Climb Africa’s two tallest peaks—Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya—on one epic trip!

Take on the ultimate African trekking challenge, and conquer the peaks of two spectacular mountains in two countries on one unforgettable journey. Talk about your bragging rights—this is a feat only a handful of climbers will be able to claim! Going back to our roots as trekking pioneers, MTS is the only U.S. adventure company to offer this unique experience. Beginning at the foot of magnificent Mount Kenya, you’ll hike through wildlife-rich equatorial rainforest, ascending through an alpine wonderland of gorges, glaciers and mirror-smooth lakes to the summit of Mount Kenya’s third highest peak—Point Lenana. Fully acclimatized, you’ll be primed to scale that legendary icon of Africa, snow-capped Kilimanjaro. You’ll take the less crowded and more scenic Rongai approach to the summit, aided by the most highly trained guides on the mountain (MTS has a summiting success rate of nearly 98%!). Between your treks, you’ll enjoy two days of rest and wildlife viewing at our deluxe camp in Amboseli National Park, known for its abundant elephant populations (made famous by Cynthia Moss’s research and books) and wonderful Kilimanjaro views—making this an Africa experience truly beyond compare.

Activities

Trekking, wildlife safari

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Climb Africa’s most scenic mountain, Mount Kenya (17,058 feet) before crossing the border to Tanzania and tackling Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet)
• Bag two spectacular peaks in two countries—talk about bragging rights!
• Climb Kilimanjaro with the experts – MTS was the first U.S. company to lead commercial treks up Kilimanjaro nearly 40 years ago, and we have the highest summiting success rate in the business!
• Enjoy a safari break in Amboseli National Park, famous for its abundant elephant population (around 900 elephants in just 150 square miles), made famous by Cynthia Moss’s research and books

Duration: 15 days Start Location: Nairobi End Location: Nairobi

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive Nairobi

  Arrive into Nairobi by midday and be escorted to our group hotel for an important trip orientation with your trip leader at 5pm.

• Day 2 : Drive to Mt. Kenya

  We drive north from Nairobi to the slopes of Mount Kenya, arriving at our private camp in the region of Chogoria on the edge of Mt. Kenya rain forest (6,000 ft. altitude).

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  Day 3 : Begin Mt. Kenya Trek

  We meet our porters and begin hiking through the equatorial rainforest, the home of elephant, Cape buffalo, and leopard.  Our second camp is at 10,000 ft on the edge of the moorlands.

• Day 4 : Lake Ellis - Mt. Kenya

  After breakfast, we follow the trail as it leads up through glades of montane forest to our private camp on the shore of Lake Ellis (11,800 ft).

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  Day 5 : Hall Tarns -- Mt. Kenya

  We spend the morning traversing the eastern moorlands of Mount Kenya along the edge of the spectacular Nithi Gorge. In the afternoon we will hike up the ridge of the Nithi Gorge to our private camp at Hall Tarns at 14,500 feet, perched near the edge of the chasm.

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  Day 6 : Point Lenana

  We begin our ascent of Point Lenana (at 16,355 ft., the3rd highest peak on Mount Kenya) before sunrise and then descend into the Teleki Valley to our campsite at 13,600 feet.  This is the highest non-technical climb we can do on Mt. Kenya.

• Day 7 : Fly to Amboseli National Park

  Today we make our final descent off Mount Kenya and take a private air charter to Amboseli National Park.

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  Day 8 : Amboseli National Park

  Game drives in Amboseli National Park, home to large elephant herds and great views of Kilimanjaro.

• Day 9 : Begin Kilimanjaro Trek

  Today we drive to the trailhead, passing through the border into Tanzania. After a picnic lunch we begin the hike up through Kilimanjaro’s lower forests, this will take up the entire afternoon. Our first camp is located at 8,000 feet, just above the tree line.

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  Day 10 : Kikelewa Camp - Kilimanjaro

  This is a long hiking day that will take us on a traverse across the northern moorlands of the mountain before reaching our second camp at an altitude of 11,800 feet.

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  Day 11 : Mawenzi Camp - Kilimanjaro

  A short hike today takes us to our next camp, Mawenzi, located at 13,600 feet.  Most of the day will be spent relaxing at camp or enjoying an acclimatization hike near camp.

• Day 12 : Outward Bound Camp - Kilimanjaro

  Fabulous vistas as we cross "The Saddle" between Kibo and Mawenzi before reaching the Outward Bound camp at 15,600 feet.

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  Day 13 : Summit Day on Kilimanjaro

  Rise around midnight to begin the long climb to the summit, reaching the crater rim just as the sun rises.  Summit Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the African continent at 19,340 ft.

• Day 14 : End Kilimanjaro trek

  We spend the morning hiking down across the rolling moorlands of the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro, then plunge into the lush equatorial rain forest. Drive to hotel for a hot shower and celebratory dinner.

• Day 15 : Depart Nairobi

  A short flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport takes us back to Nairobi, where we will have dayrooms at the hotel available for you to freshen up before evening flights home or on to your next Africa destination!

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  Macushla House

  Karen, Kenya

  This cozy bed and breakfast features open beamed ceilings, natural woodwork, 2 lounges with open log fires, and views over one of the last pockets of indigineous forest. Macushla's special ambience is ideal for those guests who seek an intimate accommodation experience.

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  Ol Tukai Lodge

  Amboseli National Park, Kenya

  Ol Tukai Lodge is a comfortable safari lodge situated in the heart of Amboseli National Park. The property overlooks Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro and the Amboseli plain to the south and the eastern boundary is amongst the best spots in the world to watch elephant.There are 80 chalet-style twin rooms at Ol Tukai Lodge, all with an uninterrupted view of the wetlands or Kilimanjaro. The rooms are built from gum trees, local river stone and slate. All rooms are comfortably furnished and have private bathrooms and individual terraces.

• Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort

  Marangu, Tanzania

  The Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort is located on the lower slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro and is the best place in the area to end our Kili treks.  Comfortable rooms, hot showers and lovely gardens.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

• Julius Odhiambo Oyugi

  Julius Odhiambo is one of Kenya’s top ornithologists and naturalists. His infectious curiosity of the flora and fauna, coupled with his encyclopedic knowledge of his surroundings, brings every detail to life (there’s probably not an insect, bird, or shrub that he can’t tell you a story about!). After years of guiding wildlife safaris, Julius turned his sights to East African mountains. Trekking up Kilimanjaro with Julius is more than a hike to reach the summit, it’s a fascinating walk through natural history of a region in the midst of environmental change. When not guiding safaris, Julius volunteers his time with the Natural History Museum as well as the Birding Club. A top ranking member of Kenya’s elite Professional Safari Guides Association, Julius regards Kenya’s wildlife as a national heritage to be safeguarded against the encroachment of modernity.

• Alex Fiksman

  Alex (Sasha) is a native of the former Soviet Union, immigrated to the United States at a young age. He lived and was educated in New York City, where he taught chemistry for nearly ten years before meeting and falling in love with a young woman from Kenya, who later became his wife. Alex also fell in love with Kenya, where he has continued to follow his serious outdoor pursuits, including hiking and rock climbing on Mount Kenya. His enthusiasm for the bush is infectious and we're certain you'll enjoy his company on safari. "I feel the freedom here that I have never felt before," says Alex, "the freedom to camp in the open savanna, to decide what path to take in my walk through the bush. As trivial as these freedoms may sound, few places in the world offer them in the same magnitude as Kenya."

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