Mount Kilimanjaro Vs Mount Kenya : Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya are both well-known African mountains, with one being the continent’s highest peak and the other being the continent’s second highest peak. Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro are East Africa’s two most famous mountains, and both are well worth visiting. Mount Kilimanjaro and mount Kenya both can be visited in one safari itinerary/ can be combined in one safari package but if your experience hiker and you enjoy more adventure and physical exercise.
Few things compare to standing on the summits of the world’s tallest mountains, peering down at terra firma kilometres below. Climbing Mount Kenya or Kilimanjaro is undoubtedly on many people’s bucket lists when visiting Africa. You’ve come to the right place if you want to compare Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro. Budgets, fitness levels, and trekking distances are all broken down, as are questions such as how tall is Mt Kenya, when is the best time to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, and more. The following are the 8 differences and comparisons between Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya;
- The height (Mt. Kilimanjaro vs. Mount Kenya)
Mount Kenya, the tallest of all Kenya Mountains, rises to slightly over5, 199 meters (17,000 feet) and is Africa’s second highest peak. Batian, Nelion, and Point Lenana are the three main peaks of the Mount Kenya. The tallest peaks, Batian and Nelion, require advanced rock climbing and mountaineering expertise to reach. The top of Point Lenana 5,199 is meters (16,355 feet) above sea level and can be reached by foot.
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Mount Kilimanjaro, which rises about six vertical kilometers (4 miles) from the surrounding plains of northern Tanzania, is not only Africa’s highest mountain, but also the world’s largest free-standing mountain, rising from the flatlands to 5,895 meters. Because it is one of the Seven Summits (the highest peaks on each of the six continents), it is a popular hiking destination and a must-do for most adventurous travelers. Mount Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, and is roughly an hour’s drive from Arusha Airport.
- Location (mount Kilimanjaro Vs Mount Kenya)
Mount Kenya is located 193 kilometers north-east of Nairobi and 480 kilometers from the Kenyan coast. Mount Kenya, Africa’s second highest peak at 5,199 meters, is an ancient extinct volcano. On the other side Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania near the Kenyan border in East Africa and is part of the Kilimanjaro National Park. The area isn’t especially mountainous, with Mount Meru almost 60 kilometers away — being the closest mountain to Kilimanjaro.
- The hiking routes (mount Kenya Vs Mount Kilimanjaro)
Mount Kilimanjaro may be climbed using seven to eight different paths/routes. The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe routes all enter the peak from the south (Mweka route is used only for descent). From the west, the Lemosho, Shira, and Northern Circuit routes approach. From the north, the Rongai path approaches.
On the other side, Mount Kenya, there are eight main trekking routes, all of which summit the lowest peak, Point Lenana, at 4,985 meters (16,355 ft.). Meru, Chogoria, Kamweti, Naro Moru, Burguret, Sirimon, Timau, and Peak Circuit Path are among these routes.
The majority of hikers to Mount Kenya follow a combination of three routes including Naro Moru, Sirimon, and Chogoria—which take five to six days to finish. These three routes also have manned gates, making them the most popular, whilst the other routes require special clearance from the Kenya Wildlife Service in order to hike.
- Hiking duration/ time (mount Kenya Vs Mount Kilimanjaro)
Mount Kenya can be climbed in as little as four days, or you can complete a traverse and spend six days on the peak. Depending on which path you take, 4 to 5 days on the mountain can cost between 700 and 800 USD. While Depending on the route and pace of the trek, Mount Kilimanjaro might take anywhere from 6 to 9 days to complete. Occasionally, a few daring record-breakers have done it in just one day. Treks differ in length and duration.
- Hiking at its best/ best time to hike (Mount Kenya Vs Mount Kilimanjaro)
Although both peaks (Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro) may be climbed all year round, the optimum times to climb Mount Kenya are from January to March and June to October, when the weather is dry. While the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is when the weather is warm and clear, as the vistas are spectacular and camping on the summit is not too dangerous. This normally occurs between December and March and June and October.
- Crowd/ tourist population (Mount Kenya Vs Mount Kilimanjaro)
This is Mount Kenya’s most significant edge over Kilimanjaro. Because the trails are less well-traveled, hikers may not see one another for an entire day, especially during the rainy seasons of March-June and October-December. Less people in the campgrounds means less litter, noise, and rivalry for bunks. On summit day, each climber can go at their own pace, a luxury that the crowded Kilimanjaro cannot often afford. The trails are less used, and tourists may feel as if they are the only ones in a gorgeous African mountain wilderness.
To put it simple, despite being the second largest mountain in Africa, Mount Kenya is less visited and there is less crowd of tourists compared to Mount Kilimanjaro which can get full especially during the tourism high season in Tanzania.
- Level of fitness to climb (Mount Kilimanjaro Vs Mount Kenya)
Despite the fact that all of the climbing trails on Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya are merely walking trails (with the exception of Batian and Nelion on Mount Kenya), a good level of fitness is necessary. Although there is no need to overdo your fitness training for mountain climbing, the fitter you are, the more fun your adventure will be.
Taking long walks at home, or better yet, going on a few hiking expeditions is the best way to prepare for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. Include some steep stretches and dress in the same things you’ll be wearing on the mountain, especially your boots and socks. Although regular walks at home won’t get you in shape, they will get your body used to walking for a couple hours at a time for five or six days in a row.
However, the mental aspect of the challenge is the most difficult. It is critical to mentally prepare for the expedition. While altitude sickness is the leading cause of failure on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, a lack of determination comes in second. It’s chilly up there, the weather may change suddenly, and altitude sickness can make you feel bad once it sets at around 2,500 meters (8,200 feet).
- Costs for climbing (mount Kilimanjaro Vs Mount Kenya)
The cost of a guided climb up Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya is determined by a variety of criteria, including the time of year you want to go, the number of people in your booking group, the length of your trek, and the quality of your trekking operator. Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, on the other hand, costs between USD 2000 and USD 6,000 per person. On the other side the cost of ascending Mount Kenya ranges from USD 1500 to USD 4,000 per person.
Road transport to and from the mountains is frequently included in the price. While on the mountain, park fees, camping costs, rescue fees, and permits are all required. Camping supplies Food and beverages trekking crews’ wages (guides, cooks, and porters)
In conclusion, both Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro provide stunning treks and adventurous opportunities. Kilimanjaro will always draw trekkers because it is Africa’s highest peak. Mount Kenya, on the other hand, may be the ideal choice for a traveler looking for a wild East African adventure at a lower cost, in less time, and with less fuss. The feeling of standing atop the continent’s highest peak is unique to Kilimanjaro, but the total experience of trekking Mount Kenya is significantly greater in many aspects.
