Discovering the country's highest mountain, Mount Kenya

A little-known peak that is often overshadowed by its neighbour Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya is no less impressive. The second highest peak in Africa after Kilimanjaro, it nevertheless reaches a height of 5,199 metres. Its peaks can be seen through the clouds. The three highest peaks bear the names of former Maasai chiefs, a tribe from this region of East Africa: Biatan, being the highest peak, Nelion and Lenana.

The mountain takes its name from the Kikuyu tribe, who call it "Kirinyaga", meaning "mountain of white radiance". This appellation is due to the snow and ice that persist on the mountain's peaks, just like the iconic Kilimanjaro in neighbouring Tanzania. On Mount Kenya, the land is very fertile and the forest very humid.

Mount Kenya is surrounded by dense forests and alpine meadows, offering spectacular views of the surrounding hills, from eucalyptus and olive trees to ferns and giant bamboo.

The mountain is also home to a wide variety of animal and plant species, including elephants, buffalo, antelope, primates and birds. There are also several endemic species such as chameleons, bats and birds. The glacier zone can be found at altitudes of 4,300 metres and above.

There are many ways to get close to Mount Kenya. Of course, for any self-respecting adventurer, climbing this mountain dotted with eternal snow is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. But climbing Mount Kenya is a real challenge for mountaineers because of its high altitude, the difficulty of the terrain and the variations in climate.

As with Kilimanjaro, there are several routes to choose from, each offering unique challenges and breathtaking views of the East African landmass. The most popular trail to climb is the Sirimon Trail, which follows a gentle slope over the northern valleys of the mountain. The Chogoria trail, on the other hand, follows a steeper slope, but offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills.

Many say that Mount Kenya is even more beautiful than Kilimanjaro. But although the climb to this mountain seems accessible to everyone and takes less time than Kilimanjaro, most trekkers don't make it to the summit. And the reason is simple: most trekkers stop at the summit of Point Lenana, the third highest peak in the massif, which nevertheless reaches an altitude of 4,985 metres.

It's worth noting that the ascent of Mont Lenana claims to be the world's largest via ferrata. It's quite a feat for the climbers who manage it. The highest peaks of Nelion and Batian are reserved for very experienced climbers and are not recommended for novices! Depending on your pace, your itinerary and the summit you choose, the climb can take between 3 and 7 days.

The second way to explore Mount Kenya is for those who don't want to venture up to the snow-capped peaks of the country's highest mountain, where you can enjoy a magnificent safari with a view of this giant. The area around Mount Kenya was established as a national park in 1949 to protect the region. It was designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1978 and eventually became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

The Kenyan government had a number of reasons for creating a park around the mountain, including the need to preserve the biodiversity and natural beauty of the area, as well as the economic appeal of opening up the park to tourists to discover the full beauty of the region. Covering an area of 715 km2, most of the park lies at an altitude of over 3,0000 metres, so it can get very chilly at night.

Last but not least, you can fish in the mountain's freshwater lakes. Starting from Chogoria, the route leading to the summit, you will discover a number of lakes and streams, including Lake Ellis at 3,450 metres and Lake Michaelson at 3,950 metres. These are popular spots for anglers, who can enjoy their favourite pastime on Africa's second highest mountain.