Best Hiking Spots in Kenya
Hiking is one of the famous safari activities that are carried out in the Republic of Kenya, and this is because the country has several hiking destinations that are excellent for hikes as a group or a family.
Due to the fact that Kenya has a rich biodiversity and diverse landscapes, which offers a plethora of great hiking opportunities. Kenya is dominated and surrounded by beautiful features such as; towering mountains, lush vegetation, arid deserts, expansive savannah grasslands, and many others.
Kenya boasts a variety of terrains that cater to hikers of all levels and in this article below, we will get to know and explore more about the best hiking spots found in the country each of these offers tourists a unique and unforgettable experience and these include;
Mount Kenya.
Mount Kenya is undoubtedly crowned a good hiking destination and it is ranked as the second-highest peak in Africa. This mountain has a rugged beauty and diverse ecosystem, which includes glaciers and equatorial snow hence making it a UNESCO World Heritage site. More so, there are several hiking routes that tourists can use such as; the Sirimon and Naro Moru routes and many others. In addition, hiking through these trails allows individuals to see many wildlife species such as; elephants, buffalos, colobus monkeys, and many others.
Ngong Hills
The Ngong hills are famously known because of their scenic beauty and their proximity to Nairobi city. However, hiking to these hills is best done if it is during the day and it always takes individuals about 4 to 5 hours to hike through depending on one’s hiking pace. More so, opting to hike through these hills offers tourists great opportunities to capture breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley. In addition, the hiking trails are usually marked and along the way, tourists get to sightsee wildlife species like; antelopes, and baboons among others, and also get to enjoy the cool breeze and the lush landscapes.
Karura Forest.
Karura forest is one of the most popular hiking spots found in Kenya because it is dominated by thousands of tree species, which contribute towards it being ranked as a good hiking spot. This forest covers a total surface area of about 50 square kilometers and it is noted that the first two kilometers of Karura forest is a steady lane which is a steep hill that leads individuals to a river. In addition, there are many hiking trails within this forest which lead to waterfalls and caves. More so, the hiking trails available in this forest are very suitable for a family hiking adventure and solo adventures and it is more interesting because tourists are always able to meet along with other passionate hikers along the way.
Nairobi Arboretum
The Nairobi arboretum is a spectacular hiking spot located on a 70-acre piece of land adjacent to the State House, there are fast-growing exotic trees planted by the Kenyan government to be used in the construction of the Mombasa – Kampala railway.
Mount Longonot
Mount Longonot is another good hiking spot, which is, located a few kilometers away from Nairobi because it will take individuals a drive of about one hour to reach this mountain. In addition, the hiking trails on Mount Longonot start from the main gate and then pass the forested area; the hike up and down the mountain takes approximately 4 hours while going around the crater and an extra 2 hours. During the hike, you are likely to see wildlife like giraffes and buffaloes among others along the way.
Hell’s Gate
Hell’s Gate National Park is Located in Naivasha and it is ranked to be one of the best hiking landscapes among the other hiking spots in Kenya. Hells Gate comprises the Rift Valley Cliff, which is the exterior part, and the Ol Njorowa Gorge which meanders a distance of 24 kilometers which makes it a good destination to visit for hiking activities. Therefore, hell’s Gate National Park offers space for rock climbing and hiking trails respectively.
other best hiking spots that tourists can opt to go some include; Aberdare ranges, Mount Longonot which is a dormant stratovolcano which is located in the Rift Valley, Mount Elgon, Chyulu Hills, Mount Suswa, Kerio Valley, Marsabit National Park, and many others. Therefore, in conclusion, Kenya’s diverse topography offers hiking enthusiasts a wide array of very many options, which range from challenging mountain ascents to leisurely walks through breathtaking landscapes.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about what are the best hiking spots found in the country and then book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours and travel companies who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Kenya.
