SVAKC 007: 8 Days South – North Traverse (Kamweti – Sirimon Route)

Day 01

Leave Nairobi at 10.00 am and drive to Forest Castle Lodge (2000m) for lunch on the southern slopes of Mt. Kenya. The afternoon can be spent for walk around the scenic environment with high chances of coming across elephants and buffaloes. Dinner will be next to the fire place in the dining room of the Castle Lodge.

Day 02

There is no need for an early breakfast in the humid and misty climate. After breakfast at 8.30 am you can leisurely pack your mountain gear and start the short 4 hour hike to the old forest station at 2400m where you will spend your night in tents. Lunch will be taken on the way in the natural bamboo forest.

Day 03

After breakfast at the camp you will hike on towards the Sagana River camp which will be at an altitude of 2980 m. The hike, with lunch on the way, takes about 6 hours and is through a dense bamboo forest. Just across the Sagana River you will find your fly camp already set up by the crew. Supper will follow shortly.

Day 04

After a good night rest your walk continues through the bamboo forest to the heath and moor land. The Thego River camp at 3750m is your next destination. Lunch will be taken on the way. The hike takes about 6 hours and if lucky you may have some close encounter with some wild game on the way.

Day 05

Your climb continues for about 3 hours to lake Hohnel through beautiful tropical alpine vegetation dominated by Seneca and Lobelia. At the scenic lake you stop for a lunch break enjoying a view of the clear waters. After another two hours you will finally reach Mackinder’s Camp at 4250m in the Teleki Valley. Overnight will be at the Teleki Hut where you will take a final rest in preparation for the next days challenge on the Lenana peak.

Day 06

After an early morning breakfast at 4.00 am, the trek leads via a steep screed to the Austrian Hut at 4790m. Here there will be a short break before the final challenge on point Lenana (4895m) via Lewis Glacier. You will then descend on the northern side via Simba Cole to the Shiptons camp (4200m) where lunch will be taken. Thereafter you continue down on the Sirimon route to the Old Moses Camp at 3400m. O/N will be at the hut

Day 07

Your final descend takes you to the Sirimon gate. Here you will meet your driver for the onwards transfer and after a light lunch bid your crew goodbye and proceed to Sweetwaters game reserve for a hot shower and an evening gamedrive. As you enjoy a delicious cuisine at dinner, a variety of wildlife who visit an overlooking water hole to quench their thirst will crown your evening joy.

Day 08

A gamedrive after breakfast offers a very unique opportunity of viewing the rare Chimpanzee and reveals the richness of game in the Laikipia plains. After a delicious lunch at the tented camp your Mt. Kenya adventure comes to an end and a 3 hours transfer through the fertile central province farmlands takes you to Nairobi.

Minimum rate per person USD 880.