Itinerary
Day 1
Karibu Kenya!! Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), you will be met by your guide and driven to your first hotel on the outskirts of Nairobi, in the neighborhood of Karen.
After your long journey, this unique accommodation is the perfect place to unwind and get a great night’s rest before your adventure begins. Enjoy dinner on the hotel grounds and fall asleep to sounds of tree hyrax.
Meals: Social Hour | Dinner
_edited.jpg)
Day 4
Rise with the rays of the African sun and set out a private, guided rhino tracking experience. Meet the last two Northern White Rhinos- Fatu and Najin, and learn about the conservancy’s dedication to the endangered species.
Hop back on your bike and experience the Laikipian savannah and onto your next destination. Today's ride will take you through community land, an important piece of the puzzle in terms of land conservation. We will spend the next two nights on the privately owned Lolldaiga Hills Ranch.
Today’s Ride:
Approx 51km~32miles/ 607m~ 2000ft
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Social Hour | Dinner
.jpg)
Day 7
Your day, your decision. Choose to rise early and head out on an exclusive rhino tracking experience with expert rangers. Or choose a different option for the day: horse-back riding through the savannah, walking through the bush, game drive to spot endemic species, or mountain biking around the conservancy.
This afternoon head out with Borana’s expert guides on a game drive and enjoy sundowners at a private location. Enjoy dinner at the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Social Hour | Dinner
Day 10
The morning air will be brisk as you emerge from your tent, but with a hot cup of tea and a filling breakfast, you will feel ready to move closer to the summit. Today’s trek will leave the Moorland and enter the unique lunar landscape dotted with more groundsels and lobelias; vegetation that is endemic to Mt. Kenya and very unique in its adaptation to the varying temperatures of the mountain.
This afternoon we will settle down next to Simba Tarn and get an early night before tackling the tantalizingly close peak of Lenana.
Today’s Walk:
Walking Distance: 11 kms
Walking Time: 4-5 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,088m meters
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Dinner
.jpeg)
Day 2
Wake to the sounds of ibis birds flying overhead and sip on Kenya’s fine coffee at breakfast. This morning, visit the Giraffe Centre to meet the endangered Rothschild giraffe and learn about this famous, Nature Education Centre.
Then we will embark on the drive to Nanyuki. The drive takes approximately 4 hours and it is a great way to see part of the country. This afternoon hop on your mountain bike for your first spin. You will become acquainted with the bike and beautiful scenery by riding through Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. Dine at the hotel while learning about rhino conservation in Laikipia.
Today’s Ride:
Approx 16km~10mi / 170m~600ft
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Social Hour | Dinner
.jpg)
Day 5
Today’s ride is a magical experience through the hills of Lolldaiga. Ride among Laikipia’s wildlife and experience the beauty of this hilly landscape. Tonight enjoy camping in luxury tents in the middle of Laikipia’s wilderness. We will camp under the African sky and gather around the fire to hear tales of the bush.
Today’s Ride:
Approx 25km~15miles/ 400m~ 1300ft
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Social Hour | Dinner
Day 8
After a lavish breakfast, say “kwaheri” to Borana Conservancy. We board our 4-wheel drive vehicles and head to the start of our mountain trek. Here we’ll be met by our guide and porters from African Ascents.
Mount Kenya is one of the most enchanting and alluring mountains in Africa. The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian (5,199m ~ 17,057ft), Nelion (5,188m ~ 17,021ft), which are technical climbs, and Point Lenana (4,985m~16,335ft), which is the highest trekking peak.
We will climb to Lenana via Timau route, enjoying an access that is full of solitude and peace. Today’s trek will take about 4 hours and you will start at the edge of the Moorland Zone. We will spend the night at Marania Camp.
Today’s Walk:
Walking Distance: 9 kms
Walking Time: 3 hours
Elevation Gain: 445 meters
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Dinner
Day 11
Step outside your tent to the bright stars and sip on a hot beverage before heading up to the summit. The 2-hour trek to the peak of Lenana will give you the opportunity to see one of the best sunrises ever. You will find breathtaking views of the two technical peaks, Batian and Nelion, and the vast lands of Kenya below.
Take a moment to reflect as you gaze over Laikipia and see the landscape that you have helped to protect. After soaking in the views, you will descend a different route and head back to Soames Hotel.
Today’s Walk:
Walking Distance: 14 Km’s
Walking Time: 2 hours to point Lenana and a further 6 hours down to the Vehicle.
Elevation Gain: 400 meters Elevation Drop: 1900 meters +-
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Social Hour | Dinner
Soames Hotel
.jpg)
Day 3
Your first full day of biking will take you from Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy to your first rhino conservancy. Ride through tree nurseries, bamboo forests, and descend single track next to potato fields that are farmed by local Kikuyu people.
After lunch head to the renowned Ol Pejeta Conservancy, (OPC) a leading model for sustainable wildlife conservation and home to 110 black rhinos, two northern white rhinos and 30 southern white rhinos. Tonight, enjoy a night's stay at Sweetwaters camp in the conservancy.
Today’s Ride:
Approx 56km~35 miles / 740m~2500ft
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Social Hour | Dinner
Day 6
Wake to the calls of the masked weaver birds and enjoy a bush breakfast. Hop on the bikes and ride out of Lolldaiga onto Ole Naishu, a ranch planning to support rhinos in the near future. Finish your ride in Borana Conservancy.
Borana Conservancy is part of the larger Lewa-Borana landscape; a piece of land 93,000 acres in size dedicated to the conservation of wildlife. It hosts over 150 rhinos. Borana Conservancy’s location provides an idyllic setting for any African experience.
Settle into your room and enjoy a drink from your private porch.
Today’s Ride:
Approx 50km~32 miles / 1015m~3330ft
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Social Hour | Dinner
.jpg)
Day 9
Enjoy a hot breakfast while the sun warms up the slopes of Mt. Kenya. Today’s trek will continue through the Moorland and you will start to take note of the mountain’s amazing vegetation including Lobelia and Senecio plants.
Tonight we will camp at Major’s camp, which lies at 3,800m ~ 12,470 ft. Relax beneath dramatic rock faces and then enjoy another home-cooked meal
Today’s Walk:
Walking Distance: 11.2 kms
Walking Time: 6-7 hours
Elevation Gain: 808 meters
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Dinner
Day 12
Enjoy a luxurious breakfast while staring up to the slopes of Mt. Kenya. Gather with your fellow travelers to reflect on your experience and share ideas about how to stay involved in the conservation of Laikipia’s landscape. Your trip to Laikipia and your contribution to the Rhino Revival Fund through Adventure for Rhinos, will help the future of wildlife and people of Laikipia. Today, we will say goodbye and you will travel back to Nairobi.
Meals: Breakfast | Morning Tea & Coffee
Departure
Price for a Trip of a Lifetime
12 days/11 nights
$11,000 per person (based on double occupancy)
The price of this trip includes no margins. Your trip price includes a $2000 USD donation to the #MazingiraConservationFund. In other words, close to 20% of your trip price goes to the future of rhino conservation in Laikipia, Kenya.
For solo travelers an additional $1250*
*Single Occupancy:
Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself.
For What is Included and Not Included please click here.
For any questions regarding payment and pricing, please contact us here or info@africanascents.com
Add-On Packages
At Your Leisure
Adventure for Gorillas
Mazingira Adventures in planning another adventure trip dedicated to conservation. This time travel to Uganda to hike the Rwenzoris (the mountains of the moon) and then trek with gorillas in Bwinidi Impenetrable forest. This 12 day trip not only brings you to some of the most magical, best-kept secret mountains of East Africa, but also allows you to experience our closest relatives up close. This trip supports local conservation efforts and supports women's empowerment. For questions regarding this trip, contact: tara.hetz@gmail.com
At Your Leisure
R& R on the Coast
After adventuring through Laikipia, decide to head to the coast of Kenya with its long, unspoiled beaches, great fishing and amazing Indian Ocean. Find some rest and relaxation at Manda Bay, a small boutique lodge located on the tip of an unspoiled, idyllic island where barefoot luxury meets chic simplicity.
Check out this great video to get a better idea of the area.
At Your Leisure
Let's Go Travel Packages
Let’s Go Travel is a Kenyan based tour company that specializes in creating authentic safari experiences, whether you are looking for a relaxing family vacation, a romantic beach and bush honeymoon, or a thrilling wildlife adventure. They also offer unbeatable international holiday and world tour packages.
Please note that your final itinerary may vary slightly as we continuously research and develop minor details of the trip. Inclement weather—though we’d like to think there won’t be any—may also necessitate minor alterations, possibly including accommodation.
.jpg)
Your Guides
Julian Wright
African Ascents Company Director, Lead Guide/ Field Expert, Professional Mountaineer
Julian Wright is a highly experienced rock climber and mountaineer originally from Kenya. His passion for the mountains began at the early age of 14 and has resulted is creation of his own company, African Ascents. For the past 6 years Julian has been guiding trips on Mt. Kenya and Kilimanjaro, both trekking and technical climbing. He has also led trips in South East Asia, USA and Europe. Julian is a mountain lover, an honorary warden, a brother, and an adventure seeker. His qualifications as a guide are numerous including Wilderness Medic, multipitch supervisor and safari guide.
Tara Hetz
A world nomad and adventure seeker, cycling guide and Wilderness Medicine Instructor
Raised in the middle of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, Tara’s unique childhood was spent living amongst East Africa’s wildlife. At a young age she was immersed in her parents’ careers in conservation, tourism and environmental education. Inspired by their work and her love of the the natural world, Tara is combining her passions of adventure travel and conservation. Her degree is in Conservation Biology from St. Lawrence University. She works as a cycling guide for Trek Travel (US company) and as a wilderness medicine instructor for SOLO Schools (Conway, NH). She is the creator of this trip and thrilled to bring you on an adventure of a lifetime. Her favorite animal is the gerenuk and she loves dancing to West African Music.
Read about Tara in the Shelburne News.
What's Included
-
All accommodation
-
Meals as indicated with wine, beer and house spirits at all properties (except while trekking on Mt. Kenya)
-
Services of professional and experienced guides (cycling, walking, trekking) throughout the trip
-
All conservancy entries, special events and private tours
-
2 support vehicles for the duration of the trip
-
All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off, including baggage transportation
-
Emergency medical evacuation services in Kenya for the duration of the trip*
-
Meals with conservancy owners and special guests throughout the trip
-
Bike, Bicycle helmet, water bottles, cycling jersey
-
Daily route directions and maps
-
Security during the trip for riding and other activities
* Includes Flying Doctors Emergency evacuation
What's not Included
-
International flights to Kenya
-
Entry visas
-
Personal Cancellation & Emergency insurance
-
Items of a personal nature
-
Gratuity for your guides and drivers
-
Lodging before and after the trip
Testimonials
Sometimes we get to experience a journey that opens our eyes, our minds, and our hearts--all at the same time. This was that. The place, the land, the generosity and joy of our guides--it was just so seamless and remarkable.
Adventure for Rhinos trip February 2020
The perfect adventure for us, a mother-daughter team, as it is appealing to multiple generations and stimulating to body and soul. The trip was more than a good physical challenge through beautiful country-side with wild animals, it was also a great sharing and learning experience and gave us a sense that we were contributing to a greater good. The bike ride and hike were challenging and amazing at the same time, led by a qualified team of guides, who looked after us each step of the day. We always felt safe, well fed and taken care of. Loved bike riding alongside the giraffes and zebras, meeting Baraka (a black rhino) and the white rhinos, riding with the Nanuki mountain biking team, gaining an appreciation of the various conservancies we rode through, daily sightings of Mt Kenya from different angles with the final summit of Lenana Peak. I have one word to sum up this trip - epic!
Adventure for Rhinos trip February 2020
-