Trek to Mackinders Hike — Mt. Kenya Day Hike
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Although government regulations now allow the sitting of PSVs to capacity, we shall be maintaining 50% vehicle occupancy until the end of 2021. We understand the weight of responsibility placed upon us to ensure you get to enjoy the great outdoors safely.
If you want to experience Mt. Kenya on a tight budget, the Naromoru route is your perfect choice. The trail is short, making it possible to trek all the way to the Mackinders camp (4,300m ASL) on a day trip, where you enjoy glorious views of the peaks. Our 11km Mackinders Hike trail starts at the Met Camp (3,048m ASL), cutting through the marshy vertical bog in the lower moorland zone, past the upper moorland zone, dotted with lobelias and other beautiful montane vegetation, to get to the magnificent Teleki Valley.
Our ascent ends at the Mackinders Camp, where we will enjoy scenic views of the peaks — if the weather will be favorable — and then descend back to Met Camp for pickup back to Nairobi.
This is an important altitude acclimatization hike for the Beginner to Mt. Kenya program participants, as it simulates altitude sickness symptoms that may appear on the main Mt. Kenya climb. The experience will help you understand, identify, and communicate your altitude sickness symptoms long before they become severe.
Relive ‘Mackinders Day Trek – Naromoru Gate’
Mackinders Hike Distance & Stats
Distance: 22km
Maximum Elevation: 4,300m
Maximum Elevation Gain: 1252m
Duration: 7-10 hours
Difficulty: Tough
Beginner-friendly: No
Child-friendly: No
Mackinders Hike Itinerary
4:45 a.m Meet up at International House Parking, City Hall Way. Boarding opens.
5:00 a.m Departure for Mt. Kenya Naromoru Gate.
09:00 a.m Arrival at Mt. Kenya Naromoru Gate for registration.
09:30 a.m Departure for Met Camp
10:00 a.m Hike Starts
02:00 p.m Mandatory turn-back and descent in order to beat the curfew
EST 05:30 p.m Departure for Nairobi
Itinerary Notes:
- Please be punctual; latecomers will be left behind and forfeit the entire amount paid up.
- Thika Road pickups should make arrangements with the team lead by 8 p.m on the eve of the event. Pickup stops will be no longer than 5 minutes.
- There will be no shopping stops in the morning. Please stock your supplies by the eve of the event.
- Please adhere to the set turn-back time. Punctual departure for Nairobi means everyone gets back to Nairobi before curfew.
Charges
Citizens: 3,900/=
Self-drive: 1,900/=
Residents: 3,900/=***
Non-Residents: 6,950/=
***Ticket price may change if the park fees are reviewed in the next fiscal year.
How to book the Mackinders Hike
Pay at least 2,300/= to Mpesa buy goods till 989985 and clear the balance before boarding.
Booking Notes:
- Maximum number of tickets: 50
- Reservation will be made on a first-pay-first-reserved basis.
- Your ticket gives you 5% off purchases from Outdoorer Shop.
- Group booking (2 or more tickets) gives you 5% off the ticket cost.
- Early bird booking gives you 5% off the ticket cost if you pay in full more than 14 days before the event date.
TICKET INCLUDES
- Transport from Nairobi and back
- Park fees & charges
- Armed ranger fees
- Guide services
- Paramedic services
- A liter of water (bring your reusable water bottle), glucose, and 4 fruits
PREPARING FOR THE HIKE
- Engage in active cardio exercises such as aerobics, walking, running, cycling, and swimming among others the week prior to the event.
- Set aside the day before the hike for resting -- take a break from exercises.
- Increase your hydration by at least two days to the hike.
- Purpose to get enough rest the night before the hike.
- Increase your carbohydrate intake two days before the hike. This helps boost your energy reserves. If on intermittent fasting or on a diet, take a break in the period one day before and after the hike.
- Cut your toe nails, please, cut your toe nails!
- Have a generous breakfast before stepping out of the house -- or at least 3 hours before the start of the event. This ensures that most of the food has been digested by the time you begin the hike, giving you the much-needed energy while ensuring your stomach is not too full for comfort.
- Use the bathroom before leaving the house. This avoids unnecessary bathroom breaks on the commute and during the hike.
- Set your mind up for conquering yourself. Hiking is 90% mindset, 10% physical preparation. Once you win the battle in your mind, everything else contributes less than 10%. You can do it!
MUST CARRY
– Valid identification document
– Comfortable, well-treaded waterproof hiking boots or shoes. No sneakers or rubber shoes, please.
– Comfortable, warm appropriate hiking clothes. No jeans, please.
– Snacks e.g lunchbar, crisps, nuts, fruits
– Enough water (at least 2L)
– Raincoat or rain jacket and pants
*** Note: KWS and KFS parks no longer allow plastics in. Please carry your supplies in reusable containers.
Click here for a quick gear guide
OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED
- Balaclava (monkey hat)
- Marvin hat or baseball cap
- Sunscreen
- Hiking pole
CANCELLATION & REFUNDS POLICY
– Where cancellation is requested more than 48 hours before the event date, a 50% refund of the booking confirmation deposit will be issued. The excess paid above the booking confirmation deposit will be refunded in full.
– Where cancellation is requested 48 hours or less before the event date, no refund will be issued on the booking confirmation deposit. The excess paid above the booking confirmation deposit will be refunded in full.
– Latecomers and no-shows forfeit the entire amount paid up.
COVID-19 NOTICE
Help us protect you and others from infection. Please observe the following safety guidelines:
- Wear a mask at all times, especially while onboard a vehicle.
- Observe social distancing at all times.
- Observe proper personal hygiene when coughing or sneezing.
Below are some safety precautions we are adopting:
- Limiting sitting capacity in our vehicles:
* a 28-seater sits 15 people
* a 40-seater sits 22 people
- Requirement of a mask at all times while onboard a vehicle.
- Provision of sanitizers during boarding and onboard.
