way to the park gate or it is possible to use Naro Moru River Lodge transport to the Met. Station ($35 per person one way). Just past Naro Moru, turn right and follow signs for the National Park; the dirt road leads in 17km. through farmlands then plantations to the park gate (2450m.). Now forests to the Met. Station (3050m.) and roadhead (3½ h.). Easy forest path then very boggy moorlands to the Picnic Rocks (3750m., 3 h.). (It is important not to get lost in the lower half of the "Vertical Bog" during descent - if in doubt keep right). More soggy moorlands then a ridge lead to good viewpoint over Teleki Valley (4000m., 1 h.). The path slants to a stream crossing, then gently up valley (several campsites) to Mackinder's Camp (4200m., 1½ h.). (Fine groundsel forests on a southern, weller variant). 10 mm. beyond Mackinder's Camp and 80m. above the MCK hut is the Ranger Station.

Sirimon Route: This offers some of the best forest walking on Mt. Kenya. Bantu Lodge provides a vehicle service to the roadhead. The track, 13km. from Nanyuki towards Isiolo, is well signposted and leads through farmland for 10km. to the park gate (2650m.). Forest track to Judmeier Camp (3400m., 4 h.). Campsite on edge of moorland by stream 500m. before Judmeier Camp. Now two options: 1. Eastern Variant. The track deteriorates to a boggy path. Traverse then descend into the marshy Liki North Valley; hut and pleasant campsites (3993m., 3½ h.). Climb over a ridge and descend into Mackinder Valley; follow this to Shipton's Cave and slightly higher Shipton's Camp (4236m., 3 h.), good campsites. 2. Western Variant This involves fewer ups and downs but is wetter.

 View >>   Mt Kenya Trekking Itineraries

Porters and Guides
Guides are recommended and may be hired at: i) Mutindwa or Chogoria for the Chogoria Route, ii) 5km. from Naro Moru (towards the park gate) and Naro Moru River Lodge for the Naro Moru Route, iii) Bantu Lodge for Sirimon Route. It is best to maker arrangements one day before or in the early morning of the day of planned departure. Porters, if required, are chosen by the guide. Guides and porters are self-sufficient; wages are low compared to park fees but a reasonable tip should be given for good service. Expect to end up paying about $6 per day for a porter and $8 per day for a guide. Porters carry 18kg. of clients' equipment and rarely provide their own rucksacks.

Special Hazards
Other than the normal mountain walking and climbing hazards the following should be taken note of on Mt. Kenya.

ANIMALS The forest zone contains large numbers of buffalo and elephant. These animals can be very dangerous, avoid walking at night through this zone and avoid straying off the main tracks.

GETTING LOST It is easy to stray off the Naro Moru and Sirimon Routes during descent. If lost avoid descending any further, particularly into the forest zone. Either wait for better visibility - if necessary spend the night where you are, or retrace your steps back uphill. Remember smoke attracts rescuers.

EXPOSURE A warm day can rapidly turn very cold as the clouds build up and rain or snow start to tall. Exhaustion and damp, sweaty clothes can cause a rapid body cooling and finally hypothermia. Have warm clothes handy and eat energy snacks regularly.

DEHYDRATION Fluid loss occurs rapidly at high altitudes accentuating altitude sickness. Drink copious amounts of fluids.

ACCIDENTS In the event of an accident help can be summoned at the permanently manned Ranger Post in Teleki Valley, at the Met. Station and at any of the three main Park Gates; all of these locations are in radio contact with each other and with Park Headquarters where the Rescue Team is based.