How to access Mount Kenya National Park: Mount Kenya National Park is situated with Mount Kenya – the second tallest mountain in Africa, standing at an elevation of 5,199 meters above sea level. Mount Kenya National Park covers a total area of 2800 square kilometers, 3000 meters above the contour line, and 715 kilometers northeast of Nairobi. Mount Kenya National Park started as a game reserve in 1978 and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 due to its ecological importance. It is a pristine wilderness with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forests, mineral springs, and a selection of rare and endangered species of animals, high altitude adapted plains game, and unique montane and alpine vegetation.
Mount Kenya National Park is a home of various animals including African elephants, bush pigs, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, genet cats, leopards, buffaloes, black-fronted duikers, black rhinos, suni antelope, bongo antelope, zebra, as well as 130 bird species including the endemic species, tropical highland biome species among others. Visitors can enjoy mountain climbing, camping, and caving with the mountain’s rugged glacier-clad peaks providing the perfect backdrop. Mount Kenya National Park can be accessed by two means. Both by road and by air.
By Road
How to access Mount Kenya National Park is relatively easy. From Nairobi, it takes around four hours to reach the park by car, provided the road conditions are good. Most visitors choose Chogoria or Embu as their base on the east, while Naro Moru is the preferred choice on the west. The park is approximately 175 km from Nairobi.
To get to the park by road, you can take the Nyeri-Nanyuki route near Naro Moru or the Nanyuki-Isiolo road via Sirimon Track. Alternatively, you can take the Embu-Meru route, which is about 150 km north of Nairobi. Driving by road gives you a great countryside experience of the country as you drive across the country experiencing different landscapes and terraces.
By Air
If you prefer a faster and more scenic way to reach Mount Kenya National Park, consider flying. There are several small airports near private lodges in the area, but Nanyuki or Laikipia Airport is the closest to the park. Most visitors will arrive in Nairobi via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and then take a car to the park. Flight can also give you a great aerial view, though many prefer road transport, as it gives you a great countryside experience.
Hiking Trails to Mount Kenya
When you decide to hike to Mount Kenya, you’ll have several trails to choose from. Each trail has its own unique features and challenges.
Sirimon Route
The Sirimon route is a popular choice for hikers. It offers campsites along the way, including Old Moses camp at 3,300 meters and Shipton’s camp at 4,200 meters. These camps give you a chance to rest and recharge before continuing your hike. The Sirimon route typically takes 2-3 days to complete.
Burget Route
If you want to experience the mountain in solitude, the Burget route might be for you. This challenging route is less crowded than others and takes you through tropical rainforests, which can be muddy at times. You’ll spend the night in a wilderness hut and need at least 3 nights to complete the hike. When descending, it’s best to take a different route.
Naro Moru Route
The Naro Moru route is the shortest and most popular trail and one of the ways how to access Mount Kenya National Park. While it’s easy and offers great views of the plant life, it can be busy. You’ll encounter some vertical bogs that can become waterlogged. The Naro Moru route typically takes 2 days to complete.
Chogoria Route
The Chogoria route is a great option for your descent from Mount Kenya. It may take longer, but the scenery is spectacular, with views of waterfalls, gorges, and more. You’ll need around 3 days to complete the descent.
Timau Route
The Timau route is an older trail that’s not used as much today. There are no facilities along the way where hikers can stay overnight.
There are other routes for hikers who want to hike beyond Point Lenana and they include the South Ridge route which continues to Nelion which is the next highest peak after Point Lenana. This route requires experienced hikers and it takes around 8 hours to hike to the summit and 3 hours to descent therefore it takes about 2 days. Another route is the north face route which goes to Batian, this route is more challenging and is recommended for advanced hikers who will take around 12 hours to ascend to the summit and 5 hours to descend the next day.
Packing list for Mount Kenya hike.
To climb Mount Kenya successfully, you’ll need equipment that keeps you warm, dry, sheltered from the sun/rain, and comfortable in the many situations you’ll encounter. Some of the packing essentials we recommend for our visitors while on a hiking safari in Mount Kenya include a Hat for sun protection, a Sleeping Bag, Gloves, Hiking Boots, Hiking Socks, Sunglasses with UV-filter Lense, Trekking Poles, Headlamp, Long Sleeve Shirt, Waterproof Pants, Insect Repellent, Hand Sanitizer, Sunscreen, Camera with extra batteries and more.
Other important essential items include a Passport with a Kenyan Tourist Visa, Air Travel Documents, Travel Insurance Documents, Vaccination certificates, Cash for personal items and tips, Emergency contacts, and a Credit Card among others
When is the best time to visit Mount Kenya National Park
The best time to visit is during the dry season which runs from June to October and then December to March. These months offer clear skis, less rain, and better conditions for hiking and climbing mountains. However, Mount Kenya National Park is open all year round.
