Current new government regulations require you to have a guide while climbing Mt Kenya. A good experienced guide is so important on Mount Kenya, for two reasons; they will regulate your pace, be able to draw on their experience to diagnose altitude sickness symptoms and have the confidence to make critical decisions and their knowledge of the wildlife and fauna on the mountain will bring the environment alive.
All guides must be registered with Kenya Wildlife Services and hold a mountain guide park from Mt Kenya National Park. It is fair to say that all the guides will have a good knowledge of the routes, but only the good guides will have wildlife knowledge and experience of dealing with altitude sickness problems.
Climbing Mt Kenya’s Batian and Nelion is serious and it is important to acclimatize well. Our guides have knowledge and experience of the climbing route on Nelion and Batian peaks on both verbal information and local knowledge.
They have undergone training through NOLS, working with Mt Kenya rescue team and having training on first aid and CPR.
Here are some of the advantages of dealing with a tour guide when climbing Mt Kenya;
Local Knowledge
Reputable tour guides have undergone a program of training, such as certified tour professional training, and are either members of a professional guiding association or government certified. Tour guides normally are recruited from within the local community, so have a good knowledge of the area’s history, culture and traditions.
They are able to provide up-to-date factual information and answer any questions that you have about the site/attraction.
Dealing with Problems
Visitors to developing nations often have to deal with difficult issues of bureaucracy, such as obtaining permits for activities like climbing or camping, and language barriers can make this even more problematic. The advantage of employing a tour guide is that he can speak the language, has a better understanding of how local systems operate and is less likely to be cheated.
The tour guide also can help to ensure that you are not conned by anyone and acts as a deterrent to people who might otherwise hassle you.
Safety
A professional tour guide will help keep you safe when mountain climbing or trekking. The guide is familiar with the terrain and local weather conditions and aware of danger zones, and many guides are trained in first aid.
Saving You Time
The tour guide will do all of the planning for your trip, including making reservations and travel arrangements. This leaves you with more time to enjoy your trip.
Lack of Flexibility
Organized tours often have a time limit and you might find that you have to leave the site before you have finished exploring. Tours also might follow a set route or visit only the main attractions of a site. One solution would be to take a guided tour to learn the basic information about the place, and then return alone at a later date.
Cost
Employing a tour guide can be expensive, particularly if yours is only a small group, as the cost usually is per day or trip, not per person. If you are climbing the mountain alone, it is more economical to purchase a good-quality guidebook and read as much information as possible about the site you are visiting beforehand.
Conclusion
A professional tour guide can help make your Mt Kenya climbing experience worth it. Keshi Tours has experienced and professional tour guides available at your own request. For more information visit us or contact our support staff.
