Kenya > Hiking in the Kerio Valley

I slept like a log last night. Even though I had also slept quite well in the tent yesterday. All the impressions during the trip make you sleepy. I can take it easy today. Around eight o’clock, I join for breakfast. Silvia has made pancakes. I top my pancakes with banana and syrup. At half past nine, Timothy and another guide are ready for the walk. Since it’s Saturday, Timothy has also brought his son along. One guide walks in front, and one guide walks at the back. Just outside the lodge grounds, the narrow walking path descends. We arrive at a large rock. From this rock, I have a stunning view over the Kerio Valley, hundreds of meters below. Women are working in the fields. They glance up briefly as we pass by. Children shout ‘jambo’ to us. I wave back. Some children walk a little way with us. We come to the waterfall. Timothy had already warned us that the waterfall is dry during the dry season. In wetter times, water cascades over a three-meter-high rock. Then you can swim here too, Timothy explains. Now I only see a muddy puddle. It doesn’t look inviting. After more than an hour and a half, we reach a viewpoint. The valley is still below us. Here there is also a second waterfall. In this season, it’s more like a little stream. A small trickle of water flows between the rocks. From here, we climb back up. I quickly gain height over the rocks. Timothy shows some fruits growing along the path. You have to be close to him for this, as he doesn’t wait for the whole group. It’s clear that it has become warmer. The climb is strenuous.

Kenya - Hiking in the Kerio Valley

I don’t mind that we’re back at the Lelin Overland Lodge shortly after noon. In the shade, I drink a cold beverage. Meanwhile, Silvia prepares lunch—chicken, fries, and salad. It takes her considerable effort and time to get everything ready. By two o’clock, lunch is served. It’s actually a shame to see how quickly it’s all eaten. I decide not to go on the excursion to the farm. Instead, I sit under a shelter with a view of the valley. Just relaxing and doing nothing at all. While enjoying the beautiful view, I write the travel report. It’s always good not to fall too far behind. In the afternoon, I have a beer with some fellow travelers. The local Tusker beer tastes great. The bartender enjoys the company and comes to sit with us. The group that visited the farm also returns. It was fun, but not very special. The reactions are mixed. Before dinner, I quickly take a shower. I’m getting used to only having to move the water lever a little bit. When the water flow becomes too strong, the electric heater can’t handle it. The heater and showerhead are one unit. The electric wires for the heater hang above the shower, connected to each other with tape. I make sure they don’t get wet. Dinner in the evening is typically Kenyan. Silvia explains how to put the dish on the flatbread and fold it closed. It’s a kind of rice cake with spinach and grilled meat. She challenges us to eat the meal with our hands, just like the Kenyans. Although I don’t seem to have the skill to eat with my hands, it tastes good.