FROM $6,916.10
March 21 - 29 2020
Kenya
Trek Mount Kenya from the lowlands of Laikipia on a 9 day walking Safari with the Masai and Samburu tribes
FIND A DATE THAT WORKS FOR YOUWHAT'S INCLUDED
8 nights
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport / Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Kenya
You’re at one with nature and happy to be taking on a proper challenge that has elements of the unknown. 8 hours on feet per day over 2-3 days or 3-5 hours on feet over 4 days.
THE ADVENTURE
From the edge of the Rift Valley to the dramatic glaciers and unique flora of Mount Kenya this trip is something special. It starts in the lowlands of Laikipia with the Masai and Samburu tribespeople while they guide, sing and teach you the bush skills, folklore and ancient wisdom needed to survive in one of the richest wildlife regions in Africa. The trip ends with a summit of the highest walkable peak on Mount Kenya, Africa's 2nd highest mountain.
You'll be sleeping under canvas throughout your time in Kenya, so may hear the roars of lions and the cackles of hyenas at night, and wake to the songs of birds at dawn. Each night you will enjoy a three-course meal under the stars and around the campfire. It is a chance to share stories with your guides and fellow adventurers while listening to Masai or Samburu stories and songs.
The walking safari is the best way to see the diverse flora and fauna of Kenya including lion, elephant, giraffe, rhino beetle and honey badger. Summit Mount Kenya, Africa's 2nd highest mountain.
Safari tents are the ultimate way to experience the Kenyan bush whilst leaving a light footprint, sleep under the stars and enjoy the camaraderie of the campfire.
Experience the Kenyan bush through the perspective of the Laikipia Masai and Samburu tribes, who have called it home for centuries.
Each trip funds 2 teacher salaries for a month at the Laikipia school you will visit. If you wish, you can donate some much-needed items to the children (see What to Pack).
Day 1 - Arrival in Nairobi
Welcome to Kenya!
After landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, you'll be collected and transferred to your hotel close to the airport. As everyone will be landing at different times, there is no schedule today and you are free to do as you please. Just remember to get a good night's sleep as we've got an early start tomorrow!
Day 2 - Nairobi to Laikipia
Depart early morning at 6:30 am and be driven to Nanyuki stopping for a quick coffee in town (approx. 4-hour drive). From here it is a scenic 2-hour drive north into Laikipia before arriving at camp in time for lunch.
We arrive at our mobile, tented camp where we will be greeted by the team of Laikipia Masai and Samburu staff. The local Laikipia Masai call the rocks at our meeting point Nayasura and stone chippings suggest that they have been used as a camp for millennia. We too will use the rocks starting with a refreshing lunch and short afternoon rest in our classic roomy safari tents. Once it cools off a little, we will head out on a walk looking for game and getting a feel for the country. As the sun begins to set we will find ourselves at the crest of the rocks with drinks and nibbles, watching the baboons come back to roost on the face of the rock. Back at camp after hot showers, we'll enjoy drinks around the fire and sit-down for dinner under the stars.
Day 3 - The Walking Safari Begins & School Visit
Typically, we are woken before sunrise with a friendly ‘hodi hodi’ (wakey wakey) outside our tents and hot water in our basins. After breakfast, we will set off with the rising sun. We walk through the morning looking for wildlife, birds, scenery and culture along the way and arrive at our new camp before lunch. We are accompanied by an armed guide, Laikipia Masai tracker and riding camels who also carry the refreshments and day-packs.
The walk is typically between 8-16km in the morning hours. We will stop occasionally for water and a light snack before carrying on to our next camp. We arrive at our new camp to be greeted with a cool drink and a freshly prepared lunch.
In the afternoon we'll meet the teachers and children of a school where IGO directly supports their education. The camels also use this time to relax and browse around camp.
In the evening our staff will offer hot showers before we have drinks by the fire and dinner under the stars.
Day 4 - Walking Safari Day 2
Following a similar outline to the previous day enjoy the morning walk to the next camp and have the option to enjoy the different activities on offer which could range from tracking wildlife or visiting a manyatta. The afternoon is spent relaxing, enjoying a stream or river or having a siesta before going for an evening walk, rock climbing, birdwatching or sundowners. Ending the day around the campfire, sharing stories and dining under the stars.
Day 5 - Start Ascent of Mount Kenya
After breakfast in camp, we will be transferred to the outskirts of Nanyuki Town to the road head of the Timau route north of Timau town at 2,700m above sea level to begin our ascent of Mount Kenya. This hike starts off at the start of the moorland zone and takes us up through patches of bamboo and heather. We will stop for lunch on the rim of the crater, which offers a chance to see some of the rare mountain species such as eland, zebra, buffalo and even the occasional elephant. The view as we ascend is breath-taking, looking down across Kisima, Lewa Downs, Samburu and the great Northern Frontier beyond and up to the glaring peaks of Mount Kenya ahead. After lunch, we will continue on our way to Marania Camp on the edge of one of the mountain’s shoulders in heather moorland.
Distance: 8km
Hours Trekking: 4hrs
Altitude gain: 500m, 1,640ft
Overnight at Marania Camp (3,200m 10,500ft)
Day 6 - Hike to Major's Camp
We will depart the camp after breakfast, walking up through the moorland back towards the peaks ahead that make up the Mount Kenya Massif. We will have a picnic lunch at the Marania Spring, which is the source of the river that runs by Marania camp and a beautiful lunch spot, especially if there are some curious zebra around. We will arrive at Major’s Camp in the afternoon, which is set up at the base of the valley near some very dramatic rock faces. Some wildlife has been known to frequent the area, previous guests have had sightings of the rare Serval cat.
Distance: 14km
Hours Trekking: 8hrs
Altitude gain: 600m, 1,970ft
Overnight at Major’s Camp (3,800m 12,470ft)
Day 7 - Hike to Simba Tarn Camp
We will begin the long, gradual hike up towards the Lower Simba Tarn. This walk is definitely an experience that resembles no other, with an extremely unique lunar landscape coupled with very distinctive vegetation; this will be our first glimpse of the fabulous Giant Lobelias, particularly in the Hobley Valley, below the massifs of Terere and Sendeyo, which are named after two Maasai wise men. This vegetation is endemic to Mount Kenya with its unique adaptions to the vast day to day temperature changes. We will arrive at the Simba Tarn camp at the top of the Hobley Valley and aptly named Gorges Valley. The views from Simba Tarn camp are breathtaking, which is where we will spend the night.
Distance: 12km
Hours Trekking: 8 hrs
Altitude gain: 850m, 2,790ft
Overnight at Simba Tarn Camp (4,650m 15,255ft)
Day 8 - Summit Mount Kenya
An early departure at 5:30am for a sunrise summit to Point Lenana is the best way to experience this climb and enjoy the expansive views of the mountainside, valleys, and country beyond – and on a clear morning even the summit of Kilimanjaro. Enjoy the first of the sun rays whilst sipping a nice warm drink before our descent. The descent takes us down the southern side along the Naro Moru route where we will have brunch in the Teleki Valley. Then it’s a final walk down to the MET station for collection. We will be back in the Nanyuki area by 3pm for a late lunch. Enjoy hot showers and a well-deserved rest. Stay overnight in Nanyuki.
Distance: 18km
Hours Trekking: 12hrs
Altitude gain: 335m, 1,100ft
Day 9 - Return to Nairobi & Flights Home
After an early breakfast in Nanyuki drive to Nairobi and be dropped at JKIA to catch your international flight home. Depending on the international flight times spend the day in the city enjoying the various attractions on offer. This can include a visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Orphanage, a visit to the giraffe sanctuary and the Karen Blixen museum.
Four Points Hotel
The first night of the trip will be spent at the 4-star hotel next to the airport.
Safari Tents
We will be staying in expedition-style safari tents that are easy to take with us as we move along to route to Mount Kenya. They are designed to keep the bugs out but let the views in. These tents are comfortable and have basic amenities available.
START
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
END
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Finlay
Finlay was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and brought up on the southern boundary of Nairobi National Park where the only division between the wild animals and his remote family home was the trickling Mbagathi River.
Finlay’s eagle eye for the flick of a cheetah’s tail moving through swaying grass was honed on the school run each day and on regular adventures into the wild and beautiful parts of East Africa.
After a childhood scrambling around every habitat this diverse corner of the world has to offer, Finlay moved on to finish his schooling in the UK but the call of the African bush was strong and the safari was never too far away.
Expert Guides
Friendly, local, English-speaking and highly knowledgable
Accommodation
1 night in a hotel and 7 nights in safari tents in the Kenyan bush
Transfers
We put on transfer to and from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi
Equipment
Everything you need for camping will be provided
Delicious Meals
Whatever your dietary needs - healthy, delicious meals will be provided throughout, except where made explicit in the itinerary
Security
Trained bushmen will keep us safe from any local wildlife and personal items can be kept secure
Transformative Experience
Through collective achievement and giving back to the places we visit
A full kit list is available on request and will be sent to all guests ahead of travel. In short, it includes:
It is a requirement of travelling with us that you take out personal accident insurance. In the unlikely event of an emergency, this will cover you for any need of evacuation from the mountains as well as medical attention.
Please read the small print before you take out personal travel insurance. Many providers do not provide cover up to and above 5,000m altitude.
Flying Doctors Kenya provides great emergency rescue from the nearest airstrip, and good hospitals in Nairobi, Kenya, but a helicopter ride off the mountain can be very expensive and is not covered by the Flying Doctors.
We recommend the Austrian Alpine Club because they will provide cover for helicopter rescue from any mountain in the world for a year.
Kenya enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and north-east parts of the country. The average annual temperature for the coastal town of Mombasa (altitude 17m) is 30C maximum and 22C minimum; the capital city, Nairobi (altitude 1,661m) 25C maximum and 13C minimum; and the drier north 34C maximum and 23C minimum. There is plenty of sunshine all the year round and summer clothes are worn throughout the year. However, it is usually cool at night and early in the morning. The long rains generally occur from April to June and short rains from October to December. The rainfall is sometimes heavy and when it does come, it often falls in the afternoons and evenings. The hottest period is from December to March and coolest in July to August.
Yes all dietary requests can be catered for - we will need to know in advance in order to source accordingly.
It is a requirement of travelling with us that you take out personal accident insurance. In the unlikely event of an emergency, this will cover you for any need of evacuation from the mountains as well as medical attention.
Please read the small print before you take out personal travel insurance. Many providers do not provide cover up to and above 5,000m altitude.
Flying Doctors Kenya provides great emergency rescue from the nearest airstrip, and good hospitals in Nairobi, Kenya, but a helicopter ride off the mountain can be very expensive and is not covered by the Flying Doctors.
We recommend the Austrian Alpine Club because they will provide cover for helicopter rescue from any mountain in the world for a year.
We do not allow drones on our trips.
Yes!
During the walking safari, the food is varied, but always fresh and delicious. Breakfasts are fruit, muesli, yoghurt, eggs, bacon etc, whilst lunches are salads, pizzas, cheeses and fruit. In the evening we have a sit down three-course meal under the stars.
During the Mount Kenya summit, a good quality menu will always include cooked breakfasts, picnic lunches and 3-course evening meals. Tea and coffee is always available in camp.
Yes but there would be an additonal charge depending on the location.
Yes of course! We've got some great options, including a beach stay. Email for more information.
You need to be fit and healthy in order to make it up the mountain! If you are unsure then please get in touch with the IGO team, [email protected], and we can talk about this in more detail.
The Adventure Rating is Wolf, which means:
You’re at one with nature and happy to be taking on a proper challenge that has elements of the unknown. 8 hours on feet per day over 2-3 days or 3-5 hours on feet over 4 days.
Our Kenya adventure requires 6 people to go ahead. Please book when you're ready but hold off from purchasing flights until we confirm the trip. We will do this at least 90 days prior to the trip.
If you are a group of over 4 people, please get in touch to organise a bespoke trip by clicking here.