Mount Kenya Chogoria-Sirimon Route/Naivasha/Masai Mara(8 Days)
Overview
Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain, after Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Erosion and time have reduced the peak from 6500m to 5199 on the highest point today. This extinct volcano, dating back 2.5 million years old, is located about 200 kilometers north of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, in the Mount Kenya National Park.
Mount Kenya has three peaks on the summit area: batian, Nelion and point Lenana. On this trip we will climb up to Lenana (4985m), which offers magnificent views..
This wonderful and scenic hike takes you to discover the unique landscapes of this region in Kenya. The best time to climb Mount Kenya is during the dry months of January, February, late August, September and October.
Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Its animals include lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. Wildebeest traverse its plains during their annual migration. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills, and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers. The area nearby is dotted with villages (enkangs) of Maasai people.
Included/Exclude
- Guarantee price/guarantee trek on confirmation.
- Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
- Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
- Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
- Accommodations in camps/huts as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees to include government taxes
- Services of a professional guide, porters and skilled cook
- Safari & accomodation on safari
- Treated water on the trek.
- Start and finish Nairobi
- Training cost and purchase of mountain gear.
- Emergency evacuation cover USD. 24.00 from Amref insurances
- Meals outside the mountain
- Other Items not mentioned above
- Accommodation before/after the trek & safari
- Gears
- Tips
- Items of personal nature
- Personal clothing and equipment (see equipment list)
Tour Amenities
Accepts Credit Cards
Car Parking
Outdoor Seating
Tour Plan
Depart from Nairobi at 0600hrs, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria town for lunch. After lunch, we take 4×4 and drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 10 km to the Mt Kenya Bandas.
Start: Nairobi (1795m)
Finish: Bandas campsite (3000m)
Altitude: ↑ 1205m
Walking time: 3 hrs
3hrs / 10km walk / 650m ascent
After breakfast and sorting of porter loads we set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace . A slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis gives scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni and the Giants Billiards Table, whilst if we follow the river near road head, upstream for about 3 km, the foreground scenery and flora is particularly beautiful. Lunch on the banks of a stream, then it’s time to cut up the left hand hillside to our camp at about 3,600m, well away from any of the more “touristy” areas.
Start: Meru Bandas (3000m)
Finish: Lake Ellis (3470m)
Altitude: ↑ 470m
Walking time: 4-5hrs
Similar early start. Again well off the beaten track to follow a ridge up the mountain for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist track on the normal Chogoria route at an altitude of about 4,100m. Breathtaking views over the Gorges Valley and back over towards Ithanguni and the Northern Moorlands. Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, before continuing for a further hour to the Mintos Hut area at 4200m and our night’s rest. Afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, though a 10 minute walk to the “Temple” is well worth the effort. This is a 150 meters vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge – they look as if they are praying. An early night is recommended as you are attempting the summit next day.
Start: Lake Ellis (3455m)
Finish: Mintos Camp (4200m)
Altitude: ↑ 745m
Walking time: 6-7hrs
Predawn attempt of the summit starts at 03:00 am. We hike for about three hours up to Point Lenana (4985m), the hiker’s summit, arriving there in time to watch the African sunrise. Descend to Shipton camp for breakfast. After breakfast, begin a 5 hour descent via Mackinder`s valley to the Old Moses camp (3,300m). The descent is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy fascinating scenery which includes the moorlands before reaching the camp.
11-12 hrs / 785 ascent – 1,685 descent / 24km
After early morning breakfast, descend for 3 hours down to the Sirimon Park gate to catch a vehicle for transfer to Naivasha or your next destination. At the park entrance gate you have the opportunity to bid goodbye to the crew as you appreciate them depending on their services rendered.
We’ll pick you up from Sirimon Gate.
Head out on our first safari leg through the Great Rift Valley escarpment with stops along the way to take in the dramatic rises and drops of this marvelous landscape.
Start: Judmeir camp (3300m)
Finish: Sirimon Gate(2660m)
Altitude: ↓ 640m
Walking time: 3hrs
We’ll be up early to enjoy the light breaking over the forest and lake, hearing the birds and seeing the animals come to life.
But now we’re traveling over the floor of the scenic Great Rift Valley with views of the escarpment as we journey through Masai country.
With the expanse of the Masai Mara National Reserve spread before us, you’ll know you have arrived someplace special. Kenya’s most popular park, the reserve is world-famous for its incredible density of wildlife and during the Great Migration (July – October) an unending torrent of gazelle, wildebeest, and zebra streaming into the park.
All of Africa’s Big Five are here so we’ll be tracking lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, plus warthog, ostrich and so much more.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Today is a day of unlimited game drives – explore as much as you wish or take time to relax – the choice is yours. Just let your driver/guide know what you’d like to do.
The Masai Mara is known for offering the most diverse wildlife in the region and sightings of lion are not uncommon. We’ll be tracking for elephant, buffalo, rhino and herds of wildebeest and zebra.
We’ll visit the Mara River, site of the massive influx of animals during the migrating season. Here at the river, we’ll look for hippos and crocodiles, while in the hills, lions lie in wait for the hordes of grazers invading the reserve.
If you wish you can take an optional visit to a nearby Masai village to meet the tribespeople and learn about their culture and their lives. You might even partake in their famous jumping dance.
Another optional treat is an early morning hot air balloon safari over the park as the sun lights up the forests, savannah, and hills. The sight of the park coming to life is a never-to-be-forgotten experience. Just ask your driver/guide for details – he’ll be happy to make all the arrangements.
For our final safari morning, we’ll be up with the birds… to watch them come into the new day. It’s a beautiful morning for a game drive!
We’ll breakfast and then enjoy an extra safari (depending on where your accommodation is located) through the park.
Finally, it’s time to depart for Nairobi – we should have you back in town around 16:30 hrs. (4:30 pm).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch.
Then Fly to Entebbe Airport the following day for Mount Rwenzori Trek
