Climbing 17,057 feet above sea level, Mount Kenya in Africa is a beacon dominating the Kenyan horizon between the Aberdare, Samburu, and Meru national parks. This ancient extinct volcano, located mere minutes from the equator, is the second-largest in Africa behind Mount Kilimanjaro. It stands as the highest in all Kenya. The local Kikuyu and Meru people still revere its splendor by honoring it as the dwelling place of their traditional god Ngai and his wife Mumbi.

Climbing Mt. Kenya

Meanwhile, avid climbers from near and far pay homage to its magnificence in an different way. They summit one of its three main peaks. These aren’t your average summits, however. Of Mount Kenya’s three crests, only Point Lenana can be reached by amateurs. Meanwhile, Batian and Nelion lie in wait for those with a healthy dose of daring, full mountaineering skills, and equipment. Climbing Mount Kenya is an exhilarating experience!

Mt. Kenya National Park

With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mount Kenya is more than Africa’s second-highest mountain. It is also one of the most beautiful. The mountain supports a wide range of pristine wilderness, from rainforests clumped with bamboo to moorland with heather and lobelia. Its impressive landscape, encompassing Mount Kenya National Park, has the rare honor of holding both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation. These titles serve to protect Mount Kenya, conserve its wildlife habitats, and support its role as a water catchment area for the entire country.

Through the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve, Mount Kenya National Park also incorporates the transition zone between the mountain ecosystem and the semi-arid savannah grasslands, paving the way for some absolutely unforgettable wildlife sightings. This is the land of high-altitude-adapted plains game and endangered species. It is the traditional migrating route of the African elephant population. There is also a plethora of black and white Colobus monkeys, Cape buffalo, giant forest hogs, and prolific birdlife. For an even more in-depth safari experience, guests can visit the nearby Aberdare National Park. Equatorial Forest Elephants, leopards, and elusive Bongos make their home there. Or, take a trip to the Solio Game Reserve, an area known for its varied menagerie of wildlife, especially the black and white rhino. This region is renowned for its successful rhino breeding. It has been instrumental in trans-locating rhino to locations in Kenya and Uganda.

Whether mountain climbing or game viewing, an experience under the watchful eye of Mount Kenya is one to remember. Contact Ker & Downey today to include Mount Kenya’s diverse offerings on your next Kenya luxury safari.