This is the question we get more than any other. Both are extraordinary. They are also very different. Here is an honest, side-by-side comparison.
The headline numbers
| Mount Kenya | Kilimanjaro | |
| Trekking summit | Point Lenana 4,985m | Uhuru Peak 5,895m |
| Technical summit | Nelion/Batian 5,199m | None |
| Typical duration | 4–5 days | 6–8 days |
| From price (USD) | $890 | $1,750 |
| Crowds | Low | High |
| Scenery variety | Very high | High |
Difficulty
Kilimanjaro is higher, so altitude is a bigger factor. But its trekking routes are well-graded paths with no scrambling (except the Barranco Wall on Machame/Lemosho, which is a short scramble). Mount Kenya's trekking routes are similarly non-technical, though the Chogoria route is more rugged underfoot.
Scenery
Mount Kenya is widely considered the more beautiful mountain — glacial tarns, giant lobelia, alpine peaks and a true wilderness feel. Kilimanjaro is vast and dramatic, crossing five climate zones, but is more of a single massive volcano.
Crowds
Kilimanjaro sees around 50,000 climbers a year. On the Machame route you will rarely be alone. Mount Kenya sees a fraction of that — on the Chogoria route you may see no other group for days.
Cost
Mount Kenya is significantly cheaper — a 4-day Sirimon trek starts at $890 versus $1,750 for a 6-day Marangu trek. Kilimanjaro's park fees alone are around $820 per person.
The smart move: do both
Many of our climbers summit Mount Kenya first (cheaper, quieter, great acclimatization), then fly to Kilimanjaro a week later with altitude already in their legs. The combo gives you the best of both and a far higher Kilimanjaro success rate.
[Compare Mount Kenya routes](/mount-kenya) · [Compare Kilimanjaro routes](/kilimanjaro) · [Read our full comparison page](/mount-kenya-vs-kilimanjaro)
