This is a summary of Mount Kenya Climbing adventure, when to visit during the different seasons, pros and cons of each season, how to pick a Mount Kenya hiking route, selecting your Mountain guide, how much hiking Mount Kenya is and how to budget and finally the different high altitude sickness, the prevention, signs and curative measures while on your Mount Kenya Climbing/hiking.
Mount Kenya Climbing with Snowpeaks Tours
General information about Mount Kenya is discussed here.
Choose Dates for Mount Kenya Climbing
Mount Kenya hiking is available year-round, and the best time to visit depends on personal preference. For those who favor dry conditions, the ideal periods are June to October and mid-December to March. During this time, the weather is typically pleasant with clear skies, offering stunning views of the peaks and surrounding landscapes.
For those who appreciate the rainy season, hiking between October to December (short rains) and March to May (long rains) is also an option. The terrain becomes lush and green, and wildlife activity increases.
Pros of Hiking Mount Kenya During the Dry Season
- Clear skies and favorable weather enhance visibility and peak views
- Easier wildlife viewing due to animal concentration near water sources
- Trails are less muddy, making trekking more manageable
Cons of Hiking During the Dry Season
- Trails and camps/huts can be crowded
- Dust and heat can cause discomfort
- Higher risk of dehydration from sweating and frequent urination
- Potential environmental degradation due to large hiker volumes (e.g., litter, soil erosion, vegetation damage)
Pros of Hiking During the Rainy Season
- Vegetation is Lush and green
- Increased wildlife activities due to abundance of water and food sources when its not actively raining
- Fewer crowds in the trail and camps/huts
Cons of Hiking During the Rainy Season
- Trails are muddy and slippery posing as a potential risk of falls
- Clouds can limit visibility blocking peaks view
- Temperatures are freezing at higher altitude
- Potential delays, the rain and muddy trails can slow down the hike or force changes in the overall itinerary
- Wildlife may be harder to spot when it rains as they shield from the rain
- Navigating the muddy trails requires extra energy making the trek physically exhausting
What to Pack for a Mount Kenya Climb with Snowpeaks Tours
Must-have gear for Mount Kenya Climbing adventure;
- Layered Clothing (base, insulation, waterproof trousers and Poncho)
- Diamox (altitude sickness prevention)
- 20°C Sleeping Bag (summit nights reach -°C!)
- Trekking Poles (saves knees on descents)
- Quality and waterproof hiking boots with good traction and grip on the outsole
Overall the weather prediction is never a guarantee, there might be a storm during the dry season or very pleasant weather during the projected rainy season, either way always carry the recommended gears and don’t let bad weather ruin your hike.
Select a Route
Route Duration Description
| Sirimon | 3-5 days | Easy to climb, gradual way up |
| Chogoria | 3-7 days | The most beautiful route, quite steep and gains more altitude for shorter distances |
| Naromoru | 3-5 days | The shortest way to the summit, has a notorious vertical bog and also gains significant altitude over a shorter distance |
| Timau | 5-8 days | Generally flat ascent, more quiet and adventurous route, suitable for loners |
| Kamweti | 5-7 days | Offers a unique jungle experience and is also less travelled, known for its dense bamboo forests and challenging terrain, including river crossings and steep inclines |
| Burguret | 5-8 days | Offers an unrivalled wilderness trekking experience, less climbed and adventurous |
Beginners should avoid the 3 days Mount Kenya Climbing itineraries, best picks for beginners, elderly or children is 5 days Mount Kenya trekking itinerary, preferably the traverse programs.
Pick a Reputable Mount Kenya Guide (KWS Registered)
All guides, porters and cooks have a Kenya Wildlife Service Identification cards.
Enquire about their experience and specific route knowledge(especially for the less visited like Kamweti, Burguret and Timau, you wouldn’t want to get lost in the forest)
Make sure your chosen guide is familiar with High altitude sickness and how to perform first aid if not, request for a qualified personnelif you any have medical condition
Make sure to articulate clearly your experience, expectations, fitness level or any other thing you feel should be addressed including medical conditions before the hike.
Choose an ethical mountain guide/ Operator and support the people and the country that make the memorable hike possible.
Budget for Your Trek (Avg. 650 – 2500)
The range includes park fees, food and the hiking crew. Apart from the above price, the extra charges that will be incurred include:
Price depends on number of days, how many pax, route, season and operator, you can climb Mount Kenya between 3 days mount Kenya climbing to 7 days mount Kenya climbing or technical climbing to Batian and Nelion.
- Flights to Kenya – can cost anywhere from US$ 260 – 2300 or more, round trip economy, depending on airline and where you are coming.
- Travel Insurance – make sure it covers high altitude evacuation( emergency ground and air evacuation can be locally arranged by your Tour Operator or guide upon request)
- Tips for the crew – tipping is at your discretion consider the quality of the service, Recommended is at least $10-20 per person per day for porters and $20-30 per person per day for the guides.
- Gear rental – most guides have their trusted outfitters that they rent the gear from, you can ask your guide depending on what you need budget for between $200-500
TIP: avoid extremely cheap operators, the cheaper the trek the more risky/ unfavorable they are, often at the expense of your safety and comfort, they might underpay the support staff, compromise on the quality of hiking gears and cut down on transport and transfers.
Understand Altitude Risks (AMS, HACE and HAPE prevention, symptoms and curative tips)
Common altitude sicknesses include; Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS), High Altitude Cerebral Edema(HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema(HAPE)
High altitude sickness is caused by lower oxygen in the blood as an extension of the lowered levels in the air. Travelling to high altitude areas may worsen pre-existing medical conditions, 2500m (8000 feet) is considered the threshold altitude for high altitude illness, some people are more sensitive and may become ill from 1500m-2000m(5000-7000feet) above sea level.
Prevention
The only way to prevent the sickness is to ascend slowly giving you body ample time to acclimatize and adjust to the altitude as you go.
Always watch out for early signs of altitude sickness and respond quickly, listen to your body and dont push yourself to the limit.
Prior to travelling visit a knowledgeable healthcare provider, discuss your travel plans, availability of mdical care at your destination and need for preventive and/or curative medicine.
Consider taking a preventative medicine – Diamox(not recommended for pregnant women), some effects of Diamox include: Frequent urinating
Nausea
Numbness or tingling sensation
Drowsiness
Blurry vision
If you are doing a day dash, take aspirin/ Ibuprofen before ascending to prevent a headache.
NB: Being physically fit does not guarantee/ exempt you from getting High Altitude Illness
High risk individual include:
Some people are more likely to get mountain sickness, people who:
a) Have a medical condition that affects breathing
b) Climb rapidly from low elevation to sleeping in high altitude eg from sea level to sleeping above 2500m
c) Overexert themselves while climbing without adjusting to change in altitude
d) Have a prior history of mountain sickness
If you have lung disease, carry oxygen at high altitude, Blood pressure medication should be adjusted when travelling to high altitude and always carry a pulse oximeter.
Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS)
Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS); Headache – take aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuprofen
Lightheadedness/dizziness -Ondansetron(Zofran)may be helpful
Lack of appetite
Waking frequently from sleep
Nausea and Vomiting
Feeling tired
Symptoms may be mild or severe, the treatment for AMS is resting, going down(descent) and sometimes medicines to relieve the symptoms.
Descent is always the best medicine, if the symptoms worsen at any point seek help/ evacuate immediately
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
This is a rare, life-threatening altitude disease, a severe Acute Mountain Sickness(discussed above). Its is caused by a leak in capillaries in the brain causing fluid accumulation and brain swelling.
HACE can be prevented using the same measures as AMS.
Symptoms Include; Severe exhaustion or weakness
Drowsiness, confusion or irritability
Difficulty walking straight
Acting drunk
Treatment HACE is a medical emergency, immediately descend to lower altitude. Note that symptoms can worsen quickly and you may not be able to walk.
Other treatment measures besides descent include:
1.Supplemental oxygen
2.Dexamethasone – take it immediately you develop HACE signs, the recommended dose is 8 to 10mg
3.Portable hyperbaric chamber – Inflatable pressure bags used in remote areas that can treat HACE when immediate descent is not feasible.
The air pressure inside the chamber is like the oxygen we breathe at lower altitude, increasing the amount of oxygen in your blood thereby relieving symptoms of HACE quickly
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema(HAPE)
This is a potentially fatal condition where lung capillaries leak and fluid accumulates in the lungs. Though uncommon, it can occur in people who rapidly ascend altitudes above 2500m(8200 feet)
The best way to prevent HAPE, as with all the others is to ascend slowly, especially is you have previous history of HAPE.
Preventative medicines include; Nifedipine(Commonly used to treat High blood pressure, Tadalafil, Dexamethasone or Acetazolamide.
Symptoms include: Cough(often with pink, frothy sputum),
Breathlessness even at rest,
Difficulty walking uphill and may or may not be accompanied by Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms.
Treatment: This is a medical emergency, descend as soon as you develop the symptoms, waiting increases the risk of developing life-threatening complications or even death.
1.Supplemental oxygen should be started as early as possible, Oxygen can be life saving if descent is not possible.
2.Portable hyperbaric chamber
3.Nifedipine or other medicines if oxygen is not available and descent not possible
4.Rest
5.Stay warm and avoid cold.
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