A day, a weekend, a week …….. Something for everyone
The Elangata Wuas Ecosystem Management Programme offers you a wide range of opportunities to be away from the city bustle and crowds; to relax, walk and enjoy nature, as you meet Maasai people for whom a tourist is still an honoured guest. The sub-humid ecosystem offers a diverse range of biodiversity for the enjoyment of nature lovers.
Capture an Experience of Co-management of Natural Resources by Local Communities
The main objective of this people-driven programme is to establish systems for sustainable resource management to generate income and support food security strategies. Major activities include: training and community empowerment, ecotourism and wildlife management, and sustainable management of dry woodlands.
The Programme covers more than 170,000 hectares of land, embracing woodlands, wooded to open savanna, three prominent seasonal lakes, and seasonal rivers. Woodlands stretch from the escarpments of the Rift Valley to the rolling savanna plains that extend to the salt pans of Lake Magadi. It is an inspiring and varied landscape, doted with traditional Maasai homesteads (Manyatta).
Family stays programme or visits to traditional homesteads (Manyatta) to gain an insight into communities way of life.
The flora and fauna are rich and diverse. The exclusively indigenous floral community is dominated by tall trees such as Acacia tortilis, Olea Africana, Commiphora Schimperi and Commiphora Africana, different species of Ficus etc. Its deep valleys, steep and rugged hills, brown and green open glades and cascading terrain are of such beautiful tranquility, as if never touched by humans. The game ranges from lions leopards and cheetahs to primates and squirrels. Giraffes grace the woodlands on the rising slopes, and there is an abundance of gazelles and antelopes, including the lesser kudu and gerenuk.
A sacred fig tree at Enchorro e senteu's picturesque site. Nature trails to areas of cultural and historical significance guided by trained Moran parataxonomists guides gives one an opportunity to learn trees traditional uses.
Swarms of giant butterflies drifting on the gentle afternoon breeze and red velvet beetles crawling on the ground in the warmth of the early morning sun, provide a startling spectacle to nature lovers. Those who are lucky may even encounter some of the elephants that regularly move through the area, or one of the several packs of wild dogs for which the area has become famous. A wide range of local crafts made by women's groups, is also available at reasonable prices.
Women preparing traditional ornaments. An opportunity to learn the trade will be a lifetime experience.
The base camp, Sinya Omelok, is the hub of all programmed activities. Walk around, admire the landscape, catching panoramic and unique views from the escarpment, or participate in local activities. The base camp offers opportunities for grassroot workshops and training courses on sustainable management of natural resources.
Facilities for showing films and videos are also available. For the base camp, camel drives and safaris for one or more days can be organized. You can capture glorious moments as the sun sinks into the plains or take moonlight walks and stargaze. Or enjoy early morning shows of the ostrich "fox-trot" as the birds dash out of their overnight pen.
A short, staff-guided natural trail walk the base camp provides visitors with an opportunity to see unique caves, sacred sites, wildlife…….. and a great variety of biodiversity.From here you can easily reach the Nguruman escarpment, Lake Magadi or Lake Natron that is famed for flamingo breeding grounds and inlets of sweet springs from the Ngurumanis.
Kilonito Camp
The programme site at Kilonito, some 90 kilometers from Nairobi, provides eco-tourism at its best. Its serene and spacious camp site, with elegant trees and safe drinking water, is tucked against the escarpment of the Great Rift. The camp is home to more than 200 species or birds and opportunities exist for managed spot hunting or game bird shooting. Short walks bring you to fresh water springs, sacred sites, challenging rocks for climbers or just beautiful views over the rolling plains. Trained parataxonomists are on standby to show you the way, explain about trees, plants, birds and mammals and even to welcome you into their own homes. Accompanying children can learn how to throw spears or shoot with bows and arrows. In the evenings, short excursions around the camp are organized to watch bushbabies. At a safe distance the resident hyenas can be heard!
Donkey assisted walking safaris guided by traditional morans
And for the more adventurous there are many trips that can be done by car. Visit Lake Kuenia, the remainder of what once was lake Olorgesaille: the cliffs, the caves, and an island still remain…. Only the water is missing. Or see the great canyon along the elusive river Toroka. Or visit the seasonal Lake Nonkoojit, to photograph cheetahs and oryx. Or simply drive to the area's shopping centre, "Mile 46': a railroad village that seems to have been transplanted from America's Wild West.
There are ample opportunities for cultural exchange. Maasai ceremonies for initiation and community rites are common during the month of August. Family stays that enable visitors to meet families and admire their culture in a dignified way are also possible to arrange.
An opportunity to visit memorous caves used by Maasai Morans as meat eating retreats. An overnight stay in the kilonito caves will surely trigger your evolutionary instincts.
Water and food
At Sinya
Omelok and Kilonito there are clean manyattas, all with solar lighting.
The camps serve meals and refreshments. Drinking water is available from
borehole, and shopping can be done at Mile 46. Food can be brought, or
can be purchased from one of the small shops along the road. The camp
staff are on hand to advise.
Community women seeling traditional ornaments to tourist after a traditional archaery tournament
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