Tour overview

Aberdares

The Aberdares in central Kenya are a 160km long mountain range north of Kenya’s capital Nairobi with an average elevation of 3,500 meters above sea level.

The scenic summits, valleys, and hills are a hikers’ paradise. Hikers have a choice of trails based on the elevation and terrain. The range’s highest summit, Oldonyo Lesatima, is just above 4,000m above sea level and is on the north of the range.

The most famous and hiked trails are Mt Kinangop, Mount Kipipiri, Elephant Hill and Rurimeria Hill in the southern Aberdare range, which are also the hardest and most treacherous with bogs marshes, dense bamboo forests and teeming with wildlife.

All of them fall under the jurisdiction of the Aberdare National Park and hikers have to pay entry fees to the park or forest service, depending on the jurisdiction of the gate one will use to get to the trail.

The Satima trail is the most scenic and gentle of all the Aberdare trails, with the route hugging the escarpments above undulating valleys and hills of rich alpine and sub-alpine flora, including species of lobelia, erica, giant helichrysum, and tussock grasses.

Mount Kenya Sirimone Route

Packing Checklist/Essentials

  • Walking boots and spare trainers or hut slippers.
  • Warm clothing, socks, warm hat, warm gloves and their liners.
  • Waterproof jackets/trousers
  • Sleeping bag rated -15 to – 25 degrees Celsius.
  • Head torch and spare batteries.
  • Camera and spare batteries.
  • Snacks and throat sweets.
  • First aid kit
  • Sun protection factor # 33
  • Enough money for tips.

Advance Planning Checklist

  • Consult medical doctor about your proposed trip.
  • Suitable Travel insurance.
  • Plan and execute training program for fitness and stamina.
  • A strong waterproof kit bag or rucksack.
  • Trial packing and check the target weight of 15kg (Normal for the porter)
  • Prepare a day pack to carry your essentials.

Add On Safari

Solio National Reserve

This private owned protected Reserve is geared towards the Rhino conservation. The Rhino being part of the big five, Solio reserve is recognized as one of the most successful Rhino breeding reserve in  Kenya, the animals live in harmony with other wildlife including lions, leopards, hyenas, buffalo, zebra and other plains game.

By the end of 2009 Kenya had 635 black rhinos and 353 white rhinos and two thirds of hat population is in Solio Reserve.

Included

  • Pick up in Nairobi and drop off at agreed location.
  • Full board accommodation in the mentioned Lodges/Camps.
  • Services of a professional English speaking driver guide.
  • Transportation in custom designed safari vans with pop up roofs for game viewing.
  • 1 liter of bottled mineral water daily in safari vehicle.
  • All park entry and Reserve fees.
  • All Mountain operations, (Mountain accommodation, hut fees Guides and porters wages, food.)
  • Accommodations as stipulated in the itinerary on Full Board basis.

Not Included

  • International air fares.
  • Travel insurance
  • All items of personal nature e.g. Drinks, tips, laundry, telephone calls etc.
  • Any activities and meals not mentioned
  • Optional activities and excursions.
  • Tips and Gratuities.
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Day 1: Nairobi - Aberdares, Le Satima Point

(Altitude: 3650m- 4001m, Hike Time: 4.5hrs, Terrain: moorland and lower alpine zone)
Pick –up from an agreed location in the city and drive to Aberdares National Park, with a stop-over at park headquarters for check-in formalities. Change cars in a 4WD, Drive further inside the park to the Le Satima road head.

Hike up and its less strenuous, the views are stunningly beautiful. The summit of Ol Doinyo Le Satima is 4000m above sea level. Dinner and overnight at Peaks Hotel Nanyuki / Rhino Watch lodge (FB).

Day 2: Mount Kenya

(Altitude: 2650m-3300m, Time: 3 ½ hrs.). This day starts with a drive to Sirimon gate via Nanyuki town. After check-in formalities start walking from here through the rainforest to Old Moses camp.

Day 3: Old Moses Camp to Shiptons Camp

(Altitude: 3300m-4200m, Time: 6-7hrs.). After an early breakfast set off towards Ontulili River, from here magnificent scenery of the northern side. Hike through Likii valley to Mackinder’s valley to Shiptons camp

Day 4: Shiptons Camp to Point Lenana

(Altitude: 4200m-4985m, Time: 3 ½hrs). You will be woken up at around 2 o’clock and after a light breakfast head out and following the trail up. The climb to Lenana point is relatively strenuous and steep in some places. Arriving in the summit in time for the sunrise and on a clear day Mt. Kilimanjaro is visible.

Afterward descend down to Shiptons camp for full breakfast. Later on, descend down to Old Moses camp.

Day 5: Old Moses Camp to Nairobi

(Altitude: 3300m-2650m, Time: 2 hrs). Breakfast is served at 8 o’clock and you will leisurely hike down to
Sirimon gate to meet up your transfer back to the city.

Download pdf brochure