Leadership training and adventure that can only be found on the slopes of Mount Kenya

When we set off to the Mount Kenya region, we were strongly advised to carry heavy clothes due to the biting cold. However, nothing could have prepared us for the chill we experienced on arrival at the Kenya School of Adventure and Leadership (KESAL).

Located 9km off the Nanyuki-Meru road, the KESAL base camp is the only public experiential based center in Kenya. Perhaps their motto, “Conquer thyself to lead others”, should have warned the unfit amongst us to turn back.

“Oh, you just missed some army officers who were training here for a couple of days,” the camp manager said, totally oblivious to the horror on my face.

But then again, how hard can it be?

First reality check, bed spread is a sleeping bag! Sure, they have gone to lengths to build rooms to keep the chill away, but just in case you forget where you are, there is a sleeping bag to bring you back to reality.

If you are feeling more in tune with nature, there are tents you can rent for Sh500 per day per person.

Being located at the slopes of the second highest mountain in Africa means the camp has loads of chills to offer. The need for warm clothes cannot be understated.

The center has been able to custom make programs that fit various groups. From team building, endurance training to leadership training via physical activities, KESAL has got that covered.

The four main classifications are;

Corporate training, adventure training, disaster management training and leadership training.

Senior management training as well as wilderness survival takes place here.

Some of the activities lined up include The dip, rope challenges, cargo net (Leap of Faith), mountain climbing, rock climbing, ice breakers, circuit training, wall climbing and scaling and many more. All these can be tailor made for different groups.

Different rates apply for the programs from as low as Sh2,500 per day.  

Come morning, we were excited to get some heat and sample the activities offered.

Our trainer for the day, Mr Ernest Maina, assured us that we were only going to experience the light activities.

First on the list was the cargo net aptly titled the leap of faith. It is a group exercise where a group of four members in secure harnesses use their logic, physical strength and team spirit to scale up tyres, a cargo net and a suspended platform 30 feet in the air before jumping off.

The brave ones amongst our group made it to the top half an hour later before taking the leap to the jubilation of the team.

Next was the rope challenge, where we were required to climb a tree then walk across a tight rope, slippery log or suspended stairs.

While the slippery log was done, one team member who shall remained unnamed flaked out mid action.

The center is under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government as a training department.

If you are wondering who in their right mind would visit such a remote place, KESAL has trained members of the National Intelligence Service, disciplined forces like Air force, military academy, KWS and Administration Police.

But it’s not just the tough folks braving it out here, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Airways, Immigration department and Government Press have brought their people to this facility.

University students pursuing physical education, Leisure and Recreation and Sports Science at Kenyatta University and University of Nairobi have to experience KESAL for 14 days as a unit course.

All in all, it was fun and a chance to mingle. That would explain how a group of totally unfamiliar people left the camp chatting and laughing. Sharing experiences.

KESAL camp is the place you go to sort out your trust issues, your confidence issues, endurance challenges, build teams and mould leaders.

Or if you were the unnamed team member, KESAL is the hell that froze over.

For more information and rates visit the KESAL website at www.kesal.co.ke