by techadmin | Nov 16, 2018 | Kenya Hikes
You need to be reasonably fit to do this climb. The Elephant Hill on the southern end of the Aberdares Ranges, about 90km north of Nairobi, is an ideal location for a day hike especially if you’re preparing for the more challenging Mt Kenya or Mt Kilimanjaro climbs. The Aberdares Ranges are situated west of Mt Kenya in the central highlands between Nyeri and Naivasha, and stretch 70km long from North to South.
Distance from Nrb: About 90km
Starting Point: Njabini Forest Gate
Ending point: Njabini Forest Gate
Walking Duration: 7 hours
Terrain: Dirt road leading to swampy trail in the
bamboo zone, before turning rocky in the alpine zone.
Difficulty: Moderate to High.
The Aberdares are the water catchment area feeding two of the largest dams supplying over 95% of Nairobi needs, i.e. Ndakaini Dam in the Thika region and Sasumua Dam near Njabini town. The Aberdares slopes are also one of the major bread baskets for vegetables supplied to Nairobi groceries, and possibly the most significant source of the second most important staple food consumed in Nairobi, the Irish potato.
Route Description
Although the hill can be ascended from various starting points, the best approach is the Njabini Forest Station (former Kinangop South Forest Station), about 4kms from Njabini shopping centre. The hike up the hill takes 3 to 4 hours after starting at an altitude of 2600m at the Forest Station. The first few kilometers are over relatively flat forest covered terrain, with the occasional herd of cattle grazing the glades in the forest a testament to the growing push by human settlements into the receding forest boundary.
On ascending further up, the forest gives way to the Bamboo zone. The narrow trail, punctuated every few steps by treacherous mud, at this point is covered by a canopy of towering bamboo with the filtered light enhancing the jungle feel as you continue trudging up the now steeper path. The occasional elephant footprint droppings from various animal species are a constant reminder that you are in a game reserve teeming with wildlife, with the armed escort your only shield from possible danger.
After what seems like hours of plodding though the muck and fighting the urge to just throw in the towel and turn around, the trail finally levels off and the Bamboo thins out as you get to the alpine zone, characterized by the stunning array of outlandish flora like lobelia, Senecio, Tussock grass, giant heather among others, a real feast for botany enthusiasts. Amazing views of the surrounding countryside including the nearby Sasumua Dam down below to your right, and the distant Ndakaini Dam to your left, awaits those who make it this far. You are now at the elephant’s rump, also known as the “point of despair”.
For those strong enough to continue, the rest of the hike goes over slightly rocky terrain at an altitude of over 3500m above sea level, with the temperature dropping significantly, as you pick you way across the elephant’s back. The trail first descents into a clamp of trees before turning back upwards out of the small valley. It then gets pretty steep as it meanders past gnarled giant heather trees adorned with Spanish moss offering handholds when you need to pull yourself up the slope. Mercifully it soon levels off to give you your first view of the summit. You’ll recognize it by the saddle between two knolls, with the summit to the right. Kinangop, the second highest peak on the Aberdares, can easily be accessed from this point. The descent is just as trying as the ascent, taking a big toll on the knees, and another 3 to 4 hours to the Forest station.
Requirements
- Visitors are required to be accompanied by armed escort from the Forest Gate
- Hiking equipment/Rain gears
- Identification documents for the park entry.
Packed lunch from Nairobi - Water bottle/Hydration bag at least 3 liters.
- Remember to carry your camera fully changed.
by techadmin | Nov 16, 2018 | Kenya Hikes
Tour is a full day trip to climb Menengai crater. Menengai crater is located 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Nakuru, the fourth-biggest city in Kenya. The drive from Nairobi to Nakuru takes about 2.5 Hours. It takes another 10 minutes to drive from town to the foot of the crater where the Menengai Forest station offices are located.
Menengai crater is an extinct volcano and one of the
world’s largest intact craters and it is 12 kilometers across and nearly 500
meter deep in places. The crater floor covers nearly 90 square kilometers.
While standing at the rim of the huge crater, one is able
to have the view of the large stretch of the Northern Rift Valley in a
panoramic view, having a glance at some of the mountains like the Tugen Hills,
Mau, Aberdares, Mathews Range, the Cherenganyi and the Elgeyo-Marakwet
escarpment.
More striking is the fact that at the crater, one is able
to have the beautiful view of Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru and the beauty of the
crater itself. The hike takes approximate 4 to 5 hours walk from the base of
the crater to the rim and back.
Menengai Crater Nakuru 1 Day Hiking Tour hike begins down
hill to the floor of the crater, a flat stretch, then a rocky, grassy uphill to
the summit. It is a pleasant trip with breathtaking views into the crater as
well as surrounding parts of the Rift Valley.
Various bird species as well as hyenas, baboons and dik
dik can be spotted at the crater. The descent down the crater looks pretty
easy. However, it is the long trek upwards that is torturous. You need to be an
expert hiker to conquer it!
With its amazing scenery, Menengai crater is indeed one of
the most attractive places in the Rift Valley. The hiking, trekking, camping
and picnicking options available to the visitor offer the promise of a
rewarding trip.
There are also caves that can be explored, but they tend
to be frequented by those on religious pilgrimages. Our Menegai Crater Tour
ends in Nairobi at 1900 Hours.
Menengai
Crater Nakuru 1 Day Hiking Tour Itinerary:
0600h
rs: Pick up from Racecourse as usual
and depart for Menengai crater, Nakuru County
0800
Hrs: Stop Over at the View Point
0930 Hrs: Arrival at the Menengai
Forest station Gate
1030Hrs: Begin hiking (approximate 4-5 hours) Hike is hard and
challenging. You must be fit to finish the whole hike
1230
Hrs: Enjoy Packed Lunch box
1530Hrs: Begin your journey back to Nairobi
0630
Hrs: Arrival in Nairobi with fond
Memories to Cherish for
by techadmin | Nov 16, 2018 | Kenya Hikes
The name is derived from Maasai word “Ol Doinyo Iigoon“(Breast Mountain).The local residents refer it as “ Masaba“ On the Uganda side by Bamasaba. Mt.Elgon is a massive solitary volcanic mountain on the border of Eastern Uganda and Western Kenya.Its vast 80kms in diameter,rises 3,070 metres above the sorrounding plains.Its cooler heights offer respite for humans from the hot plains below,and its higher altitudes provide a refuge for flora and fauna.
Mt.Elgon consist of 5 major peaks withonly one in Kenya.The Koitobos rising 4,222m asl.This is the third highest after Wagagai at 4,321 and Sudek 4,302 at the border of Kenya/Uganda.The other two include Mubiyi at 4,211m and Masaba at 4,161m asl.
Other features of note are:
-Elgon’s is one of the largest intact calderas in the world.
-The warm springs by the river Suam.
-Endebess Bluff -2,563 metres.
-Ngwarisha,Makingeny,Chepnyalil,and Kitum caves.
Kiptum caves is over 60metres wide and 200m long.The cave contains salt deposits and it is frequented by wild game including elephants that converge to lick the salt exposed by gouging the walls with their trucks.It was featured by Richard Prestons book ‘‘The Hot Zone‘‘ in 1994 for its associated with the Ebola-loike virus.
Vegetation
The diverse terrain and dramatic ascents of qaltitude combined with the vegaries of rainfall and weqather produce four distinct vegetation zones on Mt,Elgon. They include:
The Lusha Montane Forest (2000m-2500m): The forest is of dry,highland evergreen type and includes over 100 species as well as epiphytic orchids,ferns and trailling lianas.The bestb place to see this type of forest is on the chelulus circuit.
Mixed Bamboo and Podocopus Zone (3000m-3500m):Together with the forest contain the highest biodiversity on the mountain.
Health Zone (3000m-3500m):is characterized by dense scrub,brilliant wildflowers Moorland Zone (3500m-4321m):boasts of the highest number of endemic plants species on the mountain.The open moorland grassland is dotted with clusters of peculiar giant grounded plus Lobelia plants which are unique to East Africa.
The mountain is the water tower for the several rivers such as the Suam river which feeds Lake Turkana as river Turkwel.River Nzoia and the Lwakhaka feeds Lake Victoria.
The park has earned the status of important Bird Area (IBA) and UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB)site.
Itinerary: Mt. Elgon Cross Border Hiking.
Day 1.
Pick up from Eldoret or Kitale Airport and drive to Mt. Elgon national park, Chorlim gate for Registration formalities and park fees payment. We drive further through the vegetation belts to Road-head. Dinner and overnight at campsite.
Day 2.
Early breakfast, hike to the highest peak in Kenya, Koitobos 4,222m asl. Descend to the Caldera passing Suam River, the border crossing point to Uganda. We hike further in the caldera to Mude caves campsite for dinner and overnight.
Day 3.
After early breakfast, we hike to the highest peak, Wagagai 4,321m Asl before descending back to Mude caves for lunch. We descend further to Sasa River camp for dinner and Overnight.
Day 4.
Breakfast is served before we descend through the bamboo forest to Mundamba cliff. We enter Bumasola village where our vehicle will be waiting. We drive to Mbale town for lunch. We drive through Tororo, Malaba border for immigration formalities. Proceed to Nairobi to
arrive early morning.
5 Days Trekking Mount Elgon
Day 1: Eldoret Town -Chorlim Gate
Leave Nairobi through you flight/Bus arrive in Eldoret. Proceed to Kitale from where will do our last supplies before heading to Chorlim gate of Mt. Elgon national park. Upon arrival at the gate,the park formalities and fees are done ,we start our hike through the dense forest.Picnic lunch will be served at the Endebess Bluff.After lunch head up for next 2 hours to reach to Mutamaiyo camp,the trekking from the gate to the camp normally takes about five to six (5-6)hours and we will arrive at the camp in the afternoon.The distance covered is 14km and 2950m dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 2: Mutamaiyo camp-Road head
Wake up 07:00hrs, after refreshing up,breakfast will be served as from 07:30hrs. Armed with picnic lunch we start our hike.The day will unfold and you will be able to walk in the forest and for the birdwatchers you will be to spots many types of birds along the way.The distance from Mutamaiyo camp to Road head normally take 5-6 hours.Upon arrival at the camp you will be welcomed by a cup of coffee/tea and snacks which will have been prepared by our chefs who always walks ahead of us.Your tents will have been pitched by our crew.The rest of the will be spent in this camp which is on a high level as we await to attempt the summit the following morning.Dinner will be served early as the camp is cold and windy.After the dinner we retire in tents to keep us warm.
Day 3: Road head –Koitobos-Mutamaiyo Camp
Wake up at 04:30 hrs, hot tea /coffee or chocolate and some biscuits will be served.The ascent to the summits starts atb 05:00hrs,we will converse through the moorland.At about 06:30 hrs you will have an opportunity to capture the sunrise.Then final stretch is a steep climb up for about 220m to get to the summit.The trek from Road head to Koitobos (summit) 4km,this normally takes like 3hrs to hit the summit 4222m,after taking the photos we then descend down to Road head Camp for lunch and relaxing for few hours,there after descend further down to Mutamaiyo which takes another 3 hours to get to mutamaiyo. Upon arrival you will be served snacks and hot coffee as well as tea.
Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 4: Mutamaiyo-Kapkuro camp
Breakfast will served at 7:00pm then descend down for another two(2)hours.The group will still be accompanied by the rangers since in early morning walk might encounter with the elephants or buffaloes along the way,visit kitum cave{400m}which is the biggest cave in Africa and the Makingemny caves.Arrive at the Kapkuro camp late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Kapkuro-Kitale-Iten-Nairobi
After breakfast we exit Chorlim gate. Drive through Kitale to Eldoret and back to Nairobi.
