MOUNT KENYA | JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2028
The forgotten mountain of East Africa
Through bamboo forest and giant plants to Point Lenana, on the equator.
The story of this expedition
You fly from Brussels to Nairobi. On arrival we drive north, to the foot of a mountain far less known than its famous neighbour in Tanzania, but according to those who know both, considerably more beautiful. From the park gate the real adventure begins: no crowded routes, no queues towards the summit, but a mountain you largely have to yourself.
We start in dense bamboo forest where elephants and buffalo live, and climb through zones that follow each other rapidly: rainforest, moorland, high country. No mountaineering required: this is a demanding trek, but not a technical climb. Every day the landscape changes character completely.
Above the tree line you enter a landscape that exists nowhere else: giant groundsels and lobelias metres tall, which only grow on the high slopes of East Africa. It feels as though you have stepped into another era.
Summit day starts long before sunrise. You walk at a steady rhythm through the cold to almost five thousand metres, and stand at first light on Point Lenana, with the jagged rock summits of Batian and Nelion right beside you and the plains of Kenya far below.
We deliberately choose January and February: the dry season, with the clearest skies, the most stable conditions and the best views from the summit.
The story of
this expedition
You fly from Brussels to Nairobi. On arrival we drive north, to the foot of a mountain far less known than its famous neighbour in Tanzania, but according to those who know both, considerably more beautiful. From the park gate the real adventure begins: no crowded routes, no queues towards the summit, but a mountain you largely have to yourself.
We start in dense bamboo forest where elephants and buffalo live, and climb through zones that follow each other rapidly: rainforest, moorland, high country. No mountaineering required: this is a demanding trek, but not a technical climb. Every day the landscape changes character completely.
Above the tree line you enter a landscape that exists nowhere else: giant groundsels and lobelias metres tall, which only grow on the high slopes of East Africa. It feels as though you have stepped into another era.
Summit day starts long before sunrise. You walk at a steady rhythm through the cold to almost five thousand metres, and stand at first light on Point Lenana, with the jagged rock summits of Batian and Nelion right beside you and the plains of Kenya far below.
We deliberately choose January and February: the dry season, with the clearest skies, the most stable conditions and the best views from the summit.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
From the moment we set off, we are off grid. We filter water from mountain streams, cook our own expedition food and pitch camp wherever nature allows.
You learn survival basics, energy management, navigation and outdoor decision-making under the guidance of an experienced X- Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
Safety & guidance
Safety is the foundation of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold WFR certificates and have years of experience in extreme conditions.
Every expedition has satellite phones, GPS tracking, daily health checks with oxygen saturation measurement, safety procedures, an evacuation plan and local support in Kenya.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Guided by real expedition leaders.
You step into nature, away from the
beaten track, but always with the certainty of experienced guidance
and safety first.
Safety & guidance
Safety is the foundation of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold
WFR certificates and have
years of experience in extreme conditions.
Every expedition has satellite phones, GPS tracking, daily health checks with oxygen saturation measurement, clear safety procedures, a detailed evacuation plan and local support in Kenya.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
From the moment we set off, we are
off grid. We filter water from mountain streams, cook our own expedition food and pitch camp wherever nature allows.
You learn survival basics, energy management, navigation and outdoor decision-making under the guidance of an experienced X-Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
We let no one step into the unknown unprepared.
An expedition of this calibre starts months in advance. The preparation programme consists of an individual phase and a group phase.
Individual phase
Starts immediately after registration. You receive an inspiration pack with practical tips, insights and exercises to start moving like an expedition member. You gather your expedition gear using the packing list (do not buy anything yet: bring what you already have to the kick off). And you share your medical information, because the best preparation is a plan for when things go wrong.
Group phase
Starts 3 to 6 months before departure with the kick off: a full day on which you meet your team, taste the expedition atmosphere and take the first steps as a group. There we plan the follow-up moments together and the WhatsApp group starts. Training includes, among other things: getting to know the group and roles, physical screening and analysis, a personalised training schedule, technical and resilience training, gear, nutrition and sleep setup, and a final check.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
As seen in
Imagine: bamboo forest with elephants pushing through it, giant plants that grow nowhere else on earth, and a sunrise at almost five thousand metres with the whole of Kenya at your feet.
On Expedition Mount Kenya you climb the mountain everyone skips on the way to its better known neighbour: quieter, more varied and, according to those who have done both, simply more impressive.
Imagine: bamboo forest with elephants pushing through it, giant plants that grow nowhere else on earth, and a sunrise at almost five thousand metres with the whole of Kenya at your feet.
On Expedition Mount Kenya you climb the mountain everyone skips on the way to its better known neighbour: quieter, more varied and, according to those who have done both, simply more impressive.
Frequently asked questions
No. You do not need to be a top athlete. Through our preparation programme (screening, training schedule and targeted training) we build your level up to expedition level in 3 to 6 months.
Very safe. We work with WFR certified expedition leaders, satellite communication, evacuation plans and clearly defined safety protocols. At altitude we carry out daily health checks.
The full expedition programme, gear, workshops, guidance, all local costs and meals are included, plus the full 3 to 6 month preparation programme. Flights, personal clothing and insurance are not included.
Frequently asked questions
No. You do not need to be a top athlete. Through our preparation programme (screening, training schedule and targeted training) we build your level up to expedition level in 3 to 6 months.
Very safe. We work with WFR certified expedition leaders, satellite communication, evacuation plans and clearly defined safety protocols. At altitude we carry out daily health checks.
The full expedition programme, gear, workshops, guidance, all local costs and meals are included, plus the full 3 to 6 month preparation programme. Flights, personal clothing and insurance are not included.
Ready for the forgotten mountain
of East Africa?
Taking an option is free and without obligation; your spot is only confirmed after the intake.
Koen De Leeuw
Expedition leader | Element X
“This mountain is less known than its big brother, and that is exactly why it is quieter. You climb through several landscapes on a single mountain, and on summit day you are often there almost alone.”
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