Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain, 5 199 meters (17,058 feet). The mountain offers both easy and challenging ascents with scenic beauty. With its easy access, knowledgeable and well-organized guiding services as well as beautiful scenery, Mount Kenya is a popular destination for hikers of all ages. The majority of the ascents consist of hiking; no technical climbing skills are required. Most fit hikers may reach the lowest peak of the mountain, Point Lenana, just below 5 000 m. Point Nelion and Batian at over 5 100 m require technical expertise and knowledge.

Best time a year for hike or climb is January, February, September and October. Temperatures depend on altitude, daytime from 26 C to below freezing on the peak. At night from 14 C to below freezing on the peak.

Part of the mountain's fascination is the variation in fauna and flora as the altitude changes. The lower slopes are covered with dry upland forest; the true mountain forest begins at 2 000 m and is mainly cedar and podo.

At 2 300 m a dense belt of bamboo forest begins, which merges into the upper forest of smaller trees interspersed with clear glades. In this area the trees are festooned with high altitude lichens.

The high altitude at the top (9,000-10,500 feet) is generally open and dotted with shrubs such as the African sage, protea and helichyrum. Above 10,500 feet is open moorland.

These various forest belts are host to many different animals and plants with at least eleven unique species. Game to view includes: black and white Colobus monkeys, Sykes monkeys, bushbuck, rock hyrax, buffalo, elephant, waterbuck, black rhino, duikers, leopard, giant forest hog, genet cats, bush pigs and hyena. More elusive is the Bongo, a rare forest antelope.

So its no surprise that Mount Kenya, as well as Lamu town, is recognize as World Heritage by UNESCO.