African Expeditions
We are a company which provides a variety of Eco/Adventure safaris. From trekking Mt. Kenya to tailor made Treks/Walking Safaris. We also offer vehicle Safaris based from our natural style lodge. We have 15 years experience on trekking Mt. Kenya. Our Timau River Lodge is the ideal Trek – Adventure base for exploring the Mt. Kenya region.
We offer -
All Treks provide some level and environmental awareness and our lodge is unique in that it is run on ecological sustainable alternative energy sources. Experience hydro electricity, charcoal/lilly water filtration and solar power systems in operation. We include traditional dance and story telling by working in co-operation with the local tribe. we hope that through tourism, we are able to help conserve the surrounding forest and protect cultural diversity. (An ongoing project).
Expeditions run throughout the year but with an emphasis during the winter we run tailor made expeditions to East Africa. You are able to become part of a team or to form a team yourself. The expeditions are a minimum of 16 days long to cater for those professionals who are able to take a two week holiday including weekends, we can cater for month long expeditions particularly appealing to Schools or other educational establishments or GAP programmes for those who want a more prolonged experience.
Each expedition is unique and teams are able to build their own itinerary to include Trekking, canoe safaris, vehicle or walking safaris and Scuba diving. We also urge teams to have an element of their expedition dedicated to working with the local indigenous communities concerning promotion of tribal heritage or wildlife conservation and for expeditions to have a clear focus, we find this makes for a rewarding involved experience.
We are able to give presentations for larger groups and can provide a UK based training course if required along with some group and expedition equipment prices for an all inclusive 16 day expedition start form £1430 per person excluding flight.
Locations
Mt Kenya
Trekking Mt. Kenya is one of the most interesting and well-known activities in Africa. If well organized and properly planned, it can provide an enjoyable life long memory. Allow Wild Side Ventures (Africa) with our quality guides, accountable, trustworthy and professional service to help you achieve this experience. We have good rates, an office environment, a variety of itineraries and a secure left baggage point. Our trained experienced guides and lodge can provide all supporting trek services including a diverse mountain menu.
Mount Kenya - Cradle of the Gods
Mt Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro. Mt Kenya is a broad volcanic cone whose base is around 120km in diameter. The mountain was formed by volcanic eruption during the creation of the Great Rift Valley and geologists believe that it was over 1500m higher than its present height of 5199m (17,057ft). At this stage it would have had a summit crater, however intensive erosion has worn away the original upper parts of the cone leaving arêtes, pyramidal peaks, U-shaped valleys and rock basins containing glacial lakes. The peaks of Batian (5199m) and Nelion (5188m) are the remains of a huge volcanic plug that has slowly eroded to create the distinctive silhouette.
Only 16kms south of the Equator, the peaks are permanently iced with snow and glaciers, although this may end in the very near future. In the last 20 years, the glaciers have been retreating at an alarming rate and it is estimated that if the present trend continues there will be no permanent ice left on the mountain. Since records were established in 1893, eight of the eighteen glaciers then recorded have disappeared.
On the lower slopes below 4000m, trekkers encounter a variety of alpine vegetation ranging from rain forest, bamboo, hagena and hypericum woodland, giant heather, tussock, and the fascinating giant lobelia. The forests are rich in wildlife and elephant, buffalo, zebra, antelope and monkeys are often seen. Bird life everywhere is plentiful and varied.
Mt Kenya (or Kirinyaga) was revered by the Kikuyu who settled in the Central Highlands and believed their god, Ngai, lived on top of the mountain. The first European to lay eyes on the mountain was a Swiss missionary named Ludwig Krapf in 1849, but the Geographic Society in England ridiculed his stories of snow on the Equator. It was only in 1883 when a Scottish explorer, Joseph Thomson, confirmed its existence that Kraft’s findings were accepted. Other explorers followed and several attempts to scale the mountains were made. In 1899, Halford Mac Kinder and two Alpine guides made the first successful ascent of the mountain and named the two highest peaks after Maasai leaders.
Mt Kenya is unexpectedly different, attracting trekkers and mountaineers from all over the world. UNESCO has declared the mountains unique landscape and vegetation as International Biosphere Reserve. Its range of walking and climbing routes offers something for everyone and, unless your time is limited, is too good to miss.
More on Mount Kenya
Our Rustic Log Bandas
Our lodge is set within 1400 acres of Equatorial rain forest perched above the Timau river waterfall, on the shoulder of Mt. Kenya. It has fantastic views of Mt. Kenya and sorrounding savannah and only 40 minutes drive from Nanyuki.
The Log banda overlook Timau river. They compose of spacious rooms, Electricity, hot showers and open fires. Your banda has your own “chill out veranda”, B.B.Q points, bedding, security and room service are all included.
We have our own campsite, with showers, undercover cooking areas, tent hire and security.
Mrs. Warson’s full working kitchen and lodge restaurant pride themselves on their culinary ability to cater for most international tastes. Try a Timau curry: fantastic!
Due to height, there is no malaria and you are already acclimatizing before your potential Mt. Kenya Trek.
