Trip overview
A 4-day trek up Mt Kenya to Point Lenana (4,985m) via the scenic Sirimon route, followed by a 3-day Maasai Mara safari. Stand on a glacier-fed peak then watch lions hunt 24 hours later.
Africa's most accessible peak
Mt Kenya is the continent's second-highest mountain (5,199m at the technical Batian summit). For non-climbers, Point Lenana (4,985m) is the achievable trekking peak, no ropes, no ice axes, just three days of beautiful montane hiking culminating in a pre-dawn summit attempt for sunrise.
We use the Sirimon Route because it's the most scenic and has the best acclimatization profile. The route passes through bamboo forest, moorland, and finally the otherworldly upper alpine zone full of giant lobelias and senecios.
After the trek, you transition to the Maasai Mara for three days of game drives. There's nothing quite like watching a lion hunt 24 hours after watching the sunrise from a glacier-fed peak.
What you'll experience
On the mountain:
- Bamboo and montane forest at lower altitudes
- Moorland zone with giant lobelias and senecios (unique alpine flora)
- Glaciers, alpine tarns, and the dramatic peaks of Batian and Nelion
- Point Lenana summit at sunrise, 4,985m
- Forest wildlife: elephant, buffalo, bushbuck (rarely the elusive bongo)
In the Mara:
- Big Cat country, the densest leopard population in Africa
- Possible Great Migration crossings (July to October)
- Sundowners on the plains
- Bush breakfast in the wilderness
Who this is for
- Active travelers ages 16+ with reasonable fitness (you should be able to walk 6 to 8 hours comfortably at altitude)
- Adventure travel lovers
- People who want to combine an achievement with a classic safari finale
Fitness and altitude
Point Lenana is a non-technical trekking peak but altitude affects everyone. We build in two acclimatization days. Roughly 90% of well-prepared trekkers reach the summit. We provide a pre-trek packing list, and our guide will turn back any climber showing serious altitude sickness, no exceptions, no negotiations.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Nairobi to Naro Moru
Drive from Nairobi to Naro Moru (3.5 hours), gateway to Mt Kenya National Park. Afternoon: kit check and pre-trek briefing with your climbing guide.
🏕 Stay: Naro Moru River Lodge · 🍽 L/D
Day 2
Sirimon Gate to Old Moses Camp
Drive to Sirimon Gate (2,650m). Trek 6km through montane forest to Old Moses Camp (3,300m). 3 to 4 hours, easy pace to start acclimatizing.
🏕 Stay: Mountain hut at Old Moses · 🍽 B/L/D
Day 3
Old Moses to Shipton's Camp
Trek 14km across moorland to Shipton's Camp (4,200m) via Mackinder's Valley. 6 to 8 hours. Spectacular alpine scenery: giant lobelias, tarns, dramatic peaks ahead. Afternoon acclimatization walk.
🏕 Stay: Mountain hut at Shipton's · 🍽 B/L/D
Day 4
Summit day and descent
Wake at 2am for the pre-dawn summit attempt. Reach Point Lenana (4,985m) for sunrise around 6am. After photos, descend to Met Station (3,050m). Long day: 12 to 14 hours total. Hot dinner and rest.
🏕 Stay: Mountain hut at Met Station · 🍽 B/L/D
Day 5
Met Station to Maasai Mara
Descend to Naro Moru Gate. Drive across the country to the Maasai Mara (6 to 7 hours). Late afternoon arrival at your tented camp. Welcome drinks and dinner.
🏕 Stay: Mara mid-range tented camp · 🍽 B/L/D
Day 6
Full day Maasai Mara
Two game drives (morning and afternoon). Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and (in season) the Great Migration herds.
🏕 Stay: Same · 🍽 B/L/D
Day 7
Full day Maasai Mara
Bush breakfast then game drive. Afternoon at camp pool or optional Maasai village visit. Sunset game drive with sundowners.
🏕 Stay: Same · 🍽 B/L/D
Day 8
Mara to Nairobi, departure
Morning game drive, breakfast, drive back to Nairobi (5 hours). Day-use room and transfer to JKIA for international departure.
🏕 Stay: None · 🍽 B/L
What's included
Included
- Mt Kenya National Park fees (4 days)
- Maasai Mara park fees (3 days)
- KWS-licensed climbing guide
- Porters: 1 per 2 climbers
- All meals on the mountain (camp-style)
- 3 nights mid-range tented Mara camp, full board
- 1 night pre-trek lodge near Mt Kenya
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with driver-guide in Mara
- All transfers Nairobi to Mt Kenya to Mara
- Pre-trek briefing and gear check
Not included
- Personal climbing equipment (we can recommend a Nairobi rental shop)
- International flights
- Kenya eTA
- Travel insurance (mandatory; must cover high-altitude rescue)
- Drinks
- Tips for guides, porters and Mara driver
- Optional balloon safari (USD 500 pp)
What guests say
I am a wildlife photographer and I have travelled across Africa for twenty years. Afrirom's knowledge of the conservancies and their relationships with the guides made this the most productive safari I have ever done. The lighting, the patience, the access, exceptional.
Our second safari, but our first with a Kenyan-owned operator, and it's the only way we'll travel here from now on. The conservancy stay was a revelation. We watched a leopard hunt at twilight from our tent. The Afrirom team handled every logistic from JFK to JKIA seamlessly.
Three generations of my family, me, my daughter and her two teenagers, and somehow Afrirom designed a trip that thrilled all of us. The kids loved cycling through Hell's Gate, my daughter loved the lodges, and I loved that everything just worked. Honest, kind, and brilliant at what they do.
