Walking Safari - Wellness with OLOI TRAVELS

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. ~John Muir

ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE FEW looking for the finer details while on a trip to Kenya? Wanting to explore a macro world of insects, tracks, small mammals and flowers; hoping to learn ancient survival techniques and the medicinal uses of plants; hoping to get away from all things mechanical and to re-connect with nature on an entirely different level?

WALKING provides opportunities that no vehicle is able to. To walk is to be out in the wild as another animal, sharing their space and the daily drama of their lives. During a walking safari you have the opportunity to immerse yourself completely in the bush. It is like stepping through a portal into another world. A place with different rules. Your senses get  activated as you become a part of the ecosystem. Its not just about the thrill of the unexpected but also the sensory pleasure for being so close to all things wild and natural. The thrill of walking is in the detail – the flashing colour of a sunbird’s wings, the hard and ambitious labour of a team of termites, identifying the tracks and pathways of elephants and hippos.
 
You may well be asking yourself– isn’t this a somewhat dangerous activity? The answer is not really. It would indeed be dangerous if you undertook it on your own, but all walking safaris are guided affairs, taking place under very strict rules. You will always be accompanied by at least one armed guide, and their job is to keep you perfectly safe. Accordingly it is vital that you follow their instructions at all times. Certainly you will not be led casually into dense long grass, of the kind inhabited by lions, for example.

Why walk?

Walking is widely recommended for its health benefits. For fit-minded travelers who want to be more active, there is the opportunity to get down from the car and get out there and walk amidst the flora and fauna of this incredible country. Oloi Travels understands that more people are looking for a more active holiday and fitness adventure. 

• Bone Health. Research shows that “walking helps strengthen bones, reducing the risk of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones)
• Brain Health. Research shows that those who walk, “cut their risk of developing memory loss in half.”
• Diabetes. Research shows that “moderate exercise, accumulated throughout the day, can lower risk of Type 2 diabetes by nearly 50 percent
• Overall Body Function. Metabolism, digestion, and other body functions are activated and revived through walking

Walking also gives you a feeling of wellbeing that comes from time spent walking in the open and the joy of total immersion in the natural world.

Types of walking safaris
 
There are three basic types of walking safaris: full-blown wilderness trails, which include camping outdoors; portered safaris, with back-up vehicles to carry gear; and base camp safaris, where travellers use a lodge or tent-camp as a base for their

If your time or energy is limited, you can usually combine a vehicle-based wildlife safari with a guided walk of two to three hours. This is a popular combination and finally:

A multiple-day walking trip is best if you have the time. Kenya is incredibly rich in flora and fauna, and the longer you walk, the better your chances of seeing more. A longer safari also has the benefit of night activities. Most multi-day walking safaris have comfortable accommodation ranging from rustic, budget-oriented options, to more luxurious base camps.
 
Walking safaris can be tailored to suit almost anyone – for the less fit, walks can be short and informative, and for those who relish more of a physical challenge, safaris can be more like treks and enable participants to see the wonderful variation in the landscapes of the bush. Generally all walking takes place in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the harsh glare and intense heat of the midday sun.


What to Take with You You should aim to wear neutral clothes to blend into the landscape – beiges and khakis are best. Hats and a high-factor sunscreen are essential, and you should also take binoculars, a camera, and if you are creatively inclined a notebook to jot down impressions and sketches. Your guide should bring water to make sure you stay hydrated throughout your walk.