Let’s talk about Ngong, Kitengela and Ongata Rongai—the three fastest growing urban centers of county 034! This county is booming! From the lush areas around Rongai and Kiserian to the populous streets of Kitengela, urban life is now synonymous with the county once known for its vast open spaces.
That said, if open spaces are your thing there is the Ole Polos Country Club, known for its stunning views and of course, incredible goat choma. A weekend on Champagne Ridge or maybe a hike up the seven ridges of the Ngong Hills is the thing for you. Then again, taking up the challenge at the Diguna High Ropes Challenge or an excursion to the soda lake that is Lake Magadi is also up for grabs in this special county.
Lots of us learnt about Lake Magadi in school – but do you recall that sometimes it has the look of pink waters because of its alkalinity? The Kenya Museum Society, Magadi Soda Foundation and others organise Jaza Train expeditions to the lake at different times of the year. Take a leisurely old-style rail ride to witness the beauty of Kajiado. From there you can reach the Nguruman Escarpment over the causeway from the pink lake, and look for the Entasoopia falls. The river feeds the area that arguably has the best mangoes in the country. You’ve not enjoyed a mango until you’ve plucked one off a tree in Entasoopia!
For those enjoying our #KeHistory moments during this safari, we aren’t done with our lessons yet. Kajiado County is home to Mount Olorgesailie. Please, – say it slowly. Olor-ge-sa-ilie. This is yet another Maa word named after the Maasai elder who was known to convene meetings with his fellow elders atop this mountain whose climb takes at least 3 hours before arrival at its peak. For the scientists and debaters of Charles Darwin’s theory, Olorgesailie is also the name of the pre-historic site that has preserved evidence that supports the theory of the evolution of man. The Olorgesailie open-air museum hosts the pre historic “factory of tools” that takes one back millennia.
County 034 is well-known for livestock rearing. Kajiado is one of Kenya’s largest suppliers of meat. While the dairy farmers of Kajiado supply milk to the hotels and residents of the area, dairy farming is a secondary activity within the county. In Kajiado, whether from atop Mt Suswa or the shores of the lake—we assure you that your sunrise and sunset view will be closely approximate the heavenly.
Our featured photographer is Sidney Shema, a National Geographic Explorer who researches on birds of prey in south-central Kenya. He is also a photographer as well as a certified safari guide with a bronze badge from Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. Feel free to learn the Kenyan bird species with him on his Facebook page: Sidney Shema – The Birder and his Instagram: @ShotsByShema