DISCOVER KENYA
Mountaineering in Kenya
Home to the second-highest peak in Africa at 5,199 meters, Kenya makes one of the best places in East Africa for mountaineering. Mount Kenya is Africa’s largest and second-highest peak after Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mountaineering in Kenya: With a total area of about 580,367 square kilometers and the thriving coast of the Indian Ocean, Kenya is the second-largest nation in East Africa. The nation boasts a rich landscape encompassing an array of tourist attractions including abundant wildlife, numerous lakes, rivers, and attractive mountains that offer some of the most gratifying mountaineering experiences in the region. Home to the second-highest peak in Africa at 5,199 meters, Kenya makes one of the best places in East Africa for mountaineering. Mount Kenya is Africa’s largest and second-highest peak after Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro.
However, the country is also home to several other volcanic, plateau, dome, fold, and block Mountains distributed throughout its vast topography; attracting mountaineering enthusiasts who want to experience what it’s like to conquer these stunning ranges. Moreover, most of Kenya’s mountains lie in National Parks providing excellent hiking highlights. Hike through montane forests, savannah, afro-alpine moorland, and heathland in search of waterfalls, and panoramas, while immersing yourself in the wilderness. Mount Kenya, Mount Elgon, Mount Longonot, the Aberdare Mountains, Mount Satima, and Mount Kinangop are a few of these summits.
MOUNT KENYA
Mount Kenya is the second-highest mountain in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro. Its three tallest and main peaks are Batian (5,199 meters), Nelion (5,188 meters), and Point Lenana (4,985 meters). The mountain lies in Kenya’s central and eastern region, and it bears the lovely name of the nation that it is said to have been called after Kenya. With just one central vent, the extinct volcano formed about 3 million years ago, shortly after the East Rift Valley opened. Hikers must be properly attired before ascending this spectacular peak that is covered in snow. As one ascends, the air typically becomes colder.
Mount Kenya is situated in Mount Kenya National Park, which makes it a more interesting destination; because, in addition to mountaineering on these panoramic mountain ranges, other activities are available there, such as bird watching, game viewing, and nature walks, to mention but a few. Receiving over 15,000 visitors annually, Mount Kenya is a worthwhile destination to visit. And though a majority of these hikers only hike to the lower summit – Lenana, there more experienced ones can summit the second highest – Nelian and Batian too. Mountaineering on Mount Kenya is done on 7 distinct routes which include Sirimon (North-west), Chogoria (South-east), Naro Moru (West), Burguret (west), Timau (North), Moru (East), and Kamweti (south). Most hikers often combine the Sirimon – Chogoria routes which takes about 6 to 7 days and the Sirimon – Naro Moru route which takes about 5 days.
Moreover, the other routes are less frequently used and require permission from the Kenya Wildlife Service to be hiked. The best time to go mountaineering on Mount Kenya is from December to March when it is sunny and clear; as opposed to March to May and October to early December, when it is cloudy and raining, obscuring the views. Mount Kenya, on the other hand, is accessible all year.
Mount Elgon
Mount Elgon is an extinct shield volcanic mountain on the Uganda-Kenya border, north, and west of Kisumu. Because it is at least 24 million years old, it is thought to be the earliest extinct volcano in East Africa; as well as the world’s largest caldera. This mountain is shared by Kenya and Uganda, and its name is derived from the Masai name “Elgonyi.” Its highest peak, Wagagai (4,321 meters long), is completely in Uganda, and its other peaks include Sudek (4,302 meters) in Kenya/Uganda, Koitobos (4.22 2 meters) in Kenya, and Mubuyi (4,211 meters in Uganda. In Uganda, the highest point is Masaba at 4,161 meters. This region has a moist to moderately dry environment, with an annual rainfall of 3000mm which makes it an eligible location for water catchment.
Because of its easy-to-climb but still difficult routes, Mount Elgon is a great mountaineering destination. Hikers on Mountaineering in Kenya can use the most popular route: the Koitoboss route which offers vistas of Kenya and Uganda. Nonetheless, even the other trails which include Sudek, Endebess Peaks, and Lower Elgon, are worth exploring and there is little risk of altitude sickness.
Mount Elgon is surrounded by the Mountain Elgon National Park which is on the Ugandan side. Thus, it serves as both a mountaineering destination and a haven for a variety of intriguing and beautiful wildlife species. Mountaineering in Kenya to this mountain will undoubtedly provide hikers with much more than they had anticipated, as they will be able to observe a variety of bird species as well as the stunning flora that surrounds this scene. The ideal time to travel is during the dry season, which typically lasts from June through August to December through March.
Aberdare Mountains
These are solitary volcanic ranges that create the high Laikipia Plateau and the Great Rift Valley’s easternmost wall. Located in Aberdare National Park, the range spans about 100 kilometers in length, from north to south. The Aberdares encompass two main peaks: Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999 meters to the north) and Kinangop (3,906 meters to the south), which are separated by a long saddle of land above 3000 meters. These mountains are well-known in Kenya and the best locations to go mountaineering. Its minor summits, including Kipipiri (3,349), border the main range to the west and are connected to it by a 2700-meter valley that was once covered in forest.
Mount Satima
With an elevation of 4,001 meters, this peak is the highest in the Aberdare Mountain Range and the third highest in Kenya. Furthermore, it is also referred to as Lesatima, which is shortened to Satima. Oldoinyo Lesatima, which translates to “mountain of the bull calf,” is its Masai name.
While mountaineering in this area, hikers will view Mount Satima’s peak, the Aberdares, and the magnificent Great Rift Valley. After hiking for two hours to reach the highest point, hikers will arrive at several volcanic cones, which are known as “the dragon’s teeth.” Elephants and buffaloes from the nearby Mount Kinangop National Park have also maintained their serene and impenetrable bamboo open, making it easier to move up and down these mountains. Other mountaineering highlights include St. John’s Wort trees and the amazing volcanic cones; which make the walk worthwhile and encourage mountaineers to continue so they can view them.
Mount Kinangop
Mount Kinangop is situated in the southern Aberdare Mountains in the Aberdare National Park, 100 miles (160 km) north of Nairobi, Kenya. This dormant volcano views out over the great rift valley and the Kinangop Plateau to the west. Mount Kinangop is the second-highest peak in the Aberdares after Mount Satima. Characterized by large bamboo forests at its lower elevations, and tussock grasses covering the mountain’s higher elevations, the volcano offers adventurous mountaineering tours. Due to its height (3,906 meters), it is extremely cold at its main peak and is likely to become colder at night. The main peak offers spectacular views of granite outcrop covered in open moorlands.
Mountaineers can climb this volcano via two trails: the Elephant Hill route and the Mutarakwa Forest route. Both routes are quite thrilling and physically challenging but are worth the hike. Moreover, Mount Kinangop lies in Aberdare National Park which offers hikers an opportunity to explore other adventures such as game viewing, bird watching, etc. Although the Aberdare National Park is accessible all year round, mountaineering on these mountains is best done from December to March during the dry season when the steeps of these mountains are dry and not muddy to favor fast mountaineering.
Mount Longonot
Managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, Mount Longonot is one of the most popular mountaineering locations in Kenya. Located in Mount Longonot National Park, the mountain lies approximately 90 kilometers from Nairobi. Mount Longonot, is a stratovolcano in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. It is believed to have last erupted in the 1860s and gets its name from the Masai term “oloonong’ot,” which means “mountain of the spurs.”
Mountaineering tours here take you via a 3.2-kilometer up to the jagged crater rim. The summit is 2,776 meters above sea level, but the gate is only about 630 meters higher than the peak due to the jagged rim. There is also a 7.2 km trailhead that takes you around the crater rim and it is the most rewarding with panoramas over the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha, and Mount Longonot National Park.
The intriguing flora and fauna of Mount Longonot include a forest of tiny trees covering the crater floor and tiny steam vents dotted all around the crater walls, as well as numerous species of wildlife, including buffaloes, Thomas’s gazelles, plain zebras, and hartebeest, among others. The best time to explore this location is from December to March.
Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate National Park is located in northwest Nairobi on the southern shore of Lake Naivasha, about 14 kilometers from the old Nairobi-Naivasha Highway. Covering an area of 68.25 square kilometers and rising 1,900 meters above sea level, the park is named after a small cliff opening formed by two volcanic eruptions. Following a volcanic eruption, an array of gullies, rims, and gorgeous rocks were formed, making it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kenya. Despite its small size, Hell’s Gate National Park is well-known for its unbeatable scenery made up of rocks and raised cliffs. As a result, many hikers are inspired to go rock climbing along this reserve to see the park’s unique features. Among these include two extinct volcanoes, obsidian forms from the cool molten lava that are worth a hike, the central tower, and Fischer’s Tower, you name it.
The Ol Njorowa Gorge trail is one of the best trails to explore Hell’s Gate. The path leads down into the hot springs located in a smaller gorge that stretches to the south. Hikes here are accompanied by a clear view of different animal species like lions, leopards, cheetahs, and over 103 bird species namely; verreaux’s eagles, augur buzzard, and vultures among others. Hell’s Gate National Park is close to Nairobi which makes it very accessible; the fact that it has fewer park entrance fees than other national parks makes it the best location for hiking and mountaineering. However, other activities like camping, motorbiking, and cycling are also possible here.
June to March is the best time to explore Hell’s Gate when there is no rain to disrupt your safari. Rock climbing during the rainy season may be difficult due to muddy and slippery trails.
Menengai Crater
Located 10 kilometers north of Nakuru-Kenya, Menengai Crater is Kenya’s largest volcano caldera and Africa’s second largest. It is a huge shield volcano with one of the world’s largest calderas located in the great lift valley. Formed approximately 200,000 years ago, the crater sits on the flow of the Great Rift Valley and is characterized by rich loam soils created by volcanic activity that enrich the adjacent farmlands around its flanks.
Menengai is a shield volcano with runny lava that causes a gently sloping area of about 500m from the rim to the crater floor (2,288m and a diameter of 12 kilometers. Following the eruption, this place has always been the pride of Nakuru’s tourist attraction boasting lush green landscapes, flora, and fauna that can be witnessed from a point of view and this encourages people to go hiking here.
More specifically, the Mau Mau cave on the crater’s west side is where the great guerrillas hide: this is because of an ancient story about defeated Maasai warriors who rebelled against the British colonial masters; thus, driving the guerrillas into hiding. However, with the assistance of an expert guide, one can explore these human-like creatures and co-exist with them. Menengai Crater is one of the best spots to hike, and it is best done in groups with a good local guide. The best time to visit the crater is from July to October, but this location is open all year.
Kenya will surely serve as the best mountaineering destination for those who enjoy this activity as part of their Kenya safaris. Its enthralling mountains and craters, beginning with Africa’s second-largest mountain will provide hikers with the best mountaineering experiences. Furthermore, mountaineers ought to have the chance to see so many other wonders of Kenya, such as the wildlife, and the local people, among others.
