December 2012, Mount Kenya and Safari - Eastern Africa

Mount Kenya, Neilion Peak.

We have been in Kenya for a month. Enjoying all things Kenyan. It was a great trip, we got loads done and it was a fantastic adventure all the way. The weather was glorious as are the Kenyan people. We flew to Nairobi then headed to the coast to get hot! Indian Ocean was nice as was Lamu Island, Kilifi Estuary and town had a great feel to them. We managed to stick in a few days of safari, Tsavo East and Taita Hills. This was probably the highlight for me. Lets face it there are mountains everywhere and you can climb some great classic rock all over the world but you can't see Lions, Zebra, Elephant, Cheetah, Leopard, Buffalo, Eagle, Impala, Baboons, Ostrich many more birds and antelope doing their thing in the wild, anywhere! Mount Kenya was next so off to Nanyuki town to get porters and food sorted. We spent 8 days in the park. Walked in the Sirimon route and camped by the 3 huts on the way in, walked over Lenana peak on day 4 and based ourselves at Austrian camp for the next 3 nights. A recce day to check out the glacier and boulder field approach and first third of the route. Second day up early and straight up to the summit and back before 3pm. The Shipton rock route is good, excellent rock all the way, most pitches were good, mainly hard scrambling, diff rock climbing with a couple of Severe / Hard Severe pitches. It is high 5188m, the summit tin hut that could fit 4 was in good condition, but I am glad we didn't have to! We walked out down the vertical bog Naromoro route not a great path! We finished at Lake Navaisha which is well worth a few days of attention. Lots of Flamingos, Hippos and Monkeys, also Hell's Gate which  allows you to walk or cycle around, plenty of Zebra, Warthog and Giraffe.

Excellent Jam crack one third up.

Tsava East, Giraffes and Zebra.

Elephants enjoying the water pool.

Secretary Bird.

Lion cubs waiting for tea.

Hart Beast.

Starling.