Frequently Asked Questions

The Yetu Triathlon — on Mount Kenya runs from 2 to 5 March 2027 (four days). Day 1 starts at Sirimon Gate; Day 4 finishes with the triathlon at Lake Ellis and exit via Chogoria Gate.

The expedition crosses Mount Kenya from Sirimon Gate (west side) up to Point Lenana at 4,985 m, then down via the Chogoria Route to Lake Ellis for the triathlon, and finishes at Chogoria Gate (east side). Everything happens inside Mount Kenya National Park.

The 2027 edition is capped at 25 participants. The November 2025 pilot ran with 12 participants and a 100% summit rate.

Sign-up closes on 1 July 2026. We confirm spots in the order applications are received until the 25-participant cap is reached.

The out-of-pocket fee is €1,250 per participant, paid in euros via Stripe. Each participant also commits to a soft fundraising goal of €1,000 for Health Yetu's medical programs.

The event is the annual flagship fundraising expedition of the Health Yetu Foundation, a Dutch stichting with ANBI status (KvK 75590166). All funds raised support Health Yetu's medical programs in Samburu and Marsabit County, Northern Kenya, led by Kenyans.

No. The Day 4 triathlon is a kayak-run-bike, not a swim-bike-run, and there are no cutoff times anywhere on the course. The fitness floor is capable amateur endurance — multi-day hiking of 6 to 8 hours and an ascent to 4,985 m.

You should be comfortable walking 6 to 8 hours per day across consecutive days at altitude. We do not require a fitness checkbox or a statement of fitness on the registration form. We do recommend a training schedule, which we share after sign-up.

Yes, 18 years. There is no upper age limit.

We do not require a medical declaration to register. We do require that you hold your own valid travel and medical insurance for the duration of the trip. Health Yetu provides supplemental rescue insurance through rescue.co on top of that.

Prior altitude experience is not required. The itinerary is built around acclimatization: Day 1 goes from 2,600 m to 3,200 m, Day 2 to 4,200 m, and the summit attempt at 4,985 m is on Day 3 after two acclimatization nights. If you have a history of altitude sickness, consult your GP about prophylaxis before you travel.

Mild symptoms (headache, poor sleep, reduced appetite) are common above 3,500 m and usually resolve with rest and hydration. A professional medic accompanies the team for the full four days, and the staff-to-participant ratio of roughly 3:1 means symptoms are monitored closely. Helicopter evacuation is available at all times via rescue.co.

There are no cutoffs and no podium. Day 4 offers two course options — Sprint (kayak 500 m + run 5 km + bike 20 km, total 25.5 km) or Long (kayak 500 m + bike 25 km + run 50 km, total 75.5 km). You pick which course you want when you register.

No. The €1,000 is a soft goal, not a mandatory minimum. The pilot edition averaged €3,083 per participant across 12 participants (€37,000 total raised) — the goal sits well below the pilot average on purpose, so it is reachable for everyone.

You still take part. Health Yetu also pursues parallel sponsor leads — one high-net-worth individual, one corporate sponsor, or one foundation per cycle. If you can introduce a potential sponsor, our team handles the pitch; your role is to arrange the meeting.

After sign-up, we send you a personalized Stripe fundraising link tied to your name and the 2027 edition. Donations flow directly to the Health Yetu Foundation bank account and are receipted by the foundation.

100% of fundraised donations support Health Yetu's medical programs in Samburu and Marsabit County. Concretely: €180 funds one cataract surgery, €8 funds one dental procedure, €5 funds one HPV vaccine. Your €1,000 soft goal converts to roughly 5 cataract surgeries, or 125 dental procedures, or 200 HPV vaccinations — or any mix you choose.

Yes, up to two months before the event (until 2 January 2027). The refund policy also applies to optional extras booked through Health Yetu. After 2 January 2027, the fee is non-refundable because mountain permits, guide bookings, and food provisioning are committed by that point.

Donations are made to the Health Yetu Foundation, a Dutch ANBI-registered stichting, and are deductible under Dutch tax rules. Donors in other countries should check local rules — the full tax FAQ lives on healthyetufoundation.com/donate.

Yes. Health Yetu offers sponsor visibility on participant apparel, event media, social channels, and the aftermovie. If you would like to discuss sponsorship, write to info@healthyetu.com and we will share the current sponsor brief.

You descend with a guide and rejoin the team at Lake Ellis. Non-summiteers can still race the Day 4 triathlon. The pilot edition had a 100% summit rate, but the itinerary is designed so that not summiting does not end your event.

Yes. Helicopter extraction is available at all times via the rescue.co supplemental insurance Health Yetu provides for every participant. Tropic Air operates the helicopter service in Northern Kenya. You do not need to arrange this separately.

Early March is one of the two dry seasons on Mount Kenya. Daytime temperatures range from 10 to 18 °C in the moorland zone and drop below freezing at the summit before sunrise. Conditions can change quickly — we pack for rain, wind, and snow above 4,000 m regardless of forecast.

No. Mount Kenya's altitude is above the mosquito range. Malaria prophylaxis is not needed on the mountain but is recommended for travel elsewhere in Kenya. Consult your own GP.

Yes. Lake Ellis is a high-altitude tarn at 3,455 m. The kayak leg is a 500 m loop on the lake with life jackets mandatory, a safety boat on the water, and a diver on standby. Single kayaks only. Water temperature is around 5 °C, so no swimming is required or permitted.

The race goes ahead. The Day 4 triathlon is run-rain-or-shine; only a lightning storm at Lake Ellis would pause the kayak leg until safe. There are no cutoffs, so weather delays do not disqualify anyone.

Roughly 3 staff per participant — porters, guides, and a dedicated medic. With 25 participants in 2027, that means around 75 staff on the mountain across the four days.

All guides are KWS-licensed (Kenya Wildlife Service) and KMGA-licensed (Kenya Mountain Guides Association). The medic is a Kenyan medical professional employed under Health Yetu's principle of working only with local clinicians.

Yes, every 5 km on the Day 4 triathlon course. Aid stations carry water only — bring your own gels, bars, or electrolytes for the longer course.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi. The trip officially starts and ends in Nairobi. International and national flights are not included in the €1,250 fee.

Most travellers need a Kenyan eVisa, applied for online before departure. The fee is around €35. Apply at evisa.go.ke. Allow at least two weeks for processing.

Yellow fever vaccination is required. Other recommended travel vaccinations depend on your country of origin — Dutch participants arrange these via the GGD; others via an equivalent travel health clinic. Consult your own GP at least six weeks before departure.

No. Airport transport between JKIA and the mountain is available on request as a paid add-on, but it is not included in the €1,250 fee. We can coordinate a private transfer or 4×4 once you have confirmed your flights.

Pre and post-event Nairobi accommodation is on your own account. We do not maintain a pre-set hotel list, but we share tailored suggestions on request once we know your dates and budget. Many participants stay one or two nights in Nairobi before flying home.

A full gear list ships after sign-up. The short version: layered clothing for –5 °C to +20 °C, a four-season sleeping bag, sturdy hiking boots, a daypack, a headlamp, sunglasses, and personal medication. Park permits, the mountain bike, the kayak, food, and accommodation are provided.

Some technical items (sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles) can be rented in Nairobi the day before departure. We share a vetted rental partner after sign-up. Boots and personal layers we recommend you bring from home — fit matters at altitude.

Yes. Many participants extend their stay for safari, conservancy visits, or a Lions SightFirst hospital visit. Health Yetu can arrange optional extensions through partners including Borana, Lewa, Desert Rose, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, a Tropic Air helicopter tour, or fly fishing in the Aberdares. These are booked separately and priced on request.