Walking with Camels in Laikipia, Kenya

We spotted Gabriel from across the swollen river, in his striking red shukka, standing aside a large dome-shaped back of a camel. Steve Carey ferried us across the chocolate waters and we slipped into walking boots. We had a hike ahead lead by Gabriel though the Tumaren Ranch to rendezvous with Kerry Glen in the evening. Camels were on hand and we could see a landmark of the koppie to walk to on the horizon. The morning was cool and we set off to absorb the surroundings, with Gabriel imparting his knowledge on us as we stepped out.
The scenery from the koppie stretched out for miles and you could sit there for hours spotting movements in the bush below. We returned to the outcrop for sundown and the view takes your breath away. Kerry moves her camps and they are small and intimate, simple and comfortable. Just what it should be like. The one we claimed is in a pole position on a bend in the river.
You get to camp after a long walk, take a cooling shower, are handed an ice cold Tusker, slop in a chair and look at the river. Dusk falls, another Tusker and a fabulous bush meal arrives and Kerry brings the region alive. In bed by 9, listening to the prrrp of the diminutive Scops owl. It does not get much better.