Climb Mt. Kenya to Experience sunrise on Africa's second highest peak

Go To Mount Kenya Climbing, Hiking & Trekking

The article provides helpful practical information on Mount Kenya Climbing Expedition to include the weather, the routes, recommendations and practical advice to hit the summit successfully.

Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and second highest mountain in Africa. Even though this mountain is eclipsed by Mt. Kilimanjaro, mountaineers and hikers have keenly noticed this majestic glaciated peak. It is a primeval dormant volcano, its three main peaks have been moulded and shaped to dramatic effects by glaciation. The Mount Kenya forest is a dense rain forest and bamboo forest on its lower slopes, with the vegetation and rare Afro-Alpine moorland at higher altitudes. The trek up Mount Kenya to Point Lenana (4,985m) is more rewarding than it is for Kilimanjaro. It requires considerable level of fitness and adaptation to high altitude. The twin peaks of Batian (5199m) and Nelion (5,188m) are a haven for rock climbers, requiring technical level of fitness.

Mount Kenya climb highlights:

-Trekking via dense forest with sights of buffalo, elephant, rock hyrax and other animals

-Walk through the moorland, after forest clearance

-Unique vegetation of huge giant Lobellia trees

-Several coloured bird life, be sure to carry your pair of binoculars

-Great views of the three main Mt. Kenya peaks – Lenana, Nelion and Batian

-At -10 degrees, wake up at 3am headed to the final challenge to reach the Lenana peak

-Arising on Point Lenana as the African Sunrise emerges from the Kenya’s highest point

-An alpine type rock climbing to the highest summits of Mount Kenya

-Mount Kenya offers unequaled high altitude rock climbing experience, long route with up to 20 pitches, varying from standard (Alpine grade 4) to extreme (Alpine grade 6).

Sunrise on snow in Mt. Kenya during Mount Kenya Climbing

Mount Kenya climb route options:

Generally, there are 4 main hiking routes to the peak. These are:

Sirimon route: The Sirimon route is mainly the most famous for ascending since the altitude gain is solid. It  offers a beautiful approach to the peaks – Lenana, Nelion and Batian. An extra night at Shipton’s Camp is recommended so you can better acclimatize, giving you higher success of reaching the summit.

Chogoria route: This is considered the most scenic upon ascent of all the routes going via the scenic Nithi Falls and tarns (Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson) and incredible gorges. A minimum of 5 days is recommended. To acclimatize effectively, allow an extra day.

Narumoru: This route is the most commonly used for fast and easy ascent and descent. It passes through the Mackinders Valley and the infamous vertical bog section that gets heavily waterlogged during the rainy season. Stronger hikers can descend the route in a single, but long day. Vegetation on Narumoru route is at its very striking. There are mountain huts all through ranging from Met Station Hut, Mackinders Hut and Top Hut (Austrian Hut).

Burguret route: This route is for those that want to avoid crowds. You will have to clear your way with hiking through untouched rainforest on this little known route. Accommodation is offered in wild campsites with no basic facilities. Hiking is on this route is inspiring and a jungle track in some sections, more often rough and muddy. Burguret route is mainly combined with a descent on either Chogoria or Sirimon routes. This routes requires a minimum of 5 days but 6 days is the standard recommended climbing period.

Beautiful Mt. Kenya hike through Sirimon route on a cloudy morning

Fitness For Mount Kenya Trekking

Mount Kenya Climbing is very accessible and requires a decent level of fitness. To climb to Point Lenana you don't have to be an experienced mountaineer. Mount Kenya trek is easily accessible to anyone with simple fitness and certainly with mental enthusiasm for the outdoors. It would be an advantage to trekkers with good prior hill-walking experience of 6-8hrs a day.

Technical climbing to Nelion and Batian Peaks require high level of physical fitness as it involves Alpine Grade IV-V and some sections Grade 6. For this, it is critical that you are accompanied by a technical climbing guide.

Mount Kenya Climbing Expeditions Guides, Cooks and Porters

Your hiking crew members will typically consist of a professional guide, cook and porter. Of course this will include the cooking gear and a porter per trekker to carry your gear. Having a good experienced guide on Mt. Kenya climbing is so important mainly for the below reasons:

1.       They are resourceful and knowledgeable of the route, altitude sickness, wildlife and typically most of the information you need.

2.       Owing to their experience, the guide is able to standardize your hiking pace

3.       The Mt. Kenya guides will have the confidence to make critical decisions especially in times of route change if deemed necessary and also in case of altitude sickness symptoms

The beautiful Lake Michaelson one of the Mt. Kenya tarns

Mount Kenya Altitude Sickness and Safety

While hiking on Mt. Kenya, you can easily gain altitude rapidly and possibly find yourself on the pre-summit night with a bad head-ache, vomiting, nausea - the symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Normally, altitude sickness symptoms fade after a few hours, but if they don’t a trekker or climber may need to turn back, more so if vomiting is leading to dehydration.  

It is important to go to Mount Kenya with a good and experienced mountain guide who would allow you to take an easy pace. Remember you need to heed to the guide’s instruction and most importantly keeping yourself hydrated, it makes all the difference. From our expertise, the very best approach is to always allow an extra time or day to acclimatize before your final ascent to the summit. This also has an advantage of taking your time to enjoy the fascinating sceneries towards the peak.  Prior to attempting this trek, it is recommended that you be fit and able to withstand walking of up to 8hrs a day.

You are strongly advised not to attempt the trek or climb if you have cardio-vascular respiratory conditions.

The advantage of Mount Kenya Climbing Expeditions:

For those looking to book an organized trek with experienced guides, for a fully inclusive package and supported trekking or climb on Mt. Kenya, this guide provides resourceful information to any would be climber planning to go to Mount Kenya tour. Mount Kenya Climbing Expeditions can help arrange your perfect trek on all the routes and supported by local professional guides, porters and cook. You can email on info@mountkenyaexpeditions.com