Accommodation on Mount Kenya is pretty basic as simple mountain cabins will be your lodgings (and camping tents if you choose to) when you are scaling Mount Kenya. As a result, anticipate communal dorms with worn-out beds. There are flush toilets and running water, which is a pleasant addition, but the water is often really cold, so don’t plan on showering every day. Each dorm usually has 10 to 15 beds.
CAMPING ON MOUNT KENYA
When you go camping, attempt to pitch your tent in an existing campsite rather than a new one. If there isn’t an existing campsite, attempt to pitch your tent away from paths and water sources. Choose campsites that are clearly used in regions where there is a lot of traffic. This focuses the damage in a single location, preventing extensive environmental harm.
Instead of plants, camp on sturdy surfaces like rock or bare ground in regions where prior use is not visible. Camping at least 50 meters away from the water helps to keep human waste out of the water. Always strive to leave the camping place in a better state than when you arrived.
For cooking, you’ll need to carry a camping stove. In Mt. Kenya National Park & National Reserve, campfires are prohibited above the forest line. While there may appear to be enough wood for a fire, the limited quantity that is available is a vital source of nutrients for the soil and future plant development. As a result, a camp stove should be part of your gear.
HUTS ON MOUNT KENYA
Outside of the Mt Kenya National Park, the surrounding towns of Nanyuki, Naro Moru, and Chogoria provide a variety of lodging alternatives. At the park’s entrance, you may camp or stay in bandas. For the most up-to-date costs, please contact the accommodation’s operators directly. As of February 2019, the fees listed below were correct.
The kind of lodging on the mountain is determined by the walked route, which includes a combination of cabins and campsites. A tent comes very handy (or essential on the Chogoria Route or less well-traveled routes). Aside from that, there are other shelters on the mountain, however, it should be noted that several huts described in earlier guidebooks have been dismantled. The majority of the cottages on the island are privately owned.
If you intend to stay in huts, please make reservations with the proper organizations. The costs go towards the upkeep of the huts.
USERS SHOULD LEAVE THE HUTS CLEAN AND ORDERLY, AND BRING ALL GARBAGE OFF THE MOUNTAIN. PLEASE DO NOT USE OLD DUMPS OF RUBBISH.
NARO MORU ROUTE ACCOMMODATION
Naro Moru River Lodge is a popular starting place with bunkhouse and guesthouse accommodation, located 1.5 km from the main road in Naro Moru town. At the road head of the Naro Moru route, Met Station (3,050m) features basic self-service accommodation and camping that is accessible on a paved road.
For Kenyan nationals and residents, the rates per person per night at Met Station are 1500 Ksh in low season (1 March-30 June and 16 September-8 December) and 1900 Ksh in high season (1 March-30 June and 16 September-8 December) (all other times). The prices for non-residents are 26 USD in the peak season and 21 USD in the low season. Mackinder’s Camp (4,200m) in the Teleki Valley features a cabin that can accommodate 66 people. Kenyan nationals and residents pay 2000 Ksh per person per night in the low season and 2600 Ksh in the peak season (same dates as above). Non-residents pay 27 USD in the low season and 36 USD in the peak season.
Naro Moru River Lodge owns both Met Station and Mackinder’s Camp.
The Austrian Hut (4,790 m) beds 30 people in three rooms. It first opened its doors in February 1973. The Austrian Hut, which is staffed by Kenya Wildlife Service personnel, costs 2000 KSh a night (same price for residents and non-residents). Payment is only accepted at the park/reserve gates, and a receipt is required. Unplanned or extra nights in the Austrian Hut are permissible but must be paid for at the park entrance on exit against a receipt, not directly to the hut employees.
SIRIMON ROUTE ACCOMMODATION
The Sirimon Route road head’s Old Moses Hut (3,350 m) provides self-service accommodation for 2500 Ksh per person per night (same price for residents and non-residents). Shipton’s Camp (4,250 m) is a 40-person camp in the Mackinder Valley. It costs 3000 Ksh each night per person (same price for residents and non-residents).
Mountain Rock is the owner of both huts. Both of these may be booked in Nairobi, at the Mountain Rock Hotel in Nanyuki, or online. Liki North (3,993 m) has a campground but no longer has a cabin.
CHOGORIA ROUTE ACCOMMODATION
The Chogoria Route is only open to groups that are prepared to camp. Before groups may access Chogoria Park, tents must be displayed at the Chogoria Park Gate. At the Chogoria Gate, the Meru Mt. Kenya Lodge charges US $15 per person, while Minto’s Hut (4,297 m) is run by Hall Tarns. Only porters are allowed to use the hut.
ACCOMMODATION ON NELION
Howell Hut (5,188 m) — On the top of Nelion, Howell Hut is a superb bivouac shelter. Ian Howell erected it in February 1970 after successfully parachuting five loads of building supplies onto the Lewis Glacier. Howell then undertook thirteen solo ascents of Nelion, gradually carrying the materials to the peak in a performance that can only be characterized as amazing.
The floor is made of foam. Baillie’s Bivy is approximately halfway up Nelion, although it has fallen into disrepair and is frequently covered with snow and ice. Nowadays, just a few individuals choose to stay there.
Camps and Bandas on Mount Kenya
Old Moses Camp
The Old Moses Mountain Hut, at an elevation of 3300 meters, is where most hikers spend their first night on the trail. Sleeping in dormitory bunkers or camping in the wide grounds around the Old Moses is a possibility. Each hut has a kitchen and eating space, as well as a clean and well-kept bathroom.
Shiptons Camp
For the third night on the Sirimon Route, we stayed in a bunkhouse at 4200 meters. There is a water source and a pit latrine, but no fires are permitted, so bring a comfortable sleeping bag. Bantu Mountain Lodge is the place to go.
Mackinder’s Camp
Your second night will most certainly be spent here, at 4200m on the Naro Moru Route, which offers amazing views of the many peaks. Naro Moru River Lodge is the place to go.
Bandas Sirimon
The superb Sirimon Bandas, managed by the KWS, is located 9 kilometers from the Sirimon gate and provides a nice setting for acclimating to the altitude before a climb. Each banda beds four people and features a self-catering kitchen and shower with hot water.
