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Elephant Hill Half-Day Hike: An Epic 20km Challenge to 12,001ft
Elephant Hill Half-Day Hike blends high altitude and a test for resilience. Elephant Hill lies at the southern end of the Aberdare ranges. The trail here is one of the toughest but also the most rewarding.
The hike begins at Aberdares Njabini Gate and follows through the forest to the forest gate. It then follows deep inside the bamboo gate, where the steep trail begins. This trail takes you through the tall bamboo trees to the deceiving point of despair (Desperado). This is where you have shed your first flow of sweat, and thinking it is the summit, fine-lined vegetation welcomes you to yet another steep ascent to the elephant’s tail. You can see Mount Kenya in the North East and Sasumua Dam to the South West when clear.
The bamboo region ends after a short stretch past the Desperado, where the rainforest begins, and the exposed rocky region shows. At the tail, the views begin to be more stunning and satisfying. The trek past the tail is gentler across some valleys and the rocky region towards Elephant Hill summit.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Simba Street (Between International House & Hilton) |
| DEPARTURE TIME | Please arrive by 3:15 AM for a Strict departure at 3:30 AM. |
| RETURN TIME BACK TO NAIROBI | Approximately 2:30 PM. |
| Approximate Hiking Distance | 20KM |
| HIKE Time | 0.5 DAY |
| Maximum Elevation | 12,001ft (at Elephant Hill Peak) |
| Difficulty | This hike needs fit hikers with good physical health. |
| TICKET INCLUDES | Your ticket covers transportation, park/conservation fees, guide, refill water, trip memoir, and support before, during, and after the event. Learn more inclusions here. |
What to Wear/Carry
We have a gear checklist here that provides the appropriate gear. Knowing that the weather keeps changing in the mountains is also vital. Therefore, it is about adding and removing layers as you move. Below is a minified gear checklist for Elephant Hill Half-Day Hike;
| What to wear | What to carry |
| A hat or a baseball cap | At least 2L water |
| Sports attire | Electrolyte replenisher (Hydration mix, smoothies, crisps, nuts) |
| Hiking pants or shorts with tights | Rain poncho/raincoat |
| A windproof down jacket | Trekking pole |
| Well-treaded hiking boot/hiking shoes | Identification document |
| Sunscreen/petroleum jelly | Change of clothes (weather changes are unexpected) |
Ticket & Booking Elephant Hill Half-Day Hike
| EA Citizen (KES) | Kenyan Resident (KES) | African Citizen (USD) | Non-Resident (USD) | |
| Shared Transport | 4,200 | 4,500 | 67 | 98 |
| Self-Drive | 3,200 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Booking | 3,000 | 3,000 | 40 | 70 |
How to Book/Pay: Use the tickets panel below the event description for M-Pesa express tickets (recommended) or use M-Pesa Buy Goods Till No: 9754473. If you pay manually using Mpesa, register your payment here to help us reach you. We allow a booking fee as described in the table above and you can also request more flexible payment terms. You shall clear the balance the day before departure.
Non-Residents: If the payment details above are unavailable to you, please request alternative ways to pay.
Note: Booking is done through partial or complete payment, not by word of mouth. If you book with a partial payment, you shall clear the balance the day before departure. Hikers Arena Refund Policy applies. By participating, you consent to Hikers Arena participation terms & the Website terms.
Trip Route
Nairobi-(via Nairobi-Nakuru Road)-Njabini
Inquiries and Updates
For inquiries and updates, contact us.