How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Kenya?
If you’re looking for the adventure of a lifetime that comes with a big personal challenge, summiting Mount Kenya is a fantastic option. This extraordinary mountain often gets overlooked internationally but its popularity is growing for a good reason.
The second-highest mountain in Africa, preparing to climb Mount Kenya is a serious undertaking. You don’t have to be an experienced mountaineer though thanks to its choice of trails and expert guides. Hiking this peak isn’t a walk in the park, but where else can you get rainforest, alpine landscape, and phenomenal views all in one place?
Around 15,000 people summit Mount Kenya each year and joining their ranks is a massive achievement. Don’t underestimate this stunning African mountain but by challenging yourself to undertake such an expedition, you’ll complete it a stronger, more confident person.
This mountain requires some serious preparation and a big part of that will be deciding on your route. Keeping reading to find out how long it takes to climb Mount Kenya so you can start planning!
Preparing to Climb Mount Kenya
If you’ve done multi-day hikes up mountains before, you’ll know that the right planning and preparation are essential. If this will be your first big mountain, it’s important to not underestimate it.
Despite its thousands of annual hikers, climbing Mount Kenya is still a big undertaking that comes with obstacles. It’s not an expedition you’ll want to rush and you’ll need to take altitude acclimatization and your fitness into account.
By preparing and planning well, you’ll join the thousands who’ve successfully summited, not those who had to turn back.
Choosing the Best Mount Kenya Route for You
When deciding on a route, it’s important to be realistic. Walking for many hours a day in both hot and cold temperatures will be tiring and you don’t want exhaustion to ruin your adventure.
Consider the time you have available for your trip and remember that you should allow for a day to acclimatize at least. When you finish, you’ll also most likely want a rest day, so allow time to put your feet up.
Climbing Mount Kenya isn’t all about reaching the summit either. To make the most of your time in this phenomenal park, you can choose your route based on the sights you’ll get to see.
If you want an easier route with more animals and landscapes, then a slower route like Chogoria might be perfect. You can always choose a shorter route to descend, like Naro Moru.
1. Naro Moru Trail
Time: Three to four days
The Naro Moru trail is one of Mount Kenya’s most popular. Naro Moru is the shortest trail to the Point Lenana summit and it draws many hikers for this reason.
While spending one or two days less on the mountain might sound appealing, be mindful of your hiking ability. The Naro Moru trail is very steep and only hikers with good fitness should use it on the way up.
Many expeditions ascend by another trail and use the Naro Moru trail for a fast descent. This can cut your time on the mountain without having to climb the steep Naro Moru route.
2. Buruget Trail
Time: Three to seven days
Not often used, the Buruget trail is an option if you want to be out in the wilds and an expert guide is crucial. As this trail isn’t as well marked and spends a lot of time in dense forest, it can be a very challenging but rewarding experience.
You can hike this route to the summit at Point Lenana and use a different route to get down from the mountain. The route you choose to descend will change how many days you spend on the hike, with longer trails taking up to seven days total.
3. Sirimon Trail
Time: Four to six days
The Sirimon trail has become one of the most popular trails to reach Point Lenana summit as it’s a more gradual climb than Naro Moru. It has dormitory huts for the nights and you can do it in as little as four days.
Many hikers choose to ascend using the Sirimon trail and descend using another. This might be the speedy Naro Moru trail or the slower Chogoria trail. Depending on which trail you use to get down, you could stretch the hike to six days total.
4. Chogoria Trail
Time: Four to six days
The Chogoria trail is the longest and yet it’s still a popular path. Why? Because it’s unbelievably beautiful. This is the best path to embrace the Mount Kenya landscape and you’ll get to see a huge range of wildlife from elephants to mongoose.
This trail ascends gradually and you can choose a shorter path to get down.
Tick Mount Kenya off Your Bucket List
When making time to climb Mount Kenya, faster isn’t always better. It is possible to summit and descend in three days but this isn’t recommended. Not only should you make time to acclimatize, but taking your time will often give you the best experiences.
You may also want to spend a rest day in the park after your hike so giving yourself some extra time is a good idea. Hikers usually complete their Mount Kenya hikes in around four to six days. This gives you plenty of time to ascend gradually and enjoy the scenery.
When you’re planning your Mount Kenya hike, it’s vital you travel with an expert guide. This mountain is popular but it still has dangers and going with a guide will make your experience comfortable and safe.
If you can’t wait to experience Mount Kenya for yourself, check out our Kenya tours today to pick the one for you. We offer expert Mount Kenya hikes using the routes that suit your needs so you can focus on having an unforgettable time.