MOUNT KENYA

Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa standing at 5,199 meters. It is the highest of all Kenya Mountains. The mountain is roughly circular, about 60 kilometers across. The main peaks rise sharply from around 4,500 meters to the main summit of Batian 5,199 meters, Nelion 5,188 meters and point Lenana 4,985 meters. Only point Lenana can be reached by trekkers. Batian and Nelion are only for technical climbers.

Mount Kenya stands somewhat unjustly in the shadow of its taller sister Kilimanjaro, which lies some 320 kilometers away in the south and is visible on a clear day. Kilimanjaro may see much more traffic due to possibility of summiting through several non-technical trekking routes. Mount Kenya on the other hand offers a wealth of excellent and diverse climbing possibilities on rock, snow and ice.

Mt. Kenya is an ancient volcanic mountain much older than Mt. Kilimanjaro. It’s believed to have once reached well above 6000 meters. What is left today is volcanic plug which erosion has fashioned into the complex jagged outline of the central peaks.

There are three main routes, which penetrate the forest and the moorland. The routes are Naromoru, Sirimon and Chogoria. Each of which has something different to offer. Mount Kenya is approximately 200 kilometers North of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and is comfortably accessible by road using a variety of transport options like buses, mini buses, taxi cab or a car hire will get you close to the mountain on the tarred roads to base.

The following are main itineraries that will perhaps meet your budget, experience, fitness level and time requirements. For information on how to select an itinerary and for details on the different itineraries please go to itineraries section at the top of the page.

VIRUNGA MOUNTAINS

We take you to the Virunga Mountains. These are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa, along the northern border of Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley.

The mountain range consists of eight major volcanoes. Most of them are dormant, except mount Nyiragongo (3462 m) and Mount Nyamuragira (3063 m) in the Congo. These volcanoes erupted as recently as in 2006. Mount Karisimbi (4507 m) is the highest volcano. The oldest mountain is Mount Sabyinyo (3634 m).

The Virunga Mountains are home of the critically endangered mountain gorilla, listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature on its Red List of Endangered Species due to habitat loss, poaching, diseases and war. The Karisoke Research Center, founded by the famous Dian Fossey to observe mountain gorillas in their native habitat, is located between the magnificent Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke.

This is our main itinerary that will perhaps meet your budget, experience, fitness level and time requirements. Please write us and we can make you a customized itinerary.

MOUNT MERU

Mount Meru is an active volcano younger sister of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the second highest Mountain in Tanzania and the fifth highest in Africa 4,566 meters above sea level. Mount Meru most recently had a minor eruption about a century ago. The several small craters seen in the vicinity probably reflect numerous episodes of volcanic activity.

The mountain is located within Arusha National Park. This prime location gives walkers the opportunity to spot some 400 species of birds and wildlife that inhabit the area. The climb steep, the route to the summit passes over streams, through parkland, montane forest, a giant heather zone and moorland. The summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge, which provides stunning views of the Ash Cone lying several thousand feet below in the crater. Weather permitting, Kilimanjaro can be seen in the East.

At the summit of Mount Meru, one will find a two meter high flag of the Tanzania in metal and also a milestone in concrete with ‘Socialist Peak 4,562.13M’ written.

We basically have one itinerary for climbing the shorter sister of Mount Kilimanjaro.

RWENZORI MOUNTAINS

The Rwenzori Mountains are located on the border between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo with heights of up to 5,109 meters above the sea level. The highest Rwenzoris are permanently snow-capped, and they, along with Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya are the only such in Africa. It consists of six massifs separated by deep gorges: Mount Stanley (5,109 meters), Mount Speke (4,890 meters), Mount Baker (4,843 meters), Mount Emin (4,798 meters), Mount Gessi (4,715 meters) and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627 meters). Mount Stanley is the largest and has several subsidiary summits.

The highest peak of the Rwenzoris is Margherita Peak, 5110 meters above mean sea-level. This is the third highest peak in Africa, after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. It is considered the most arduous climb in Africa requiring technical climb.

Because they receive a large amount of rainfall, the mountains are criss-crossed by many rivers and streams. The vegetation is thick and prone to gigantism. There is also a variety of wildlife, including elephants, chimpanzee, monkeys, leopards and antelope. They are in an extremely humid area, and frequently enveloped in clouds.

The first European sighting of the Ruwenzori was by the expedition of Henry Stanley in 1889. The first ascent to the summit was made by the Duke of the Abruzzi in 1906.

We will climb the Rwenzori with you depending on the itinerary of your choice.