[vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=”Overview” tab_id=”1535611528517-049c4958-3e9e”][vc_column_text]At 5,199 m, Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa. It is an ancient extinct volcano, which during its period of activity (3.1-2.6 million years ago) is thought to have risen to 6,500 m. There are 12 remnant glaciers on the mountain, all receding rapidly, and four secondary peaks that sit at the head of the U-shaped glacial valleys. With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mount Kenya is one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa. The evolution and ecology of its afro-alpine flora provide an outstanding example of ecological and biological processes. Through the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve, the property also incorporates lower lying scenic foothills and arid habitats of high biodiversity, situated in the ecological transition zone between the mountain ecosystem and the semi-arid savanna grasslands. The area also lies within the traditional migrating route of the African elephant population.
Mount Kenya is its own National Park with a stunning landscape of interesting endemic flora and flora as well as jagged summit peaks and glaciers. It differs from Kilimanjaro in that there is a great deal more wildlife to be spotted!
From a distance, the jagged volcanic peaks are the remains which emerge from the centre of an eroded volcanic dome cut by radial valleys and ridges, standing proudly over the plains and savannah below. Elephant, buffalo, Colobus monkey, bushbuck and giant forest hog can be seen in the foothills of the 228 sq. mile park. From the lower forests of bamboo, the landscape develops to unusual high-altitude equatorial vegetation on the shoulder of the mountain with giant heather, lobelia and groundsels. Read more about the type of terrain you’ll encounter on a Mount Kenya trek and the level of fitness required under ‘Mount Kenya advice.
When to climb Mount Kenya
The best months to climb Mount Kenya are traditionally January to March and June to October but it can be climbed all year round. The rainy seasons tend to be in April, May and November but nowadays climate change has made it more difficult to predict, December is now often warmer and drier with clear skies.
To successfully summit Mount Kenya you’ll need kit which keeps you warm, dry, protected from the sun/rain and comfortable in the various environments that you’ll find yourself in on the way to the summit. There is a detailed list via the ‘More Information’ menu under ‘Mount Kenya trek kit list’. A couple of basic maps which show the routes on Mount Kenya can be found in the Mount Kenya Maps and Books more information page.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Activities” tab_id=”1535611528683-b8c0a4b3-dfa1″][vc_column_text]Trout Tree Restaurant
Inhabiting a marvellous fig tree overlooking the Burguret River, alongside colobus monkeys and tree hyraxes, this is one of the most original places to eat in Kenya’s Central Highlands.
Karunguru Coffee Estate
This estate has been cultivating coffee since 1928, and its five-hour tours (which must be pre-booked) are outstanding, taking in an explanation of the estate’s history, a tour of the various stages of coffee production, a buffet lunch in a stunning ballroom, coffee tasting and a visit to the estate’s shop.
Mount Kenya National Park
Africa’s second-highest mountain is also one of its most beautiful. Here, mere minutes from the equator, glaciers carve out the throne of Ngai, the old high god of the Kikuyu.
Shipton’s Caves
Just before Shipton’s Camp, along the Sirimon Route, you will find Shipton’s Caves. You’ll likely spend a night here to acclimatise, so ask your guide if they can take you to explore the caves, which are named after Eric Shipton, who was the first to ascend Nelion Peak in 1929. However, he’s perhaps best known for giving a young sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, his first job as a porter on Mt Everest in 1935.
Rhino Santuary
A signposted hard right not long after entering Murera Gate takes you to Meru’s 48-sq-km Rhino Sanctuary, one of the best places in Kenya to see wild rhinos. At last count, this fenced portion of the park was home to 25 black and 55 white rhinos, many of whom were reintroduced here from Lake Nakuru National Park after the disastrous poaching of the 1980s.
Thika Falls
Smaller than Chania Falls, Thika Falls are still impressive to watch. Located on the Blue Post Hotel grounds, you can watch the falls while your kids play on the large field next to the lookout. There are also barbecue facilities nearby, though you’ll have to ask permission from the hotel reception to use them.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Location” tab_id=”1535613578284-32da5f7a-7b2e”][vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_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”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row]
