$825 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateThis Tour Is Offered By
Tilman Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
-
KE
Welcome to Tilman Safaris, Kenya’s leading travel experts dedicated to making your journey unforgettable. With our deep local knowledge and a passion for showcasing Kenya’s beauty, we offer personalized travel experiences at friendly, affordable rates.
Reviews42
CH
Top carriers but not the best guide
We are a really sporty couple who decided to take the challenge and hike Mount Kenya in 3 days up to Lenana.
The first day everything was perfect we got picked up at the hotel in time and we drove all the way through. We met our team and after lunch we started the hike.
The second day (at 3200ms) we had to wait around 20 mins for the guide to pick us up and start the hike.
During the hike we had not so good experiences as he was stopping by himself and saying keep going I will catch up. We ended up losing him for almost one hour. Meeting him after one hour being angry with us. Since then, the whole experience changed. During the hike I experienced altitude sickness and the recommendation from the guide was to “take a nap and drink water”. This is what I did, but I started to feel worse and worse, almost passing out, we were lucky to talk to a medical guy who was there who recommended us completely the opposite: go outside, small walks, dont lay down, drink a bit of coffee and some breathing techniques. He also said that in this condition is impossible to go to the summit the day after and that we should descend as soon as possible.
That night we talked to our guide and we were surprised about him trying to convince us to go to the summit. After a long talk we told him we are not in condition and that we would love to go back.
The last day we started the descent and we were even more surprised about our guide not talking at all to us, going 300-400 meters in front of us the whole way. Specially knowing that we were not in good conditions. It really gave us a bad feeling, that we were not in good hands and that we were not accomplishing anything.
As a summary I would say the food was super nice and the carriers (special mention to Nelson and Taylor), but the guide has sole room for improvement.
I am pretty sure I was not the first and wont be the last having these problems so I would recommend the guide to be informed on what to do in case something like this happens. And also to try to be a bit closer to us, guiding should not be just walking but also ensuring we are save and that we are having a good experience.
Leonard (our guide) was super knowledgeable about all the nature.
Regardless of a bit of altitude sickness it was a great hike, good company and nice views! Thank you Leonard :)
An unforgettable Mt Kenya day hike — Leonard was an incredible guide
I had an incredible experience with Leonard on a day hike on Mt Kenya. From the very first contact, his communication was clear, professional, and reassuring, making the whole process feel easy and well organised. On the day of the hike, everything ran smoothly and on time, and he was knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely passionate about the mountain. He set a comfortable pace, shared interesting insights about the landscape and wildlife, and made sure everyone felt safe and supported throughout the hike. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and the experience exceeded my expectations in every way. Excellent service, great value for money, and a guide you can fully trust — I would highly recommend Leonard to anyone visiting Kenya. 🌄✨
Leonard the guide - all good organising it
Day hike from old Moses camp at mt Kenya.
Organised hike through WhatsApp very easy (had his number from my brother). Arranged to pick up leanard at equator in nanyuki. Probably useful to book entry before going to sirimon gate (not good WiFi nor 3/4/5g…..). Remember to include driver (resident) if drive through to old Moses camp.
Leonard took us on a day hike to a nice view point 8 km up from old Moses camp - all good and no issues (except a headache).
Thanks Leonard.
GR
An unforgettable Mount Kenya experience. Tillmans Safaris truly exceptional!
From the very first exchange, we felt completely at ease. Communication with Charles, the director of Tillman Safaris, was excellent from start to finish — thoughtful, clear, and reassuring. He consistently made us feel that everything was under control and carefully planned. And that feeling proved absolutely right. From our pickup in Nairobi to the very last moments of the trek, everything was flawlessly organized and ran smoothly.
Tillmans Safaris is the ideal company for people who genuinely love the mountains — those who care about the experience itself, not just reaching a summit. What also mattered deeply to us is that this is a truly ethical company. The guides and porters are treated with real respect and fairness, and this is not just something said — it’s something you feel every day on the mountain. For us, that made the experience all the more meaningful.
The equipment provided was excellent: very warm sleeping bags, a solid tent that easily withstood a full night of rain, and high-quality walking poles. Everything felt reliable and well chosen, allowing us to focus fully on the beauty of the climb.
And then there is the team, who turned a great trek into an unforgettable one.
Leonard, our lead guide, was simply outstanding. He is kind, calm, deeply knowledgeable, and always smiling. He has that rare ability to make you feel both safe and inspired at the same time. His pacing was perfect, and thanks to his experience and attentiveness, altitude issues were minimal and we summited comfortably. He genuinely went above and beyond every single day.
Taylor, the chef, amazed us daily with generous, hearty, and delicious meals — far better than we ever expected on a mountain. On top of that, he was a joy to be around: warm, friendly, and always positive.
Nelson, Alan, and Jacob, our porters, were wonderful people and fantastic companions on the trail. Strong, kind, and full of good humor, they made the long days lighter and more joyful. By the end of the trek, it truly felt like we were climbing with friends — and we are proud to now call them exactly that.
A heartfelt recommendation: book the full 5-day trek from Chogoria to Sirimon. It makes a real difference for acclimatization, and the Chogoria Bandas, where you spend the first night, are absolutely magnificent — one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever slept in the mountains.
Without hesitation, this was the best trekking and climbing experience we’ve ever had. If you want an authentic, ethical, and deeply rewarding Mount Kenya experience, Tillman Safaris is the company to choose.
We also booked a 3-day safari in Samburu with Tillman, which was equally wonderful. Samburu turned out to be the perfect park to visit at that time of year, Sopa Lodge was excellent, and we saw an incredible number of animals — including a truly magnificent leopard. Our driver was also fantastic.
We are deeply grateful to the entire Tillmans team. If Mount Kenya is on your mind and you want an experience that is beautifully organized, genuinely human, and unforgettable, book with Tillmans Safaris. You will be in the very best hands.
Other Safaris & Tours12 – Offered by Tilman Safaris
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3-Day Explore Masai Mara Mid-Range Safari
$628 to $928 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
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3-Day Mount Kenya Trek Sirimon to Chogoria
$737 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetMountain Hut & Camping
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Mt Kenya, Nairobi (End)
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3-Day Mount Kenya Trek Through Sirimon Route
$683 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetMountain Hut & Camping
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Mt Kenya, Nairobi (End)
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4-Day Mount Kenya Sirimon - Chogoria Camping Trek
$747 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Mt Kenya, Nairobi (End)
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6-Day Mt Kenya Trekking from Chogoria to Naromoru Route
$1,036 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetMountain Hut & Camping
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Mt Kenya, Nairobi (End)
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5-Day Climb Mount Kenya Through Sirimon - Chogoria Route
$923 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetMountain Hut & Camping
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Mt Kenya, Nairobi (End)