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Hikers heading for Mount Kenya. Photo: GettyImages-176070798
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Climb Mount Kenya (4985m), Go on Safari and Raft the Tana River

Trek to the peak of Mount Kenya, spot the Big Five and raft Kenya’s longest river on this epic adventure trilogy

Duration

9 nights

Annual Leave

6 days off work

Group Size

Up to 14 people

Season

Dec-Mar, Aug-Oct

Location

Kenya

Meeting Point

Nairobi International Airport

Classic Accommodation

Hotel · Campsite · Lodge · Cottage

Customer Reviews

This trip is brand new

Difficulty

Challenging

From

From

What's it like?

Hikers heading for Mount Kenya. Photo: GettyImages-176070798
Tents in the sun at Shipton's Camp on Mount Kenya. Photo: GettyImages-176119586
Rhinoceros in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. Photo: GettyImages-1438803293
Rafting the Tana River, Kenya. Photo: Host/Savage Wilderness
Mount Kenya. Photo: GettyImages-515161366
Mount Kenya. Photo: GettyImages-1154993644
Mount Kenya summit. Photo: Megan Devenish

Hike through bamboo forests, alpine meadows and lunar landscapes to summit Mount Kenya at Point Lenana (4985m)

Head deep into the Ol Pejeta Conservancy to spot elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes and endangered black rhinos

Bunk down at a remote riverside adventure camp and raft the forest-flanked Tana – Kenya's longest river

Day 1

Welcome to Kenya

Descend over the plains of East Africa and touch down at Nairobi Airport where your host will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel nearby. Tuck in to a welcome dinner this evening with your host and fellow adventurers for a chat through the adventure to come.

Day 2

To Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya Trek. Photo: Host/Savage Wilderness

Driving

4.5hrs

Hiking

2hrs · 750m up

Grab an early breakfast before leaving Nairobi for a 4-hour drive through the plains, with the Mount Kenya massif gradually coming into view. You'll reach the Mount Kenya forest at 2200m, where you'll set off for an acclimatisation hike to reach the first camp at Chogoria Gate at 2950m. Take in your first taste of this incredible wilderness area while dinner is cooked and camp is set up. Relax around a campfire before retiring to the sounds of the Mount Kenya rainforest.

Day 3

Chogoria Gate to Lake Ellis (3200m)

Mountainside camping, Africa. Photo: GettyImages-660843442

Hiking

5hrs · 7km · 550m up · 100m down

Unzip the tent, grab an early breakfast while watching the mountain wake up, then set off for the first full day of trekking. You'll hike through moorland and tussock grass in this more lush part of the ecosystem with many flowers in bloom creating a colourful backdrop. You'll then pass Urumandi Falls to reach a higher moorland with low tree cover for amazing views back over the plains. Lake Ellis, at an altitude of 3390m, is your next camp spot – a tranquil location with full panoramas of the main peaks of Mount Kenya, and set a good way off the main trail for an amazing camp out beneath the stars.

Day 4

Lake Ellis to Mintos Camp (4200m)

Long road to the top, Mount Kenya. Photo: GettyImages-606222454

Hiking

6-7hrs · 9km · 900m up · 240m down

Today's route is well off the beaten track. Set off skirting Lake Ellis, cross over the valley and follow a ridge deeper into the mountain. Enjoy breathtaking views over the Gorges Valley and back towards Itinguni and the northern moorlands. Tuck into lunch next to a small stream crossing, before continuing to Mintos Camp at 4200m. Soak up your camp spot in the late afternoon, preserving energy for your summit day tomorrow. You can, however, tag on a 10-minute hike to 'The Temple' – a vertical cliff which you can peer over the edge of. Dinner and an early night is the name of the game tonight as you are going to be up very early tomorrow morning.

Day 5

Summit Mount Kenya at Point Lenana (4985m)

Lenana Peak, Mount Kenya. Photo: GettyImages-176829036

Hiking

9-10hrs · 18km · 785m up · 1685m down

Yes, very early means 2:15am on the dot! Grab a coffee and prep to set off on the trail in the darkness with head torches lighting the way. The feeling of setting off on a big summit in the middle of the night with your fellow trekkers is an amazing experience. Eat into the final sections of the trail as you ascend to Point Lenana (the trekker's peak of Mount Kenya) via the Simba Col, reaching the summit by sunrise. If conditions and cloud coverage are favourable, you'll be rewarded with an amazing sunrise panorama while you stand at the roof of Kenya – on a clear day, you can even see across to Mount Kilimanjaro 200 miles away. Descend the peak via the same route as far as Simba Col, before turning off and heading on down a steep scree slope to Shipton's Camp, arriving by 10:00am. A well-earned breakfast and rest await you here, before you tackle the 5-hour walk down the mountain to Judmier Camp. You'll have an early dinner and then go to bed exhausted and elated from a huge day of mountain trekking.

Day 6

What goes up...

Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. Photo: GettyImages-1168269690

Hiking

3-4hrs · 10km · 50m up · 700m down

Your host will let you have a little lie-in today after your gargantuan effort yesterday, so enjoy a later start and a good breakfast, leave camp and then hike the final 10km down a dirt track to the park gate. Say goodbye to your porters and trekking guide here after an epic few days together, load up the van and settle in for the drive towards Ol Pejeta Conservancy. You'll be staying in a beautiful lodge this evening, enjoying some creature comforts and hot showers following your time on the mountain.

Day 7

Safari time

Lion in Ol Pejeta conservancy, Kenya. Photo: GettyImages-1438802909

Wildlife Tracking

8hrs

It's safari time! Head out into Ol Pejeta Conservancy in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a specialist wildlife guide, searching for the quintessential animals of Kenya. Ol Pejeta is one of the best places for a safari in Kenya, with incredibly high chances of seeing the Big 5. Of the many highlights today, spotting large herds of elephants, endangered black rhinos and chimpanzees in a sanctuary area are right up there. You'll spend a full day in the reserve, before returning to your lodge for sundowners while chatting about all the wildlife sightings earlier in the day.

Day 8

Downtime on the banks of the Sagana River

Tana River, Kenya. Image: Host/Savage Wilderness Camp

Bid farewell to Ol Pejeta Conservancy and hop back in the van to head to your next and final base for the trip – the Sagana River Camp, on the banks of the Sagana River. This is a beautiful and hidden spot in Kenya, owned by your host, and makes for a cracking base for the final part of your adventures. After such a busy few days, there is no organised activity this afternoon, allowing you to settle into your cottage accommodation and soak up the tranquil vibe at the camp before dinner.

Day 9

Raft the Tana

Rafting the Tana River in Kenya. Photo: Host/Savage Wilderness

Rafting

3-4hrs

Time for another adrenaline hit after your relaxing day yesterday. Your host is an expert in white water rafting on Kenya's famously beautiful Tana River. You'll navigate the rapids of a stunning section of the river, while keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife on the banks and river birds, like the kingfisher. After your rafting exploits you'll enjoy some more downtime at the river camp, before settling in for one final dinner together to toast this epic adventure coming to a conclusion.

Day 10

Farewell, Kenya

African sunset, Kenya. Photo: GettyImages-596072022

Your adventure comes to an end as you bid farewell to the river camp and hit the road back to Nairobi. Your host will drop you off at the airport in time for your onward flight.

Included

Guides

Local, certified guide and a support team

Accommodation

4 nights camping, 2 nights in riverside cottages, 2 nights in a lodge, 1 night in a hotel

Meals

All your meals are included throughout

Transfers

To and from the airport and everything in-between

Porterage

A porter will carry your overnight luggage on the trek

Permits

All permits, taxes and licenses

Equipment

All your camping and rafting gear

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Tips for your guides

Some equipment

Personal expenses

Visas where required

Day 1

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2 – Day 5

Campsite · Twin tent

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6 – Day 7

Lodge · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 8 – Day 9

Cottage · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 10

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Throughout your trek, a team of experienced chefs will cook and serve you nutritious meals. Breakfast will usually be a combination of fruit, cereal, porridge, eggs, bread, French toast, pancakes, sausage, bacon, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Lunch will be a mix of vegetables, fruit, boiled eggs, meat cutlets, various sandwiches (e.g. egg, cheese, tomato, tuna, meat, peanut butter), macaroni with meat sauce and bread. Dinner, meanwhile, will usually consist of soup, bread, salads, rice, pasta, potatoes, roast or fried chicken, beef or fish, curry, mixed vegetables, lentils, fruit salad and fruit with custard.

Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just request this on your passenger info form.

What is the accommodation like?

Nairobi

You'll spend your first night of the trip at the Gigiri Express Hotel in Nairobi – selected for its location, to make for an easy arrival. Here, you'll meet up with the group and host for your welcome dinner, and it's a convenient launchpad to head straight for Mount Kenya on the morning of Day 2. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with en suite bathrooms.

Mt Kenya Camping Tents Host Savage Wilderness
Camping on Mount Kenya

During the trek on Mount Kenya, you will camp at a number of sites along the route, namely Chogoria Gate, Lake Ellis, Mintos Camp and Judmier Camp. You'll stay in premium twin-share expedition tents with sleeping mats, sleeping bag and a fleece liner.

Sagana River Camp

Your host created a camp on the banks of the Sagana River over 30 years ago which has grown and grown into a peaceful and beautiful adventure camp. You'll stay in one of the quaint cottages with private bathrooms. The camp has two swimming pools, a bar and a huge area for exploring. The camp is best known as an adventure paradise, offering a huge range of activities including zip lining, bungee jumping, rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking. You'll have an afternoon and evening of downtime here if you want to try any extra activities, or just relax by the river.

Naro Moro River Lodge

Set on the banks of the Naro Moro River at the foot of Mount Kenya, this 3-star hotel is nestled amongst big trees and beautiful fauna. It's a peaceful and relaxing location about a 30 minute drive from Ol Pejeta, where you'll be spending a full day on safari. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with en suite bathrooms.

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi

Any time on Day 1

Ends

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi

Any time on Day 9

Transfers

Your adventure begins at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) where your guide will be waiting for you in the Arrivals area. Alternatively, if you’re already in Kenya, your host can arrange a pick-up from any point upon request (not included). On the final day, your host will transfer you from Nairobi back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), for any flight departing that day.

Travel options

There are frequent flights to Nairobi (NBO) from major airports across the UK, Europe and US.

Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.

What's included?

  • Twin-share expedition tents and sleeping mats
  • Sleeping bags and fleece liner (you are welcome to bring your own sleeping bag if you would prefer)
  • Dining tents with a solar light
  • All cooking equipment

What do I need to bring?

BAGS
Soft duffel bag or backpack (your main pack will be transported for you during the trek) Trekking backpack 30+ litres

CLOTHES
Waterproof jacket
Lightweight down jacket
Waterproof trousers
Breathable wicking layers
Thermals (top and bottom, merino ideal)
Fleece or warm mid-layer
Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
T-shirts
Underwear & socks
Sunglasses (essential for summit day)
Sunhat
Winter hat
Gloves
Something to sleep in
Waterproof hiking boots (worn-in)

OTHER
Sleeping bag liner, for added warmth (optional) Travel pillow
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel Insurance documents
Earplugs
Insect repellant
Suncream
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
Quick-dry towel
Alcohol hand-gel
Headtorch or torch
Reusable water bottle (x1 litre)
Biodegradable wet-wipes
Energy bars and snacks
Water purification tablets/treatment system
Trekking poles (highly recommended)

*Requests for optional extras can be made after booking on your “My Bookings” page

Double/twin room at Sagana River Camp

Payable Before Departure

Double/twin room at Sagana River Camp

Per Night

Single room at Sagana River Camp

Payable Before Departure

Single room at Sagana River Camp

Per Night

Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade

Payable Before Departure

Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade

Nairobi Airport to Sagana River Camp (each way)

Payable Before Departure

Nairobi Airport to Sagana River Camp (each way)

This trip is brand new

We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 217kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

You'll be trekking to reach the summit at Lenana Point. This is commonly known as the 'trekker's summit' of Mount Kenya, and is the third highest point of the massif. This isn’t a technical summit and anyone with good fitness levels and some experience of challenging hikes or treks should be capable of summiting. The route we have chosen for this trip is the Chogoria Route – widely considered the most beautiful way to reach Point Lenana, it is also one of the most challenging routes. The summit push and subsequent descent on Day 5 of this trip is a real beast of a day. The main challenge is the high altitude, however, your experienced trekking guides and porters will keep everyone safe and looked after. You won't need any previous experience for the rafting on this trip.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

The guides have been extensively trained on the routes, terrain and conditions you'll be crossing. With over 10 years of experience, they have also been to the summit more than 100 times. Additionally, all of the guides are certified First Aid Responders and CPR trained.

It's possible to climb Mount Kenya all year round, however, the months outside of the rainy seasons are more desirable. The best climbing months are from December to March and July to October. The best weather is usually at the beginning of the year from January to March, which are also typically the warmest and driest months.

The mountain has three main summits: Batian (5199m), Nelion (5188m), and Point Lenana (4985m). Point Lenana is known as the 'trekkers summit' as is the only peak that is accessible without previous mountaineering experience. Both Bastian and Nelion summits involve multi-pitch trad rock climbing and are highly technical.

Thanks to Kenya’s proximity to the equator, the region doesn’t typically experience the extremes of winter and summer weather you might expect and instead has dry and wet seasons. The local weather conditions on Mount Kenya can be somewhat unpredictable (to say the least) and rainfall varies from 2100mm per year in the rainforest belt, to less than 120mm per year in the summit zone. Temperatures vary considerably with height and with time of day. On the plains surrounding Mount Kenya, the average daytime temperature is about 25°C. At 3000m frosts can be encountered at night, while temperatures in the day range from 5 to 15°C. Night-time temperatures on the summit are well below freezing. The south-facing side of Mount Kenya receives more sunshine in the December to March period.

Yes, your host has long been campaigning for more responsible policies towards the employment of local people, including porters, and sharing the benefits of tourism more fairly with local communities. Your host ensures porters receive fair pay and ethical treatment.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. There is no expectation or obligation to tip your host and main guide for the trip as a whole, however any tips are gratefully received should you wish to offer them at the end of the trip.

Tips for the porter team on Mount Kenya are obligatory. The minimum expected contribution is $100/£80/€90 per person for the full 5 days on Mount Kenya. Please budget for this and make sure you have cash readily available at the end of your trek on day 6.

When you trek in the mountains, there's always the risk of getting altitude sickness, regardless of how old, young, fit or unfit you are. We would expect most trekkers to feel some mild symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, sleeplessness, heavy breathing) when over 3500m. Your guides are trained to identify the symptoms of altitude sickness so if any more serious symptoms are noted, there is a strict procedure regarding extra care or a rapid descent if needed. Your host and the guides they employ work regularly with the British Army and International Schools of Kenya, due to this they have extensive safety practices in place, and all guides hold international qualifications which are kept up to date.

All of our trips have been designed with altitude best practice in mind so acclimatisation days have been built in and our experienced guides follow advice to ‘walk high and sleep low’.

There is a limit to the weight that the porters can carry and your kitbag must be no heavier than 20kg. You will also have a rucksack to hold your basic kit for the day. If you wish to bring more than 20kg it is best to arrange another bag and an extra porter charge will apply.

You can securely leave any excess luggage at your host's base before setting off on the trek.

We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.

For current advice about travelling in Kenya, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.

No plastic bottles are allowed on Mount Kenya. Your guides will supply you with purified drinking water, either by boiling, filtration, or use of purification tablets.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.

TRIP DEPARTURE DATES

Private trip

Go private and split the bill with ease.

Forget complex logistics, we've taken care of all the details to ensure a hassle-free get together. All of the adventure, none of the faff.

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