Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya are top tourist destinations in East Africa. They have the highest peaks in Africa. This makes them the best for hiking experiences. Hiking is not as simple as it may sound. Well, hiking both mountains may require just walking. But you need a good level of fitness to reach the peaks. For a fun experience, you should prepare well before the adventure. This does not mean going to the gym or fitness training. It can be as simple as taking long walks and steep stretches. This will prepare your body for hiking the mountains. You also need to prepare mentally for the challenging task. Once you reach the peak, you will love the experience and yourself more. Let’s take a look at what to expect when hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.

Things you should know before hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya

1. Location

The two mountains are found in East Africa. Mount Kenya is located in the central region of Kenya. This is about 138 km from Nairobi, the main capital city of Kenya. The mountain is part of the Mount Kenya National Park. Mount Kilimanjaro is situated in Tanzania. It is near the Kenyan border.

• Height

You should know about the height of Mt Kenya Mt Kilimanjaro. Batian is the highest peak in Mount Kenya at 5,100 m. So, we can say Mount Kenya height in feet is 17,000. This makes the mount the second highest in Africa. But the mount has two other peaks. These are Nelion at 5,188 m and Point Lenana at 4,985 m. You need advanced skills to climb to Batian and Nelion. For instance, you need expertise in rock climbing. But you can reach Point Lenana on foot. Mount Kenya height in feet at this point is 16,355. The journey may be challenging if you have never been to one. But with good preparation and a guide, you are good to go.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. It rises to 5,896 meters. It is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the world. The Mountain has the three highest peaks. These are Shira at 3,962 m, Mawenzi at 5,149 m, and Kibo at 5,895 m. The height of Mt Kenya Mt Kilimanjaro makes them the most climbed Mountains in Africa.

• Hiking routes

During a Mount Kenya day hike, you can choose from 8 hiking routes. You can combine routes to your peak point. The common routes are Chogoria, Sirimon, and Naro Moru. This may take you about 5 to 6 days to reach the peak. You may need clearance to hike through the other routes.

You can climb Mount Kilimanjaro through 7 routes. These are the Rongai, Shira, Northern, Lemosho, Umbwe, Machame, and Marangu.

• Hiking time

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya can be done at any time of the year.  But the best time is when it is not raining. This would be June to October or January to March. The problem may be climate change. The rainy season may not be predictable.

• Hiking costs

The cost of hiking the mountains depends on several factors. These include the season you want to go hiking, guide, and group members. The cost of hiking Mount Kenya may be about USD 1,500 per person. But this may go up to USD 4,000 depending on the package. The cost of hiking Mount Kilimanjaro may be USD 2,000 per person. This may also go up to USD 6,000. One of the Mount Kenya facts is that hiking may be cheaper. But companies offer different packages. For instance, you can choose the 2 weeks package to enjoy hiking the two mountains. The 2-week package includes the following activities.

• On Day 1, you are transferred from the airport in Nairobi to a luxury hotel. You are offered dinner and accommodation.
• On Day 2, you leave Nairobi for Nanyuki. You spend the afternoon preparing to hike Mount Kenya.
• On Day 3, you start your adventure. You trek for 9 km and take a rest. Accommodation is offered in a luxury camp.
• On Day 4, you continue hiking the rainforest for about 6 to 7 hours. Then, you take a rest at a comfort camp.
• On Day 5, you continue with the adventure. You trek to Point Lenana and enjoy some quality time there.
• On Day 6, you start the journey down the mountain. You also travel back to Nairobi.
• On Day 7, you leave Nairobi for Arusha, Tanzania. Then, you leave Arusha for Moshi near Mount Kilimanjaro. Be ready for about a 96 km hike.
• On Day 8, you start the adventure. You hike for about 12 km.
• On Day 9, you continue hiking the mount for about 15 km.
• On Day 10, you enjoy an adventure of about 4.5 hours.
• On Day 11, you continue hiking for about 15 km.
• On Day 12, you trek about 6 km for Uhuru Peak. Be ready to hike down for about 6 hours.
• On Day 13, you hike down further the mountain. Then, you leave for your hotel in Moshi.
• On Day 14, you are done hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. You leave the hotel for the airport for your departure flight.

• Tourist attractions

Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya will give you an unforgettable experience. But hiking is not the only thing that you will enjoy. You may enjoy seeing a variety of wild animals. Mount Kilimanjaro is known for large crowds of tourists. This is true, especially during the high season. These people may scare most animals away. So, you may not see many animals as you may want to. Some of the animals you may spot include blue monkeys, bush pigs, leopards, and elephants. While trekking, keep your eyes open. Also, try to keep your mouth shut. You never know what wild animals may be around.

Seeing wild animals on Mount Kenya day hike is almost a must. The mount has fewer visitors compared to Kilimanjaro. So, animals are always around. You are more likely to see elephants, buffaloes, and waterbucks. Also, during the Mount Kenya day hike, expect to see many species of birds.

This point should not scare you away. With a good tour company and guide, your safety is guaranteed. Our guides are experienced when it comes to hiking. They know the best routes to see animals and maintain safety.

Do you need more info about hiking Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya? Feel free to contact us. You can also reach out for more on Mount Kenya facts.