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Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi
August 8th, 2024

Karibu Kenya!! Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), you will be met by your guide and driven to your first hotel in Nairobi, on the outskirts of Nairobi National Park.

After your long journey, this accommodation is the most practical place to unwind and get a great night’s rest before your adventure begins. Enjoy dinner on the hotel grounds and fall asleep to the views of Nairobi National Park.

Meals: Social Hour | Dinner

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Day 4: Mtn Bike Ride
August 11th, 2024

Rise with the rays of the African sun and enjoy a walk along the Ewaso Nyiro river. This is an amazing opportunity to see Kenya’s small wildlife and the biodiversity of bird 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 night in the beautiful Lolldaiga Conservancy.

Today’s Ride:
Approx 64km~40miles/ 985m~ 3200ft

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Social Hour | Dinner

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Day 7: Mtn Bike Ride
August 14th, 2024

Today’s ride will be an exciting journey through the Mukogodo Forest with an epic descent to Il Ngwesi Conservancy. The Il Ngwesi Conservancy is owned and managed by a community of Mukogodo Maasai.


Tonight enjoy the luxuries of Il Ngwesi Lodge. The Lodge captures all elements of the Kenyan bush and is an ideal escape for those searching for a taste of unspoiled Africa. 

Today's Ride:

Approx 30km~17 miles / 372m~1220ft 

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Social Hour | Dinner

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Day 10: Hiking Mt. Kenya
August 17th, 2024

Enjoy a hot breakfast while the sun warms 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 stay at Major’s camp, which lies at 3,800m ~ 12,470 ft. Relax beneath dramatic rock faces and 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

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Day 13: Travel to Nairobi
August 20th, 2024

Enjoy a luxurious breakfast while gazing at 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 Mazingira Conservation Fund will help the future of wildlife and people of Laikipia. Today, we say goodbye and you will travel back to Nairobi.

Meals: Breakfast | Morning Tea & Coffee

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Departure

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Day 2: Travel & Mtn Bike Ride 
August 9th, 2024

Wake to Kenya’s fine coffee at breakfast and prepare for your journey North. The 4 hour journey will take you through varying landscapes including the capital city of Nairobi and up to Nanyuki. 

This afternoon hop on your mountain bike for your first spin. You will become acquainted with the bike and beautiful scenery by riding through Loisaba Conservancy, a conservancy dedicated to combining sustainable conservation, productive rangeland management, community cooperation, responsible tourism, and much more.

Today’s Ride:
Approx 50km~31mi / 540m~1770ft

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner

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Day 5: Mtn Bike Ride
August 12th, 2024

Today’s ride is full of exploration as we ride our bikes through Lolldaiga Conservancy. This is a great opportunity to see wildlife and enjoy some epic climbs and fun descents. We will explore the terrain and make camp near a damn to watch the wildlife and enjoy the night sounds. 

Today’s Ride:
Approx 38km~23miles/ 706m~ 2,315ft

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Social Hour | Dinner

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Day 8: Rest Day 
August 15th, 2024

Your day, your decision. Choose to rise early and head out on an exclusive bush walk experience with expert local guides. Or choose a different option for the day: horse-back riding through the savannah, game drive to spot endemic species, or mountain biking around the conservancy. 
 
This afternoon head out with Il Ngwesi'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

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Day 11: Hiking Mt. Kenya
August 18th, 2024

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 approach the summit.

 

Today’s trek will leave the moorland and enter the unique lunar landscape dotted with groundsels and lobelias; vegetation that is endemic to Mt. Kenya and very unique in its adaptation to the dramatic temperature fluctuations of the mountain.

 

This afternoon we will settle down next to Simba Tarn and get an early night before tackling the tantalizingly close Lenana peak.


Today’s Walk:

Walking Distance: 11 kms

Walking Time: 4-5 hours

Elevation Gain: 1,088m meters

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Dinner

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Day 3: Mtn Bike Ride
August 10th, 2024

Your first full day of biking will take you on a great ride through Loisaba Conservancy. Ride through the open savannah and by yellow fever groves and catch a glimpse of the endangered Grevy zebra.


Tonight enjoy camping in 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 42km~26 miles / 970m~3182ft

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Social Hour | Dinner

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Day 6: Mtn Bike Ride 
August 13th, 2024

Wake to the calls of the masked weaver birds and enjoy a bush breakfast. Hop on the bikes and ride from Lolldaiga Conservancy into Ole Nashu conservancy, and finally into Borana Conservancy. Borana is known for its healthy black rhino population. Then ride into Mukogodo Forest. Mukogodo Forest is the largest national forest reserve in Laikipia, covering over 30,000 hectares. It is one of Kenya’s few remaining dry forests and under management of the Ilmamusi Community Forest Association.
 

We will set up camp in the middle of the forest and enjoy the evening forest sounds. 
 


Today’s Ride:
Approx 46km~30 miles / 783m~2570ft 

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Social Hour | Dinner

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Fly Camp in Mukogodo Forest

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Day 9: Hiking Mt. Kenya
August 16th, 2024

After a lavish breakfast, say “kwaheri” to Lekurruki 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 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

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Day 12: Hiking Mt. Kenya
August 19th, 2024

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 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

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Soames Hotel 

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Price for a Trip of a Lifetime 

 

13 days/12 nights 

$9500 per person sharing  

Your trip price automatically includes a $1000 donation to the #MazingiraConservationFund. We are asking you to fundraise additional funds to support the cause. 

 

For solo travelers, an additional fee is charged*

*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

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At Your Leisure

Adventure for Gorillas

Mazingira Adventures is 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 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

Your Guides

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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.

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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

Guides

What's Included

  • All accommodation

  • Meals as indicated with wine, beer, and house spirits 

  • Services of professional and experienced guides (cycling, walking, trekking) throughout the trip 

  • All conservancy entries, special events, and private tours 

  • 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, and water bottles 

  • Daily route directions and maps

  • Security during the trip for riding and other activities 

  • Donation to the Mazingira Conservation Fund

* 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. (We recommend 7-10% of the trip price).

  • Lodging before and after the trip

Whats Included

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.

William Harper, 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! 

Kathy Hayden, February 2020 

The trip was more than an adventure. We learned about the people, communities, wildlife, plants, and terrain.

Maryanne Dunfey, July 2023

An incredibly well-organized trip. A great combination of biking safari and hiking (at altitude) combined with the opportunity to meet people in the local communities and to better understand Kenya. I went for the adventure and the safari but the highlight was really the people: the local staff who made us feel so welcome and looked after, the Kenyans we met along the way.

Simona Ball, July 2023

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