Sirimon route is considered by many to represent Mt. Kenya one of the easiest routes to reach Point Lenana. The route is on the dry side of the mountain and affords walks through old growth forest on lower slopes and giant heather, alpine flowers and lobelia in higher elevations.                                                                                                                       Mount Kenya has been thought and held in reverence by the local communities as God`s residence.                                                                                                                                                                                                   The snow on the peaks astonished the explorers who could not figure out it existed right at the equator. The roads were initially dug for the military purpose to help access the forest to flush out Maumau freedom fighters.  The mountain has not escaped the attention of notable film makers who shot awarding cinemas and documentaries. {Nowhere in Africa, No picnic on Mt. Kenya, The Night Climbers of Cambridge, are just but a few.} Book writers have also written with some best-selling titles “The Ascent”. Mt. Kenya was recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and later to UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Program – Pick up at 6:00 am from your residence and drive to Nanyuki. The drive takes about four {4hrs}. We stop at The Equator crossing point just before Nanyuki town. While at this point,  a demonstration will be conducted to show the North, the South and the {nuetral ground} line itself.  Drive past Nanyuki town, after 13km on tarmac towards Timau, we take a diversion to murram road 9km leading to Sirimon park gate, 2,650m asl. This takes like 40minutes. Registration, park formalities and payment will be done from this point. We cross the equator again from North to South inside the park. We drive further for nine {9km} to Old Moses camp 3,300m a.s.l. From this point, we hike around ascending to the {(Mt. Kenya G.A.W. station)} Global Atmospheric Watch Station 3,500m asl. Descend back to Old Moses Camp and drive back to Sirimon gate to sign out. We head back to Nairobi and drop you back to your residence.

 

Expectations

 History, Geography/Geology, Botany, Entomology  etc

  1. Flora
  2. Farmlands {cultivated zone}, Tropical/ montane rain forest, Bamboo belt, Haegenia rosewood belt and Giant St. John`s wort, red hot poker, Heathland/Chaparral moorland dominated by tussock grass.  Lobelia and Senecio.

(a)Fauna

If you are lucky these are common sightings: Monkeys, baboons, antelopes, elephants, buffaloes, eland, bushbuck, tree hyrax, hyenas, mountain zebra and leopards.

(b)Birds

Turacos, francolins,  guinea fowls,  hornbills, sunbirds, parrots, swallows, mountain buzzards and mountain chat.

Included:

  • Transport to and fro in a private vehicle
  • Pick up and drop off from a central point {Residence}
  • Park fees and any related entry fees.
  • Services of driver and guide.

Excluded: 

  • Picnic lunch
  • Gratitude and tips
  • Personal snack packs –assorted dried fruits/ biscuits, Water bottle
  • Any other item or service not mentioned above.

You will need:

Mount Kenya has its own climate on account of its height. Rain clouds can appear without warning and be gone hours later. An early morning frost is possible at any time of the year and guests should bring a fleece and light rain jacket, although during the heat of the day shorts and T-shirts should suffice.

*A set of warm clothing for the evenings

*Light clothing for day hiking

*Rain clothes

*Comfortable hiking/ sports shoe

*Camera and extra battery.