Mount Kenya is the county's highest mountain and is the second highest mountain in Africa! The Mount Kenya National Park was established in 1949 and protects not only the mountain but also the wildlife and vegetation that surround it.

Mount Kenya National Park was declared a UNESCO protected reserve in 1978 and in 1997 it became a World Heritage Site. The peaks of the mountain are covered with massive glaciers but sadly these glaciers are actually retreating due to global warming. Climbing Mount Kenya and discovering the peaks covered in snow and ice offers a spectacular sight.

If you don’t want to climb Mount Kenya – there is plenty of wildlife and beautiful vegetation within this Kenyan National Park that you can enjoy and spend time discovering. 

Sitting astride the equator, Mount Kenya’s icy summit reaches to 5199m (17058 ft). The entire mountain above the 3200m (10500 ft) contour forms a national park. In fact Mount Kenya consists of three principal zones; the rocky peak area - actually an eroded volcanic plug, with its cloak of glaciers and snow fields; the alpine zone - with its distinctive giant vegetation; and the vast gentle slopes - drenched in mountain forest and bamboo jungle. It is no wonder this remote majestic wonderland was considered God's domain by awed farmers at its foothills. Many rivers flow from the perpetual snows in this area, among them the mighty Tana which sources much of Kenya's electricity supply.

Most travellers to this area are content to marvel at the mountain's beauty but some will want to attempt to reach the summits of Mount Kenya - a feat requiring considerable rock-climbing skill. The mountain's lesser peaks and glaciers can all be scaled and walked by the fit and adventurous and 'Point Lenana', 4985 m (16355 ft) can be easily reached.  In the forests below the park boundary there is plenty of wildlife, such as elephant, buffalo, lion, several species of antelope (including the rare bongo) and occasionally both melanistic leopard and serval.

If you are interested in visiting the Mount Kenya National Park or even climbing Mount Kenya please contact us – we will be able to help you plan your safari adventure for you!