Mountains in Kenya

Known For : Lake Ellis

Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest peak at 5,199 meters, has three main peaks: Batian, Nelion, and Lenana. Surrounded by Mount Kenya National Park, it's popular for climbers and trekkers. Locals, like the Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru peoples, consider it sacred, and its name, "Kenya," means "mountain of whiteness" or "brightness" in Kikuyu.

Best Time: June - September

1 Mount Kenya Attractions

Mount Elgon, a towering extinct volcano on the Uganda-Kenya border, rises to around 4,321 meters (14,177 feet). Its diverse landscapes host unique plants and animals, attracting adventurers and nature lovers. Culturally significant to local communities like the Bagisu and Sabiny, it offers various hiking trails such as Sasa and Sipi routes.

Mount Ng'iro is the tallest peak in the Udzungwa Mountains, Kenya. Rising above the Chalbi Desert, it's about 2,848 meters (9,344 feet) high and formed during the Pleistocene era, with its last eruption in 1860. It's crucial for local water sources, holds cultural importance for the Maasai, and supports diverse ecosystems. Adventure seekers, scientists, and nature lovers find it an exciting destination to explore.

Mount Satima, also known as Oldoinyo Lesatima, is located in Aberdare National Park, standing at 4,001 meters high. It's Kenya's third tallest peak and the highest in the Aberdare Range, with its Masai name meaning "mountain of the bull calf." The challenging Dragon's Teeth trail leads to the summit, taking about 5 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Popular for camping and hiking, it's a favourite spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

Mount Longonot is an extinct volcano in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, reaching 2,886 meters high. Its crater, formed in the 1860s, is popular for hikers. Surrounding the mountain is a national park with diverse wildlife. Visitors enjoy breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha from the crater rim while experiencing geothermal activity. It's a well-known destination for hiking, rock climbing, biking, birding, and game viewing, attracting adventure enthusiasts.

Best Time: June - September

Menengai Crater is a large volcanic crater found near Nakuru town in Kenya's Great Rift Valley. It's one of the world's biggest, spanning over 12 kilometres wide and reaching depths of 485 meters. The crater formed about 200,000 years ago from a massive volcanic eruption. The area around the crater also has hot springs and geysers due to geothermal activity.

Mount Mtelo is the seventh-highest peak in Kenya, located in the northwest highlands of West Pokot County. It overlooks the Turkana plains on one side and the Cherangani Hills on the other. The Pokot people consider it a sacred mountain.

Height: 3,336 m (10,944 ft)
Duration of Hike: 3 days
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Best Time to Visit: October to March

Mount Marsabit, found in northern Kenya, is an extinct volcano within Marsabit National Park. It's one of the tallest mountains around and is covered by dense forests. The mountain also features several crater lakes. It provides water and a safe haven for various wildlife as well as the local Borana community.

Height: 1,707 m (5600 ft)
Duration of Hike: 3-4 hours
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Best Time to Visit: June to October

Mount Suswa, an extinct volcano in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, rises about 2,356 meters (7,730 feet) high. You can hike, explore caves, and see wildlife there. Inside its caldera, formed by past eruptions, you'll find crater lakes and lava caves to explore. Local communities consider the mountain important, and it's a popular spot for nature lovers and adventurers in Kenya.

Ol Doinyo Eburru is a dormant volcano near Lake Naivasha in Kenya's Great Rift Valley. It's about 2,780 meters tall and has rugged terrain, dense forests, and volcanic cones. Though it's not active now, it erupted long ago. The area is rich in plants and animals, and it has hot springs and geothermal features that attract hikers. Locally, it's considered a sacred place.

Mount Olorgesailie, a famous mesa in Kenya's Rift Valley, is an important archaeological site revealing ancient human history. It's 1,760 meters high and located in Kajiado County. With its great views and ancient artefacts, it tells us about early human life. Researchers like to study it because of its history and wildlife.

Ol Doinyo Orok, also known as Namanga Hills, is a 2,548-meter-tall mountain near Lake Baringo in Kenya. It's part of the larger Baringo-Bogoria volcanic complex and has a triangular shape. Locals consider it sacred, calling it "the black mountain" in Kimaa, the language of the Maasai tribe. Hikers and nature lovers enjoy its panoramic views of Lake Baringo.

Mount Kinangop, in Kenya's Aberdare Range, is a dormant volcano around 3,906 meters (12,815 feet) tall. Its name, meaning "the mountain of the ostrich," comes from the local Kikuyu language. It's home to many animals and provides water for nearby communities and farming. People love to hike, watch birds, and enjoy nature there.

Mount Kulal is an extinct volcano in northern Kenya, standing at 2,285 meters (7,494 feet) above sea level in the Chalbi Desert region. It's also known as the "Gem in the Desert" because its peak is covered by mist forest. This mountain is vital for water, as its high-altitude forests collect moisture from passing clouds.

Mount Kipipiri is a volcanic mountain in central Kenya's Aberdare Range and stands at about 3,350 meters (10,991 feet) tall. It's part of Aberdare National Park and has rugged terrain, dense forests, and stunning waterfalls. The name "Kipipiri" means "place of winds" in the local language, reflecting its windy conditions. It's also a sacred site for the Kikuyu people and offers breathtaking views for hikers and nature lovers.