Mt. Kenya National Park

Mt Kenya National Park, established in 1949, protects the region surrounding Mt Kenya. Initially, it was a forest reserve before being announced as a national park. Currently, the national park is within the forest reserve, which encircles it. In April 1978, the area was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The national park and the forest reserve, combined, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The mountain is an awe-inspiring sight. Its ragged series of peaks are crowned with snow, and its slopes are thick with forest. The mountain is best seen at dawn when the day’s early light silhouettes its impressive summit high over the surrounding plains. The Government of Kenya had four reasons for creating a national park on and around Mt Kenya. These were the importance of tourism for the local and national economies, to preserve an area of great scenic beauty, to conserve the biodiversity within the park, and to preserve the water catchment for the surrounding area. The mt Kenya national park has 715 square kilometers (276 sq mi) above the 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) contour line. The forest reserve has an area of 705 square kilometers (272 sq mi). Combined, this makes the area of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 1,420 square kilometers (548 sq mi). A small portion of this park’s borders near heavy populations have electrified fences to keep the elephants out of the surrounding farmland. Volcanic sediment in the surrounding region’s soil and the huge freshwater volume coming down the slopes makes the area particularly favorable for agriculture. At lower altitudes, Colobus and other monkeys and Cape Buffalo are prevalent. Some larger mammals such as elephants range up to 4,500 meters. Mt Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak, is regarded as Ngai’s realm, the god of the local Kikuyu people. Traditionally, all Kikuyu homes were built to face this sacred peak. They call it Kirinyaga, or place of light. While the 5199-meter summit is a difficult technical climb, the lesser peak of Point Lenana (4985m) can be easily reached by any fit trekker. This trek takes between 3 and 5 days, through a fascinating world of forests, wildlife, unique montane vegetation including podocarpus and groundsel, and finally one of the world’s rarest sights, equatorial snow. For those who don’t want to climb the Mountain, the cool highlands surrounding its base are well worth visiting. The forests are ideal for game viewing, and there are crystal clear mountain streams that abound with Trout. General Information Mt Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro. Mt Kenya is a broad volcanic cone whose base is around 120 km in diameter. A volcanic eruption formed the Great Rift Valley creation mountain, and geologists believe it was over 1500m higher than its present height of 5199m (17,057ft). It would have had a summit crater at this stage; however, intensive erosion has worn away the cone’s original upperparts, leaving arêtes, pyramidal peaks, U-shaped valleys, and rock basins containing glacial lakes. The peaks of Batian (5199m) and Nelion (5188m) are the remains of a huge volcanic plug that has slowly eroded to create a distinctive silhouette. Only 16 kms south of the Equator, the peaks are permanently iced with snow and glaciers. However, in the last 20 years, the glaciers have been retreating, and it is estimated that if the present trend continues, there may be no permanent ice left on the mountain. Since records were established in 1893, eight of the eighteen glaciers then recorded have disappeared. On the lower slopes below 4000m, trekkers encounter various alpine vegetation ranging from the rain forest, bamboo, hagena, hypericum woodland, giant heather, tussock, and the fascinating giant lobelia. The forests are rich in wildlife and elephants, buffalo, zebra, antelope, and monkeys. Birdlife everywhere is plentiful and varied. Mt Kenya (or Kirinyaga) was revered by the Gikuyu, who settled in the Central Highlands and believed their god, Ngai, lived on top of the mountain. The first European to lay eyes on the mountain was Ludwig Krapf, a Swiss missionary in 1849, but the Geographic Society ridiculed his stories of snow on the Equator in England. In 1883, a Scottish explorer, Joseph Thomson, confirmed its existence that Krapfs findings were accepted. Other explorers followed, and several attempts to scale the mountain were made. In 1899, Halford MacKinder and two Alpine guides made the first successful ascent of the mountain and named the two highest peaks after Maasai leaders. Mt Kenya is unexpectedly different, attracting trekkers and mountaineers from all over the world. The mountains’ unique landscape and vegetation have been declared an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Its range of walking and climbing routes offers something for everyone and, unless your time is limited, is too good to miss. Mount Kenya Climbing Season The mountain can be climbed all year round, but it is best to avoid the rainy seasons for a more comfortable trek. The best times for reasonable weather are January, February, and August October. It should be noted that the weather patterns on Mt Kenya are notoriously unpredictable, and even during ˜dryseasons rain can fall, and the weather can be unpleasant for two or three days at a time. The highest peaks, Baton and Nelion, can only be reached by fully equipped mountaineers with technical skills. The goal for most trekkers is to reach Pt. Lenana (4985m), the third-highest peak on the mountain, where superb views of the surrounding countryside are possible. Special Note: Mt Kenya is not an easy climb. People who underestimate this mountain and set off unprepared for the conditions usually have a miserable time due to the cold and altitude. Trekkers who do not spend enough time acclimatizing will often suffer from altitude sickness, which is one of the main reasons why over 25% of attempts fail. By allowing an extra day on the mountain, you stand a better chance of reaching Pt Lenana and have a more enjoyable climb. Mount Kenya Climbing Routes There are three main routes up to the peaks Naro Moru, Sirimon, and Chogoria. Naro Moru Route The most popular and fastest route to Pt Lenana. It is the least scenic of the main routes but has easy access from the main road and reasonable facilities in bunkhouses and camping. Being the most direct route, it is easy to follow but can be steep and boggy in places. Sirimon Route The least used of the main routes of ascent. Because it is on the drier side of the mountain, this route offers superb forest walking, open scenery with wonderful alpine vegetation, and the chance of spotting wildlife on the lower slopes. Chogoria Route This route is the longest and most beautiful and spectacular way to ascend the mountain. Wonderful views for most of the climb, particularly in the upper sections with its glacial lakes, giant groundsel, lobelia, and weird volcanic formations inhabited by rock hyrax. These routes can be combined to traverse the mountain by going up one side and down the other, the most popular being the Sirimon Chogoria route. For most routes, a minimum of 3-4 days should be allowed from the road heads or 5-6 days if departing from Nairobi. If you plan on trekking around the peaks, allow an extra 1 or 2 days to really enjoy the mountain. Climb rates included: Return transport from Nairobi, Park entry fees, Camping/Hut fees, Meals, Guide/Porters. Not Included: Personal climbing gear, drinking water, items of a personal nature, tips.