National park · Kenya
Mount Kenya National Park
Enter Mount Kenya for a day hike from Naro Moru Gate (US$52 entry, guide required) or a 3‑day trek to Point Lenana (US$70 entry, guide required) in the dry season; avoid the rainy months July–September.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
688 km² (266 sq mi)266 sq mi (688 km²)
approximate
Established
1997
Best months
Aug–Sep, Dec–Feb
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Kenya ↗Apply for the Kenya eTA only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke) at least 3 working days before you fly; lookalike sites charge double. Most African passports have been exempt since 2025.
- Kenya ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
- Kenya ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you fly in.
- Kenya ↗Light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator and leave a hard case in Nairobi.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya eTA is required before arrival; file it at least a week ahead.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Drive on the left. The A104 Nairobi–Nakuru road is the main artery; matatus on it are fast and frequently unroadworthy.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya Wildlife Service park fees are paid per person per day and are higher for non-residents; check the current payment method on the KWS site before you travel.
At a glance
- Country
- Kenya
- Area
- 688 km² (266 sq mi)266 sq mi (688 km²)
- Park covers about 688 km² of land and surrounding forest reserve; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1997
- Best months
- Aug–Sep, Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Nairobi
Mount Kenya National Park protects the second‑highest African peak and its surrounding ecosystems, from forested slopes to alpine zones, offering day hikes and multi‑day treks to Point Lenana while requiring guides for safety and conservation.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1997Mount Kenya UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Size and age
688 km² (266 sq mi)266 sq mi (688 km²) · national park since 1997
Park covers about 688 km² of land and surrounding forest reserve; figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Nairobi.
Why go
- Climb Africa’s second‑highest peak with alpine scenery.
- Explore diverse habitats from forest to afro‑alpine zones.
- Reach Point Lenana (4,985 m) on a multi‑day trek.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, clear skies.
- FebDry, cool nights.
- MarShort rains begin.
- AprTransition, still walkable.
- MayLonger rains, trails muddy.
- JunRainy, higher slip risk.
- JulPeak rains, clouds.
- AugShort dry spell, good visibility.
- SepDry, stable weather.
- OctEarly short rains.
- NovVariable, occasional showers.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine plants (Dendrosenecio, Lobelia)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mountain bongo, duikersAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of prey (eagles, hawks)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Nairobi
Bus or private car to Naro Moru (≈150 km (93 mi)) then 30 min to gate; or drive to Sirimon via Nanyuki.Bus or private car to Naro Moru (≈93 mi (150 km)) then 30 min to gate; or drive to Sirimon via Nanyuki.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Nanyuki
Taxi or shuttle to Sirimon Gate (≈30 km (19 mi)).Taxi or shuttle to Sirimon Gate (≈19 mi (30 km)).
45 min
From Airports (NBO, WIL)
Fly to Nairobi, then road transfer as above.
≈1 h from Nairobi airport
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Naro Moru Gate | Main southern entry, day‑hike start, visitor centre. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Sirimon Gate | Northern entry, base for Point Lenana trek. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Chogoria Gate | Eastern entry, scenic route to Batian and Nelion. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of the park and gates.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Naro Moru, Sirimon, Chogoria gates) | KES 5,200 | person | US$52 per adult (2026 estimate). |
| Guide for day hike | KES 8,000–12,000 | person | Required, price varies by operator. |
| Guide for multi‑day trek | KES 15,000–25,000 | person | Includes camp fees; check with trek operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided hike permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- KES 5,200
- KES 8,000–12,000
- KES 15,000–25,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Mount Kenya – Official Park Site before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Licensed guide required for all hikes beyond the gate area.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites (e.g., Old Moses, Sirimon camp).
- Pets
- Dogs and other pets not allowed in the park.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Drones
- Not permitted without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Castle Forest Lodge
Lodge with rooms and camping, 20 km (12 mi) from Naro Moru Gate.Lodge with rooms and camping, 12 mi (20 km) from Naro Moru Gate.
Near the park
Kiritiri Guest House
Simple rooms on the south‑eastern slopes, basic facilities.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Sudden weather change high
Trail navigation high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate areas reachable by car with short walks.
- Higher altitude routes are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use licensed guides to support park staff.
- Carry out all waste; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Stay in locally owned lodges.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Kenya?
Entry is KES 5,200 (≈US$52) per adult at any gate; a licensed guide costs an additional KES 8,000–12,000 per person for a day hike.
What are the best hikes in Mount Kenya?
Popular options are the Naro Moru day hike, the Sirimon‑Point Lenana 2‑day trek, and the Chogoria route to Batian/Nalion for experienced climbers.
When is the best time to visit Mount Kenya?
The dry months January–February and August–September offer the clearest skies and safest trail conditions.
Do I need a guide?
Yes. All hikes beyond the gate area require a licensed park guide; technical climbs need a specialist mountaineering guide.
Can I camp anywhere?
Camping is only allowed in designated sites such as Old Moses or Sirimon camp; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Mount Kenya National Park
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