Lake Ellis-Nithi Falls Excursion

A Short Story About Lake Ellis-Nithi Falls Excursion

Lake Ellis-Nithi Falls Excursion lies at the base of Mugi Hill on the eastern slopes of Mt Kenya. Lake Ellis is a piece of beauty to savor. It is the third largest of Mt. Kenya lakes. Yes, you read that right, Mt Kenya has over 20 lakes and tarns, the largest being Lake Alice. The 28-acre lake has beautiful views and is a popular stopover camping site for Mt Kenya climbers using the Chogoria route.

From the Chogoria Park gate, the drive to our starting point will take us through some of the densest sections of Mt Kenya forest. From the starting point, we will hike through the forest while enjoying the beautiful views of the surrounding hills, such as Mugi Hill, the Giant Billiard Table Mountain, Ithangune, and the Mt Kenya peaks if the skies are clear. We will head to Lake Ellis first and take in the stunning views. After energizing, we will divert to the trail right to the road head and further down to explore the majestic Nithi Falls. We will then hit the trail back to the road head and return to the gate. This is an experience you do not want to miss, and you’re guaranteed to come back loaded with a feeling of fulfillment and excitement.

Lake Ellis-Nithi Falls Excursion Stats

Approximate Distance: 18km

Approximate time: 7 hrs

Maximum Elevation: 3455m

Difficulty: Moderate (Beginner friendly) 

What to Wear During Lake Ellis-Nithi Falls Excursion

1. Fleece Marvin/hat or a baseball cap.
2. Proper hiking clothes (polyester t-shirt, wind jacket, hiking pants, fleece jacket).
3. Comfortable hiking boots (should be one size bigger than your standard shoe size).
4. Raincoat/poncho.
5. Sunscreen

In the Lake Ellis-Nithi Falls Excursion Backpack

1. Snacks such as biscuits, nuts, fruits, crisps, etc.
2. At least 2 liters of water (use a water bladder or a reusable bottle). Disposable plastic bottles are not allowed inside parks.
3. Valid identification document.
4. Hiking pole.

It is also advisable to have

1. A set of clothes to change into after the hike (sometimes, the good hiking gear also fails).

Ticket

• East Africa Community Citizens/Kenyan Residents (EA)- Kes. 4400
• Rest of Africa Citizens (RA)- Kes. 8610
• International Visitors (IV)- Kes.13320

Definitions

• East African (EA) Citizen: A native East African country (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) with valid identification documents or passport.
• Kenyan Resident: A person of another nationality residing in Kenya, with valid documentation from the Kenyan government.
• Rest of Africa Citizens (RA): A national of African countries other than East African countries with a valid passport.
• International Visitors (IV): Hikers other than those from EAC and the rest of African countries.

N/B: The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) recognize the three categories using Identity Cards (IDs) and identification documents issued by the government. Ensure you identify yourself with the card you already hold.

What the Ticket Includes

1. Transport to the trail and back.
2. Park entry/conservation charges.
3. Professional and friendly guides (armed rangers or local guides), ensuring at most eight people have one guide.
4. Assorted fruits to recharge.
5. Refill water. Carry a refillable bottle. Plastics are not allowed inside parks.
6. Skilled first aider within the team.
7. A trip souvenir to remember the place and its personal discoveries.

N/B: Our package excludes personal insurance, hiking gear, and anything else not mentioned above.

Booking Lake Ellis-Nithi Falls Excursion

Reserve a slot by paying at least Kes.2500 to M-Pesa Buy Goods Till number 9754473 (Hikers Arena Limited) by 7th Feb and clear the balance before departure.

We would love to make it so flexible and bookable on the day before the hike, but we know it could ruin your experience since we may be unable to plan adequately for the hike day. Please book early.

Itinerary

Meeting point: Opposite outside International House Kencom (Nairobi CBD)

• 4.15 am: Boarding opens
• 4.30 am: Departure for Mount Kenya Chogoria Gate (The departure time is strict)
• 9.30 am: Arrival at Mount Kenya Chogoria Gate
• 10.00 am: Hike starts
• 2.00 pm: Turn-back time
• 5.00 pm: Departure for Nairobi

N/B: The departure time back to Nairobi is subject to the day’s team and could be earlier or later than estimated.

Maintaining the Convenience for Everyone

Your ‘food’ could be the other person’s ‘poison’. Therefore;
🚫If you like music while hiking, carry earphones or headphones to listen at your volume and convenience.
🚫Smoking, alcohol, and other non-prescribed drugs are prohibited during the hike.
✅While we have a list of what is needed above, we provide an extra liter of water to refill your valves and fruits as part of the package. The fruits are clean, but you should also wash your hands and the fruits to observe hygiene. Your health is paramount.

We value you and welcome you to the Arena. See you on the trails. See you on Saturday.

Readiness Checklist

✅Wear your boot, especially if you have not for a while, and ascertain that it is still comfortable.
✅Take no vigorous or no exercises later than 2 days before the hike to reserve energy to carry you through the day.
✅Hydrate beyond often starting 3 days until the end of the hike.
✅Cut your toenails short for comfort in socks and the boot. When descending, you create a stronger grip, whose effect lasts on the toes. Doing this will make your experience more comfortable and memorable.
✅Ensure you stock your supplies the day before the hike, so we stop only for emergencies.
✅Empty your bowels before leaving in the morning.

After Lake Ellis-Nithi Falls Excursion

• Engage in post-hike stretching exercises to improve flexibility and prevent muscle tightness. Focus on stretching major muscle groups such as the calves, quadriceps, hamstrings, and hips. Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds without bouncing.
• Replenish fluids lost during the hike by drinking plenty of water. Proper hydration is essential for muscle recovery and overall well-being. Consider consuming a sports drink or electrolyte-rich fluids to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat.
• Consume a balanced meal or snack within a few hours after your hike. Include protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to aid muscle recovery and replenish energy stores. Foods like lean meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts are good options.
• If you experience muscle soreness or inflammation, apply ice or cold therapy methods such as cold packs or ice baths to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.
• Ensure adequate sleep supports your body’s recovery process. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Good sleep is crucial for repairing and rejuvenating your muscles.
• Allow your body sufficient time to rest and recover after a hike. Take it easy for the next couple of days and avoid overexertion. Proper rest is essential for repairing muscles and preventing injury

Cancellation and Refund Policy

If, for any reason, you decide to cancel the ticket, the following applies;

• At least one week before the event: A 100% refund.
• At least 72 hours before the event: A refund of 50% of the booking fee and 100% of the excess fee.
• Less than 48 hours to the event: The booking deposit will not be refunded. 50% of the rest will be refunded.
• Less than 36 hours to the event: No Refund.
• No shows & latecomers: No refund.

Postponement Policy

If you decide to postpone your ticket, please notify us at the latest 72 hours before the event. We will carry your ticket to another event.

Inquiries and Updates

For inquiries and updates, click here. We also recommend you join the Hikers Arena Hiking Community Whatsapp group (Click here to join) to keep up to date with our activities and upcoming events.