Combining hiking mountain Kenya with safari in Serengeti
August 11, 2024
Combining hiking mountain Kenya with safari in Serengeti. A combination of hiking mountains in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania involves border crossing. Mountain Kenya is one of the stunning highlands in Kenya worth the time of adventure seekers.
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Mountain Kenya has three peaks which you can hike to that is Lenana, Batian and Nelion. The highest peak of Mountain Kenya is at 5199 meters above sea level. The different vegetation zones that make up mountain Kenya makes it a hard to ignore destination in Kenya for adventure seekers.
Serengeti National Park in Northern western Tanzania is a game haven and the origin of the world-renowned great wildebeest migration. During a safari in the tracks of Serengeti National Park, you may encounter animals like cheetahs, lions, gazelles, wildebeest, hartebeests, zebras, elands, impalas, Oribi, Defassa waterbucks, bushbucks to mention but a few.
The means of transport to get around to Mountain Kenya and Serengeti National Park is by both road and air. Advance booking is required so that all necessary arrangements can be done in advance. For countries where you are required to book a visa into either Tanzania or Kenya, secure the visa in advance to avoid inconveniences on the day of arrival.
Day 1 Drive to Serengeti National Park
Early morning. Our safari guide picks you up from your overnight hotel to drive you to Serengeti National Park. The drive from Arusha to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is about 420 kilometers and takes about 6 to 7 hours. You may fly to Serengeti National Park on charter flights that you book in advance. Choose flights that land on the airstrips close to where your accommodation is booked.
Check in to the Serengeti accommodation booked prior.
Day 2: Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
Wake up for a game drive in Serengeti National Park. Look out for several animals that call the park home, such as gazelles, impalas, waterbucks, bushbucks, cheetahs, lions, leopards, giraffes, herds of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, elands, wildebeests, hartebeests, and hyenas, to mention but a few.
You may enjoy a wild breakfast and carry on with the game drive before returning for a lunch break.
Day 3: Game drive in Serengeti National Park
It is worth taking a second day of game safari in Serengeti National Park. You may spot wild animals you missed the previous day. Look out for herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks, giraffes, wildebeests, and others.
The different vegetation in Serengeti National Park is stunning and picturesque.
Day 4: Drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Wake up early and drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Board the flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Spend the night in Nairobi.
Day 5 Head to Mountain Kenya. Start the hike on Mountain Kenya
Drive to Mountain Kenya, which is at a distance of about 224 kilometers from Nairobi. Enjoy the stunning views along the way and arrive ready to prepare for a hike on mountain Kenya. The drive passes Nyanyuki then drive into Sirimon gate. Start the hike on Mountain Kenya where you will spend the night at Old Moses Camp on the North face.
The hike to Old Moses Camp is about 3300 meters above sea level.
Day 6 Ascend To Shipton Camp
After early morning, continue with the hike up mountain Kenya through the Liki Valley, passing the Mackinder Valley. Enjoy stops along the way, including a lunch break before arriving at Shipton Camp. Enjoy the view of Nelion and Batian Peaks.
The night to be spent at the Shipton camp.
Day 7 Acclimatization And Shipton Camp
Hike to the peak circuit to assist with acclimatization, passing through Kami Hut, Two Turn Lake, and Hausburg Col. Look out for the beautiful views of the surrounding area, take photos, and enjoy the scenery. Dinner and overnight at the Shipton camp.
Day 8 Kami Hut
From Shipton camp, ascend to Kami hut, which is 4439 meters above sea level. This is the base camp for the North Face. Enjoy the unique views along the way and the incredible spots you pass by.
Day 9 Firmin Tower
Wake up early to prepare for another hike up Mount Kenya and the section that heads to the North Face. This portion of Mount Kenya has frozen scree and is rocky. Carry on with the hike until the Rock climb. Overnight and dinner at the Firmin Tower.
Day 10: Arrive Batian Peak and return to Shipton Hut
Carry on to the different pitches all fairly short as you move on the terrain is a lot more quicker to navigate until the west ridge until the shipton notch. The 4th and 5th rock lead to the Batian Peak. Take photos while at the top of Mountain Kenya, then descend to Shipton Hut.
Day 11 Bottom of Mountain Kenya
Using the Chongorian Route, walk past Simba Col, follow the Gorge Valley, and pass through moorland, the montane forest area where you may have a chance to spot some wild animals like forest elephants, cape buffaloes, bushbucks, waterbucks, and others. Arrive ready to overnight at the facilities at the bottom of Mountain Kenya like the Meru Bandas.
Day 12 Departure day
After this Africa safari holiday to Serengeti National Park and Mountain Kenya hike, depart for the international flights.
Although you can visit Serengeti National Park for a safari and Hike Mountain Kenya all year round, the dry season is best. During the dry season, the wild animals are quicker to spot in the low, dry grass of Serengeti National Park. If it is Great Wildebeest Migration time, chances of seeing millions of wild animals moving towards Masai Mara National Reserve are more open.
These wild animals search for greener pastures, and waking up early in the morning for a game drive on the tracks of Masai Mara National Reserve is exciting. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December, January, and February.
Hiking mountain Kenya in the dry season too is more rewarding as the routes on the mountain are quicker to navigate. The routes on the mountain have less roadside grass to obstruct the way, so you can quickly see the path and stunning scenery.
Expect more people joining the hike on Mountain Kenya during the high season because of the demand worldwide during this season. Mountain Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain.
The wet season, which is normally the low tourism season in Kenya and Tanzania, attracts fewer people, but if your interest is seeing new births, this may be the best opportunity. There are fewer vehicles on the tracks of Serengeti National Park, so expect less disturbance, too. The wet season is normally March, April, May, and November.
Hiking Mountain Kenya in the wet season may not be a great time as the trails are wet and slippery. The tracks on the mountain may be hard to trace because of the floods that may occur on the mountaintop. You may be required to spend another day on the mountain before continuing to another section of Mountain Kenya.
The cost of a hike in Mountain Kenya and a visit to Serengeti National Park varies with the route you take. There are several routes, including the Naro Moru Trail, Buruget Trail, Sirimon Trail, Chogoria Trail, and others. These also affect the number of days you spend on Mountain Kenya.
Park entrance fees must be paid during the Serengeti National Park game drive and hike to Mountain Kenya. This is one way to support the conservation of wildlife in both these destinations and their maintenance.
Include the costs of other safari activities you plan to include in this adventure in case you wish to engage more while on this Africa safari.
Other costs you need to include when planning the Serengeti National Park and Mountain Kenya Hiking Safaris are tips, on ground purchases and others. You must note that it is better to carry cash for on ground purchases. This is because credit cards are not so commonly used in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.
Serengeti National Park is a prime African game safari destination and the genesis of the world’s renowned natural wonder, the great wildebeest migration. Whether you visit during the season of the great wildebeest migration or any other season, the wild animal viewing in Serengeti National Park is never a disappointment.
A safari to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is on the bucket list of most adventure seekers.

Hiking Mountain Kenya is an unforgettable experience and every moment is worth all your money.
Money collected from park fees and other payments helps support the conservation of Serengeti National Park and Mountain Kenya.
It is safe to hike in mountain Kenya and safari in Serengeti National Park. In Kenya, the Kenya Wildlife Service and in Tanzania, the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority have professional ranger guides who accompany tourists. These ranger guides are on the ground to protect the wild animals, their habitats, and tourists.
As tourist, you need to follow the guidelines of game safari in Serengeti National Park and Hiking Mountain Kenya. These rules enable you to enjoy the great scenery and complete the entire adventure. For hike on Mountain Kenya, you are not allowed to start hiking the mountain without the company of a ranger guide as you may encounter wild animals that may hurt you.
Seeing animals in Serengeti National Park is a game of patience. Animals in game parks keep wandering in the park, seeking where they can get a meal for the day. They have no boundaries to stop them from moving and be staged in one location,
Open your mind to the beauties in Serengeti National Park and watch out for animals that may cross your path. In Serengeti National Park, chances of spotting the big five are more open, that is, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and others like wildebeest, hartebeest, impalas, zebras, elands, giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, and others.
Contact us to plan and organize your safari and please do not forget to check out our trip advisor.

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