* One Of Harpers Bazaar’s Top 15 Safari Experiences in the World *

For those in the know, Mount Kenya is the hidden gem of treks in East Africa. While Kilimanjaro may be the highest, Mount Kenya is a slightly easier climb and definitely the continent’s most interesting mountain, with more endemic species of birds and plants than any other mountain in Africa. Comprised of several peaks named after Masai labons (chiefs) such as Batian and Nelion, the highest are reserved for experienced technical climbers, though Lenana peak at about 16,000 feet (often above the snow line) is very accessible and can be comfortably climbed in 4-5 nights. Called God’s Mountain by the Kikuyu tribe, the peaks are remnants of an ancient volcano, surrounded by spectacular views of the glacial valleys and forests. You may even glimpse forest elephant, mountain zebra and buffalo. You shouldn’t get too many glimpses of other walkers either, compared to the tens of thousands who climb the tightly controlled slopes of Kili every year. With a few days relaxation and game viewing at the nearby Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, this is a safari combination which will give an incomparable sense of satisfaction and achievement. This is a fantastic, complete safari in just 7 nights, or as part of a longer safari going on to other parts of Kenya.

These 2 itineraries described below are the two absolute best ways to do the mountain, via the best routes for the best scenery and experience possible. You probably aren't planning to do it again in a hurry! We are therefore unable to offer changes to these itineraries, or do less nights on the mountain. For either of these treks, clients must spend at least the night before the start at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp. The longer you can spend in camp, however, will help a lot to acclimatize climbers, as the camp is already at 6000ft.

For a complete 7-night itinerary (eg. for clients coming to do the mountain/safari combination only), we recommend for the Sirimon itinerary: 2 nights OPBC, 4 on the mountain, 1 night OPBC. For the Chogoria route, we recommend: 1 night OPBC, 5 on the mountain, 1 night OPBC.

ALL CLIENTS must have comprehensive travel insurance cover, including medical evacuation and trip cancellation.

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MOUNT KENYA: 17,058'/5199m Main Summits: Batian – 5,200m Nelion – 5,188m Trekking Summit: Point Lenana – 4985m Location: Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya is a 'twin-peaked' volcanic spike. Reaching the highest of the three peaks on Mount Kenya requires technical expertise, but the third highest peak of Point Lenana offers the finest six-day trek on the continent. Our hike will take our trekkers through dense rain forest, which encircle the lower slopes of the mountain, which is home to Elephant, Cape buffalo, Leopard and primates. We then traverse the vast moorlands, past undulating grassy valleys and deep rocky gorges, through some of the most fabulous vegetation on our planet. We arrive at the summit of Lenana early enough to be rewarded by views of the new day dawning across East Africa. The whole experience is only heightened by the fact that there will be few other trekkers we must share the mountain with.

Day 1. Camp to Chogoria bandas (altitude: 3000m) Meet guides and porters at a little local hotel transit at around midday. Whilst we have lunch, the crew load up the Land Rover. We have a 22 km drive up a rough and muddy track through the bamboo zone to our overnight destination on the boundary of the park. Is a good idea to walk the last 5-8 kms to acclimatize. We overnight at the Chogoria bandas (a small bunkhouse) set near the edge of the forest line.

Day 2. Chogoria bandas to Lake Ellis (altitude: 3400m) After breakfast, we will follow the track as it leads up through glades of montaine forest, with plenty of wildlife around, to our camp on the shores of Lake Ellis. We will arrive at our camp after about three hours walk in time for lunch. After a short rest period in the late afternoon we will hike to the top of nearby Mugi hill (250m) before returning to camp at dusk.

Day 3. Lake Ellis to Lake Michaelson (altitude: 4000m) Early Morning we set off, climbing away from Lake Ellis on its west side, across moorland up to a ridge which eventually joins the main Chogoria trail. We have views of Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley as we descend to the most picturesque campsite in the range, at Lake Michaelson. Above the camp are the impressive cliffs of the ‘Temple’. Exotic-looking bird species, including the Tacazze sunbird, can be seen close to the camp amongst the bizarre giant plants – principally cabbage groundsel and lobelia. This day is about 6-7 hours walking. We arrive at the most impressive campsite on the mountain with the Nithi gorge plunging down nearly 400m into lake Michaelson.

Day 4. Lake Michaelson to Simba Tarn (altitude: 4600m) Climbing away from the beautiful Lake Michaelson, we ascend into the alpine zone – a world of rock and ice as we go up towards the main peaks, leaving behind the giant lobelias and groundsels and onto glacial moraine. A last short, sharp scree slope takes us to Simba Tarn (4620m), where we overnight.

Day 5. Simba Tarn via Point Lenana to Liki North (altitude: 4000m) An early start (at around 5 a.m.) for a cup of tea and a relatively easy 2-hour climb up to Point Lenana the trekking summit (4,985m). As dawn breaks over Africa, we are treated to a remarkable spectacle; the nearby peaks of Nelion and Batian glinting in the morning sun. In the far distance, if clear, is possible to see summit of Kilimanjaro 400kms away. After spending some time basking in the morning sunlight absorbing the panorama, we return to Simba tarn for a celebratory cooked breakfast. We descend down the pleasant Mackinder Valley in the shadow of the true summit of Batian; near the end of the days trek we fork right from the main trail and drop into the Liki North valley(4000m) and our camp near the little hut there. The descent takes about 4-5 hours.

Day 6 Liki North to Park gate. Descending off the mountain is around 2-3 hours walking which can be boggy underfoot, to Old Moses camp at the treeline and the roadhead. It is a further 2-3 hours walk down the road in good podocarpus and cedar forest. We arrive at the park gate around lunchtime. This is where we meet our awaiting vehicles, and bid goodbye to our guides and porters.

Includes: Transport to/from the mountain; services of guides and porters; all meals on the mountain; park and camping fees; camp equipment and tents.

Excludes: Comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation and medical evacuation – this is mandatory. Sleeping bag, karrimat and personal clothing as listed below. Staff tips for the crew. (Please enquire about the amount upon booking.)

MOUNT KENYA: 17,058'/5199m Main Summits: Batian – 5,200m Nelion – 5,188m Trekking Summit: Point Lenana – 4985m Location: Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya is a 'twin-peaked' volcanic spike. Reaching the highest of the three peaks on Mount Kenya requires technical expertise, but the third highest peak of Point Lenana offers the finest six-day trek on the continent. Our hike will take our trekkers through dense rain forest, which encircle the lower slopes of the mountain, which is home to Elephant, Cape buffalo, Leopard and primates. We then traverse the vast moorlands, past undulating grassy valleys and deep rocky gorges, through some of the most fabulous vegetation on our planet. We arrive at the summit of Lenana early enough to be rewarded by views of the new day dawning across East Africa. The whole experience is only heightened by the fact that there will be few other trekkers we must share the mountain with.

Day 1. Park gate to Old Moses campsite (altitude: 3300m) We start out trekking at the Sirimon Gate and walk up to Old Moses Camp Site. The zone is in a lush mountain rainforest with Hagena rose wood, St. Johns Wort, giant Camphor trees, Yellow Wood trees, ferns, orchids and other epiphytes. Here is a good chance of seeing various species of monkey, antelopes and birds. Buffalo, zebra and elephant can often be seen in forest glades and well as warthog. As we gain altitude the forest merges into bamboo that can reach over ten metres in height. This first day is approximately 4 hours walking. Overnight in a heather bush campsite.

Day 2. Old Moses to Liki North campsite (altitude: 3900m) From Old Moses campsite we trek through heather with an undergrowth of flowering shrubs and herbs. As we pass the meteorological station this gives way to moorland. Here there are bizarre-looking giant senecios, often referred to as giant groundsels, and lobelias. We may see Scarlet-tufted sunbirds and other unusual mountain birds, flitting between the lobelias for nectar. The valley floor becomes divided up into small mountain streams with grassy and mossy banks. The most common animal here is the rock hyrax, which some say is the closest living relative to the elephant. Approximately 5 hours walking. Overnight in the valley.

Day 3. Liki North to Kami Tarn (altitude: 4440m) We backtrack a little up to a ridge and drier ground. Now we have the feeling of approaching the high peaks. As the moorland valley opens up there is often a profusion of white and yellow alpine flowers. If we are lucky we may see Verreaux eagle and maybe an Auger buzzard. The last hour and a half to Kami Tarn we gain altitude passing many giant senecios and lobelias. Approximately 6 hours walking. Overnight at Kami Tarn.

Day 4. Kami Tarn to Point Lenana (altitude: 4970m) We start our trek to Point Lenana in the early hours of the morning so that we can enjoy the early morning sun on the summit of Lenana and view the spectacular main peaks. Most early mornings are very clear in the high mountain area but you can expect the clouds to roll in by mid-morning. Before that happens we want to be back at camp after enjoying our summit time to the full, to pack and have a good breakfast before we descend back to Liki North camp. Approximately 6 hours walking from Kami Tarn campsite to Liki North campsite. Overnight Liki North campsite.

Day 5. Liki North to the Park Gate. We trek out to gate early morning down through the bamboo and upper forest. This is the time that we could even see a leopard… Buffalo could be moving up from the lower forest area along the road and as most animals are more active in the morning it could be very exciting. So keep your eyes open! This final day is approximately 6 hours walking from camp to the park gate, where we meet our vehicles and bid the crew farewell.

Clothing requirements: The temperature range on the Mountain is +20C to -10C. So from warm to very cold. The UV at altitude on the Equator is some of the highest on earth. You will need to bring: 4 season sleeping bag with cotton or silk liner; Karrimat/Thermarest; down jacket, gloves, woolly hat; thermal inners; a waterproof /windproof jacket; a fleece/jumper; 2 shirts; 2 trousers; shorts; 3/4 pairs socks (ie 1 dry change of clothes and the other for walking); shoes/trainers, and walking boots. Boots should be worn in before coming and be comfortable. Sunhat; high factor suncream and lipsalve; good sunglasses/glacier glasses. Each person should have a 2-3 litre water bottle(s), if a camelback you need insulation on the mouth tube. A small towel; toiletries, and mini pillow if required. A head torch and spare batteries. A day pack for your own water, fleece, raincoat, camera etc. A soft holdall bag for the rest of your gear, packed in bin liners to weatherproof dry gear – your gear bag shouldn’t weigh more than 14 KG. A few extra nibbles, and a basic first aid kit (eg. plasters, aspirins, tampons, hand wash etc.)

Safety: Our clients’ well-being and safety are our paramount concern; we use 2 excellent local guides, experienced local porters, and carry a GPS, Wilderness First Aid Kits with Diamox, mobile phone and VHF radios linked into the local security network. Safety equipment is of the highest quality at international approved standards and regularly serviced and checked.

ALL CLIENTS must have comprehensive travel insurance cover, including medical evacuation and trip cancellation.

Clive Ward’s profound knowledge of and sheer passion for mountains has made him a unique and special guide with virtually unsurpassed climbing and trekking experience. He has climbed Kilimanjaro over 70 times, and Mt Kenya over 50 times. Clive began general mountaineering and technical climbing at the age of fifteen, in England’s Lake District. In his twenties, he emigrated to South Africa, eventually moving to live in east Africa; he is now resident in Kenya.

His climbing career has led him on numerous trekking and climbing expeditions

to many of the world's most remote places in countries including: Alaska, Patagonia, Peru, Bolivia, Nepal, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda.

For the past thirty-five years, in Southern and Eastern Africa Clive has visited some of Africa's most fascinating wilderness regions as a mountain, bush and tribal lands trekking guide. In particular he has specialized in walking safaris on Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, the Ruwenzori Mountains in Uganda, and lowland bush treks along the Tsavo and Galana rivers in Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks in Kenya.

In the early 1980s he was photographer for and co-publisher of Great Outdoors magazine, dedicated to outdoor sports in South Africa. He also became a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in UK, a life member of The Cave Exploration Group of East Africa, and a member of The Mountain Club of Kenya.

His long-term projects have been to produce three large-format photographic books: The Mountains of Southern Africa published by Struik, which looks at the montaine habitats of resident fauna, flora, bushmen and modern settlers; Snowcaps on the Equator published by The Bodley Head, portraying the stories of the fabled mountains of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire; and Talk to the Stars published by Desert Sands, gives unparalleled insights into the traditions and mystical rituals of the colourful Samburu people. His most recent work is the definitive How to Trek Kilimanjaro including a new Kilimanjaro map, published by Jacaranda Designs. His photographs have been used by publishers worldwide.

Clive’s exceptional experience in many fields of adventure travel has led him to assist American, European and South African documentary filmmakers in East Africa on locations and as technical and safety adviser, most recently on the Extreme Dreams TV series presented by explorer Benedict Allen. In recent years, his guiding has expanded to include taking American and British students to assist east African school projects, working with local community self help groups to improve school buildings and provide classroom materials. The beneficial results have widened the horizons of both visiting and local students.

Vocational:

• Winter mountaineering and survival training with the Mountain Leadership School at Avimore, Scotland
• Member of two mountain rescue teams for twenty-five years
• Military and civil defence training, involving search and rescue in difficult terrain
• Paramedic training relating to the above.