What is the altitude of Mt Kenya?

It is 4895m or 16355 ft above sea level.

Is Mt Kenya easier than Kilimanjaro?

The only thin that makes it "easier" is the altitude gain as it is not as high as Kilimanjaro but it is still a very step climb to summit. Different routes also offer different degrees of difficulty

Will we see much game and wildlife on Mt Kenya?

Mt Kenya is in a national wildlife park and so the chance of seeing animals like Giraffe and Buffalo as well as monkeys is high.

How many routes are there on Mt Kenya?

There are three main routes on the mountain that cater for 90% of all trekkers visiting the mountain- Naro Moru to the West, Sirimon on the North West and Chogoria on the South East. Most people go up and down a combination of these three. You can camp or use huts on all three days and the trek is normally 5 days to go up to Point Lenana and back down again.

Do we stay in tents or huts on Kenya?

It really depends on which route you take as some have shared mountain huts and others use tents. A number of huts are found on all the main routes. The mains camps on the western ascent routes are: Sirimon - Old Moses Camp, Liki North Camp and Shiptons Camp and then on Naro Moru route there is Met Station, Mackinders Camp and Austrian Hut just below Pt Lenana. On the Chogoria route there is also the Chogoria Bandas

Climbing Mt KENYA

Climbing Mount Kenya: A Guide to Africa's Majestic Second-Tallest Peak
Located just south of the equator in central Kenya, Mount Kenya is a stunning extinct volcano with jagged peaks that rise to 5,199m/17,057ft, making it Africa’s second tallest mountain after Mount Kilimanjaro. If climbing Mount Kenya is not yet on your adventure list, it definitely should be!

This magnificent peak offers not only a challenging trek but also some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the Kenyan plains and surrounding mountains in the Rift Valley.

Mount Kenya's Peaks: Batian, Nelion, and Point Lenana
Mount Kenya is home to three distinct peaks: Batian, Nelion, and Point Lenana. Batian and Nelion are the higher peaks, requiring technical climbing, while Point Lenana, the third peak, is the most accessible and can be reached without the need for advanced climbing skills. Point Lenana offers incredible views and is the peak most trekkers ascend.

Popular Routes to Climb Mount Kenya
When planning your trek to Mount Kenya, you’ll have a choice of routes, each offering a unique experience. Popular routes include:
Naro Moru Route: A popular and relatively straightforward route, often used for short treks.
Sirimon Route: Known for its scenic beauty, this route provides a good balance of moderate difficulty and stunning views.
Chogoria Route : One of the most scenic routes, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and lush vegetation.

Climbing Mount Kenya offers much more than just a physical challenge. You’ll experience diverse ecosystems, from lush forests to alpine meadows, and get to see stunning wildlife along the way. The summit views from Point Lenana are unmatched, with panoramic vistas of the Kenyan plains and surrounding peaks. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or an eager adventurer, Mount Kenya provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conquer one of Africa’s highest peaks.

So you probably have a lot of questions, like "When is the best time to climb Mt Kenya?" "Which route should I choose?" How difficult is Mount Kenya? " "How long does it take to climb Mount Kenya? "What are the routes on Mt Kenya and how do I choose one? " For these and more read more here.

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which route is right for you?

There are 3 principal summit routes , namely Sirimon, Chogoria and Naro Moru. These can either stand alone, or together as variations with other routes. We recommend doing the trek by ascending and descending each of the routes to give some variety, and mix up camping or staying in huts along the way.

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KENYA

Q: How long does it take to climb Mount Kenya?

Typically Mount Kenya Climb takes a minimum of 3 days along the shortest routes, but it is best done in 5 days to get the most out of the trek and ensure better acclimatization.

Q: When is the best time to climb Mt Kenya?

Like Kilimanjaro or Mt Meru in Tanzania, June to October is the best. Kenya is equatorial which means minimal variation between the seasons. However, there are two rainy seasons; the first is from March to May (short rains) and November to December (longer rains) which can make the forest track very muddy and of course, snow and/or rain higher up.

NARO MORU

It is the fastest route to the trekking peak at Point Lenana.

Approach is from the west.

Starting altitude is 2400m.

There is a steep section of vertical bog

CHOGORIA

The Chogoria route approaches from the East.

The route is often described as the most attractive route on Mount Kenya.

There are huts except at high camp where tents are used.

Sirimon

The Sirimon Route starts from the North West corner of the mountain

The route is usually considered one of the easier routes as it climbs relatively gradually with only a couple of steeper sections to reach the top camp.

There are huts along the way.

combination routes

Route combinations offer a greater vaierty of scenery by ascending one route and descending another.

Sirimon - Naro Moru Traverse

Sirimon - Chogoria Traverse

bELOW ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED about mount KENYA

Is Mt Kenya a technical climb?

Mt Kenya comprises three peaks, two of which are technical climbs and one which is a trekking peak. The two major technical rock and ice climbing peaks are called Nelion and Batian. The third peak is known as Point Lenana and is a trekking peak, easily achieved via hiking or walking. Our Mt Kenya treks all go to Lenana, so our tours are to the trekking peak where no technical expertise is needed.

What is the highest peak of Mt Kenya?

The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian 5,199 metres (17,057 ft), followed by Nelion 5,188 metres (17,021 ft) and finally Point Lenana 4,985 metres (16,355 ft).

How long does it take to climb Mt Kenya?

The shortest number of days required to climb to Lenana on Mt Kenya is three days. The longest trek is around 6 days. It all depends on which route you choose. As a general rule of thumb, any trek where the ascent is very quick makes the overall success rate, lower, so it is better to add on extra days to increase your chances of success.

What are the routes to climb Mt Kenya?

• The following are the major and frequently used routes:-
• The Chogoria route leads from Chogoria town up to the peaks circuit path
• The Naromoru route is taken by many of the trekkers who try to reach Point Lenana in a few days.
• The Sirimon route approaches Mount Kenya from the plains in the Nanyuki Timau area on the north-west.

When is the best time or months to climb Mt Kenya?

The warmest months with the clearest trekking days, are from mid to late December, January, February, September and October. The rains often come in April and the start of May with the possibility of some snow. June through to August are superb trekking months, though evening temperatures tend to be colder. The wettest months are November and early December, where snowfalls are likely. Note however, that as this is a mountain it is not impossible to get sporadic snow or rainfall at odd times throughout the year, although the snow normally only falls above 4800m.

How will the altitude affect me?

This is a really difficult one to answer directly - "how will I cope with the altitude". To be honest, this is an ' unknown' factor as no-one can predict how your body will cope at altitude. People who have been to altitude many times in the past without problems, may on one climb suddenly develop problems. There are many factors that play a role. The only way to help combat this, is to take all of the necessary precautions, and walk slowly, pole pole.

Where can I get climbing Insurance for Mount Kenya?

If you are going hiking or climbing or trekking then you need extra cover for your activities. Hiking and Climbing have become popular for many adventure seekers looking to add a climb up Kilimanjaro or a trek to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna or even Island Peak to their list of amazing adventures. But any climb to high altitude carries with it a number of risks and having the correct and good trekking insurance is an absolute must. We recommend two different groups depending on whcih contry you reside in. For further details, click on the icon

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