I like to call Kenya the land of Hakuna Matata. Home to forty-two African tribes all co-existing in harmony and unity, Kenya is a country like no other. Whether travelling by bus or plane let your destination be Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. If you want to travel by bus, you would have to grab a bus in Nyabugogo and ride to Kampala, Uganda’s capital. It’s a journey that takes about nine hours. The real adventure begins when you reach, and then cross, the busiest border in East and Central Africa – the Uganda-Kenya border. That is when you reach the Western Province.Home to the famous ‘Crying Stone’, a geological feature, the Western Province is cold you need to make sure you carry warm clothing with you. The terrain is flat and smooth so it should be a comfortable ride to Eldoret. Eldoret,is the hometown of most of Kenya’s legendary runners amongst them being the world-renowned long distance champion Kipchoge Keino. Its high altitude is an ideal training ground for many long distance runners.It is believed that the name Eldoret originated from the Masai word ‘Eldore’, which means ‘Stony River’, named after the stony riverbed of the nearby Sosiani River.For great camping and a taste of the mysteries of African night - Eldoret is the place. It is a tourism destination with its most popular spot being ‘Naiberi campsite’ located just outside the town. The 4,000 feet deep Kerio Valley offers an impressive view of the semi-tropical vegetation on the slopes leading down to a dry thorn bush at the base. Towards the Eldoret International Airport, Ngala Falls offers a wonderful site for picnics and relaxation because of its beautiful scenery. There are many activities to engage in within Eldoret like nature walks, game drives, sightseeing, cycling, and hiking. When night falls in Eldoret, worry not, for a vibrant nightlife with several nightclubs in the town is available. They play the latest music and have great food. As you get drive deeper into Kenya, the fastest growing town in the larger East and Central Africa, Nakuru, awaits. It is known for its beautiful pink flamingos and rich concentration of wildlife including the black and white monkey. A famed Rhino sanctuary can be found in its environs. The spectacular Lake Nakuru, ringed in pink from a distance, is famed for its flamingos and the over 400 species of birds found there. The lake itself is a soda lake on the floor of the rift valley. The sight of millions of flamingos is quite spectacular. Leaving Nakuru, you are then come upon the ‘Happy Valley’ as Naivasha is commonly known. The town is known for the Hell`s Gate National Park, a lucrative horticultural industry and Lake Naivasha. As you leave this town via the Mai Mahiu route, the cold chills the air you breathe. Nairobi beckons.Nairobi is a busy city. The fast pace of the city can seem overwhelming at times. Traffic jams are common. High-rise buildings characterise the city and streetlights will illuminate your paths. Stay at Ambassador, Hilton, or even the old-school Norfolk hotel. For more adventure, you can drive down Mombasa Road up to Kabanas city area where ‘The Mamba Village’ awaits. Widely known for housing Kenya’s largest crocodiles, if you go deep within you will discover an awesome little secret that very few know about it.Or you can take the Langata-Rongai route to the Nairobi National Park, where the Mbagathi River Emakoko lodge lies. Majestic tall trees surround the lodge, hiding it from the city. Early in the morning, you can enjoy the view of hippos grazing outside the rooms.Visit the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, where dedicated veterinarians take care of traumatised and injured animals. Another suggestion is the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. The orphanages dedicated staff give the calves 24 hour personal care and when the calves are grown, they are re-located to the Tsavo National Park.If you do not visit the Nairobi National Museum you will have only yourself to blame. It’s amazing.During your drives through the lazy Nairobi jams, you will see the largest slum in Africa-Kibera slum. Home to about 2.5 million people, it covers 6 percent of the city’s land.
