Overview
Mt Kenya is the second highest mountain in Kenya. It is situated in Mount Kenya National Park in Kenya. This is a protected area that covers 2,124 sq. km. It is the most climbed mountain in Kenya. Visitors enjoy camping and mountain climbing. Here are the reasons you should add Mt Kenya to your itinerary.
Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya is a key feature in Mount Kenya National Park. It is one of the amazing tourist destinations in Kenya. It is the tallest mountain in Kenya. In Africa, it is the second tallest mountain. It stands at 5,199 meters. The tallest mountain in Africa rises to 5,895 meters above sea level. It is located in Mt Kenya region. It is the best place to enjoy hiking in Kenya.
The mountain has 3 peaks. The highest peak is Batian. It rises to 5,199 meters. Advanced rock-climbing skills are needed to reach this peak. The best time to climb to this point is from July to September and December to March.
Nelion is lower compared to the Batian peak. It rises to 5,188 meters. Technical skills are needed to reach the peak. Lenana is the third peak. It rises to 4,985 meters. No technical skills are needed to reach this peak. Of the three Mt Kenya peaks, Lenana is the most climbed. There are several routes used to reach Mt Kenya peaks. These include;
Sirimon route
Sirimin route is the most popular route. Most climbers use it to reach the peak. It takes at least 2 days to reach the peak. But you need an extra day for the body to adjust to the altitude. There are camps at 3,300 and 4,200 meters where travelers take a rest.
Burguret route
This route is a bit challenging. It runs through tropical rainforests and wild vegetation. It is also very muddy. It takes about 3 days to reach the peak via this route.
Naro Moru route
It is the shortest route to reach the peak. It is more popular and direct. It is easy and quick compared to other routes. It is also the best route to enjoy the views of Mt Kenya forest. It needs about 2 days to reach the peak.
Wildlife
Mt Kenya National Park is home to many species of wildlife. The most common animals are elephants, bushbucks, elands, and waterbucks among others. You may also spot giant forest hogs and leopards. Apart from animals, Mt Kenya National Park has recorded over 130 species of birds.
Scenery
Mt Kenya has a good climate for safaris. The dry season is between March to June and July to September. Temperatures are between 26° C and 11° C. This is the best time to visit the park. You need warm clothing, walking boots, a camera, binoculars, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat.
FAQs About Mt Kenya
Mt Kenya is located in the Mount Kenya region. It shares boundaries with Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, and Meru counties in Kenya. It is about 200 km northeast of Nairobi. Its coordinates are 0.1521° S and 37.3084° E. It is easily accessible by road or flight.
The most common activity at Mount Kenya is climbing. Climbing to the peak can be challenging. You need a high level of fitness for a better climbing experience. Other common activities are game viewing, bird watching, and camping.
- How to get to Mt Kenya?
Mt Kenya from Nairobi is about 200 km. You can get there by road. You travel with a safari vehicle from Nairobi via Nyeri-Nanyuki or Nanyuki-Isiolo roads. You can also reach there via Embu-Meru road. For a more convenient safari, you can fly to an airstrip at Nanyuki.
- Which is the best time to visit Mt Kenya?
The best time to visit Mt Kenya is during the dry season. This is between March and June. It is much easier to climb the mountain during this season. The wet season is between July to September and December to March. Rains may interfere with safari activities such as game drives and climbing.