Met Station, Mt Kenya,
Sykes monkey washing dinner

From Nairobi I took a matatu to Naro Moru, where I hired a guide to trek up Mt. Kenya (since individual trekking is not allowed). His fee also included park admission, lodging, transportation. Then, my guide proposed treking jointly with a high school group guided by his business partner so that we can share their meals (instead of bringing our own). Although I usually prefer to trek independently or in a small group, this turned out to be a very interesting experience. The high school group comprised about 5 teachers and 30-35 students, mostly from around Nairobi, but also from Uganda and other places. A number of the students look to be of Indian descent. A group of about 15 porters and cooks bring the food supplies (three meals per day) and occasionally help to carry sleeping bags. On day 1, we lodged in cabins at the Meterological station. A family of Sykes monkeys came by at dinner time, foraging for food.

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Pt Lenana, Mt Kenya,
trekking with students from Brooks School, Nairobi

On day 3, after waking at 3 AM and trekking through some freezing rain and icy paths, we reached Pt. Lenana, the highest point on Mt Kenya that is reachable by feet. And just in time for a sun break. Everyone in the group made it.

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Nakuru National Park, Nakuru,
dawn in the Rift Valley

After descending from Mt Kenya to Nanyuki, I caught a matatu to Nakuru in the Rift valley, where I rented a car to drive to the national park (since only vehicles are allowed inside) just before closing. I stayed overnight at a lodge operated by the Kenyan Wildlife Society, waking up next morning to a beautiful sunrise with gazelles, waterbuck, and buffalos grazing nearby.

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Hell's Gate Park, near Naivasha,
In the Lower Gorge, with central tower behind me

Lake Naivasha,
Giraffe crossing

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Lamu Town, Lamu Island,
A game among friends

Lamu is a island in the Indian Ocean northeast of Mombasa with friendly locals and long long stretches of sandy beach and clear blue water.

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Manda Island,
Leaving on a dhow

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Shela, Lamu Island,
Making new friends

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