Elephant Hill hike, Aberdares: Njabini to the summit

Section by section

• Plantation forest: the first 5 km from Njabini Forest Station are fairly flat, on dirt tracks through plantation forest with small farms between the trees.
• The bamboo: the path turns sharply right into the bamboo. It is narrow and steep, and there is deep mud every few steps. Elephant footprints and dung are common here.
• Into the moorland: the bamboo thins, the path levels off and you walk among giant lobelia, groundsel, tussock grass and giant heather. Sasumua Dam is on your right and Ndakaini Dam on your left.
• Point of Despair: the steep rise known as the elephant's rump, where many hikers think about turning back.
• The elephant's back: above 3,400 m the ground is rocky and much colder. The path dips into a small valley, then climbs steeply through giant heather hung with moss.
• The summits: the path comes out on a saddle between two knolls, each about five minutes away. Most hikers go to the right-hand top, at 3,625 m; the left-hand one is slightly higher, at 3,630 m. Kinangop peak is in view to the north. You come down the same way.

Terrain and how hard it is

Elephant Hill is moderate to hard, and you need to be reasonably fit. The climb takes four to five hours and the descent another three to four, so most people walk for seven hours or more. The mud in the bamboo slows everyone down, and the descent is hard on the knees.

The weather near the top can turn bad very quickly. Unless you are navigating by GPS, turn back if fog comes in.

On our map the line from Njabini Forest Station to the summit covers about 9.1 km one way.

Best time of year

The drier months, from June to September and from December to February, are the best for hiking in the Aberdares. The heaviest rain falls in April, May and October, at the peaks of the long and short rains. Even in the dry season, expect mud in the bamboo.

What to bring

• Waterproof boots with good grip: the bamboo section is deep mud.
• Gaiters, if you have them.
• Warm layers, a hat and gloves for the cold above 3,400 m.
• A waterproof jacket and trousers.
• Enough water, snacks and lunch for a seven-hour day.
• A GPS or phone with the route loaded, in case of fog.
• No single-use plastic: Kenya's national parks are plastic-free.

Getting there, entry and fees

From Nairobi, take the Nakuru road on the upper escarpment for about 60 km to the Flyover. Cross over, turn left at the next junction and drive about 24 km to Njabini town. Njabini Forest Station, formerly Kinangop South Forest Station, is 4 km further on. Njabini matatus leave from the Old Nation House roundabout in Nairobi.

Most visitors take an armed KWS escort from Njabini Forest Gate. Experienced hikers, or those with a guide who knows the trail, can sign an indemnity form instead. KWS park entry and escort tariffs apply. KWS lists these daily entry rates for Aberdare National Park, effective from 1 October 2025: East African citizens KES 800 per adult and KES 500 per child; Kenya residents KES 1,100 per adult and KES 675 per child; African citizens USD 40 per adult and USD 20 per child; non-residents USD 70 per adult and USD 40 per child.

Njabini Forest Station itself is run by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). KFS does not publish its forest and camping fees for the station online, so confirm them when you arrive. KWS says park gates open at 6:00 am and close at 6:00 pm. Official page: kws.go.ke/park/aberdare-national-park

Checked on 8 November 2026 against the official KWS website; confirm current fees before you go.

Keep the hike

We print the route on the real terrain, so the elephant's long back stands out in 3D, with your path raised in colour from the forest to the summit. Add the date and the names of everyone who got past the Point of Despair.