THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE WILLIAMS HILL KENYA HIKE
Are you on a journey to a hiking hobby? We have another hill for you to practice and grow your hiking skills and stamina. The William Hill is located on the Maai Mahiu highway near the old church built by Italian prisoners of war. The church is the alighting point and the beginning of our hike to the starting point.
William Hill is based on a dry area with scattered acacia trees, cactus plants, and lush grass vegetation. The sun here is hot and the major challenge while hiking.
How to get to William Hill?
 From Nairobi via A104, Kamandura-Mai Mahiu-Narok Road is 51.7 km and takes approximately 1 hour and 23 minutes. Limuru Road and Kamandura-Mai Mahiu-Narok Road are 52.6 km in length and take approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes.Â
Why William Hills is great for beginners
William Hills is a short hike with a moderate steepness. It is beginner-friendly because it is short but tough due to the weather and the season. The surroundings of William Hills are dry and hot, which makes the hike difficult.
The hike starts at the old church built by the Italians and goes to the starting point, 7.7 km away. The main hike starts at the entrance after entering the gate. After the gate, you will start ascending the hill through the thorny and dry plantation. The whole hike is a combination of ascending and descending.
10 km into the hike, you see the Osotua Camp and Namcha Ranch. You will also see the Olonana boundary.
During a dry season, the hikers take a rest at different points as they hike up to shade themselves from the sun for a while and hydrate. The hill is steep and rocky. At the summit, you will get a beautiful view of the Rift Valley landscape, Mount Longonot, and Suswa.
The summit is very windy since this is a semi-arid area. It stands at 2289 meters above sea level.
How to prepare for the William Hill hike
Gear and essential checklist.
Since the area is dry and hot you will need:
- A sunscreen
- A beach hat
- Wear a long-sleeved top and long bottoms. This helps to protect your arms and legs from tanning.
- 3-4 litres of water
- Enough snacks like meat sticks, energy bars and drinks, dehydrating fruits, nuts, chocolate, cheese, and crackers. They help to re-energize you through the hike.
- A small electric fan to regulate the heat in your body.
- Light hiking gear made of wicking fabric synthetic like nylon, polyester, and wool. Cotton clothes are not advisable since they sweat and stay wet.
Fitness level and pre-hike exercises.
Aerobic exercises are essential before going for hill and mountain climbing hikes. Aerobic exercises help to enhance cardiovascular endurance. Some of the exercises are:
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Riding a bike
- Walking
- Jumping the rope
Climbing hills and mountains need knee exercises like squats, lunges, and step-up exercises.
Activities at William Hill
- Picnic
There are designated areas for picnics as you hike up. The area is shaded, and you can have a rest before you continue with the hike. You can also have a picnic at the summit as you enjoy the view of the Rift Valley landscape.
- Photography
You can take photos at the summit and as you climb up to create memories and add to your timeline. You can also take videos and photos of the beautiful scenic views.
- Nature walk
This is a nice place to get away from the daily busy routine, relax, and breathe fresh air. You can get away one weekend and have a nice time with your friends and family.
- Birdwatching
Are you a bird lover? Here is your opportunity. Come with your camera and take photos of new bird species to add to your list. This is a great activity that needs patience and a curious nature.
Best time to visit William Hill
You can visit William Hill any time and any season. The best time to visit is during the short rains that are May and November. The area receives long rainfall in April. During this period the sun is not hot and the place has a beautiful vegetation cover.
William Hill and its surroundings are hot in January, February, March, and June-October.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Experience
For you to have an easy and wonderful time while hiking, make sure you rest 2 days before the hiking day and have enough sleep. If you are on a diet or having an intermittent fast, take a break and a heavy, well-balanced meal.
Eat your breakfast three hours before starting the hike to give the food time for digestion. Increase your water intake one week before the hike to increase your hydration.
Book with us as we explore the beautiful scenery in Kenya and support our tourism sector.
