017687 73966
OPEN
More Photos
4
Holidays

Climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro

4 reviews
Available Departures: Jan, Feb, Aug, Oct, Dec

15 days from

US$5,560

without flights
View Dates & Prices
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

Trek to the summit of Africa's highest mountains Mount Kenya (4985m) and Kilimanjaro (5895m) on this iconic small group adventure holiday

Trip Code: KK
Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro

Highlights
  • Summit the two highest mountains in Africa in this ultimate trekking trip
  • Enjoy increased Kilimanjaro summit success through acclimatisation on Mt Kenya
  • See sunrise from the highest points in both Kenya and Tanzania 
  • Travel from Kenya to Tanzania through the beautiful African landscape and wildlife
  • KE's original trip in Africa - an absolute classic adventure holiday
At a Glance
  • Group Size 4 to 14
  • 12 days trekking
  • Join At Nairobi / ends in Kili. Airport
Accommodation & Meals
  • 14 Breakfasts
  • 13 Lunches
  • 13 Dinners
  • 8 nights Camping
  • 3 nights Hotel
  • 1 nights Hotel with swimming pool
  • 1 nights Mountain Hut / Refuge
Overview

This twin peak trekking holiday, aims to summit the trekker’s peak on Mt Kenya (4985m) and Kilimanjaro (5895m), and is the ultimate East African mountain challenge. On no other holiday can you see the sunrise from the highest mountains in both Kenya and Tanzania and the whole of Africa. Additionally bringing the two summits together increases the success rate on Kilimanjaro dramatically as we are better acclimatised to the altitude and environment.

We begin our 2-week holiday on Mount Kenya, where we trek the superb 6-day traverse of Kenya's highest mountain via the Chogoria and Sirimon routes. We will encounter few other trekkers on this beautiful and much under-rated peak. Travelling overland to Tanzania through the African plains and wildlife spotting, we start our Kilimanjaro climb by way of the Machame Route.

This path leads through luxuriant rainforest and then across the alpine tundra of the Shira plateau with its giant lobelia, to the glaciated crater rim of Africa's highest peak. We will stand at the summit of Kilimanjaro at sunrise and glory at the wonders of the clouds and African plains below. A magnificent feeling – which you take home with you forever.

Further options:

Lemosho Route (8 days trekking on Kili)

Rongai Route (7 days trekking on Kili)

Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya (6 days trekking on Kili) 

Confused as to which route to choose? Check out our expert guide: Which route to climb Kilimanjaro?

Is this holiday for you?

For most, standing on the summit of the highest peak in Africa is either a life-time goal or a personal challenge. To give us a flavour of what is to come on Kilimanjaro, our trek on Mt Kenya has 5 days trekking with an average of 6 hrs per day, with a 10 hr summit day. It provides excellent fitness and acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro. Higher up on Kilimanjaro there are some section of scree which …

For most, standing on the summit of the highest peak in Africa is either a life-time goal or a personal challenge. To give us a flavour of what is to come on Kilimanjaro, our trek on Mt Kenya has 5 days trekking with an average of 6 hrs per day, with a 10 hr summit day. It provides excellent fitness and acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro. Higher up on Kilimanjaro there are some section of scree which we have to negotiate. On Kilimanjaro walking days are between 4-7 hours, most being around 6-7 hours. Both summit days are long with pre-dawn starts and 10-12hrs of walking. All trails on both mountains are well marked and kept. They are easy to follow, however you will always be behind your expert guide to ensure that you walk slow enough to adjust to the altitude.   A typical day starts with early morning tea in your tent at 0600. After a hot breakfast, our porters take their loads and we leave camp for our days walk. Lunch is at around 1100 and we aim to be at camp at around 1500-1600 to relax before dinner in the mess tent later. Of course certain days are longer, especially the summit days!   Don’t forget – Kilimanjaro is a big mountain (Africa’s biggest in fact!), you will need to be fit and mentally prepared to ensure summit success, and return home with the unique memories and the satisfaction of this massive achievement. You should aim to be at least fit enough to walk for at least two days in a row for 5-7 hours without a problem. Put on your boots and get walking and with a huge amount of determination you’ll be able to do it. Get training now and you can join the exclusive group who have summited.

Read More
Why KE?

Here are 10 reasons you should climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro with KE.

 

1) We respect the time needed for essential acclimatisation

 

2) We have highly experienced guides and a summit crew on a 1:2 guide to client ratio

 

3) We carry emergency PAC/Gamow bags and oxygen cylinder on all trips

 

4) All meals and Kilimanjaro Park Fees are included

 

5) We’ve been taking people to Kili’s summit for over 20 years

 

6) You can speak to someone who’s done it - just call the office

 

7) Climb Mt Kenya (4985m) first so more chance of summitting Kilimanjaro

 

8) Our porters and team of guides are fun (they sing a lot!), kind and extremely motivated

 

9) We care about Porter Welfare

 

10) Ultimately – KE have a 95% Kilimanjaro summit success rate

Share

Gallery

Itinerary

Download Trip Notes

The holiday starts at the hotel in Nairobi. Airport transfers are included from Nairobi airport to the group hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool
Hide Details

We drive north from Nairobi into the Mount Kenya National Park. En route we have good views of the mountain ahead of us. Arriving at Chogoria, we have lunch, before transferring to four-wheel-drive vehicles for the final 15 miles drive up a rough and muddy road to our overnight halt. An early start means that we will have time to walk some of this rough road if it's too difficult for the vehicles. It's also good to walk to stretch the legs along this first section of our trip. We stay overnight in a 'banda' (cottage) in forest near to the Chogoria Gate (2730m).

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B L D
Hide Details

We have an easy start to the day, with a game viewing walk in the early morning in the area around our overnight lodge. If we are lucky, we may see elephant, cape buffalo, antelope and colobus monkeys in this area, as well as many species of impressive birds, such as the augur buzzard and Verreaux's eagle. After a late breakfast, we start our trek up towards Mount Kenya - walking initially through forest, we pass the Urumandi Falls to reach a higher moorland area with fewer trees. On our walk, there are excellent views back towards the plains. We camp at Lake Ellis at an altitude of 3390m. This is a blissful campsite in full view of the main peaks of Mount Kenya and well away from the main trail. 3 hours walking. In the afternoon, there is the option of an acclimatisation walk to the summit of Mugi Hill at 3640m - a round trip of 2 hours.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

900 M

Descent

550 M

Time

5

Distance

7 KM
Hide Details

We continue our ascent, climbing away from Lake Ellis on its west side, across moorland to a ridge which eventually joins the main Chogoria Trail. We have views of Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley as we descend to the most picturesque campsite in the range, at Lake Michaelson (4000m). Above the camp are the impressive cliffs of the 'Temple'. Exotic bird species, including the tacazze sunbird, can be seen close to the camp amongst the bizarre giant plants - principally groundsel and lobelia.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

900 M

Descent

350 M

Time

7 hrs trekking

Distance

8 KM
Hide Details

Today we ascend into the alpine zone, above the last of the trees and giant vegetation species. Our route follows Lake Michaelson's main feeder stream. Initially, we head towards "The Tooth," a rocky promontory at around 4700m, high up on our left-hand side. Rather than camping at the usual Austrian Hut, we head towards the north side of Point Lenana and climb a short, sharp scree slope to Simba Tarn (4620m), where we find great views and few other trekkers. This is a simply superb setting for a mountain camp.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

850 M

Descent

200 M

Time

5 hrs trekking

Distance

4 KM
Hide Details

A very early start, but the 2-hour ascent is reasonably straight forward up to Point Lenana (4985m), which is the trekking summit of Mount Kenya. As dawn breaks over Africa, we are treated to a remarkable spectacle - a thin purple line becomes brighter on the eastern horizon, bursting above the morning clouds which lie in the Rift Valley and brightly illuminating the nearby peaks of Nelion and Batian. On clear days in the far distance, we can even see the snow-capped summit of Kilimanjaro over 200 miles away - an emotional sight as we'll be there in a few days. Retracing our steps towards Simba Tarn, we descend as far as Shipton's Camp for a hearty breakfast. We continue the descent by an entirely different route which will give us the complete traverse of the mountain. This is the Sirimon Route which now crosses the heather moorland of the northern slopes of the Mount Kenya to the Old Moses campsite at 3400m.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Ascent

660 M

Descent

1900 M

Time

10 hrs trekking

Distance

18 KM
Hide Details

After breakfast we continue descending with great views and then enter the forest where we have the chance to spot the wildlife. Reaching the Park Gates, we say goodbye to our crew over a lunch, before boarding our waiting vehicles for the drive back to Nairobi. We check into the hotel for a well earned shower and change and this evening we will no doubt wish to celebrate our success.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D
Hide Details

The second part of our African mountain odyssey begins with a transfer south to the Tanzanian border at Namanga. After completing the border formalities, we continue in the direction of Arusha, which sits at the base of Mount Meru an inactive volcano, and is the starting point for game safaris in Northern Tanzania. Today's journey will take approximately 6-7 hours including time spent at the border. We stay overnight at a comfortable hotel in Arusha or nearer the base of Kilimanjaro a short journey from the airport.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D
Hide Details

We drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park and there are more formalities to complete as we pass the Machame Gate. Our route starts on a 4WD trail before turning off onto the ascending path through the forest. Being fit and acclimatised from our Mt Kenya climb we will be in good shape to make it to Machame Camp at around 3000 metres in good time.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Time

5 - 7 hrs trekking
Hide Details

Today's route starts out in the rainforest before emerging to cross open moorland with wide ranging views. After ascending for around 3 hours we reach the Shira Plateau, from where there are spectacular views of Kilimanjaro in front of us and of Mount Meru away to the north west. This is the joining point of the Machame and Lemosho Routes. We continue on and have to navigate some rocks and boulders as we reach our campsite at Shira Caves.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Time

4 - 6 hours trekking
Hide Details

A spectacular day as we traverse the south-west slopes of the mountain. We hike up to the Lava Tower as we make the most of exploring this spectacular landscape. We then walk onwards to the Umbwe Valley, also known as Barranco Valley to reach our camping place at Barranco (3950m). The awesome Breach Wall of Kibo rises spectacularly above our camping place. Although we have gained relatively little altitude today it is an important acclimatisation day.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Time

6 - 8 hrs trekking
Hide Details

This is a great mountain day. We descend into the start of the Great Barranco and then exit steeply up onto the southern slopes of Kibo. We pass beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers and head up to the Karanga Valley, the last place where we can find water below the summit. We pass this campsite and the junction of the Mweka Trail before a final push across some scree to the Barafu Hut campsite. From here we can see both the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.

Meals

B L D
Hide Details

A midnight start enables us to take advantage of the best surface conditions (frozen scree and snow) for our trek up to the summit of Kilimanjaro. The angle of climb is steeper today as we tackle the cone of the volcano up to the Crater Rim at the place known as Stella Point. There are tremendous views of the ice cliffs inside the crater and also across to Mawenzi summit and 'the saddle'. Now on easier terrain, we follow the crater rim for a further hour to reach the highest point in Africa - Uhuru Peak (5894m). Having watched the dawn flood the surrounding lands with colour, and after taking the classic photo beneath the summit signs, we begin our descent by a different route. We descend a massive 3000m to the Mweka Camp at 2950m. This is a long trekking day, but the extra acclimatisation and fitness provided by our ascent of Mount Kenya will make this easier for us than many others on the mountain. And you will have stood on the highest mountain in the whole of Africa - congratulations!

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Time

12 - 14 hrs trekking
Hide Details

We trek down for 5 hours through beautiful rainforest to the road head - the final leg of our Kilimanjaro ascent journey. We say fond farewell to our trusty guide, staff and the porters who have helped us during the past week and pick up our certificates of ascent. We transfer to our hotel Arusha - and delight after camping on the mountains slopes. Here we have a shower and a beer (not necessarily in that order) and reflect on the climb and our achievements. A celebratory dinner and a well deserved sleep in the hotel bed!

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Time

5 hrs trekking
Hide Details

The holiday ends after breakfast. Depending on flight times we have some relaxation time today. We need to vacate our rooms at 1100, but can use the hotel facilities until our transfer to the airport. Airport transfers from the group hotel are provided.

Meals

B
Hide Details
Download Trip Notes

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • A professional and qualified tour leader
  • Single timed airport transfers on arrival into Nairobi
  • Airport transfer from the group hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport on departure
  • All accommodation as described
  • Meals as per the Meal Plan
  • All land transport required by the itinerary
  • All park fees and permits (total of $1090)

  • Travel insurance
  • Visas (Kenya & Tanzania)
  • Tips
  • Some meals as detailed in the Meal Plan
  • Miscellaneous personal expenditure - drinks and souvenirs etc

A single transfer from Nairobi International Airport to the group hotel in Nairobi is provided in the morning of Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary. This transfer is timed to meet passengers arriving on the Ethiopian Airlines flight from London Heathrow Airport.

On the return journey, a transfer from the group hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport is provided for all passengers.

If your flight schedules do not fit with these single timed airport transfers we can provide private transfers at an additional cost.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

All meals are included from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 15. Due to different flight arrival times dinner is not included on Day 1. This is available at the hotel.

It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. If you are on a trekking or cycling holiday, water is supplied to fill up your individual bottles. This will be boiled, filtered or provided in large jerry cans or 5 litre bottles. Additionally you should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water when in towns or where water is not supplied. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

Being hydrated and well fed is important element to summiting success. Our head chef and cook team works hard to ensure that the menu is carefully planned as you ascend, especially as it’s not unusual for people to lose their appetites at altitude. It is pretty amazing what this team of experts are able to produce on the side of the mountain.

At breakfast we have a hot drink (tea, coffee or hot chocolate) with porridge, or eggs, sausages and toast with jam, marmalade or honey. Lunch is usually three courses; starting with soup, followed by a hot meal such as cheese toast or chicken and ending with some fresh fruit or sometimes a muffin. Afternoon tea is served at camp shortly after we arrive, usually around 1500-1600, which is a hot drink with a snack such as peanuts, popcorn, or malt biscuits. Dinner is usually three-courses. Starting with soup, then a carbohydrate such as rice, pasta or potatoes, with beef, chicken, sausage or corned beef and cheese. The end of the meal there will be some fruit or something sweet. Vegetarians will have beans or a vegetable mix with different sauces. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements. You should bring your own trail snacks for the walking days.

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide special diets.  Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your diet with food/snacks from home.  If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice.  Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

You have two nights a comfortable hotel in Nairobi and two nights near Arusha, one either side of the mountain climbs.

When climbing Mount Kenya you have the first night in a traditional banda/cottage at the park mountain gates. These are non-segregated, dormitory-style basis - so no singles are available. They have communal dining rooms and simple washrooms.

There are 4 nights camping on Kenya and 5 nights on Kilimanjaro. We use high quality, spacious 3 person tents. These are Mountain Hardware Trango 3 or Simond Makalu tents and are expedition quality. Only 2 people and their bags stay in each tent. They are surprisingly warm at night. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag although you can hire them through KE if you prefer. Camping mattresses are provided. We also have a dining tent with a table and chairs for meal times. The team put up the tents and take them down in the mornings for you - so you don't have to worry about that. You will be looked after very well.

We take along our own portable toilets and a little tent for privacy. These are kept nice and clean, and loo roll is provided. There are long drop toilets at each campsite which are maintained by the National Park Authority - but we find its just best to avoid these!

If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Single hotel rooms and single tents are available for a supplementary cost. If you are planning on extending your holiday additional nights at the group hotel are available on request.

Our groups are led by a professional and qualified tour leader. They have led groups for many years and have considerable experience on the mountains. Summit success is often attributed to the quality and experience of the guides. We are also supported by a full trek crew including cooks and porters.

This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude. Unless you have previous experience of trekking above 4000 metres you should consult one of our trekking experts before embarking on this holiday. On this trip we carry a portable altitude chamber (PAC-bag) and/or bottled oxygen for use in emergencies.

The entrance fees and camping fees for Kenya and Kilimanjaro National Park form a considerable part of the cost of climbing these peaks and are also prone to increase. We include these fees in your holiday price.

Approximately £300 per person (or equivalent in US dollars or Euros) should be allowed for tips, soft drinks, snacks and miscellaneous expenses. If your flight departs in the late afternoon or evening, you may wish to budget for a lunchtime snack on the last day. Alcoholic drinks and souvenirs are additional so you may wish to budget for these.

You can choose to take your money in pounds sterling, dollars or euros. There will be the opportunity to change money into local currency on arrival at the airport and your local leader will advise the best places to change money en-route and at borders. On arrival we advise you to change half of your money into Kenyan shillings, the rest you can change at the border or at an ATM in Arusha (ask your guide to stop for you to do this) into Tanzanian shillings. Cash is mainly used in these two countries. US dollars in small notes can also be used in emergencies. Credit cards are useful and it is a good idea to carry one in case of emergency, however not all lodges/hotels accept cards.

Tips are the accepted way of saying thank you to your guides and porters. Tips they receive are seen as a personal thank you from group members and are entirely dependent on the service that was given. Tipping should be decided and given by the group as a whole rather than from individuals. As a rough guide we suggest that a total contribution of approximately $150 on Mt Kenya and $120-175 on Kilimanjaro in local currency or US dollars from each group member. This will then be divided between the guides and support staff.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage, which should be a soft and sturdy duffel bag and a daypack. Your bag on trek will be carried by porters and should not weigh more than 14kg. This weight allowance is strictly enforced. It is possible to leave clothes or other items not required on trek at the group hotel. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline.

Please be aware that plastic/polythene bags are illegal in Kenya and Tanzania. The law says that they are not allowed to be manufactured, imported, used or sold in Kenya (since Aug 2017) and Tanzania (since Jun 2019).

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Visa Tanzania

UK passport holders do require a visa. The visa fee is $50 (single entry) and is obtainable on arrival or prior to departure online at https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/. The online application requires a scanned passport photo, a scanned copy of your passport bio page and evidence of your return flight details. 

 

If you are arriving into Kilimanjaro Airport, Dar es Salaam or into Tanzania via the Namanga border crossing, we advise you to get a visa prior to arrival as there can be long queues for visas services at customs.

For visas on arrival you require 2 passport photos for the visa, however we recommend you travel with 4 passport photos just in case. Payment must be in cash when getting your visa on arrival.

USA passport holders do require a visa. The visa fee is $100. It is advised to obtain this prior to departure, full and up to date information can be found online https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Tanzania.html

 

We (KE) require copy of the information page of your passport in order to make the arrangements in Tanzania. A colour scan must be emailed or posted to us at the earliest opportunity.

 

TRAVELLING WITH UNDER 18YRS

If the children (under 18yrs) with whom you are travelling have a different surname to yours, you should consider taking with you the child's full birth certificate. It is not a requirement, but some border personnel in Tanzania as well as the UK, may request to see it when travelling to/from Africa.

You need a visa to enter Kenya. This is obtained online as an e-visa, prior to departure via the Kenyan Government  e-visa portal. Visas are not available on arrival.

If you are travelling overland from Kenya into Tanzania, and then back into Kenya (and not leaving East Africa) you will only require a single entry visa for Kenya.

If the children (under 18yrs) with whom you are travelling have a different surname to yours, you should consider taking with you the child's full birth certificate. It is not a requirement, but some border personnel in Kenya as well as the UK, may request to see it when travelling to/from Africa.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

VACCINATIONS

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you specific require any vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella), along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis are required. There is risk of yellow fever and you must carry a current vaccination certificate. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

The unit of currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling.

The unit of currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling.

Do not take $100 bills, take $50 bills instead. All USD bills pre-2013 are not welcome. They prefer 2017 and onwards.

The fitter you are the more you will enjoy your holiday and you are more likely to summit if you are not totally exhausted at the end of each day. Training should not be a chore, use your Kilimanjaro trip as an excuse to get out in the evenings after work or a walking weekend in the hills. Aerobic activities such as running, biking and swimming help overall fitness. You should aim to be at least fit enough to walk for at least two days in a row for 5-7 hours without a problem. Put on your boots and get walking and you’ll be able to do it. The summit day is a tough day with an 8-10 hrs ascent and a 6-8 hrs descent – and alongside the fitness you need plenty of determination for this day!

There is little you can do to prepare for the altitude but if you have an excellent level of fitness this can help.

We would recommend wearing and testing out the equipment and clothing that you will be taking with you before you go. Best to find out before you go that your new boots give you a little blister, or the trousers are just a little on the tight side, or the jacket just has too many pockets. At least you can do something about it before the trip.

The driest months are June to October when there is the least likelihood of rain or clouds higher up. This is also peak season to climb Kilimanjaro, especially as many people are on summer holidays. January to end March is also a drier period compared to the long rainy season in April/May and a second, shorter rainy period in November/early December. January to March is usually a bit colder, which can put some people off, but means that there are less people on the mountain. Rain is usually lower down during this period. Temperatures vary greatly with altitude. At the foot of Kilimanjaro it’s usually approximately 25- 28⁰C, dropping to 15⁰C at night. At 3000m, daytime temperatures can be around 15⁰C. Above 4000m, the night-time temperatures will fall below freezing and it is usually no more than 10⁰C in the day.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Africa - The Highest Peaks - TERRAQUEST

A great laminated map of Africa's highest peaks: Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and the Rwenzori. The main Kilimanjaro map covers the whole mountain at 1:150 000 including Mosha and Arusha, with all trekking routes and campsites marked. And the smaller inset of the summit is at 1:50 000. The full mountain of Kenya and surrounds is depicted on the reverse at 1:175 000, with the summit inset at 1:50 000. The map is contoured and coloured and clear. 

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the ‘baggage allowance’ section for further details.

You should bring the following items:

  • Sleeping bag (comfort rated -15°C)*
  • Hiking boots (waterproof)
  • Trainers / sandals for camp
  • Trekking poles
  • Walking / trekking socks
  • Underwear
  • Trekking trousers
  • Waterproof jacket and overtrousers
  • Warm fleece
  • Fleece jacket 
  • Warm/down jacket (to go over the fleece jacket)
  • Thermal baselayer – leggings & top
  • T-shirts, topsand/or casual shirts
  • Thermal gloves
  • Warm and waterproof gloves or mittens
  • Warm hat
  • Sunhat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun protection (including for lips)
  • Water bottles 1 Litre (x2) - we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic
  • Water purification tablets
  • Headtorch and spare batteries
  • Washbag and toiletries
  • Trek towel
  • Daypack 30 litres
  • Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry)
  • Antibacterial handwash
  • Basic First Aid Kit including: painkillers, antiseptic cream/spray, throat lozenges, plasters and blister treatment, Diamox (for the altitude), insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite) and diarrhoea treatment (Imodium)

The following items are optional:

  • Gaiters
  • Sleeping bag liner (essential if hiring a sleeping bag)
  • Shorts
  • Buff (it can get dusty)
  • Spare laces
  • Travel clothes
  • Camera
  • Pen-knife (remember to put all sharp objects in hold baggage)
  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes:

Equipment hire: Items marked * can be hired through KE Adventure Travel. Please make all requests at least 6 weeks prior to your departure date. The items are issued in Tanzania. Hire sleeping bags are not suitable for people over 6 feet in height.

Sleeping mattress: A thick foam sleeping mattress is provided. (These are 2" thick in Kenya and 3" in Tanzania)

Hold baggage: We recommend that you do not pack your hiking boots and other essential items in hold baggage due to the possibility of baggage being delayed.

PHD Gear Advisor:PHD specialise in cold weather equipment, from the world’s lightest right up to the very warmest. So to help you choose what you need to keep you warm, PHD have listed the gear that is appropriate for this Kilimanjaro trek.

Please be aware that plastic/polythene bags are illegal in Kenya and Tanzania. The law says that they are not allowed to be manufactured, imported, used or sold in Kenya (since Aug 2017) and Tanzania (since Jun 2019).

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
>> Find out more

Extensions

Giraffe at lunch
Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park, close to Arusha, is the perfect place to spend a day either before or after your Kilimanjaro climb. The montane forest is inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys, birds and the ...

1 days from

US$440 per person

Extension Details

Arusha National Park

1 Day

Arusha National Park, close to Arusha, is the perfect place to spend a day either before or after your Kilimanjaro climb. The montane forest is inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys, birds and the acrobatic colobus monkey. At the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater we can see herds of buffalo and warthog. And the green and blue Momela Lakes, can be tinged pink with thousands of flamingos. Giraffes can be seen gliding across the grassy hills in between grazing zebra herds.

Extension Code: ANPT
Sharing Price from
US$440
Single Traveller Price from
US$670
Deposit Per Person from
US$200

Extension Itinerary

After breakfast our safari guide briefs us for the day ahead. We leave in our safari vehicle for the 30-45 minute drive into the Arusha National Park. The main sightings will usually be giraffe, zebra and buffalo heads and sometimes the many flamingos at the pretty Momela Lakes. Good viewings of the blue-and-white colobus monkey are frequent. Elephants are uncommon, and lions & rhino are absent altogether, however leopards and spotted hyenas have been seen in the early morning and late afternoon. Weather dependent this is also a great place for views of majestic snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro and its unassuming cousin, Mt Meru (4566m) that dominates the park's horizon. At the end of the afternoon you are either taken back to your hotel in Arusha or straight to the airport for the evening flight home.

Meals

L
Hide Details
Whats Included
  • A professional and qualified tour leader / wildlife guide
  • Game viewing safari as described
  • Picnic lunch
  • Park fees
What's Not Included
  • Tips (approx USD20 for the safari guide from everyone in the vehicle (max 6 in vehicle)
  • Miscellaneous personal expenditure - drinks and souvenirs etc
  • NOTE: Prices are based on 2 people sharing a vehicle. The price decreases with larger groups
  • please call the office.
Zanzibar Dhow
Zanzibar - 4 day extension

The lure of Zanzibar -The Spice Island, is legendary, with its exotic towns, palm-fringed beaches and pristine coral reefs it is the perfect place to relax after either climbing Kilimanjaro and bei...

4 days from

US$940 per person

Extension Details

Zanzibar - 4 day extension

4 Days

The lure of Zanzibar -The Spice Island, is legendary, with its exotic towns, palm-fringed beaches and pristine coral reefs it is the perfect place to relax after either climbing Kilimanjaro and being on safari. We are based at the Mwezi Boutique Resort, which has 17 bungalows nestled amongst lush tropical vegetation, and overlooking the pristine, white sand Jambiani beach. Surrounding the pool area there are coconut palms and thatched seating areas. The buildings are authentic Zanzibar and is furnished in a simple Africa style. Zanzibar is bliss and the perfect place to stop and relax for a few days after your time in Tanzania.

Extension Code: ZZWL
Sharing Price from
US$940
Single Traveller Price from
US$1,250
Single Room Supplement from
US$115
Deposit Per Person from
US$200

Extension Itinerary

We transfer to the airport and fly to Zanzibar. From here we transfer to the coast and our accommodation for the next few days. We have a cooling fruit cocktail and relax with views of the white sandy beaches.

Hide Details

We can relax by the pool at our hotel or on the beach. The Mwenzi hotel can also offer a guided tour to the village of Jambiani, as well as a Swahili cooking lesson.

Meals

B
Hide Details

A further day on Zanzibar to soak up the sunshine and relax in this corner of paradise.

Meals

B
Hide Details

After breakfast we transfer to Zanzibar Airport to meet with your international flight home.

Meals

B
Hide Details
Whats Included
  • 3 nights accommodation at Mwezi Boutique Resort in Moon Bungalow
  • Flight one-way from Arusha to Zanzibar
  • Airport transfers
  • Breakfasts whilst on Zanzibar
  • NOTE: This price and itinerary are an example for a 3 night stay on B&B basis in a standard room during low season. A stay of any number of nights is possible. Prices are seasonally dependent. We can also offer Kichanga Lodge or Dongwe Ocean View or The Ocean Paradise hotels. Please contact the KE for a quote.
What's Not Included
  • Any other meals
  • Optional activities in Zanzibar
  • Miscellaneous personal spending & drinks etc
  • BAGGAGE: On the internal flight from Arusha to Zanzibar there is a 15 kg weight limit in a soft bag.
Lion and cub, Tanzania
Tanzania Safari 4 day extension

The world's finest game viewing can be found in the Tanzania National Parks of Tarangire, Manyara and in the crater of Ngorongoro. There is an excellent chance of spotting the ‘big five’ of ele...

4 days from

US$2,155 per person

Extension Details

Tanzania Safari 4 day extension

4 Days

The world's finest game viewing can be found in the Tanzania National Parks of Tarangire, Manyara and in the crater of Ngorongoro. There is an excellent chance of spotting the ‘big five’ of elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo and lion, as well as wildebeest, cheetahs, giraffe, zebra and hyena. From our comfortable permanent tented lodge accommodation, we go out on safari with expert guides and trackers, in 4WD vehicles which are specially adapted for game viewing.

Extension Code: SAWL
Sharing Price from
US$2,155
Single Traveller Price from
US$3,275
Single Room Supplement from
US$160
Deposit Per Person from
US$200

Extension Itinerary

After breakfast we leave Arusha and drive to Manyara National Park. The road winds through luxurious jungle where groups of a hundred or more baboons can be found along the road. Blue monkeys climb in the acacia tress and the bushbuck antelope gentle grazing in the shade of the forest. In the meantime the impressive silvery-cheeked hornbills have a cacophonic concert in canopy! We stop for a picnic lunch under the Umbrella Thorn before continuing our game drive. This small park has herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe. It is famous of it's lions who lounge in the Umbrella Thorn (not the one we have our picnic under though!). At the end of the day we drive to our accommodation for the next 2 nights, on the green, lush outskirts of the small village of Karatu.

Meals

B L D
Hide Details

After breakfast we drive the 30 mins to Ngorongoro Crater. We spend a full day here in the park discovering its wonders. The crater has an inside diameter of 20km, and is 600m from its rim. It is also one of the places in Tanzania to see the Big 5; elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo. More than 550 bird species are found here, and Lake Magadi in the crater is often pink because of the flamingos. We can also see the hippo and buffalo lounging in the mud in Ngoitotitok. It's a special place. We return to our lodge in Karatu for our overnight.

Meals

B L D
Hide Details

We have breakfast and depart our accommodation for Tarangire National Park. This park is famed for its large herds of wildlife, especially the elephants between August to January. It also harbours antelope species which are difficult to see in other parks such as' gerenuk, kudu, oryx and eland. We have a picnic lunch and see the many baobab trees on the hilly plains that Africa is so famous for. The landscape is also dotted with a large number of termite mounds. The Tarangire River crosses through the park giving way to permanent water points - a life line for the wildlife. At the end of the afternoon we drive back to our accommodation in Arusha.

Meals

B L D
Hide Details

After breakfast we depart to the airport, either for our return flight - or maybe off to the paradise island of Zanzibar.

Meals

B
Hide Details
Whats Included
  • A professional and qualified tour leader / wildlife guide
  • All transport and transfers included as per the itinerary
  • 1 night in an Arusha hotel
  • 2 nights at permanent tented lodge in Karatu
  • Game viewing safaris as described
  • All meals
What's Not Included
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips (approx USD20 per day of safari for the guide from everyone in the vehicle - max 6 in vehicle)
  • Miscellaneous personal expenditure - drinks and souvenirs etc NOTE: This price is based on 2 people travelling together. Please call us for a price for larger number (usually cheaper)
  • or to see if others on your climb also booking a safari.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 from 4 reviews

Mount Kenya was superb, but Kilimanjaro was a let-down! ★★

The Mount Kenya week was superb throughout. Everything was really good. Information says that there is a "predawn start". This isn't true. You need to be ready at 11pm for the summit start is 11.30pm the night before, which means that you only have about 4 hours rest/sleep after the long day's hike to Barafu camp/base camp and dinner at about 6.30pm before you start the Kili summit ascent. This was not adequate rest/sleep time for me and although I gave it my best shot, really pushing myself, I was not able to make it. If I had known that there was only 4 hours rest/sleep, I would not have booked this trip, so be warned. I was very disappointed and frustrated by being misled and it was the 1st time that I had not achieved what I set out to do. Hopefully, KE will now change their info package so people are aware of the real summit start time and can then make a judgment as to whether 4 hours rest is enough time for them.
By Anthony from Littlehampton | 01 February 2023

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for your review Anthony. We are pleased to learn you enjoyed your week climbing Mount Kenya and of course, sorry that you turned back on the summit day on Kilimanjaro. We aim to reach the summit for sunrise which requires an early start as it is a 6 - 7 hour climb. We try not to be too precise about the start time as this will vary depending on the general pace of the group. Your guide will decide the appropriate wake-up time. A start around midnight is normal for all teams on the mountain. This takes advantage of frozen scree on the way up (much easier to walk on), provides the spectacle of sunrise from the top with Kili's long shadow stretching out across the plain, and most importantly, gets you back into camp in good time after a long, tough day.

Fabulous treks and a beautiful contrast between 2 spectacular mountains. ★★★★★

Highly recommended!. Mt Kenya was a great preparation for Kilimanjaro. The 2 mountains were quite different, making a perfect contrast. The peace, the scenery and landscapes, and notably the summits. Mt Kenya - This mountain is relatively quiet. we only saw 4 other trekking groups the mountain, and we only shared the 1st camp at Chogoria gate. We had the mountain to ourselves. Lake Michaelson camp down on the lakeside, a step descent and a steep climb the following morning, was a beautiful locat ion. We didn't see any rain but the clouds were very predictable. Lovely sunny mornings and some evenings but the clouds bubbled up from around 11am. Perfect pacing by our guide William and trek leader Benson. a 4:00am start on summit day for the climb up. Lenana Peak is across from the Batian Peak (the highest of Mt Kenya) with spectacular views and a beautiful sunrise. Mt Kenya peaks were my favourite. the 2nd half of descent day from the summit down to Old Moses camp was probably the dullest and a bit of a slog. Kilimanjaro - by contrast it was a shock when we arrived at Machame Gate to see probably 100 trekkers and 300 support getting ready to set off. Day 1 through the beautiful rainforest talking to the other trekkers was great, such camaraderie. The camps were busy with everyone following the same route but the atmosphere was great with different porter groups singing songs. Shira camp and Barranco camps were specular with amazing views of the mountain. The combined My Kenya & Kilimanjaro itinerary meant we had only 6 days on the mountain compared with 7 for most others. The last 24 hrs up to the summit is long and hard. The climb up from Barranco camp to Barafu camp, a few hours rest before starting to the summit at 11:30pm. I should mention that our trek leader suggested an early start after day 1 to get ahead of the crowds. We regularly were off between 6:30-7am and it worked a treat. We had the trails and climbs to ourselves much of the time. Barranco Wall is a tricky scramble, with narrow paths and steep drops in parts. The guides were very well prepared and regularly checked our blood oxygen levels. So to the summit. 11:30pm start, pitch darkness following the boots in front for 6 hours, looking back to see a string of head torches following. It was very cold with a wind chill. Go extra prepared for this. Once at Stella Point it's a walk around the crater rim to the summit. Another spectacular sunrise!!!! and awesome views across Africa. Tired and emotional and the 2nd group to summit at dawn - incredible elation and experience. There was no snow at all on the summit just ice cliffs off to the side. The summit is so different from Mt Kenya because of the much bigger volcano rim. 3 hours descent through the dusty scree back to Barafu camp for a well earned breakfast. Highly recommend doing the 2 mountains back to back, yes its tough but great for altitude acclimatisation. Yes there's quite a bit of travelling notably to cross the border between Kenya & Tanzania, a whole day on the locals shuttle bus but part of the experience. I didn't enjoy Nairobi, a very busy city with lots of congestion and pollution. Overall an unforgettable trip. Thanks KE again!
By Paul from Warrington | 21 November 2022

Highly recommend this trip - It was Amazing! ★★★★★

Having just returned home to Ireland after a successful summit of both Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, i would highly recommend this trip. It was amazing!. The extra acclimatization that we had on Mount Kenya was a major benefit when it came to summit night on Kilimanjaro. Our guides (Benson, William and Gabriel on Mount Kenya, and Onex, Kym and Josef on Mount Kilimanjaro) were fantastic, especially when it came to ensuring that we maintained a steady pace, timing for ascents, providing constant re assurance and ensuring that all members of the team were healthy and safe at all times. Their knowledge of the mountains, which they openly shared, added to the overall trip. I was amazed at the quality and quantity of the food provided on the trip - a special thank you to our cooks, who ensured that we were provided with warm, healthy, fresh and nutritious food. A special thank you to our porters on both mountains - they played a key role in helping me to achieve my personal goal of summiting both peaks. Excellent teamwork added to the overall experience - as a team, everyone in our group summited both Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro. I feel very humbled and lucky to have shared this experience with a wonderful group of people
By Breda from Limerick | 25 October 2022

Fantastic, yet contrasting, experiences on Africa's two highest peaks! ★★★★★

The trip overall was well organised, well paced, and is a fantastic way to both see a beautiful and less-visited part of Africa (Mount Kenya), and give you the best preparation for fulfilling a life goal and standing on the top of the highest peak in Africa (Mount Kilimanjaro). The experience on Mount Kenya is a massive contrast to that on Mount Kilimanjaro. We didn't encounter a single other group until the summit day, and had the trail to ourselves until we descended down the relatively more p opular Sirimon route. It's also a very interesting mountain, with spectacular scenery and plenty of flora and fauna to see. Kilimanjaro is, naturally, much more busy, but that's something that naturally follows from what is an extremely popular and well-known landmark. It's still a fantastic experience, but you should be prepared for it as it can be quite a shock after spending a week on Mount Kenya! Oh, and be warned, the summit day is a *lot* harder than the summit day on Mount Kenya. A few tips: - Bring a book to read, preferably an e-reader (like a Kindle)! There's quite a bit of downtime on some of the trekking days. Or, if you're feeling more social, a pack of cards (and knowing a few 2-4 player games). - For some of the longer trekking days, a little portable MP3 player is great for listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks, and saves your smartphone battery. - I did this trip in mid-October, by which point the rainy season was just starting. We still had sun on most days in the mornings, but clouds often rolled in as the day went on, and rain was a fairly regular feature, so be prepared (waterproofs / gaiters etc).
By Colin from SOUTH CROYDON | 28 October 2019
Leave a Review
Traveller Reviews
4.3 out of 5 from 4 reviews
Leave a Review
Mount Kenya was superb, but Kilimanjaro was a let-down!
★ ★
The Mount Kenya week was superb throughout. Everything was really good. Information says that there is a "predawn start". This isn't true. You need to be ready at 11pm for the summit start is 11.30pm the night before, which means that you only have about 4 hours rest/sleep after the long day's hike to Barafu camp/base camp and dinner at about 6.30pm before you start the Kili summit ascent. This was not adequate rest/sleep time for me and although I gave it my best shot, really pushing myself, I was not able to make it. If I had known that there was only 4 hours rest/sleep, I would not have booked this trip, so be warned. I was very disappointed and frustrated by being misled and it was the 1st time that I had not achieved what I set out to do. Hopefully, KE will now change their info package so people are aware of the real summit start time and can then make a judgment as to whether 4 hours rest is enough time for them.
By Anthony from Littlehampton | 01 February 2023

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for your review Anthony. We are pleased to learn you enjoyed your week climbing Mount Kenya and of course, sorry that you turned back on the summit day on Kilimanjaro. We aim to reach the summit for sunrise which requires an early start as it is a 6 - 7 hour climb. We try not to be too precise about the start time as this will vary depending on the general pace of the group. Your guide will decide the appropriate wake-up time. A start around midnight is normal for all teams on the mountain. This takes advantage of frozen scree on the way up (much easier to walk on), provides the spectacle of sunrise from the top with Kili's long shadow stretching out across the plain, and most importantly, gets you back into camp in good time after a long, tough day.

Fabulous treks and a beautiful contrast between 2 spectacular mountains.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Highly recommended!. Mt Kenya was a great preparation for Kilimanjaro. The 2 mountains were quite different, making a perfect contrast. The peace, the scenery and landscapes, and notably the summits. Mt Kenya - This mountain is relatively quiet. we only saw 4 other trekking groups the mountain, and we only shared the 1st camp at Chogoria gate. We had the mountain to ourselves. Lake Michaelson camp down on the lakeside, a step descent and a steep climb the following morning, was a beautiful locat ion. We didn't see any rain but the clouds were very predictable. Lovely sunny mornings and some evenings but the clouds bubbled up from around 11am. Perfect pacing by our guide William and trek leader Benson. a 4:00am start on summit day for the climb up. Lenana Peak is across from the Batian Peak (the highest of Mt Kenya) with spectacular views and a beautiful sunrise. Mt Kenya peaks were my favourite. the 2nd half of descent day from the summit down to Old Moses camp was probably the dullest and a bit of a slog. Kilimanjaro - by contrast it was a shock when we arrived at Machame Gate to see probably 100 trekkers and 300 support getting ready to set off. Day 1 through the beautiful rainforest talking to the other trekkers was great, such camaraderie. The camps were busy with everyone following the same route but the atmosphere was great with different porter groups singing songs. Shira camp and Barranco camps were specular with amazing views of the mountain. The combined My Kenya & Kilimanjaro itinerary meant we had only 6 days on the mountain compared with 7 for most others. The last 24 hrs up to the summit is long and hard. The climb up from Barranco camp to Barafu camp, a few hours rest before starting to the summit at 11:30pm. I should mention that our trek leader suggested an early start after day 1 to get ahead of the crowds. We regularly were off between 6:30-7am and it worked a treat. We had the trails and climbs to ourselves much of the time. Barranco Wall is a tricky scramble, with narrow paths and steep drops in parts. The guides were very well prepared and regularly checked our blood oxygen levels. So to the summit. 11:30pm start, pitch darkness following the boots in front for 6 hours, looking back to see a string of head torches following. It was very cold with a wind chill. Go extra prepared for this. Once at Stella Point it's a walk around the crater rim to the summit. Another spectacular sunrise!!!! and awesome views across Africa. Tired and emotional and the 2nd group to summit at dawn - incredible elation and experience. There was no snow at all on the summit just ice cliffs off to the side. The summit is so different from Mt Kenya because of the much bigger volcano rim. 3 hours descent through the dusty scree back to Barafu camp for a well earned breakfast. Highly recommend doing the 2 mountains back to back, yes its tough but great for altitude acclimatisation. Yes there's quite a bit of travelling notably to cross the border between Kenya & Tanzania, a whole day on the locals shuttle bus but part of the experience. I didn't enjoy Nairobi, a very busy city with lots of congestion and pollution. Overall an unforgettable trip. Thanks KE again!
By Paul from Warrington | 21 November 2022
Highly recommend this trip - It was Amazing!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Having just returned home to Ireland after a successful summit of both Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, i would highly recommend this trip. It was amazing!. The extra acclimatization that we had on Mount Kenya was a major benefit when it came to summit night on Kilimanjaro. Our guides (Benson, William and Gabriel on Mount Kenya, and Onex, Kym and Josef on Mount Kilimanjaro) were fantastic, especially when it came to ensuring that we maintained a steady pace, timing for ascents, providing constant re assurance and ensuring that all members of the team were healthy and safe at all times. Their knowledge of the mountains, which they openly shared, added to the overall trip. I was amazed at the quality and quantity of the food provided on the trip - a special thank you to our cooks, who ensured that we were provided with warm, healthy, fresh and nutritious food. A special thank you to our porters on both mountains - they played a key role in helping me to achieve my personal goal of summiting both peaks. Excellent teamwork added to the overall experience - as a team, everyone in our group summited both Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro. I feel very humbled and lucky to have shared this experience with a wonderful group of people
By Breda from Limerick | 25 October 2022
Fantastic, yet contrasting, experiences on Africa's two highest peaks!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The trip overall was well organised, well paced, and is a fantastic way to both see a beautiful and less-visited part of Africa (Mount Kenya), and give you the best preparation for fulfilling a life goal and standing on the top of the highest peak in Africa (Mount Kilimanjaro). The experience on Mount Kenya is a massive contrast to that on Mount Kilimanjaro. We didn't encounter a single other group until the summit day, and had the trail to ourselves until we descended down the relatively more p opular Sirimon route. It's also a very interesting mountain, with spectacular scenery and plenty of flora and fauna to see. Kilimanjaro is, naturally, much more busy, but that's something that naturally follows from what is an extremely popular and well-known landmark. It's still a fantastic experience, but you should be prepared for it as it can be quite a shock after spending a week on Mount Kenya! Oh, and be warned, the summit day is a *lot* harder than the summit day on Mount Kenya. A few tips: - Bring a book to read, preferably an e-reader (like a Kindle)! There's quite a bit of downtime on some of the trekking days. Or, if you're feeling more social, a pack of cards (and knowing a few 2-4 player games). - For some of the longer trekking days, a little portable MP3 player is great for listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks, and saves your smartphone battery. - I did this trip in mid-October, by which point the rainy season was just starting. We still had sun on most days in the mornings, but clouds often rolled in as the day went on, and rain was a fairly regular feature, so be prepared (waterproofs / gaiters etc).
By Colin from SOUTH CROYDON | 28 October 2019
View Dates & Prices

Related Articles

View More Articles
Image

Alison's journey up Kilimanjaro

Image

What A Difference a Day Makes - Kilimanjaro

Other Trips You Might like

View all Related Trips
The Summit of Kilimanjaro
Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro Summit Ascents

Tanzania , Kilimanjaro

Maximise your chances of summit success by climbing Mt Meru (4566m) AND Kilimanjaro (5895m)

Walk & Trek
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

35 days from

US$4,290 without flights

On the summit of Mont Blanc
Climb Mont Blanc

France , Mont Blanc

Climb to the summit of Mont Blanc (4808m); the highest mountain in Western Europe.

Mountaineer
Guided Group
TOUGH TOUGH

8 days from

US$4,050 without flights

The summit of Uhuru Peak 5895m.
Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route

Tanzania , Kilimanjaro

Trek the 8-day Lemosho Route to summit success on this Kilimanjaro climb

Walk & Trek
Guided Group
CHALLENGING CHALLENGING

10 days from

US$3,710 without flights

DATES & PRICES

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

Get in Touch

2024

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

More Information

  • Climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: KK /03/24/
  • This trip begins on Sat 3 Aug and ends on Sat 17 Aug
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$750
  • Single Supplement Price: US$200 - For the 4 hotel nights in Nairobi and Arusha
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$195
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: KK /04/24/
  • This trip begins on Sat 5 Oct and ends on Sat 19 Oct
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$750
  • Single Supplement Price: US$200 - For the 4 hotel nights in Nairobi and Arusha
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$195
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: KK /05/24/
  • This trip begins on Wed 18 Dec and ends on Wed 1 Jan
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$750
  • Single Supplement Price: US$200 - For the 4 hotel nights in Nairobi and Arusha
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$195
  • Download Trip Notes

2025

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

More Information

  • Climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: KK /01/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 11 Jan and ends on Sat 25 Jan
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$750
  • Single Supplement Price: US$200 - For the 4 hotel nights in Nairobi and Arusha
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$195
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: KK /02/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 1 Feb and ends on Sat 15 Feb
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$750
  • Single Supplement Price: US$200 - For the 4 hotel nights in Nairobi and Arusha
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$195
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: KK /03/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 2 Aug and ends on Sat 16 Aug
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$750
  • Single Supplement Price: US$200 - For the 4 hotel nights in Nairobi and Arusha
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$195
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: KK /04/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 4 Oct and ends on Sat 18 Oct
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$750
  • Single Supplement Price: US$200 - For the 4 hotel nights in Nairobi and Arusha
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$195
  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Climb Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: KK /05/25/
  • This trip begins on Wed 17 Dec and ends on Wed 31 Dec
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$750
  • Single Supplement Price: US$200 - For the 4 hotel nights in Nairobi and Arusha
  • Single Tent Upgrade: US$195
  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining at the hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. Departing from Kilimanjaro International Airport at the end of the trip. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Nairobi Airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel.

ZEN_HOLIDAY_DATES_PRICES_LAND_ONLY_USD_NOTICE

Changes to flights

Please be aware that the flight industry is experiencing a high level of service fluctuation and changes to your flights may occur. This may also require amends to the transfers and joining arrangements. Thank you all for continuing your patience and understanding.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


VISAmastercard
Download Trip Notes
Field Required
Field Required
Field Required
Footer logos
© 2024 KE Adventure Travel Ltd, Central Car Park Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DF, England. Registered Address: Fifth Floor, 27 Greville Street, London, United Kingdom EC1N 8SU. Registered No. 1911512. Email: sales@keadventure.com
Your Wishlist
No Wishlist Items

Start your next adventure.

Click the heart icon on the search or holiday pages to save a holiday to your wishlist.

Holiday Search
View more Filters