11 Day Mount Kenya Trek and Masai Mara Safari Combined

Have the best experience in Kenya

Combine your Mount Kenya climb with an incredible Masai Mara safari experience. This tour combines the classic five days Mount Kenya trek with the popular 6 day Masai Mara and Rift Valley Safari. Its without doubt the best way of seeing Kenya!

Mount Kenya is without doubt, a beautiful mountain and the climb to the trekkers peak at Point Lenana (4,985m) is claimed by many to be the superior to climbing Kilimanjaro. The Sirimon Naro-moru route is justifiably the most popular on the mountain. The climb up Sirimon is well paced with wonderful scenery, whilst Naro-Moru offers the quickest and easiest route down. Sirimon Naro-Moru can be done in 4 days, but to aid acclimatisation an extra day at Shipton’s Camp is always wise.

The Rift Valley Lakes of Nakuru and Naivasha lie half-way between Mount Kenya and Masai Mara and are well worth the stop with all the big game and incredible birdlife on offer. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a vast park of rolling grasslands interrupted only by crocodile infested rivers. It plays host to all the big game and the incredible wildebeest migration during the peak summer months.

The obvious highlights of this trip are climbing Mount Kenya and safaris in Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru, but there is plenty in the detail too. You will get to camp out in the Maasai wilderness with a Maasai warrior standing guard against the wildlife outside. You’ll also visit Maasai villages and schools and hopefully get a small sense of the incredible changes that modernisation is bringing to these remote communities. When you are not camping, you’ll stay in charming local guesthouses, including a night in a Colonial tea plantation complete with an out of Africa veranda and lush gardens.

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Itinerary / Highlights

D1: Nairobi to Old Moses Hut
am. Drive Nairobi – Sirimon Gate (250km / 4 hours)
pm. Walk 10km / 2.5 hrs from Sirimon Gate (2,600m) – Old Moses Hut (3,340m)
You’ll be picked up from airport or Nairobi hotel in the morning and journey north past diverse agricultural lands and landscapes to the slopes of Mount Kenya. After meeting your crew you’ll have a full briefing and equipment check. Each person has a personal porter and there are extra porters for food and camping equipment. Today is a short walk to the first hut at 3,340m, a total ascent of 740m in just 2-3 hours. On this route, you will pass through zones of dense forest, bamboo, giant heather and out onto high open moorland. The trail follows a dirt road that has recently been put in by the Kenya Wildlife Service to reduce response times to emergencies on the mountain. The dense vegetation is home to buffalo, elephants and is teeming with birdlife. Whilst there will be evidence of large game everywhere, your chances of seeing them are small. (L,D)

D2 Old Moses Hut to Shiptons Camp
Walk 14km / 8 hours from Old Moses Hut (3340m) to Shipton’s Camp (4236m)
After an early cooked breakfast you’ll head out of the camp. The first hour is easy going over gentle open grassland. In the early morning sun, the views over the plane below are stunning. There is a chance of seeing Eland and Buffalo grazing in the distance. After an hour you begin to cross two valleys, the first is easy, but the second involves a quick descent followed by a punishingly quick 100m climb out of the valley. The reward is stunning views up the glacial valley with the twin peaks shining in the sun. The crew usually wait at this point to make sure you make it without any altitude affects. The next 2-3 hours are fairly easy going up the broad valley past a bizarre jurassic landscape of glacial features, giant lobellia and Senecio plants. There is a strong chance you will see beautiful sunbirds and the Hyrax, a close relative of the elephant, but more like a baby seal in size and shape. Finally there is a further short climb past Mackinders Caves before reaching Shiptons Camp where you’ll enjoy a much deserved cup of tea. (B,L,D)

D3 Shiptons Camp Acclimatisation Day
Walk 7km / 4-5 hours from Shipton’s Camp (4,200m) to Hausberg Col (4,600m) and return.
You’ll stay at Shipton’s for two nights, and have a rest day. This is invaluable for acclimatisation and will make the summit day more enjoyable. Highly recommended is a short walk on the summit circuit trail up to the Hausberg col (4,6OOm) OR go farther, passing between Oblong and Hausberg Tarns to Nanyuki and Two Tarns to enjoy panoramic views of peaks Batian (5199m) and Nelion (5188m). Having reached a high altitude of over 4600m the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear, Climbing high and sleeping low is excellent for acclimatisation (B,L,D)

D4 Summit Day
Climb 749m up and 3km in length to Point Lennana (4985m)
Descend 685m and 3.5km to Mackinder’s Camp (4,300m) or onto Met Station (4hrs) to reduce the walking distance on the last day.
The big day, after a very early 3am start and a quick cup of tea and biscuits it is time to don all the layers you can manage and head out into the pitch dark. The early start is designed to get you to the summit just in time for sunrise. It also increases your chances of summitting without cloud cover. The climb is a steady ascent up scree and rock, with a scramble up the last 30m. The views from Point Lenana are superb, showing off the tarns, glaciers and jagged peaks of Mount Kenya at their resplendent best. On a clear day you can see Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. Temperatures can be very cold on the summit (as cold as -20 degrees C plus wind chill) so after quick photos and a moment to take it all in, you’ll head back down again. After a 2 hour walk past the glacier down loose scree you will reach Mackinder’s Camp and a very welcome hearty breakfast. If you are feeling up to it after a couple of hours rest you can head on down the further 9km to Met Station for the overnight, if not you can rest and stay the night at Mackinder’s. (B,L,D)

D5: Descend and rest at Mountain Rock Lodge
Am. Walk 22km / 6 hours from Mackinder’s Camp (4,300m) to Naro Moru Gate (2,600m)
Pm. Drive from Naro Maoru park gate to Nairobi 210km / 4-5 hours
A long descent through attractive vegetation on the windward side of the mountain. The trail winds through the infamous vertical bog, dense bamboo and virgin rain forest to meet the vehicles at the park headquarters at Naromoru gate. You will be back in time for lunch at Mountain Rock Lodge. Afternoon free to shower, rest, enjoy the gardens and do as you please! Overnight at Mountain Rock Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 6: Mountain Rock Lodge to the Rift Valley
Am. Drive 200km / 3 hrs from Nairobi to Rift Valley
Pm. BBQ lunch, wildlife walk in tea plantation, evening game drive
After breakfast you’ll be driven from Mount Kenya to a tea and coffee plantation near to Lake Nakuru. The plantation is a lovely lush forested setting where you will enjoy a delicious farm lunch in the gardens followed by a guided bird walk on the estate and a chance to visit the tea and coffee processing operations. The estate has a evocative colonial guesthouse where you will be staying the night. You can take an optional night safari drive around the estate grounds with the chance of seeing hyena and if you are lucky, leopards. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Lake Nakuru
Am. Long morning game drive
Pm. Drive 50km / 1.5h to Lake Naivasha
Lake Nakuru is Kenya’s second most popular wildlife park and for good reason. Although small in size it surrounds a beautiful lake that is teeming with pelicans and flamingos. The park plays host to a variety of terrain, shallows, mud flats along with classical African Acacia Woodlands and grasslands. Lake Nakuru is rich with big game and good sightings are virtually guaranteed. Lion, hyena, rhino, buffalo, giraffe and Zebra are all common. After a long morning game drive with a boxed lunch, you will journey the short drive to a lodge on the shores of Lake Naivasha. You’ll have time to enjoy the pool at the lodge in the afternoon.

Day 8: Hippos in Lake Naivasha and Wilderness Camp
Am. Lake Naivasha boat safari
Pm. Drive 300km / 5hrs from Naivasha to Loita Plains
After breakfast you’ll head out for a boat ride on the vast Lake Naivasha. Unlike the surrounding soda lakes, Naivasha is freshwater and has a large hippo colony and excellent birds with fish eagles, pelicans and love birds common. After returning to shore you’ll be driven to the Loita Plains just outside the Maasai Mara National Reserve, stopping for lunch along the way. You’ll be staying at the Olanganayo wilderness camp in a lush green spot by a small stream. Whilst the crew set up camp you’ll be free to take a short stroll and take in the vastness of the Maasai plains. This area forms the corridor by which Wildebeest migrate to and from the Maasai Mara National Reserve, so wildlife spottings are not uncommon. Our Maasai host will take us on an early evening walk to the nearbye Maasai village and stand sentinel through the night (lions are always a possibility). Spend the evening around the camp fire.

:Day 9: Loita Plains and Magi Moto Eco Camp
Am. Short bush walk & drive to Maasai Mara
Pm. Sunset walk or night game drive
After waking to the sounds of the bush and a full breakfast, you’ll enjoy a short 2-3 hour walk along a small river course and through the open savanna for wildlife viewing. The local Maasai will act as guides and you will often walk amongst giraffe, impala, zebra and wildebeest. You’ll then drive to Maji Moto a fascinating community run eco camp with a hot spring and a lovely spot for lunch. There is the opportunity to visit a widow’s village and school for girls rescued from female genital mutilation. Then onto the permanent tented camp at Mountain Rock Mara Springs. There will be time for a late afternoon game drive in the Siana Conservation area and in the evening you can enjoy a hike up the nearby Naumare Hills to glimpse a stunning sunset over the Mara. Overnight in en-suite permanent tents.

Day 10: Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The big draw. You’ll spend all today in the reserve on a game drive in rugged 4wd extended wheel base LandCruisers with pop tops. With an experienced naturist guide and driver you’ll have every chance of spotting elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, Cheetah, Rhino, hippo, crocodile and countless others. An undoubtable highlight is the Mara River, the scene of so many famous encounters between hungry crocodiles and migrating wildebeest. Overnight at the Mountain Rock Mara Springs again.

Day 11: Back to Nairobi
Early game drive in the Mara
250km / 4-5hr drive back to Nairobi
Another early morning game drive in the Mara at 6am to spot any animals you might have missed and an opportunity to spot the early morning birdlife. After this drive you’ll return to camp for a late breakfast then drive for approximately 4 hours back to Nairobi arriving for late lunch at the Karen Rock House. Optional stay at the guesthouse where you can while away the afternoon around the lovely swimming pool.

Getting there
Getting to Kenya: Kenya has international airports in Nairobi (Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta NBO) and Mombassa (Mombasa Moi International MBA) which are around 8 hours flying time from the UK. Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Air Kenya fly regular direct services to Nairobi. Return tickets usually range from £450 to £750 depending on when you are travelling. If you are willing to put up with the inconvenience then cheaper tickets can usually be purchased with a stop from Qatar Airways, Ethiopian and Emirates.

Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta airport is a ½ hr 16km drive from Nairobi City Centre, but traffic can be bad.

This tour includes pick up and drop off in Nairobi by minibus or 4wd Landcruiser.

When is best
Kenya is subject to 2 rainy seasons, and a busy peak tourist season, but in reality is a year round destination. Most people visit during the summer months of July and August, when the weather is dry and the Maasai Mara is teeming with the Wildebeest migration.

July and August are peak season with Europeans and Americans making the most of their summer holidays, so expect crowds. However they also fall right after the long rains, so expect lots of lush green.

September and October play host to the short rains. Rain tends to fall for only a couple of hours in the afternoon or morning, so you shouldn’t let it stop you.

November, December, January, February and the first half of March are the dry season. Expect hot weather and quiet parks.

Second half of March, April, May and June plays host to the long rains. During this period it tends to rain through the night and into the morning. It is usually possible to get a dry spell between 10am and 2pm for getting out on safari. Many of the roads in the Maasai Mara Reserve are rough grass tracks that can become virtually impassable at the height of the rainy season (April – May). It is still possible to visit the Maasai Mara during this period you just won’t be able to explore as much.

Comfort level
Down to earth (hostels, camping, huts)

Experience required
A reasonable level of fitness and interest is all that is needed

Travellers should bring
The below list covers the standard equipment and clothing recommended for a Mt Kenya trek. For the safari element, in addition to the trekking kit you should make sure your clothes aren't too bright and remember to bring a pair of binoculars (essential) and swimming costume! Your main bags will be carried by a porter. At all times you will only be walking with a day-pack.

Day-pack large enough to carry spare clothes, waterproofs, camera, lunch, drink, etc.

Main bag should be a large kit bag or ideally a rucksack which is easier for porters to carry. This should weigh less than 14 kg for the Mt Kenya section.

A light kit-bag is useful for storing any gear not needed on the mountain section. Your total baggage allowance on most airlines is 20 kg. If you need more specific advice please don't hesitate to contact us.

Sleeping bag: A good 4 season bag. Temperatures can be minus 10 C high on Mt Kenya. A quality liner is useful for extra warmth and upgrades a 3 season to a 4 season bag.

Water bottle: 1 litre, (1.5 litre if you need to drink a lot) Purifying tablets or iodine - juice drink powders to disguise the taste.

Torch: Spare bulbs, batteries. Head torch useful but not essential. Small spare torch.

Walking pole/s: Highly recommended by some, awkward for others - try one out first.

Camera: Plenty of memory space or film. Spare camera batteries and cleaning kit, dust proof camera bag.

The following list of clothing is provided as a guideline only. But your clothing should allow you the flexibility to cope with the range of weather conditions you may encounter on this trip.

Clothing: underwear, light cotton/polycotton for general wear, and insulating next-to-skin ("thermal") vest and long johns for the cold or wet days on the trek. Socks suitable for walking and general wear. T-shirts, long sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, trousers/skirt for general wear. Walking shirt. Warm pullover/jersey, warm fleece or down jacket. Walking trousers, skirt or breeches. Walking shorts. Track suit (for evenings in camp, and as an extra layer when cold). Thick jacket (fleece, fibre-pile, or pile and pertex mix). Waterproof and windproof jacket/cagoule and over trousers. Walking boots - well broken in. Sandals/flip-flops. Gaiters for keeping out stones, seeds, scratches etc. Sunglasses, sun hat, (packable/collapsible), warm hat/balaclava, warm gloves and scarf.

Other kit: Towel, toilet kit, spare specs, personal first aid kit (e.g.sticking plasters, lint, antiseptic cream, aspirins/paracetamol, antihistamine, malaria pills and any special personal medication). Sun cream, insect repellent, lip salve, wet wipes, sewing kit. Binoculars for bird/animal spotting, mountain map. A wristwatch with an alarm function is useful for early starts. Use strong plastic bags inside your rucksack to keep out rain and dust.

Documents: Passport, passport photocopy (main page only), travellers cheques, insurance certificate, etc all in a secure money belt/pouch. Wallet for day to day use. Diary, notebook. Luggage: The thing to remember when choosing safari luggage is mobility. You will probably be moving between several different modes of transport (airplanes, cars, light aircraft, trucks, boats) so plan accordingly. Suitcases with wheels don't work very well in the African bush but they are adequate if you don't mind carrying them. A daypack is very handy to transport the items you need while driving around in the safari vehicle or walking through the bush.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Mount Kenya Trek:
You’ll be staying in simple mountain huts. So expect shared dorms with well worn mattresses. There are flush toilets and running water which is a nice bonus, but the water does tend to be absolutely freezing, so don’t come expecting to shower every day. The dorms tend to be 10-15 beds each.

Whilst the facilities tend to be basic the food most definitely isn’t and you certainly won’t go short. Breakfast consists of bread, cereal, tea / coffee, fresh seasonal fruit and some combination of pancakes, omellette, bacon, beans and sausages. You’ll be provided with a packed lunch, usually containing sandwiches, chicken legs (or similar), fruit, crisps and biscuits. At the end of a long day’s trekking you’ll be met with a flask of tea and coffee and snacks (usually popcorn and biscuits). For dinner you’ll get soup, a healthy portion of meat or fish with vegetables and rice / potatoes / pasta followed by fresh fruit.

Water is topped up as you go along from the mountain streams. You will need to bring two 1 litre water bottles and enough water purification tablets. We recommend you also bring taste neutralizer tablets as this makes the water more palatable and it is incredibly important you drink plenty of fluids at this altitude.

Masai Mara and Rift Valley Safari
Accommodation is a combination of small mid-range local guesthouses (aprox 3 star), fixed camps and wilderness camping. Availability allowing, in the Rift Valley Lakes area you’ll stay a night each in a small Lake-side lodge (with pool) and a Colonial guesthouse on a tea and coffee plantation. In the Maasai Mara, you’ll stay two nights in Mountain Rock Mara Springs fixed camp just outside the park. The Tents are permanent structures with nice ensuite showers and there is electricity from a generator in the evening. You’ll also spend a night at an exclusive wilderness camp out in the Maasai bush. You’ll be sleeping in a modern tent but there is a drop toilet and mess tent for shade. In Nairobi you’ll stay at the Rock House in Karen which is a quirky small guesthouse complete with swimming pool and lovely en-suite rooms.

All meals are provided. When camping, you’ll have a cook with you who will prepare meals, and in guesthouses you’ll typically eat at the in-house restaurant.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Schedule Departures (from £ 1840 per person)
Private Departures (from £ 1970 per person)

Single Room Supplement from £101.0pp

6 Nov 2011 - 17 Nov 2011 £ 1840
20 Nov 2011 - 1 Dec 2011 £ 1840
4 Dec 2011 - 5 Dec 2011 £ 1840
18 Dec 2011 - 29 Dec 2011 £ 1840
1 Jan 2012 - 12 Jan 2012 £ 1840
15 Jan 2012 - 26 Jan 2012 £ 1840
29 Jan 2012 - 9 Feb 2012 £ 1840
12 Feb 2011 - 23 Feb 2012 £ 1840
26 Feb 2012 - 8 Mar 2012 £ 1840
11 Mar 2012 - 22 Mar 2012 £ 1840
25 Mar 2012 - 5 Apr 2012 £ 1840
8 Apr 2012 - 19 Apr 2012 £ 1840
22 Apr 2012 - 3 May 2012 £ 1840
6 May 2012 - 17 May 2012 £ 1840
20 May 2012 - 31 May 2012 £ 1840
3 Jun 2012 - 14 Jun 2012 £ 1840
17 Jun 2012 - 28 Jun 2012 £ 1840

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