We are particularly fond of our trips to the mountain strongholds of Kenya and Tanzania. Apart from being fantastic mountain hiking arenas both locations offer a wide variety of exciting add on packages. However for the time being it is to the mountains we turn to as within Kenya and Tanzania lie two of the highest peaks in the whole of Africa. Climbing Kilimanjaro (5,895m, 19,341´) and Mount Kenya (5,199m, 17,057´) will give you a superb mountain experience and with Adventure Beyond it is possible to climb them separately or combine both climbs into one unforgettable two week mountain fest.
Mount Kenya National Park was opened in 1949, the mountain has been revered by local inhabitants for generations and is the official home of ‘Ngai’, the Kikuyu tribe’s Supreme Being. The snowy peak of the volcano was first sighted by an outsider in 1849 – the missionary Johann Ludwig Krapf – although the idea that there could be snow on the Equator was not believed until the British geographer Halford John Mackinder reached the summit in 1899. The park itself, which covers an area of 600 sq km (232 sq miles), offers exotic mountain scenery, starting with upland forest near the bottom and progressing to mountain forest, bamboo forests and glacier peaks. A wide variety of wildlife inhabits the park, some unique to it, including Sykes and Colobus monkeys, buffalo, elephants, black rhinos, leopards, the elusive Bongo antelopes and giant forest hogs. It is also home to many species of birds such as the giant kingfisher, olive pigeons and red-fronted parrots.
Kilimanjaro National Park is the home of Mount Kilimanjaro’s equatorial snow-capped peaks, which form some of the most famous images of Africa. At 5896m (19,340ft), Mount Kilimanjaro, situated in northeast Tanzania, is the highest mountain in Africa and one of the largest free-standing mountains in the world. It is actually an active volcano and possesses the highest walkable summit in the world, Uhuru Peak, one of six glaciers and volcanic peaks at the top. The scenery is varied and visitors climbing to the summit pass through hot savannah, alpine tropics and finally an arctic moonscape and may even spot elephant wandering the higher slopes. A game reserve since 1921, the area was designated a national park in 1973.
We outline a basic day by day schedule and a breakdown of what is and what is not included for all of our trips on our itinerary pages. Click on the links directly above or on the top left to take you straight to the itinerary pages. Also see our essential information page for further details on your trip.