MT. KENYA NATIONAL PARK, The 5199m (17,058 ft) rock in Mt. Kenya National Park is the second-highest in Africa and the only one of its kind in Kenya. It’s really a vertical park, because the great climbing starts in a tropical bamboo forest and goes up through wooded areas and alpine moorland, ending on a moonscape of ice, rock, and snow.In the lowlands along your path, look for elephants, buffalo, monkeys, and antelope. As you go up through the dense forests, look for giant forest pigs. As you climb to the top of one of Mt. Kenya’s three famous peaks, you’ll see glaciers, mountain lakes, and plants that only grow in the high mountains.

A Very Strange Park

Even though Mt. Kenya Park is close to the equator and is home to 12 high mountain glaciers, it defies expectations. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and is thought to be the most beautiful rock on the continent.

Climbers from all over the world love this huge mountain, and vertical safari-goers can choose from seven different ways to reach the top. Only Point Lenana, which is 4985 m (16,354 ft) high, is easy for beginners to climb.

Begin your climb

To begin your journey, you’ll be in a tropical bamboo forest full of birds of prey like sunbirds and eagles. Don’t be fooled by the peaceful forest in front of you; you will soon be climbing to higher alpine fields. It is suggested that you stay on the mountain for several nights to get used to its high elevation.

You’ll have to push through icy fields of rock and snow to get to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Kenya’s scenery below. And, of course, the right to brag that you climbed one of the world’s tallest mountains.

Mount Kenya National Park: Things to Do and See

The Climb: Some climbers go back to Mt. Kenya every year to test themselves and maybe try a new peak. Nelion (5188 m; 17,021 ft) and Batian (5199 m; 17,057 ft) are the two higher peaks that need skilled climbing skills to reach. Though, first-time hikers and trekkers can make it to Point Lenana 4985 m (16,354 ft) after getting used to the high altitude.

Alpine camping: Just below the peak, climbers can find a place to rest at a high elevation called Shipton’s Camp. You can take a bunk in this mountain hut before the next day’s climb to the top of the mountain.

Caving: Safari-goers will find Shipton’s Caves close to Shipton’s Camp. For an even more exciting climb, try high-altitude caving.

Highland Castle: This lava creation is called that because it looks like a castle. It’s about 3700 m (12,139 ft) up on the Burguret Route. You can climb to the top of the Castle and see the Nelion and Batian hills in awe.

Check out Mt. Kenya National Park

The park covers 700 square kilometers (270 square miles), which includes Mt. Kenya. In contrast to other parks, the borders of this mountain park go straight up from 3200 m (11,000 ft) to the highest point of the three peaks, which is 5199 m (17,057 ft).

Mount Kenya is right next to the equator and 175 km (108 mi) away from Nairobi.

Weather: Since this is a mountain park, it gets cooler as you go higher. At night, it gets cold, to about 40C (390F). It does rain sometimes, too.

When is the best time to go? November through December or January through February or August through September.

How to get there: Safari Trips to Kenya can help you book a tour. It will be a style trip because the 4×4 safari Jeep is specially equipped for it.