Fireside singing with Tingean, Barabara, Hassan and Chamalia. Priceless moments on safari.
#bobongcamels #discovertheunexpected #camelsafari #walkingsafari #kenya #camel #traditions
We celebrated a fantastic birthday on safari with @lalmbacanada in Migori.
Happy birthday to @char_haig and @kathymoore5771! Here's to many more adventures.
#bobongcamels #camelsafari #kenya #kenyacamelsafari #discovertheunexpected #adventure #walkingsafari
Lazy days at the beach!
A well deserved beach holiday for the camels, crew and walkers!
Merry Christmas!
#bobongcamels #camelsafari #soysambutocoast #walkingsafari
They made it!!!
1145km.
84 days.
Soysambu to Msambweni!
We awoke this morning after a beautiful, clear night. We had some locals visiting our camp during the evening, causing the drovers to go on security patrols throughout the night and remove the lights beside our tents. All was well though by morning with only curiosity fueling the visitors. Bush babies called out in the night keeping us well aware that we were also not alone.
Our Sunday morning stroll started with many locals walking past us on their way to church, and soon, we were walking with the sounds of the church services echoing through the jungle forest, sounds of singing, drumming and laughter. Kenyan church services are so energetic and fun we wished we could join them.
The drovers kept saying one word as we packed up and loaded the camels: âMoja, Moja, Mojaâ - meaning âoneâ and referring to one more day until we arrive at the coast, the goal we have all shared together. It feels surreal!!
We travelled past a titanium open pit mine, which is a huge mining operation in this area with very pink soils, making it impossible to miss.
For the first time in 60 days (weâve been so fortunate with the route we have taken) we walked on tarmac. Not ideal for the camels or the walkers as it is hard on the camelâs feet and traffic sometimes startles them. As well, our joints are very aware of the hard surface after this many days but after about 7 kms we turned off towards camp and all were happy again!
Tuktuks, which are very popular as a mode of transportation on the coast, soon made an appearance on the road as well as many overloaded buses which were shocked to see our camel train.
We had our first glimpses of the Indian Ocean today as well, proof that the end really was near! After 14.5 kms we settled into camp beside a lake. Kathy and Bev set up their tents for the last time after 60 days with only five of those nights spent in a resort or cottage (two nights at Voyager Ziwani and three nights at the Kasigau Basecamp Cottages - jus
Happy safari memories by Rory Buchanan. #walkingsafari #camelsafari #soysambutocoast #tembeakenya #kenya #bobongcamels
Today was another day the team could explore the area using Kasigau Base Camp as their new temporary home. Half the crew spent their day visiting the nearby villages to meet some of the locals (and visit a salon), whilst the other half went to climb Mount Kasigau. And the camels just happily browsed the greenery.
Here is an extract from UNESCO about the area they explored:
Mount Kasigau is located in Taita Taveta County. Its vegetation includes montane forest in the upper reaches and Acacia-Commiphora bushland at the base. Nyangala, the summit at 1641 m, has exposed basement granitic gneiss, which also forms vertical cliffs and ridges at different elevations. The mountain captures moisture from the northeast and the southeast monsoon winds blowing from the Indian Ocean; hence, it is a vital source of water for the adjacent communities.
Mount Kasigau in Kenya is potentially a vital region for biodiversity conservation as it supports many nearby Taita Hills endemic birds, orchids and impatiens flowers.
During WW1, German and British troops were fighting in Mt Kasigau, and there is a memorial place on the mountain close to Jora village.
Blog to follow once Amanda gets a moment to send it in.
#bobongcamels #soysambutocoast #kasigaubasecamp #kasigau #travel #camelsafari #walkingsafari
Bird songs, camel bells and chit chat = joyful safari sounds.
Teita hills from @lumo_conservancy.
#soysambutocoast #walkingsafari #camelsafari #bobongcamels
When one thinks of a safari, they typically donât think about walking with camels for hundreds of kilometres. They also donât think about walking with a seven-month-old kitten and a two-and-a-half-year-old dachshund. Meet Tatty the cat and Matura the dog, our safari experts (donât tell John and Amanda!).We all know how a pet brightens a home, and the same can be said on safari! These two are best friends. Tatty was a rescue at a very young age and was fed by a dropper as he was so small then. He is now only seven months old and, quite honestly, bigger than most full grown cats. An expert at game spotting (loves to climb trees) and sleep on top of tents, and also has a great right hook should one get close to the roof of their tent! During our walking days, Tatty rides on his throne, occasionally reaching his paw out to waive to his subjects (that would be us!). During our breaks, he jumps out to explore the area, always returning when called. The only exception is if we hear about leopards in the area, Tatty is sent to bed early on those nights!Matura is a 2.5-year-old dachshund who has better stamina than us! She recently walked every step of our 26 km walk (thatâs about five times our number of steps in comparison) and refused to sit in her open observation platform, but not missing an opportunity to jump onto Tattyâs throne, flaunting her freedom. In contrast, Matura spends our rest breaks flopped beside the closest walker, only taking time to drink water first. Once in camp, we donât usually see much of Matura who darts to John and Amandaâs tent once it is up. Tatty on the other hand, is full of piss and vinegar and relentlessly tries to engage Matura but with little luck. I forgot to mention Matura means âblack puddingâ, which is appropriate indeed. If another dog enters the scene Matura is never concerned as Tatty leaps into action chasing the dog away from his bestie. Nice to have built in security!These two characters are so amazi
November 16
The camp this morning was a wee bit damp after last nights rains so we pulled out a little later than usual. The remaining low-lying clouds made it a comfortable walking temperature, and we started our trek out of camp.
We reached the tarmac road, and walked along until we met our next four walkers (Rory and Georgia and Jim and Laura), living in Kenya but former residents of the UK. After the camels were packed up with our newcomerâs gear, we continued along the side of the road and railway.
We saw some zebra (which Barabara was calling âbrown zebraâ, but really it is still the red soil here turning their coats the same rich hue), a few wildebeest, a hartabeest, and a couple of dick dicks (as you rarely see one without another).
Our youngest walker Robin rode our gentle riding camel Bogo after our snack break, giving his feet a much needed break (his, not Bogoâs!)
We were scattered with several showers, putting our rain coats on then off, for most of the day, until we arrived in a beautiful spot, on the side of the road, on our way to Maktau.
#bobongcamels #soysambutocoast #walkingsafari #camelsafari #discovertheunexpected #kenya #tembeakenya
Memories of a wonderful camel safari by Lily Waterer. Lily and Hugh joined the Bobong team during the first part of leg two on the adventure from Soysambu to Coast. Thank you Lily for sharing this. #bobongcamels #soysambutocoast #wildasventure #camelsafari #walkingsafari #kenya
