Trekking and Climbing in Kenya

Our Kenya walking programmes include:

1. Mountain treks on Mount Kenya (Lenana Point) and Mount Elgon
2. Techncial climbs to Batian and Nelion Peaks on Mount Kenya
3. Walking safaris in the private conservancies of the Maasai Mara, Laikipia and Samburu

Mount Kenya

The focus of a trekking holiday to Kenya is usually Mount Kenya, which offers a variety of beautiful trekking routes. The most popular of Mount Kenya’s summits is Point Lenana (4985ms.), which is accessible to trekkers - no technical climbing is involved in the ascent - and which can be approached via several trails: Sirimon, Naro Moru and Chogoria. To get a full view of Mount Kenya, we recommend trekking up one route and down another. Visit our Mount Kenya pages to learn more.

For rock climbers and mountaineers there are two major technical rock and ice climbing routes on Mount Kenya: the Normal South-East face going up to Nelion’s summit and the North face standard route going up to Batian summit. Climbers choosing Nelion route can also choose to cross the Gate of Mists to Batian’s summit. Please see our Technical Climbs on Mount Kenya - Batian and Nelion - Overview for more detail.

Treks and climbs on Mount Kenya are not the only attraction for walkers and climbers who visit this diverse country. Walking in the Maasai lands on the borders of the Maasai Mara, trekking in the Aberdares, cycling and light hiking in the foothills of Mount Kenya, and climbing the distant volcano Mount Elgon on the border with Uganda, are all special, memorable adventures. Each of these can also form part of a multi-activity adeventure in Kenya. One popular option is to combine a mobile camping and walking safari adventure in Hell’s Gate National Park with a climb of Mount Kenya. See also our Discover Kenya adventure safari, which combines light walking with cycling and a safari in the Maasai Mara.

Kenya Walking Safaris

Kenya offers keen walkers more than just Mt Kenya. While walking is prohibited in most of Kenya's National Parks, there are a number of private reserves and conservancies that offer walking safaris alongside driven safaris. In most places, these are secondary to driven safaris, but in some regions, such as Naboisho Conservancy in the Mara ecosystem and Ol Pejeta Conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau, walking safaris are very much a highlight. Some of Kenya's old ranches, such as Sosian, also offer fabulous walking safaris (as well as riding safaris). The more limited game in these regions makes them more suitable for guided walks than, for instance, the central Masai Mara would be. So, too, does the more moderate climate!