KE Adventure

• Two days of Camel trekking with the Samburu warriors
• Trek to Point Lenana on Mount Kenya
• See elephant, giraffe, zebra and other African plains species
• Carry out project work at a local primary school

This KE-exclusive 2-week Kenya schools adventure combines high mountain trekking, a traditional camel safari with the Samburu and the chance to do some much-needed project work at a remote and very basic primary school. Starting out from Nairobi, we drive northwards to the Samburu territory which lies between Mount Kenya and the Aberdares Mountains. Here, we meet the colourful morani (warriors) of the Samburu people who will be our guides on a 3-day camel safari across the dry savannah plains. With no vehicles, this is the best possible way to view game - elephant, zebra and giraffe - and at night we can relax beside the camp fire under a big African sky. The Samburu share many customs with the Masai and are perfectly at home in this arid region, herding cattle and more recently camels, which do well on the scrubby plains of the Laikipia Plateau. This part of Kenya is divided into a number of large ranches and reserve areas which support a great diversity of wildlife. Laikipia is the last stronghold of several endangered species, as well as the more common plains game and there is much to see here, especially alongside the permanent water of the Ewaso Ngiro River. After our camel trek, we spend 2 days on project work at primary schools in the Mukogodo region in the northern part of the Laikipia Plateau, which gives us the chance to learn a lot more about the Masai and Samburu inhabitants of this unspoiled corner of East Africa. As a finale to this action-packed school expedition, we transfer to Chogoria Village, which is the starting point for our climb to the ‘trekkers summit’ of Mount Kenya at Point Lenana (4985m.). We have chosen to climb Mount Kenya by way of the Chogoria Route, which takes in some of the mountain’s most stunning scenery, as we progress through several climatic zones. Starting in the jungle, the trail quickly leads into a temperate zone where elephant and buffalo can be spotted. Higher up, the route reaches the alpine zone, with many varied and interesting plants and animals to be seen. Finally, above the snow line, on the approach to the Austrian Hut, just below the final slopes to Point Lenana, we get fantastic views of the rocky and inaccessible summit of Mount Kenya. Given good weather, the summit views extend to distant Kilimanjaro in the south and the less distant Aberdares to the west. Descending via the Sirimon Route provides a spectacular finish to this classic traverse of Kenya’s most beautiful mountain. This relatively short schools itinerary provides a unique opportunity to experience the true spirit of Africa.

Educational perspective

Cattle have traditionally been the mainstay of the Samburu and Masai way of life. This trip allows an insight into the culture of these people and how their situation is changing in the 21st century.

Amend or Extend

Additional days can be allowed for project work. Alternatively, why not include more time for game viewing in the nearby Samburu National Reserve.