Trekking and hiking Elephant Hill in the Aberdare ranges

Hiking - Trekking and hiking Elephant Hill

Trekking and hiking Elephant Hill in the Aberdare ranges

Hiking and trekking the elephant hills in the Aberdare ranges, Kenya is the best way to prepare for the big mountains like Mt. Kenya and Kilimanjaro.

As promised, I will share experiences about a day hike on Elephant Hill, in Aberdares ranges Kenya. This hike happens to be the most challenging hikes I have ever done. (Leave alone Mt. Meru in Tanzania).

Hiking - Trekking and hiking Elephant Hill

Summary of the hill.

Distance from Nairobi: About 90 km

Starting/Ending Point: Njabini Forest Gate

Walking Duration: 7 hours

Terrain: Dirt road, swampy trail, bamboo zone, rocky zones.

Trek Difficulty: Moderate to High. You need to be reasonably fit to do this climb.

Hiking - Trekking and hiking Elephant Hill

As part of my preparations for Climbing Mt. Meru, I joined a group of hikers (Eco-trek, Hikemaniak) for a day trek and hike on the Aberdare ranges of Kenya.

Arrival and Beginning the hike.

On arrival, we met our KWS  guides who were to accompany us to the summit. After a short briefing, the hike began with some of the experienced hikers in Kenya leading the way. The terrain was amazing, going through the forest, thickets, bamboo forest and the cold mist on open areas. It had rained the previous night and the trail was full of mud. I found myself sliding and going down quite often. After 2 hours of hiking, we had a lunch break as we waited for one group which was left behind.

Hiking - Trekking and hiking Elephant Hill

About 20 minutes from the summit the worst happened to me. I developed muscle pulls on both my legs and I couldn’t move anymore. One of the guides came back to my rescue and after first aid, I was able to go up the top.,

Hiking - Trekking and hiking Elephant Hill

I got to the summit where I met the Elite team (First team on the summit). The Weather at the summit was too cold as the rain had already started. After a few minutes, we headed back.

Hiking - Trekking and hiking Elephant Hill

Going down was equally challenging, but the slides and falls made it fun. We met the other groups who did not make it to the summit as they are returning and we headed back together to the Ending point.

Hiking - Trekking and hiking Elephant Hill

Our clothes were soaked and the hiking boots were full of mud. After lighting a fire to warm ourselves, we headed back to Nairobi. It was a very awesome experience.
Hiking - Trekking and hiking Elephant Hill

Charges and Requirements

Charges  – $25 for local residents, $30 for Residents and $40 for non-locals.

Documents  – National ID or Passport

Comfortable hiking gear

Snacks, Water

Determination and fun.

Hiking - Trekking and hiking Elephant Hill

Caution:

Beware that the weather at this altitude can change for the worse very fast, with temperatures sometimes dropping to sub-zero levels. Ensure you have warm clothes and rain gear, and always keep an eye for signs of clouds forming.

If you are looking for the best guide to get you up the Elephant Hill in Kenya, Contact Kenyan Backpacker and share your views in the comment section below!



kenyanbackpacker

13 Comments

Muttui Jr.

I’d love a story about Elephant Hill like you did for Ole Satima… Elephant Hills is fire

Reply
kenyanbackpacker

Hi, I will be heading there soon and might scribble something about the “Hill” which as you said, is fire!

Reply
James

I’m planning for this. However, I once got painful muscle pulls on both legs climbing up Mt. Kilimambogo. Any suggested exercises to prevent recurrence of this?

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Dennis

Its agreet adventure

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Jacinta

Thank you for the review. This is so useful. I’ll be going next week in prep for Mt Kenya. Wish me best of luck.

Reply
kenyanbackpacker

You are welcome Jacy. All the best as you prepare to conquer Mt Kenya. Your blog is very helpful. I love the work!

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Jacinta

Why thank you! I have become your newest fan. Keep traveling and keep writing. Maybe one day we shall do Mt Kilimanjaro together.

kenyanbackpacker

The food part in your blog! hahaha, incredible. Yes, hopefully, we will meet in Kili.
Happy travels.

caroline

hey we want to head there on 20th october but we are at odds on how to reach there or go about it

Gitonga

Thank you for the review of adventure journey..

Reply
admin

GoodJob

Reply

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