6-Day Aberdare Traverse-Summits Moorlands & Waterfalls

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Nairobi to Kichakani Paradise – Lake Olbolosat & Acclimatisation

Morning: Depart Nairobi early in your private Adventurego 4x4 safari vehicle. Drive north through the lush farmlands of Kiambu and Murang'a, with sweeping views of the Aberdare foothills. Arrive at Kichakani Paradise (2,400m) by mid-morning.

Late Morning: Check in, then drive to nearby Lake Olbolosat, a tranquil volcanic crater lake. Visit a Turkana homestead just by the shore, where locals share stories of their nomadic heritage living beside the lake.

Afternoon: Return to the hotel for lunch and rest—critical acclimatisation before the tough hike ahead. Enjoy tea while overlooking the surrounding hills.

Evening: After dinner, your lead guide delivers a traverse briefing in detail, covering the 5-day trek ahead: trail conditions, pacing, altitude protocols, and camp etiquette.

Main Destination:

Lake Olbolosat

Accommodation:

Kichakani Paradise

• Mid-range cottage located the park

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Shamata Gate to Twin Rock – Dragons Teeth & Satima Summit

Morning: Breakfast at dawn. Drive to Shamata Gate for registration, then enjoy an 11 km drive through indigenous forest—ancient cedar and podocarpus draped in moss. Arrive at Twin Rock parking area (3,450m) to begin trekking.

Late Morning: Traverse the legendary Dragons Teeth—a jagged volcanic rock spine across the moorland. Push onward to Satima Summit (4,001m), the Aberdare's highest point, with Mount Kenya looming to the east.

Afternoon: Descend to Old Satima, then trek south across Table Mountain Plateau—a surreal landscape of tussock grass and giant lobelias. Explore the plateau while porters set up camp.

Evening: Dinner in the mess tent as the sun sets behind the Rift Valley escarpment.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Table Mountain Plateau Camp (Night 2 of 5).

Main Destination:

Aberdare Range (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Seven Ponds to Rurimeria & Chania Falls

Morning: Wake to a misty moorland sunrise. Trek east towards the Seven Ponds—crystal-clear alpine tarns reflecting the sky like mirrors. Look for eland, waterbuck, and elusive bongo footprints in this prime wildlife area.

Late Morning: Continue along the ridge to Rurimeria (3,850m), a prominent hill offering panoramic views back toward Satima. The trail then descends through heath and moorland.

Afternoon: Enter a belt of cloud forest as the sound of rushing water grows louder. Arrive at Chania Falls, one of the Aberdares' most dramatic waterfalls. Your campsite sits in a clearing near the falls.

Evening: Dinner by lantern light with the roar of the falls behind you. Your guide offers stargazing if skies are clear.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Chania Falls Camp (Night 3 of 5).

Main Destination:

Aberdare Range (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chania Falls to Matubio Gate – Queens Cave & Magura Falls

Morning: Breakfast surrounded by forest birdlife—listen for the Hartlaub's turaco. Trek downstream along the Chania River. Visit Queens Cave, a moss-draped overhang where Mau Mau freedom fighters once sought refuge. Your guide shares independence history.

Late Morning: Continue to Magura Falls, a powerful cascade plunging into a deep pool—perfect for photos. The trail descends toward the park boundary as vegetation shifts to bushland.

Afternoon: Arrive at Matubio Gate, where your Adventurego driver awaits with fresh food resupply, fruits, snacks, and water. Porters set up camp just inside the gate.

Evening: Enjoy a freshly resupplied hot dinner at this lower altitude camp for excellent recovery sleep.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Matubio Camp (Night 4 of 5).

Main Destination:

Aberdare National Park

Best Time To Visit June to September and December to February (Driest months)

High Season June to October and December to March

Best Weather June to September and December to February (Less rain)

Wildlife in Aberdare NP

ElephantCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraOccasional

HyenaOccasional

Black RhinoRare

LeopardRare

Show more

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

LionNone

CheetahNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Aberdare NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Matubio Gate to Mount Kinangop – Bamboo Forest & Mutarakwa Trail

Morning: Early start into the dense bamboo forest—a near-impenetrable thicket that muffles sound into a green cathedral. The trail meanders uphill to Kemboi Rock, a viewpoint breaking through the bamboo canopy.

Late Morning: Cross a clear mountain stream and plunge back into thick forest. Connect with the ancient Mutarakwa Trail, a lesser-known route climbing steadily toward Mount Kinangop.

Afternoon: Reach Mount Kinangop (3,906m), the second-highest peak in the Aberdare Range. Forest gives way to moorland as you ascend. Camp is positioned below but near Kinangop, a sheltered spot with stunning summit views.

Evening: Sunset silhouettes Satima, Kinangop, and distant Elephant Hill. Your guide leads a brief evening walk to a nearby ridge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Kinangop Base Camp (Night 5 of 5).

Main Destination:

Aberdare National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Aberdare NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kinangop Valley to Elephant Hill – Final Summit & Descent – Nairobi

Early Morning: Wake before dawn. Descend briefly into the Kinangop Valley, then begin the final climb toward Elephant Hill (3,890m). The trail is steep but exhilarating through moorland dotted with giant senecios. Reach the summit as morning sun illuminates the Aberdare skyline.

Late Morning: From Elephant Hill, see every peak you have conquered—Satima, Rurimeria, Kinangop, and Table Mountain. Celebrate with photos. Descend via the bamboo forest trail, a shaded gradual path to the park boundary.

Afternoon: Arrive at Elephant Hill Gate by early afternoon. Your Adventurego 4x4 vehicle awaits with cold drinks and snacks. Begin the scenic drive back to Nairobi.

Late Afternoon: Arrive in Nairobi by approximately 5:00–6:00 pm, transferred to your hotel, the international airport, or onward connection—marking the end of your Adventurego Hiking And Safaris Shamata–Elephant Hill Traverse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Main Destination:

Aberdare National Park

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.