THE SECLUDED PARADISE-CENTRAL ISLAND
The beauty of Kenya keeps surprising me. If you have been following my travels, you would be misled to think that I have been everywhere in Kenya. Truth is that I keep discovering beauty after beauty. Recently, I visited an island in the far North West of Kenya that left me awed. I have been............
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SAIWA SWAMP-THE HOME OF SITATUNGA
I have heard about Saiwa Swamp for a long time, but I have never felt compelled to visit it. I mean it's a mere swamp! How many swamps have you seen? Anything special? Isn't a swamp a wetland or a water-logged ground with reeds? You get my point? To make the matters worse, I have this friend called..........
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Lamu Island through My Eyes and Lens
This is a destination I have been longing to set my feet in. It has been in the bucket list for ages. I had no idea that it could be ticked off in 2020. I engaged Stella and to make it more interesting, I decided to tag along Safiri Nasi clients. November 18th was the date and I have never been that ready for a destination. My mind and my soul opened up to Lamu Island. Ladies and Gentleman, Travel With Eliud to lamu Island..........
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HOW I DISCOVERED CHALBI DESERT-QUEEN OF THE NORTH
Sarah (or Queen of the North) is a beautiful and charming professional who knows Marsabit like the palm of her hand. But, how did she discover Chalbi desert? Did she live there since her childhood? Her story is engrossing and I am more than happy to share it with you. She narrated how she accidentally found herself in the middle of Chalbi desert. Below is her chronicle:
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Covid-19 and what next for travel in Kenya
Covid-19 is here with us. With over one million infections and over 50,000 deaths worldwide, the reality cannot be more settling. When it started in China on December 2019, it was just ‘other news’. As am writing this, Covid-19 has made headlines throughout the world for more than two months now. The manner in which the virus is spreading is hard to fathom. It feels like nature is............
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Mt Kenya Chogoria Route day trip-Mugi Hill, Lake Ellis and Nithi Falls
This route is the reason I want to climb Mt. Kenya. The beauty starts right at the gate. That is why am curious if the beauty goes all the way to the peak. Since it was a rainy season, we needed to be fast to avoid getting rained on. The walk was rejuvenating. Jumping over small streams, enjoying the scenery, passing through forested areas and catching breath was all in a day’s work. After walking for a while.........
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The hidden Kenyan Gems in Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Nandi Counties
When you get to the end of uphill task, you have arrived at the Great Rift Valley. The scenery and landscape here is magical. The meandering of the road is a sight to behold. This road is called SS road because of the curves. The thrill you get while driving down the curves is more than the one you get on.........
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The beauty harbored in West Pokot, Lake Turkana and Central IslanD
When we got at the top, I could not believe my eyes. Another Crater Lake added to my list. It is called Flamingo Lake because these birds visit on a daily basis from Lake Bogoria. It appears green because of algae (favorite food for flamingos). I have seen crater lakes such as Lake Chala, Lake Paradise, Crater Lake Naivasha and now this beauty. How many have you seen?
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The Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge Experience
The name Sarova scares a lot of domestic travelers. There is a belief among them that the Sarova brand is for the rich-luxurious holiday makers. Some would like to try one of the Sarova facilities, but shy away from the next step of enquiring. I agree that some of the facilities under Sarova brand are high end and probably a traveler on budget cannot consider them. This might be true for......
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A BACKPACKING ADVENTURE TO ENTOSOPIA AND NGURUMAN
Nguruman is a center at the foot of Entosopia escarpments. It is developed along Entosopia River and has schools, health centers, police post, an airstrip and a research center. Loita hills escarpments are a walking distance and Lake Natron is a few kilometers away from Nguruman.............
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An exhilarating journey that leads to The Pot at Panda!
Mark Twain once said, “I have found out that there is no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” Travel with Eliud and find out why Naivasha can be re-packaged to fulfil your travel desires.
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The undiscovered gem that is Regency Mount Kenya View HoteL
If you have been following my blog, you can probably guess today’s theme. Yes, you’re right. I have discovered a new hidden gem in the Mt. Kenya region that is worth exploring. I’m starting to give Christopher Columbus a run for his money. TravelWithEliud and let’s discover a new world of adventure!
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IT'S YOUR TASK TO SAVE OUR TUSKS-AN ELEPHANT'S PLEA
Here’s a fun fact. If one of our own is stressed (yes, it happens to us too. It’s a jungle out here.), we caress him with our trunks for comfort. We are gentle giants. Our incisors grow into tusks and we use them as weapons, tools for moving objects and digging..........................
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How I travelled to Amboseli National Park for 2 days at only 9000 shillings
A week ago, I joined a group of travelers going to Amboseli. The cost was KShs 9750 for both residents and non-residents, however, the non-resident park fees were not included. Luckily, for Kenyans the price was all inclusive. I had mentioned a short while ago that group travel is one of the ways to travel on a tight budget.....................
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A conference Giant in Machakos
This is by far the easiest hotel to locate when you are visiting for the first time. Only 63km from Nairobi it should take you less than one hour to get to. It’s in close proximity to the Office of the Governor, the Kenya Red-Cross Society (Machakos branch) and Kenyatta Stadium, and only less than a 5 minutes’ drive to the Machakos town centre. On the left........
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A BOUTIQUE SAFARI EXPERIENCE AT THE OLARRO CONSERVANCY
The experience at Olarro Conservancy is much more than a safari. You will feel like you are part of the team. They engage and involve you in activities that will leave you in awe of nature. You almost get emotional to checking out for the conservancy. If you’re looking for an alternative from a luxury lodge inside the Mara, I would ........................
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Are Lake Bogoria geysers going extinct? Let’s stop selling geysers to tourists
There are probably other reasons for visiting this park, but these are the only ones I was able to think about. Even if there was no other reason for visiting the park apart from the four, it is worth the time and money. Most importantly, let us desist from selling Lake Bogoria Geysers to tourists. We can sell the hot springs and...............
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Demystifying the Northern Kenya Myth: Samburu, Lake Paradise and Chalbi Desert
About a week ago, Safiri Nasi Limited organized a trip to Northern part of Kenya. When North of Kenya is mentioned, several assumptions run in our mind; Insecurity, Alshabaab, clashes, bandits, hunger, drought, scorching sun, flash floods, and many other negative myths. It’s only though travel that such myths can be demystified....
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Visit Nakuru-Tumaini Cottages and Conference Centre
Your guess as to why I’m writing this article is as good as mine. Yes, I have discovered another hidden gem in Nakuru County. Travel with Eliud and you will not know how/when you packed your bags.
I recently went exploring in Nakuru. I was looking for a quiet and serene place outside the busy town......................... |
A Sad Affair- SGR and Wildlife at Nairobi National park
While heading to Mokoiyet picnic site, I met this couple (I will call them Eliud and Esther). The couple looked happy and excited to see us. They were busy feeding while taking a stroll in their empire. The rains have brought goodness and plenty of food. The empire looks green and beautiful............
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The adventures in Tsavo west, Lake Jipe and Lake Chala
Safiri Nasi Limited and Cheetah Revolution Safaris had a road trip starting Friday to Sunday. What caught my eye was the destination, i.e. Lake Jipe and Lake Chala. These two lakes have been in my bucket list for days! I wasn’t going to let them slip away this time. I signed up hurriedly like there was a prize for registering first. I couldn’t stay calm. I even packed a day before to avoid forgetting anything come the travel day.
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How to Trick your Old-Fashioned Parents into a Holiday
My dad called me just the other day and posed that question to me, as has become our norm. That time I happened to be at home. He was surprised that I was home on a weekend. After that phone call, it dawned on me that my parents had never been on holiday. They actually had no idea how it felt to be on holiday. They had never been to a hotel, boarded a plane (they had only seen them up in the sky looking like birds),...............
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A tribute to the Rangers and Wardens
Whenever we think about a Safari, a hike, mountaineering, snorkeling, nature walks or picnicking, several things come to mind, such as the vehicles, driver guides, community guides, park fees, conservation fees and wildlife among others. Rarely, do the Rangers and Wardens cross our minds, probably because we look at them as the people who have been employed and are paid to do what they do. Today, I choose to dedicate this article to............
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Walk the Green Talk-Plant a Tree Today
If every human being was responsible, do you think we would need efforts in conservation? I think not. Most of the things we are fighting to conserve are at the state they are because of human mischief. In Mahatma Gandhi’s words, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.” Our love for quick money and zero concerns about future has impacted the environment negatively. Nature is unforgiving. We have now started..........
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My group travel experience at Thompsons Falls, Lalanasi Lodge & Tafaria Castle
I know that most of us have shied away from January travel as we continue to tighten our purse strings. Be that as it may, if you’re afflicted by wanderlust as I am, your travel itinerary will defy Njaanuary (Slang for month of hunger) as it did for me when I packed my bags for group travel in 2018................
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Why a self-catering holiday should be your next plan
I have noticed a growing trend of holiday makers of preferring self-catering facilities over hotel stay. Cottages, villas, houses, holiday homes and beach pent houses have been on demand of late. I am a diverse kind of traveler, but self-catering facilities is what does it for me. Think about having the whole house, the grounds, the pool,......
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An Oasis in Machakos
Masinga Dam Resort (MDR) is located adjacent to the Masinga Reservoir in Machakos District, located approximately 160km from Nairobi. The Masinga Reservoir developed and commissioned by TARDA in 1981, is a multipurpose man-made lake meant for irrigation, electricity generation and tourism development. The magnificent water body
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Spontaneity, camps and saltless dinners
Have you ever traveled without a plan? Waking up, packing and hitting the road to a destination without knowing exactly what you are going to do? It sounds scary but it can be quite exciting. The fear of unknown takes precedence in most cases. Only adventurers take up such challenges. These are people who agree with Robert Louis Stevenson when he said, “For my part, I travel not to.........
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True wilderness experience within Nairobi
Have you been to Nairobi national park yet? Apart from Safari walk and Animal orphanage, have you enjoyed a game drive at the park? Kenya is blessed. The World was created from here (my theory). We have the only park in the world that is within a city! It offers a wilderness experience that is equivalent to the one you get when you visit Maasai Mara, Tsavo, Samburu etc.
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Discover the Joy of Camping
The best part about camping is that it’s a free space. There are no curtailments and nobody cares. You can scream all you want, eat all you want, drink whatever you love, play any game you want which is available, think and reflect all you want, meet strangers who later becomes friends, and unleash that character you hide in a formal setting. It’s not important where you.......
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Treasure in our own back yard
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to spend a night or two in Nairobi CBD? Well, I have. Call me naïve, but I have never had a reason to spend the night in town. This is probably because I live 15km away from Nairobi CBD which is roughly a 26 minutes’ drive. My curiosity couldn’t let me live in peace. For wanderlusts like me, any travel experience is welcome. But then again.......
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1st Anniversary
They say that time flies when you’re having fun, and boy are “they” right! One year ago, I hit that “publish” button on my very first blog post. At the time, I didn’t really know what I was doing or what the goal was. My only desire was to get a platform to share my travel stories and get storage for my many pictures. Let me take you on a little trip down memory lane.
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'Look at Kenya'
The same way a desert has an Oasis, Machakos County has Lukenya Getaway. You cannot come to this conclusion until you experience it yourself. A weekend ago, together with other trade partners, I was privileged to spend a weekend away at Lukenya Getaway. The experience was nothing short of amazing. 'Travel With Eliud (walk with me) and discover this hidden treasure.
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My SGR Experience
The train is very comfortable and the ride very smooth. It is exactly like a plane only that it doesn't fly. There is no noise from outside and one can't even tell the speed it's going at without reading the updates. The windows are completely sealed just like a plane’s. It is therefore difficult to get clear outside shots. The speed ranged between 113km/hr and 120km/hr.
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Fun with Nature
If you’re stuck in the house because you lack a travel plan, or are frustrated because you can’t think of a place to visit with your family or friends or spouse, or you have visitors who are not from Nairobi and you can’t think of a plan, I have a cool plan just for you.
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A date with the Giraffes
Perhaps the most challenging part of a man’s life is to keep your significant other happy all the time. By
“happy” here I mean keeping her entertained throughout the time you spend together. Whether you spend time with each other once a month, once in three months, every weekend, or everyday (sigh), the goal is the same; to give her something she will treasure and remember every time she misses you. |
‘What Murang'a has to offer’
Am sure you are wondering what took me to Murang’a County. My vision was to traverse the county while admiring its beauty. The mission however was to find Aberdare Cottages and Fishing Lodge. I saw this lodge online and I couldn’t believe that such a facility existed in Murang’a County.
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Safarilink's New Route To Zanzibar
Safarilink is delighted to announce a further expansion to its route network: a four times a week service to Zanzibar from 01 July 2017. The flights will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
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As I walk through the valley of enjoyment...
Kenya is amazing and there is much to see and a lot of activities to do. As I mentioned in the previous article, most people yearn to identify a place to getaway to that is not too far away from Nairobi; A place with untouched nature and some enjoyable activities to engage in. Trust Travelwitheliud not to let you down.
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A most unlikely yet intriguing travel plan
Fairview Estate tour presented the most scenic waterfall I have seen close to Nairobi. Forget Karura Forest, forget OlooluaNature Trail and forget Paradise Lost, this is something else. The waterfall is natural and undisturbed. The green vegetation around the fall and along the river tells it all. The cool environment around here assures you that all is not lost in conservation efforts.
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The Enchanting Loyk Mara Luxury Camp
Loyk Mara Luxury Camp is a quiet, eco friendly, nature sensitive and serene place to getaway. There are only 10 rooms and can only accommodate 20 people at a time. This enables the staff to offer personalized service and attention throughout the stay. The camp has a swimming pool, a lounge with a pool table, a watch tower, hammocks and an outdoor sitting area to make sure your stay is exciting.
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The Tales of Oldonyo Orok
Oldonyo Orok is a Maasai name given to the magnificent Namanga Hills. It’s located in Namanga at the Kenya -Tanzania border overlooking Mt. Longido in Tanzania. Oldonyo Orok is only three and a half to four hours from Nairobi. It can be accessed using public transport by boarding Matatus going to Namanga at OTC, near where Jack n Jill supermarket once was.
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A glimpse of the Western Circuit
To travel is to live. Whenever the topic of travelling comes up, majority have Mombasa, Naivasha, Nanyuki, Nakuru and Maasai Mara in mind. There is much more that our #magicalkenya has to offer. This can only be experienced when we shift our minds from the traditional attractions and get ready to become adventurous.
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Nakuru's Hidden Gem-Maili Saba Camp
I recently went to my hometown; Nakuru. During my stay, I visited a hidden gem called Maili saba camp. This haven is just 13km from Nakuru Town and 10 kilometers from Kunste hotel junction. Maili saba camp is strategically built at the rim of Menengai crater and offers magnificent views.
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Exposing the West Coast
In our beautiful country Kenya, we have an alternative of the traditional destinations - The Kenyan West coast! From Kisumu City, along the Winam Gulf, Kit Mikaye, Ndere Island, Kamito Beach, Kogelo Village, Jaramogi Odinga Mausoleum, Got Ramogi, Usenge Beach and Osieko Beach, Uhanya Beach and Mageta Island and consequently to Mbita point, Mfangano Island,
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The Last of the Rhinos
Why are we doing this to our animals? Why are we letting our pride and heritage fade away? What are we going to tell our children? Do we want them to study or see their remains in archives? Are we sourcing for history content? Where did the spirit of conservation go to? Why are we this selfish? Why? Why? Why?
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A Hell of a Plan-Hell’s Gate National Park
Perhaps you stay indoors for lack of an outdoor plan. Maybe you do not have any idea what you can do in a less than 2 hours’ drive from Nairobi. Maybe you do not know that you can revisit an attraction again and again and still have fun. Maybe you are scared of boredom and logistics. Well, the answer is simple; get out and travel!
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Road Tripping: 9 Counties in 2 days
Are you a road trip junkie? Are you the kind of person who gets up to a lot of adventure within a short period of time? Are you thrilled by an activity-filled getaway? Then sit back because I come bearing a gift. I want to present you with a new and exciting itinerary. If you have done it before, you can get in on it again or sit this one out.
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The Sands at Chale Island
The Sands at Chale Island is a hidden gem in the Kenyan South Coast. When I first saw it in pictures, I didn’t think it was in Kenya. Later, I learnt that it’s one of the #tembeakenya treasures. Chale Island is very beautiful in pictures. The only thing you want after seeing the picture is to experience it.
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“Happy Holidays"
From #Travelwitheliud, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous, travel- filled year 2017. Yes, the holidays are here. Where are you travelling to? If you travelling to hotels away from home, I hope you have booked in advance. Places get full very quickly during this period. Nevertheless, go and have fun.
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The Magnificence of the Sun’s rays
Through tearful eyes I watch the sun go down the horizon majestically. It paints the sky with shades of red and pink, and I thank God that the day came and has gone. All the pain I went through. All the hurt I’ve felt. All the chances I lost. All the opportunities I ignored. Everything, gone. The colors offered by the sunset are symbols, each painting a message of hope for tomorrow.
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My kind of Holiday
Why do you/would you go on holiday? To unwind? To relax? To get in touch with nature? To experience adventure? To spend time alone? To bond with friends and family? To meet new people? For discovery? To run away from chaos? To hide from creditors? To have fun? Whatever it is, the reason to travel shapes your holiday.
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A privy piece of Heaven tucked away in Malindi
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Resort I Granchi. This is the most exquisite holiday destination there is. The resort has two blocks built in the shape of a crab. Granchi is an Italian word for crab. Each block has 3 floors. The first and second floors have 3 bedrooms each while the fourth floor has 4 bedrooms and a viewing deck.
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The High Ropes of Kisames
Kisames Giraffe camp presents a rope course that you will not find anywhere else. It also offers you with other activities such as wall climb, balancing, scary bridge crossing, zip lining and manual swing among other interesting activities. If you are looking for a place to enhance bonding among friends or a company team building, then this is exactly what you need.
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9 reasons you should hike the Majestic Ngong’ Hill
These are peaks in a ridge located southwest of Nairobi along the Great Rift Valley. The name Ngong’ Hills comes from the phrase "enkong'u emuny" which means rhinoceros spring. This name derives from a spring located near Ngong’ Town. The hills are only 22km from Nairobi city centre and trekking through them takes an average person only 4-5 hours.
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The Great Wildebeest Migration: Mara through Fresh Eyes
14th August, 2016 went down in my memory lane as the luckiest day of my travelling life. After being In and out of Mara in two Days on 30th July, I felt that something was missing. The Great Wildebeest migration was not going to escape me this year.
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The Magic of Group Travel
If you remember, I outlined a number of ways on how to travel on a tight budget. Group travel was one of the ways. This is where you gather a group of friends for a travel plan or you join an already organized getaway. The difference is that when you gather the group yourself, you will travel with people you know.
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In and out of Mara in Two Days
Maasai Mara national reserve is a rich park. This park does not disappoint throughout the year. It has a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vast physical features. This reserve receives the highest number of visitors compared to other parks or reserve in Kenya. |
Time, a very important factor for a good travel plan
They say time and tide waits for no man. Time lost is never recovered. William Shakespeare was also right on the money when he said “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” You might not know the impact of time until you make a travel plan.
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Conquering Mt. LongonotIt‘s a chilly morning; an hour before sunrise. I have arrived at Kencom bus stage. According to the text message I received from Loita Safari Trekk team, we are supposed to gather here before departure. I am geared up. I’ve got with me a small back pack that houses my snacks, water, juice, fruit, glucose, scarf, a t-shirt and sunglasses.
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