The Start of an Active Life in The Great Outdoors
If you ever wanted to start hiking but did not know where to start, or you were afraid that it would be too difficult, our Rookie to Advanced Hiker program is specially crafted just for you. Hiking is a sport, and being a hiker is a skill of its own. There’s the gear, preparation, mental aspects, and much more.
The Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program is a 12-week course designed to instruct and inspire you to walk the great outdoors. No prior hiking experience is required. By strategically walking the 6 core events of the program, you will become a competent hiker by the end of the course.
Right from the start, we will show you how to walk the outdoors, and everything that is required for your survival and safety — from the basics of keeping yourself safe on the trails to a guide on how to select proper gear. We’ll be there with you every step of the way. This ensures that you take consistent steps towards harnessing the power of walking outside for your fitness goals.
The Rookie to Advanced Hiker program is for you if:
- You have no prior hiking experience.
- You want to start hiking but have absolutely no clue where to start.
- You want to learn hiking with no short-term goals to climb Mt. Kenya as in the Beginner to Mt. Kenya Program .
Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program Schedule
We kick off the program with a one-hour virtual session four days before the first event. The session’s goal is to get acquainted with the team and get a run-through of the program and what to expect. This will include Q&A.
2025 Dates: Apr 29 | Sep 23
Our maiden expedition to Mt. Kilimambogo is a moderate hiking experience meant to spark your interest in outdoor fitness life. The mountain is located along the Thika-Garissa highway, within the Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park.
2025 Dates: May 03 | Sep 27
After the first hike, we proceed to a two-hour orientation session at The Nairobi Arboretum, where you get to be introduced to the hiking gear you will need along the way. You shall also be taken through the dos and don’ts of hiking–rules and guidelines to keep you safe, alive, and well on the trails.
2025 Dates: May 04 | Sep 28
On our second hike, we set out to discover the magic of the Ngong Hills Hike. Our hike up starts at the northern foot of the hills at the Ngong Gate, covering 6km to the top of the highest hill. With a gradual incline up and down the undulating landscape, the Ngong Hills hike treats you to panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountain ranges, all while allowing you to settle into the hiking life.
2025 Dates: May 17 | Oct 11
The third hike takes us to our first mountain, Mt. Longonot. The trail starts at the mountain's base, rising steeply on a 3.1km stretch to the crater rim, then covering 7.2km around the crater. Our hike ends back at the gate, covering 13.5km in total.
2025 Dates: May 31 | Oct 25
As we graduate to the high-altitude trails , our first expedition takes us to the notorious Elephant Hill in Southern Nyandarua. This strenuous hike will introduce you to the unpredictable, harsh weather conditions at higher altitudes and deliver a new experience hiking through the various montane vegetation zones, in preparation for the Mt. Kenya climb.
2025 Dates: Jun 14 | Nov 08
Next, we will go on a mission to set our eyes on future goals: the big mountain. Our route choice will be the Naromoru route, as the trail is short, making it possible to trek all the way to the Mackinders camp (4,300m ASL) on a day trip, where we will enjoy glorious views of the peaks--if the weather permits.
The Mackinders hike is a crucial event in the program. Here, we get to experience altitude sickness symptoms to enable us to identify and report the symptoms long before they become severe on a mountaineering expedition.
2025 Dates: Jun 28 | Nov 22
Rising to an altitude of 4,001m (13,126ft) above sea level, Ol Donyo Lesatima is the highest of the Aberdares peaks and the third-highest peak in Kenya. On our final hike in the program, we will set out on the reasonably gentle, magnificent Dragon's Teeth trail, hoping to conquer ourselves on Satima Peak. We save the best for last--and the relative ease ensures we all have a good chance at getting to the summit. We hope you enjoy the journey and trust that your heart will be fuller and your soul richer, as you march out of the mountain a confident hiker, ready to take on the great outdoors with pride.
2025 Dates: Jul 12 | Dec 06
Compare with our other programs
Rookie to Advanced Hiker in 12 Weeks
Learn to Hike
- 6 thoughtfully chosen hikes
- 2 Virtual learning sessions + 1 physical learning session
- Dedicated WhatsApp group
- 1:1 Matching with a personal coach
Beginner to Mt. Kenya in 90 Days
Learn to hike + Climb Mt. Kenya
- 6 thoughtfully chosen hikes + 4 Days Mt. Kenya Chogoria Route
- 3 Virtual learning sessions + 2 Physical learning sessions
- Dedicated WhatsApp group
- 1:1 Matching with a personal coach
Mount Kenya Crash Program
30 Days to Pt. Lenana
- 2 high-altitude prep hikes
- 4 Days Mt. Kenya Sirimon Route
- Personalized guidance on gear
- Dedicated WhatsApp Group
Charges, Package & Cancellation Policy
Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program Charges
- Kenyan Citizens & East Africans: Ksh 22,000/=
- Foreign Kenyan Residents: Ksh 22,500/=*
Due to a pending court determination on the proposed increase in 2024-2025 KWS conservation fees, foreign residents rates marked with * are subject to adjustment depending on the outcome of the determination.
Payment Plan
- Pay Ksh 8,500 non-refundable booking deposit.
- 2nd Installment: Ksh 8,000 by the end of the first month.
- 3rd Installment: clear the balance by the end of the second month.
Mpesa Buy Goods till 989985
Rookie Program Package Includes
- Progressive training throughout the course of the program:
- Training materials and discussions in a WhatsApp group
- Three virtual Q&A group calls
- Two one-on-one hands-on gear sessions at the Nairobi Arboretum
- Unlimited consulting with various Outdoorer Champions
- Transport from Nairobi and back for all events
- Park fees & charges at all events
- Guide services at all events
- Paramedic services at all events
- A liter of water, glucose, and fruits at all events
Package DOES NOT include
- Hiking gear, clothes, and other personal effects
- Anything else not mentioned in the 'Package Includes' list
Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program Cancellation and Refunds Policy
– The booking confirmation deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable to a future event or program.
– The booking and booking confirmation deposit are transferrable to a different person on or before the program start date.
– Where cancellation is requested on or before the program start date, Ksh 8,500 or 40% of the program cost, whichever is higher, will be retained from the sum paid up. Any excess paid will be refunded in full.
– Where cancellation is requested after the program start date, and on or before day 50 of the program, Ksh 14,000 or 65% of the program cost, whichever is higher, will be retained from the sum paid up. Any excess paid will be refunded in full.
– Where cancellation is requested after day 50 of the program, and before day 60 of the program, Ksh 17,000 or 80% of the program cost, whichever is higher, will be retained from the sum paid up. Any excess paid will be refunded in full.
– No refund will be issued when cancellation is requested on or after day 60 of the program.
– The Rookie to Advanced Hiker in 12 Weeks Program ticket is bundled and may not be split into specific event tickets. Therefore, no-shows may not claim any amount for any event they miss.
– The Rookie to Advanced Hiker in 12 Weeks Program subscription will be put on hold as soon as a milestone payment falls overdue.
– The Rookie to Advanced Hiker in 12 Weeks Program ticket expires when a milestone payment becomes seven (7) days overdue. The ticket is deemed canceled on the expiry date, and the cancellation policy applies.
– An expired ticket may be revived by topping up the deposits paid to the total of the per-event rate for all events in the bundled ticket.
– Participation in the prep hikes is mandatory, otherwise, no adjustments will be made to the final cost.
– No refunds will be issued where participation is denied due to non-compliance with the rules and regulations, safety guidelines, and/or the failure to comply with the minimum gear requirements.
– No-shows forfeit the entire deposits paid up.