Hiking
8 Days Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta & Samburu
The trek, then the wildlife it sits next to. Three nights on the mountain, two at Ol Pejeta with the last northern white rhinos, and two in Samburu for the northern species you do not see in the Mara. One vehicle, one guide, one price.
The trip
- Nairobi
- Mount Kenya
- Ol Pejeta
- Samburu
- Nairobi
The trek, then the wildlife it sits next to. Three nights on the mountain, two at Ol Pejeta with the last northern white rhinos, and two in Samburu for the northern species you do not see in the Mara. One vehicle, one guide, one price.
Day by day
- 1
Nairobi – Sirimon Gate – Old Moses
North through Nanyuki to the Sirimon gate at 2,660m, roughly four hours depending on how Nairobi behaves. From the gate the path climbs through cedar forest, then bamboo and giant heather, onto open moorland. Around nine kilometres to Old Moses camp at 3,300m, and cold once the sun goes.
- 2
Old Moses – Shipton's Camp
The long day: about fourteen kilometres and seven hours, crossing the Ontulili and Liki North rivers and climbing into Mackinder's Valley. This is the zone of giant groundsel and lobelia, plants that grow nowhere else and look like it. Shipton's sits at 4,200m directly under the peaks.
- 3
Shipton's – Point Lenana – Met Station
Awake around half past two and onto frozen scree in the dark, because the hours before dawn are the only reliably clear ones. Point Lenana at 4,985m by sunrise, with Kilimanjaro on the horizon if the air is good. Then the whole descent in one go, down the Teleki Valley to Met Station at 3,100m. Eleven to twelve hours on your feet.
- 4
Off the mountain – Ol Pejeta
Down through the rainforest to the gate, then across to Ol Pejeta on the Laikipia plateau. An afternoon game drive if there is light left.
- 5
Ol Pejeta full day
A full day in the conservancy: the last two northern white rhinos in the world, black rhino, the Big Five, and a chimpanzee sanctuary that takes in animals rescued from the trade.
- 6
Ol Pejeta – Samburu
North into drier country. Samburu is another landscape entirely, red earth and doum palms along the Ewaso Ng'iro river. Afternoon game drive.
- 7
Samburu full day
The northern species you do not see in the Mara: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk standing on its hind legs to feed, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich. Elephants come down to the river through the day.
- 8
Samburu – Nairobi
A last morning drive, then the road south, arriving in Nairobi in the afternoon for drop-offs.
What's included
- The full four-day Mount Kenya trek, with guide, cook and porters
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof after the mountain
- English and Swahili-speaking driver-guide
- All park and reserve fees
- Full-board accommodation, and all meals on the mountain
- Bottled water daily
- Nairobi pick-up and drop-off, and government taxes
Not included
- Personal trekking gear: sleeping bag, warm clothing, hiking boots
- Alcoholic drinks and beverages
- International flights
- Kenya eTA visa
- Personal items
- Tips and gratuities
- Medical, luggage and travel insurance
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