As a country that starts with K listed on Countryaah.com, with an area of around 580,000 km 2, Kenya is only slightly smaller than France. The state stretches from the coastal lowlands with offshore coral reefs to the massif of Mount Kenya, whose highest peak, the Batian, is one of the Seven Second Summits at 5,199 m. The capital Nairobi with three million residents is at an altitude of almost 1,700 meters.
- Day 1: Our trip to Kenya begins!
- Day 2: Hello Kenya – Nakuru National Park!
- Day 3: Mount Longonot
- Day 4: Hellsgate National Park & Hotsprings
- Day 5: Ascent of La Satima (4,001 m), the highest point of the Aberdare Mountains
- Day 6: White Highlands and ascent to Marania Camp
- Day 7: Through the high moor to the majors camp
- Day 8: Past the summit to Shipton’s Camp
- Day 9: Via the Hausberg and Two Tarn lakes to the Teleki Hut
- Day 10: Ascent of Point Lenana (4,985 m)
- Day 11: Descent to the Meru Kenya Bandas
- Day 12: Drive to Samburu Lodge
- Day 13: Game drives in Samburu National Park
- Day 14: Drive to Nairobi
- Day 15: Hello Europe!
Early in the morning we drive to a cliff of the East African Rift Valley; from here, 600 meters below, we see Lake Bogoria, known for its geysers. We descend on paths that local wild honey hunters also use. Unmistakable the beaking flamingos; Fish eagles and other birds of prey chase after their pink prey. We may also catch a glimpse of the dikdiks, dwarf antelopes, only slightly larger than hares.
We devote a lot of time on this trip to the diverse Kenyan fauna: In the boat on Lake Naivasha we encounter water birds and hippos. In the Samburu area we see monkeys and elephants at the watering place; endemic animal species live here that have adapted to the steppe-like landscape. Our accommodations are particularly stylish on this trip, including lodges that date back to the British colonial era.
On day 9 things get serious. We are at 4,200 m, on the Teleki Hut, in the middle of Africa’s second highest mountain range around Mount Kenya (5,199 m). We set out at three in the morning, today we want to climb Point Lenana (4,985 m). It goes along a partly snow-covered rock ridge, we use our hands to help. We are at the summit at sunrise. Far below us in the morning haze lies the East African plateau; only gradually do the wisps of cloud reveal a view into the depths.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st day:
Our journey to Kenya begins!
Our big trip to Kenya begins with a lot of anticipation in our luggage.
2nd day:
Hello Kenya – Nakuru National Park!
We arrive in Nairobi early in the morning and our local guide picks us up at the airport. When we arrive at the hotel, we can take a rest. After a late breakfast, we make our way to the East African Rift Valley. Although Nairobi is 1,600 meters above sea level, on the way to Naivasha we initially continue to climb steadily. We cross fertile farmland and coniferous trees, and in some circumstances we are even surprised by the fog! Impressions of the landscape that do not seem to belong to the equator. Then suddenly a spectacular view of the East African Rift opens up, which will accompany long stretches of our journey. We drive through the rift valley past Lake Ementaita to Lake Nakuru. Although Nakuru is one of the smaller Kenyan parks, it has a huge animal density and diversity. The threatened Rothschild giraffes and rhinos, wild buffalo, waterbuck, lions, leopards, myriads of birds and mighty rock pythons have their home here in the immediate vicinity of the city of Nakuru. For lunch we stop at a lodge in the park and in the early evening at around 5 p.m. we drive to our accommodation at Lake Naivasher. Elsamere is the home of the conservationist – Joy Adamson, who is known from the film “Loewin Elsa”. After her death, the house and the area around the house were converted into a conservation center. For lunch we stop at a lodge in the park and in the early evening at around 5 p.m. we drive to our accommodation at Lake Naivasher. Elsamere is the home of the conservationist – Joy Adamson, who is known from the film “Loewin Elsa”. After her death, the house and the area around the house were converted into a conservation center. For lunch we stop at a lodge in the park and in the early evening at around 5 p.m. we drive to our accommodation at Lake Naivasher. Elsamere is the home of the conservationist – Joy Adamson, who is known from the film “Loewin Elsa”. After her death, the house and the area around the house were converted into a conservation center.
Driving time: approx. 5 hours (approx. 250 km, without game drives)
Overnight at Elsamere Lodge
(B / L / D)
3rd day:
Mount Longonot
Early in the morning we lace up our hiking boots and set off for our first mountain, the 2,776 m high stratovolcano Longonot. The zebras and impalas on a plateau next to the hiking trail are enough motivation to overcome the sometimes steeper path to the top. After about 2-3 hours we have reached the crater rim. The view and the light wind that blows around your nose make up for every step. Here we decide whether to take the circular route around the crater (2-3 hours) or descend (1.5 hours). When we arrive at the park entrance a bit dusty, we drive back to the hotel for a shower. We end the day with a boat trip on Lake Naivasha, in front of the panorama of the Rift Valley we see eagles, water birds and hippos.
Driving time: approx. 1 hour (approx. 50 km, without game drives)
Hike: approx. 5 hours (approx. +/- 600 m)
Overnight stay at Elsamere Lodge
(B / L / D)
4th day:
Hellsgate National Park & Hotsprings
Hellsgate National Park is on our agenda today. We go on a game drive and hike through the Njorowa Gorge past the imposing traces of a volcanic past until we come across hot springs. On our drive out of the national park, we pass the arteries of the steam pipes of a geothermal power plant. After lunch we drive to the Aberdare National Park, where we move into our accommodation in the Fishing Lodge, a self-catering hut at an altitude of 3,000 m. We let ourselves be impressed by the tropical-alpine vegetation that surrounds us, while our chef goes to great lengths to prepare a delicious dinner for us. Then we admire the starry sky over the equator and go to bed temporarily.
Driving time: approx. 4 hours (approx. 140 km, without game drives)
Overnight stay in the hut (approx. 3,000 m)
(B / L / D)
5th day:
Ascent of La Satima (4,001 m), the highest point in the Aberdare Mountains
At sunrise we start our hike to the starting point. On the way we can meet buffalo, elephants and possibly also lions. A three-hour easy climb brings us to the summit, from where we can overlook the Mt. Kenya massif opposite. Here we enjoy the contents of our packed lunches and, in about 2 hours, get off to the vehicles that take us across the game-rich area of the “Salient” part of the mountain range to the Aberdare Country Club, a well-tended colonial-style accommodation. We have time to process the impressions of the past few days and enjoy a lavish dinner.
Driving time: approx. 2 hours (approx. 80 km, without game drives)
Hike: approx. 5 hours (approx. +/- 500 m)
Overnight in hotel
(B / L / D)
6th day:
White Highlands and ascent to Marania Camp
Immediately after breakfast we set off towards the northwest. The 70 km long drive through the White Highlands brings us to the School of Adventure, the starting point of our Mt. Kenya trek at 2,900 m. The escort team is already waiting for us, and after a short introduction we begin our four-hour ascent to Marania Camp. The team is faster than us and has already set up the tents when we arrive at the camp, which is in the middle of a raised bog. The background is a breathtaking forest, which provides shelter for a variety of wild animals. After dinner we can marvel at the southern starry sky again before we retire to our tents early.
Hike: approx. 4 hours (approx. +400 m)
overnight in a tent (approx. 3,330 m)
(B / L / D)
7th day:
Through the high moor to the majors camp
After breakfast we continue our ascent through the high moor. We pass lobelia and senecia forests. These are pollinated by nectar birds, as there are hardly any insects at this altitude. At Allen’s Point we take a break and have time for our well-deserved lunch. In the early afternoon we arrive at the majors camp, where we will spend the night. Above us we can see the Mt. Kenya peaks Batian and Nelion as well as our trekking destination: Point Lenana. Surrounded by Senecia and Lobelia, we enjoy dinner and discuss the next stage with our guide.
Hike: approx. 6 hours (approx. +600 m)
overnight stay in a tent (approx. 4,100 m)
(B / L / D)
8th day:
Past the summit to Shipton’s Camp
Today’s stage is a little longer and leads us past the Mt. Kenya summit massif. First we climb – passing the peaks of Sendeyo and Terere – to an altitude of 4,500 m, where we sit down for a leisurely lunch break. Here the vegetation is quite sparse, but we have come much closer to the three snow-covered main peaks. An initially steep descent leads us to Shipton’s Camp at 4,200 m. This time we spend the night in bedrooms with bunk beds. If you want, you can also stay in a tent.
Hike: approx. 6–7 hours (approx. +400 m / – 300 m)
Overnight in a tent or in a hut (approx. 4,200 m)
(B / L / D)
Day 9:
Over the Hausberg and Two Tarn lakes to the Teleki Hut
Today a scenic highlight and a strenuous stage await us, because we will manage about half of the actual summit tour. We cross the Hausberg Pass (4,591 m) and reach the Hausberg lakes very close to the mighty summit structures. From there it goes to the next pass, which brings us to the Two Tarn Lakes (4,490 m), a place with picture book motifs for mountain photographers. A long, somewhat arduous descent finally leads us to the Teleki Hut (formerly Mackinder’s Camp) at 4,200 m. The ascents and descents as well as the unchanged sleeping height compared to the previous day favor our height adjustment.
Hike: 4–5 hours (+ 460 m / – 525 m)
overnight in a tent or in a hut (approx. 4,200 m)
(B / L / D)
10th day:
Ascent of Point Lenana (4,985 m)
We set off at around 3 a.m. and first follow the Teleki Trail up to the Austrian Hut (4,790 m). There we warm up again with hot drinks before climbing the summit. Along a rocky ridge (in which some snow can sometimes be stored) with easy block climbing, with which we use our hands to help, we climb the summit, which we should have reached at sunrise. We enjoy the first warm rays of the sun and the perhaps wonderful sunrise. A grandiose natural spectacle presents itself to us, especially if in the morning there are still wisps of cloud floating around and only slowly reveal the view into the depths. The long descent leads over the north side. We pass the Simba Col and reach the Hall Tarns (4,200 m). From there we descend into the steeply sloping Gorges Valley, accompanied by spectacular views of Lake Michaelson. We pitch our tents on the shore of the lake and spend the night in one of the most beautiful places on Mt. Kenya.
Hike: approx. 8–10 hours (approx. + 785 m / – 1,025 m)
Overnight in a tent (approx. 3,960 m)
(B / L / D)
11th day:
Descent to the Meru Mt. Kenya Bandas
After breakfast we first climb a little before we descend to the Meru Mount Kenya Bandas. With a bit of luck we will meet klipspringers, zebras and buffalo on the way. In the afternoon we reach the Meru Mt. Kenya Bandas. Here we say goodbye to our team that has accompanied us for the last few days. Our vehicles that bring us to Meru via Chogoria are already ready. After we have cultivated in our hotel, we will have dinner in a cozy atmosphere.
Hike: approx. 5–6 hours (approx. +250 m / -1,230 m)
Overnight stay in a multi-bed hut (approx. 2,980 m)
(B / L / D)
12th day:
Drive to the Samburu Lodge
After breakfast we drive to Mt. Olololokwe, which lies between the Samburu National Park and the arid Northern Frontier District. A traditional lunch is waiting for us here. We are served goat meat that is grilled Samburu style over an open fire. There is also a soup that is seasoned with the bark of the Olkiriti tree. By the way, the Olkiriti tree belongs to the acacia tree family, and the Kenyans attribute special powers to it. As an alternative to goat meat, there is a vegetable stew.
On a short walk through the savannah we will learn about trees and herbs that are used to treat various diseases. Afterwards we continue towards Samburu Lodge, where we will spend the night today. We meet numerous wild animals on our way there. With a bit of luck we should be able to observe herds of elephants at the Ewaso Nyiro River. Finally we reach our lodge, which is right on the river.
Driving time: approx. 6 hours (approx. 150 km, without game drives)
Overnight in the hotel
(B / L / D)
13th day:
Game drives in Samburu National Park
To escape the heat of the day, we start our game drive very early in the morning. The Samburu region had already fascinated Dennis Finch Hatton, who kept coming back here: alone, with his hunting guests or with Karen Blixen. We are also fascinated by this landscape and its residents: the endemic animal species have adapted to the inhospitable and steppe-like conditions, such as the Grevy’s zebra and the East African Beisa antelope, which belongs to the genus of the oryx antelopes. At Ewaso Nyiro we should be able to watch monkeys and elephants drinking. Back at the camp, a rich breakfast awaits us. We spend the midday heat in the shade of the trees and let the African noises and smells affect us and relax our minds. In the afternoon we set out for the next stalk in the hilly steppe landscape and hope to spot giraffes, buffalo, elephants and small dikdiks. Lions and leopards are not uncommon here. Once again, the Samburu Lodge offers us accommodation for the night.
Driving time: approx. 8 hours game drives
Overnight in the hotel
(B / L / D)
14th day:
Drive to Nairobi
Our travel program is drawing to a close with an early morning game drive and a hearty breakfast. We drive back to Nairobi and stop for lunch at a well-known trout restaurant at the foot of Mt. Kenya, on the third highest peak of which we recently stood. In the early evening we come back to our hotel in Nairobi. On request, we can also have dinner in the Carnivore Restaurant, which is considered the top address for grill specialties. In this case we have to take a taxi back to the hotel, as our driver has to take us to the airport at around 2: 30 a.m.
Driving time: approx. 7 hours (approx. 320 km) day room
(B / L / -)
15th day:
Hello Europe!
We are back in our homeland and give each other time to arrive.
