Mount Elgon, whose peaks reach 4320 meters, lies astride the Kenya-Uganda border. Like most of the other great mountains of East Africa, Mount Elgon represents the remains of an immense volcano. It has one of the world's largest craters; of the several summits Wagagai (4320m) is the highest. There is no permanent snow on the mountain but its bleak and craggy peaks are surrounded with the typical afro-alpine vegetation of the high mountains of the equator. The giant groundsel and lobelia grow over the 3650-meter level, and for much of the year everlasting flowers

Mount Rwenzori is Africa's tallest mountain range, exceeded in altitude only by the freestanding Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, that is situated west of the country on the Congo border, close to Kasese and this park covers an area of 998 sq km. The 120km Rwenzori chain is regarded to be the legendary snow-capped Mountains of the Moon, described by Ptolemy in AD150, reaching an elevation of 5,109m.

At 5,199 m. high, Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain. It offers easy or challenging ascents with superb scenic beauty.

To the Kikuyu tribespeople it is the home of the Supreme Being: Ngai, a name also used by the Maasai and Kamba tribes. In traditional prayers and sacrifices, Ngai is addressed by the Kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga: the Professor of Brightness. The name comes from Kere Nyaga, the Kikuyu name for Mount Kenya, meaning Mountain of Brightness - Ngai's official home.

Part of the mountain's fascination is the variation in flora and fauna as the altitude changes. The lower slopes are covered with dry upland forest, the true montane forest begins at 2,000 m. is mainly cedar and podo. At 2,500 m. begins a dense belt of of bamboo forest which merges into the upper forest of smaller trees, interspesed with glades. In this area the trees are festooned with high altitude moss.

These forest belts are host to many different animals and plants with at least 11 unique species. Game to view includes: Black and White Colobus and Sykes monkeys, bushbuck, buffalo, elephant and lower down Olive Baboon, waterbuck, black rhino, black fronted duiker, leopard, giant forest hog, genet cat, bush pig and hyena. More elusive is the bongo, a rare type of forest antelope.

A number of other rare or endangered species can be found here: Sunni Buck, Mt Kenya Mole Shrew, skinks (lizard), and a variety of owls. Occasional sightings have been recorded of albino zebra.

The high altitude heath at the top (3,000 - 3,500 m.) is generally open, dotted with shrubs: African Sage, protea and helicrysum. The peak (above 3,500 m.) is moorland, with little game other than high altitude zebra and eland common in the norhtern moorland.

We offer a variety of trips. Our most basic are the 7 day Marangu (normal) Route and the 8 day Umbwe or Machame Routes. Both use local guides and include two hotel nights. For those interested in climbing we recommend walking up the Umbwe Route - the most spectacular route up Kilimanjaro which also leads to the icy Southern Glaciers from where mountaineering ascents such as the Heim Glacier or the Western Breach can be attempted.

"Kili" (Umbwe Route), Mt Meru & Safari - scheduled trip

Fly Air Tanzania to Kilimanjaro Airport. Ascend the little visited Mt Meru, 4600m, then climb Kilimanjaro, 5896m, by the remote and beautiful Umbwe Route. A tough trek, day packs only need be carried. The walk to Meru involves walking through game country with an armed ranger. The trip is finished off with a safari to Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater.