Ontdek Kenya Safaris combines Mount Kenya climbing with pre-mountain walking safaris to properly acclimatize you for the climb. We take you through our favorite destinations where you can walk away from mass tourism: Crater Lake and Crescent Island sanctuaries, Hell’s Gate National Park, with easy to see game such as Giraffes, Waterbucks, Elands, Zebras and various Gazelles. Go directly to the itinerary.
A safari in Masai Mara, the Africa that everyone dreams of has Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Topis and Hippos all calling for our attention. A walk guided by Masai Morans prepares you well for the Mount Kenya climbing. This Mount Kenya climbing expedition has a day of acclimatization and ascends via Sirimon route, descends via the Naro Moru route, which are both very scenic and with different landscapes. This is a fully supported Mount Kenya climb with accommodation in mountain huts. We handle all mountain logistics leaving you free enjoy the climb. Contact Ontdek Kenya Safaris for tailor-made Mt. Kenya climbs to suit your safari days. We can also adapt it for the Sirimon - Chogoria route.
Arrival at the airport at night and reception by Ontdek Kenya. Transfer from the airport to a Nairobi.
After breakfast there is the briefing by the guide about the program. By 8.30 a.m. we leave Nairobi via the Nakuru road to the Rift valley. The Nairobi - Nakuru road is on a contour along the rim of the Rift valley and on a viewpoint we will be able to see our whole route for the next days. We arrive at the Lake Naivasha Country Club, our base for three days, before lunch. The 55-acre property boasts green lawns shaded by mature acacias and spreading fever trees, that stretch down to the lake's shore. Today's walk is at Crater Lake: a lesser lake in the Rift Valley but a place where nature is at its best. We do a circular trek on the top of the crater from where we see the lake from various angles. Our first count of African game should start here as this sanctuary is home to Giraffes, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Zorillas, Aardvarks, Leopards and a range of Gazelles. We will also get a close view of the many birds that are found here. Today's program should be taken as light as possible so that clients can be able to wear off the jet lag.
We wake up for breakfast with the sun giving a wonderful effect over the lake. An early morning here should not be missed by anyone with an eye for Kenyan birds since the lake boasts a wide variety of water and woodland birds.
After breakfast we do a short transfer to the gate of the park. We continue with our preparation for the mount Kenya climbing by walking in this unique park where we will see giraffes, zebras, warthogs and many types of gazelles that are found here. The first part of this walk is done in typical flat African savannah in a volcanic area with huge rock boundaries. There are camphor and acacia trees all over and this is where to look for the giraffe as they mainly feed on them. A picnic lunch provided by will be at a view point over the Hell's Gate Gorge. The last part of the walk is done in the gorge by descending into a steep canyon with running water from geysers and wild vegetation. The climax of the day is in walking in the Side Gorge where the rocks have split to leave only a walking path.
An early rising will ensure that one gets another magical display of the water birds. After breakfast we do a transfer by bus to Longonot. This is an extinct crater in the Rift Valley. The first part of today's trekking is a steep climb of 550m from 2220m to 2770m - this is very close to the conditions you will find on the Mt. Kenya climb. We are encouraged along the climb by the herds of zebras, giraffes and gazelles. The chance should not be lost to observe the birds that are also found here in a wide variety. This takes us to the rim of the crater, the highest point in the Rift Valley in Kenya and it rewards with a wide view of the crater, which is full of monkeys and soaring eagles. The second part of today's trek is around the rim of the crater. This is a 3 hrs walk with the picnic on a scenic spot, the highest point on the rim. On completing the circuit we descend to the park gate. We then drive back to the camp for dinner and overnight. An easier alternative to the Longonot walk is a half day walk on the nearby Crescent Island, a peninsula in Lake Naivasha with easy to see game and birds.
We now take a break from walking to put all our attention to watching wildlife. To see the best of Kenyan wildlife Masai Mara is the place to be. Elephants, rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles and all the big cats are found here. So, after breakfast we start our journey passing through Narok; a colorful Masai town. Our game viewing does not actually start at the park gate. We will be able to see many animals along the way grazing side by side with the Masai livestock. We reach the tented camp or lodge, our home for the next three days, in time for lunch.
These are our cultural and activity days in Masai Mara. We do morning and afternoon game drives through the park and on day 7 we hike to a Masai manyatta (=homestead). Here we will see how the typical Masais live.
We now return to the Rift Valley. We reach the Lake Elementaita Lodge in time for lunch. We will stay at the Lake Elementaita Lodge, an old colonial house converted into a splendid lodge overlooking the lake. This lake may not have the big name of Lake Nakuru but its scenic beauty is unmatched. We walk up to the shores of the alkaline lake. From there we proceed up to the hot springs and into the Kikopey Hills surrounding the lake. We walk mainly in open savannah land and occasionally we will stop for a chat with a Masai herdsman. The gentle sloping hills give a good panorama.
A morning transfer takes us to the Kenyan Highlands. We break the ride at the spectacular Thompson’s falls in Nyahururu. We reach Naro Moru, which is the base for climbing Mount Kenya, by lunchtime. O/N is in the Naro Moru River Lodge.
At the lodge we connect with our mountain support team. A 2-hour drive takes us to the park gate (2600 m) from where we walk through the rain forest aiming to get to Old Moses Camp (3400m) in the early afternoon. Today's walk allows us to see birds that are only found on high altitude.
From Old Moses Camp, which is just above the tree line, we get our first sightings on the peaks. Overnight is in the mountain hut of Old Moses Camp.
Through the Mackinder’s Valley we walk to the Shipton’s Camp. This walk will take us 6 to 8 hours. For the first time we encounter the lobelias which will be covering most of the ground. All around us will be various streams and the area is at times quite boggy. Picnic is on a scenic spot along the way. Animals are still with us though just represented by the rock hyrax, its pint-size not withstanding, is the closest relative to the elephant. We should reach Shipton's Camp (4236 m) by early afternoon. Batian, Nelion and Lenana, the three majestic peaks of Mt. Kenya will be clearly visible from here. This is a point from where great panoramic photos can be taken. Dinner and overnight in the mountain hut of Shipton’s Camp.
Walks in preparation for the climbing of Point Lenana. Dinner and overnight are at Shipton’s Hut.
We start with a light breakfast early in the morning. We then set off for the ultimate of our Mount Kenya climb which is, Point Lenana, which we hope to reach with sunrise. The view from here is truly rewarding as the whole of the area, including the complete Aberdare range can be viewed. After a short rest we start the descending along the Lewis glacier to reach Mackinder’s Camp (4200 m) for a hearty brunch. In the afternoon we descend further to Met Station (3050m), which is below the tree line, for overnight.
Walk to the park gate from where vehicles await us for the transfer to the Naro Moru River Lodge for lunch and overnight.
The morning is spent at leisure. Time to reflect the mountain trekking we have done. After lunch transfer to Nairobi for the evening flight. Itinerary changes may be made due to local conditions beyond our control.
The only extras on you are spendings on airfare to Kenya, airport taxes, visa, insurance, drinks at the table, tips and expenditure of personal nature. To plan your Mt.Kenya climbing expedition, contact Ontdek Kenya Safaris. Benefit from our 14 years experience on Mt.Kenya trekkings. PAGES RELATED TO "Mount Kenya Climbing"Ontdek Kenya Safaris' home page    
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