Mt Kalembwani’s closeness to the Nairobi – Mombasa highway at Sultan Hamud makes it easier to trace and access. Carved like an arms chair, the mountain stands at 1560 metres above sea level, covering up to 17 km of hiking. It scores a moderate rating on hiking difficulty, thanks to easy accessibility and proximity to the road. From Nairobi, the destination is about 100km along the busy Nairobi – Mombasa highway. It is tacked between Salama and Sultan Hamud stops and is visible from the main road. The terrain is steep and rocky, while the climate is hot, contributing to the hiking difficulty surge. Depending on the starting area, the hiking distance is between 10 to 17 kilometres. Essentially, you have a blissful day out in the Lower Eastern region with a bird’s eye view of the plains.

Of all the hiking destinations, Mt Kalembwani is the easiest to access. You alight at the bus stop and head right into the trekking trail. The hiking level oscillates from moderate to hard depending on the trail, distance and climbing steepness. 17km is the total hiking trek of the mountain, but there is a shorter trip of about 10 km.  The hiking starts at Ngokomi shopping centre, delving right into the trek. You follow the dusty path that leads up to a rocky section, ushering you to the steep climbs. The rocky terrain requires good footwear to wade through the sole-cutting rocks. You can pause and scan the surroundings, with the standard gauge railway and the highway on either side of the hill. Take caution on the steep climbs since slips can be fatal. Elevation change can go up to 400m on rocky terrains, which is dangerous. Moreover, the hiking path is not good for faster climbing. If you need help, the guides are on standby to help. Besides the rocky paths and steep climbs, the area is biodiverse. There are numerous species of insects, trees and birds. They welcome you to real nature, complete with supporting nature. Its accessibility and proximity make the Kalembwani Arm Chair Hill an ideal place for hiking. 

The weather along the lower eastern belt is generally hot and dry, save for a specific time of the year. There might be some windy and wet conditions in July due to the long rainy season. Dress lightly but carry some warm clothing in case the weather turns gloomy. The weather assures you of visibility as you go about on the rocky terrains.