Hiking Destinations in Kenya

Hiking destinations in Kenya feature trails in beautiful open savanna plains to summits of rocky peaks and craggy mountains. Kenya’s diverse landscape and position at the equator means you can hike any time of year, surrounded by unique and stunning scenery. 

Any mountain hiking enthusiast can not miss the famous Mount Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa at 5,199 meters, in the shadow of the grand Mount Kilimanjaro. Kenya has hiking routes for all ability levels, from leisurely strolls on forest trails to more challenging ascents up steep summits. And, of course, you’ll be wowed by the variety of animals you meet on the hiking trails across vast valleys. 

We’ve compiled a list of hiking destinations in Kenya that would spur your interest in visiting Kenya on a hiking safari. 

Ngong Hills near Nairobi

Coming out of Nairobi, Ngong Hills Trails is the most accessible place for hiking in Kenya is Ngong Hills. The hiking trail begins north of Ngong Hills at a 1,961m (6,400ft) altitude and ends in the south. The 4-5-hour trail goes through villages, farms, and undulating hills, and it’s one of the simplest hiking destinations in Kenya.

The hike is simple, and anyone without advanced hiking skills can take it on. One of the major attractions on the trail is meeting marathon runners practicing on this trail and the original site for the movie “Out of Africa.”

Karura forest hiking trail

Located a short drive from Nairobi, Karura forest is the nearest hiking trail in Kenya, perfect for family hikes. The place has many hiking trails with about 50 km through striking natural features, including marshland, a wealth of tree species. 

The main trail begins with a 2-km steady walk, steeps down the hill to the river, and steadies up to the caves. The caves significantly shaped Kenya’s political past by being the rebels hiding place during the struggle for independence. At the end of the hiking trail is a stunning sixty feet waterfall that will compel you to relax back and catch your breath.

We can comfortably say that the well-marked Karura forest trail is a moderate hiking trail that anyone can take.

Mount Longonot

Mount Longonot is located about a 2-hour drive northeast of Nairobi, one of the hiking destinations in Kenya, perfect for a day hike. The hiking trail starts close to the main gate and gradually ascends past the forest to climb up the 2,276-meter elevated top. 

A round trip can take about 4 or more hours. 

Hike at Hells Gate National Park 

A few minutes northwest of Mount Longonot is Hell’s gate national park, one of the most incredible hiking destinations in Kenya’s rift valley religion. Hell’s Gate sits south of Lake Naivasha with stunning hiking trails perfect for nature lovers. 

Hell’s Gate National Park is famous for its intense geothermal activity and spectacular scenery on the Great Rift Valley floor. The stark rock towers, towering cliffs, scrub-clad volcanoes, water-gouged gorges, and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the hiking places in the region.

Hiking trails pass through savanna grassland, meandering gorges, red-colored rock cliffs, and unique rock formations attractive for rock-climbing activities. You can use the professional rock climbers at Fisher’s or Elsa’s gate to climb up to rock cliffs. You’ll find gorgeous viewpoints where hikers marvel at the park’s endowments below. 

Hiking Mount Kenya

The second highest peak in Africa (Point Lenana at 4985 meters) has the most challenging ascent after Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kenya’s steep terrain and sometimes heavy downpours are do not deter seasoned hikers. Only hikers with above-average fitness can trek Mount Kenya. 

However, walking through unique flora in the forested base of the mountain and gradually ascending into the rocky terrains is the most rewarding for nature hikers. As you climb the colossal mountain, forests become rocky passes and turn into glacial pockets near the summit. 

If you can’t take on the 5-day summit climb, then take 6–8 hours to hike to the Met Station at 3,050-meters altitude. It starts at the Park’s Naro Moru gate, through the forest and a bamboo zone. Here, you may see elephants, buffaloes, and colobus monkeys on the trail. 

Some hikers simple hikers make it to the alpine zone with an extra hour, trekking through incredible vegetation like giant heather, lobelia, and tussock grass. The view up there is sensational.

Mount Kenya is undoubtedly top of the list of hiking destinations in Kenya. It should feature on your safari in Kenya.

Mount Elgon 

Mount Elgon sits on the Kenya-Uganda border, west of Nairobi, about 400 kilometers. Although most of it lies on the Ugandan side, Mount Elgon’s trails offer incredible hiking trails from the Kenyan side.

The Elgon hiking trail starts rocky with a steady rise from Mount Elgon National Park’s Rongai gate. Here you pick up a park ranger and walk past the famous Kitum Caves where elephants mine salt. The highest peak of the 4,187-meter Koitoboss Peak takes about 6–8 hours to ascend and descend, but you can camp overnight.

Lake Elementaita

One of the gorgeous hiking destinations in Kenya is Lake Elementaita, located in the rift valley. It is a breathtaking hike in its scenic surroundings of acacia trees and wild animals. Some of the unexpected sightings hiking the trails include warthogs, antelopes, deer, zebras, and other animals. 

Watching the pink flamingos on Lake Elementia is quite an attraction for bird lovers who hike around the area for some rare bird sightings. 

Both the hiking trails around here are pretty rewarding, with one going through the hot springs in the north and the other taking the long hike through Mlima Ugali to the fantastic plains and valleys.

Menengai crater 

The volcanic lake is the largest caldera in Kenya, with massive crater walls and hills forming a circular ring. You can trek up to the highest point (a 2,288-meter altitude) and look down on the magnificent Lake Nakuru simmering on the horizon immediately after Nakuru town. The hiking trail from the Viewpoint leads down to the caldera’s floor with incredible views of the 600-meter caldera wall.

The Menengai crater trail does not require any hiking skills; any moderately fit person can enjoy the rewards for about seven hours on the hike. The richness of the area makes it one of the exceptional hiking destinations in Kenya.

Samburu National Park

Samburu National Park has some of the best wilderness hiking trails in Kenya. The trails go through the beautiful Samburu hills to reveal exceptional rift valley scenery through the deeply forested region. 

You start the hike at the base and gradually ascend to the Lesiolo escarpment at a 2,580-meter altitude. The Samburu people color your hiking trail with unique cultural dresses as you make your way through communities still practicing their ancient culture. 

You can have a Samburu as your guide for in-depth learning of the native culture, food, and language as they share their experiences on the trail. You can also spend a night in their Manyatta houses. 

Hiking Safari in Kenya

Kenya enjoys a tropical climate along the equator with relatively warm temperatures most of the year; it’s perfect for a hiking holiday. Most hiking destinations in Kenya have unguided trails, so you can privately explore incredible places without interruptions. 

Most of all, Kenya is internationally known as a pioneer safari destination with the most incredible wildlife viewing holidays. You can combine your hiking holiday with a wildlife viewing safari or just get on the trail and bump into amazing animal sightings along the way.

Encounter Africa safaris ltd can fix you a Kenya safari using our local consultants. Please send us an email at info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com to talk to one of our consultants.