I am not an athlete. I do not enjoy the gym. My idea of exercise is a brisk walk to the car. So when I tell you that I climbed Mount Kenya, I need you to understand something important: if I can do this, genuinely, anyone reasonably fit and reasonably stubborn can do it too.
How it started
In your final year of prep school in Kenya, many schools give children the incredible opportunity to climb Mount Kenya with their friends, and one parent per child, before graduating to senior school. To my mild horror, some of the mums I’m close to thought it would be a wonderful idea if we were the parents this time.
As our Christmas cheer and New Year’s Eve clinking drew to a close in early 2026, it suddenly dawned on us that we had six weeks until we were to climb Mount Kenya. PANIC.
Six weeks later, every hill and mountain in the Rift Valley had been climbed. The monthly salary had been spent on Merino socks, thermals, ponchos, hand warmers and 4-season sleeping bags. And I’ll be honest, I was terrified.
The route
We chose the Chogoria route, on the eastern side of the mountain, and widely considered the most scenic route. Fewer people, a more gradual ascent (better for acclimatisation), and the warmest side in the mornings because of the sun’s angle. Perfect.
Our six-day itinerary looked like this:
- Night 1 — a beautiful campsite near Chogoria Gate
- Night 2 — Lake Ellis
- Night 3 — Lake Michaelson
- Night 4 — Mintos Camp, 4,200m
- Night 5 — back to Chogoria Gate
We drove to Nanyuki a day early for a comfortable night at Soames Hotel, a charming little boutique facing Mount Kenya, with superb beds and delicious food. One good night’s sleep, an overdose on food, and we were ready.
The climb – honestly
We were looked after throughout by the wonderful team at Savage Wilderness, with the charming Lance as our guide and medic (my panic started dissipating immediately). The 20-odd kids always walked half an hour ahead of us – keeping together, having far too much fun to speak to us – while the parents set off with our wonderfully reliable Holy Moses.
The days were beautiful: moorland, tussock grass, heather, blooming proteas, chameleons, rock hyrax, red-winged starlings, fishing in mountain lakes, tiny dips in freezing water, warm hearty suppers and social teepees full of uncontrollable giggling. The altitude meant pre-8pm bedtimes and very little actual sleep, but the Savage team kept us fed, watered, briefed and laughing throughout.
By Night 4 at Mintos Camp, the hail arrived. The kids were absolutely delighted – snowball fights, a tiny snowman and competitive snow-cricket using an umbrella as a bat and three walking poles as stumps.
Summit day
We were up at 4am. Sweet porridge, sweet tea, layers upon layers, head torches, and then the prison march began – plod, plod, plod in the dark, puffing, panting, checking on each other, giggling, eating biltong.
The best advice I was given that day: “Today isn’t about the body, it’s about the head.” My body and lungs were shattered. But I have a very hard head. 😄
By 9am, I could hear encouraging shouts from the kids at the top: “You can do it, Chans! Nearly there! Yo bruv!” Five minutes later, I was on top of the world. I did it. I never expected to do it. The tears started, oh dear, and then the photos started. What a feeling.
After the elation, reality: 35km of descent still to go. Down the scree (a new and deeply annoying word), through the most beautiful, long, magical walk back to Chogoria camp. Back in familiar territory, we relaxed with a tiny tipple of whiskey, and then perhaps a little more whiskey, and the giggles became completely uncontrollable.
What I’d tell you before you go
- Six weeks of training is not enough, but it’s something. Climb every hill you can find.
- The Chogoria route is beautiful, more gradual and highly recommended.
- Don’t climb for weight loss, the food is far too good.
- It’s not about the body on summit day – it’s about the head. Decide you’re going to do it and don’t look back.
- Pack proper layers: Merino socks, thermals, a good poncho, hand warmers and a 4-season sleeping bag. You’ll thank yourself.
- And drink more water than feels reasonable, the entire way up.
The main thing I learnt
It’s not what you do, it’s who you do it with. I’m so proud to have climbed Mount Kenya with such a positive, hilarious, brave and supportive group of people. I could have stayed longer with this hearty bunch – but a bath was truly calling.
If you’re already planning a Laikipia or Nanyuki safari with us, Mount Kenya is right there, waiting. And if a slightly unfit parent who prefers a sundowner to a spin class can stand on top at dawn, I promise you can too.
We’d love to organise your entire Kenyan adventure – including the climb itself 💛
👉 thesafaricoltd.com
