Compare Mount Kenya Ascent by World Expeditions vs Safari to Aberdares National Park by Explorer Kenya Safaris
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 2 days |
| Price From | $ 2,460 | $ 449 |
| Price Per Day | $ 351 | $ 225 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
1 Breakfast, 2 Lunches & 1 Dinner |
| Description | A challenging ascent of Kenya's highest peak |
The Aberdares safari has accommodation at either Treetops or The Ark Lodge both located in the park. The Ark has been refurbished recently so its facilities are better currently as compared to the Treetops Lodge. Both lodges have water holes where you can view wildlife as they come to drink at the water hole both at night and during the day. The lodges also have wake up call signals at night when a particular animal is sighted so you could ask the staff to give you a call in case you want to spot a particular animal or all of them as they come to the water hole. The Aberdares are located in the Kenya highlands and due to their altitude it gets quite cold at night, so you should dress warmly and carry warm clothing for the evenings. |
Day 1 Join Nairobi
On arrival in Nairobi, please make your way to the group hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure in Kenya's capital city.
meals : Array
Day 2 Drive to Mt Kenya National Park
This morning we head to Chogoria Village (approx. 4-5 hours drive). In the afternoon you will ascend the steep and rutted track to the Bandas (cottages) in woodland near the Chogoria gate (3,017m) of the Mt Kenya National Park. We will stay here for the night. Our gear will be transported by Land Rovers while we acclimatise with our first walk at altitude (approx. 1 hour).
meals : B,L,D
Day 3 Ascend Mt Kenya via Lake Ellis (3500m)
The flora and fauna surrounding the Bandas is prolific, with the possibility of seeing game in the surrounding forest (Elephant, Buffalo, Antelope, Colobus Monkey, Augur Buzzard & Verreaux's Eagle). As we walk, the forest gradually drops away and we enter a high moorland zone. En route we ascend nearby Mugi Hill (3600m) to help with acclimatisation before arriving to camp. Lake Ellis (3500m), where we camp tonight, is a peaceful spot with good views of the main peaks and we arrive in time for lunch. (approx. 6 hrs)
meals : B,L,D
Day 4 Trek to Lake Michaelson (4000m)
The initial trek away from the lake ascends gentle moorland to attain a ridge that eventually joins the main Chogoria route at its best viewpoint. After enjoying views of Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley we descend to the little visited Lake Michaelson (3,830m) and possibly the most beautiful campsite on the walk. Overhead tower the cliffs of the Temple while Tacazze Sunbirds flit amongst the giant Groundsel and Lobelia and Hyraxes hop around in the rocks. (approx. 6-8 hours)
meals : B,L,D
Day 5 Trek to Simba Tarn (4560m)
The trek now enters the Alpine Zone - after quite a boggy start to the walk the walking surface soon becomes scree. You will soon reach Simba Tarn at 4560m, in time for a late lunch. An afternoon walk will assist with acclimatisation. (approx. 4-6 hrs)
meals : B,L,D
Day 6 Ascend Point Lenana (4985m), descend via Mackinders Valley to Liki North Camp (3900m)
After a hot drink you will leave at 3:30 am for the steep ascent (2 - 2.5 hrs) of Point Lenana (4,985m) in time for sunrise. Although the climb is straightforward, the final section is hard work at this altitude. From the summit it is often possible to see Mt Kilimanjaro 320km away as well as the nearby climbing peaks of Mt Kenya; Nelion and Batian which should be bathed in golden sunlight at this time of the morning. We descend back to Simba Tarn for a well-earned cooked breakfast, and continue our descent via the Mackinder Valley to Shipton's Camp before joining the Sirimon Route to Liki North where we camp. The walk today is long and exhausting and will challenge even the fittest of walkers. However the thrill of standing on the roof of Kenya, will be sure to make the effort worthwhile. (approx. 9-10 hours walking)
meals : B,L,D
Day 7 Descend Sirimon Valley to Old Moses Camp (3400m), transfer to Nairobi where the trip concludes
After breakfast we continue descending for approximately 2 hours to Old Moses camp 3400m and the tarmac roadhead at the forest line. Here we bid farewell to the porters and crew and drive down through the lush forest belt to the Park Gate. After completing the exit formalities our transport will take us on the 5 hour drive back to Nairobi, where the trip concludes on arrival at the hotel from where we started. We farewell our Kenyan crew here. (Note: arrival at the hotel in Nairobi is around 16:00hrs. We recommend an overnight stay in Nairobi before commencing onward travel. If you need to depart today, please do not book onward flights departing before 20:00hrs)
meals : B,L
Day 1: Nairobi to Aberdares National Park
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Pick Up in Nairobi at your hotel at 8.00AM. Drive through the central highlands to Aberdares National Park arriving in late morning. Check in at the Ark Lodge/ Treetops Lodge. Proceed to the lodge balcony from where you can spot wildlife coming to the water hole for a drink. Have lunch. An afternoon drink at the balcony as you spot wildlife will be the highlight of your day. You could proceed to the ground level photography hide to get close to elephants amongst other wildlife as they come in for a drink.
You can have a nature walk in the park in the afternoon, before returning to the Ark Lodge/Treetops lodge for dinner and overnight. You have flood lit game viewing at the lodge in the evening.
Day 2: Aberdares National Park – Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Have breakfast at Treetops lodge. Leave th Lodge on a game drive spotting white and black Rhinos, Leopards, Cheetah, buffalos, elephants and zebras. You will also get to see the Aberdares unique scenery and waterfalls. In the early afternoon proceed to the Aberdares country club for lunch. Leave Aberdares National Park in the late afternoon for Nairobi arriving at 17:45 Hrs where your safari ends.
