Kilimanjaro Tropical Tours

Mt Kenya Treks & Climbs

Mt Kenya is an extinct volcano, a free standing mountain. It has three main peaks - Batian (5199m), Nelion (5189m) and Point Lenana (4985m). Batian and Nelion both require some technical skills and tools to climb while Point Lenana is a trek not requiring any technical skills. Approximately 15,000 trek/climb Mt Kenya each year (compared to 50,000 people trekking Mt Kilimanjaro). Of this number most all choose a trek to Point Lenana, with only approximately 200 attempting Nelion and 50 - 100 attempting Bation each year.

There are various routes on Mt Kenya. Perhaps our favorite Point Lenana trekking option is ascending by the Chogoria Route. It is the driest route up the mountain and the walk beside the Gorges Valley offers wonderful scenery. Then descending by the Sirimon Route takes one through some beautiful forested areas.

Day 1: Nairobi - Lake Ellis (3,450m) 3hrs, 550m ascent. Depart from Nairobi in the morning, driving through agricultural areas pausing at Mount Kenya Bandas for lunch. After lunch, we trek towards Lake Ellis having lovely views of Mugi Hill, Ithanguni, and the "Giant’s Billiards Table"; all spectacular and unique land formations. We follow the river near the road-head, upstream for about 3 km, the scenery and flora is particularly beautiful. Hike up to the secluded campsite on the shores of Lake Ellis at an altitude of 3400m (3hrs walks).
Dinner and overnight at Lake Ellis campsite

Day 2: Lake Ellis - Mintos Camp ( 4,200m) 4-5hrs, 750m ascent. After breakfast, follow a ridge up the mountain for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist trail on the normal Chogoria Route at an altitude of about 4,100m. Breathtaking views over the Gorges Valley and back over towards Ithanguni and the Northern Moorlands. Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, before continuing for a further hour to the Mintos Hut area at 4200m for our overnight rest. The afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, though a 10-minute walk to the "Temple" is a worthwhile option. This is a 150 meters vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge- they look as if they are praying. An early night is recommended as you are attempting the summit the next day.

Day 3: Mintos Camp - Point Lenana ( 4,985m)- Old Moses Camp ( 3,300m) 10- 11hrs, 785 ascents, 1,685 descent. Predawn attempt of the summit starts at 0300hrs and you hike for about three hours up to Point Lenana (4985m), the highest non-technical summit, arriving there in time to watch the African sunrise. Descend to Shipton Camp for breakfast. After breakfast, begin a 4-5-hour descent via Mackinder`s Valley to Old Moses Camp (3,300m). The descent is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy fascinating scenery which includes the moorlands before reaching the camp.
Dinner and overnight at Old Moses Camp

Day 4: Old Moses - Nairobi After early morning breakfast, descend and transfer back to Nairobi arriving late afternoon.

Contact us for other options, price quotes, and bookings

Rwenzori Mountains Climbs & Treks

Unlike Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru, and Mt Kenya - Rwenzori Mountains are not volcanic in origin. It is also a mountain range - unlike the the others mentioned. Rwenzori has six major peaks.

Mount Stanley (5,109m)
The highest of the six peaks in the Rwenzori mountain range and the third-highest peak in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, Mount Stanley has an elevation of 5,109m. There are a number of trekking routes to its highest point, Margherita Peak. A minimum of 7 days in the mountains is needed to get here. The trek to Mount Stanley involves long days at altitude, passing through some challenging terrain. You will also be working with ropes and crampons as part of the ascent, and for this reason it is generally considered tougher than climbing Kilimanjaro.

Mount Speke (4,890m)
At 4,890m, Mount Speke is the second highest in the Rwenzori mountain range. Together with Mount Stanley and Mount Baker, forms a triangle encircling the upper Bujuku Valley. When European explorers first visited the region in search of the source of the great Nile, this peak was named after John Speke. Speke sketched the source of the White Nile in 1862, despite never hiking to its summit. Mount Speke is pierced by multiple water streams and rivers as a result of the heavy rainfall it receives, and its flora appears dense.

Mount Baker (4,844m)
Located 2.9 kilometres from the Democratic Republic of Congo border, Mount Baker has an elevation of 4,844m making it the fifth highest mountain in the Africa. Together with Mount Stanley and Mount Speke, the three mountains form a triangle enfolding the upper Bujuku Valley. Mount Baker’s summit offers views of the twin peaks, the Margherita Glacier, Mt Speke, and the stunning beauty of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Mount Emin (4,791m)
Despite the lack of snow, this is a difficult mountain with narrow and rocky ridges is regarded the fourth highest peak of the Rwenzori Range and the sixth highest peak in Africa. Climbing this peak in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park often begins from the south west of the ridge and is easily accessible from the Mugusu Valley, which extends into DRC.

Mount Gessi (4,715m)
Mount Gessi is located in the Rwenzori Mountains to the north of the Mount Stanley, Mount Speke, and Mount Baker triangle. These summits were formerly covered with glaciers, which melted away. The trek to the top begins in the Mugusu valley and proceeds through groundsel forests to Roccato pass, then through heavy brush and slabs to the ridge between the peaks.

Mount Luigi de Savoia (4,627m)
Mount Luigi di Savoia's summit, “Sella,” at 4637m, is the fourth highest in Uganda and the sixth highest in Africa. Like the other Rwenzori mountains, Mount Luigi de Savoia consists of a long ridge with several summits. It is the shortest of the six central mountains and the first to see its glacial ice melt.

We ask you to contact us a bespoke Rwenzori Mountains itinerary