Whizzing past the Elangata Wuas plains en route from
Nairobi to Namanga, one catches a glimpse of the sacred Maasai Mountain, Ol
Donyo Lengai, and the Noonkujit Swamp, where herds of elephant cross over from
Tanzania to browse on the lush grass.
But there is much more than meets the eye.
Hidden beyond the steep rugged rocks and the
acacia-littered plains that stretch into infinity is a gem that only those who
dare venture off the beaten path will find. Until roughly a decade ago, few
dared to venture off the main highway.
But the few who did found a paradise that could be
sustained through eco-tourist ventures with a low footprint. The hills were
home to the lesser kudu - a large antelope with spiralling horns, elephants,
giraffes and gerenuks, impalas and gazelles, cheetah and leopards, baboons and
monkeys, and more than 260 species of birds and 300 species of trees.
In the late 1990s, with support from the Kenya Wildlife
Service (KWS), Ford Foundation, and IDRC, workshops were held to map a way to
help the community open up their beautiful land for eco-tourism and other
sustainable projects.
This was the beginning of the Elangata-Wuas Ecosystem
Management Programme. The programme has since struggled through thick and thin
but with many successes, among them conserving the once endangered African wild
dog, which is now sighted regularly.
There are also fewer trees cut for charcoal, a simple
tourist lodge aptly named Kudu Hills has been constructed, and recently the
first library in the area — the Elangata Wuas Resource Centre — supported by
Africa Soma was put up and opened to the local community. Kenya Community Based Tourism Network, an umbrella organization for Community Based Enterprises in Kenya has been helping this community in a bid to sustain their livelihoods.
Hikers’ paradise
As we hike to the river, one of the first community guides
and parataxonomist (he takes inventory of the animals) points
out air plants (epiphytes) that live off the host tree, the spoor of a hyena,
and in the low scrub, the tiny dik diks.
We spot barbets, lilac-breasted rollers, canaries, sunbirds,
but unfortunately, without a pair of binoculars, we miss out on the birds of
the high skies. After straining our eyes for a couple of minutes, we make out
the African crowned eagle perched on an acacia tree high up the rocky mountain.
It is Africa’s most powerful bird of prey, with talons strong enough to grab a
small gazelle.
Stay at Kudu Hills Camp
Kudu Hills camp is located 115Km from Nairobi and is
slightly past Kajiado (Nbo-Kajiado 80kms). Turn right at the sign reading
Kudu Hills. It is 35 kilometers in into the road. The Kajiado-Magadi
railway line cuts across and Mile 46, the Maasai trading center, is at the
halfway point.
The plains are great for hiking and you can try
different circuits on subsequent visits. Try the Emarti, Karero or Kudu hills,
and make sure to take a local guide along.
For overnight trips camp or stay in the Maasai-styled
enkaji. It costs Sh400 per person per night (half price for the kids). Beddings
are provided, and there are showers and toilets – nothing fancy but it is great
value for money.
The common kitchen is complete with pots and pans,
cutlery and crockery. Just take your food and personal items as well as a
hat and plenty of water.
To book at Kudu
Hills Please Contact
Joel Kenton
Mobile: +254 715 341 306
OR
Kenya Community
Base Tourism Network
Tel: +254 20 231 9458
Email: info@kecobat.org
www.kecobat.org / www.homestayskenya.org Email: info@kecobat.org
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