Tour Highlight
Day 1: Transfer and Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy visit
Day 2: Old Moses camp climb
Day 3: Shipton camp hike
Day 4: Hike to point Lenana
Day 5: Transfer to Nairobi
ITINERARY
Day 1:Transfer - MOUNT kENYA
After breakfast, you will depart for your adventure. The first stop will be Nanyuki town, a 3-hour drive from Nairobi. Welcomed by the cool caress of a snow-scented breeze from the distant peak, you will arrive at noon in time for lunch. Nanyuki is known as a gateway to Mount Kenya and the wilderness of Mount Kenya National Park. You will have lunch and proceed to Mount Kenya wildlife conservancy. This conservancy is home to Kenya’s animal orphanage housing several endangered, orphaned and injured animals including the mountain bongo, the white zebras, among others. This stop will be for 1 and 1/2 hours after which you will have a walk to the equator before heading to your hotel to prepare yourself for the next day’s hike, have dinner plus your overnight stay.
Accommodation
Luxury: Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Midrange: Regency Mount Kenya Hotel
Budget: Kongoni Camp
Day 2: Old Moses Camp
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Sirimon Gate and then check in at 9 o’clock. The hike will start from the Sirimon Park Gate (2660m). You will trek up through magnificent mountain forest, bamboo, and giant heather zone before reaching the high-altitude moorland and the first hut (Old Moses Camp 3,300m). This is a 9 kms gentle trek that takes 2 to 3 hours. You will thus reach in time for lunch. You will spend your afternoon at this point. It has scenic views of the summits of Batian and Nelion peaks from the camp. You will have dinner and an overnight stay at Old Moses Camp.
Day 3: Shipton Camp
After breakfast at 7:30 am, you will hike to Shipton’s Camp with an elevation of 4200 meters for 17kms. Follow the trail uphill, forking left at the junction the track crosses the Ontulili River. Go right contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North and continue uphill to Mackinders Valley from where you will see panoramic views up the valley towards the main peaks. Dinner and overnight will be at Shipton’s Camp. This hike will be for 6 to 8 hours with panoramic views of the peaks from this viewpoint.
Day 4: Point Lenana
You will set off here at 3 am, climbing on the rocky track that cuts through a cliff clearing visible part towards lower Hall Tarns, and you will arrive on Mount Kenya’s point Lenana (6km from Shipton Camp) at 6:30 am, taking about 3 hours. After the sunrise, you will then descend to Mintos Hut for breakfast at 6:00 am, proceed down through the Gorges valley to Chogoria Bandas and Campsite.
Day 5: Chogoria – Nairobi
After breakfast, you will set off for your drive to Chogoria Village(32km) where you will connect with your transfer vehicle back to Nairobi.
ACTIVITIES
Nanyuki Town
Nanyuki, the market town of Laikipia county of Kenya, lies in the northwest of Mount Kenya. The town is also known as a gateway to Mount Kenya and the wilderness of Mount Kenya National Park. The main airfield (airbase) of the Kenya Air Force was founded in 1907 by the British settlers. Some of their descendants still live in and around the town.
The Equator passes through the southern part of Nanyuki. One crosses it when approaching Nanyuki to be sure to be photographed here. You will meet some people who are usually at hand to show the supposed effect of the Coriolis force, which they say makes draining water swirl clockwise or anticlockwise depending on whether one is in the northern or southern hemisphere. This effect, however, is detectable only in the laboratory and so the "demonstrations" at the Equator are only but an engaging diversion by the villagers.
There are several trails ascending the mountain, including the well-known Naro Moru and Sirimon routes. The park's wildlife includes leopards, giant forest hogs and more. In the northwest of Nanyuki, the plains and hills of the vast Laikipia Plateau are home to lions, elephants and the rare gravy's zebras.
Sirimon Gate
Located at 2700 meters above sea level, this is the entrance to Sirimon route which starts 15 kilometers east of Mount Kenya ring road from Nanyuki Town up into the mountain. In the far distance, you will spot two of the highest peaks of the mighty Mount Kenya. These are Nelion, which is on an elevation of 5,188 meters, and Batian, which is at 5,199 meters.
Shot by Attila Kosa
Old Moses Mountain Camp
Formally known as Judmier Camp, Old Moses Camp stands at an elevation of 3300 meters. While heading to the Old Moses Mountain Hut, you will get to take a 9 kilometer walk along the road from Sirimon Gate which stands at 2,700 meters above sea level. You will then traverse a thick forest, which will give you a chance to see elephants and buffaloes in the areas they inhabit.
It is here that you will spend your first night of the trek. The camp offers self-service accommodation where you can enjoy your own cooking. It has a dining area and properly maintained bathrooms. The camp offers dormitory bunkers or camps in the spacious grounds surrounding it. Be sure to have pleasure in viewing the starry skies which can be ogled on a clear night. You will also get to experience the real Africa in the midst of the picturesque shrub and grassland that surround these mountain huts.
Point Lenana
This is the third highest summit after Batian, which on an elevation of 5199 meters, and Nelion, which is on 5188 meters. Lenana is said to be the most climbed peak in Kenya. From this point, you have excellent views of the impressive rock towers of Batian and Nelion as well as glacial lakes and the rolling landscape of Mt Kenya National Park.
Shipton's Camp
It is perched in a sea of snow-capped peaks and unique flora and fauna. Located along the Sirimon route, this is the final stop before reaching Point Lenana on an elevation of 4200 meters and 1 kilometer from the centre of Mount Kenya National Park.
The camp offers self-service accommodation and caters for a maximum of 80 guests per night. While here, you can get access to the camp’s kitchen and well-maintained bathrooms.
Shot by Attila Kosa
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SAFARI INCLUSIONS
Safari includes:
Transportation in a Tour Van/Landcruiser.
Service of an English-Speaking tour guide/Driver.
All activities mentioned in the itinerary
Park admission fees
Accommodation on Full Board.
Entrance fees to all destinations as per the program.
Transfers to and from Airport/Nairobi
Safari Excludes:
All activities not mentioned in the program
Tips
International flights
Gratitude to tour-guides
Personal insurance
Visas
Personal effects of any nature
Hotel fees before and after the safari