Towering majestically at 5,199 meters above sea level, Mount Kenya is Africa's second-highest peak and a crown jewel of Kenya's natural heritage. Mount Kenya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering visitors a unique blend of challenging alpine adventures, diverse wildlife encounters, and breathtaking landscapes that range from bamboo forests to glacial peaks. Mount Kenya National Park and its ecosystem are a must-visit tourist destination.

 

If you are planning a trip, you may be wondering what activities await you inside this incredible park. From challenging treks to serene wildlife viewing, this comprehensive guide outlines the top activities to enjoy in Mount Kenya National Park.

 

 

1. Trekking and Hiking Adventures

The highlight of any visit to Mount Kenya National Park is undoubtedly trekking. Mount Kenya’s three peaks: Batian (5,199m), Nelion (5,188m), and Point Lenana (4,985m). While Batian and Nelion require technical rock climbing and are reserved for skilled technical climbers, Point Lenana is accessible to most trekkers with good fitness levels and is a goal for most adventurers.

Popular Routes

1. Sirimon Route – Regarded as the most scenic, it has a gradual ascent, is less crowded, and is perfect for acclimatization.
2. Chogoria Route – Arguably the most beautiful route, approaching the mountain from the East. Known for its stunning views of valleys such as Gorges Valley, waterfalls, and lakes such as Lake Michaelson. Requires 4x4 transport.
3. Naro Moru Route – Shorter and most direct route to Point  Lenana, but steeper across its Vertical bog section, popular with locals, but can be tough.

Pro Tips

Whichever route you settle for, a successful and safe summit requires proper acclimatization. Engage a reputable tour operator. Starting your summit attempt in the early morning hours, usually around 3 AM, rewards you with spectacular sunrise views from the peak. Summiting Point Lenana will reward you with sweeping views of the Kenyan highlands and even glimpses of Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day.

2. Wildlife Viewing and Birdwatching

Mount Kenya National Park protects a rich diversity of flora and fauna spread across its different ecological zones. The park's altitudinal range, including alpine meadows, bamboo forests, and montane moorlands, each hosting unique wildlife, makes it a paradise for nature lovers. The lower parts of the park are home to elephants, buffalo, and some antelope species such as duiker and eland.

In case you are lucky, you might spot the rare and elusive mountain bongo, a beautiful forest antelope with distinctive white stripes that was almost extinct but has been saved and reintroduced into its natural habitat.

Mount Kenya National Park is a gem for birdwatchers, with over 160 species recorded, including sunbirds, eagles, lammergeiers, and the striking-tufted malachite sunbird.

3. Discover the Mountain Lakes and Glaciers

Mount Kenya's glacial features are among the park's most captivating attractions and are scattered around the lower slopes and valleys. Visiting these lakes combines a pleasant hike with serene natural beauty. These lakes are great day hikes or stopovers during the multi-day treks.

• Lake Michaelson: Nestled below cliffs on the Chogoria Route, this is one of the most picturesque spots in the park.
• Lake Ellis: Offers tranquil settings for camping and fishing.

 

• Lake Rutundu: Famous for its remote charm and for being the place where Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton.

These lakes are perfect for photography, picnics, or simply soaking in the serenity of the alpine wilderness. Camping beside these pristine lakes offers an unforgettable high-altitude experience.

4. Camping Under the Stars

For anyone seeking to immerse themselves fully in nature, camping inside Mount Kenya National Park offers an unforgettable experience. There are several designated campsites that allow you to spend the night under star-studded skies with the mountain peaks towering above.

The popular camping spots include:

1. Shipton’s Camp (on the Sirimon Route) is a high-altitude camp that is often used as a base of summit attempts.
2. Mackinder’s Camp (on the Naro Moru Route)
3. Hall Tarns (on the Chogoria Route)
4. Met Station (an intermediate camping spot along the Naromoru route.
5. Liki North Hut, located on the North side of the mountain. 

 

5. Seeking out the hidden, spectacular Waterfalls

The glacial streams and rivers flowing from Mount Kenya create several spectacular waterfalls. A hike to one of these falls is a fantastic activity for those not seeking to summit. Among the famous falls are:

The Nithi Falls- located along the Chogoria route. This stunning multi-tiered cascade is set in a dramatic gorge. The falls provide a perfect spot for photography, a picnic, and simply enjoying nature in its most unpolluted form.

Kamweti Falls and Castle Forest Waterfall: Located past the Castle Forest Lodge, a historic lodge, it offers breathtaking views and a beautiful spot to visit.  A hidden gem in the Park's forested area, surrounded by a dense greenery environment. This is not accessed through the conventional routes but accessed from the Kirinyaga County side of the mountain.

 

6.Rock Climbing and Technical Mountaineering

For experienced climbers, Mount Kenya offers world-class rock climbing and technical mountaineering challenges. The peaks of Batian and Nelion require technical skills such as rock climbing, ice climbing, and glacier travel. The Diamond Couloir, a prominent gully on the South face of Batian, presents one of the mountain's most challenging and sought-after routes.

Even when not talking about the technical peaks, scrambling opportunities are common throughout the park. Approaching the Austrian Hut involves rock hopping and scrambling that provides trekkers a taste of the mountaineering experience even without specialized skills.

7. Discover the Unique Alpine Flora

Mount Kenya has among the world's most extraordinary plant species. The key unique plants include:

1. Giant Groundsel (Dendrosenecio species): These are towering, woody plants with large, evergreen rosettes of leaves and grow up to 8 meters. These plants produce a single flower spike that can extend over 2 meters high, with new branching occurring only after flowering, which may be after 10 years.

 

1. Giant Lobelia: These are striking, blue-flowered plants that are a signature of the Afri-Alpine zones and offer food for hummingbirds and sunbirds. The plants have evolved remarkably to survive the freezing temperatures, such as how they close their leaves at night to protect their growing tips.

About the Author