Category: Travel

  • Hippie on an  Adventure: Magadi

    Hippie on an Adventure: Magadi

    How can I authentically live the beauty of a foreign place if I keep the same comfort and routine?

    ‘Mekatilili’

    I don’t think I’ve ever been early for a road-trip, at least the much I can recall, this time; I packed 10 minutes before we left, called Duncan, our guide, to confirm on availability at camp & set out for the drive.

    Cargo transport in Kajiado

    That’s how spontaneous my travels get sometimes, all dependent on planning as well as the level of preparedness. Magadi road isn’t as bad as it used to be now that it’s fixed; having left Nairobi at 6:30pm with slight traffic in Rongai we arrived around 8:45pm.

    ‘Salt hills’

    Camping was such an amazing experience for me especially because my tent didn’t have any pegs and it would get really windy. My worst case scenario was waking up in the lake with the flamingoes which wouldn’t have been a bad idea. Although I believe I’m heavy enough to get the tent grounded. Surprisingly I got through the night.

    Sunrise at the hot springs

    From waking up to admire the sunrise after a 25 – minute drive towards the lakeside view point, to an hour of yoga and meditation and marinating the self in the hot springs, to going for a mini hike around the reserve, to reading and journaling on the safari recliner, it is safe to say that I had a worthwhile adventure.

    Lex and Mekatilili

     

    Hot water natural pool

     

    Such beautiful views

     

    Viewpoint Pano

     

    Micro Springs
    Reaching out x Maudhui

     

    Sunrise View Point

     

    Rear glow
    Lake Magadi and the flamingoes

     

    Duncan our guide

    Points to Note

    Carry an extra blanket; it gets really chilly at night.

    Temperatures during the day could rise upto 40C, dress lightly.

    You have the option to camp by the hot springs as opposed to the designated camping grounds in Magadi.

    If you’re planning on any activities ensure you get that done by at-least before noon; the heat is unbearable.

    The sunrise is magical. Never miss it!

     

    Photos taken on Huawei P9 Lite

    How was you Magadi experience? Let me know.

     

  • Hippie on an Adventure x KenyanBohemian – Vibrations of Tremors

    Hippie on an Adventure x KenyanBohemian – Vibrations of Tremors

    “Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and it’s beauty.” ― Albert Einstein

    Pack that bag, go on that adventure… the world has a lot to give.

    Bend differently… behind that fear lies your greatest breakthrough.

    The fire in you… ignited by love, passion, motivation, innovation, battles, it dies out if you don’t keep it burning.

    Life is like math… add value to it, subtract the unnecessary, multiply the virtues and share the happiness.

    Selfishness and selflessness… there are days that will call for you to be selfish, and there are days that will call for you to be selfless. Don’t get them mixed up.

    Embrace the sunrise… it is a beautiful way to start your day.

    The moon is a loyal companion… sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. It understands what it means to be human.

    Long for perfect sunsets… they leave you untroubled and bring a little happy each time.

    Watch the stars… there is no shortage of fault to be found amid our stars.

    The Great Lake Elementaita called, and I had to go… I listened, took nothing but pictures, left nothing but footprints and gained a little healing for the world.

    Words by The Kenyan Bohemian; follow her adventures on Twitter & blog.

    Photos taken on iPhone 6.

  • Untamed Kenya. Driving through the Rift Pt. 1

    Untamed Kenya. Driving through the Rift Pt. 1

    THE ROAD TO LAKE NAKURU

    This details my trip from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru and about Lake Nakuru when I get there. The trip lists information about the Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha, Lake Elementaita and finally culminates at the end at Lake Nakuru. So, sit back, relax and read away as I take you through my drive down.

    The travel route from Nairobi to Nakuru takes us over hills and navigating through S-shaped roads as we descend in to the Rift Valley. The drive begins through Nairobi’s Waiyaki way, a highway that leads on to the outer rims Kenya’s Western Provinces and Districts and imminently to the highlands of Kenya.

    To get in to the Rift Valley using this road, there are two distinct routes to take. The first would be the Mai Mahiu route and second would be the Di- rect Nairobi – Nakuru Highway. We will be using the latter.

    The van departs Nairobi at 11AM from town, and the initial impression I get as we leave Nairobi is that we’ll never get to Nakuru before 7PM. The traffic is horrendous, but, public transport does have it’s benefits. The drivers are no strangers to back-routes and navigating through heavy traffic in order to get to their destinations.

    The drive is arduous, and I can see the driver getting frustrated as he continuously engages the passengers as well as the tout on his rants about the situation on the road that’s definitely a reason to get worked up about.

    Mount Longonot in Monochrome
    A Dramatic sky fills the frame with Mount Longonot, a Kenyan icon and landmark. Located in the Suswa Escarpment showcasing the grandeur of Mount Longonot.
    Wool hats being sold at the Rift Valley View point
    Wool hats being sold at the Rift Valley View point
    Wool hats being sold at the Rift Valley View point
    Wool hats being sold at the Rift Valley View point
    Mount Longonot as seen from Below
    Mount Longonot from a worm’s eye view as we descend to the bottom of the valley using the Mahi Mahiu route.

    The descent in to the valley using the more scenic Mahi Mahiu route takes us right down to the Mount Longonot and we get to circumnavigate it seeing most of the facets of the mountain and it’s sheer volume.

    Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano. an ash and cinder mountain, which was created when the acidic lava erupted vi- ciously causing major and frequent eruptions.The name Longonot is derived form a word in the Maasai Language ( Maa ) called oloonong’ot, meaning “mountains of many spurs” or “steep ridges”.

    The mountain was thought to have last erupted around the 1860’s. Though dormant at the moment, it’s crater has life being sustained within. Some say it may even have the elusive leopard in it’s confines.

     

    Stay tuned for the next chapter as I get to Lake Naivasha en route to Lake Nakuru

    Trees_Rising_Mist

  • Home Pt.2 – The great Rift

    Home Pt.2 – The great Rift

    One of the most intrinsically shaped, beautiful and natural phenome- nons traversing through Kenya.

    If one was to trek through the Rift valley, they would find themselves at the northernmost point starting in Jordan, stretching across through the heart of Africa, down to the southern most point in Mozambique. Discovered by John Walter Gregory in the late 19th Century, it was named “The Great Rift Valley” by him. It spans an approximate 6000 Kilometers ( 3,700 Miles ).

    Mount Longonot as seen from Suswa Viewpoint
    A view of the dormant Mount Longonot as seen from the Suswa viewpoint

    While the Rift may seem to be one connected and distinct valley, it is in- deed a part of three different rifts. The Jordan Rift Valley, Red Sea Rift,and the East African Rift Valley.

     

    The Magadi Rift
    A View of the rift Valley en route to Lake Magadi.

    The three are part of the Great Rift Valley, also known as the Gregory Rift. Aptly named after their discoverer.

    Lake Magadi at Mid Noon
    A View of the Soda Ash lake from the entrance to the National Reserve. During the migratory season, this is a hotspot for Flamingos and Pelican’s for the Algae and Mineral-Rich water from the Lake

    Our interest for now lies in the Eastern Rift Valley, where the deepest part of the Kenyan valley lies just north of Nairobi ( Kenya’s Capital city. ). This is also where some of the great lakes of Kenya lie. Because of no drainage for the lakes, they are very high in Mineral content as the water tends to evaporate leaving salts behind.

    Salt Flats at Lake Magadi
    The dried out crystalline Salt Bed from the Lake’s water as it gets carried for processing at the Soda Ash Factory located at the lake.

     

    Panoramic Magadi Rift
    The Menacing approach of a storm as we look back at the Rift Valley from a view point near the Kajiado area.
    Kerio Valley
    A view from the Kerio Viewpoint at Iten. The vastness of the valley is evident and spectacularly displayed for all to see.

    There are many ways to get in to the Rift Valley. Our interest however lies in the North Western route that would lead out of Nairobi traversing the ominously extensive trenches and leading us to one of the Great Lakes of Kenya. Lake Nakuru.

    LAKENAKURU

  • Gin & Tonics and Khakis birthed the name ‘Brubru’

    Gin & Tonics and Khakis birthed the name ‘Brubru’

    Let me start by saying that I am not saying that the Australian naturalist who discovered and named this bird either liked Gin and Tonics or wore Khakis, although I am pretty sure he did.

    However, as much as his imagination was wrought with creativity, so does my mind wander off to a setting equally vibrant. And while we’re deep down in the dark of this ‘imagicave’ of mine, for good measure, lets go ahead and add a smoking pipe to the khaki clad gin and tonic-er.

    Admittedly, the Brubru was a lifer for me on this trip, and my first sighting of it was from afar as it gave impressions of an overweight Batis. Which is what I yelled out with the confidence of “astounding ornithological authority”.

    With no one around to correct me, I moved on swiftly to larger, more easily identifiable members of avifauna. It was not till later that night in a khaki-free, sober note at the campfire while conferring with a field guide that I smacked myself across the head as if to swat an insatiable mosquito (in the event anyone saw me).

    However, no one was the wiser then and if not for this blog post, no one would have known that khakis influence and channel precise and masterful identification based on deduction and years of knowledge.

    What I should have paid attention to, when confidently mis-id’ing the Brubru, was the call.

    The Brubru – momentarily disregarding nomenclature – is a fascinating bird on several levels. Albeit wanting to side step nomenclature, it useless to mention the fascination without mentioning that though it is classified as a bush-shrike, it stands alone in its genus: Nilaus, and the word Brubru according to Urban Dictionary is “a nonsensical term of friendship or endearment towards a person of Orient” (bat your eyelids didjya?).

    While we’re on that subject, whilst bush-shrikes were considered related to true shrikes, the two families are not closely related. Which is odd (to me), considering they share a few anatomical similarities. Then again, if that was a solid argument then I would have no trouble talking to girls (all being human beings and all), and yet, I seem to hit barriers quite often. I blame the khakis.

    The other fascinating feature are its physical attributes of rufous markings that contrast the black and white feathers and it’s striking superciliary stripe with beak that professes lizard hunting capabilities (which is a very shrikey thing). But mostly, the call of the Brubru is – dare I say – Brutiful?

    There, I said it!

    Like other bush-shrikes, the Brubru is a talented ventriloquist and whistler of long – throwing, flutey “toot toot truuuu’s” that are responded to with love by a female as they ‘wooingly’ duet hot afternoons away.

    To end this bird blog, Birlog®©, I would like to mention that this bird was spotted at the Selenkay Conservancy at the Game Watchers Camp and the place begs a visit. I also had one of my best kill/ hunting sightings there. Stay tuned to be surprised at exactly what hunted what (you will be bafflingly Brubru’ed).

    Keep it Baobab for the next Birlog.

    Till then, keep eyes in the sky and let me know if you spot a cool bird or need help with an ID.

    A day after the first ID-ing it, I spent a little more time at its favorite tree and got a shot of the Brubru.

     

    Northern pied babblers. Some of the wonderful bird life at Selenkay

     

    Tawny Eagle in flight. Some of the wonderful birdlife at Selenkay

     

    Brown Snake Eagle in flight. Some of the wonderful bird life at Selenkay

     

  • Samburu Visuals

    Samburu Visuals

     

    “The use of traveling is to regulate imagination with reality, and instead of thinking of how things may be, see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson

    A recent visit to the Samburu National Reserve left me elated and amazed by the picturesque  landscapes and the great deal of game that we came across. The Reserve is located approximately 345 KM away from Kenya’s Nairobi capital in Samburu County. The Ewaso Nyiro River cuts across the southern corridor of the reserve. Here are some of the stunning visuals from Samburu National Reserve…

     

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  • A suitcase, a phone, and a train. Sharing my trip from Mombasa to Nairobi in 4 hours

    A suitcase, a phone, and a train. Sharing my trip from Mombasa to Nairobi in 4 hours

    Welcome to Mombasa’s ( actually Miritini ) terminus.

    IMG_2194.jpg

    But. I moved too far, too fast. Let’s draw back a little.

    This is Miritini. On the Map, you can see it’s way past the Mombasa International airport, and has to be reached by car or bike ( Bicycle or motorcycle ). I advise against walking to the station, will explain in a bit about why.

    Before I proceed further, it’s important for you to note that while this may seem like a rant, it’s more of an observation. I truly do appreciate the new SGR and would recommend everyone try it while it works.

    Screen Shot 2017-07-03 at 10.51.41

    The distance of 11 Kilometers can be traversed by car or matatu ( Local transport ) or Tuk tuk ( Not recommended ).

     

    In order to reach the station, you’ll drive for about 45 minutes to 3 hours because the station is located along the Mombasa – Nairobi Highway, a road that’s riddled with transport vehicles that simply trash the road and cause a traffic jam that’s possibly visible from space. On one trip to Nairobi from Mombasa, I counted approximately 120 lorries on the road. While that’s great for the jobs market, I will explain that it’s the worst thing for a town as small as Mombasa. Yes a town. We may be called a city but it isn’t a title we deserve.

    This is what it looks like trying to get to Miritini from Mombasa.

    Now try imagining that all the way to Nairobi. There’s a single carriageway road ( like in the video above that’s not really a road ) that’s trying to push tonnes and tonnes of Fuel, Poisonous gasses, cars and a lot lot more. There’s absolutely no way for you to get to Nairobi without being frustrated. And it’s even worse when you get in to Nairobi with all the extra unnecessary traffic.

    Once you manage to get out of that mess, you get to the bridge that crosses on to the mainland from the island of mombasa, all the while contending with traffic, and then comes this putrid, horrid smell that’s simply a waste disposal dump at the edge of the ocean, and it’s unbelievable that this is the entry point in to Mombasa whether by bus, car, or plane.

    IMG_2181.jpg

    What you’re looking at are the garbage pickup trucks lined up in green and the garbage disposal running in to the ocean.

    So. Now that you’ve gotten through fighting with lorries, and past the horrifying scents and smells of Mombasa’s “Beauty”, you get to Miritini. But you realise the station is nowhere near here. And why? because there’s no signs leading to the station. Turns out, it’s not even at Miritini. it’s off the highway, to the left ( when heading to Nairobi ), in to the forest, and there in the middle of nowhere, you’ll find the train station.

    But, that’s not the best part. This here, is the road leading to the station:

    What you’re seeing is a one way road, with these mountains of sand on them and they’re chocoblocked because there’s absolutely no way to get through.

    But then we get in to the station and everything’s sort of hunky dory.

    We start the lineup for entering the station and nothing happens. 5 minutes, 10, 20, still nothing.

     

     

     

    IMG_2204.jpg

    Turns out, there was no electricity. The station was offline. We ended up being ushered in by policemen who searched us manually.

    So we’re in now. The view is stunning:

    I’ll cut to the part where we board the train because it’s fairly uneventful till then, i’m just sitting in my chair listening to the choir of ten-ish children crying away while trying to make a call in a No-Network area.

    The first thing I see when walking from the boarding area toward the train is the statuette of an old chinese dignitary.

    From then on, it’s more and more about how the chinese are a benevolent people who are here on a “Fair” trade and partnership with Kenya. Forgive my sceptical nature, i’m seeing things a little differently considering the fact that they’re going to be running the station for the next 10 years, and that we’ve got absolutely nothing to do with earning any revenue from it. Or even better is the news that we won’t be done paying them off after ten years either.

    But I digress. This is about the train.

    IMG_2212.jpg
    The entrance to the train lobby and the mural i referred to earlier seen through the door on the right.

     

    As we proceed, we get to the red sands of the tsavo almost immediately.

    In the cabins, there’s adequate room to sit facing one another. Privacy is something that doesn’t exist in the regular cabins. On the plus side though, everyone, and I mean everyone was talking to one another. Mobile network isn’t the best along the route so it was interesting to see how people’s phones were put away and conversation was taking place.

    Beautiful Cabin Crew checking tickets
    Our Kenyan beauties are a match for all.
    Excitement in the SGR
    As we drive through the Tsavo, there was much a buzz about elephants and the landscapes. People would whip out their phones and start snapping away.

    I think as Africans, we a people are very sociable. And very warm, and welcoming. But we’re also getting to a tipping point where it’s almost blatantly obvious to the rest of the world that we’re suckers.

    Apart from the ride being uneventful, there is an issue i’d like to point out.

    Lunch Line in the SGR
    Heading to the meals cabin is a task in the SGR. One way and not too spacious.

    We as a Kenyan people enjoy our meals. We like to sit and have our 10AM teas with Andazi and chapo’s. On the train, if you haven’t carried your own, you’ll run in to this long line of people waiting to get in to the food cabin.

    I understand as of writing this post that they’ve resolved the matter by getting the cabin crew to take tea to the cabins. But it’s still to be confirmed.

    Overall, despite the hurdles in getting to the SGR, I enjoyed the experience and would recommend everyone to try it at least once.

    A few things to keep in mind if you are going to take the SGR:

    1. Book early so you don’t miss getting a ticket. They sell out fast.
    2. Keep your ticket with you at all times, you’ll need it to exit the train station.
    3. There’s no power sockets in the train so make sure you’ve got a charged phone / laptop / tablet or carry a power pack with you.
    4. I haven’t seen luggage space for large bags, you may have to make alternate arrangements for them or see what happens if you take big bags. ( let us know )
    5. Network on the SGR is iffy. Be ready for a conversation with random people.
    6. Be respectful of your peers. It’s easy to get in to a heated discussion with such a variety of people on the same cabin.
    7. Be on time. The SGR unlike most local transport is actually keeping time.

    Hope you guys liked the article.

    Rahim.

  • Hippie on an adventure: Elementaita and Kakamega

    Hippie on an adventure: Elementaita and Kakamega

    Ever wondered how well you’d get by traveling on public transport to different destinations on your seek for adventure? Well, we tried; not the best but its an experience totally worth it. Also reliant on luck, sometimes, or atleast the few times I’ve resorted to taking this option. You can either get a fair or worst encounter along the way, this one time; we weren’t too lucky, from crazy delays, reckless driving and inconsiderate drivers, we had it all. It was worth it though, especially Kakamega. Our initial plan was to travel all the way from Nairobi to South Rift Valley via Western and end up in North Rift. We however completed only half the circuit which included; Elementaita, & Kakamega (we decided to skip Nakuru).

     

    View from our campsite at Lake Elementaita.

     

    Views

     

    Channeling all the good vibes in the rain-forest.
    Basking in the warm sunlight of Kakamega Forest.

     

    So lush and green.
    Surreal Sunrise
    Atop Lirhanda Hill
    The entrance to bat-infested Lirhanda caves which was once a gold mine.
    Super cows! ? I have no idea how they climbed this high.
    Trees of Kakamega Forest
    Classic shoe-fie. No?
    We hiked up for 2 hours so we could experience this beauty.
    Dawn by Lirhanda hill overlooking Kakamega Forest.

    Points to Note

    • For optimum convenience and accessibility, private transport is ideal.
    • Camping anytime! It’s affordable and fun , I mean, lodges are overrated.
    • Avoid touristy spots for better experiences.
    • Research on the weather of your destination before the trip so you can pack accordingly.
    • Kakamega Forest is divided into the western and eastern side, each managed by a different government parastatal. For wildlife, the Eastern part suffices, under Kenya Wildlife Service.

    Little compares to the feeling in my soul when I embark. The combination of mystery, excitement, and opportunity makes me feel alive. I live for adventures.

     

  • Wildlife in the City’s Backyard

    Wildlife in the City’s Backyard

    I recently had the privilege of visiting the Nairobi National Park. It is one of Kenya’s twenty three National Parks. However, what makes it stand out is the fact that it is regarded as the “World’s Wildlife Capital”. This is because of it’s strategic location that is only a short drive away from the Nairobi Business District. Now how cool is that?

    However, despite it’s proximity, majority of Nairobi’s city residents have not paid a visit to this home of upto 100 mammal species and over 400 bird species.

    Zebra grazing within the Park copyright @RootsofAfrika

    The Nairobi National Park is home to four of the big five animals. Can you guess which among the big five is not found in the park? It’s not the Rhino, nor is it the Lion, Leopard or Buffalo but the Elephant. There are various Park activities and Park attractions to enjoy alongside the spectacular wildlife. You may opt to have a game drive where you get to spot various wildlife busy grazing, browsing or simply napping and walking against the city scrappers as their backdrop. This is a spectacular sight to behold and one that will forever be etched at the corner of valuable memories.

      Giraffes strolling within the park. copyright @RootsofAfrika

     The rhinoceros with its young one. It is among the endangered species at the park. Copyright Ceri_Kanja

    The park also hosts the Nairobi Safari Walk and the animal orphanage. The Nairobi Safari walk offers a relaxed stroll as you gaze upon different types of animal species such as the Hippo, Leopard, Cheetah, Rhino, Ostriches, Water bucks among many more. The facility also offers children’s wildlife classes and this together with the animal orphanage provide a good platform for you as well as the little ones to learn more about the wildlife and interact with them fondly under the supervision of the park’s guides.

    The wooden platform within the Nairobi Safari Walk. Copyright Ceri_Kanja

    A leopard basking within its confines at the Nairobi Safari Walk. Copyright Ceri_Kanja

    One of the Protected White Rhinos within the park. Copyright Ceri_Kanja

    The park equally boasts of spacious picnic sites and camping sites thus making it ideal for group hangouts as well as overnight stays at the park. So why not spend the night there around a cozy bonfire just to get away from the bustles of the City life? And the best part is that you do not have to travel far and wide to do this thus very budget friendly to the city dweller.

    Local Tourists enjoying the park’s view. Copyright @RootsofAfrika

    The Park’s rates as well as full list of attractions and park activities can be easily found here