What does it take to summit Mt. Kenya peaks?

Posted on April 27, 2023April 27, 2023 by Brain Pulse

Mount Kenya is considered Kenya’s highest mountain and it is the 2^nd highest in Africa that is followed by Kilimanjaro. Climbing Mt. Kenya peaks is an altogether different experience for people. However, they can climb Kilimanjaro but if they look forward to getting a highly thrilling piece of African piece, they will come across Mt. Kenya. It entices countless mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts with various options for bagging one of the three Mt. Kenya peaks.

Three three summits

You will come across 3 summits of Mt. Kenya:

Batian – Batian is the highest peak of Mt. Kenya and it rises to 17,057 feet or 5,199 meters in elevation. This is also the chief summit and is regarded as a hugely coveted goal for progressive rock climbing as well as mountaineering enthusiasts. After you have trekked toward the top, if you plan to summit the highest point of Mt. Kenya, you require getting out of the climbing gear and ascending the standard path on the north face that is ranked IV+.

Nelion – Nelion is the 2^nd biggest summit on Mt. Kenya and it is at a height of 17021 feet or 5188 m. This seems to be a highly challenging climb that needs people to have skills in multi-pitch rock climbing when they want to reach there.

Point Lenana – Point Lenana is the lowest among Mt Kenya peaks and the third peak summit on the massif of Mt. Kenya. Hikers find it to be a hugely popular peak as they do not need any technical climbing experience for reaching there. Nonetheless, it continues to be a challenging ascent that needs hikers to be physically fit from within.

mt kenya

The toughness to climb Mt. Kenya

Irrespective of the summit you choose for heading to Mt. Kenya, you must be fit because you will come across several steep parts. Additionally, you need to be careful about the considerable distances over several days. Most of the time, the altitude might this ascent tougher for you; hence, you need to be armed with a sanctioned and experienced guide. While climbing Mt. Kenya, you need to ensure that you haven’t been getting altitude very fast. If you have altitude sickness, then you will require a guide on hand as he will be able to manage this issue.

For scaling Nelion or Batian, you need to have your ideal equipment as it is merely impossible to finish these climbs when you don’t possess the ideal rock climbing gear.

The best time

Most people wonder about the best time when they should climb Mt. Kenya. A person can climb it throughout the year but it is better to avoid trekking during the rainy seasons. Hence, you need to avert the middle of March-May to the middle of October-November as it becomes tough to forecast the rains.

The bottom line

The Mt. Kenya trek seems to be an enjoyable and challenging journey for trekkers. They can see beautiful views from the Mt. Kenya peaks, like the affected volcanic massif, and long views over the plains of Kenya. For a long time, this hike is considered to be hugely attractive via an ancient landscape that remains dotted with rock spires, glaciers, exclusive flora and fauna, and high tarns.

Mt. Kenya Sirimon Chogoria Route Makes It Easy to Reach This Famous National Park

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Brain Pulse

Every year thousands of tourists arrive in Kenya for visiting or trekking Mt. Kenya. It is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Mt. Kenya National Park was declared a national park in 1949. The principal motto of declaring it a national park was to preserve its biodiversity. Several routes are open to reaching the peaks of Mt. Kenya but the Mt. Kenya Sirimon Chogoria route is the most famous one. These are actually two routes – the Sirimon route and the Chogoria route. In 1997, UNESCO has announced Mt. Kenya National Park as a world heritage site.

Key features of Mt. Kenya National Park

Mt. Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa. It’s breathtaking scenery and pristine wilderness attract tourists and trekkers from all over the world. Lakes, tarns, forests, glaciers, mineral springs, and wildlife makes the national park appealing to international tourists.

Wildlife

Tourists visiting the national park can spot varieties of wildlife such as wild-tailed mongoose, black-fronted duiker, mole rats, bushbucks, elephants, buffalos, and elands. You can find some of the rarest wildlife species here such as giant forest hogs, lions, bongos, and leopards.

Plant life

The plant life in this part of Africa is another prime attraction that tourists look out for while visiting Mt. Kenya National Park. This is the place of 11 species of endemic plants such as giant lobelia, Helichrysum citrispinum, Silene kilimandscharica, Senecio keniodendron, and Alchemilla johnstonii.

Birds

Over 130 species of birds are found in Mt. Kenya National Park. Some of the most beautiful birds spotted here are violet-back sterling, olive pigeon, African green pigeon, black-and-white manikin, Jackson’s francolin, red-fronted parrot, and hunter’s cisticola.

Kenya

Mt. Kenya itself is an attraction to the global heritage. Every year many mountain trekkers come to this national park to climb the peaks. About 5,199 meters (17,057 feet) tall, Mt. Kenya is the second-highest mountain in Africa after Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is also the highest mountain in Kenya and the highest water tower in the country. The glaciers and snowfalls of this mountain are the chief sources of water in the country.

Mountain trekking

Trekking is the most common and popular activity in Mt. Kenya National Park. There are about seven different routes to this mountain but the Mt. Kenya Sirimon Chogoria route is the most popular one. It is very rewarding for the trekkers who make it to the top.

The Chogoria route starts from the Eastern side of the via Chogoria town. The route is comparatively longer but the sloping is gradual which helps trekkers to climb comfortably. Ice Rock Trekking arranges trekking from this route regularly. You get full technical support from them.
Sirimon is the best when you prefer forests and wildlife. This route is calmer and more comfortable than the other routes. You will spot some of the rarest species of plants, birds, and animals while traveling through this route.

It is always feasible to contact expert tour organizers such as Ice Rock Trekking to get the best of Mt. Kenya Sirimon Chogoria route.

Safari Packages Tanzania: Make Your Holiday Memorable

Posted on April 13, 2023 by Brain Pulse

If you are one of those who prefer to make trips very often, safari in Tanzania has to be in the bucket of your must-visit places. You should know that the nation has many iconic landscapes, cultures, and wildlife. Several places or safari options exist in this country, and because of this, it can be difficult for you to know where to begin. These are some top destinations that you should explore on an adventurous camping trip or luxury Safari packages Tanzania.

safari packages tanzania

Top Destinations of Safari Packages Tanzania

When you avail of a safari package, ensure that you are contacting an experienced tour organizer in Tanzania like Ice Rock Trekking and also ensure that they cover the most popular destinations of the country.

Tsavo National Park

Tsavo, the biggest park in Kenya, is divided into two: Tsavo West and Tsavo East. 4% of the nation’s entire area is taken by these two parks together. In these parks, you can see rivers, waterfalls, savannahs, volcanic hills, lava-rock plateau, and wildlife.

If you are looking for a sight for photography, Tsavo East is popular this case. It is midway between Nairobi and Mombasa. Galana River has given a lush counterpoint to the arid plains. Don’t forget to explore Yatta Plateau, Mudanda Rock, and Lugard Falls.

Lamu Island

This small island is located in the northeast of Mombasa. Lamu Old Town is one of the world heritage sites of UNESCO. The origin of this place was dated back to the 12th century. When you visit the place, you must stroll the labyrinthine streets. Travelers can see the buildings reflecting the trading history of the island. Some of the basic things you can notice here are hidden courtyards, Intricately carved wooden doors, rooftop patios, and coral stone buildings.

After viewing the sightseeing places, you find yourself going back in the past days. It is because you can still see donkeys ruling the streets. Besides, the population is mostly Muslim. People prefer to wear traditional dresses. These are the top attractions of the island including:-

Lamu Museum and the region’s nautical history;
Lamu Fort; and
the Donkey Sanctuary.

Shela Beach ranks among the top beaches in Africa, and Lamu Island is home to it. For several years, the island has become a popular destination for kitesurfing.

Nairobi National Park

You only need to drive for fifteen minutes from the clamor of Kenya’s capital to go to the Nairobi National Park, where you can gaze at lions. People staying in Nairobi must visit this wildlife-rich park. Travelers see buffalo, leopards, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, elephants, and cheetahs in this park. You can even view endangered species at the rhino sanctuary of this national park.

End note

No matter what the budget is – Tanzania safari can give you an amazing experience when you choose the best safari packages Tanzania of Ice Rock Trekking. It will be your dream destination if you want to witness African wildlife.