Mount Kenya National Park

Mount Kenya, located on the equator, is the second highest mountain in Africa, after Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. Its snow-covered peaks consist of Batian (5,199m), Nelion (5,188m), and Point Lenana (4,984 m).

The mountain climate is characterised by plummeting sub-zero nighttime temperatures and warm days thanks to the tropical sun.

This fluctuation has contributed to creating a unique group of fauna and flora.

However, the rapid receding of the mountain’s 12 remaining glaciers due to climate change is a reminder of the fragility of these mountain ecosystems.

The vegetation zones on Mount Kenya

The park has five distinct vegetation zones.

The lower slopes (<2000m) feature dry upland forests, followed by high montane forests (>2000m) dominated by Podocarpus and Cedar trees. A bamboo forest belt (2500m) merges into the upper forest with small trees adorned by lichen and interspersed with beautiful meadows.

The heath (3000m) transitions into a moorland (3500m), where you may spot zebra and eland. And then, finally, the beautiful alpine desert emerges.

These spectacular landscapes were one of the reasons why the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

While trekking in the afro-alpine zone, look for two plants with unique features:

• A fluffy plume protects the giant ostrich-plumed lobelia, a 3m tall cactus-looking plant. Tiny flowers hidden within the plume are sought after by the Scarlet-Tufted Malachite, a sunbird.

  In exchange for the plant’s sugary nectar, the sunbird pollinates the flowers.This relationship allows the Scarlet-Tufted Malachite to be the only sunbird to thrive at this great altitude.

• The giant groundsel takes several decades to grow 8m tall.On top of a thick trunk, you’ll observe a tuft of 100 leaves that protects itself in a unique way.

  After sunset, temperatures plummet, and the leaves close into a tight ball, protecting themselves from freezing temperatures. The leaves open again as the sun’s rays bring warmth back to the landscape.

  The thick-coated Mountain hyrax loves to gorge on the leaves.

What to see and do in Mt Kenya National Park?

Various animals reside in the park, including elephants, mountain hyrax, bushbucks, elands, the elusive leopards and fascinating creatures like white-tailed mongoose, suni, black-fronted duiker, and mole rats.

Rare sightings include the Eastern Bongos and Giant Forest hogs. Finally, 130 different types of birds reside in the park.

Unlike in most national parks in the country, you don’t go on classic game drives in a safari vehicle at Mt Kenya.

Instead, you discover the park on foot. With a bit of luck, you can still spot wildlife in the forest and the bamboo thicket on the lower slopes.

Trekking and mountain climbing options

Trekking in the park is not just for people with summit ambitions, as there are multiple 1-to-4-day hikes to choose from. As Mount Kenya is less well-known than Mount Kilimanjaro, you are in for a secluded experience.

For those eager to reach Batian Peak (5,199 m), you need technical mountaineering experience to climb sections of the route.

Don’t let that put you off because you can trek to Point Lenana (4,986m), the third-highest peak, using the highest via ferrata in the world.

The Naro Moru, Sirimon, and Chogoria routes are the most well-developed options, but if you want to learn more, you can read our trekking Mount Kenya guide.

On the other hand, exceptional day treks on the lower slopes will enable you to walk past deep lakes, waterfalls, tarns, babbling streams, freshwater springs, and thick forests as you watch for birds and four-legged creatures.

Even if you are not a passionate mountaineer, Mount Kenya will inspire you to stretch your legs and experience the stunning landscapes.

Nearby is another gem—the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, famous for harbouring 14% of Kenya’s rhino population and pioneering conservation.