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6-8th April 2007 Road Trip
It was Easter weekend. And instead of the usual bevy of events going down around the country, Mwafrika.com decided to go left-field and give its readers an amazingly unique and exceptional voyaging experience. Travel with us, as we team up with Mind’s Eye, event organizers par excellence – a group of born again young ladies who manage periodic road trips (Randa Randa) for Kenyan people to experience the amazing sights and sounds of one of the most beautiful countries in the world – Kenya. (Maybe next time you see a Randa Randa excursion in the EVENTS DIARY, you might give it some serious consideration).
Journey with us, a team more than two dozen, as we experience Randa Randa, and travel through Suswa, Narok, Maasai Mara, and Sotik, as well as Kericho, Nakuru, Hell’s Gate National Park and Naivasha
 Randa Randa Season 3 Crew
:: Day One
We knew we were in for one heck of a good time. Music and song rent the air and the camping van was as full as is legal, as our team of twenty seven departed Nairobi. The mood on this, the third Randa Randa excursion, was extremely buoyant and jovial.
Our first stop? (Third World) View Point on the Rift Valley Escarpment. Possibly formed by faulting, this steep ridge marks the boundary of a gently sloping upland plateau, creating a beautiful panoramic view of the whole Rift Valley locale. The sights and sounds were just the beginning of our exciting adventure.
Scripture repeatedly makes reference to the phrase ‘taste & see’. There must have been some logic as to why the words were in that order - before we could proceed to the Mara to view the wildlife, it was only appropriate that we taste some of them. The drive up to Suswa had everybody’s appetite on high alert, and some serious nyama choma went a long way towards quieting everyone down. But not before we indulged in the highly demonic game called ‘draughts’ (demonic mainly because the writer of this piece was taken to school and reminded of that dreaded word – kabuti – ouch!)
 View Of The Rift Valley Demonic I Tell You :-) Trail Of Destruction Left Behind
For the tourist attraction that is the Maasai Mara, the road leading up towards it is amazingly rough and bumpy – you’d think the authorities would do something about that. Nonetheless, that did little to dampen spirits – if anything, the rougher the road became, the louder the volume got. Serious crimes against humanity were committed against every song attempted – from classic Kamba tunes to the Veggie Tales ‘where is my hairbrush’; the wildlife along the way seemed more interested in us than we did in them.
Come half past eight in the evening and the weary yet excited group of campers got to the Mara Springs Camp Site. Tents were set up, a sumptuous meal was had and a most memorable time was spent around the camp fire – jokes were told, April fool’s pranks were shared and a hilarious game of charades played – you had to be there to understand.
 Sitting Around The Fire Ladies Enjoy The Fire Hooligans Get On Top Of The Bus
:: Day Two
The second day saw some really tired campers up by 6 am. It was off for a game drive in the picturesque Maasai Mara National Reserve. For those who’d never been there before, all they could say was…wow! The Mara is a one of a kind national park with a spectacular array of flora and fauna – a lot of it native to this region of Africa. They say a picture tells a thousand words, so here goes…
 Sprinkling of Zebra & Gazelles
 Never Seen An Elephant So Close
 Though We kept Our Distance From The Buffaloes
The biggest gripe everyone had was not spotting any man-eaters – a complaint that was jokingly (or not) repeated to the event organizers over and over throughout the rest of the trip.
 Some Birds Have The Worst Manners These Lazy Creatures Actually Posed For Us So Did She (or He), We Couldn't Tell The Ostrich Weren't nearly As Friendly
After breakfast back at the camp, a four hour drive saw us end up at Narok for a late lunch (3 pm). Another grueling five and a half hours later and the bus stopped at our next camp site, and the venue of arguably our most enjoyable evening – Dam-site Hotel (hilariously referred to as Dump Site by the locals). We ‘dumped’ our luggage and dashed off into Sotik town – there was no way we’d come into this tea-rich area and not enjoy a good cuppa – didn’t matter that it was almost 9 pm and we had not had any supper – the cup of tea was so worth it.
Back at camp, and just after dinner, a whole set of games took off. And don’t be fooled by the tame pictures of people playing pool, this was one of the most raucous and intimidating crowds to play in front of. It all made for a outrageously enjoyable evening. We hadn’t even gotten to some of the funnier outdoor games yet.
 Try Shooting Pool With So Many Hecklers Around
 No Idea What This Game Is Called
 Dude (Pato) Does A Mean 'Kiraitu' Impersonation
 Don't be Fooled, These Ladies Are Mean At Tug-Of-War
:: Day Three
Getting up Sunday morning was unusually hard, especially considering that the average time most people knocked off was 2:30 am. It took more than just some prodding and nudging to get people into the showers. Still the scenic attractions of the Sotik countryside, a stone throw's away from the camp site, were well worth the fuss.
 Isn't that Just Beautiful?
 Some of the 'Early Birds' Take In The View
 Quite The Sumptuous Breakfast
Even though there was still Kericho, Nakuru, Elementaita, Hell’s Gates and Naivasha to come, it was important to stop and reflect. After all, it was Easter Sunday! We all gathered in the yard for a session of worship followed by a brief devotion.
 Prepping For Devotion
 Listening To The Meditation
 ...and Some Really Paid Attention
 Later On In Worship
Kericho could easily be one of the most scenic towns in all of Kenya, what with its acres upon acres of lush greenery and rich expansive tea fields - it truly is a wonder. It was then off to Nakuru Town for lunch, and eventually off to one of the more anticipated stopovers – Hell’s Gate National Park – (not quite the most appropriate place to be on…Easter?) now you really can’t enjoy Hell’s Gate without trudging down the dangerous ravine and enjoying the hot springs that created them.
 Green Fields Of Kericho Expansive Tea Plantations Entrance To ...Hell's Gates?? Can You See The Gorge At The Bottom?
It was a real shame that that our meal in Naivasha Town was to be our last before our adventures together had to come to an end. Nonetheless we had relished the opportunity to take in the glory of God evident in his resplendent and glorious creation. Really, who (other than the Mwafrika.com team who wanted an extra one or two days) could ask for more?
If this is the beauty of God’s green earth even after humanity have corrupted, polluted and contaminated it, it is amazing to think of the world Adam knew. Even more mind-boggling to consider the abode that the Father has been creating for thousands of years for His faithful children.
 First Group Completes The Trek  All Together Now  Back On The Bus Home Time...Shame Its Over 
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