If you have a soft spot for hiking trips, nature, cultural experiences, or discovering wonderland destinations with contrasting vegetation zones, meet Mountain Kenya, a destination that nature spent over 3 million years creating for you to enjoy. It is the pearl after which Kenya was named.
Rising to 5,199 m (17,057 ft) above sea level, Mountain Kenya is the second tallest landmark in Africa and one of the only three places that still has permanent at its peaks.
Its highest summit is Batian, and is closely followed by Nelion (5,188 m) and Lenana (4,985 m). Of the three, Batian and Nelion are quite steep and have stretches that require advanced rock climbing. It thus offers a tough climbing challenge. It is accessed using the north-faced route and southwest ridge. The best time to access it via either option is when they are drier and more recommendable state. In the case of the former, it is from July to September, while in the latter, it is from December to March.
If you want an easier trek that won’t push you to the limits, you can’t go wrong with Lenana. Its gradient is gentler.
You will have a great time during this trek. Our local guides who will accompany you are very knowledgeable about flora & fauna, most importantly; they are patient in explaining local culture, routes, terrain, and questions that arise. They will ensure your climb is a success – on both your way up & down the mountains.
Don’t forget to charge your camera batteries well when coming here, there are lots of jaw-dropping scenes to capture; glacier lakes and natural springs, picturesque valleys, and yes, each of the park’s vegetation zones is still packed with lots of animal species. Unfortunately, they might be no more in some 50 years to come due to the ongoing climate change.
Mt.Kenya also doubles as a holy ground. To date, locals living around the mountain still regard it as sacred and so many pilgrims pray facing it.
Location
Mountain Kenya is at the heart of Mountain Kenya National Park, which is situated slightly south of the equator in the central region.
It is approximately a 5-hour drive from Nairobi city and doubles as the point of intersection of six counties; Laikipia, Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi, Kirinyaga, Embu, and Meru.