Accommodation Options on Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya offers three tiers of accommodation: mountain huts (basic bunk shelters along trekking routes), camping (designated campsites at each hut location), and gate-area bandas/lodges (more comfortable cabins at or near park entrances). Most guided treks use a combination — bandas at the gate on arrival night, then huts or tents higher on the mountain. The choice between huts and camping comes down to comfort vs. weight: huts mean no tent to carry, but they can be cold, crowded, and basic.
Old Moses Camp (3,300m) — Sirimon Route
Old Moses is the first overnight stop on the Sirimon Route, a 3–4 hour walk from the Sirimon Gate. It's a large bunkhouse with a corrugated iron roof, wooden bunks, a cooking area, and basic toilets. The camp sleeps 50+ and can be noisy during peak season. Bring a warm sleeping bag — temperatures drop to near freezing at night. There's a nearby campsite for tent-based treks. Old Moses is where most Sirimon trekkers spend their first night to begin acclimatization.
Shipton's Camp (4,200m) & Mackinder's Camp (4,200m)
Shipton's Camp sits on the Sirimon side at 4,200m, while Mackinder's Camp is on the Naro Moru side at the same elevation. Both serve as the main high camp before the summit push. Shipton's is a cluster of stone-and-metal huts in a dramatic valley with views of Batian and Nelion. Mackinder's is slightly more developed with a ranger station. Both camps have basic bunks, cooking shelters, and latrines. This is where you'll sleep before your 3am summit start.
Austrian Hut (4,790m) & Summit-Area Camps
Austrian Hut is the highest shelter on Mount Kenya, sitting at 4,790m just below Point Lenana. It's a small emergency shelter — not a comfortable overnight option but used by some climbers who want a shorter summit push. Most trekkers summit from Shipton's or Mackinder's (a 5–6 hour climb) rather than staying at Austrian Hut. On the Chogoria side, Mintos Hut (4,297m) offers a dramatic campsite overlooking the Gorges Valley and Lake Michaelson.
Gate-Area Lodges & Bandas
Both the Sirimon and Chogoria gates have KWS bandas (wooden cabins with beds) available for the night before or after your trek. Private lodges near the mountain include options in Nanyuki (Sirimon side) and Chogoria town. We recommend arriving at the gate area the night before your trek to start fresh in the morning. All our packages include pre-trek accommodation at the gate.
Written by James Mwangi
Lead Mountain Guide & Founder
James Mwangi is a KWS-licensed mountain guide with over 15 years of experience leading treks on Mount Kenya. Born and raised in Nanyuki at the foot of the mountain, he has summited Point Lenana over 300 times and guided climbers from 40+ countries. He holds Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification and is a certified Leave No Trace trainer.
Explore Our Routes
Sirimon Route
Beautiful – Open Moorlands & Alpine Meadows
View RouteChogoria Route
Spectacular – Gorges, Tarns & Volcanic Lakes
View RouteNaro Moru Route
Dramatic – Vertical Bog & Alpine Desert
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