Kenya is one of the best hiking destinations, with the great rift valley cutting across living towering escarpments and its high soaring volcanoes spread out in different parts of the country. The country is also a birdwatchers paradise and hikers enjoy a prolific bird life during their trails. Below are some of popular trail in the country.
1. Mt Kenya hike- The highest peak in the country
Towering at 5199 m a.s.l mount Kenya is the highest Mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro. The mountain is ideal for hikers who would like to embark on a technical but surmountable climb. The mountain boast incredible mountain zones amongst them dense rainforest, bamboo forest, moorland vegetation, and alpine desert. Trekkers climbing the volcano prefer to use either the sirimon or chogoria routes, which requires a minimum 6 days to summit. Hikers climbing the mountain enjoy picturesque sceneries like mountain rocks, water tarns and glaciers. Compared to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, mt Kenya has fewer visitors making the experience a more authentic climb. Importantly, most climbers in Mt Kenya only climb to point lenana( 4985 m a.s.l) as it would require more technical rock climbing skills to hike the other two peaks- ( Nelion 5188 m a.s.l) and (Batian 5199 m a.s.l)
The dry season between June to October and January to March is the best moment to go hiking mt Kenya.
2. Mt Longonot – Perfect stratovolcano near Nairobi
Mt Longonot is a stratovolcano on the floor of the great rift valley, just 74 km North west of Nairobi. Mt Longonot is one of the most hiked mountains in Kenya for its easy access from the capital. Soaring at 2780 m a.s.l Mt Longonot is the best freestanding volcano for a day hike. The mountain that last erupted in the 1860s, features incredible sights of crater, parasitic cones and lava flow. It takes about 5 hrs to climb to the peak of the crater from the trailhead and another 1 hr to walk round the crater rim. The mountain is a moderately strenuous climb and a wonderful challenge for beginners. Hikers in the mountain enjoy the view of the natural features on the floor of the rift valley most prominently Lake Naivasha on the northern side.
3. Mt Lesatima and dragon teeth trail – Most challenging day hike from Nairobi
Mt Lesatima is the highest peak in the Aberdare ranges and the third highest in Kenya after Mt Kenya and Mt Elgon. The trailhead for the hike is at Shamata gate on the northern slopes of the ranges just 150 km from Nairobi. The dragoon teeth are picturesque rocks that resemble ‘the jaws of a dragon’ and which are found in the moorland section on the trail. The dragon teeth are the only opportunity available in the Aberdare ranges for rock climbers to take a difficult but exciting challenge. The Mt Lesatima hike is a good attempt for hikers preparing for Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya trek. The gentle 8 km trail to the peak is quite a tough hike but ideal for both experienced and beginner trekkers. There is no technical climb throughout the trail save on those embarking on rock climbing at the dragon teeth.
4. Mt Elgon trek – best match to Mt Kenya
Set on the border with Uganda, Mt Elgon is the second highest peak in Kenya, with an elevation of 4321 m a.s.l. The mountain has less number of hikers climbing from the Kenyan side mainly due to its distance from Nairobi; approximately 7 hrs. However, the mountain is the only hiking trail in Kenya that matches that of mt Kenya with its highest point altitude wagagai peak( 4321 m a.s.l) being just 661 m lower than point lenena the highest point where climbers reach in Mt Kenya. During your hike you will come across distinct features like tarn and extensive alpine vegetation. Makkingeny and kitum caves, which are the largest caves in Africa, are the most outstanding features you will encounter. At 4000 m you will encounter quite an intimidating rock climb similar to the barranco wall in Kilimanjaro. Importantly, Mt Elgon national park also boasts an impressive population of elephant and buffaloes which you might encounter along the way explaining the need of an armed ranger escorting you during the hike. It takes just 3 days to successfully summit Mt Elgon from the trailhead. However, due to its far distance from Nairobi, you will need an extra 2 -3 days t cater for transfer and have ample time to prepare for the climb.
5. Ngong hills- Spectacular mountain ranges very close to Nairobi
Located just 21 km from the city centre, the Ngong hills are a popular day hike destination for trekkers in Nairobi. The hills raise to an elevation of 2460 m on the periphery of the great rift valley. Hikers taking this trail have an opportunity to climb through a series of 7 hills, each with a uniquely different view. It takes 3- 5 hrs to hike through the hills depending on your fitness. This trail will lead you through the extensive Ngong forest, which is intimately attractive with endless lush green amidst intense serenity. From the fourth hill you might come across buffaloes or their droppings. Some of the best views atop the mountains are Nairobi and the Nairobi national park lying on the northeastern side and the scenic great rift valley on the western side.
6. Menengai crater- one of the world’s biggest and intriguing caldera
Menengai crater is one of Kenya’s most hiked mountains mainly for its fascinating features and proximity to both Nairobi and Nakuru. Situated just 180 km to the North of Nairobi and 14 km North of Nakuru. Menengai is popular with both local and international tourists, perhaps only comparable to Mt longonot. The shield volcano is believed to have formed 8000 years ago, leaving behind a 12 km wide caldera, which is the World’s second widest unbroken caldera after Ngorongoro in Tanzania. It takes 2- 3 hrs trekking to reach the crater 2200 m a.sl and descend. Most people prefer spending more time walking along the crater which features alluring forested floor and picturesque steep wall with cliffs. Most people, however, don’t descend to the floor of the crater for the scary myths surrounding the crater. However, local Masai and operators of a geothermal plant situated inside the crater are known to go down to the floor of the crater.
7. Nguruman escarpments hike – View if the rift valley from the western escarpment
Nguruman escarpments are on the southern part of Kenya along its border with Tanzania. The escarpments are a spectacular paradise with overgrown woodlands and streams radiating on its face flowing downhills. The most outstanding river is the Entasopia river which boasts a scenic waterfall at 2000 m a.s.l elevation. The trail to the waterfall is the most sought after hike in the escarpment. Starting at 750 m a.s.l elevation, the hike to the waterfalls takes about 4-5 hrs complete to ascend and descend. The climb is quite challenging as the trail is consistently uphills and gets steeper as you go higher. However, the view gets more alluring as features like Lake Magadi and the loita hills become more visible. You may also encounter some of the local masai tribesmen during the trail. The waterfalls are set in a serene and lush location and are ideal for hikers seeking a natural place to pass time. Hikers are allowed to swim in the water plunge beneath the falls as they enjoy the unbroken view of the great rift valley.
8. Mt kilimambogo hike – mountain near Nairobi
The mountain is in Thika on the outskirts of Nairobi in the Oldonyo Sabuk national park. Kilimambogo rises to an altitude of 2145 m a.s.l. The hike to the top of the mountain takes 2- 3 hrs following either of the two trails, one being 9 km long and another 6 km. Along the way you will come to the site of Lord Macmillan, a colonial settler and philanthropist who once owned the entire Ol donyo sabuk national park. The view of the fourteen falls is the most alluring sight in the mountain.
9. Oloololo escarpments trek- A sweeping view of the Mara triangle
Oloololo escarpment forms the western border of the masai mara and mara triangle conservancy. The escarpment receives more rainfall than the Masai Mara and has rivers radiating from its wall before disappearing under towards the base. These rivers are part of the underground tunnels that feed the marshlands in the game reserve. The walls of the escarpments also feature panoramic ever green grass with a dense bushland going up to the top. The trek starts at Ngira-re Rangers’ outpost and takes 1 to 2 hrs hiking through a 4 km long trail to the top of the escarpment(1645 m a.s.l) an inclination of 290 m.
10. Ol Doinyo Eburru forest hike
Eburru hills are on the riftvalley escarpments in the Naivasha region. The 87 sq km Eburru forest is an alluring indigenous forest on the slopes of Mt Eburru. The mountain features an outstanding landscape encompassing ranges, springs, waterfalls, and rolling foothills. Mt Eburru has Ol Doinyo Eburru as its highest peak at an elevation of 2820 m a.s.l. The forest is one of the dwellings for the Ongiek who are amongst the oldest communities in Africa. The trek to the ol doinyo peak starts on the Eburru gate and follows a 22 km long return trail leading through two major habitat zones- indigenous forest and the Bamboo zone. The mountain is a birder’s paradise with 188 resident and exotic avian varieties, mostly montane forest adopted species. The forest is also a dwelling for 40 different fauna varieties, including the critically endangered mountain Bongo, about 10% of which is believed to live in this forest. .
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