>> Parks List >> Mt. Kenya

MOUNT KENYA

Our safaris to the Mt. Kenya cover several possibilities. We cater to the needs of a range of visitors, from the nature admirer who simply wants to have a leisurely day or a day hike to the lower slopes of the mountain - hoping to have that glimpse of the summits; to the more ambitious technical climber who wants to have a go at the twin peaks of Batiaan and Nelion. If there is a special itinerary that you require please let us know. The following items would be useful to you: water bottle, rain parka, light wool sweater and a day pack for camera and other gear.

Sits a stride from the equator and Mt Kenya. The Mountain is a challenge to climbers. It’s summit reaches 5199m above the sea level comprises of afro- alpine moorlands. It's three peaks well covered with glacier. The peaks are Lenana (4986 m), Nelion (5188m) and Batian (5199m). Point Lenana can be reached during the dry seasons Dec-

Mar and Jul- Sep, weather holding and precautions taken to avoid mountain sickness. Experienced climbers could attempt the rest of the peaks. Below all this the moorland supports plenty of wildlife including the elephant, buffalo, rhino, bongo, duiker, suni, giant forest hog and warthog. The mountain is also the source to numerous rivers making it a great fishing and a white water

MOUNT KENYA REGION

Altitude: 2500-4000 ft.
Area: 104 sq. kms.
Distance from Nairobi: 343 kms.

The region provides excellent game viewing. Examples include the black and white Colobus and Sykes monkeys, bushbuck, buffalo, elephant, waterbuck, black rhino, genet cat and the bongo which is a rare type of forest antelope. The region also has a fascinating variation of flora and fauna.

The Sweetwaters Tented Camp provides an opportunity to experience luxury camping with Mount Kenya in the background.

Basic Facts

Size: 580 sq kms
Province: Central /Eastern
District: Nyeri
Geographical Location: Mount Kenya straddles the equator, 193 kms north-east of Nairobi and 480 kms from the Kenya coast.
Altitude: 1,600-5,199 m
Vegetation: Rich alpine and sub-alpine flora with montane and bamboo forests, moorlands, and tundra. Between 3,800 and 4,500m many bizarre species flourish, notably giant rosette plants of which 13 species are endemic to Mount Kenya.
Fauna: In the lower forest and bamboo zone there are giant forest hog, tree hyrax, white-tailed mongoose, elephant, black rhino, suni, duiker, and leopard. Moorland mammals include the Mount Kenya mouse shrew, hyrax, and duiker. At higher altitudes the endemic mole-rat is common and there have been rare sightings of the golden cat.
Special Features: Several mountain peaks with isolated glaciers. The highest peaks are Batian, 5,199m, and Nelion, 5,188m. There are about 20 glacial tarns (small lakes) and numerous glacial moraine features.
Visitor Facilities: One lodge, several climbing huts, and three campsites.

Details

Mount Kenya is the country's highest mountain. Straddling the equator, it's icy summit reaches to 5,199 m. The National Park consists of all areas above 3,200 m. The mountain actually consists of three distinct zones: the volcanic peak zone, with its endless glaciers and snowlfields; the alpine zone, with its distinctive giant vegetation such as groundsels; and the lower slopes, with their thick forest and bamboo vegetation.
Mount Kenya has always attracted curious hikers and adventurers, including the turn of the century British geographer/explorer Halford Mackinder. To most modern day adventurers, climbing to the peak of Mount Kenya is still a challenge requiring extensive mountain climbing skills. Nevertheless, most visitors are able to reach the more accessible Point Lenana at 4,985 m and many visitors enjoy simple high altitude walks.
Wildlife below the Park boundery include elephant, buffalo, antelope, lion and the rare bongo, also found in the nearby Aberdares. Most wildlife can be viewed from Mountain Lodge on the south side of the mountain. The best times for visiting Mount Kenya and the National Park are January and February and late August through September.

Transport

Access to Mount Kenya National Park is by three routes: the Naro Moru Route; the Chogoria Route; and the Sirimon Route.
The Naro Moru route is from the western slopes of the mountain, beginning in the small town of Naro Moru on the A2 Muranga - Nanyuki road. This route is very steep, and porters can be arranged at the Mount Kenya Guides and Porters Association Headquarters between Naro Moru and the Mount Kenya Youth Hostel.
The Chogoria route begins near the small town by the same name, 2 kms to the west of the B6 Embu - Meru road, about 150 kms north of Nairobi. From Chogoria town, you must travel 6 kms to the forest gate and from the forest gate, a further 23 kms to the Park gate. The thick forest on the route to the Park gate are home to antelope and elephants, making this approach to the Park interesting for game enthusiasts.
Finally, the Sirimon route begins near the small town of Timau on the A2 Nanyuki - Isiolo road north of the mountain. The road to the Park gate leaves the main road 1 km from the bridge over the Sirimon River. This is the least used access point to the park because of the rough and hilly terrain it must pass through.

Camping

There are many camping options in and around the Park. Along the Naro Moru Route, there is the Naro Moru River Lodge Campsite, the Mountain Lodge Campsite, the Mount Kenya Youth Hostel and Park Gate Campground, the Met Station Campground at 3,050 m and Mackinder's Camp at 4,200 m. Along the Chogoria route, options include: the Urumandi Campsite; the Roadhead Campsite at 3,300 m; the Parklands Campsite (near the Park gate); and Minto's Hut at 4,290 m. Finally along the Sirimon route, camping areas include: the Park Gate Campsite (at the entrance); the Roadhead Campsite at 3,350 m; the Shipton's Cave Campsite at 4,100 m; and Kami Hut at 4,430 m.

Lodging

Accomodation in and around Mount Kenya include the following: the Mount Kenya Safari Club with 230 beds; the Outspan Hotel with 74 beds; the Meru County Hotel with 98 beds; the Mountain Lodge with 86 beds; the Naro Moru River Lodge with 129 beds; and the Izaak Walton Inn in Embu with 84 beds. The nearbly Sweetwaters Tented Camp in the Sweetwaters Game Reserve is another option for accommodation.

Mount Kenya Safari Club:

Situated on the lush, lower slopes of Mount Kenya at Nanyuki, the Mount Kenya Safari Club is set in over 100 acres of manicured lawns, ornamental ponds, streams and flower beds. Mount Kenya Safari Club has a total of 114 bedrooms. All bedrooms have private bathroom with shower, telephone, log fireplace. There is a choice of two restaurants, two bars, heated swimming pool, tennis court, horse riding, putting green, 9-hole golf course, bowls, croquet, trout fishing, art gallery, health and beauty center and club shops. At the Club, formal dressing is mandatory for dinner.

Sweetwaters Tented Camp:

This camp lies in the heart of the 24,000 acre Sweetwaters Game Reserve. It has magnificent views across the plains to the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya. The luxurious thatched-roofed tents overlook a large waterhole which is floodlit by night, providing a haven for thirsty wildlife. The tents are comfortably furnished and have a private bathroom with hot and cold water. Activities include game drives. The uniqueness of this luxury tented camp is enhanced as the location of the only Chimpanzee Sanctuary in the region.

Mountain Lodge:

This lodge is located at 7,200 feet on the slopes of Mount Kenya, ringed by a dense rain forest which comes alive at dusk with the myriad sounds of creatures all sizes. This is the adventure offered at the 42-room Mountain Lodge regarded by many as having the most consistent high record of animal ‘visits’ and sightings in the area. Each of the rooms has a private shower, toilet and a spacious veranda. The lodge has a specially built viewing bunker connected by a short tunnel offering spectacular ground-level views of wildlife at the waterhole. Constantly towering in the scenery are the majestic rocky peaks of Mount Kenya, providing some dramatic photography.

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