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Mount Kenya National Park, Kenya Safari & Climb
About The Mountain
Mount Kenya is the country's highest mountain and second highest in Africa. Sitting astride the equator its icy summit reaches to 5199 meters (17,058 feet). The entire mountain above the 3200-meter contour forms a national park. In fact, Mount Kenya consists of three principal zones: the rocky peak area, which is actually an eroded volcanic plug, with its mantle of glaciers and snowfields; the alpine zone with its distinctive giant vegetation; and the vast gentle lower slopes drenched in mountain forest and bamboo jungle. It is no wonder that awed farmers at its foothills considered this remote majestic wonderland as God's domain.
Many rivers flow from the perpetual snows of Mount Kenya, among them the mighty Tana River, Kenya's largest and longest river and source of much of Kenya's electricity supply. Most visitors are content to marvel at the mountain's beauty but some will want to attempt to reach the peaks; a feat requiring considerable rock climbing skill. But the mountain's lesser peaks and glaciers can be scaled and walked by the fit and the adventurous. Point Lenana on Mount Kenya, 4985 meters, can be easily reached. In fact the majority of visitors go to the mountain to enjoy the walking and especially the high level hut-to- hut hike round the mountain with its humbling vistas. Wildlife within the forests below the park boundary includes elephant, buffalo, lion, several species of antelope including the rare bongo and occasionally the melanistic forms of both the leopard and the serval cat. Much of this wildlife can be seen from the safety of Serena Mountain Lodge, which lies just inside the forest on the south side of the mountain. When climbing Mount Kenya, climbers should appreciate the need for acclimatization over several days before attempting the high peaks. Serena Mountain Lodge specializes in assisting climbers with guides, porters and equipment. It is quite unwise to attempt to climb during the rains.
The best months are January and February and late August through September. For those who wish to savor the mountain air, the glorious views and the peace and tranquility, which emanate from the mountain, there are many hotels around the foothills among them the famed Mount Kenya Safari Club.
The People Of Kenya And Peaks
Mount Kenya's 3 well-known peaks are: Point Lenana (Le-naa-na) at 16,355 feet, Nelion (Neh-lee-on) at 17,021 feet and Batian (Mbaa-tee-ahn) at 17,058 feet. These accented sounding names are from the Maasai tribe; they were named after famous olaiboni (leaders). They olaiboni had cooperated with the colonial government during the scramble for Africa. The Maasai hold Mount Kenya sacred because they believe this is where the first Maasai couple descended with their cattle; the number of cattle is a symbol of wealth to the Maasai.
In Kenya, you will hear Mount Kenya referred to as Kirinyaga, meaning "the bright big hill" in Kikuyu language. The Kikuyu believe their god, Ngai, lived on the Mountain and after creating the Earth; he created the first humans, Gikuyu and Mumbi.
Mountain Wildlife
Animals commonly seen are: Baboon, Olive; Bat, Banana; Bongo; Buffalo African; Bushbuck; Cat, African Wild; Civet, African; Colobus, Black and White; Dog, Hunting; Dormouse, African; Duiker, Black-fronted; Duiker, Bush; Duiker, Red; Elephant, African; Genet, Large-spotted; Hare, African; Hog, Giant Forest; Hyaena, Spotted; Hyrax, Rock; Hyrax, Tree; Jackal, Black-backed; Jackal, Side-striped; Klipspringer; Leopard; Lion; Mongoose, Slender; Monkey, Sykes; Otter, Clawless; Pig, Forest Bush; Porcupine, Crested; Rat, Crested; Rat, Mt Kenya Mole; Reedbuck, Chanler's; Rhinoceros, Black; Serval; Shrew, Mole; Suni; Zebra, Common.
Birds commonly seen are: Owl, Mackinder's Eagle; Owl, Cape Grass; Owl, African Wood; Owl, African Marsh; Owl, Abyssinian Long-eared; Oriole, Black-winged; Nightjar, Abyssinian; Martin, African Sand; Martin, African Rock; Lanner; Lammergeyer; Kite, European Black; Kite, African Black; Kingfisher, Grey-headed; Kingfisher, Giant; Kestrel, Lesser; Kestrel, European; Ibis, Green; Hornbill, Silvery-cheeked and many more..
Mountain Vegetation
Mount Kenya was formed from the explosive lava flow and the rapid cooling-heating process that followed, which accumulated the debris over a period of time. Volcanic soil has promoted the growth of a variety of vegetation types on the Mountain. The following table represents the vegetation type and approximate percent coverage.
Forest Vegetation And Coverage In Percentage
Bamboo - 10%
Bamboo and Forest Mix - 23%
Forest - 32%
Bushy Forest - 11%
Grassland - 8.5%
Plantation - 9%
Other - 6.5%
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During your climb of Mount Kenya, you have the opportunity to see most of the above vegetation. This varies with altitude and rainfall, and there is a rich alpine and sub-alpine flora.
Between 1200m and 1850m, the vegetation is mainly dry upland forest comprising of Croton associations. Juniperus procera and Podocarpus spp. are predominant in the drier parts of the lower zone (below 2,500m), with rainfall between 875 and 1400mm (Naro Moru and Sirimon tracks on the western slopes). In wetter areas (over 2200mm/year) in the south-west and north-east, Cassipourea malosana predominates.
Higher altitudes (2,500-3,000m with rainfall over 2000mm/year) are dominated by a dense belt of bamboo Arundinaria alpina on south-eastern slopes, and a mosaic of bamboo and Podocarpus milanjianus with bamboo at intermediate elevations (2,600-2,800m), and Podocarpus at higher and lower elevations (2,800-3,000m) and (2,500-2,600m).
Towards the west and north of the mountain, bamboo becomes progressively smaller and less dominant. There are also areas in zones of maximum rainfall 2,000-3,500m with up to 2,400mm/year, where Hagenia abyssinica with Hagenia revolutum predominate.
Above 3,000m, cold (low temperatures) become a more important factor, tree stature declines, and Podocarpus is replaced by Hypericum spp. A more open canopy here results in a more developed understorey. Many of the trees are festooned with mosses. Grassy glades are common especially on ridges. High altitude heath between 3,000m and 3,500m is characterised by shrubs with small leaves like African sage, Protea and Helicrysum.
The lower alpine or moorland zone (3,400-3,800m) is characterized by high rainfall, a thick humus layer, low topographic diversity, and low species richness. Tussock grasses Festuca pilgeri, and sedges Carex spp. predominate. Between the tussocks there are Alchemilla cyclophylla, Alchemilla johnstonii, and Geranium vagans. Above the 3500m contour is the Afro-alpine zone, a moorland characterised by tussock grasses, senecios and lobelias.
The upper alpinezone (3,800-4,500m) is more topographically diverse, and contains a more varied flora. Many of the species here are bizarre, especially the giant rosette plants Lobelia telekii and Lobelia keniensis, Senecio keniodendron and Carduus spp. Senecio brassica is found in both the lower and upper alpine zone. There are a variety of grasses on well-drained ground and along the streams and river banks such as megaphytic Senecio battescombei and Helichrysum kilimanjari. Continuous vegetation stops at about 4,500m although isolated vascular plants have been found at over 5,000m. There are 13 species endemic to Mount Kenya listed in Hedberg,(1951).
Famous Mount Kenya Climbers
The topic of famous climbers is one that has sparked good discussions. Many books out on the market often oversee the fact that tribes like the Kikuyu had been living around Mount Kenya region for centuries and therefore must have made attempts and succeeded in climbing the Mountain before any explorers. However, in this discussion we discuss the European climbers who attempted to climb and brought fame to the Kirinyaga.
In 1849, during an inland journey in Kenya, German missionary, Ludwig Krapf, sighted the beautiful Mountain. He relayed this discovery to the Geographical Society but his findings were ridiculed by the professionals as "inconceivable".
In 1883, a Scotsman, Joseph Thompson set out to the East Coast of Africa to ascertain the existence of Mount Kenya. Not only did Thompson find the Mountain but he also climbed part of it.
In 1887, with news about the presence of Mount Kenya spreading, explorer Count Samuel Teleki de Szek and Lieutenant Richard von Hohnel attempted a climb but were unfortunately unable to complete the mission because of bad weather conditions.
In 1893, geologist John Gregory tried reaching the Mountain but become ill during the climb and was forced to quit.
Two attempts were made in 1894 and 1896 to climb the Mountain by George Kolb; he was unsuccessful mainly because of the path he had selected to reach the summit.
In 1899, everything changed in the western history of mountain climbing. Sir Halford Mackinder set a plan to climb the Mountain with a party of around 170 people that included 5 Europeans and the rest, East African locals (porters and guides). Mackinder reached the summit of Batian, the highest point on the Mountain; this accomplishment made Mackinder famous and encouraged other climbers to take up the challenge.
During 1929, Eric Shipton and his colleagues completed many successful climbs of Mount Kenya. These individual were motivated and successful in finding new access paths to the summits. This was the first time that people had some grasp of the Mountain's geology. After World War II, there were 2 women climbers who reached the peaks; these were Ms. C Carol and U. Cameron.
Mount Kenya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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