Mount Kenya

In the gin-clear glacial lakes dotted around the base of Mount Kenya are some of the best high alpine rainbow trout waters in the world. Owing to the extreme location of the lakes and rivers, they are seldom fished and access between them is strictly by helicopter. Straddling the equator and rising to 17,000 feet, Mount Kenya is one of the most impressive free standing mountains in the world. Its jagged peaks, glaciers and pristine alpine moorland provide the catchment for some of the most beautiful glacial lakes on the African continent.

Throw in a picture book rustic cedar log cabin complete with a wood fire, cosy ensuite accommodations, ranch-style organic cuisine, exclusive access to state-of-the-art helicopters and a landscape straight out of Lord of the Rings; this is the recipe for a wildly epic fishing experience. The high altitude heathland and chaparral that surround the lakes are home to a surprising diversity of wildlife including zebra, buffalo, eland, hyena and leopard. Cast between plant life that one would expect to find at home on Mars for an experience that is truly ‘out of this world.’

Your EpicQuest adventure begins in Nairobi, Kenya. Here you will be met at the jetway of your international flight. Ease through a private immigration and customs process, before transferring to a city hotel or your next flight onward. Your EpicQuest guide will join you on a chartered flight into the Borana airstrip. This flight into the northern Kenyan highlands will give you the opportunity to spot thundering herds of elephant and loping giraffe.

The glacial lakes surrounding Mount Kenya feature the finest rainbow and brown trout fishing in East Africa, thanks to the introduction of rainbow trout to Kenya by the Scots in the 1920’s. Size of the trout varies between the lakes with the largest fish being found in Lake Ellis, where fish range from six to 14 pounds. These big fish are very wary and one really needs to know how to fish stealthily. Lake Michaelson is spectacular, surrounded by sheer cliffs on all sides,but these are all mostly under one pound. Lake Alice has good sized fish with most fish in the two to four pound range. Finally, Lake  Rutundu, the smallest of the four lakes, is located a stone’s throw away from the Rutundu cabins with fish averaging between one and two pounds.

These waters are relatively remote, so a helicopter is used to go even farther into the wilderness to uncover the most remote stashes of trohpy sized fish. Cast from the shore or at some of the lakes from platforms or boats.
We only fly fish these waters, mostly using sinking lines but floating lines with dry flies can also work well if there is a hatching of mayflies or any other floating food source.

EpicQuest travels to three destinations between Kenya and Uganda that offer unique world class opportunities for anglers. Combine two out of three truly epic experiences – glacial lakes filled with rainbow trout on Mount Kenya, inshore saltwater on the north Kenyan coast and the world’s largest river bursting with giant Nile perch.

Kenya offers warm, dry days with cool early mornings and evenings. East Africa's climate is reliant on the altitude. Laikipia accomodations are situated 4,500 to 6,500 feet (1,400-2,000 meters) above sea level. Even though the region is a mere 16 miles from the equator, the region offers temperate temperatures year round, with warm sunny days and cool nights. Accommodations at Mount Kenya are 10,000 feet above sea level, and while days are warmer, nights are frosty and multiple layers of clothing will be necessary to transition during the days and evenings. A windbreaker or fleece is essential, as are good walking shoes.  During the long and short rains of April and November, EpicQuest does not run trips to the region.