Olkoroi

After leaving Entargotua the route continues for another 45 kilometres of mountain biking over rough tracks and a long climb out of the valley of the Laibon and on to Entesekara from where, after a final climb, it is all downhill to Olorte and Olkoroi Camp, close to the Tanzanian border, by the Olkeju Arus River at around 1,800 metres. One of the members of the group who pioneered this safari described this day as the finest day's cycling of his life. The journey is a truly spectacular one with a series of fine, panoramic views across southern Kenya and into Tanzania. Although the distances are similar this is a much easier day than the previous one and takes around five hours to complete, arriving at Olkoroi in time for a lunch.

Olkoroi Camp, close to thick forest and clear mountain streams, is an eco-camp that has been set up by the local community and is set on the edge of the Naimena-Engiyio (Forest of the Lost Child). This is a mystical place in local folklore and walks through this forest follow ancient elephant paths, past mountain streams, with trees full of colourful and noisy birdlife. The word Olkoroi is the Maasai name for the Black and White Colobus Monkeys that can often be seen from the camp and also make their presence heard with their croaking roars.

Olkoroi Campt is a great place to relax in and we have decided to break the safari here and spend two nights, to not only allow people to have a bit of rest, half way through the trip, but also to have some time to enjoy this pristine part of the country.

The camp's facilities include a well equipped kitchen and dining area, toilets, hot showers and a number of large permanent tents, each sited with their own private views over the surrounding countryside and each with their own private toilet and shower. Whilst we normally use our own tents in the adjacent camping area it is always possible to upgrade to the permanent tents if people fancy a break from camping and want to spend a couple of nights in a proper bed.

The two nights spent at Olkoroi means there is plenty of time to take advantage of a variety of activities that are available there. Local guides can take people on a short walk along the river to see hippo, or longer walks through the forest, to more open plateau land at around seven and half thousand feet, with outstanding views across two countries. There is plenty of wildlife in the area including a pack of very rare African Wild Dogs and there are large numbers of elephants in the forests. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in poaching in recent years and the elephants and other wildlife have become very wary of people. The Kenya Police and the Kenya Wildlife Service have both increased their presence in the area so hopefully this will have an impact on the number of poachers who have been coming up from Tanzania.

Gentler activities include wandering down to the river and bathing in its deeper pools or visiting the local women to watch them at their beadwork. Two organisations: the RedTribe http://www.redtribe.org/ and Walking with Maasai http://www.walkingwithmaasai.org/ are both heavily involved in a number of projects in this remote area.

Olorte’s remoteness means it receives few visitors and the area is largely an unspoilt wilderness where the local Maasai follow an ancient and traditional lifestyle unaffected by the modern world. Visiting this isolated corner of Kenya is well worth the effort. The different scenery, bird and animal life and close contact with the people and their culture all make it a unique destination and one that not many people experience.