Proper Walk 2008 Route
The walkers will meet up with the Ol Maisor camel caravan at an escarpment above the famed Rift Valley near Lake Bogoria in the northern frontier. The escarpment is nearly 8,000 feet above sea level and the first day we will descend into the valley through a series of steep hills and ravines. The early part of the walk will be in dry land brush and forested areas.
As we near Lake Bogoria we will pass through an area of active geysers. There will be good game viewing opportunities around the lake. The brush land gets very dense in some areas and will require experienced guides to get us through. It will take some good machete work as thorny bushes and trees block some of the route and the thorns can cause serious damage to the camels and our cargo. During the first part of the walk we will be in Tugen (Kalenjin) country. They have given up their traditional clothing and adopted western dress.
As we navigate around Lake Bogoria and head north we will encounter a rich agricultural area where irrigated shambas (small fields and farms) populate the landscape. We will be passing through Njemps territory, a tribe related to the better known Maasai. The Njemps have given up much of their nomadic life style and practice agriculture along with their traditional herding. The caravan will make its way along the Molo River on the eastern side of the lake where we will encounter some swamp land further north.
At the south side of Lake Boringo we will head west into Pokot country. The Pokot are true pastoralists and continue to dress in their traditional style. The land becomes very hot and dry. We will continue up the east side of the lake and begin a slow, hot climb out of the Rift Valley back to the highlands. We will pass through a contested area where the Pokot and Samburu have claims on the land. As we make our way east and then south we will cross some of the private ranch land along the Laikipia plateau.
The hike will take 10 days and cover nearly 200 miles. There will be significant elevation gain and loss getting in and out of the Rift Valley. Malaria will be a concern in the swampy, wet areas between the lakes. Heat related stress will be a challenge as we climb out of the rift valley. Tribal conflict is always a concern in the border areas of their respective land. We will pass several areas where wild life viewing should be very good plus, in the private ranch lands at the end of the hike there are significant game.
It appears it will be another excellent "adventure for a cause" for the walkers in Proper Walk 2008.