Those who wish to join in for Camping and Hiking to Mt. Suswa on the above dates, please note the
following information:‐
MEETING & DEPARTURE:
Saturday 14th January at Java, ABC PLACE along Waiyaki Way. Departure from the venue at 10.00am.
So those wishing to take breakfast, please drive in an hour earlier so that we do not delay.
ITINERARY:
The drive will take about 3 hours. We take the Nairobi Nakuru highway and turn off on the Old Naivasha
road. At Mai Mahiu, we will turn left on to the Narok road and pick up the guide. At this juncture, we
will form the convoy and anyone who is driving should know how to get from Java at ABC place to the
Narok road turn off in Mai Mahiu. After the big satellite earth station, we will turn left on to a series of
unpaved roads that lead up into the crater.
On arrival at the caves, we can take a break for lunch and explore some caves. Please bring a torch for
the cave visit and the Baboon Parliament! After lunch, we drive further into the Caldera and see how
the Maasai make water from the geothermal steam and then proceed to the campsite on the rim of the
inner crater.
If there are a few hours of daylight left anyone with rock climbing/mountaineering experience and gear
could attempt to descend into the inner crater to the island. Anyone who wants to do this should come
with adequate gear and a panga. The rest will set up camp for overnight stay. We will camp on the rim
of the crater.
Early next morning we will take an easy hike up to the summit. This should take 2‐3 hours. The
experienced climbers can do the hike round the crater which should take approximately 9hrs. After
lunch, we return to Nairobi.
CAMPING:
The campsite has no water (carry your own), but the Maasai will provide firewood for a few hundred
shillings. There may be washroom facilities and no danger from animals. Please organise cooking
arrangements with the other people riding in their cars. Every vehicle needs to be self sufficient in terms
of camping and cooking gear. As a general principle, a guide has been organized, but this is not a guided
tour and people are responsible for their own situation, safety, first aid kits, medication, etc.
VEHICLES:
You need a vehicle with a bit of clearance to get up the track from the Narok road to the crater. It does
not have to be 4wd, but is good to have a sturdy vehicle. We will know the weather and condition of
the tracks nearer the time. We will car pool and anyone who has extra space in their car should reply to
all stating how much space they have. Anyone who needs a ride should reply to all requesting for space
in a vehicle. You may organise yourselves and share out the cost of the fuel.
FEES:
Suswa is community managed so the enforcement of the fees can differ. So far the known estimated
rates are as follows:‐
Conservation Fee Kshs 500/‐ per person per day
Vehicle Fee Kshs 500/‐ per vehicle
Camping Fee Kshs 500/‐ per person
Guide Fee Ksh2000/‐ for the whole group (estimated and to be divided equally)
MCK Guest fees for Non‐Members ‐ Kshs 400/‐ per day which makes Ksh800/‐ plus the above.
Therefore Non‐ Members coming with their own vehicle will pay all the fees i.e,
Kshs1000+500+500+200+800 = Kshs3000/‐.
REQUIREMENTS:
Please feel free to email me for any questions you may have. I will require your full names, mobile
numbers and vehicle description (make,model,color,reg) of everyone who is driving in advance in order
to plan ahead. Deadline to let me know if you will be coming is Tuesday, January 10th.
Happy Hiking!
GLORIA – genieglo at gmail dot com
