NGARE NDARE A TRIP WORTH TAKING

Sometimes you will have this place in mind that you have really got to visit. It sticks in your mind like a sore thumb and it cant seem to go away. Ngare Ndare has been the same for me. It is an indigenous forest at the foot of Mount Kenya.

Azure pools glisten at the bottom of waterfalls and 200 year old trees stretch into a canopy that supports a myriad of birds and trees. The adventure has been calling for a while now so when i woke up this morning i knew in my heart i couldnt take it anymore.
We hit the road towards Nanyuki. I have been here before but nothing will ever beat the sense of awesomeness that is Mt Kenya every time i see it and the vast expanses of land that make me have a sense that Kenya is huge. There is space here, maybe i should ask the car to stop get out and yell and jump up and
down with glee. Traveling does tend to bring out the child in us. However the journey must go on. I must warn you the road is acquiring some unsightly pot holes but i will not let it spoil my mood. The wild lands of Africa are calling my name its time to answer.

I notice that there are all sorts of resorts coming up. I tell myself it must be that the travel advisories haven't reached here yet, and am proved right by the number of tourist vans passing us along the way. By now i have counted 20 and with some mental calculations i tell myself ..this is good for business.

Moving on we reach Nanyuki. I grew up here but it changes every time i see it. It may look and feel dry but there is alot here than meets the eye. The languages and people are diverse and i think to myself it must be the only town in Kenya that the white man and the black man are almost equal in numbers. From the British Army which resides here to the Settlers to the big farms to the Samburu and the Maasai and the ....i could go on and on. Laikipia is generally beautiful country ,home to Olpajeta , and also the best base for climbing Mt Kenya, Some of the most interesting conservancies are here..enough of day dreaming we have to stop for gas but i have to mention i am glad Nakumat decided to land here. Now i have a good excuse to come out and shop.
We move on its Timau for us. There are rolliing hills, and flower farms dotting the landscape, looks like one of those really simple paintings we used to do when we were younger, i dont doubt that i know where the inspiration comes from.

There is something about a uniform patch of wheat growing together like that. I look in the mirror and i can see the way the kids are looking out of the window. Glued to the passing terrain...ahhhh its good to be young. The music player is playing "Leo niko kwa keja sitoki hapa" reminds me of the KWS advertisement with that silly cartoon dancing on screen saying' wee Kamu'. Yes i promised to come we all did and it is super exciting.
Finally we are here and the first thing that greets us is this adorable little pair of mongoose i think ( i really should know my animals) The road is rougher now something that looks like a dusty all weather road. And then finally the forest.

We can see the dung and the trail of recently broken trees left here by the elephant. By now am praying crazy prayers that i could actually see one. This magnificent animals are slowly dying out and i would love a chance for me and my family to see one in this natural setting before they die out of which am confident they WOUNT. (down with poachers and all animal haters).

 My daughter is in the backseat making all sorts of scary noises. I am glad to be hear no am excited and except for the good sense that tells me not to get out of the car and actually venture beyond the trees i would be out in a 'jiffy'

The Ngare Ndare river is beautiful. Did you know it originates from a spring in the forest, and creates paradisiacle blue pools that go on to provide water for the wildlife along its banks and the surrounding communities? The Canopy walk we are informed is the only one in East Africa and there is also a number of bike trails and forest trails that a guide can take you through. For those of us who are daring enough to brave the chill (which on this day we choose not to) the blue pools are both refreshing and exciting.

 

As with all journeys this one too must come to an end. A part of me feels sad to be leaving but we will be back for those of us who have booked a trip to camp here.

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