★ Tailor-Made Safari Expedition
14 Days Kenya Mount Kenya Trek & Safari Adventure
15+Years guiding
4×4Private vehicle
100%Tailor-made
★4.9TripAdvisor
01
Overview
Kirinyaga – the “shining mountain” that gave Kenya its name – is Africa's second-highest massif, a long-extinct volcano of rugged peaks and unique Afro-alpine flora. This 14-day adventure climbs its trekking summit, Point Lenana (4,985 m), by the long, lonely, six-day Kamweti route from the south: through fragrant cedar forest, dense bamboo where mountain elephants leave their tracks, misty moss-hung rainforest, and finally the otherworldly zone of giant lobelias and senecios, descending east past Lake Michaelson – the most scenic spot on the mountain.
The safari chapters are just as rich: a wildlife walk among giraffes on Crescent Island at Lake Naivasha (the “Out of Africa” filming location), a hike through Hell's Gate gorge, an acclimatization ascent of Lesatima (4,001 m) in the Aberdares, a night at the legendary Treetops Lodge – where a princess famously arrived and a queen departed – and a grand finale among the reticulated giraffes, Grevy's zebras, and elephant herds of Samburu National Reserve. Group size 5–12.
Explore more of our Kenya safaris or see the related 13 Days Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari – Amboseli, Tsavo & Zanzibar.
02
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Arrival in Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi and settle into your hotel.
2
Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island
Drive along the Great Rift Valley escarpment to Lake Naivasha (±3 hours) for lunch at a lakeside conservation lodge, then boat across to Crescent Island for a unique walk among giraffes, waterbucks, and impalas with hippos and pelicans offshore.
3
Hell's Gate hike – Aberdare National Park
A two-hour hike through Hell's Gate gorge past the 25 m volcanic Fischer's Tower, among zebras, baboons, and gazelles, then the drive into the Aberdares to a cosy self-catering lodge at about 3,000 m.
4
Ascent of Lesatima (4,001 m)
The first real summit: about 6 hours up and down Lesatima, with views to Mount Kenya's snow-caps on a clear day – ideal acclimatization – and game viewing (elephants, buffaloes, perhaps lions) on the drive back.
5
Karuru Falls and Treetops Lodge
A 3-hour walk to Karuru Falls, Kenya's highest at 273 m, then an afternoon check-in at the historic Treetops Lodge on an ancient elephant migration route, overlooking a floodlit waterhole and salt lick.
6
To Mount Kenya – trek begins (Old Forest Station, 2,700 m)
Drive through tea country to the trailhead lodge in the south of the massif, hand spare luggage to your driver, and hike three hours through evergreen forest to your first camp – elephants and waterbucks possible en route.
7
Sagana River Camp (2,980 m)
Five hours through dense bamboo – a trail more frequented by elephants than mountaineers, occasionally cleared by machete – with a guided crossing of the Sagana River to the waiting camp.
8
Thego River Camp (3,750 m)
Climb from bamboo into heather and moorland, then through endemic Afro-alpine vegetation of giant lobelia and senecio to a riverside camp beneath the summit skyline – cool your feet in the mountain stream.
9
Lake Hohnel to Mackinder's Camp (4,250 m)
Three hours to the shores of Lake Hohnel for lunch (a brave dip optional!), then two more into the Teleki Valley to Mackinder's Camp hut. Early dinner and early night before summit day.
10
Point Lenana (4,985 m) – Lake Michaelson
A 4 am start climbs steeply to the Austrian Hut (4,790 m) and over the Lewis Glacier shoulder to Point Lenana for sunrise on Africa's second-highest massif. Descend the north side via Simba Col and the Mintos hut to camp beside Lake Michaelson in the Gorge Valley – about 10 hours of pure mountain drama.
11
Descent – drive to Samburu National Reserve
A final ridge climb, then down to Meru Bandas (3,000 m) for lunch and the ceremonial farewell to your mountain crew, before driving north (±4 hours) to a game lodge on the Ewaso Nyiro River.
12
Full safari day in Samburu
Morning and afternoon game drives in this 104 km² semi-arid reserve, home of the Samburu Special 5: reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich – plus the elephants and big cats that thrive along the river.
13
Dawn game drive – return to Nairobi
A 6 am drive when lions and leopards hunt in the cool along the river, late breakfast, then the drive south (±6 hours) with lunch at the famous Trout Tree Restaurant and a final celebratory evening in Nairobi.
14
Departure
Early transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your homeward flight.
03
What's Included
✓ Included
- ✓ English-speaking guide and safari vehicle throughout
- ✓ Professional Mount Kenya mountain crew (guide, cook, porters)
- ✓ Accommodation: mid-range hotels and lodges, self-catering hut in the Aberdares, 2-man dome tents and mountain hut on the trek
- ✓ Meals as per the itinerary (full board on the mountain)
- ✓ All park entrance and camping fees
- ✓ Boat trip to Crescent Island
- ✓ Boiled drinking water on the trek
✗ Excluded
- ✗ International flights
- ✗ Kenya eTA
- ✗ Tips for the mountain crew and driver/guide
- ✗ Drinks and meals not specified
- ✗ Personal trekking equipment (sleeping bag to −15°C comfort)
- ✗ Travel insurance (strongly recommended, including high-altitude cover)
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Gallery
