-
panter
I think all high mountains have "their heads in the clouds" and can be elusive, but not on this day. We were able to see and photograph the mountain easily.
-
wolfenganges
This review is about the Chogoria-Route, which my friend and I took in November 2014.First of all, I've never been to Kenya (not even Africa) before and I am not a great mountaineer at all, despite coming from a montainous region (Austria). My friend asked me, to join her on this trip and - as I was kind of blank at this time - borrowed me money, to buy necessary gear and pay the fees. I am kind of a worried person and it's sometimes hard for me to deal with new, surprising factors. Plus, I am kind of a lazy couch-potatoe, no trained at all for a exhausting trip.So it is very good to say, that all my worries vanished during this trip, thanks to the guide Evans and thanks to his great team.The drive to the starting point was a bit adventureous, as it was mud-season and the "road" kind of slippy. But due to the careful, souvereign steering of the driver, who seemed to know his Landrover by heart, we made it through right on time. The first days I felt my legs working hard, compensating the lack of muscle power, but we always went very very slow. "No stress" was the motto and "Security first!". When we reached a resting point, food was already prepared, even when the accomodities were rather simple, it tasted very good.It varied enough to feel well fed and gave us the necessary minerals and vitamins, so our digestion never "went out of hand".The team was very friendly and gave us the feeling, that a) They like what they do, b) we are welcome and c) they are there for us. You could ask them for anything. Be it some drinking-water or some toilet-paper or additional gear or questions about the beautiful nature sourrounding us. At no point I felt lost or forgotten. Said friend had a bit of a rough time, as she started the trip with a cold and kind of felt the height, so she got exhausted easily and wasn't sure if she could go on. Everytime when she was on the brink of giving up, the guide took his time and patiently led her through the possible options. Where some other (Austrian?) guides probably would have lost patience, feeling annoyed after a while of extended Q&A sessions by an exhausted and worried (despite very strong and talkative) young woman, he calmy and respectfully took care of her, made her overcome her inner worries, so she could made it safely to the Peak and to the homebase after all.As for me, I got much fitter over the time. When we started, I needed all the rest I could get, at the the end of the trip, I even could keep in pace with the porters. Well, they had the triple amount of weight on their backs, but hey...they were used to it...!So needlessly to say, I can truly recommend this trip with that company. Even if you are not a fan of mountains, it can do you really good and make you feel a lot better.
-
243edwardt
Just spent 4 awesome days climbing Mount Kenya and hiking in the National Park.Would recommend Duncan Njoroge as your guide, he and his team were fantastic. You can find him at Equitorial Star Adventure Safaris
-
HansCM88
We took the 4 Day Mt Kenya Sirimon - Chogoria Traverse.Excellent service, professional guide and porters and great food. We are very satisfied from start to end and glad we choosed "go to mount Kenya". Thumbs up!
-
750ak47
Went on a 4 night trek up Mount Kenya with Duncan Njoroge (Equatorial Star Adventure a Safaris). He and his team were brilliant: very professional, really knew they're stuff. The Cook was fab! We ate so well! Delicious food. And they were all so nice! Mount Kenya is a must too!
-
DukeOnHoliday
We went with gotomountkenya.com and had an amazing experience.Pre trip: Evans the manager was prompt in replying to email queries and was flexible to our suggestions for possible variations to the trip. We had the flexibility of doing the Chogoria-Sirimon route in 4 or 5 days (we took 4) and were able to decide this while on the mountain. Transfers were individualised and accommodating (I was able to stop by a town en route to Nairobi to pick up some belongings). Transport always punctual. We did not have water purification or sleeping bags and one of us (I) forgot waterproof trousers and this was all arranged easily by our guide.Staff: our porters showed excellent professionalism and were attentive, helpful and fun. Our guide Josephat was encouraging throughout the climb and offered to carry my bag (or me) whenever the route became physically challenging. He was happy to stop the group for water or rest breaks whenever needed. Josephat was also knowledgable on the flora, fauna and wildlife. Food: our entertaining dancing chef David prepared delicious and plentiful 3 course meals that pleased everybody. Hot drinks, popcorn and snacks always available as soon as we arrived at each camp. Accommodation: huts and tents better than expected. Even had a wood fireplace in the Chogoria hut! The Chogoria-Sirimon route was sparsely populated and had stunning scenery. Sunrise at the summit was priceless.In summary, a well organised, professional local company with exceptional service at competitive prices. We would not hesitate to recommend gotomountkenya.com to anybody. Asante sana! Clare, Laura and Duke.
-
Corinna_ClymerOlson
Spectacular Alpine island in the middle of Kenya. What a treat. Well kept park. Clean well-maintained trails and climbing huts.
-
Y8624YLterrym
Scenery and climb exilerating . We found the initial trek up to the first lodge tedious and boring as the picture us traditional track had been recently replaced by a bulldozed road leaving practically no access to the previous stopping and viewing spots . Tip . Organise a lift up and back to the first lodge . We thought both the two lodges on route were substandard with no power and the two toilets in both coping . with some 40 trekkers . The top toilet at Old Moses froze up and couldn't be used . The climbs to to the Basion is tough . Stay two nights there to acclimatise instead of doing 21 km up and back to first lodge . Our guide was competent and looked after us but suggest pay the extra and dont pay cash up front . You can be surer where your money is spent . It was exciting and rewarding visit but we found Tanzania climbs and Safaris way up another level Terry Australia
-
415cyrusk
Hiking Mt Kenya has been on top of my list Bucket list for many years.Im glad to say that I conquered it on Jan 2015 ( 24th - 26th) with a group of 6 people. It was challenging but we were helped with our able guides & crew. We used the Sirimon route which was dry & very pleasant. I would like to thank the Organizers of the expedition "Twining Safaris" & their staff for enabling our team achieve our Long time goal... Mt Kenya is such a beautiful place visit (very rich flora & fauna), but exceptionally cold (dont be fooled about equitorial climate) Hoping to conquer Mt Kilimanjaro with you sometime
-
hkxpat1962
We took the 4 day option, up Sirimon and down Chigoria. Firstly this is a con as the first and last 'trekking' days are done on roads and can just be considered 'add ons' to boost the price which was a hefty $700.00 + each for the 3 of us. The descriptions for these 'trekking' days are hilarious, go and read them on their website.The guide was acceptable, however a bit smarmy with wildly ridiculous stories, he grated after being with him for 4 days. The food was appalling, everything fried and no variety whatsoever. Disgusting white bread, Kikuya baby porridge and ginger soup every day! The food was not nutritious and they had the gall to recommend not taking a breakfast before the climb to Mt Kenya. Too lazy to get up early to prepare food for us. We even queried whether the chef was actually a chef from the filth provided us. They managed to cut costs considerably with the 'food' they produced. Even the little fruit offered was only enough for one person and had to be shared by the three of us...eg 1/2 a passion fruit each, a few slices of thinly cut orange and a piece of tree tomato each. Absolute jokers.
