This country is so beautiful, the diversity of its environments are vast, the beautiful coast and the Indian ocean, the dry and harsh bush in the summer months when water is scarce, and the busy human populated areas with the colours and vibrancy of daily activity… I thought I had seen it all but I was lost for words when driving to one of the gates of Mount Kenya National Park.
We intended to look at a parcel of land in Naro Muro which was up for sale but when we realised it’s exact location we decided it would not offer what we were looking for in terms of seclusion and wildlife/nature.
As we were on the road to the Naro Muro gate we decided to continue, Jay navigating using google maps and me driving. The road which was tarmac and in excellent condition was wide and almost straight. We passed shambas and some very grand residential properties and a surprising number of schools, at least seven. We also passed several herders with their cattle and goats on the verges. After several miles we turned right onto a more familiar road surface, a dirt track. It had been raining in the morning and for some of our journey which must be normal for the area being so close to Mount Kenya, the crops in the fields were strong and green, this theme continued as we drove through small villages which were pristine and orderly without any sign of littering . When we approached a brook, the track which was severely rucked and at least a 1:2 both down and up, I had the opportunity to test my off road driving abilities (Jay finds it difficult to not drive when when I am behind the wheel but he must have been impressed as he said nothing). The scenery kept on improving as we approached the gate….. for several miles we were flanked on both sides by huge Mexican Cypress and as we peered through we could see this was a sustained forested area as smaller trees approx 10ft tall could be seen. The seclusion and silence only interupted by the sound of the wind in the trees and the bird life which was abundant.
When we reached the gate there was a sign informing us that park fees were due beyond that point and the risk of forest fires was high which was not a surprise as it was summer….. we decided we would come back another day, before rainy season and make a whole day of it.
ElixirKenya 