Hiking And Trekking

For the Trekker, Kenya is a world of highs and lows- From the snow capped peak of Mt Kenya to the desert plains of the north. There are a range of treks from sedate hill walks through game rich ranges to high altitude routes on alpine slopes. For those aiming higher, Kenya offers plenty of challenges. Climbers may be aware of the mighty peak of Mt Kenya, but there are many other climbing areas to be explored. There is a broad scope of destinations, from granite cliffs and volcanic rock towers to the ultimate challenge- a technical assault on Africa’s second highest summit.
Where

Technical Climbing – Mount Kenya

Mt Kenya is considered the most challenging technical climb in Africa, and attracts experienced climbers from all over the world. Making the summit requires both expert guiding and equipment.

While any fit trekker has a good chance of reaching Point Lenana, the ascent to the summit, crested by twin icy peaks called Batian and Nelion is a serious 5.10 technical climb across ice, scree and rock. Climbers should be experienced and prepared and use a reputable guiding company with all required kit provided.

In general, the climbing season is from July to early October.

There are around 30 technical routes, though the most frequent route to the summit is on the South East Face, approaching the mountain along the Chogoria route. This climb requires at least 5-6 days. The final approach to the summit requires a steepling ascent of a tarn before crossing the large Lewis Glacier to climb to Nelion. The following day a crossing to Batian is made.

A North face ascent means a direct assault on Batian, with an overnight camp at the foot of Firmin Tower.

Rock Climbing, Fischer’s Tower

Hell’s Gate National Park has some of Kenya’s best Rock Climbing. There are high cliffs with several possible routes, and plenty of opportunity for climbs and Abseiling. Fischer’s Tower, a large volcanic pillar, is also a good climb.  There is a qualified rock climbing guide based at Hell’s Gate Park HQ (by Elsa gate). Equipment and guiding services can be hired at the Park gate.

Mount Elgon Trekking

The high isolated passes and moorlands of Elgon make for excellent trekking. The series of craggy peaks around the caldera reaching 4321m makes for an enjoyable climb, but equally rewarding is exploring the forests, geothermal springs and caves.

Trekkers should be adequately prepared. Despite its equatorial location the Mountain can be cold, and it often rains. All trekkers should have plenty of warm clothing, and sturdy footwear. There are several established routes on Elgon, but the Mountain lends itself to exploration and free hiking. Local guides and Rangers are your best resource. The cliffs of lower Elgon and Sudek are also  good for rock climbing

Loroghi Hills

Wild and isolated yet easily accessible, the Loroghi hills are one of Kenya’s best trekking regions. The hills provide stunning views across the Rift Valley, as well as high mountain passes and the cool of deep forested valleys.

Tracks wind their way up the Lesiolo escarpment, reaching a 2580 metre pinnacle at Poror Peak. The real beauty of this region though, is the opportunity to meet and spend time with the Samburu people, for whom these hills are home. Travelling with a Samburu guide helps you to get to know both the land and its people, making your trek more than just a walk.

Wild treks in Aberdare Forest

This is good country for an adventurous wild trek through the forest with a lot to explore. There is a well marked trail and observation at the beautiful Karuru Falls. From this high vantage there are also excellent views of the entire range and the distant Gura Falls. There are also wooden walkways across the lower Chania falls. If you’re feeling hot, and brave, you may wish to attempt a plunge into the icy waters here.

The lower, densely forested Salient has plenty of game, both big and small. The upper slopes have high moorlands and open plains, which are ideal for walking, rising to a summit of 4000 metres at Satima. There are excellent views across to the snow capped peak of Mt Kenya and the surrounding plains. Trekkers should remember that this area can be bitterly cold at night. There are some basic campsites and huts available for trekkers.

Kakamega Forest walks

The lush forest has many good trails, and the wide variety of unique plants and animals make for an truly fascinating trek. Trekking conditions are quite easy, although one should be prepared for occasional rain.

There are a range of trails and circuits allowing for treks and walks of varying length. The close proximity of good accommodation within the forest provides a good base for exploration. Excellent and fully qualified guides can be hired locally from the rest houses or campsite. These guides have a wealth of local information and can give the visitor a real insight into the forest and its rich diversity. Kakamega is popular with specialist birding and naturalist safaris, who often lead treks through the forest.

Trekking in Baringo

Ol Kokwe Island in the middle of the lake is perfect for exploring on foot. There is good birding, and views across the lake to surrounding mountain ranges. There is a Njemps Fishing village where you can visit and at the far north of the island, a series of bubbling hot springs.

Trekking, Lake Elementaita

Walking around the lake in the morning or afternoon is great for birding. There is always a high concentration of flamingo on the shores, with Fish Eagles and other birds in the forests. Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle and other plains game are often seen here.

Menengai Crater Trek

An excellent hike in this area is to the rim of Menengai Crater, high over Nakuru town. This huge volcanic crater is 12km across and 500m deep. It is possible to climb up to the craters edge (2272m) with spectacular views from the top. The hike should take about 6 hours to the crater and back from Nakuru.

Hiking Mount Longonot

The 2100m high Mt Longonot is an enjoyable way to spend a day. The views from the top across to Naivasha and the Aberdares are sensational, and the views of the crater within the mountain even more breathtaking. The climb up is relatively easy if you take it slowly, and the average climber can reach the top in an hour and a half, following a well defined path. Take plenty of water with you. There are rest stops with tables on the way. Once at the top, a further hour can be spent walki

ng around the crater rim, with excellent views the entire way. There is also a steep path down to the crater floor. Ranger guides are available at the Park Gate.  Longonot is an easy day’s trek, but for the adventurous, the crater presents interesting possibilities for abseiling. Abseillers would need their own equipment and the assistance of a locally skilled guide.

Mountain Biking in Kenya

Kenya has some excellent potential areas for off road mountain biking. As the popularity of the sport increases, more and more mountain bikes are now for hire, and there is plenty of undiscovered country for bush biking.

Biking in Diani

One of the best ways to explore the South coast and surrounding villages is by bicycle. This gives you the freedom to explore quiet village roads and trails. Cycling is a popular form of local transport in this area, and on most paths and roads you will encounter other cyclists. This is an ideal opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise, and get a new perspective on the area and local life. Bicycles can be hired locally all along the coast either from hotels or private operators

Explore Malindi and Watamu on two wheels

The quiet villages and beachside roads around Malindi and in Watamu are readily explored by bicycle. This gives you freedom, fresh air and exercise. Bicycles are one of the most common forms of transport in this area, and on most paths and roads you will encounter other cyclists. This is one great way to meet Kenyans, and learn more about life in this area. Bicycles can be hired locally all along the coast either from hotels or private operators.

Mountain Biking in Naivasha

Mountain Bikes are widely available for hire from Lodges and camps around the Lake. They are a great way to explore the lakeshore and an even better way to explore Hell’s Gate National Park. The Park is excellent biking country, and allows the cyclist to ride through herds of plains game.

Archeological Tours – Pre Historic Sites

Kenya is endowed with the richest pre-historic fossil heritage dating over 100 Million years ago, back into the dinosaur age. The National Museums of Kenya holds the world’s largest collection of human pre-history, the longest and most complete record spanning over 27 Million years.

You can also find records of fauna and plant species related to the evolution theory sycg as elephants, crocodiles- displayed in-situ at the Cradle of Mankind site.

In addition to fossil records, the existence of a long record of technological evolution with tools as old as 2.3 million years old also exists. The study of human evolution still continues to-date through the tireless efforts of Kenyan scientists at the National Museums of Kenya.

Mr. Kamoya Kimeu, a Kenyan, made our most famous discovery; the Turkana Boy dated 1.6 Million years. This was a young boy of 9 – 12 years old, 1.6 meters tall, and is the only almost complete skeleton of a human related fossil ever found in the world.

Make your pilgrim trip to the Cradle of Mankind and discover the land where our ancestors once trod.

Kariandusi Prehistoric Site

Near Elmenteita is the Kariandusi Prehistoric Site. This site was unearthed by Louis Leakey in the 1920’s and has been a rich source of prehistoric obsidian tools, made by early humans between 1.4 million and 200,000 years ago. Most of the tools found at Kariandusi are cutting implements which seem to have been used for butchering meat.

These excavations can be visited and there is a small Museum. This is easily accessible from the Nairobi – Nakuru highway.

Olorgasalie Prehistoric Site

Olorgasalie, located near Lake Magadi, is an important archeological site. This area was an area of intensive habitation and activity by a population of Homo erectus, around 500,000 years ago. The digs here have uncovered plenty of fossils, tools and early artifacts. The site is open to the public and well worth a visit for anyone with an interest in Prehistory.

Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site

Near Nakuru is the Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site. This site was unearthed by Louis Leakey in the 1920’s and ever since has been a rich source of Neolithic fossils, tools, and Iron Age artifacts. These excavations can be visited and there is an on-site Museum. The site is easily accessible from Nakuru.

Koobi Fora Prehistoric Site

Lake Turkana also referred to as the Jade Sea is an area of great importance in terms of human culture. It is possible to visit the prehistoric site at Koobi Fora on the far North shores of the lake near Sibiloi. There is an ongoing excavation here that has produced a great wealth of fossil evidence.

Special Interests in Kenya - Photography

Kenya is one of the great photographer’s destinations. The great diversity of landscapes, people, wildlife and history make for unparalleled photo opportunities. For the dedicated photographer, a trip to Kenya is the chance of a lifetime. Come fully prepared and equipped to take full advantage of the ideal photographic environment.

Photography Guide

A good DSLR Camera with interchangeable lenses is highly recommended. Bring a long lens for wildlife photography, while a 35mm-70mm lens is a good general lens for landscapes. For bright

conditions a UV filter may be helpful. Those with an interest in flowers or insect life may wish to pack a macro.

Some safari companies provide rooftop camera mounts or bean bag camera rests.

Bring a good solid camera and kit bag to cope with travel and handling. A lens cleaning cloth and a blower brush will be necessary to cope with dust.

Don’t forget your batteries and adaptors for their rechargers (the electricity supply is 220 Volt, 50 Hz with a square pin 13 amp plug). Most hotels have charging facilities.

A good pair of binoculars is also very important both for everyday game viewing and for scoping good photo opportunities. Birders may wish to bring a spotter scope and tripod.

Your special interests in Kenya - Filming

Kenya has always been a popular location for film production. Hollywood has a long standing affair with Kenya that dates back to the 1930’s. Many classic adventure films were shot on location in Kenya, including The Snows of Kilimanjaro starring Gregory Peck, King Solom

on’s Mineswith Stewart Granger and Mogambo featuring Clark Gable and Ava Gardner.

Joy Adamson’s book Born Free was made into a hit movie filmed entirely on location in Kenya. George Adamson was to later take the trained lions that were used in the film and rehabilitate them into the wild.

The film’s stars Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers went on to form a charity The Born Free Foundation which continues to support conservation work in Kenya.

Hollywood’s greatest tribute to Kenya came with 1985’s Out of Africa. Adapted from Karen Blixen’s classic book, the film told the story of her life in colonial Kenya, with Meryl Streep in the lead role and Robert Redford playing her lover, Denys Finch Hatton.

With stunning cinematography and a rich music score by John Barry, the film brought Kenya to life for audiences all over the world. A major box office hit, Out of Africa went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

In 1989, Kenya was the location for the filming of Bob Rafelson’s historical drama Mountains of the Moon. This epic film won great critical acclaim for its vivid retelling of the conquest of the Nile, and the great adventure of the Burton and Speke expedition. Filmed in diverse locations including Lamu, Hell’s Gate and Lake Turkana, the film shows Kenya at its best.

Kenya has since served as location for several Hollywood blockbusters, including the sequel to Tomb Raider.

In 2002 Nowhere in Africa a German language film about Jewish refugees struggling to create a new life in wartime Kenya was shot on location in Baringo, Bogoria and Mt Kenya. The film was a major success, winning over 14 international awards, including the 2003 Academy Award for Best Foreign language film.

The 2005 box-office hit The Constant Gardener was also filmed on location in Loiyangalani, a small town located on the southeastern coast of Lake Turkana.

Kenya is a great destination for television wildlife productions. Many award winning wildlife series have been shot on location in Kenya by BBC Natural History, Discovery, Survival and other production houses. The Maasai Mara continues to be the backdrop for BBC’s popular Big Cat Diary, following the lives of the reserves predators.

Maasai Mara, Kenya’s world famous game reserve, was named one of the new Seventh Wonders of the World in a poll conducted by ABC Television’s Good Morning America, and a broadcast on US morning television took this spectacle into millions of American homes, live from the Mara.

Kenya hit the top of US TV ratings with the arrival of Survivor Africa. The third series of the hit game show was filmed entirely on location in Shaba Reserve in Kenya.  For the producers, Kenya offered the perfect combination of beautiful locale, stunning wildlife and plenty of opportunity for adventure.

Subsequent productions have included the German film ‘Nowhere in Africa’ which won 14 international awards including the Academy Award for best picture, and was filmed on location in Nairobi, Mt Kenya and the Baringo/ Bogoria region.

Ngong Hills

Academy Award Best Picture winner “Out of Africa” put Ngong Hills in Kenya on top of the list of World’s 10 Most Romantic Movie Locations. The movie was filmed on location at the Ngong Hills.

Adapted from Karen Blixen’s classic book, the film told the story of her life in colonial Kenya, with Meryl Streep in the lead role and Robert Redford playing her lover, Denys Finch Hatton.

With stunning cinematography and a rich music score by John Barry, the film brought Kenya to life for audiences all over the world. A major box office hit, Out of Africa went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Ngong Hills is located 22 kilometers southwest of Nairobi. The area around the Ngong hills was part of a major settlement farm run by Karen Blixen. Visitors can enjoy a good hike up the hills, which have a walking trail and enjoy a clear view of the Nairobi city, the Great Rift Valley and Nairobi National Park.

World renowned Kenyan athletes are known to train at Ngong hills before major meets.

Kenyan Culture & Heritage - Visiting the Villages

For a long time, many people have identified the cities, beaches and wilderness of Kenya as being some of the best in all of Africa. Now there is an alternative! Villages in Kenya are the perfect places to get introduced to local culture and lifestyle. Why not try our unspoiled Kenyan villages, spend

days in the homes of ethnic communities learning and getting involved in their daily lives.  The village experience in Kenya is a reflection of the purest forms of traditional culture of the 42 tribes of Kenya. You could travel up North to the lake shores of Lake Turkana, at the El Molo villages and understand the mystery and strange lifestyles of the smallest tribes of Kenya, or Western Kenya to the Alego Nyangoma Kogelo village, ancestral home to the first black President of the US, Barack Obama. Better yet, the historic ruins of Swahili villages, Gede ruins down South.

Wanting to get married? Come with your spouse and have a magical traditional Turkana wedding. Many times, you won’t miss an invitation to attend a traditional ceremony held in a village. Your accommodation will be in the homes of villagers so be sure to be welcomed with the friendly and warm smiles of a family. Most importantly any costs you incur during your stay directly go to support the livelihoods of the local community, specifically you’re hosting family, what else could be more satisfying?

You can never encounter true Kenyan culture unless you have lived within it so touch down and create your best village experience.

Other activities: Guided walks through projects supporting the villages, farm work, trekking, shopping in the markets, eco tours, interactive handicraft workshops

Culture and Heritage in Kenya

Fashion – Nairobi Fashion Market

The Nairobi Fashion Market is an outdoor shopping event that brings together over 100 fashion designers, retailers and buyers. This is usually a platform to showcase latest trends of clothing, bags, jewelry, accessories, make up, hair and beauty products, homes and other products. On a weekend in Nairobi, this market gives you the opportunity to shop for good quality products, as you sample what’s trending in the Kenyan fashion scene as you enjoy the sights sounds and beautiful people of Nairobi. Everything is displayed with that perfect touch of class because there is a story behind it.

With security being ensured, the Nairobi Fashion Market presents the absolute opportunity to get away from the wild, the beaches and out of your hotel room to feel the city of Nairobi and the warmth of its people in the market. You are sure to get entertained by good music too. The fashion sense of Nairobi is authentic and speaks only for itself so come and buy something and compare with the fashion market at home.

Maasai Market

Slightly similar to the Nairobi Fashion Market is the Maasai Market. For the ultimate breath of culture and color, the Maasai Market gives you the opportunity to buy authentic African art, hand- crafted beaded jewelry and clothing as souvenirs, gifts and even decorating material you could use for your home back in your country. At very affordable prices, you can purchase as many products as possible and at the same time promote local handicraft businesses.

As seen below, the venue for the open air Maasai Market keeps of changing with the days of the week so feel free to find a day and come spoil yourself.

Day of the week	Location
Tuesday	Off Kijabe Street, near Text Book Center Prestige Plaza, 1st floor Rooftop Parking, Ngong Road
Wednesday	Capital Center, Mombasa Road
Thursday	The Junction, 3rd floor parking, Ngong Road
Friday	Village Market, Limuru Road Galleria Shopping mall, junction of Langata road and Magadi road
Saturday	Nairobi Law Courts Parking, City Center Adams’ Arcade, Ngong road
Sunday	Law Courts Parking, City Center Safari Park Hotel, Thika Road Yaya Center, Argwings Kodhek Road Adams Arcade, Ngong road

Coffee dens

Taking coffee is one of the oldest activities that perfectly connects itself to social activity across many cultures of the world. And Kenya is not to be left behind. Since 1950, international coffee shops have been set up in different parts of Kenya, roasting different types of coffee for its local and international coffee lovers. Over time, in Kenya, coffee dens have slowly become great joints for friends, family, expatriates and corporates to meet and interact over a cup of their favorite coffee.

Modernity has set in and coffee shops have upped the social activity with technology. To add to the serene, stylish décor, relaxing music in the backgrounds, coffee shops in Kenya now have free Wi-Fi that you can use to communicate with friends and family at home as you dine in home grown coffee.

Blankets and Wine

It’s hip. It’s urban. Most importantly it’s Afrocentric in our unique Kenyan style. It’s the Blankets and Wine music experience. This is one of the most amazing, laid back experiences you could have that will bring the Nairobi urban culture closer to your heart. Held every first Sunday of the month at the Carnivore grounds, locals and tourists come together, spread Maasai shukas, wrap themselves with kikois, and carry a picnic chair and basket and most importantly wine to an experience of different genres of Afrocentric music. Afro-based fusion musicians from different countries of African come together to create your ultimate African music as you crown it with excellent food, drinks and nyama choma.

A Nairobi lifestyle experience it may appear, the Blankets and Wine music festival is the perfect way to end a weekend on the first Sunday of the month.

Visual arts

Get a feel of the real Kenyan culture, history, modernity, evolution and family life as reflected in the visual arts. Over the years, young Kenyans have invested in awesome theatrical performances and films that showcase the everyday life of a Kenyan, excellent photographic and artwork exhibitions are on display in different cultural centers in the major cities. Exceptional displays of creativity such as spoken word story telling festivals, poetry and paintings bring the picture of Kenya to large audiences.

Visual arts lovers need to get closer to Kenya’s massively talented artists and discover a reflection of the real Kenya, because the real Africa is as reflected by the real Kenya.

Visual arts is not only in the organized environment of a photographic exhibition but out on the streets of Nairobi, art displays in the most fantastic ways. If get the chance to take a leisure walk down the streets of major cities in Kenya you could come across excellent displays of graffiti art done by the daring and creative minds of young artists. As strongly opinionative as they will appear, the use of color and cartoon work will wow you.