One Day Mount Kenya Hike

A one-day Mount Kenya trip is possible and perfect for travellers that have limited time to spend or for photographers seeking to enjoy the scenery and views more.

It takes roughly 4 days to 8 days to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to the summit but with this tour will just be touring the slopes of Mount Kenya and its environs for a full day trip. Even for a one-day tour, hiking on Mount Kenya could prove to be challenging in one way or the other. With the help of expert Tranquil Kilimanjaro guides, your one-day Mount Kenya trek will be fun and exciting.

This tour gives you the ultimate chance to experience the beauty of Mount Kenya and participate in a mildly challenging 6-hour hike but also make it just in time for dinner in Nairobi. Your day begins with early breakfast then you will be picked up from your hotel afterwards for a short journey towards Mount Kenya national park where the hiking begins.

But before you begin your hiking, you will have to through the Naro Moru gate to meet your guide and at around 9:30 am the hiking begins by hiking across the rainforest zone of Mount Kenya. As you knowledgeable guide enlightens you about the wildlife, birdlife and plant life inhabiting the rainforests of Mount Kenya, you will get a chance to spot some birds, elephants, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and buffalos. At around noon, shortly after reaching the Meteorological Station, you will return to the Naro Moru gate traversing the bamboo forest on your way down, reaching the gate at around 2 pm in the afternoon. It is here at the gate that you will enjoy your packed lunch then finally heading back to Nairobi town, a short journey that takes approximately a three-hour drive. All in all, the hike may be vigorous but worth it, as Mount Kenya rewards you with stunning views.

Mount Kenya Day Hike Highlights

Hike through the evergreen rainforests surrounding Mount Kenya
Enjoy views of the towering Batian, Nelion, and Lenana peaks from the slopes of the mountain.
Spot some of the birds in the rainforest of Mt Kenya
Spot some big game animals like elephants, buffalos, rhinos, giraffes and more
Take on a challenging 6-hour hike and inhale the fresh mountain air

What to bring on your day trip to Mount Kenya

Comfortable shoes
Sun hat
Food and drinks
Hiking shoes
Sunscreen
Water

Know before you go

Please be advised that you will be hiking for 6 hours. This hike requires you to be at least moderately physically fit to take part.
Make sure to bring your own water, energy bars and

Mt Kenya Day Hike option 1

Enjoy a full-day hiking trip on the second-highest mountain in Africa. Take the famous Naro Moru route (6 hours) up to the Meteorological Station and back, catching sight of animals and birds and marvelling at the scenic beauty around you.

Here are Mt. Kenya day hike timings and itinerary from Nairobi and back in a single day climb

1| -6:00am Depart Nairobi early in the morning after breakfast and head to Mount Kenya’s basecamp to begin your one-day Mount Kenya hike.

2| -9:00am: Arrive at the Mt Kenya National Park the proceed to Naro Moru Gate where you will meet your mount Kenya hiking crew that includes the guide. This gate is the starting point for your full-day hike.

3| -10:00am: After leaving the gate, proceed to traverse the rain forest zone of Mount Kenya as you climb up the mountain with the help of a guide. You may spot some animals and different species of birds, native to the rainforest of Mount Kenya.

4| -12:00pm: hike through the bamboo forest of the mountain just after passing the Met Station before you make a detour heading back to the gate where it all started.

5| -2:00pm: It is almost the end of your one-day trek on Mount Kenya as you approach the Naro Moru gate right at the end of the trailhead. You will reach the gate just in time for lunch. Enjoy your packed lunch before you embark on your journey back to Nairobi City.

6| -5:00pm: We arrive in Nairobi in the evening where you will be dropped at the hotel, airport or any place within the vicinity of Nairobi town.

One Day Budget Mount Kenya hike to Old Moses Camp

This is a budget day trip to Mount Kenya and to lower your cost, you can use matatus (public minibuses) then Boda Bodas (motorcycles) to get to Mount Kenya national park entrance gate from Timau, a journey that is only 9km from Timau to Sirimon gate.

Alternatively, we can transport you from Nairobi and back using our private vehicle from Tranquil Kilimanjaro.

The hike begins at the Sirimon Gate where you will meet and greet your mountain crew that consists of your mountain guide. On the trip to the Sirimon gate rewards you with a beautiful view of the 2 highest peaks on Mount Kenya, Batian and Nelion
The hike from the gate to Old Moses takes approximately 2-3 hours on foot. At Old Moses, you get rewarded by stunning views of the valleys plenty of hiking activity in the neighbouring places around Old Moses. Old Moses is usually the first stop and campsite that you encounter after leaving the gate on your way to the summit and it is also home to many bird species and a favourite for birding enthusiasts. It is an amazing chill spot on the mountain where you can unwind and relax.

Mt Kenya Day Hike – Start and end timings

Mt Kenya National Park Tour Timings

The Mount Kenya day trip starts early in the morning at around 6:00 am so that you get to Mount Kenya by 9:00 am in time for the hike since it will take you approximately 6 hours of hiking and you will gain an altitude of about 3,800m.

The cost for the one day hike to Mount Kenya includes and excludes the following items

Mount Kenya Day Hike Price includes

Nairobi airport-hotel pick up/ drop off transfers

Transport in a customized pop up top safari mini-van.

Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees

Services of an experienced English/other language speaking safari tour guide/driver.

Stay in economy, comfort or luxury lodges / tented camps (Please choose)

Game viewing drives

Park entrance fees

All meals on safari

Bottled drinking water in safari vehicle

The flying doctors medical , emergency and rescue cover

Pick up and drop off at either Nairobi airport, hotel or residence

Government taxes and local levies

Price Excludes

Bottled & Soft Drinks

Items and services of a personal nature

Tips & Gratuities

Gratuity

Can you see Kilimanjaro from Amboseli?

Yes, you can view Mount Kilimanjaro clearly at Amboseli National Park. Amboseli is situated on the South and South-East of Kenya, just like the Kilimanjaro Mountain which is at the border of Amboseli in Kenya and Kilimanjaro region in Tanzania.

What is Kilimanjaro famous for?

Mount Kilimanjaro is most famous for being the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Can you see Kilimanjaro from Kenya?

Yes, Though located in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro can be best viewed from Kenya’s Amboseli national park or Loitoktok town which is located at the border of Kenya and Tanzania

Can you view Mount Kilimanjaro from the Serengeti?

No, Mount Kilimanjaro is not visible from the Serengeti National Park but you stand a better chance seeing it if you take a hot air balloon and use a telescope because Serengeti is 324 km away from Mount Kilimanjaro.

Can you see Kilimanjaro from Arusha?

Yes, from Arusha, Kilimanjaro is not very far away, if you stand on a high building or on top of Mount Meru you can Mount Kilimanjaro when the sky is clear.

Can you see Kilimanjaro from Moshi?

Yes, Mount Kilimanjaro is very visible everywhere around Moshi town. In fact, it is the first thing you notice when you enter Moshi as Moshi is the closest town to Mount Kilimanjaro.

Where is the best view of Kilimanjaro?

The answer to this can be arguable, to be honest. Most people claim that Amboseli National park in Kenya offers the best view while others say it is more beautiful from Moshi Town in Tanzania.