If time is limited or you’d prefer someone else to make all the trekking arrangements, there are plenty of possibilities. It is hard to go anywhere in this region without being approached by several prospective guides. all-inclusive packages-which include park entry and camping fees, food, huts, a guide, a cook and porters, and transfers to and from the mountain-can be a good deal, particularly if you don’t have any equipment.

As always, you need to watch out for sharks; picking the right company is even more important here as on a normal wildlife safari, as an unqualified or inexperienced guide could put you in very real danger as well as spoil your trip.

Responsible Trekking on Mount Kenya

Mt Kenya’s trekking popularity is placing great pressure on the environment. You can help preserve the ecology and beauty of the area by taking note of the following information.

• Carry out all your rubbish. Never bury it.
• Minimize the waste you must carry by taking minimal packaging and no more food than you’ll need.
• Where there is no toilet, at lower elevations, bury your feaces in a 15 cm deep hole (consider carrying a lightweight towel for this purpose).at higher altitudes soil lacks the organisms to needed to digest your fasces, so leave your waste in the open where UV rays will break it down –spreading it facilitates the process. always carry out your toilet paper(zip lock bags are best).with either option make sure your feaces are at least 50m from any path,100m from any watercourse and 200m from any building.
• Don’t use detergents or toothpaste within 50 m of watercourses, even if they are biodegradable.
• Stick to existing tracks and avoid short cuts that bypass a switchback. If you blaze a new trail straight down a slope, it will erode the hillside with the next rainfall.
• Avoid removing plant life, as it keeps topsoil in place. • Open fires aren’t permitted .cook on lightweight kerosene, alcohol or shellite (white gas) stoves.
• Never feed the wildlife, as it messes with their digestive system and leads them to become dependent on hand-outs.
• If camping, try camping on existing sites. Where none exist, set up away from streams on rock or bare ground, never over vegetation.

(Naro Moru.) Also runs a range of all inclusive trips. Its prices are more expensive than most, but it is the only company that can guarantee you beds at the Met Station Hut and

Mackinder’s Camp

On the Naro Moru route.
There are several Safari companies in Nairobi that offer Mt Kenya treks ,but many just sell the treks operated by Naro Moru and Mountain Rock Lodges, charging you an extra commission on top. Companies that do run their own treks include the following.

Into Africa
this environmentally and culturally sensitive company places an emphasis on fair trade and offers both scheduled and exclusive seven day trips (six days of trekking) ascending Sirimon route and descending Chogoria. Joining scheduled trips cost US$ 180 per day (minimum two people), while private treks range from US$ 150 to US$ 256 per person per day, depending on group size.

Bookings for the Mt Kenya climb can be arranged through the author’s assistance. Robert is a tour consultant with landmark safaris in Kenya. Click here to plan high altitude bliss
 

Clothing & Equipment

Seeing that Mt Kenya’s summit are surrounded by glaciers and often covered by snow ,you should be surprised to hear that nightly temperatures often drop to below -10 c (it certainly feels like it in mackinders hut ), so bring a good sleeping bag. A closed cell foam mat or thermarest is also vital for insulation if you are camping. A good set of warm clothes (wools or synthetic-never cotton, as it traps moisture) including quality head gear and gloves, is equally important as it can rain heavily at any time of year, you will also need waterproof clothing (breathing fabric like Gore-Tex is best).

While a descent pair of boots isn’t strictly necessary, hiking in sodden joggers isn’t fun and neither is losing your grip on wet or icy rocks near the summit .bringing a pair of sandals or light shoes to wear in the evening when your boots get wet is a good idea. At this altitude the sun can do some serious damage to your skin and eyes, so sun bloc and sun glasses are also crucial items. If a porter is carrying your backpack always keep essential clothing (warm and wet weather gear) in your day-pack because you may become separated for hours at a time.

It’s not a good idea to sleep in clothes you’ve worn during the day because the sweat absorbed keeps them moist at night, reducing their heat-retention capabilities. If you don’t intend to stay in the huts along the way, you’ll also need a tent and related equipment.

You will also need a stove, basic equipment, utensils, a 3L water container (per person) and water purifying tablets. Stove fuel in form of petrol and kerosene (paraffin) is fairly easily found in towns, and methylated spirits, is available in Nairobi, as are gas cartridges, although the supply of this isn’t guaranteed. Fires are prohibited in the open unless there is an emergency; in any case, there is no wood once you get beyond 3300m.if you engage porters, you’ll have to supply each of them with a backpack to carry your gear and theirs.

If you have a mobile phone, take it along suitably protected of course; reception on the mountain’s higher reaches is actually very good, and a link to the outside world is invaluable during emergency.

Kenya Mountain (Mt) Climbing Equipment hire

Well maintained rental gear is available at the Naro Moru River Lodge ( .o. box 18, Naro Moru), a although it cant be reserved and is relatively expensive, (US$4 per day for a sleeping bag).most guiding companies will have cheaper equipment for hire ,although you will have less choice for lower standards.

Guides, Cooks & Porters

Taking on a guide and a porter will improve your chances of getting to the top and avoiding altitude sickness. For starters, having a porter carrying your heavy gear is like traveling in a chauffeured Mercedes instead of a matatu. A good guide will help you set a sustainable pace and hopefully dispense interesting information about Mt Kenya and its flora, fauna and its wildlife. With both on your team your appreciation of this mountain will be enhanced a hundredfold and, for the price it is a bargain.

If you hire a good guide or porter who can also cook, you’ll not regret it. it’s one thing to arrive at camp safe, sound and enlightened, but arriving to steaming coffee and a hot meal is beyond nice-it’s heaven.

Considerable effort has been made in recent years to regulate guides and porters operating on the mountain. The KWS now issues vouchers to all registered guides and porters, who should also hold identity cards; they won’t be allowed into the park without them.

Female guides are becoming more common, and technical guides for climbing Batian and Nelion are widely available.

Robert is a tour consultant with landmark safaris in Kenya. Click here to plan high altitude bliss