Mount Kenya Climb with Safari and Beach Holiday

Detailed itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and transfer to the foot of Mt. Kenya – 175 km and 3 hours of driving

  You will be met at Nairobi airport in the arrivals area and driven to the hotel at the foot of Mount Kenya. By dinner at the latest you will also meet your mountain guide for the coming days. Overnight at the Silva Montana Hotel Chogoria or an accommodation of equal category (B|L|D).

• Day 2: Drive to Chogoria and trek to Bandas Camp (2,700 m) – approx. 2 hours of driving and approx. 4 hours of trekking

  A relaxed morning begins with breakfast and sorting through our equipment. We leave behind any items and bags we will not need on the mountain at the hotel. At 9:00 a.m. we set off with a short one-hour drive through the rainforest, where we are dropped off along the way. There we lace up our hiking boots and hand over our luggage to the porters. Through the dense bamboo forest we walk up to the camp at the Meru Bandas huts at 2,700 m, where we pitch our tents. In the late afternoon we make a short excursion to a nearby waterhole, where antelopes, buffalo, zebras and occasionally elephants can be spotted. Overnight at the Mount Kenya Bandas Tented Camp (B|L|D).

  

  

  

• Day 3: Mt. Kenya Bandas – Lake Ellis Campsite (3,600 m), 3 hours / 12 km hike

  The hike begins with a spectacular view of the gently rolling hills ahead of us and possibly even of the snow-capped peaks of Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m) high above. This is a comparatively short walk, and we will reach camp a little earlier than the day before, giving us the chance to relax and settle in. After lunch we take a stroll around the lake and complete our acclimatisation walk to nearby Mugi Hill. Overnight at the Lake Ellis Tented Camp (B|L|D).

• Day 4: Lake Ellis – Minto's Camp (4,200 m), 4 hours / 10 km hike

  We start early and once again follow a ridge off the beaten track up the mountain for about three hours. Eventually, at an altitude of around 4,100 m, we reach the tourist route of the regular Chogoria Route. From here we enjoy breathtaking views over the Gorges Valley, back towards Ithanguni and across the northern moorlands. Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, before we continue for another hour to Minto’s Camp at 4,200 m, where we spend the night. The afternoon can be spent relaxing at camp, but a 10-minute walk to the “Temple” is well worth it. The “Temple” is a 150-metre-high vertical cliff, its name derived from the posture visitors often adopt when peering over the edge — they look as if they are praying. Overnight at the Lake Minto’s Tented Camp (B|L|D).

• Day 5: Minto's Camp – Simba Col (4,600 m), 3 hours / 7 km hike

  Today we begin our hike after 10:00 a.m. and climb at the foot of huge rock walls. From above we enjoy an excellent view of Mt. Kenya. After about 3 hours we reach Simba Col. We spend the night at the tented camp at Simba Col, close to Simba Tarn. Overnight at the tented camp (B|L|D).

• Day 6: Simba Col – Point Lenana (4,985 m) – Mackinder's Met Station (3,100 m) – Nairobi – approx. 8 hours / 18 km hike

  Around 5:00 a.m., after a light breakfast snack, we set off for the third-highest peak of the Mount Kenya massif. For an hour we climb over bare rock and scree slopes typical of the alpine zone, until we reach Point Lenana at 4,985 m. On the summit we enjoy a breathtaking view of the rugged Mount Kenya massif, where several mountain lakes shimmer in the golden morning light. On especially clear days, even Mount Kilimanjaro is visible on the horizon. We then descend to Mackinder to have breakfast there. Particular care is needed on the descent. After continuing further down we are picked up at the Met Station. By around 7:00 p.m. we are back in Nairobi and spend the night at the hotel in Nairobi. Overnight at the Hotel Boulevard Nairobi (B|L).

  

  

  

• Day 7: Drive to Amboseli National Park – game drive – approx. 4 hours of driving

  After a restful night in Nairobi, the following morning we are picked up by our personal driver, who will take us directly to the breathtaking Amboseli National Park. Amboseli National Park lies in the shadow of Africa’s most famous landmark, the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro — our next summit. After a leisurely check-in and a hearty lunch, another exciting game drive in Amboseli National Park is on the programme for the afternoon. Very likely, giraffes and elephants, gazelles, hyenas, buffalo, lions and perhaps even a leopard will come into view. Africa at its purest, in all its splendour! Overnight at the Amboseli Sopa Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (B|L|D).
  
  

• Day 8: Drive from Amboseli National Park to Tsavo West National Park

  After a cup of coffee or tea we set off around 6:30 a.m. today on a highly recommended early game drive. At this time of day you not only have the best chances of seeing the summit of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro and its neighbour Mawenzi cloud-free, but can also look forward to magnificent wildlife sightings. After breakfast at camp you drive to Tsavo West National Park. Tsavo West National Park covers about 30 per cent of Kenya’s entire national park area and is home to a wide variety of habitats, wildlife and an impressive mountain landscape. The park extends as a vast savannah landscape from Mtito Andei along the Mombasa–Nairobi road to the southern border with Tanzania. To the north-east it adjoins Tsavo East National Park along the highway. The park’s varied habitats include open plains, savannahs, scrubland and semi-desert, bushland and acacia woodland. There are numerous rocky outcrops and koppies in the park. The area of the park opposite the Chyulu Hills is of volcanic origin and features lava fields and cinder cones, including the Shetani Lava Flow, an example of a young volcano. In the vast south-western part of the park on the border with Tanzania lies Lake Jipe, fed by meltwater from Mount Kilimanjaro and the North Pare Mountains. In the north of the park the water is filtered underground by the Chyulu Hills and flows from a lava ridge into a series of crystal-clear pools. Dinner and overnight stay at the Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (B|L|D).

  

  

  

• Day 9: Tsavo West – Tsavo East National Park

  
  Today the journey leads to Tsavo East National Park, one of the oldest and largest national parks in Kenya. Tsavo East offers wonderful scenery, in particular Mudanda Rock and the Yatta Plateau, the largest lava flow in the world. At over 13,000 square kilometres, Tsavo East National Park is vast, and with its establishment in 1948 it is one of the oldest national parks in Kenya. Explore the extensive savannah of the Yatta Plateau, where you can see its red elephants and an astonishing number of animals. Four of the Big Five (elephant, leopard, lion and buffalo) as well as animals such as dik-diks, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, baboons, hyenas, jackals, African wild dogs, elands, gazelles, gerenuks and over 500 species of birds are waiting for you here. Overnight at the Ashnil Aruba Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (B|L|D).

  

  

• Day 10: Train ride from Tsavo East to Mombasa – Bamburi Beach

  After breakfast at the lodge we check out and drive to Mtito Andei railway station, from where our train to Mombasa departs at 10:54 a.m. and arrives at 2:00 p.m. There we are met by our driver and transferred to the beach hotel on the north coast. Overnight at the Severin Sea Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (B|D).

• Day 11: At Bamburi Beach – relaxing by the sea

  Over the next few days, relaxation by the sea is on the programme. Bamburi Beach is a breathtakingly beautiful stretch of coast on Kenya’s southern coast, known for its dazzling white sandy beaches and the clear turquoise water of the Indian Ocean. The beach extends over several kilometres and is lined with lush tropical vegetation, providing a picturesque backdrop for visitors. The beaches are ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving, as the water is warm and inviting and offers a rich underwater world to explore. Water sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing are also popular.
  Away from the beach there are also a number of sights and activities in the surroundings of Bamburi Beach, including excursions to nearby nature reserves such as Shimba Hills National Park or to historic sites like Fort Jesus in Mombasa. Overnight at the Severin Sea Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (B|D).

  

  

• Day 12: Relaxing by the sea

  The day is at your leisure and offers an opportunity for restful hours by the sea. Overnight at the Severin Sea Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (B|D).

• Day 13: Relaxing by the sea

  The day is at your leisure and offers an opportunity for restful hours by the sea. Overnight at the Severin Sea Lodge or an accommodation of equal category (B|D).

• Day 14: Drive to Moi Airport – return flight home

  Time for the journey home. Think of the breathtaking landscapes, the fascinating wildlife and the diverse culture you have experienced in Kenya. May the memories of your time here last long and bring a smile to your heart. May your farewell be only an “until we meet again”, and may you return one day to discover more of this fascinating country (B).

  We reserve the right to make changes to the programme due to special events, force majeure or weather conditions.

  Legend: B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner