The Mount Kenya climbing procedure

The Mount Kenya climbing procedure- Mountain Kenya offers adventure experiences to tourists who are adventurers and enthusiasts about adventure safaris. After Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya is Kenya’s tallest peak and Africa’s second highest. For mountain climbers, few things can compare to the thrill of reaching the summit of Mt. Kenya. Mountain Kenya is found in central Kenya and includes three main peaks: Batian (5,199m), Nelion (5,188m), and Point Lenana (5,080m) (4,985m). The remaining two summits require tricky climbing with equipment, so most Mt. Kenya climbing excursions conclude at Point Lenana. This isn’t to claim that getting to Lenana is a simple undertaking! It necessitates thorough physical and mental preparation.

Mount Kenya has three main peaks: the two highest (Batian and Nelion) are extremely difficult and are seldom climbed, whilst the third summit, Point Lenana, is a hiking peak. Other summits on the massif offer challenging rock climbs as well.

Point Piggot (4957m), Point Dutton (4885), and Point John (4885m) are three lesser-known summits on the mountain that are good for novices. The climb up Mount Kenya is a stunning adventure, complete with views of various tarns (small lakes) and unusual plants like lobelias and groundsels. You’ll also visit the beautiful Lake Michaelson and Lake Ellis, as well as rare wildlife like mountain hyraxes.

What are the Mountain Kenya Climbing Routes?

The ideal route to take on a safari in Mt. Kenya is one of the most crucial elements to consider. There are various options, all of which lead to Lenana. Because the mountain is round and symmetrical, and the summits are about in the middle, different routes may be used to reach it. Due to changes in topography, distance from peak, vegetation, difficulty, number of days necessary to reach the summit, and more, each route has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Chogoria, Naromoru, and Sirimon are the three primary climbing routes. Burget, Timau, and Kamweti are some of the lesser-known and less-traveled roads.  visitors can do mountain climbing safari within two ways which we are going to discuss here below

Visitors can join the Africa adventure vacations already schedules safari package or any other safari company of your choice in Kenya. In this instance, the tour operator will have already determined on the itinerary, number of days, pricing, and other details in this scenario. The second option is to hire a personal guide or an expedition organization to plan a safari for you, whether you’re traveling with a group of friends, family, or alone. With a small group or solo walk, you may choose the route, number of days, and other parameters. The actual climbing is generally directed by the lead guide once the route has been determined.

While the journey is generally the same, depending on the dynamics and interests of the group, the guide may opt to approach a particular spot from a different perspective. For example, if doing the Chogoria route, he could opt to camp near Lake Michaelson rather than Mintos Hut, or he might take a detour to show the party a specific site such as a waterfall or a lake.

The Sirimon Mt. Kenya climbing route

The Sirimon Mount Kenya climbing route has the gentlest gradient of the three main routes, making it ideal for acclimatization. It’s the “easiest” path because there aren’t many steep portions. It’s better if you finish it in 3–4 days. Like with the other routes, it is accessible from the northwest at Nanyuki, and climbers can walk or drive to the park entrance at 2300m, like with the other routes. You’ll travel through lovely yellow-wood woods before reaching alpine vegetation higher up.

It is also the most popular route at the moment, but it is far from congested. Old Moses Hut (3400m) and Shiptons Hut (3400m) both include dormitory rooms, bathrooms, and camping areas (4200m). On the first day, the route follows a vehicle track, on the second day, open moorland and the MacKinder Valley, and on the third day, the north approach to Point Lenana.

On this route, the vegetation is characterized by scarce woodland, and the bamboo zone is hardly visible. The alpine heath and moorland are where you’ll spend the majority of the second day. If the weather is fine, crossing the ridge into the MacKinder Valley is a fantastic perspective, and the approach to the summits down the famous U-shaped MacKinder Valley may be stunning. The enormous lobelia and groundsel that are typical of Mount Kenya Flora may be seen in abundance in the MacKinder Valley. Shipton’s cave or hut is also a good place to watch Rock Hyrax.

While climbing Mount Kenya using this route, at 3300m, you’ll spend the first night at Old Moses Camp. The second day of the hike continues over moorland to Mackinder’s Valley, which offers panoramic views of the mountain, before arriving at Shiptons Camp (4200m) for the night. The third day begins at 3 a.m. with a departure for the Austrian Hut, from which point Lenana is reached by Simba Col.The same or one of the other two paths can be used for descent.

Chogoria Mount Kenya Climbing Route

This route comes in from the east, with a National Forest Reserve entrance at Chogoria settlement and a National Park gate farther on. The path is frequently referred to as Mount Kenya’s most picturesque route. However, there is no house for its upper camp, and unless you use 4x4s to take off the bottom half, it will be quite a bit longer.

This trip is best done over four nights and five days to allow for proper acclimatization. Mountain climbers who are reasonably fit or those in a hurry can do it in three nights and four days. Shorter than that is not suggested due to the increased danger of mountain sickness. You may reach us from the east through Chogoria town using the Chogoria road. The 32km distance between the forest gate and the main park gate, which is already at a height of 2500m, can be covered by a car.

4×4 safari vehicles are commonly driven through the jungle till they reach the Meru Bandas or as far as they can go (3,00m). Following a 4×4 track a little farther up to the “roadhead,” where you may either branch left for a more direct path, or right to cross Mugi Hill and Lake Ellis, is the next stage. Both routes intersect near the top of The Temple, a beautiful amphitheatre of cliffs with Lake Michaelson at its bottom and a wide slot where the Nithi River enters at its west end. There is an old, decrepit cabin just above the intersection (4300m) where porters sleep, but customers must camp. From here, the path ascends to Simba Tarn, where it separates into two directions, one for Shipton’s hut and the other for Austrian dwellings.

You can start trekking up to Mt. Meru Bandas (3000m) for the first night the same afternoon after registering and paying at the park office, depending on your climbing plan. On the second day, you’ll take a stroll through a rosewood forest, passing past Mugi Hill and maybe taking a diversion to the stunning Nithi Falls.

The route’s most appealing feature is the physical scenery. The Chogoria goes around the head of the stunning ‘Temple,’ with the Hall Tarns perched on the rock ledge above it and Lake Michaelson at the base of the amphitheatre, although the other routes above typically follow a U-shaped glacier valley for much of the trip. The addition of Lake Ellis, the Giant’s Billiard Table, and the Nithi Falls adds to the attraction. After ascending one of the other climbs, the Chogoria is frequently utilized as a descending path.

Before the hard climbing begins, this is a nice opportunity to have some fun with the water and photography. The gorgeous Lake Elllis is a great site to spend the second night.

Alternatively, your Africa Adventure Vacations guide may recommend that you stay at Mintos Hut for the third night (4200). On the fourth day, the track ascends steeply to Simba Tarn (4300m), where it meets the Shiptons Hut trail. All the way to Point Lenana, the route stays steep. You have three options for descent: Sirimon to the north, NaroMoru to the west, or returning the same way.

Naro Moru Mount Kenya Climbing Route

KWS has a National Park Gate and their primary headquarters for the mountain on the Naro Moru Route, which approaches from the west. Here, too, there is lodging. Because it’s short and contains huts at Met Station (3050m) and MacKinders, this route used to be by far the most popular (4200m). The most popular path, however, has been surpassed by the Sirimon route.

It’s not particularly picturesque, and it includes the infamous “vertical bog,” an area of damp moorland that’s especially difficult when it rains. It begins at Naromoru Gate (2500m), which also acts as the park’s administrative headquarters. At two spots along the Naromoru trail, there are camping opportunities. The first night is spent at Met Station (3050m), while the second night is spent at Mackinders Camp (4200m). You’ll leave at 2 a.m. on the third day, most likely reaching the summit from the south at the Austrian Hut (4790m). By daybreak, if you make excellent time on the approximately 4-hour ascent, you’ll be at Point Lenana. For the descent, you’ll retrace your steps.

The bamboo zone, as well as the woodland, are still dense on this path. Bushbuck, Colobus monkey, and Sykes Monkey are all likely to be seen, as well as traces of Buffalo and Elephant. The hygenia woodland is in good shape, with many blooms and other species. A fire in 2013 severely destroyed the huge heathers above the forest, although the alpine moorland contains a lot of Giant Lobelia and MacKinders Gladiolus further up. Tree and Cabbage Groundsels, as well as Lobelia Telekii and Deckenii, abound in the Teleki Valley. Some of the cabbage groundsels, in particular, are monstrous. Rock Hyrax may nearly always be seen on the way to or from MacKinders.

The cottages are comfortable and include camping space at both places. The first day is spent on a vehicle track through the forest and bamboo on the way up to Met Station. The second day takes you through more bamboo and woodland before reaching the alpine heath and following the Teleki Valley to MacKinders. The south approach to Point Lenana is normally taken after passing another hut (Austrian Hut) at 4790m.

When to go for a mountain Kenya Hiking

The months of January to early March, as well as August and September, are ideal for a Mount Kenya climbing safari since they are mild and dry. The long rains, which go from mid-March to May, and the short rains, which last from October to early December, are the two rainy seasons of Kenya. During these wet seasons, it is best to avoid hiking Mount Kenya. A Mt. Kenya safari may be done at any time of year, including during the rainy season. The only stipulation is that you be properly prepared for the additional work required by mud and bogs on the various courses. However, there is a chance that you will be relieved because the mornings will be bright, with showers in the afternoons.

Climbers or hikers flock to the area during the dry season. So, if you’re seeking for a less crowded time to go on a Mt. Kenya safari, you might choose to go during the rainy season. The temperature on the mountain varies depending on altitude. Daytime temperatures might drop to as low as 5 degrees Celsius at altitudes over 3000 meters, while nighttime temperatures could drop to below freezing. As a result, you must be fully prepared by packing the appropriate clothing for various temperatures.

Items that you should not leave behind when coming for Mt Kenya Hiking

Whether your Mount Kenya climbing is handled by a private guide or a tour organization, there is a list of suggested items that you should keep to. The following is a list of essential things, which is by no means exhaustive:

Clothing gear: most businesses will recommend a layering strategy of clothes that may be worn or removed depending on the weather. For day hiking, wear thermal tights and shirts, a top layer of pants, a long-sleeved polo, and a light jacket, and an outer layer of a heavy jacket/rain coat and water-resistant leggings. It is recommended that you bring several pairs of heavy woolen socks, water-resistant ankle-length hiking boots, gloves, and a balaclava. You may want to carry a lighter pair of shoes for the nights. When walking, it’s also a good idea to wear gaiters to prevent muck and water out of your shoes.

Travelling bags: You should pack two bags, at the very least. A huge backpack that the porter will carry for you and a day bag that you will use to carry everything that you will need during the day, such as a hat, sunglasses, food, water, rain suit, camera, and so on. Everything else you don’t need during the day goes in the bigger backpack.

Personal belongings: Toothbrush and toothpaste, any medications you’re taking, soap, lip balm, sunglasses, a headlamp, a tiny washcloth, a wide-brimmed hat, wet wipes, and so on. Although meals are supplied, you are welcome to bring along some snacks such as dried fruits, almonds, cookies, or anything else you want to eat while walking.

Tent and sleeping bag: If you want to keep as dry and comfortable as possible in the frigid temps, you’ll need a decent tent (such as a four-season) and a well-insulated sleeping bag.

Therefore, you need to come and book with us at Africa Adventure Vacations