Mount Kenya National Park at a glance
Mount Kenya is Kenya's highest mountain and the second highest in Africa. It is an extinct volcano, and its jagged twin summits, Batian and Nelion, rise above moorland, bamboo and montane forest. The national park lies on the mountain's upper slopes. The national park lies in the counties of Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi, Kirinyaga, Embu and Meru.
Most visitors come for a multi-day trek to Point Lenana, the trekking summit. Three main gates lead into the park: Sirimon, Chogoria and Naro Moru. This guide covers the routes, the park fees for 2026, tours and day hikes, the height of each peak, the weather, the wildlife and how to get to the mountain from Nairobi. Fees are charged by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in US dollars for non-residents and in Kenyan shillings (KES) for citizens and residents.
Our picks: Mount Kenya tours
For Point Lenana, the four-day Sirimon trek with the park fees in the price is a simple start, and the five-day crossing gives you more time to get used to the height. If you only have one day, the Naro Moru day hike shows you the mountain without a summit.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Five-day trek from Sirimon to Chogoria
- All park entries and taxes
- Guide, porters and cook
- Full board
Five days over the mountain: up via Old Moses and Shipton's, over Point Lenana and down the Chogoria side. The park fees are in the price.
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Four-day Sirimon trek to Point Lenana
- Park entry and camping fee
- Guide, porters and cook
- Mountain huts, full board
Up via Old Moses and Shipton's to Point Lenana and back down through Old Moses. The park fees are already in the price, which is quoted per person.
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Chogoria trek to Point Lenana, 4 or 5 days
- Guide, cook and porters
- Camping fees and equipment
- Three meals a day
A camping trek on the Chogoria side with a four-day or a five-day option. The park fee is extra and is charged per person and day, so budget for it.
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Two-day Chogoria camping trip to Lake Ellis
- Park entry included
- Tents and sleeping mats
- Cook and support crew
Nithi Falls and Lake Ellis in two days, with a night in camp. This trip does not go to a summit.
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Day hike from Nairobi via Naro Moru
- Park fee included
- Guide and transport
- Lunch included
A long day that climbs past the Met Station to about 3,800 m. There is no summit and no overnight stay, which suits you if you have only one day on the mountain.
Check availability →Mount Kenya treks and tours
Multi-day treks to Point Lenana, day hikes and trips around the mountain, with current prices and availability.
Climb Mount Kenya: routes and summits
Start with the trek or the route, then look at the summits.
Mount Kenya trek
How many days, what it costs and how to plan the altitude.
Tours and day hikes
Day walks, guided climbs and what a safari here really means.
Routes compared
Sirimon, Chogoria and Naro Moru side by side.
Sirimon route
From Sirimon Gate via Old Moses to Shipton's Camp.
Chogoria route
The Gorges Valley, Lake Michaelson and Hall Tarns.
Naro Moru route
The direct approach through the Teleki Valley.
Point Lenana
The trekking summit and what summit day involves.
Batian and Nelion
The technical climbing summits above the trekking routes.
Fees, facts and planning
The practical pages for getting ready.
Park fees 2026
Daily fees by visitor category, camping and vehicles.
How tall is Mount Kenya?
The heights of Batian, Nelion and Point Lenana.
Weather and best time
Rainy seasons and the months for walking and climbing.
Mount Kenya or Kilimanjaro
Which climb suits you.
Glaciers
The Lewis Glacier and the retreat of the ice.
Animals and plants
Elephants, hyrax and the giant plants of the moorland.
History
Kirinyaga, early ascents and the World Heritage listing.
Huts, camps and lodges
Where to sleep on and below the mountain.
Getting there
Roads from Nairobi to the three gates, and the flight to Nanyuki.
A few things to know before you go
Six points that save time when you plan.
The trekking summit is Point Lenana
Point Lenana (4,985 m) is the usual goal. Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m) are technical rock climbs. A Lenana trek does not reach Kenya's highest point.
Point Lenana guide →Fees are charged per day and by category
Since 1 October 2025 KWS charges daily fees for four groups: Kenyan and EAC citizens, Kenya residents, other African citizens and non-residents. The schedule lists daily fees, not multi-day mountain packages. Payment is cashless.
Park fees →A certified guide is expected
The park asks every visitor to use a qualified, certified guide. A porter is a separate choice. A porter carries at most 25 kg.
Trek planning →Mountain, park and forest are different areas
The massif, the national park, the forest reserve and the World Heritage site do not cover the same ground. KWS runs the national park, and the Kenya Forest Service manages parts of the forest reserve.
History and listing →Elephants live in the forest belt
The ecosystem also holds buffalo, leopards, primates and antelopes. Sightings on a trekking route are possible but never certain. Keep at least 20 m from animals and do not feed them.
Animals and plants →Fires have burned in the forest in several years
Parts of the forest burned in 2012, 2019, 2022 and September 2026. Ask your operator for the route status before you go, and allow for heavy rain on the lower trails.
Getting there →Three routes in brief
Each main gate leads to a different valley.
| Route | Gate from Nairobi | Stops on the way up | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sirimon | About 200 km | Old Moses, Shipton's Camp | Leads into the Mackinder Valley |
| Chogoria | About 210 km | Gorges Valley, Lake Michaelson, Hall Tarns | Gorges, a lake and tarns; the way down on a crossing |
| Naro Moru | 188 km | Met Station, Vertical Bog, Mackinder's Camp | Direct, with a wet section |
For most trekkers, a crossing, up Sirimon and down Chogoria, is the route to pick: it takes 5 to 6 days and shows two sides of the mountain. See the route comparison for details. Nanyuki is the access town for the Sirimon side, and Nyeri is a landmark on the road toward Naro Moru and Nanyuki.
More independent guides to Kenya
Separate guides from the same team.
Kenya Coast
Diani Beach, Mombasa, Watamu, Malindi and safaris to Tsavo East.
Lamu
The Swahili old town, dhow trips and the islands of the archipelago.
Maasai Mara
Safaris, the Great Migration, balloon flights and park fees.
Amboseli
Elephant herds, Kilimanjaro views, safaris and park fees.
Nairobi National Park
Game drives in the capital, the Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage.
Lake Nakuru
Rhinos, flamingos, Rift Valley lakes and day trips from Nairobi.
Tsavo
Tsavo East and West, red elephants and safaris from Mombasa.
Samburu
The Special Five, the Ewaso Nyiro River and northern Kenya.
Lake Naivasha
Boat rides with hippos, Crescent Island and Mount Longonot.
Hell's Gate
Cycling, the gorge walk and the Olkaria geothermal spa.
Ol Pejeta
Rhinos, the last northern white rhinos, chimpanzees and Nanyuki.
Aberdare
Waterfalls, Treetops, mountain forest safaris and Nyeri.
Mount Kenya National Park: frequently asked questions
How high is Mount Kenya?
The highest summit, Batian, is 5,199 m. Nelion is 5,188 m. Point Lenana, the trekking summit, is 4,985 m. See the height page for the full picture.
Can I climb Mount Kenya without technical climbing skills?
Yes, as far as Point Lenana. That is a high-altitude trek with a steep final section on scree, and it still needs good fitness and time to acclimatise. Batian and Nelion need rock-climbing skills and equipment.
How many days does a Mount Kenya trek take?
Programs run from 3 to 7 days. A Sirimon to Chogoria crossing usually takes 5 to 6 days. Very short programs raise the risk of altitude sickness, so choose a schedule with a spare night.
How much does it cost to enter the park?
Under the KWS schedule of October 2025, an adult non-resident pays $70 per day, a Kenya resident KES 1,100 and a Kenyan or EAC citizen KES 800. Check the amount at payment before you travel.
Do I need a guide?
The park asks all visitors to use a qualified, certified guide. A porter is not required, but many programs include one.
Is mount-kenya-national-park.org the official park website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Kenya Forest Service or any county, and it has no connection to trekking operators, guide associations or lodges.