Somewhere in kilome..
Strange crucifix tree..
Kilome
…Africa unwrapped
Archive for the ‘ backpacking in Africa ’ Category
Enjoying picnics in kilome..
Great views, Super FRESH Air!! and steamed goat meat from Ksh400 a kilo – beat that!!
Mt.Kalembwani (arm chair Mt.)
Mt.Kalembwani ©muokikioko2017
At 5141 ft Mt kalembwani a Volcanic cone within Kilome, Makueni county owned by the local community is an easy to get to day hike just off mombasa-nairobi tarmac road/highway for individuals, educational institutions or organised groups
Arm Chair – Mt.Kalembwani ©muoki kioko
walking up kalembwani’s volcanic scree ©muokikioko2017
having erupted some 10,000yrs ago its had cultural significance to the community and provides both educational and leisure activities
summiting kalembwani with local guides ©muokikioko2017
through community guides. It also provides brilliant opportunity for star gazing, photography, camping, birdwatching, butterfly watching and raptor watching while at same time giving splendid views of kilome topography and on clear days Africas highest Mountain – mt kilimanjaro
Local guides are always happy to arrange for local indegenous meals or free range goat meat roasting on request. Secure Car park with toilets available.
Accomodation of all categories is available nearby from budget to 5star should you want to extend your enjoyment.
Proop, proop, prooop
With their distinct light blue underbellies
Making loads of proop, proop sounds as they swarm an area
These annually migrating birds move in flocks from Europe and asia and are here on their way down to southern Africa and are known as ‘Eurasian Bee Eaters’.
Looking at their size and thinking of the journey they make annually gets me asking – if this small creation has the courage to cross oceans, desert’s and seas on its small wings ‘What does that say about a people that have Never visited the village next door’?
Snow in the skies..
I was talking to a friend the other day and something caught my attention from behind them:
“a strangely shaped solo cloud”
or so I thought, but it had a flat top. Appearing above mature 30-40 year old eucalyptus trees my eyes kept shifting between my friend and this “cloud” until they turned, looked and asked..
“kwani u’ve never seen Kilimanjaro”?
I was looking at “the worlds highest free standing snow”
Then I remembered the description ‘worlds highest free standing mountain’. It’s height makes the top stick out somewhere in the middle of the skies especially when the slopes are not visible.
photos and text
©muoki kioko
2009-2016
email:muokikioko@gmail.com
The moon today from Kilome
Moon from kilome ©muoki kioko 2016
The moon as viewed today from Kilome left more questions than answers.
– There seemed to be a pivotal point at slightly above ‘East’ that has lines running down around the moon, more like a basketball marking. Is there a north/southern pole on the moon!??
– When you draw a line at centre of image from top to bottom, there seems to be a concentration of white spots especially on top half!! What are those white sports (natural or human activity)!??
– Crater s on the Moon can be clearly seen on eastern edges.
– There’s a dark shape visible even with naked eye that’s not made of craters that takes shape of antelope head/giraffe. Why this dark shape!?
photos and text
©muoki kioko
2009-2016
email:muokikioko@gmail.com
Gorges, Kilome
I’ll let the pictures speak to you..
Can’t wait to walk in the trail at the bottom, some 30+ metres below!
Accessible by private car/public means both 2w and 4wd, slightly over 100kms down Mombasa road (tarmac) + 3-4km gravel road.
*Trail closed during wet season s
photos and text
©muoki kioko
2009-2015
email:muokikioko@gmail.com
Inside kilome: The Art of digging up cassava
Don’t dig up that way, you’ll spoil the harvest!
Cassava harvesting is a skill. Starting from how to identify if it has a ready tuber for harvesting to which direction it runs and finally remembering it’s part of a root system that intertwines – how do I dig it up without damaging the other growing roots!
At times the root you require is growing downwards or under roots not fully developed, how do you harvest this root without damaging the younger roots?
This month visit and learn this cassava skill passed down generations in a cultural experience
photos and text
©muoki kioko
2009-2015
email:muokikioko@gmail.com
Inside Kilome – Mwambwani shrines
Standing at 5934 feet above sea level are these UKambani shrines
Entry is best through Sultan Hamud on mombasa road. An alternative is through Nunguni at the top of kilome hills that’s ALL tarmac from Nairobi some about 125kms. Turn off to Nunguni from Mombasa road is at 100kms, where you turn left for remaining 25kms of tarmac. Thereafter seek local directions from closest Government office or book a local guide who will also explain how the shrines were used.
Text & Images
©Muoki Kioko 2009-2015
email: muokikioko@gmail.com
All rights reserved.
Subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive email notifications of New Posts.
Giraffes crossing Highway near Konza
Text & Images
©Muoki Kioko 2009-2015
email: muokikioko@gmail.com
All rights reserved.
Subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive email notifications of New Posts.
New bird kilome
ictrine warbler : name & bird a lifer to me and first time I’ve seen it in kilome!
Breeding in Europe and visiting Africa during winters (september-march) its known to pass through Kenya (where its uncommon) headed south either in the rift valley or west of the rift valley which makes it special to be sighted ‘east’ of the rift valley.
Their name, icterine, is derived
from ikteros, the ancient Greek word for jaundice and describes the bird’s spring plumage…yellowish beneath and olive brown on top.
Your welcome to bird in kilome any time: I have recorded over 180bird species some of which are recorded here.
https://kilome.wordpress.com/tag/birding/
Text & Images
©Muoki Kioko 2009-2015
email: muokikioko@gmail.com
All rights reserved.
Subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive email notifications of New Posts.
Adventure for Children & Youthful in Kilome
Get the ultimate Adventure and cultural experience for yourself and your children by visiting this site in kilome.
Explore this site above, guided by locals. Let your children be led through the most adventurous & fun sections by their age mates supervised by a responsible adult.
Pose and take images through the ‘Glow hole’ either as a group, individual or family!
Those unable to get to the ‘glow hole’ have the option of picnic along the way as they enjoy a birds eye view of Kyulu Mts, Emposha & Mt.Kilimanjaro on clear days alongside local hills and valleys.. This route is also a migration path for Raptors/birds of prey from Europe and Asia 🙂
Getting here: This is 110kms southwards by road from Kenya’s capital Nairobi or the International Airport of Jomo Kenyatta in Nairobi and is all bitumen/tarmac. Safe parking is available within the community at a token fee.
By Air you can charter a chopper or small plane from wilson Airport. Kenya Tourism Board tourism map has an airstrip marked in Konza plains on lower plains of Kilome..
– There after is a 2hr adventurous walk to (with an shorter option for the less adventurous).The less adventurous miss out on breathe taking views, breezes and picnic sites *[will cover that on next I’inside kilome’ article]. Accomodation: For those wanting to camp
There are several community sites where this can be done (email). Basic clean accommodation hotels are also available in the community.
Food: all year round different sweet fruits are available [Farm fresh & pesticide free]. Bottled drinking water is available in local shops with the best part being on exit the same shop will gladly accept the empty water bottles!
When prior arranged snacks like sandwiches, hotdogs & warm beverages like Kenyan tea, Coffee or Chocolate can be availed on location. Catering services for meals local available within community, from mbuzi choma, chapati, muthokoi, etc [for family groups or organised tour groups]
All that over and above the genuine warm hospitality of the community.
Remember to carry enough disk space/memory cards for your cameras + spare batteries as you’ll not want to regret missing to record the experience.
Communication: There’s cell phone communication networks within kilome for Vodafone & Airtel networks.
Security: The community work hand in hand with the relevant organs at all times. Ensure you have registered your presence through your host before exploring. Remember to have a great time too.
Text & Images
©Muoki Kioko 2009-2014
email: muokikioko@gmail.com
All rights reserved.
Subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive email notifications of New Posts.
Sunrise in Kilome
There is nothing as Enchanting as watching an orange sunrise literally roll over the nearby hilltops. Well that’s whats been happening over the last month or so with sunrises coming up as late as 6:53am here in Kilome.
Here’s one such sunrise last week
Sun rises in Kilome
Do you want to join me tomorrow as i view another sunrise?
Games that Nature Plays – Lying low like an envelope
First, camouflaged into its environment is this very interestingly shaped Praying Mantis
coloured the same as its environment and flabby, it more or less resembles a dirt filled spider string hanging and flapping by the wind. As you approach it
lying low like an envelope
it lye’s flat looking dead and broken down (very easy to ignore it for a dead insect). But when challenged
Its actions reminded me of a leading Kenyans sentiment to his opponent “lye low like an Envelope”
Ilovoto Waterfalls
Waterfalls found in kilome hills of makueni county
Beauty unfolds at the door step
Exactly 16 days ago i opened my front door to find something like a caterpillar hanging/suspended on an attachment at the center of the top part of my door frame.
After a few minutes of observation I noted that the “caterpillar” was getting shorter n fatter on one end
Every morning over the next 16 days I kept checking, no change!
That was until today morning when this small mass looked unusually brown
..and after a few minutes of observation I took a 15minute break, and something told me to look up
Now my attention fully focused, I watched it all unwrap!
(-its said to expand these crampled wings by pumping blood into the wing veins. Important is that this takes place fairly rapidly before wings harden or they’ll be permanently deformed!)
..then
..it then released some liquid
(Scientists refer to it as meconium-it contains waste from pupa stage)
..and finally it just hang there afraid to flap or let go of it’s secure Sheild of the last 2weeks.
*This looks like a member of swallow tail family -first time I’ve observed/seen any in kilome in 5years!
Anyone with a more specific ID please feel free to comment.
– To learn more about kilome butterfly season and how to guide and watch butterflies there’s a download book here
This is all that’s left as a reminder of this beautiful Natures process.
Should butterfly watching be introduced in our schools?
Copyright Reserved
All images and Text
Muokisphotography@yahoo.com
2009 – 2014
*Subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive email notifications of new articles
Salama Sunset
Looking out towards Salama and into masailand at sunset are these gradient landscapes as the sun sets.
Copyright Reserved
All images and Text
Muokisphotography@yahoo.com
2009 – 2014
*Subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive email notifications of new articles
Dogs
Copyright Reserved
All images and Text
Muokisphotography@yahoo.com
2009 – 2014
*Subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive email notifications of new articles
Strange creature in Kilome
Over the past 4 years I’ve covered & discovered a lot in this “African backyard” just 100kms south of Nairobi and its Airport. However non of that prepared me for this
Sited in water (muddy) was this creature almost invisible! Were it not for something nudging me to keep looking that I saw tiny movement, and as I got closer ooh, a jet of water shot at me from the anus
It then nudged itself to almost invisibility in the shallow pool.
1/2 hour later with persistance and patience was an even bigger surprise 🙂 travelar ants aka siafu. But instead of seeking safety like everything else (me included) it takes a leap and bites off a piece
What is this?
I observed them for 3 months without change in body shape or size.
Copyright Reserved
All images and Text
Muokisphotography@yahoo.com
2009 – 2014
The 100mtr waterfall of Ukambani
Situated on Ka Kindui river on Kilome hills Makueni County is ‘Ka kindui waterfalls’ – An adventure at viewing of waterfalls 🙂
In 6 steps, It starts with this first fall about 15 metres drop just off the main road. Then
another 10metre drop with an adventure filled path to see it (locals make trips to marvel at it).
Above is step 3 of the waterfall (your adrenaline will by now have been pushed up 4 notches to get here).
Next is for the ‘Dare Devils’ – a 30-40metre verticle drop. To get here you’ll definitely be on ALL 4’s
…followed by two others of similar vertical drop. I love heights, even then at this stage my legs were wobbling!
Have a joyous Christmas season and keep enjoying exploring Kilome.
To share on your Facebook page click on Facebook button below. Same applies to LinkedIn and twitter.
*Sorry, to get there(from Nairobi) 100kms down mombasa road turn left at salama and proceed 14kms on tarmac to ‘kyale’. Here you’ll find a Catholic church to your right (after Kilome shops but before Nunguni). Turn right into an all weather road for about 7kms, ask locals for road along ka kindui river and keep at it till you get to hill edge. The fall is just off the road. I couldn’t keep details of the route as I was hiking (A never ending rd back to the main road)
Where to stay:click here
Enjoy the adventure 🙂
– note this is at a forested edge and can be slippery descending, please wear appropriate shoes. The other view is kilometers away accessible through kati komu planned for another day to take a complete image of whole waterfall.
Text & Images
©Muoki Kioko 2009-2013
For permissions to use images email: muokisphotography@yahoo.com
*Subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive email notifications of new articles
Information
Change this sentence and title from admin Theme option page.
Join 377 other subscribers
Interesting Posts
- Is this why we FAIL in Agro Business..!?
- Euphorbia Farming – The Drylands Gold!
- When a snake spits on your face…
- Who owns the copyright/ name.. ‘Hustler Fund’?? – (Part 1)
- 10:45 – 11:26
- Are you AFRAID of ALL those chemical produced Daily Vegetables..!??
- Is Kilome joining Oil Conglomerates in the Fuel Farming business..?
- Which Potato variety should I plant!!?
- Tshirt prints made in the village
- Sun bathing on his 1st day
- Should Kilome Jua kali start building local wind turbines!?
- Acacia leaves, acacia husks, banana leaves and cassava amoung high mineral content crops for animal feeds..
- How china has used plant cellulose to turn DESERT land to a National food basket. (Pt1)
- Covid – Making chariots with children
- What’s in the Covid vaccine …?
- Mango value addition..
- Paragliding in kilome
- Eurasian Bee-eaters arrive in Kilome for summer
- How long do your tomato take to start going bad..?
- Woman’s chewing gum…
- Kilome looking for 1tonne dried locusts
- Spider with Kenya flag Colours
- Weirdest ‘mantis’ I’ve ever seen!!
- Cancer…part 1
- Is Kilome ready for snake farming..?
- What I need to set up 800watt Solar for my house..
- Kilome ‘COACH of the YEAR’
- Hiker’s ‘seedball’ areas cleared by charcoal burners
- Xtrym gorge trail
- The ‘Ngilu’ flower..
- Hiking kilome
- Savannah care
- BEYOND NORMAL – the climate change Challenge!!
- Are schools biggest culprits in destroying the environment..!?
- Kilome’s Golden beetles
Blog Stats
- 185,281 hits
Kilome 