Mount Kenya & Surrounds Holidays

To the local Kikuyu people, the icing-sugar peaks of Kenya’s highest mountain belong to their ancient god, Ngai. Based on the lower slopes of this mammoth extinct volcano, the Kikuyu keep their doors open and facing the sacred site, which they know as Kirinyaga – The Place of Light. Today, Mount Kenya and its surrounding national park is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve for its diverse topography of alpine and bamboo forests, glaciers and springs that are home to diverse wildlife. It’s these landscapes that crampon-clad climbers come to conquer, making their snail-like ascent to Mount Kenya’s 5,199-metre peak.

Mount Kenya’s National Reserve is also a haven for rare animals like the tree hyrax and white-tailed mongoose. While eagles swoop through the sky, bushbacks, leopards and the mountain bongo rule the slopes and high-altitude plains, which harbour over a thousand rainbow plant species. At certain times of year, elephants can even be seen trekking the 14-kilometre Mount Kenya Elephant Corridor, a protected migration route and conservation success story. Stay in luxury lodges with roaring fires where you’ll wake to views of mist-topped Mount Kenya, then head out on game drives to explore this 100-million-year-old region with a safari ranger.

Keen to soak up views of Africa’s second-highest peak? Ask our Kenya experts to arrange a tailor-made tour of Mount Kenya filled with fancy lodges, expert-led safaris and hikes.