Why it's iconic
Africa's second summit
Africa's second-highest peak (5,199 m). Glaciated summits, alpine moorland and bamboo forests within a UNESCO World Heritage site.
History & heritage
Sacred to the Kikuyu people as the dwelling place of Ngai (God), Mount Kenya is an extinct stratovolcano that erupted roughly 3 million years ago. It was first summited by Halford Mackinder in 1899 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Its three peaks — Batian, Nelion and Point Lenana — pierce the equator from afromontane forest through bamboo, heath and alpine moorland up to a glaciated cap.
Things to explore
- Point Lenana trek (4,985 m)
- Sirimon & Chogoria scenic routes
- Alpine tarns and giant lobelias
- Bongo and elephant tracking in the foothills
Highlights
Don't leave without doing this
Travel here
Packages that include Kenya
Nine-day family-friendly adventure: safari, beach, and the Giraffe Centre.
A week of white sand, snorkelling and Swahili sunsets on Kenya's south coast.
Six-day traverse via Sirimon ascent and Chogoria descent to Point Lenana (4,985m).