Matembezi Travelers Club to hold sleeping warrior hike

Matembezi Travelers Club members at a Ngare Ndare hike in June 2019 [Chintan Gohel]

The Matembezi Travelers Club is organizing a hike this weekend.

The one-day activity will happen on Saturday 28th September 2019 from 6:00 am - 7:00 pm.

The moderate hike, dubbed “Sleeping Warrior,” will start at the shores of Lake Elementaita, which is famous for beautiful birds.

Participants will then go over Sleeping Warrior hill and finalize it at Ugali hill.    

"This particular hike is named after the hill we will be hiking. The hill resembles a sleeping warrior, hence the name. The hill is located next to Lake Elementaita,” said Matembezi Club co-founder, Chintan Gohel.

Besides hiking, participants will have an opportunity to enjoy bird watching, site viewing while making new friends.

Who are Matembezi Travelers club?

In March last year, Gohel and his colleague Zainab Adam went for a hike with their friends at Ngare Ndare Forest.

By going to the forest as a group, they not only wanted to travel in safety but also to cut on costs. 

What started as an adventurous trip by a few individuals turned into a monthly event and has since grown into a community of friends who are eager to explore what the country has to offer to travel enthusiasts at a reasonable cost.

“Throughout the year we’ve been to different places – so far we’ve been to Aberdares, Amboseli, Kereita, Ol Pejeta, Castle Forest, Ngare Ndare, Lake Magadi, Mt. Longonot, Lake Naivasha, Hells Gate, Ragia Forest and the Samburu National Reserve,” said Gohel.

Currently, the group has 850 members.

 “ We research, plan and organize our trips to various places around the country for our club members. When we decide on a place to go to, we source for the vehicles for hire, we also deal with all the common fees such as entry fees, guides, rangers , etc. This is our hobby in our spare time – both of us work full time at our respective jobs,’’ said Gohel.

On average, the club has been taking 33 people for hikes. However, they can handle as many as 100 people.

Early this year, the club took 72 people to Ngare Ndare for a hike.

Is it value for your money?

Gohel said the hike will offer participants a chance to unwind from the busy city life, to put their bodies to the limits and experience being alive – to feel fresh, seeing green everywhere while hiking up the steep hills, surrounded by beautiful scenery.  

Meals?

The club is only offering some light snacks such as apples, cookies, and vegetable samosas.

They do not offer lunch and have always asked their members to bring their own packed lunch. 

Want to join them?

By 5 PM today, 55 people had booked. There was room for 7 people. 

What if you’re late?

Well, there is always space for next time. But you will have to book at least six days prior to the event.

The club usually plans the events earlier. Two-three months in advance.  

Bookings open a month prior to the event.

Early booking enables the organizers to plan ahead. They get to know how many people to expect and therefore can hire the right sized bus or tour vans. 

‘’It has happened that we become full one day to the event and someone wishes to join at the last minute – we usually ask them to join our WhatsApp groups and try again for the next event,’’ said Gohel.

Charges?

You will need Ksh. 2000.

That will cover: transport to and from Nairobi, guides fee, entry fees, Lake visit, drinking water, and a surprise snack!

A nonrefundable deposit of Ksh. 1,000 is required to book a spot on the bus).

Contact

Chintan 0713 662894 or Zainab 0791 942714.

Pay via MPESA: 0713 662894