Nairobi's mountain & safari specialists

Climb Mount Kenya & Kilimanjaro.

Summit at sunrise. See the Big Five. From $480.

18+ yrs guiding 200+ summits 4.9★ rated

Our Services

  • Airport pickup & drop-off
  • Hotel & Lodge Booking
  • Domestic flights & trains
  • Private ground transfers
Priority one

Mount Kenya climbs — by route & duration

Seven routes, one clear comparison. From a 1-day forest hike to a 7-day technical summit of Batian (5,199m). Point Lenana (4,985m) needs no climbing experience — just good fitness.

Priority one

Kilimanjaro climbs — to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)

Six routes from the gentle Marangu huts to the scenic 8-day Lemosho circuit. No technical climbing — just altitude, fitness and the right acclimatization profile.

3
Countries covered
13
Mount Kenya & Kili routes
$480+
Trips from, USD
90%+
Summit success (acclim. routes)
Beyond the mountains

Wildlife safaris & beach holidays

Maasai Mara river crossings, Serengeti predators, Uganda gorillas and Diani's white sand — all bookable as standalone trips or bolt-ons to your climb.

Every traveller is different

Honeymoons, family safaris & private journeys, your way

Whether it's a romantic summit-and-beach honeymoon, a multi-generational family safari the kids will never forget, or a private expedition stitched together around your dates and budget — we design every itinerary from scratch. Tell us your dream, your timeline and who's coming. We'll handle the rest, down to the last detail.

Tell us about your trip →
Real climbers & safari guests

What our guests say

Over a decade of safaris, climbs and stories from clients across 40+ countries.

★★★★★
“We took our two kids (9 and 12) to the Maasai Mara and it was the best family decision we've ever made. Edward knew exactly how to keep the children engaged — stopping near elephant herds, explaining lion behaviour, and never rushing a sighting. The kids still talk about the cheetah we watched for forty minutes. CKS made a family safari genuinely stress-free.”
Trip photo — Chris & family
Chris & family Texas, USA Maasai Mara 4-Day Road Safari
★★★★★
“I only had one free day in Nairobi and CKS made it count. The Sirimon day hike took me past giant groundsels and old man's beard to around 3,900m — proper alpine scenery without needing a full expedition. David paced it perfectly and I was back at my hotel by evening. The best day trip I've ever done.”
Trip photo — Jos
Jos Manchester, UK Mount Kenya Day Hike
★★★★★
“Tsavo was completely different from the Mara — vast, red-earthed, and gloriously empty of other vehicles. We saw the famous red elephants dust-bathing, a leopard near Mzima Springs, and had the Kilaguni waterhole almost to ourselves at sunset. Four days felt like a true wilderness expedition rather than a tourist circuit. Edward's knowledge of this park is exceptional.”
Trip photo — Judith
Judith Melbourne, Australia Tsavo West & East — 4-Day Safari
★★★★★
“The Serengeti plains went on forever and the wildlife did not stop — lions, cheetahs, a serval, and a river crossing that left me speechless. The Ngorongoro Crater on the final day was a wildlife amphitheatre unlike anywhere I've been. Crossing from Kenya into Tanzania with CKS was seamless; every lodge, transfer and park permit was handled.”
Trip photo — Patricia
Patricia California, USA Serengeti & Ngorongoro — 5-Day Tanzania Safari
★★★★★
“Samburu surprised me completely. The special five — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, gerenuk, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich — were all new to me. The Ewaso Ng'iro river is stunning, and we watched elephants cross it at dawn. Adding Ngare Ndare's forest canopy walk made this a genuinely unique combination I haven't seen offered anywhere else.”
Trip photo — Bruchil
Bruchil Manila, Philippines Ngare Ndare Forest & Samburu Reserve — 4 Days
★★★★★
“A bush breakfast in the Maasai Mara, with hot coffee and the plains stretching to the horizon — this is the Africa I came for. CKS arranged it as a complete surprise. We ate fresh eggs and pastries while zebra grazed in the distance. It was the most memorable meal of my entire life. Every detail was handled with care.”
Trip photo — Bruun
Bruun Oslo, Norway Maasai Mara 4-Day Road Safari
★★★★★
“I have travelled across Africa and the Serengeti still stopped me in my tracks. The sheer density of wildlife is hard to describe — we counted over forty lions in three days. The camp CKS booked inside the park meant I fell asleep to hyena calls and woke up to giraffe walking past my tent. Pure magic.”
Trip photo — Nina
Nina Berlin, Germany Serengeti & Ngorongoro — 5-Day Tanzania Safari
★★★★★
“The Machame route tested me but the guides read my pace perfectly. Pole pole — slowly slowly — is real wisdom on this mountain. Summit night was the hardest thing I've ever done, and reaching Stella Point at sunrise with the glaciers glowing gold made every aching step worth it. The crew sang with me at Uhuru Peak. Unforgettable.”
Trip photo — Andrea
Andrea Bologna, Italy Kilimanjaro Machame Route — 7 Days
★★★★★
“I chose Lemosho for the extra acclimatisation days and it was the right call. Eight days gave my body time to adjust and I summited with zero altitude sickness. The Shira Plateau and the Lava Tower day were spectacular. The porters are the unsung heroes of this mountain — their strength and kindness humbled me every single day.”
Trip photo — Sussane
Sussane Zurich, Switzerland Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route — 8 Days
★★★★★
“Mount Kenya is the most underrated mountain I've climbed. The Sirimon route was quiet — we barely saw other trekkers. Shipton Camp beneath the peaks felt like a Himalayan basecamp. Summit morning to Point Lenana at dawn, with Kilimanjaro floating on the horizon, was breathtaking. David's guiding was world-class. I'll be back for Batian.”
Trip photo — Alex
Alex Toronto, Canada Mount Kenya Sirimon Route — 4 Days
★★★★★
“Travelling with young children we were nervous about a safari, but Samburu was perfect. Short drives, lots of sightings, and the Ngare Ndare canopy walk was a highlight for the kids. The lodge had a pool and the staff were wonderful with our family. We saw a leopard on the last evening — the kids still draw pictures of it.”
Trip photo — Tal & Ben and family
Tal & Ben and family Tel Aviv, Israel Ngare Ndare Forest & Samburu Reserve — 4 Days
★★★★★
“I live in Nairobi and take visitors on safari regularly — CKS is now my only call. Amboseli never disappoints: big tuskers, Kilimanjaro as a backdrop, and Observation Hill for the perfect panorama. Three days is the ideal length. Edward knows every track in the park and where the elephants gather. Professional from booking to drop-off.”
Trip photo — Peterson
Peterson Nairobi, Kenya Amboseli 3-Day Safari
★★★★★
“The Marangu route's huts meant I didn't have to camp, which suited me perfectly. The Mandara and Horombo huts were comfortable and the communal dining was a lovely way to meet other climbers. Summit night was tough but the guides kept me going with encouragement and hot tea. Standing on Uhuru Peak is something I'll never forget.”
Trip photo — Sharon
Sharon Edinburgh, Scotland Kilimanjaro Marangu Route — 6 Days
★★★★★
“The Rift Valley Lakes trip was a birdwatcher's dream. Lake Naivasha at sunset with fish eagles calling, flamingos turning Lake Bogoria pink, and a boat trip where hippos surfaced right next to us. Eight days across four lakes, each completely different. CKS paced it beautifully — never rushed, always somewhere new and stunning.”
Trip photo — Sandra
Sandra Lyon, France Rift Valley Lakes — 8 Days
★★★★★
“The Chogoria route is the most beautiful trek I have ever done. Giant groundsels, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and the dramatic view of Batian and Nelion from Mintos Hut. We crossed the Nithi Gorge and saw Mount Kenya's peaks reflected in Lake Michaelson. Far quieter than Kilimanjaro and every bit as spectacular. David is a brilliant and patient guide.”
Trip photo — Sakura
Sakura Kyoto, Japan Mount Kenya Chogoria Route — 6 Days
★★★★★
“A hot air balloon over the Maasai Mara at dawn, then a champagne breakfast in the bush — I cried, it was so beautiful. Watching the herds from above as the sun came up was otherworldly. CKS arranged the balloon as part of our safari and it was the highlight of my entire trip to Africa. Worth every shilling.”
Trip photo — Clara
Clara Barcelona, Spain Maasai Mara 4-Day Road Safari
★★★★★
“We were a group of six friends and CKS gave us a private vehicle and the best guide we could have asked for. A bush breakfast in the Mara with the whole group, laughing and watching the plains — it was the moment the trip became unforgettable. Edward found us a river crossing on the last morning. Book with these people.”
Trip photo — Julia and group
Julia and group Amsterdam, Netherlands Maasai Mara 4-Day Road Safari
★★★★★
“What set CKS apart was the tree planting. After our Mount Kenya climb, we each planted a cedar seedling at the Sirimon buffer zone with the crew. It turned a great trek into something meaningful — we left something behind on the mountain. This is real conservation, not a marketing slogan. We'll climb with CKS again because of this.”
Trip photo — James & Esther
James & Esther Cape Town, South Africa Mount Kenya Sirimon Route — 4 Days
★★★★★
“We climbed as a couple and the Naro Moru–Sirimon traverse was the perfect choice — fast ascent, scenic descent. The Vertical Bog was an adventure in itself. Summit morning was clear and we could see both peaks glowing at dawn. The crew looked after us like family. Mount Kenya is a hidden gem and CKS knows it inside out.”
Trip photo — Monica & Rene
Monica & Rene Vienna, Austria Mount Kenya Naro Moru–Sirimon — 4 Days
★★★★★
“After a busy safari we ended our trip at Diani Beach and it was paradise. White sand, warm Indian Ocean water, and the Kisite Mpunguti snorkelling trip was incredible — we swam with dolphins. CKS arranged everything including the domestic flight from Nairobi. The perfect way to end a Kenya trip with the family. We didn't want to leave.”
Trip photo — Marcela & family
Marcela & family São Paulo, Brazil Diani Beach Holiday — 6 Days
TRA licenced TripAdvisor recognised WWF conservation partner Safety-first protocol Tree planted per climber
Your team on the mountain

Meet the expert guides

Named, certified, first-aid trained. The same faces from your first WhatsApp message to your summit photo.

David Njuguna Gathoni

Lead Mountain & Safari Consultant

David has summited Point Lenana over 200 times and Uhuru Peak more than 60 times. He holds advanced wilderness first-aid certification and is known for his calm, encouraging style on summit night.

+254 792 667 796

Edward Miida Atunga

Safari Driver-Guide & Tour Consultant

Edward's encyclopaedic knowledge of East African birds and mammals turns every game drive into a masterclass. He also coordinates trip logistics and safety protocols — daily check-ins on the mountain, emergency evacuation procedures and crew welfare standards.

+254 723 910 400

Evaline Wanjiku

Administrator

Evaline keeps everything running behind the scenes — from reservations and lodge bookings to ensuring every guest's itinerary is seamless from the first email to the final transfer.

Straight answers

Questions, answered

Do I need a guide to climb Mount Kenya?

Yes. It is mandatory by Kenya Wildlife Service regulations to climb Mount Kenya with a licensed guide. Independent trekking is not permitted. All our guides are KWS-certified and wilderness first-aid trained.

What is the difference between Point Lenana, Nelion and Batian?

Point Lenana (4,985m) is Mount Kenya's trekking peak — reachable on foot without technical climbing. Nelion (5,188m) and Batian (5,199m) are the true summits and require technical rock climbing (Grade IV+). About 95% of climbers aim for Point Lenana.

How much does it cost to climb Mount Kenya?

Mount Kenya climbing costs from $480 for a day hike to around $850 for a 4-day Sirimon trek to Point Lenana, and from $2,450 for a 7-day technical Batian summit. Prices are per person and include park fees, crew, food and camping gear.

Mount Kenya or Kilimanjaro — which should I climb?

Kilimanjaro (5,895m) is higher and more famous, with a higher summit success rate on longer routes but more crowds. Mount Kenya (4,985m trekking peak) is more scenic, much quieter, cheaper, and offers a true wilderness experience. Many climbers do Mount Kenya first to acclimatize, then Kilimanjaro.

When is the best time to climb Mount Kenya?

The best months to climb Mount Kenya are January–February and July–October, when the weather is driest and the trails are clearest. March–May and November are the long and short rains. Technical Batian climbs are best in the July–September dry window.

Ready to plan your climb or safari?

Tell us your dates and budget. We reply within hours on WhatsApp.

Chat on WhatsApp Or get a quote online