Ol Donyo Sabuk hike: climbing Kilimambogo from the KWS gate

Section by section

• The main gate: you sign in and pay at the KWS gate, 2 km from Donyo town. There is a campsite here, and a KWS ranger walks with you from the start because of the buffalo on the mountain.
• The lower road: the route follows the motorable Park Road up through natural forest. The surface is rough gravel and boulders, and the road winds back and forth across the slope.
• McMillan's grave: about 2 km below the top you pass the graves of Sir William Northrup McMillan, the American-born settler whose estate became part of the park, and his wife, Lady Lucie.
• The summit: the road ends in a clearing at the top, which is crowded with radio and telecoms masts. On a clear day you can see Nairobi to the south, Masinga Dam and Mt Kenya to the north, and Kilimanjaro.
• The way down: you return the same way, on the same road.

Terrain and how hard it is

This is a steady climb on a rough, boulder-strewn road, with some steeper rocky sections. It is moderate rather than hard: the path is wide and easy to follow, but the climb is long and continuous.

Most people take two to three hours to reach the top and about five hours there and back, depending on fitness. Buffalo, baboons, colobus monkeys, bushbuck and duiker live on the mountain, which is why the ranger comes with you.

On our map the line from the main gate to the summit covers about 9 km one way.

Best time of year

Like most of central Kenya, Ol Donyo Sabuk has two rainy seasons. The Kenya Meteorological Department describes March to May as the main rainfall season, with the peak usually in April, and October to December as the short rains.

The drier months, from January to February and from June to September, are the most comfortable for the climb. Start early in any season: the morning is cooler, and buffalo are more often seen.

What to bring

• Hiking or running shoes with good grip for the loose stones.
• Plenty of drinking water and food: there is nowhere to buy either on the mountain.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent.
• A light rain jacket in the rainy months.
• A small first aid kit.
• Binoculars and a camera for the view from the top.
• No single-use plastic: Kenya's national parks are plastic-free.

Getting there, entry and fees

From Thika, take the Garissa Road for 22 km to Makutano junction and turn right at the KWS sign. Drive 4 km on murram to Donyo town, then turn right for 2 km to the main gate. By public transport, take a matatu to Thika and another to Ol Donyo Sabuk town. KWS says park gates open at 6:00 am and close at 6:00 pm, unless you are staying overnight.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) lists these daily entry rates for Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, effective from 1 October 2025: East African citizens KES 500 per adult and KES 250 per child; Kenya residents KES 675 per adult and KES 350 per child; African citizens USD 20 per adult and USD 10 per child; non-residents USD 50 per adult and USD 25 per child.

Hikers are required to go with a KWS ranger, and the ranger fee is charged separately from park entry. KWS has a public campsite, Turacco, and a special campsite, Summit Lookout, in the park. Official page: kws.go.ke/park/oldonyo-sabuk-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 Kilimambogo rises off the wall in 3D, alone above the plains, with the road to the summit raised in colour. Add the date and the names of everyone who made it to the top.