Hiking Adventure

I went for a two-day hiking trip last weekend deep inside Kakamega Forest, the only tropical rainforest in Kenya, located in Western Kenya. I wasn’t alone but with a great team of co-workers. They were quite surprised when I showed up for the hike wearing a short, vest top, and flip-flops, plus a jacket for the cold and an extra shirt tucked in the jacket’s pocket. We left for Kakamega at 3 PM and reached our destination, where we were to spend the night, at 4:30 PM. The team decided to go for a short hike to the sunset viewpoint to catch the sunset. We trekked through the forest to the mountain, but unfortunately, we couldn’t see the sunset as the weather suddenly changed and rain was imminent. We all hurried back to the lodge, had our dinner, and then enjoyed a bonfire. Sitting around the bonfire was fantastic.

It was great to sit with the rest of the team of people with different mindsets and experiences. I was one of the three youngest in the group and found the discussions around various interesting topics deeply enriching. As time passed, people began to tire and one by one went to bed, preparing for the long hike ahead on Sunday. On Sunday morning, after a hearty breakfast, the tour guide arrived. People packed their stuff while I just changed my shirt and carried my jacket for the cold. We headed into the forest for an eight-hour hike. The grounds were slippery, but the experience was amazing. Imagine seeing a tree that is 1,400 years old and still growing! We saw many incredible sights, but the most amazing was the Yala River. Sitting alone and listening to the sound of the flowing water was a therapeutic experience. Sometimes, we all just need a break from the town’s noise. Going somewhere quiet to listen to nature, meditate, and inhale fresh air can be enough therapy for oneself.