Mount Kenya · Private treks

Go higher.
Feel smaller.

A wild, beautiful climb through bamboo forest, moorland and otherworldly Afro-alpine country — paced for acclimatisation and guided by people who know the mountain.

The high peaks of Mount Kenya beneath clouds
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The mountain, properly understood

A living landmark
at 5,199 metres.

Mount Kenya is Africa’s second-highest mountain and one of the country’s most important ecosystems, rising east of the Great Rift Valley.

The mountain is a vital water tower, supplying water to a large part of Kenya and supporting much of the country’s hydroelectric power. For trekkers, the goal is Point Lenana at 4,985m: a demanding but non-technical summit reached through forest, bamboo, moorland and Afro-alpine terrain.

No specialist climbing equipment or previous mountaineering experience is normally required. What matters is a sensible route, proper acclimatisation and a mountain crew that understands the pace of altitude.

Choose your route

Three proven traverses.
One unforgettable mountain.

Conditions & timing

Prepare well.
Climb slowly.

Mount Kenya can be trekked throughout the year, but the drier windows generally offer the most comfortable conditions.

Rain makes the mountain more difficult from roughly mid-March to mid-June and again from October to mid-December. Higher camps are cold in every season, with night temperatures capable of falling to around −10°C. Mornings are often clearer, with cloud building towards noon.

We rarely recommend the little-used Timau route because facilities, marked paths and tree cover are limited. Your designer will instead match one of the proven traverses to your fitness, available time and appetite for camping.

Beyond the summit

Pair altitude
with the wild.

Come down from the mountain to the conservancies of Laikipia, the rare northern species of Samburu or a restorative coast stay. We arrange the whole arc.

4,985mPoint Lenana

60kmClassic traverse distance

LocalMountain crews & guides

Made for you

The mountain is calling. Shall we answer?

Tell us how you want to feel, what you want to see and how you like to travel. We will take care of the rest.

Design my safari