Walking on Loita Hills

The Loita Hills are one of Kenya's last remaining 'true wilderness' areas. There are no roads, tracks or footpaths, and the likelihood of our seeing anyone else on the trek is remote. Indeed our only other companions will be the wild game that inhabits the grasslands and montane forests of this remote region. Where appropriate, we will be walking along game trails and in the late afternoons may move from the ridge tops, down into the valley in search of suitable campsites. Nights are generally spent camped next to cool streams that rise in these hills and on leaving the next morning, the only evidence of our passing should be a small circle of ash and a few fire blackened rocks marking the place we had the camp fire and cooked the evening meal.

Starting at an Altitude of about 2,200m, we walk, carrying all our own food and camping equipment, east, through Savannah grasslands, climbing as we do so to about 2,400m. At some point we will enter the "mist forests" of the central area. These forests are sustained by the ability of the trees, bushes, lichens and mosses to extract moisture from the clouds that cloak the whole region most mornings. Underfoot the ground is moist and springy with slowly decaying vegetation, whilst above us, the forest trees provide a haven for monkeys, turaco and other forest birds seen but seldom elsewhere.

The weight carried by each client on the first day is about 20 kg, with packs becoming lighter each day as food is eaten, to end at around 10kg on the last day of the walk. Total distance covered - about 45 kilometres.

Of the forest mammals, the most conspicuous will be the beautiful black and white Colobus monkeys, but troops of Sykes and Vervet monkey will add their alarm cries to those of the Crowned Eagles, and other birds which fly within the forest. With luck, we may encounter those silent giants of Africa - the Elephant, but more probably the only evidence of their presence will be their spoor and droppings together with those of Buffalo, forest Antelope, and more rarely, Lion, Leopard and Hyena.

During the walk, because of the unspoilt virgin nature of the wilderness, we try to take a different route on each expedition. This implies that the terrain conditions are generally unknown and may vary considerably during each day, with good game trails being followed for a couple of hours, succeeded by areas of seemingly impenetrable jungle. Here progress may be difficult with giant nettles, vines and lianas and thorns adding to the challenges of the walk. Navigation is by use of map, compass and altimeter, and a portable VHF airway band radio is carried for use in any possible emergency.

Day 1

From Nairobi, a three hour drive westwards, brings us to the township of Narok. Here we will have a snack lunch and a drink before continuing for another two hours to the upper grassland plateau of the Loita Hills. Our walk starts from near the Masaai village of Morijo, and from here we will walk east and then south for about 3 hours till we reach a suitable campsite by a permanent stream. Dinner, as on each subsequent night, will be cooked over an open camp fire.

Day 2

After an early breakfast we cut up the east side of the valley and so into the start of the forests proper. Game trails are followed when ever possible. Note: because we use a different route through the forest each time, the difficulty of the terrain we will be crossing will not be known from one kilometre to the next. This night's camp is made after a long drop into one of the valleys. Alternatively your guide and one volunteer will drop down into the valley to collect the night's water requirements whilst the camp is set up on the ridge top.

Day 3

Still in the forests for a couple of hours, often quite hard going with fewer game trails to follow. By mid morning though, the area should be getting somewhat dryer as we approach the first escarpment dropping down into the Great Rift Valley. Suddenly it's open grasslands and rapidly we descend to the floor of this middle plateau and our camp on the Entosopia River. Good swimming and spectacular views. (usually the same camp for each crossing)

Day 4

Mid morning departure, walking along the edge of the escarpment towards where we will follow an old Land Rover track down to the Rift Valley floor. Vehicles will meet us at a convenient point. The drive back to Nairobi will then take us across soda flats of Lake Magadi, the largest soda lake in the world and so back across the Great Rift to arrive in Nairobi by early evening.

Equipment required by the client is minimal.- Stout walking shoes, socks. T shirt and shorts, long pants and long sleeved shirt, warm jumper and waterproof jacket, bush hat and tooth brush being about all. Please do not bring any scented cosmetics. We provide sleeping mat, bag and tent. All food, and cooking equipment and of course our professional guide/s.

_______________________________

Options are of course many and varied and in many cases we can be flexible about the itinerary whilst we are actually on the safari. One may, for instance, wish to spend an extra day caving (or cut out a day), thus spend less time (or longer) walking the Chyulus.

__________________________

Walk and drive Safari kenya
Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi. Arrival and airport transfer . Afternoon city tour . overnight in Nairobi hotel.

Day 2 :Crater lake Sanctuary: After breakfast ,briefing by the guide. By 9.00 a.m. we leave Nairobi to head for Lake Naivasha, a fresh water lake in the Rift Valley at an altitude of 1890m. Its biggest attraction is the variety of bird life seen on it and its vicinity. A bird count of 400 species has been done in this area. We arrive at Crater Lake in time for lunch, where nature is at its best. We do a circular trek on the top of the crater from where we see the lake from various angles, with a close view of the many birds that are found here. We find our vehicle for a return journey to the hotel for dinner and overnightat Lake Naivasha Lodge.

Day 3: Hell's Gate National Park:.. We wake up with the sun rising over the lake - the early morning is perfect for watching wildlife as the lake boasts a wide variety of water birds. After a short transfer to the park.entrance we will walk among giraffes, zebras, warthogs and the many types of gazelle that are found here. The first part of this walk is done in typical flat African savannah in a volcanic area bounded by massive rocks. After a picnic lunch the last part of the walk takes us into Hell's Gate Gorge accompanied by wild vegetation and running water from geysers. Overnight - Lake Naivasha Lodge

Day 4: Longonot Crater: After breakfast we transfer to Longonot National Park. This is an extinct crater in the Rift Valley. The first part of today's walk is a steady climb to the crater rim, the highest point in the Rift Valley, and the walker is rewarded with a wide view of the crater which is full of monkeys and soaring eagles. The second part of today's walk is around the rim of the crater .On completing the circuit we descend to the park gate and transfer to Naivasha town for a well deserved drink and lunch in the best known pub of the area, "La Belle Inn". Here we can see something of daily life in a small African town. Return to the hotel. Overnight - Lake Naivasha Lodge

Day 5: Lake Nakuru.. We take a break from walking and visit by vehicle Lake Nakuru where thousands of pink flamingos shimmer over the water. As well as many other species of birds, there is big game including white rhino, buffalo, waterbuck, Grant's and Thompson gazelle, impala, jackal, lion and leopard. We have our lunch at the Lake Nakuru Lodge. In the afternoon there's a short transfer to the Lake Elementaita Lodge for overnight.

Day 6: Malewa Ranch. After breakfast we transfer to Malewa Ranch. This is a wildlife conservancy situated on the banks of the Malewa river, which feeds Lake Naivasha. We start our walk by crossing the shallow Malewa river to enter open savannah dotted with the trees and shrubs valued highly by local people
medicinal qualities. Here too is an abundance of birds. We return via a cliff from where we have wonderful views of Longonot, Lake Naivasha and the northern Rift Valley. We then make a detour across the bridge over the Malewa river and to the lodge where we have a late lunch before returning to our hotel. Overnight - Lake Elementaita Lodge

Day 7: Lake Elementaita. Lake Elementaita may not be as well known as Lake Nakuru but its scenic beauty is unmatched. We walk up to the lakeshore from where we proceed to the hot springs and into the Kokopey Hills. We walk mainly in open savannah, occasionally stopping for a chat with a Masai herdsman. The gentle sloping hills give a good panorama. After, we return to the Lodge in time for lunch and a leisurely afternoon.

Day 8: Masai Mara.. We now again take a break from walking and concentrate on wildlife. To see the best of Kenyan wildlife Masai Mara is the place to be. So, after breakfast we start our journey to Masai, passing through Narok, a colorful Masai town. We will be able to see many animals along the way grazing side by side with the Masai livestock. We reach the lodge/campl in time for lunch. After relaxing at the swimming pool we do an evening game drive through the park. Overnight - Masai Mara Lodge

Day 9: Masai Mara.. This is our cultural and activity day in Masai Mara. We do an early morning game drive through the park before breakfast. Then we head for the park gate from where we start the walk to the Masai manyatta, or homestead, where we will see how the Masai live. Return to Keekorok for lunch and free afternoon which can be spent in the hotel and swimming pool. An evening game drive completes the day. Overnight - Masai Mara Lodge

Day 10: To Nairobi Carnivore Restaurant. After breakfast we head to Nairobi to arrive in time for lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant which is known for its barbecued game meat. Giraffe, zebra, gazelle, crocodile, ostrich are all delicacies. Free afternoon/shopping or transfer to the airport.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
Moderate - sound basic fitness required

INSURANCE

We do not accept any liability for any loss or injury however caused. We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.

Cost per person US$1575.00 .sharing with a single supplement of US$350. This is inclusive of all meals starting from breakfast of day 2 until lunch of day 10, all accommodation, transport, services of guides, park entrance fees .
Excluded in the price are the airfare, costs of visa and airport tax, expenses of personal nature, drinks and tips.

NB: Accommodation is not included on day 10 but can be arranged at the time of booking.

________________________

Walking in Ngorongoro,Empakai Crater and Lake Natron

Northern Tanzania itinerary for the fit and sportive person who wants to get off the classic safari route and appreciate the beauty of landscape and wildlife joined with some cultural interaction of different tribes.Walking the Highlands of Ngorongoro Conservation area and the Empakai crater, the plains of Salei, down the Rift valley escarpment and up an active volcano makes this safari a complete African experience. The trek up Lengai is quite strenuous but an alternative walk to waterfalls can be arranged for those not wanting to attempt it.
A small day pack with camera, sun cream and water bottle is all you are expected to carry.

Itinerary

Cost includes:

Not included:

3- 6 Days Kenya Luxury safari
7- 9 Days Kenya Lodge Safaris
10- 14 Days Kenya Road Safaris
Best of Kenya Safari Packages
Kenya Flying Safari Packages