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Overview
Mount Kenya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in central Kenya. It is home to Mount Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa, and a variety of wildlife and ecosystems. The park was established in 1949 and covers an area of 715 square kilometers.
The park is known for its diverse landscapes, which include glaciers, forests, moorlands, and lakes. It is also home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and rhinos. The park is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and mountain climbing.
The distance from Nairobi to Mount Kenya National Park is approximately 175 kilometers by road. The journey takes around 3-4 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
There are three main routes from Nairobi to Mount Kenya National Park:
- Nanyuki route: This is the most popular route and takes you through the towns of Thika and Nanyuki.
- Nyeri route: This route takes you through the towns of Thika and Nyeri.
- Embu route: This route takes you through the towns of Embu and Chogoria.
All three routes are well-maintained and offer scenic views of the Kenyan countryside.
If you are flying to Mount Kenya National Park, the closest airport is Nanyuki Airport, which is located just outside of the park. There are daily flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Nanyuki Airport.
Features
Here are some of the key features of Mount Kenya National Park:
- Mount Kenya: The highest peak in the park is Batian, which is 5,199 meters tall. Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano that was formed millions of years ago.
- Wildlife: The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, leopards, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, and antelope. The park is also home to a variety of birdlife, including the African fish eagle, the crowned crane, and the turaco.
- Vegetation: The park has a variety of vegetation zones, including forests, moorlands, and alpine grasslands. The forests are home to a variety of trees, including cedar, juniper, and olive trees. The moorlands are home to a variety of grasses, shrubs, and wildflowers. The alpine grasslands are home to a variety of lichens and mosses.
- Climate: The park has a variety of climates, depending on the altitude. The lower slopes of the mountain are warm and humid, while the higher slopes are cold and dry. The mountain is often snow-capped, even in the summer months.
Mount Kenya National Park is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities in the park, including hiking, camping, mountain climbing, wildlife viewing, and birdwatching. The park is also home to a number of lodges and campsites, so visitors can stay overnight and enjoy the park's beauty for multiple days.
Climbing Routes
There are three main climbing routes on Mount Kenya:
1. Naro Moru Route
The Naro Moru Route is the most popular route on Mount Kenya, and for good reason. It is a well-maintained route with a variety of landscapes, including forests, moorlands, and alpine meadows. The route also offers stunning views of the mountain's central peaks.
The Naro Moru Route typically takes 4-5 days to complete, depending on your fitness level and how many acclimatization days you choose to take. The route begins at the Naro Moru Gate, which is located on the west side of the mountain. From the gate, the route ascends through a forest to the Met Station Camp, which is located at an altitude of 3,000 meters.
From the Met Station Camp, the route continues to ascend through moorlands to the Mackinder Valley, which is located at an altitude of 4,200 meters. The Mackinder Valley is a beautiful alpine meadow that is surrounded by towering peaks.
From the Mackinder Valley, the route continues to ascend to the Point Lenana Camp, which is located at an altitude of 4,985 meters. Point Lenana is the third-highest peak on Mount Kenya and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
2. Sirimon Route
The Sirimon Route is a less popular route than the Naro Moru Route, but it is still a beautiful and challenging route. The Sirimon Route is known for its gradual ascent and its stunning views of the mountain's central peaks.
The Sirimon Route typically takes 4-5 days to complete, depending on your fitness level and how many acclimatization days you choose to take. The route begins at the Sirimon Gate, which is located on the northwest side of the mountain. From the gate, the route ascends through a forest to the Old Moses Camp, which is located at an altitude of 3,300 meters.
From the Old Moses Camp, the route continues to ascend through moorlands to the Shipton's Camp, which is located at an altitude of 4,250 meters. Shipton's Camp is the highest camp on the Sirimon Route and offers stunning views of the mountain's central peaks.
From Shipton's Camp, the route continues to ascend to the Point Lenana Camp, which is located at an altitude of 4,985 meters. Point Lenana is the third-highest peak on Mount Kenya and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
3. Chogoria Route
The Chogoria Route is the least popular route on Mount Kenya, but it is still a beautiful and challenging route. The Chogoria Route is known for its dense forests and its stunning views of the mountain's eastern slopes.
The Chogoria Route typically takes 4-5 days to complete, depending on your fitness level and how many acclimatization days you choose to take. The route begins at the Chogoria Gate, which is located on the southeast side of the mountain. From the gate, the route ascends through a dense forest to the Lake Ellis Camp, which is located at an altitude of 3,500 meters.
From the Lake Ellis Camp, the route continues to ascend through moorlands to the Simba Camp, which is located at an altitude of 4,200 meters. Simba Camp is the highest camp on the Chogoria Route and offers stunning views of the mountain's eastern slopes.
From Simba Camp, the route continues to ascend to the Point Lenana Camp, which is located at an altitude of 4,985 meters. Point Lenana is the third-highest peak on Mount Kenya and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Which route should you choose?
The best route for you will depend on your fitness level, experience, and budget. If you are a first-time climber, the Naro Moru Route is a good option because it is well-maintained and offers a variety of landscapes. If you are looking for a more challenging route, the Sirimon Route is a good option because it has a gradual ascent and offers stunning views of the mountain's central peaks. If you are looking for a less popular route, the Chogoria Route is a good option because it has dense forests and stunning views of the mountain's eastern slopes.
No matter which route you choose, be sure to acclimatize to the altitude before attempting to summit Point Lenana. Acclimatization is important to prevent altitude sickness. It is also important to be prepared for all types of weather conditions, as the weather on Mount Kenya can change
Batian Peak
Batian Peak view
Accommodation
There are a number of hotels and lodges located within Mount Kenya National Park.
From the luxurious Mount Kenya Safari Club on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya, the Naro Moru River Lodge a mid-range hotel located on the western slopes to the Mountain Lodge which is a "tree hotel" inside the park, Mount Kenya region has many options of accommodation within read.
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The Climb
Climbers on Mount Kenya
Vegetation
Mount Kenya vegetation
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