Mount Kenya

Kenya takes its name from its highest mountain, Mount Kenya which is located on the equator. The Kikuyu think Mount Kenya is the home of God (Ngai). In traditional prayers, Ngai is addressed by the Kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga (Professor of Brightness). This derives from Kere Nyaga, Kikuyu for Mount Kenya, (literally Mountain of Brightness).

Mt Kenya is located 180km north of Nairobi. It is an extinct volcano, which formed several million years ago. Established in 1949, Mount Kenya National Park is a 700 km square designated protected area around the mountain above 3200m altitude.

The 5,199 m. high, Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain. It offers easy or challenging ascents with superb scenic beauty. The highest peaks of Nelion (5188m) and Batian (5199m). The third highest summit, Point Lenana, (4985m), is also glaciated but accessible to walkers. On account of the high altitudes it is wise not to rush to the summit areas and the very shortest trip to Lenana should allow for 3 nights on the mountain, however we recommend 5 or 6 days.

The timing of your trip is not critical, in our experience the chances of good and bad weather on the mountain are similar all year round.

The mountain has a high degree of variation in flora and fauna with altitude change. The lower slopes are dry upland forest, sub-montane forest begins at 2,000 m. (mainly cedar and podo). At 2,500 m. a dense belt of of bamboo begins which merges into the montane forest of stunted trees. In this area the trees are festooned with high altitude moss and lichens.

These forest belts are host to numerous different animals and plants with at least 11 endemic species. Game includes: Black and White Colobus and Sykes Monkeys, Bushbuck, Buffalo, Elephant, Olive Baboon, Waterbuck, Black Rhino, Leopard, Giant Forest Hog, Bush Pig, Bongo and Hyena.

The bird life is prolific and large raptors present include Lammergeyer, White-backed Vultures, Verrauxs Eagle, Crowned Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Mountain Buzzards and Auger Buzzards. Smaller raptors include the Great Sparrow Hawk, Cuckoo Falcon and African Goshawk .

Within the forest, some of the more common birds are Hartlaubs Turaco, the Silvery Cheeked Hornbill and the Black-headed Oriole. The are several species of Sunbirds including: Malachite, Golden-winged, Double Collared and Olive.

For further information please Contact Us.