Mt Kilimambogo Hike

About Mt Kilimambogo.

Mt Kilimambogo is a Maasai name meaning “the big mountain.” The phrase Kilimambogo” means a mountain of buffaloes or Ol Donyo Sabuk by Maasai pastoralists. It straddles the borders of Thika County and Machakos County. Mt Kilimambogo hiking trail is in Kyanzavi division, Matungulu sub-county, Machakos county. The trail rises to 7,037 ft (2145 meters) with spectacular views of the famous fourteen falls and beyond.

Hiking in Mt Kilimambogo

Kilimambogo hike is a handpicked trail from a selection of the most beautiful Hiking trails for beginners in Kenya. Hence, the ultimate panoramic experience. Check out our Hiking calendar to see when we head to Mt Kilimambogo next. Meanwhile, learn paramount detail about this hiking trail.

How to get to Mt Kilimambogo.

Mt Kilimambogo is pretty accessible. It’s about 84 Kilometers from Nairobi. From Nairobi, Join the Thika superhighway towards Thika town. Exit the highway to enter Thika Town. Stay on the main Garissa road and Proceed for 20.9 Kilometers to Makutano junction. At Makutano junction, there are KWS direction signs; turn right. Please follow these directions; they will lead to the main gate. From this junction, it’s 5.9 Kilometers. Continue for about 3.1 km on an all-weather Murram road leading to Ol Donyo town. At Donyo, turn right and proceed a further 2.8 km to the main gate, the starting point.

Before accessing the Ol Donyo Sabuk national park, paying the park entrance fee is a prerequisite. The fee is subject to change. Confirming the rates with the Kenya Wildlife Service before you visit is paramount. These are the current park entry fee. The hiking trail is novice and Kid-Friendly since it is easy to go up the footpath, about 6.6 Kilometers. However, if you are up for a more challenging hike, use the rehabilitated Murram road that leads to the summit. It’s about 18.6 Kilometers, up and down. As you trek up, you will enjoy spectacular views. The panoramic view of the famed Fourteen Falls

Best weather to visit Mt Kilimambogo

The best weather to visit Mt Kilimambogo is during the dry months. Technically, you can tour this park throughout the year. Even in the rainy season, the water flows downhill and dries up fast. The soil has a high content of sand, which helps it to dry quickly. However, the footpath I super slippery during the rainy season. Check out the breakdown of when to visit in months. The weather In January-March is hot and dry. From April to June is hot and wet. July to October is very warm and dry, and November and December are warm and moist. There is more to see and experience apart from the hiking trail. Importantly, these are Attractions that have kept Kilimambogo on the tourist maps.

Montane landscape and indigenous trees will grace your trek with a fresh breeze—an unusual burial site; McMillan grave. We often see burial sites close to homesteads or public burial sites in African cultures. Unlike many, McMillan’s graves and that of his wife are almost on the top of the Mountain. It is an intriguing site that drives many local and international Tourists to this site.

Lord William Northrop MacMillan

Lord William Northrop MacMillan was an American soldier. He arrived in Kenya for big game hunting. Played host to former US President Theodore Roosevelt during his famous 1911 safari at their ranch Juja Farm ranch. His Juja house popularly goes by the name Macmillan’s Castle. The castle was a notorious hot spot for scandalous affairs and wife-swapping parties. Locals called it “The Club House” because of all the activity inside its walls.
Near the peak of Mt Kilimambogo is where the grave of Lord Macmillan and his wife is. Next to their grave is an extra grave that holds Louise. A young lady worked with McMillan until she died, aged just 27 years old! When he passed on in 1925, his wife Lucy built the Macmillan Library in Nairobi in his memory. His townhouse is what is part of the University of Nairobi’s Chiromo Campus.

Wildlife & Birdlife

Ol Donyo Sabuk is home to a variety of wildlife. While Hiking up Mt Kilimambogo, particularly during early morning hours. It is common to spot wildlife sightings, including olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and abundant forest birds. The panoramic viewpoints reveal the famed Fourteen Falls. The Fourteen Falls is a section of the second-longest river in Kenya; The Athi River. The Athi river flows from Gatamaiyu in the extensive Kereita Forest.

On a clear day, Panoramic scenic views of Mt Kenya and beyond are visible from viewpoints. This is the “ultimate panoramic hiking experience” Come discover the magic. Check out our calendar to see when you are heading here next.

After descending, right at the camping site, which is at the main entry point. You can enjoy a cold shower here after the hike. While visiting Kilimambogo, remember to carry a change of clothes. It is very dusty, particularly during the dry season, and freshening up after this trek will do you good.

Accommodation in Kilimambogo.

Accommodation options in Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park include Camping, hotels, and lodges around the park. Camping is the only available option inside the park. Mt Kilimambogo has three campsites. They include Turaco Public Campsite, Rock Hyrax, and Summit Campsite.

Campsites in Ol Donyo Sabuk

Firstly, the Turaco campsite is a public campsite strategically located right at the main gate. It can accommodate a maximum number of 60 people. Unlike the other two camps, Turaco camp has camp facilities which include a Car park, bathrooms, toilets, tap water & bonfire Benches. Rock Hyrax Campsite is a unique camp that gets its name from the Elephant’s Closest relative, the Rock Hyrax. Like the elephants, the hyrax has a similar skull structure, teeth, and toes to a jumbo. Unlike Turaco & Summit camps, This camp has no facilities. It lies 2.1 km from the main gate. It is calm and serene. Armed rangers can accompany you during your stay.

The Summit campsite is a public campsite. It is the highest and the furthest campsite of the three camps. 9.6 Kilometres from the main entrance. Campers can access it by walking or driving up. Has Basic facilities, which are Toilets and a Cooking shed? The camp can comfortably host 50 to 60 people.

We do organize Group and Private trips to Kilimambogo. Whether it is Camping, Hiking, or team building, Contact us; we are just a call away. +254 729 257 317. or email us at [email protected]

Please share your experiences from Kilimambogo in the comment section.