Out of Samburu

We leave Samburu Intrepids and arrive at the gate at Archers post to get our bikes. A 8.00 a.m. we load up and climb on the bikes and begin our journey to Laker Baringo via Nanyuki where we breakfast, re-fuel, Martin  buys more peanuts and I collect the GPS from the hotel where I left it on the window sill!

100 miles down and with a slightly uncertain 250 to go, we cross the equator as we ride out of Nanyuki on our way to Baringo. For me, on the bike, any regrets about leaving Samburu soon fade as these bikes were made for Africa and we scythe through the traffic in the busy towns and cruise through the countryside.

After 30 miles we turn off the main road onto a “short cut” advised by the locals. This is not the tarmac road we are used to but is surfaced with a mixture of gravel and rocks. Two tracks are worn into the surface where the lorries have been and these are files with gravel and grit. Wherever you ride it is both uncomfortable and tiring. The fastest way to ride is standing upon the footrests as this lowers the centre of gravity, increasing the grip and reducing the continual fight we keep the bike in a straight line.

The downside is that after 20 minutes or so your legs, arms and back aches, forcing you to sit down and rest.

The cycle of standing and sitting continues for around an hour although is punctuated with a break to stop and talk to some kids we find at a crossroads.

 

We reach the main road and continue to Nakuru where we fill up again before the final straight to Baringo, some 100km away. By now it is 2.30 and we anticipate getting to Baringo around 4.30 making today our longest ride so far.

 Views on the way to Nakuru

We reach our destination, Roberts Camp at Baringo almost without incident; Both Martin & I are forced off the road by a guy in a small white truck coming towards us in our lane whilst overtaking traffic who clearly has no intention of stopping and expects us to move. (don’t worry Mum, sounds worse than it was!)

Roberts Camp, where I had been looking forward to staying having visited it on our last visit is a ‘massive, not being funny’, disappointment. The lake has flooded the campsite and the Banda’s in which we had previously stayed are under water. To make it worse no-one else is currently staying there and there is no food! We therefore leave to find somewhere else, although there seems pretty little else. The town is a disgusting, dirty affair where the second you stop locals try and persuade you to stay with them (No Chance!!) or go on boat trips.

Luckily, we happen upon the Tamarind Guest House – a simple but clean affair with friendly staff baut more importantly food and beer. We unpack and retire to the guest lounge for a beer. Such is our relief at finally stopping after such a long and challenging day Martin celebrates by unpacking the peanuts! 

Sunset at Tamarind 

Tamarind sitting and dining area

Today (Sunday) we set off to Marich. We had hoped to get there through a tortuous pass with incredible views of a rift valley escarpment but it is nearly 200km of unmade track and after yesterday we realize this may be a bit ambitious. We will head for Marich via a more tarmac route and then tomorrow we will cross the border into Uganda and our friends in Mbale where Martin will off load many gifts and greetings to many people.