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Mountains of the Moon,
Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro
The mountains of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania offer the mountain
climbing aficionado an extraordinary opportunity to explore
the fabled East Africa mountains that caused a lot of interest
in Europe in the 19th century resulting in numerous expeditions
to this part of Africa as several groups raced to win the
honor of discovering Mt Kenya, Mt Rwenzori and Mount Kilimanjaro.
These three peaks each have a snow cap and each offers varied
challenges to the mountain hiker. Mt Kenya is situated in
the country that goes by the same name while Mt Ruwenzori
(also called "Mountains of the Moon") is in Uganda
and Mt Kilimanjaro - Africa's highest peak at over 19,000
ft - is found in Tanzania. Other mountains can also be climbed
including Mt Meru, Mt Elgon, Usambara Mountains, Udzungwa
Mountains, Longonot Crater, Cherangani Hills and many more.
Mountain Trekking
The best times to trek are just after
the rains during the dry season. It is important to acclimatize
and ascend the mountains slowly and steadily to avoid altitude
sickness. We will be in a position to suggest guidebooks,
maps, recommended mountain clothing and recommended equipment
on request.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
It is the highest mountain in Africa . It's an extinct
volcano and its highest peak is 5895 m (Uhuru peak). Its
second peak Mawenzi 5660m was first conquered in 1912. The
highest peak Uhuru, provides climbing in almost any month
of the year. However, April and may should
be avoided because of long rains. The best times are January
through mid March and mid July - September when there are
many cloudless days.
Climbing Mt Kenya
Climbing Mount
Kenya l Hiking on Mt
Kenya l Mt Kenya Trekking
Tours
An extinct volcano, some three and a half
million years old with permanently snow-covered, ice-shattered
peaks. Mount Kenya is the second-highest mountain in Africa
after Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro. There are four main
routes of ascent, the Naro Moru trail, the Burguret and
Sirimon trails and the Chogoria trail and, whilst the icy
peaks of Batian (5,199m) and Nelion (5,1.89m) are accessible
only to experienced mountaineers, Point Lenana (4,985m)
can be conquered by anyone who is reasonably fit. In fact,
the task has been made considerably easier thanks to Serena
Hotels and the Kenya Wildlife Service who have recently
cooperated to pioneer a new climbing route, which offers
maximum adventure, panorama, enjoyment and minimal hardship.
Depending upon the weather conditions and
the fitness level of the climbing party, the trip takes
approximately 3 days in ascent and 2 days in descent and
is led by a team of experienced mountaineers and naturalists
who remain in constant radio contact with the Lodge. Mountain
accommodation is provided in the form of ready-pitched camps
of comfortable and fully-equipped high-altitude tents (or
alternatively, bunk-houses) whilst the food, provided daily
by the hotel, will include tasty packed lunches, hot drinks,
fortifying snacks and individually presented supper menus.
Upon arrival at Lenana Point guests will also be met with
hot drinks, biscuits and brandy before being transported
back down the mountain to a celebratory dinner at the hotel.
There's also just lazing by the pool, taking in some sun
and looking out over the aquamarine reaches of the Indian
Ocean.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
- Sleeping bag
- Money for personal spending and tipping
- Only a small kit bag or rucksack, as space is limited
- A pair of long trousers jersey for the cool morning
and evenings in addition to plenty of light clothes for
hot days (don’t forget a hat), a pillow, good walking
shoes.
- Torch, sunglasses, suntan lotion, insect repellent.
- Mineral water for drinking (available in office)
- Camera firms, binoculars, maps, guide-books
- Toilet paper, towel, soap, toothbrush/paste
ABOUT MOUNT KENYA
To the ancient Kikuyu and the Kamba tribesmen
the peaks of mount Kenya viewed from a distance resembled
the black and white plumage of the male Ostrich. These black
and white patches on the mountain are actually the rocks
and the glaciers that form the peak area. It was from this
resemblance that the Kikuyu named the mountain “Kirinyaga”,
which translated means, the area of the Ostrich, similarly
it was from this same comparison that they named their god
“Mwene Nyaga”, implying that god who to them
stayed at the top on Mt. Kenya, was the owner of the Ostrich
they imaged to be on the top.
The Kikuyu believe, “Mwene Nyaga”
whom they also called “Ngai” lived on top of
Kirinyaga (Mt. Kenya). The Kikuyu held Mt. Kenya as a sacred
place, which they faced when praying, or offering sacrifices
to “Mwene Nyaga” (God). The Kamba people have
a slightly different accent and pronounce “Kirinyaga”
as “Kinyaa”. Being the first people to encounter
the inquisitive European explores when they sighted the
majestic mountain, the European used the Kamba version to
name the mountain, and Mt. Kenya. The country was later
named after the mountain.
Mount Kenya is the highest mountain. The
twin summits Batian and Nelion require technical climbing
on rock or ice, while mountain hikers reach Point Lenana,
the third highest peak standing at 4985m, quite easily.
The valley and ridges radiate out from
the main peaks, a pattern that has resulted from many centuries
of glacial erosion. Over the years discoverers have surveyed
the most ideal and passable areas on these ridges and valleys
and came up with different routes to connect to the summit
circuit (the trail that circles all the major peaks on the
mountain).
FLORA AND FAUNA
The flora and fauna has adapted to the
environmental conditions of the equatorial mountain. The
high rainfall and mild temperatures characteristics of the
lower slopes of the mountain sustain luxurious growth of
the forest. Similarly plants of higher elevation are and
alpine zone adapted to exist under the harsh climatic regime
of the upper slopes.
The vegetation of mount Kenya divides the
mountain into distinctive zones or belts, which are similar
from all directions of the mountain, but vary in extent
depending with the amount of the amount of annual rainfall
experienced in a particular area.
THE ZONES AND BELTS OF THE MOUNTAIN
- Forests: Between approximately 2100 – 2400 metres
- Bambo: Between approximately 2400 – 2850 metres
- Hygenia – Hypericum Zone: Also known as the Rosewood
Zone which is a high altitude rain forest between approximately
2850 – 3000 metres.
- Health Zne: Also known as Ericaceuous zone with giant
heaths or bushes and tussock grass from above 3000 –
3300 metres.
- The Alpine Zone: Between about 3300 – 4350 metres
is the home of many unique high altitude plants such as
protea, helichrysums, ostrich plum lobelia the giant lobelia,
senecios, grounsel and the very expansive fields of tussock
grass which is the main cover of the Alpine Zone.
- Thenival Zone: Above 4350 metres to the top of the mountain,
the Zone of rock and ice, vegetation is only present in
the most sheltered situations and for the most part, the
slopes are of bare gravel and scree from which the glaciers
have only recently retreated.
Climbing Mount Rwenzori, Hiking on Mt Ruwenzori
Mount Rwenzori otherwise called the Rwenzoris
boosts the third highest peak in Africa (after Mt Kilimanjaro
and Mt Kenya) - all of which are snow peaked and are to
be found on the equator. The highest peak - Margherita Peak
(5109m) is more accessible despite the challenges faced
by climbers including altitude, the wet and misty climate,
the bog and glacier. However the spectacular forest and
the scenery is well worth the challenge of hiking up this
East Africa Mountain.
The Ruwenzori Mountains are forms part of the watershed
that feed the mighty River Nile, Africa's longest river
and so you can expect plenty of rain on your trek.The driest
season is between mid January and mid March but otherwise
you have to climb this mountain that is almost always shrouded
in mist accompanied by interminant rain. Mount Rwenzori
was proclaimed a United Nations World Heritage Site in 1994.
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