Mount Kenya Climbing Tours, Packages, Routes, and More Information

Standing at 5199m above sea level, Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa and a popular destination for hikers. It is an extinct volcano, meaning it will never erupt again.

Mt. Kenya has three main peaks, the highest being Batian (5,199m), followed by Nelion (5,188m), and Point Lenana (4,983m). Most Mount Kenya hikes end at Point Lenana since the Batian and Nelion require technical climbing to reach their tops.

Where is Mount Kenya Located?

Mount Kenya is located south of the equator only 16km from the line. The nearest cosmopolitan town to Mount Kenya is Nanyuki town which sits at the equator. It is a 150 km drive from Nairobi to Mount Kenya which usually takes 3 - 4 hours.

Climbing Mount Kenya

Each year thousands of tourists visit and try to summit the snowcapped mountain by the equator. Many make it to Point Lenana with only a handful finding it hard to reach the peaks. The mountain offers various routes to the peaks, naturally some are easier than others.

Our Mount Kenya hiking packages cover the best routes for up the mountain. The tours are carefully curated to cater to climbers of different levels; from beginner and intermediate climbers to veteran mountaineers.

Tours

Mount Kenya Trekking Routes

There are mainly four routes to hike Mount Kenya. Each route offers a different hiking experience with varying distances and levels of difficulty.

Chogoria Route

Mount Kenya Chogoria route approaches the mountain from the East and is described as the most scenic route by many people. It is a 20km stretch to the peaks through this route. Chogoria route is relatively difficult with a mix of gentle and steep slopes.

Sirimon Route

Mount Kenya Sirimon route is regarded as the easiest route up the mountain. It is a 25km stretch with more gentle slopes than steep ones making the Mount Kenya climb gradual and fun. The route also has a lot to offer in terms of scenery.

Naru Moru Route

Approaching the mountain from the west, the Naru Moru route is the shortest route to the peaks (20km). However, hiking Mount Kenya through this route is challenging and requires a high degree of physical fitness.

Burguret Route

Burguret is the best route for hikers that want to make their own path while climbing Mount Kenya. There is no distinct trail on this route and is therefore not often used.

Mount Kenya Hiking Sights

Since Mount Kenya is surrounded by a rainforest at the base, it provides beautiful views from the start. The mountain became a national park in 1949 due to its high population of wildlife and diverse landscapes with unique vegetation. Elephants, zebras, buffaloes, leopards, and monkeys inhabit the lower slopes of the mountain.

As you climb Mount Kenya, you’ll go through forests and valleys, watch landscapes transition from one type to another, pass by waterfalls, streams, and lakes, and visit several landmark sites. There is no shortage of scenery while trekking Mount Kenya.

Accomodation on Mount Kenya is mainly through camping but there are huts available on some routes.

All in all, climbing Mount Kenya is an unforgettable experience that’ll test you and reward you at the end.

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