MT KENYA NATIONAL PARK & RESERVE 4.985M
At 5,199m, Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa. It is an ancient extinct volcano with 12 remnant glaciers and four secondary peaks. Visitors are attracted Mount Kenya looking for one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa and an unique alpine vegetation with 11 species of endemic plants.
Climate The journey to the summit is like going from the warm and wet equator to frozen Antarctica.
​There are different routs to reach Lenana's Peak:
Siromon route (short and beautiful valley)
Chogoria route (most iconic with lakes)
Naro Moru route (the shortest)
​
Most recommended in taking Chogoria route and back down by Sirimon route.
​
How to get to Mount Kenya National Park
By road is 175 Kms from Nairobi. The park can be reached on Nanyuki-Isiolo road via Sirimon Track (4 -5 hours) or Nyeri-Nanyuki road near Naro Moru (3 hours). The park is also reachable via Chogoria on the Embu - Meru road, about 150km north of Nairobi (4 hours).
​
Rules
From 2019, it is not allowed to climb without guide. You can hire one, porters and cooker in MT Kenya Guide Association.
Plastic bottles of water are forbidden.
​
Campsites
There are different campsites in each route. See here to know what to book.
​​
3 Days Sirimon route
It is 50 km (round trip)
This track provides the easiest access to the northern side of the central peaks and the North Face Standard Route on Batian. It is a beautiful route with fine views of Sendeo and Terere, and of the main peaks.
​
Get to Sirimon Gare
Take a matatu from Nairobi (700 KES) heading to Nyeri. Stop in the juction where deviation to Sirimon Gate (Timao road). There, you will find bodas to go to the park gate (2.650 m).
​
Day 1. Sirimon Park Gate (2.650 m) - Old Moses Hut (3.350 m) 2 - 3 hours by a paved road 10 km.
​
Day 2. Old Moses Hut (3.350 m) - Shipton Camp (4.250 m) 6-7 hours 14 km. The track climbs 300m up the hill behind the hut to a communications station. Just beyond this point the track splits with the left hand route proceeding to the Mackinder Valley direct, and the right hand route going via the Liki North Hut. The direct route contours the moorland across a series of ridges, dropping down to cross the Liki North River (where there is a bridge and picnic site) and then climbing the ridge to enter the Mackinder Valley. The path continues up the valley to the cliffs beneath Shipton’s Cave. From here the path climbs steeply up to the right and continues to Shipton’s Camp hut (4,250 m). The route via Liki North hut is tougher (8-9 hours to Shipton’s Camp).
​
Day 3. Shipton Camp (4.250 m) - ​Lenana Peak (4.985) 3 hours 3 km - Sirimon Park Gate (2.650 m) 5-6 hours 28 km
At 3 am you must start to ascends to Harris Tarn from which Pt Lenana can be reached in the sunrise (6.00 am). You come be back to Sirimon Gate at 16.00 pm - 17.00 pm.
​
Old Moses and Shipton's Campsites
Both huts are owned by Mountain Rock. Both of these can be reserved in Nairobi, at the Mountain Rock Hotel in Nanyuki, or online. There, guests will find basic toilets, non-potable water. There is not power and make a fire is forbidden.
​
Bring food for the three days (2 breakfast, 23 lunch and 2 dinner). There are supermarkets in Naro Moru and Nyeri. This route is full of small rivers, therefore you can refill your bottles of water.
​
Equipment
Local operator can lend you some of them: main backpack (70-90 litres max 20 kgs), waterproof day pack (25-40 litres max), hiking boots, walking sticks, sleeping bag -10º, clothing for Lower and Higher Elevation Hiking, headlamp, external battery, Waterproof clothes, cap, towel, toilet paper, lips protector, suncream, and sunglasses.
​
Budget Information
Entry fees (3 days minimum) Adult Resident 2325 KES Non Resident 156 USD.
Campsites 4.500 KES
Guide 20 USD / day + tips (one day salary)
​​
Restaurants
Starbucks Hotel (Naro Moru). You must pay parking .
The Trout Tree Restaurant near Nyeri.