Mount Kenya Trek (8 Day Lenana Peak)

► Introducing Kenya

Located in East Africa, Kenya is a land of diverse landscapes and unforgettable adventures. From the expansive savannahs of the Masai Mara, where the Great Migration unfolds each year, to the:

• Towering peaks of Mount Kenya - Africa’s second-highest mountain,
• Iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli,
• Flocks of flamingos on Lake Nakuru - a bird and rhino conservation area,
• Giant rhinos of Nairobi National Park - with a city skyline in the background,
• 42 unique tribes who call Kenya home - including the nomadic Maasai.
• Indian Ocean coastline, offering pristine beaches like Diani, Mombasa and Lamu - the perfect way to unwind after a busy safari, 

Kenya is a country made for explorers, offering a once in a lifetime experience full of stunning wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and deep cultural connections. 

► When is the best time to visit Kenya?

• June to October: Peak season
  • Safari in Kenya is best between June and October when the Great Migration herds arrive and start crossing the crocodile infested Mara River. This is the busiest time of year, and you can expect the best accommodation to sell out 6 - 12 months in advance, particularly in July and August when North Americans and Europeans like to vaccation. 
• January to March: High season
  • January to March offers incredible safari in the Masai Mara with an abundance of wildlife.
  • The park is less crowded than June to October, and you can sometimes score a bargain.
  • The weather is warmer, with fewer flies to annoy you.
  • You can expect the best accommodation to sell out 3 - 6 months in advance during this period. 
• March to May: Wet season
  • Some lodges and camps close at this time of year and road quality drops significantly, so this is not an advisable time of year to go on safari unless you want to avoid the crowds and are happy to get a little wet.
  • It is also the best time of year to score a discount. 

►What do I need to know before travelling to Kenya? 

• Visa Requirements

  • Most travelers need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to visit Kenya.

  • An eTA must be obtained online (instructions under TASKS once you register and pay your deposit). 

• Currency

  • Kenyan Shilling (KES).

  • Credit cards are accepted in major cities and at most safari lodges, but cash is preferred in more rural areas.

• Language

  • The official languages are English and Swahili (Kiswahili).

  • Swahili is widely spoken and used in everyday interactions.

• Health Precautions:

  • Visitors should consult a travel doctor about vaccinations, including yellow fever and malaria prevention before visiting Kenya. 

    • If you are older than 60 or you have existing medical conditions that may prevent you from having a yellow fever vaccination, you should consult a travel doctor BEFORE purchasing your trip.  

• Time Zone:

  • Kenya operates on East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC +3.

  • Kenya doesn’t observe daylight savings.

• Electricity:

  • Kenya uses 240V, and the plug type is G (three-pronged UK plug).

  • It’s best to carry a power adapter for your electronics.

►What are the best things to do in Kenya?

• Trekking Mt Kenya or the Ngong Hills
• Hot air ballooning over the Great Migration
• The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphange
• The Nairobi Giraffe Centre
• Cultural immersions with the Maasai tribe
• Re-visit history with a few days on historic Lamu Island
• Our Kiberan Immersion, where you will visit the home of one of Adventure Out Loud's sponsor students, meet their family and learn to cook a traditional Kenyan feast.

Alternatively, it is easy to add one of the other huge attractions that East Africa offers, including:

• Trekking Mt Kilimanjaro
  • For more check out our blog, ultimate guide to trekking Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Trekking with gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda
  • For more read our ultimate guide to trekking with gorillas and chimps.
• Trekking with chimps in Tanzania, Rwanda or Uganda. 
• Swimming with giant whale sharks on Mafia Island
  • Annually between October - March. 
  • See our blog, "why you must visit Mafia Island" for more.
• Relaxing on Zanzibar's pristine beaches

Here are a few interesting facts about Mt Kenya:

• The second-highest mountain 

  • At 5,199 meters (17,057 feet) above sea level, Mount Kenya is the second-highest mountain in Africa, after Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters).

• Mount Kenya has three main peaks

  • Batian (5,199 meters)

  • Nelion (5,188 meters)

  • Point Lenana (4,985 meters

  • Batian and Nelion are the highest peaks and require technical climbing, while Point Lenana is the most accessible for trekkers, offering panoramic views from the summit.

• World Heritage Site

  • Mount Kenya is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised for its unique ecosystem and biodiversity.

  • Established in 1977, the park spans more than 715 square kilometres, with rich flora and fauna that include rare species like the Mount Kenya bush viper and the bongo antelope.

• Changing Glacier

  • Mount Kenya’s glaciers are retreating rapidly due to climate change. Once covering a larger part of the mountain, these glaciers are now shrinking and may disappear entirely within a few decades. The glaciers are a significant part of Mount Kenya's unique landscape.

• Five Climate Zones

  • Lower slopes – Dense rainforests filled with rich biodiversity.
  • Moorland – A zone of heather and giant groundsels.
  • Alpine zone – Rocky terrain and alpine vegetation.
  • Summit – The cold, arctic-like environment with glaciers and snow.
  • Bare rock & glaciers – The top of the mountain, where climbers reach the summit

• Records

  • Youngest Climber: In 2018, 14-year-old student, Dennis Nyakundi, from Kenya, became one of the youngest to summit Point Lenana.
  • Oldest Climber: Mr. Charles Muli, 80 years old, reached Point Lenana in 2020.
  • First Ascent: The first recorded ascent of Mount Kenya was made by Johan R. de B. Fairholm and A. de H. F. Edgeworth in 1887.
  • Fastest Ascent: The fastest ascent of Mount Kenya (to Point Lenana) was recorded by David J. O. Williams in 4 hours, 37 minutes, a feat in 2014.

► Overview

You will be embarking on an unforgettable 8-day trek up the scenic Chogoria Route and down the Sirimon Route. Chogoria is best known for its stunning lakes, expansive valleys, and dramatic cliffs, while Sirimon offers an easier and equally scenic exit.

Your trek features breathtaking campsites, including Lake Ellis and Lake Michaelson, fantastic acclimatisation for better success, and an optional acclimatisation trek to Muggi Hill. On day 6, the ultimate challenge awaits—a pre-dawn summit push to Point Lenana (4,985m), followed by a scenic descent to Shipton’s Camp. The final descent through Mackinder’s Valley offers a beautiful transition from rocky alpine landscapes to lush moorland.

► Trek highlights

• Lake Michaelson & Lake Ellis – Stunning high-altitude lakes with spectacular views.
• Point Lenana (4,985m) – The trek’s summit, reached at sunrise for breathtaking panoramas.
  • Optional extension along the Peak Circuit
• Diverse Ecosystems – Experience tropical forests, moorlands, alpine zones, and rocky summits.
• Experienced trekking team - led by our head guide, David, and his team of assistant guides, cooks and porters, all ready to make sure you have an enjoyable and memorable experience. 

► A Note About Fitness

Most people who can comfortably complete 1 hour of continuous, high-intensity exercise will be fit enough to trek Mount Kenya to Point Lenana. While the trek itself is not technically difficult, what makes it challenging is the combination of physical exertion and high altitudes. If this trek were at sea level, many would find it easier to complete. However, reaching altitudes of almost 5,000m means that, regardless of how fit you are, the effects of altitude can still make the trek challenging.

The key challenge on Mount Kenya is ensuring your body has enough time to acclimatise so you can continue ascending safely. To address this, we highly recommend you prepare physically and mentally for the adventure, and we provide more details on training in our info pack.

Our experienced guides and high-altitude experts will be with you every step of the way, ensuring your safety and well-being. We will encourage you to push your limits, but your health and safety will always come first. We monitor your vital signs multiple times a day, and we always prioritise your well-being over reaching the summit. That's why we offer treks of 6 days or more, allowing for proper acclimatisation. We carry emergency supplies, including oxygen, and our team is fully equipped to manage high-altitude risks.

Mount Kenya will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Take the first step to standing on the second highest Mountain by EXPRESSING INTEREST below.

Explore the sights and sounds of Africa’s largest slum. Meet the impact-driven Root Cause Kwanza, visit the home of our sponsor students, meet their family and learn how to cook a delicious Kenyan feast. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse in Kenyan culture, practice your Swahili and get to know some of the most resilient and remarkable people on the planet.

About Root Cause Kwanza (RCK)

Root Cause Kwanza is a community-based organization committed to addressing the root causes of poverty in Kenya’s urban slums like Kibera, and in rural villages. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and we work to make this possible through holistic programs that combine education, and well-being.

Our dedicated team, led by founder Jacob, who grew up in Kibera himself, is deeply rooted in the communities we serve. We know the challenges because we have lived them, and we are passionate about creating lasting change, one child at a time.

We cannot wait to welcome you to Kibera and show you the strength, creativity, and resilience that define our community.

Africa has a tipping culture that is similar to America and it is appreciated when you tip guides, hotels, restaurants, and other key service providers.

Here are a few notes about tipping

• Tipping can be in USD or in the local currency. 
• Tips recommended below should be split between the group
• Tips should ideally be handed to each ranger/tracker/guide or deposited into the tip boxes at the headquarters/lodge. 
  • We do not recommend giving all of the tips to the head guide, as this usually leads to them keeping most of the tip and the rest of the staff missing out. 

Here is a guide to help you with tipping

• Mount Kenya Tipping

  • We recommend the following tipping guidelines for your trek (split between the group):

    • Head guide: US$25/day

    • Assistant guides & cooks: US$20/day

    • Porters (incl. waiters and tent crew): US$10/day

      • Porters with additional responsibilities (waiter, tent crew, toilet cleaners, summit porters, etc): US$15/day

  • We will provide an approximate number of support crew once the final trek numbers are known. 

  • Tips for each team member should be placed in an envelope and handed to each person at the end of the trek. 

• Lodges
  • We recommend you tip US$5 - $10 per person, per night.  
  • These tips are shared between all of the cleaners, cooks, reception staff, etc. 
  • The best way to tip at lodges is to deposit the tip into the tips box when you check-out. 
• Restaurants
  • There is no general rule, we usually recommend to round the bill up with a tip. 

In the event of an emergency, please contact:

1. Our Australian office (first instance)
   • WhatsApp: +61 432 822 652
   • Email: [email protected]
2. Our East African office (second instance)
   • WhatsApp
     • Aloyce (Guest Relations | Tanzania): +255 624 009 895
     • Jacob (Guest Relations | Kenya): +254 726 555 776
     • Maria (Logistics Manager | Tanzania): +255 789 314 483
   • Email: [email protected]
3. The Australian Embassy
   • High Commission of Australia in Kenya (for all East African countries)
     • Address: Limuru Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
     • Phone: +254 204 277 100

If you are unable to reach Adventure Out Loud, please contact:

• Kenya
  • Shalom House Reception: +254 722 202198
  • Jacob (Logistics Coordinator): +254 726 555 776
  • Tommy (MOH Founder): +254 722 813 063
  • Thomas (Trusted Taxi): +254 711 214 643

Talk to one of our African experts about adding one or more of the following to your adventure:

SAFARI
GORILLAS	CHIMPS
ZANZIBAR	MAFIA ISLAND
VICTORIA FALLS	CAPE TOWN

We have been exploring Africa since 2008, and can help you with all of Africa's big attractions. Simply call us on +61 432 822 652 or email [email protected]