Ndonyo Wasin and Rutundu

Back at work after a lovely few days off. First stop was a trip up north camping out in the wilds of Samburu land. Kate and I took the tarmac road two hours north to the town of Sereolipi, before heading an hour into the bush to the village of Ndonyo Wasin. Home to the Thorntree project which sets up schools for Samburu children, we stayed in a very basic camp just outside of the village. Loved camping out in mosquito net tents and sleeping under the stars. We helped out in the school a bit, helping the kids with their reading, and filming videos to send to the sponsors. We also did some walking and visited the “singing wells”. As Samburu is such a dry area, water is a huge problem. In times of drought, the Samburu operate these singing wells in order to get water for their cattle. Teams of Samburu warriors (some of the wells are seven men deep) form a human chain to haul water up from deep in the ground, singing as they work.

Then it was back to Lewa for the night and a much needed shower, before heading up Mount Kenya to Rutundu. Major climate contrast from hot, dry, dusty Samburu to the freezing cold mountain climate. To get to Rutundu, you drive for about three hours from Lewa, through the fertile farmland on the lower slopes, then into the forest, before emerging onto the moorland. It is one seriously bumpy road! The accommodation at Rutundu is two log cabins set above a lake. This is the place to go if you want complete seclusion from the world. There is no electricity, no mobile phone reception, and no other human habitation for miles. Rutundu is in fact the very place that William proposed to Kate – well, if it’s good enough for royalty then it’s good enough for me…. It is a beautiful spot. There is nothing to do apart from enjoy the splendid isolation, walk and fish. The lake is well stocked with trout – it must be because even I caught a small one! I had intended to put it back but I think it sustained serious head injuries when I dropped it so we ate it that night – at least it didn’t die in vain. I was trying to get a Chris and Ben style photo of me and my fish but I underestimated how slippery these fish are, hence it landed on its head in the bottom of the boat!! By the way, whilst catching a fish was quite exciting, I still don’t see the attraction of fishing – far too much sitting around waiting and getting cold for me…