While Samburu does not have the immediate allure of its more famous peers, the Samburu Special Five make it a worthwhile destination for any safari-goer…
The Samburu National Reserve will likely never attract the crowds of tourists that flood its more famous siblings in the south. However, the cryptic phrase in the title of this text, the “Samburu Special Five” is a reason enough for any visitor to Kenya to consider this somewhat remote location. We will get back to it, but let us first discuss this National Reserve and its peculiarities.
A lone elephant walks away behind a doum palm tree – these trees are ubiquitous throughout the region and can grow a bit further away from the river
What is the Samburu National Reserve?
When talking about Samburu, most people actually refer to the congregation of three national reserves, spread along both sides of the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Apart from the most famous Samburu National Reserve, there are also the Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Reserves. They are separate reserves, with their own entrance gates. However, you can hop between all three upon paying the entrance fee at any gate.
Zebra crossing has a whole other meaning in the Samburu National Reserve – we gave way to this solitary Grévy’s zebra
The Ewaso Ng’iro River and its Muddy Waters
This is a large protected area and the town of Archer’s Post sits at its fulcrum. It is a small settlement on the main road from Nairobi up north, towards Marsabit. The region largely depends on the Ewaso Ng’iro River for its well-being, because it is the only major water source in the region. The river is seasonal and entirely dependent on Mount Kenya’s glaciers. Those are unfortunately severely affected by climate change, thus causing many problems for the local residents.
A solitary Nile crocodile basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun at the banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River
The Samburu Reserve is located on the north side of the Ewaso Ng’iro River, along its left bank. The other two reserves border its right bank. This is an arid region, with denser woodlands stretched only along the river. In the local language, its name means “muddy water” and is a very apt one. Do not expect to take a swim in it. Not only is it home to countless crocodiles, but its currents are also dangerous and relentless too.
Elsa, Born Free and Kamunyak
There are only a handful of safari-goers, particularly in Kenya, who have never heard of either Elsa the Lioness or the “Born Free” movie. The Samburu National Reserve was actually one of the two areas in which conservationists George Adamson and Joy Adamson raised Elsa. This incredible, heartfelt story was since described in numerous books and films. However, the most famous and faithful are the best-selling book and award-winning movie of the same name – “Born Free”. The account was written by Joy Adamson herself and published back in 1960.
The commemorative plaque for Elsa the Lioness inside the entrance gate to the Samburu National Reserve
Back in 2003, the Samburu was made world famous again by yet another lioness. Kamunyak, a lioness in question, “adopted” a baby oryx, against all odds and her predatorial instincts. She cared for the infant very successfully for 15 days. Unfortunately, their relationship was cut short by an elder male lion who killed the calf while she was drinking water. This has allegedly not been the solitary case of lionesses adopting baby herbivores in the Samburu National Reserve, so it pays to keep your eyes peeled for any odd pairings when on safari here.
This large acacia tree seems to be decorated with countless weaver birds’ nests
Visiting the Reserves
I visited the region twice, both on our way to and back from Lake Turkana. The first time, we actually went to the Buffalo Springs Reserve. On our way back, we spent half a day in the Samburu National Reserve. As the topology and wildlife encountered are for all practical purposes absolutely identical, I will hereafter talk about Samburu in general.
The entrance gate of the Samburu National Reserve “proper”
There is only one small caveat though. While the Samburu National Reserve seem to be “navigable” in a simple safari van, my impression is that you may want to have a proper 4×4 car in the Buffalo Springs Reserve. Several tracks we traversed there were not that well maintained and posed a proper challenge to our own 4×4 vehicle.
The entrance gate of the Buffalo Springs National Reserve
I visited the Samburu Region with Chris Temboh Muriuki. He is a mountain guide and a longtime friend, and we shared many adventures together. We first met on my first attempt at going up Mount Kenya, which I ultimately failed to do, but loved every moment of the trip nonetheless.
Two Faces of the Samburu – the Colour Blue
As I mentioned above, we visited the Samburu National Reserve on two occasions, a mere week apart. However, it seemed as if we visited two completely different regions. On our way up, the region was, yet unbeknownst to us, at a tail end of a long and devastating drought. The Ewaso Ng’iro River was as close to dried out as it ever was. The smallest of the children were comfortably chasing each other to and fro the opposing bank through the trickle of the once mighty river, just outside our camp.
The dried riverbed of the Ewaso Ng’iro River, as we encountered it on our way up north
During our safari drive in the Buffalo Springs Reserve that afternoon, there was a persistent cloud coverage that gave most photos that bluish tint, with no discernible shadows in sight. Not that I am complaining, mind you. I always enjoy both the benefits as well as challenges of any particular weather and climate combination. It is only that it could not have been more different than what awaited us upon our return to the region.
Silhouettes of a young baboon and its mother, relaxing on a tree branch during an overcast late afternoon
Two Faces of the Samburu – the Golden Hue
The afternoon of our second visit was just amazing when it comes to the weather. The skies were bright blue, and the entire region was bathed in the warm rays of that glorious African sunshine. The colours were almost surreal, the greens and yellows were saturated out of this world. Little did with know what the unpredictable climate had in store for us.
A young elephant and its mother, under the watchful eye of a reticulated giraffe, bathed by the golden light of a sunny afternoon
As the day was drawing to a close, the wind suddenly picked up and clouds materialised seemingly out of nowhere. Rain followed suit shortly thereafter. At first, it brought even more magic upon us as the rainbows started popping up everywhere.
A lone lioness heading towards a proverbial pot of gold, perhaps in Elsa’s footsteps
As we concluded our afternoon drive and got back to the camp, the curtain of clouds got ever thicker. That night, we welcomed our first proper thunderstorm on this trip. The rain flooded our camp, and we spent half a night in our car. The car actually started sliding on an almost invisible slope on one occasion, as the entire region was turned to mud. It was a glorious experience nonetheless – experiencing the wrath of nature up close and personal. After all, both we and our equipment went through the ordeal pretty much unscathed with only amazing memories in tow.
Farewell to the Samburu National Reserve
On our way out of the park the following morning, we crossed once again the Ewaso Ng’iro River. What a difference one rainstorm could make! Instead of a shy trickle, there was a roaring current of mud, an uncontrollable beast that pummeled the very banks it could not even reach a few days ago. An incredible sight and a fitting farewell to an amazing natural destination.
The roaring current of the very same Ewaso Ng’iro River, a week and one overnight rainstorm later
Encountering the Samburu Special Five
Now, let us briefly touch upon that perhaps cryptical phrase in the title of this post. What does “Samburu Special Five” actually refer to? You are probably aware of the idiom “the big five”. It does carry a number of negative connotations nowadays since it was coined by colonial hunters to list the five most desirable animals to hunt. (Do check the initiative “New Big 5” for an alternative and much more contemporary take on the subject.)
Two of the Samburu Special Five, a Grévy’s zebra and a Beisa oryx, happily posing together
Nonetheless, “the big five” is nowadays ubiquitous in describing the variety of wildlife one may encounter in any given national park. It sort of “guarantees” the chance to see elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions and leopards in the park. Actually, 4 out of the big five are present in the Samburu National Reserve, only the rhinos are missing.
Single-horned Beisa oryx and an impala, foraging together deep inside the bush
But, the relative isolation of the area when compared to the other famous Kenyan wildlife reserves further South has led to the development of a particular wildlife population here. Thus the phrase “Samburu Special Five” was coined. The five animals in question are, in no particular order, the reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Grévy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and likely the oddest of the bunch, a gerenuk. They are all quite common in the area and we saw all five practically within an hour of both of our visits.
A lone reticulated giraffe, one of the Samburu Special Five, enjoying its afternoon snack
The Weird and the Wonderful
All of the Samburu Special Five are interesting in their own way and there are numerous online sources explaining everything about their genealogy, behaviour, etc. I will here only briefly mention a few interesting bits of information that piqued my interest.
Gerenuk family grazing in the bush – gerenuk is likely the weirdest member of the Samburu Special Five
Grévy’s zebras are the largest of all zebras and have a very distinct, tightly spaced pattern of black and white lines. It often really dazzles the viewer, pun intended. While a group of zebras is often called a herd, it can also be referred to as a dazzle of zebras. They are not as social as their “plain” cousins and are often seen wandering around alone or in very small groups. Solitary male Grévy’s zebras can weigh up to 430 kg and are generally even not afraid of lone lions.
A herd of Somali ostriches – yes, a group of ostriches is generally referred to as a “herd”
Most oryxes can quite easily lose one of their horns, Beisa ones not being exceptions. It happens either in fights for territory or while running through the bush and striking a low-lying branch. Some believe that the legend of a unicorn may be related to encounters with such single-horned oryxes. I will leave it up to you to draw your own conclusions about it.
It Is Not All About the Samburu Special Five Though…
As I mentioned above, save for the rhinos, visitors to the Samburu National Reserve can expect to encounter elephants, lions, buffaloes and the ever-elusive leopards. The leopards remained well hidden during both of our visits, but we encountered all the other “major” animals, plus many others to boot. The elephants were plentiful, as were the lions. We came very close to a den of warthogs and could observe them being silly for quite a while.
A family of warthogs at the entrance to their den in the Samburu National Reserve
Numerous other smaller animals crossed our path too. I particularly enjoyed a number of sightings of the extremely cute ground squirrels. They are plentiful throughout Kenya, but very difficult to spot out in the field. The barren patches of land all over the Samburu National Reserve, devoid of any grass coverage, gave us many chances to see these lovely creatures zip around every which way.
This extremely cute ground squirrel stopped its frantic running around for just the briefest moment here
That would be it about this visit to the Samburu National Reserve. It is an enchanting place to come to and offers many unique possibilities that are well worth a trip. Are we going to come back? You bet we will, the first chance we get!
Here are all the photos we took in the Samburu National Reserve:
With sometimes literally only seconds to work with, talk about working under pressure, we always manage to build an excellent rapport with the artists and thus produce relaxed, friendly and most of all memorable backstage shots…
Capturing the essence of a band, backstage, can be both some of the most fun and the most challenging moments for a music photographer. Throughout our career, we’ve had the opportunity to see some of the biggest musicians both prepare and unwind after a sell-out gig. We believe we’ve managed to capture some of these amazing moments in the lifetime of musicians that have given so much of themselves for their art and their audience.
Promo shots, cover images, posters, books and booklets, whatever your band needs are, we will meet them in the most satisfactory and artistic fashion…
Releasing that new album? Trying to build hype for your next big show? Or simply working on your visual merchandising? We have lots of experience with capturing the essence of the artists behind the music, and can help you towards your goals of increasing awareness of your band’s brand. From promo shots, cover images, posters to books, leaflets and postcards, we can help you capture your sound and vibe.
Punk Rock from the 80s played with a Bossa Nova twist. Music that is both experimental and a delight, a rare treat…
Nouvelle Vague has produced some very original covers. It’s a bit of an oxymoron, but it’s true. I am sure their delightful bossa nova versions of punk songs, like “The Guns of Brixton” could drive purists into fits – but for the rest of us, their music is experimental and pleasant all at once. Two things that don’t go together too often in today’s contemporary music scene.
Their concerts are always a sell-out, and this one was no exception. They played with pizzaz and good humour and drummed out our favourites from the 80s with a uniquely French Bossa Nova twist.
Eagle View Camp in Mara Naboisho, a conservancy in the Masai Mara ecosystem, is one of the world’s most celebrated ecolodges. The camp is positioned on an escarpment, overlooking the spotty Mara plains. Right below it is a watering hole which animals come to drink from throughout the day…
As the sun sets, its golden glow casts over the plains of Mara Naboisho. All through the landscape are hundreds of acacia trees, their crowns tinted red under the evening sun. The watering hole below Eagle View Camp reflects the colour of the fiery sky, its still, glassy water taking on vivid hues. The sunset at Eagle View is an incredible one. A view worth travelling to the Masai Mara to see.
The stunning landscape of Mara Naboisho from Eagle View Camp, lit by the golden sunlight of the early evening
However, there’s so much more than the view at Eagle View Camp. The camp is located in the wilderness, hidden among thick bushes. Plenty of animals pass through the camp premises, day and night. The lodge combines the comfort of a top-tier hotel with the experience of camping in the bush. Out here, you not just surrounded by nature, you are in its very heart.
View of the endless plains of Mara Naboisho from Eagle View Camp
Exclusivity Through Low-Density Tourism
If you want to experience the Masai Mara without the crowds, we recommend staying a few nights at Eagle View Camp. The camp is located in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy which is next to the Masai Mara National Reserve and part of the same ecosystem. Unless you have a bed at one of the lodges within Naboisho, you cannot enter the conservancy. Because the number of beds is limited, you will not encounter many vehicles during your game drives in Naboisho. For visitors to the Masai Mara craving a more private experience, a few nights in the Mara conservancies (e.g. Naboisho and Mara North) is a must.
The grasslands of the Mara from our tent at Eagle View
We feel this is especially important for photographers who don’t want to always have other vehicles in their shot. If you are visiting the Masai Mara during peak season, when the great migration takes place, it might be a good idea to stay in Naboisho. It has one of the best ratios of beds per acre of land, and remains uncrowded even during the busiest of seasons.
Privileges of Staying in Eagle View Camp
On top of the exclusivity afforded by staying at Eagle View Camp, several other privileges also come with a night’s stay here. In Naboisho, it is possible to do walking safaris and night drives. It is also possible to follow big cats off the road (you can also do this in Mara North and the other Mara Conservancies).
Walking Safari
It is worth mentioning here that Eagle View Camp is part of a more extensive operation called Basecamp that owns a few lodges in Naboisho and the Masai Mara area. Because of this, they can do whole day walking safaris that take you from one camp to the next. Even if you choose to stay put and not move from Eagle View Camp, you can still do a walking safari. The camp can arrange this for you, with their Maasai guides.
Our three Maasai Ascari who accompanied us on our walking safari
The Maasai will take you safely through the bush and enrich you with plenty of information along the way. We did a morning safari walk with them and have written about it here – Walking Safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara. It’s an experience you shouldn’t miss if you are staying at Eagle View Camp. I wished we had more time to do a whole day walking Safari. We’ll be back to Naboisho to try this activity.
Photographing Big Cats Off-Road
One of the significant advantages of staying in a conservancy is that you’re allowed to go off-road to get closer to a big cat. We did this in both Naboisho, while staying at Eagle View Camp, and Mara North while staying at the Royal Mara Safari Lodge.
Two lions resting in the long grass, warming up under the warm dawn sunlight
Eagle View Camp had a dedicated and talented tracker while we were there. Wilson accompanied us on a night drive, and also an early morning ride. Both times, he took our guide, Joseph Mbotte, and us off the road, leading us right into a pride of lions. We got close to them, and this made for some truly incredible photographs.
Our tracker Wilson led us to a large male lion and his three little cubs who were hanging out on the road. The lioness, their mum, was not far away
Early Morning Drives and Evening Drives
Because the game drive starts right outside the lodge in Naboisho, you can see nature as it is in the wee hours. There’s no long wait to get into a reserve, which will rob time off those precious golden hours. During peak season, sunrise is around 6:20 A.M. The entry gates to the Masai Mara National Reserve open at 6 A.M., unless you are fortunate, you won’t get that sunrise shot on the savannah. The same goes for sunset – you need to leave by 6 P.M. from the Masai Mara, and the sunset is usually around 6:20 P.M.
Lioness taking shade under an orange croton bush sometime mid-morning
Night Drives
One of the highlights of staying at Eagle View Camp was the night drive. We did this with their dedicated tracker, Wilson, who took us around the Naboisho plains well after dark. Despite there being almost no visibility, he managed to find a pride of lions with three cubs in the pitch darkness. The combination of being able to do night drives and a talented tracker is priceless. The entire experience was incredibly unique and memorable. You cannot do night drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve (unless you stay in one of the hotels in the Mara Triangle, which is a conservancy owned by Narok County).
Lion cubs play fighting in the darkness of night – as captured during our night drive
Community Conservation
At Eagle View Camp, we met the outgoing manager, Tony Musembi, who filled our days with plenty of activity. When we told him we were interested in conservation efforts in the Masai Mara, he recommended we visited Basecamp Explorer. Basecamp Explorer is a lodge and conservation project beside the Talek River, located in the Masai Mara ecosystem. This camp is famous for its extensive reforestation efforts, and its “Obama Forest”, which is the forest planted in his honour in the land surrounding the campsite.
The Obama Forest was planted in honour of the president who visited Basecamp back when he was just a senator
During our trip to Kenya, we would get to meet many local and foreign conservationists, working to preserve the country’s natural wonders. We highly recommend visiting conservation efforts during your holiday in Kenya as it rounds off the safari experience. By visiting the conservation efforts at Basecamp, we got to understand the monumental tasks Kenyans face when it comes to maintaining their natural environment. We also got to see how intimately connected the Maasai are to nature, compared to us from the west. It was a truly eye-opening experience.
Teresea and her two aides – part of the team working at Basecamp Conservation. Teresea works in a nursery where they care for seedlings that will be planted in the Masai Mara, as part of the Green Belt movement
Review of Eagle View Camp
We were glad we stayed at Eagle View Camp for three nights and wished it could have been longer. There was not a moment spared while there. We had something to do every hour we were there, and each moment was special.
The “entrance” to our tent at Eagle View Camp – each tent comes with a large deck with great views of the Mara grasslands
The Premises – Restaurant, Lounge, Terrace
The facilities at Eagle View Camp are fantastic. The main area sits on the highest point of the escarpment, overlooking the never-ending Mara Naboisho plains. The site faces west, so it is a fantastic spot for sunsets. In my opinion, it was the most breath-taking sunset we experienced on our entire trip. However, the sunset over Shimba Hills on the Godoni Cliffs comes a close second.
The campfire at Eagle View Camp overlooking the plains of Mara Naboisho
There is a lovely fireplace set into the floor of the terrace, and staff light a fire there every evening. It’s a great place to have a drink and catch dusk as it falls.
The restaurant is right beside the terrace, and also has the same magnificent view. There’s always tea, coffee and home-baked cakes and biscuits during the day, which I liked. It was nice to have a little something before pre-breakfast game drives and before the late-afternoon game drive.
The dining area at Eagle View Camp overlooks the phenomenal view of Mara Naboisho
Comfort
Basecamp is a Norweigian company and the decor of the tents had that simple, Scandinavian look. I liked it because it was uncluttered and there was enough shelving for clothes and luggage. The bed was comfortable and provided a good night’s sleep.
The en-suite bathroom of our tent at Eagle View has an amazing view
Because the tent is high on an escarpment, it can get quite windy, so its best to put down the tent flaps at night. There is no working desk in the tent – if you have a lot of camera gear, you might have trouble getting organised. However, it is a minor inconvenience and would not deter us from returning to Eagle View Camp in a heartbeat.
The beds at Eagle View are simple but comfortable
Staff
The staff at Eagle View Camp are a stellar lot. Basecamp hires the majority of its staff from the surrounding communities (I think the only exception was the manager, everyone else was born within the county). They were friendly, personable, and open. We had a few long chats with them by the campfire which we treasure greatly. These conversations provided insight into their daily lives and their communities. Of particular interest to us was how their communities have evolved over decades, as the role of conservation in their communities continues to grow.
The Food and Chef
Eagle View Camp’s head chef, Benson, can cook up a real feast. Initially hired as an Ascari (a Maasai guard), he found his calling as a chef over the years. It took lots of perseverance and hard work, but he eventually rose to the level of head chef for one of the world’s most prestigious lodges. He’s perfectly at home cooking both western style dishes and Kenyan cuisine. The meals at Eagle View Camp are on the level of international five-star hotels in Europe.
Mukimo – mash with greensTumeric flavoured riceCurry with garden peasKenyan greens
The staff surprised us one evening by organising a bush dinner on the premises of Eagle View Camp. It was a unique experience. They had set up a table among some bushes overlooking the Naboisho Plains. The table was lit with oil lamps, giving the scene a cosy, warm glow. Surrounded by bushes, it was an intimate yet wild, setting. The food served was traditional Kenyan cuisine, which gave the experience a real sense of place.
The team at Eagle View Camp – Caleb, the camp’s dedicated guide, Johnson who heads the service staff and Wilson, Eagle View’s talented tracker. All the staff at Eagle View are from the neighbouring communities
Conclusion
We would return, in a heartbeat, to Eagle View Camp. The price per night is on the upper limit for lodges in the Masai Mara, but we felt it was worth it. The exclusivity on game-drives through Mara Naboisho, the ability to do night drives and safari walks, and the stunning view were all truly priceless experiences.
Vapors of Morphine – One of the Best Concerts Ever
It is not often that you get to see and spend some time with one of your favourite bands ever…
Yes, yes, I am a bit biased here, seeing that Morphine is one of my favourite bands, but this was one of the best gigs I have ever been to, and I have visited way over 1000 of those. Although Mark Sandman is sadly not with us any longer, Vapors of Morphine, two-thirds of the original band, Dana Colley and Jerome Deupree, joined by Jeremy Lyons, do not seem to have lost any of that Morphine magic.
Yes, there is no longer Sandman’s crooning rumble, and it will forever be missed. Still, that well-known, yet not easily identifiable “low rock” sound, a particular and peculiar mix of blues and jazz, featuring generous bits of “je ne sais quoi”, is still there and as powerful as ever.
Vapors of Morphine, a genuinely amazing bunch of guys, chilling backstage @ Paard van Troje! – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA
I spent a moment with the band backstage. They seem to be a genuinely great bunch of guys, relaxed and down to earth, without a trace of that stardom elitism, a feat also apparent on stage, as they often poked fun at themselves, while developing a really great rapport with the otherwise quite often indifferent The Hague public.
Join us inside Petra, the rose-red city of the Nabateans and a Wonder of the World…
Petra is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, and there is no doubt it deserves its place on the list. Inside Petra, also known as the “Rose City”, is a labyrinth of archaeological wonders that has been around for over a thousand years. It is a testament to the ingenuity and organisation of the Nabatean civilisation. Within a span of 400 years, from the 3rd Century BC to the 1st Century AD, they designed and built this incredible complex.
The Treasury, or Al-Khazneh, the most elaborate tomb in the ancient Nabatean kingdom
What is Inside Petra?
Before visiting Petra, I only knew of it from photographs of the Royal Tombs and The Treasury. From these photographs, it seemed to me that these buildings were palaces. In fact, the buildings and structures are a combination of grand tombs, temples and public spaces. However, it is the tombs and temples that are the best preserved.
The Monastery, for example, was a temple which also featured a great dining room. There is also
the Theatre, which, as its name suggests, is a theatre built after the Hellenistic fashion. There are
also spaces that have been identified as markets, and an audience hall found in the Great
Temple. Most of these buildings inside Petra were built by the Nabateans, although there are
structures from Roman and Byzantine times.
Tunnels and caves in the rock underneath a simple tomb. These caves could have been the tombs of regular Nabateans, or perhaps even their living quarters
On our tour, we encountered some small, exposed rooms in the rock. At first I thought they were where regular people lived, but our guide told us that these small rooms were the tombs of regular people. However, I believe the purpose of these spaces are debatable, and it is possible some of them were used for everyday living.
A puppet takes the place of her Bedouin master, manning a makeshift stall in front of the Royal Tombs, selling rocks and handicrafts
Today, Bedouins from the Bdoul tribe still live inside Petra, in caves just slightly off the tourist drag. They have livestock, but most of their living is made from selling cool drinks and trinkets to tourists. They also offer camel and donkey rides to help get you around the city faster. Please do consider the well-being of these animals should you decide to hire them. Some of them are very small and appear quite malnourished and overworked. We happily walked everywhere instead.
Who Built Petra?
Petra was built by the Nabateans. These people shared the world they lived in with two other
great civilisations, the Romans and the Egyptians. Originally nomadic, they prospered off the
trade that flowed from East Asia to Europe through their territories in the Middle East.
Panorama of Petra. The start of the Street of Facades is on the left. It winds past the Theatre (top left) and turns into the Street of Colonnades. You can see the white tarp over the remains of the Byzantine Church on the right, far in the distance
They bought scents like frankincense and myrrh from what is now the southern part of Saudi
Arabia. These scents they sold to the Romans and the Egyptians, who used them as deodorants,
religious incense and for the burning (Romans) or the embalming (Egyptians) of their dead.
The city of Petra was built at the heart of this trade. When you visit the city today, you’ll notice
how dry it is – it wasn’t much different a thousand years ago. The Nabateans were already a rich
and skilled society by the time they began building it. They had the knowledge and resources to
control and manage water, a very precious commodity in this area. You’ll notice this aspect of
their ingenuity while walking through the Siq.
Remains of the Great Temple, believed to be a parliamentary building. Here, the Nabateans conducted meetings on matters of state that determined how to build and run their city
Like the pyramids of Egypt, Petra was not built by slaves. Nabatean society was largely egalitarian
for its time, and labour was mostly paid for. In an account by a Roman scholar, Strabo, the
Nabatean King is also said to be a man of the people and could often be seen serving himself
and his guests at parties.
Attractions Inside Petra
During our visit to Petra, we felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things to see. I thought our two days there were simply not enough to take everything in.
Tip: Time needed to see the main attractions of Petra
You really need a full day to truly experience the Siq canyon and the sights in the city’s heart – which includes the Treasury, the Royal Tombs and the Monastery. Sightseeing in Petra is physically exhausting because it is big, it is hot, and there are many stairs. You need to take into account both the time you need, and the energy you will have. An extra day will give you more of each. With 3 days, you can explore sites like the Tomb of Sextius Florentinus, which is a little bit away from the Royal Tombs, and head up the 999 steps to the High Place of Sacrifice. If you have 4 days, and are feeling adventurous, you could also hike up to Aaron’s tomb.
Aaron’s tomb – the white speck in the distance is the place where the brother of the Prophet Moses was buried
Visiting its many archaeological sites gave me great insight into the lives of its creators, the Nabateans. It is amazing that we can look at these well preserved sites and weave together the history of this cosmopolitan region, once the centre of global trade. A position it maintained since the early days of the Roman Empire, until its collapse during the Byzantine era.
The Siq – Defense and Irrigation in Antiquity
The first attraction we encountered walking into Petra was the Siq. It is an amazing natural
landform that cuts through the mountains of Petra. Walking through the Siq is a truly incredible
experience. This deep and narrow gorge winds and bends greatly, with something new to be seen
after every turn. Sometimes, the gorge would open up, and a magical patch of sunlight would fall
on a clearing with a tree or two. Sometimes it would close in, making the visitor feel as if they
were on a secret trail to find hidden treasure.
The Siq, the main entrance into the ancient city of Petra
But the Siq was not just a breath-taking way to welcome visitors into Petra. It was also critical in the defence and irrigation of the city. The Nabatean’s engineering genius enabled them to harness clean water, a critical ability that enabled their civilisation to become a success.
How long is the Siq?
It is a long, narrow fissure about 1.2 km in length. At its narrowest points, it is no more than 3
metres wide. Because of this, the Nabateans utilised it as the entrance to their city, as it was so
easy to defend. Small chambers have also been found on either side of the gorge. They are
believed to be guard houses, which further highlights the Siq’s importance in the defence of Petra.
Here, the path through the Siq winds into a narrow band. You can see irrigation channels on either side of the fissure
How does the Siq bring water into Petra?
The Siq was possibly my favourite part of our tour of Petra. Not only is it a magical place, quite
unlike anything I’ve visited before, it was also a marvel of human engineering. Here, I learned that
Petra city is located lower than the surrounding land. While most of the area lies at 1400 metres
above sea level, Petra is no higher than 900 metres. This meant that springs from Wadi Musa and
the adjacent lands could be channeled downwards into the city. Along either side of the gorge,
there are aqueducts carved into the rock. Some of them were simple, covered drains, while others
used to hold sophisticated pipes made of clay, used for getting drinking water into the city.
Ancient statues decorate the walls of the Siq. Here, a relief of a man leading a camel is carved over a portion of the wall that covers the aqueduct running into the city of Petra
I noticed, as I walked along the gorge, that the water channels did not always stay at the same
level with respect to the ground. At the start, these channels ran by my feet. Furthur down, as the
road descends suddenly, they meandered high above my head. By keeping the descent of the
channels into the city constant and gradual, the Nabateans ensured adequate water pressure in
Petra.
How was the Siq formed?
The Siq was formed purely by natural geological processes. The Nabateans only repurposed and decorated it to suit their civilisation. The land Petra is built in is old. Scientist dating the sandstone walls of the Siq date it to the Cambrian period (that’s when trilobites roamed the earth). The fissure is a geological fault formed when the land was split by tectonic forces. Over time, water flowing down from Wadi Musa wore down its wall, smoothing them into their present sinuous forms.
A channel running alongside a wall in the Siq. You can see how years of running water have smoothed it down completely
How did the Romans exploit the water supply?
The Nabatean empire ended abruptly in just two years, having been conquered by the Romans between 106 AD and 108 AD. A popular theory is that the Romans, knowing the locations of their reservoirs (even the underground ones that had been cleverly hidden) had poisoned their water supply. This led to the surrender of the Nabateans and their annexation into the Roman Empire.
The Treasury of Petra – That Indiana Jones Moment
As you reach the end of the Siq, you’ll see the Treasury through the crack between the cliffs that
surround you. The rose red facade will be lit by the sun, a contrast to the cool, dark walls of the
Siq. The Treasury, or Al Kazneh, is the tomb of a Nabatean King and the most famous of all the
attractions in Petra. I knew of it having watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as a child.
Seeing this ancient structure reveal itself, so beautifully preserved, was an amazing moment.
The magical moment when the Treasury, lit golden by the sun, comes into view between the dark, cool walls of the Siq
The architecture and design of the Treasury is heavily influenced by the Hellenistic (ancient
Greece) world. Featured prominently in the centre of the upper floor is a circular pedestal on
which is carved a female figure. This figure is the combination of the Egyptian Goddess Isis (one of
her duties is to welcome souls into the afterlife) and the Greek Goddess of Good Fortune, Tyche.
This tomb stands out from the others because of its many figurative carvings, since Nabatean art
and architecture is otherwise mostly non-figurative.
The Treasury looks even more impressive when you are right under it. This was about as far as we could go – tourists are not allowed inside Al Kazneh
On the tips of the “roof” are two eagles, who represent Nabatean male deities. And on the lower
levels are Castor and Pollux, Greek twin gods whose duty was to protect the dead on their travels
in the underworld. Towards the side of the temple, you’ll notice vertical footholds in the wall.
These were the “stairs” the sculptors used to when they were carving the tomb.
When was the Treasury built?
The tomb is believed to be the burial place of Aretas IV, the most successful Nabatean ruler. He lived and died in the 1st Century AD, which is likely the timeframe when the Treasury was built.
The facade of the Treasury. You can still make out reliefs of the gods and goddessess although much of them has been destroyed and worn out by the elements. On either side are footholds for the artisans who carved the tomb to reach the higher levels
Who built the Treasury?
You might not be familiar with the Nabatean king Aretas IV – but his kingdom was allied with the Roman Empire through the marriage of his daughter, Phasaelis, to Herod Antipas. This is the same King Herod from the Bible who gave to his daughter, at the wish of her mother, the head of John the Baptist. It should be noted that King Herod had divorced the Nabatean princess and remarried, and it was not Phasaelis who asked for the head of the prophet.
Can you enter the Treasury?
No, the Treasury cannot be entered. There are metal fences a few feet from the monumental
doorways to prevent visitors from desecrating the place. Most of the other buildings in Petra can
be entered, but not this one. I think the legend saying that there is loot hidden in a stone urn on
the second level has something to do with the place being out of bounds. Nevertheless, you can
poke your nose in to take a look. If you do, you’ll see a simple, empty square hall with rooms
around it.
There are always colourfully decked out camels in front of the Treasury. The bedouin who own them offer rides to tourists to get them around Petra’s interior quickly
Why are the statues of the Treasury partially destroyed?
Some of the earliest depictions of the Treasury were by David Roberts, a Scottish painter who made beautiful drawings of Petra in the early 1800s. The Treasury, then, was unblemished, except by the passage of time and the elements. All throughout the years since it was abandoned during the Byzantine era, its statues stood. Yet since Roberts had drawn it, to this day (scarcely two centuries) the statues of Castor and Pollux are all but gone, and the faces of the Amazons on the upper level have been chipped off in their entirety. Why? Some say it was due to the Bedouin looking for treasure. Our guide told us it could also have been the work of religious Muslims who wanted to take off the faces of these idols.
The Outer Siq
As you continue on your way from the Treasury, deeper into the city of Petra, you’ll reach the Outer Siq. Here, the narrow walls open up into a magnificent plain. The plain is often filled with camels with their colourful saddles and Bedouins in traditional dresses selling trinkets.
The view of the Outer Siq from the way past the Treasury
You’ll even notice a snack bar or two where you can have a meal and get a cool drink. The effect of all this activity made me realise that although we were surrounded by ruins, Petra remains, today, a living city. From here, your journey will now continue down the Street of Facades.
One of the first ‘attractions’ as you enter the Outer Siq is this shop that offers cool drinks. I love the wild west feel it has, contrasted against the limestone pillars of Petra
The Street of Facades
Along the way towards the Theatre, you will see some of Petra’s oldest tombs. These tombs come in varying grandeur. Some of these are set high up into the cliff face, with no way to access them.
The Street of Facades, screen capture from Google Maps
To enter these tombs, without causing harm to the facades, archeologists hired a mountain climber, who scaled up the rock face in order to enter through their sky doors.
One of the simple tombs that line the Street of Facades. To explore the upper levels of the tomb without disturbing the rest of it, rock climbers had to be hired
It is here, along this street, that you will discover more about the lives of ordinary Nabateans. The rock faces on either side are filled with simpler tombs. These tombs are unadorned, save for a simple plaster pediment above their doorways and a few decorative ledges. We also saw squarish rooms carved into the caves here. Bedouins live in some of them nowadays, and you can see their everyday things inside.
Not all of the rooms are tombs, however. Many were the dwellings of regular citizens. The Nabateans did not separate their funerary spaces from their living areas, which existed side by side. Today, they are fronted by temporary looking shops made from wooden frames. With these shops in front, doing bustling trade in souvenirs, one can almost imagine what this busy market street might have been like.
Tombs for those lesser than kings, subsequently used as dwellings throughout the ages
The Theatre
A turning to the left takes you to the Theatre. It was built in 1 AD, and is Roman in design. The engineering is excellent, and if you speak in the centre of the stage, you’ll hear your voice ring out through the space. Interestingly, the theatre is carved into the mountain, over the facades of existing tombs.
At the top of the Theatre, you can see the exposed innards of the Nabatean tombs, their facades stripped down in order to make space for the audience
The Theatre gives us an interesting insight into how the Nabateans viewed life and death, that they choose to live, and conduct grand occasions, in the presence of their dead. The Theatre stands today mostly as the Nabateans made it, with only the outer wall being repaired and reinforced by the Romans after they annexed Petra.
Tip: Getting to the High Place of Sacrifice
If you wish to go to the High Place of Sacrifice, you can do so from here. To the left of the Theatre, you will find signposts for the stairway that will take you there.
The Royal Tombs
One of the grandest sight you’ll see, as you continue along the Street of Facades, will be the Royal
Tombs. They stand, side by side, high up on the rock face of Al-Khubtha, the mountain they were
carved into. Their monumental stature and elaborate facades suggest that they were the tombs
of Petra royalty. As you get closer, you’ll notice that they are naturally patterned by the striations
found in the sandstone.
The Royal Tombs line along a cliff in the Petra complex called the Valley of the Kings. You will see this magnificent view as you walk down the street of facades
The climb up to these tombs is not too difficult, although the steps do deter many visitors, who
prefer to admire them from below. I think the walk up is certainly worth it, as you get a great view
of the plain from above. Also, they are one of the less frequented monuments, so you will get to
admire them in relative solitude.
The Urn Tomb – Clues into Petra’s Geological History
The first of these tombs is the Urn Tomb. If you look closely, you will see an urn crowning its “roof”. Underneath the terrace of this tomb are two levels of arched corridors. The Bedouins used to believe that the Urn Tomb was a court and that the corridors led into dungeons.
The Urn Tomb, fronted by two levels of arched corridors. If you look carefully, you will see the urn at the very top of its pediment
The tomb was repurposed into a church in 447 AD. You’ll notice inside that two of the rooms were combined into an arched vault where the alter was placed.
A close up of the Urn tomb. We could go inside this tomb, and what we saw inside was well worth the climb
The most fascinating thing about the Urn Tomb is its ceiling. It is richly marbled with swirls of red and black. Here, you can see the raw qualities of Petra’s limestone. The red comes from iron oxide and the black from manganese. This beautiful pattern gives us an insight into the geological history of Petra. Since manganese is formed in shallow marine environments, we know that the land on which Petra stands was once completely submerged.
Beautiful, swirling patterns adorn the ceiling of the Urn Tomb
The Palace Tomb
The largest tomb is the Palace tomb. Presently it is three levels high, but during its time, it was five
levels. These extra levels were created with huge slabs that have sadly since collapsed and
disintegrated. Archaeologists believe that this tomb was modeled after the Domus Aurea, the
palace of the Roman Emperor Nero, built in the same century, although I honestly can’t say I see
any similarities between them. The design of the Palace Tomb, in my opinion, leans towards the
classical Nabatean style, with its “stacked” look, something you’ll notice in the number of worn
ledges between the floors of the tomb. I also thought another distinctive feature of this tomb
were the many columns on the second level.
The Palace Tomb and the Corinthian tomb, side by side
The Corinthian Tomb
The Corinthian Tomb is stands out for its asymmetric design. Although the overall structure is
symmetrical, the doorways on the lower level are of different heights and widths. If you look
closely, you’ll also notice that the first story is in the Nabatean style, while the upper floor has a
Hellenistic design. The doorways on the ground floor are flat, not gabled, while the upper floor
has a circular pedestal similar to the one found on the Treasury.
The Colonnaded Street
As you walk farther into the city, you’ll soon start to see a marked change in architecture. The confines of the Outer Siq, with its magnificent tombs, give way to an open, colonnaded street. Here, the road is partially paved with stones. Interestingly, in Jerash, which was a Roman city, the stones are placed diagonally on the street. This was so chariots and carts would not get their wheels trapped in between the stones. This is not the case here, where the stones are placed parallel to the sidewalk. Archeologist think the columns of the Roman Cardo were added in 106 AD, after Rome annexed Petra, however, the paved street is probably older.
The Colonnaded Street, screen capture from Google Maps
The Great Temple
One of the first buildings we visited on this street was the Great Temple. Although its name
suggests a religious place of worship, archaeologists believe it was more likely that the Great
Temple was a parliamentary building. After climbing up some steps, we arrived at the heart of the
temple. This was a theatre, with seating for up to 600 people. The design of this space is the
primary reason why this building was more likely a building meant for official functions than a
temple. Usually, Hellenistic and Nabatean temples have rectangular cellas at their heart.
The walls of the Great Temple. This government building had architecture that was strongly influenced by the Romans
What I found special were the columns which were made up of separate discs. Before the
Colonnaded Street, almost all the columns were of decorative quality, carved into the rock face as
ornamentation. Here, these were free standing. However, some pillars had fallen down quite
dramatically. I mused to myself how the discs, leaning on each other diagonally, resembled an open
pack of Oreos with the cookies spilling out.
A good portion of the Great Temple still remains standing, inside Petra. One could almost imagine walking through this complex when it was still in use
Byzantine Church
During our visit to one of the sites on the Colonnaded Street, we noticed a covered site some
distance north. All we could see of it was a white tarp stretched over the desert. This immediately
fascinated us, since it it the only site in Petra we had seen that was covered to protected it from
the elements. It was a bit of a meandering hike to get to it, but definitely worth the while.
The mosaic tiles of the Byzantine church are protected from people behind a wooded fence, watched over by its beautiful feline guardian
Underneath the tarp were beautiful mosaic tiles from the 6th Century. These tiles depicted a
variety of animals, objects and of course, humans. They were originally likely brightly coloured in
the fashion of the mosaic tiles nowadays. However centuries of sun had bleached them of their
hues. Nevertheless, I though they were still very beautiful in monochrome as well.
Qasr el-Bint (The Temple of Dushares)
Qasr el-Bint is definitely one of the most impressive temples inside Petra. It is the largest freestanding structure in all of Petra. The first thing that struck us was how high the walls were. If you were to look carefully, you’ll notice courses that run a third of the way down the temple walls. These courses once held wooden beams. Our guide explained that flexible wooden beams were used in the walls to dissipate shocks during earthquakes.
Here you can see the colonnaded street leading up the the Temple of Dushares – that said, most of the columns have been reduced to stone discs lining a cleared path
No one can come to a conclusions as to which god or goddess this temple is actually dedicated
to. Some say it is dedicated to one of the pre-Islamic Arabian gods – Dushares, the Nabatean
equivalent of the Roman’s Jupiter, or Zeus, from the Greek Pantheon. Some say it was dedicated
to Al-Uzza, the Nabatean equivalent of Aphrodite. Whichever the case, it made me think religion
was certainly a lot more interesting then than now!
A closer look at Qasr el-Bint, where you can see the empty wooded course running one third of the way down its walls
It was here, at the Qsar el-Bint that our Jordanian guide parted ways with us, for this impressive
temple marked the end of our walk down the Colonnaded Street. The day was coming to a close
and we decided to leave the climb to the Monastery for tomorrow.
The Monastery(Ad-Deir) – 850 Steps Up
The hike up to the Monastery was definitely one of the most memorable moments for me. Our
guide had told us it is 850 steps up. This did not seem daunting, until we started our ascent. The
Ad-Dier trail begins where the Colonnaded Street ends, and winds upwards for 1.6 km to the
Monastery.
The Monastery or Al Deir, at high noon
Tip: Best time in the day to hike to the Monastery
We recommend you do the hike to the Monastery in the morning, with the sun on your back as you climb. As always, the earlier you go, the better, as you’ll get to avoid crowds. Another reason to go early is to reduce the encounters with tourist riding donkeys returning from the top. These appear out of nowhere and jostle for space on the same road. I was almost knocked over a ledge by a harried donkey blundering down a curve!
The Trail to The Monastery
The route up was absolutely stunning. I would turn back every so often to wonder at the valley of
Petra unfolding behind me, as we ascended. Seen through the frame of the cliff faces along the
gorge, I could really appreciate its grand scale.
The path up to the Monastery will take you up many steps through the mountains of Petra
Eventually the path winded such that the city was hidden behind the mountain. Here the trail
became more adventurous, sometimes cutting under boulders, sometimes turning into steps
that were boulders. When our guide said there were 850 steps, he didn’t tell us some of them
were almost three feet high! Always, the road ahead would eventually disappear around a bend,
making us wonder what would come next.
A view back towards the heart of Petra and the Valley of the Kings
It took us over an hour to get to the Monastery. If you don’t stop to take photos and marvel at
what’s around you, you can do it in 45 minutes, but that would be no fun.
Our Visit to The Monastery
At the top, I sat down in what little shade there was in the shadow of the Monastery (it was about
high-noon when we arrived) to sketch, attracting the attention of two Bedouin sisters that were
selling little polished rocks they had chipped off throughout the complex. They started a
conversation with me to practice their English and asked to look through my moleskin. I let them
have it and they went through it all, page by page, eventually coming on to a nude figure I’d done
a while back. I panicked – these were Bedouin Muslim girls, would they be offended? I was
surprised, but on retrospect they reacted in a way I suppose young girls all over the world would
have, by giggling and nudging each other.
Iconic view of the Monastery in Petra
What is The Monastery
The Monastery is a temple dedicated to the Nabatean king Obodas I, the successor of Aretas VI. Some people think it is a tomb, but this is not possible since Obodas I was buried in the Negev desert.
Panorama of the Monastery. To the left you can see little holes dug into the rock
This temple, standing high up in the Ad-Dier mountain has an architecture similar to the Treasury. Like the Treasury, it has the circular pedestal splitting the triangular “roof”. However, it it simpler and almost unadorned by comparison. One thing you’ll notice is the lack of figurines on the facade. It also has some strongly Nabatean designs, like the simple rectangular doorways and “windows”.
Another classic view of the Monastery, its red rock contrasting the blue afternoon sky
I initially thought the Monastery was given its name because of its remote location and its simple
design. However, it is more likely it got its name from the crosses found carved in its interior. Like
the Urn Tomb, the Monastery had been repurposed into a Byzantine church much later in its
lifetime.
FAQs for The Lost City of Petra
What is inside Petra?
Petra is a stunning collection of tombs, temples and ancient living spaces of the Nabatean civilisation. These are carved into the very rock the city is built on. Some main archeological sites inside the city are the Treasury – the tomb of a Nabatean king, the Monastery – an isolated mountain temple, a theatre, government buildings and dwelling for regular people. Read more…
What is Petra made of?
Petra is a city that has been carved into sandstone deposited in the area over millions of years. This sandstone is rich in iron and manganese, a mineral formed on the sea floor. One of the reasons the Nabateans chose the site was the structure of the rock – soft enough to carve, yet strong enough that it was not easily eroded. The sandstone here has been dated to the Paleozoic period, when Arabia was part of the supercontinent, Gondwanaland. See photo…
How long will it take to see the entire complex?
We bought the 2 day ticket, but felt it was not enough. You really need a full day to explore the main attractions, including the Treasury and the hike to the Monastery. But it is not enough to only have time, you also need some rest, as exploring Petra will be physically exhausting. For this reason, we recommend 3 days or more. Read more…
How big is Petra?
Petra covers an area of 263 square kilometres, roughly 50,000 footballs fields. The walk through the Siq alone, to get inside Petra, will take 30 minutes to an hour. The farthest attractions in Petra are Little Petra and the Tomb of Prophet Aaron. Little Petra is 10 km from the visitors’ centre, while Aaron’s Tomb is 5 km away.
Entrance fee into Petra
You can get passes for 1 day for 50 Jordanian Dinars, roughly €65, 2 days for €70 or 3 days for €75.
Go back in time to the gory days of horror metal with Necrophagia, one of the very first death metal bands…
Being one of the first death metal bands, Necrophagia is a classic in the genre. This band was one of the pioneers of the death metal scene, focusing on gore and horror from the very beginning.
They are actually credited as one of the godfathers of the “horror metal” subgenre. For this gig, we went back in time with them, to the “good old” gory days of horror.
For this gig, David Vincent, on vocals and bass, and Tim Yeung on drums, team up with guitarists Bill Hudson and Ira Black to give us their most popular hits.
Experience the unique ecosystem that are the salt flats surrounding Lake Magadi, a haven for the endangered lesser flamingo…
Along the Great Rift valley lies a type of unique ecosystem particular to this part of Africa. Lake Magadi, a soda ash lake, is one such ecosystem. However, the most famous one is Lake Natron, which we haven’t visited and hope to do soon.
The flooded plains of Magadi – notice the flock of flamingoes feeding at the lake’s edge
The Geology of Lake Magadi
These soda ash lakes form due to volcanic activity and high precipitation in the Great Rift Valley region. Lake Magadi, Lake Natron and many other smaller alkaline lakes in the area are specialised homes for flamingoes, including the threatened Lesser Flamingo.
The salt covered shoreline of the Lake Magadi overflow
How Climate Change Affects Lake Magadi
However, the landscape of these lakes is changing, significantly affecting flamingo populations and their movements. Our Kenyan guides were quick to identify climate change as the culprit. However, scientists can only speculate on the exact cause.
The area was flooded over with caustic water that had a pretty light green sheen to it
In Kenya, the climate change experienced is not drought but rather increased rainfall. Some climate scientists have proven that this results from excessive groundwater exploitation in India for agriculture. This water, trapped under the ground for millennia, is being released rapidly and increasing precipitation levels on the other side of the Indian Ocean, in East Africa. This dilutes the salinity of the soda ash lakes which the flamingoes depend on to survive.
Flamingoes and other wading birds came to the Lake Magadi overflow to feed
Our Hike to Lake Magadi
In 2020, we saw for ourselves how climate change was affecting Lake Magadi during our trip to Kenya. Our hike to the lake was the last portion of our six-day trek through the Loita Hills region in South Western Kenya. I had read a lot about East Africa’s soda lakes and was very excited to get to see the flocks of flamingoes in feeding in bright pink water.
A stunning collection of wading birds feeding in the overflow of Lake Magadi
Getting to Lake Magadi
Of course, visitors can get to Lake Magadi by car, but this would take a lot away from the experience of visiting the region. The beautiful stark landscape of the area is best appreciated on foot.
The flooded salt plains were covered with hundreds of wading birds. In the distance, the Lake Magadi overflow gave way to low hills covered in golden grass
Our adventure to Lake Magadi began at the Entasopia guest house, in Kajiado, many miles away. The day got off to a rough start. After getting up at 5:30 in the morning to make sure we could complete most of the hike in the morning, our guide found out the car we had hired would not start.
How hard could the solution be? Surely there must be another car we could use.
The working car from the neighbouring village finally arrived and was loaded with our camp gear, including a blue plastic table
Unfortunately, there were no available cars in the vicinity – the nearest one was in the neighbouring village, and we had to wait until the owner woke up. By the time we took off, it was already mid-morning.
On the road towards the starting point of our hike to Lake Magadi
Eventually, we got to the starting point of the final stretch of our six-day hike – a large watering area for all the villages nearby. Like something out of Star Wars, it was an interesting scene, with people and animals all gathered in this marvellous desert-like landscape filling up on the most precious resource here – water.
Farm animals from all around came to water in the area
Just as we were about to begin our hike, a Maasai man came up to our guides, and they started to have an excited conversation between them. We couldn’t understand exactly what they were talking about, but we guessed that there was some problem with the road ahead.
Our Kikuyu guides hiking through the dry scrubland
The Flooded Salt Pans of Magadi
We nevertheless could not turn back and continued venturing forwards. For lunch, we would hike up to a lookout point on our way to Lake Magadi. This hike was beautiful, in a stark, alien way. I remember the dry, golden grass reaching high up my knees and the sort of tranquil silence that happens in the heat of the day when all the animals are resting.
A panorama of the flooded Magadi salt plains. Note the pipe that bridges the water – the Maasai had suggested to our guides we try and cross on the pipe
Eventually, we came to an outcrop overlooking the land below. The view was breath-taking, and I could not help but stare at it in wonderment. It was unlike anything I had ever seen. The land below us was utterly flooded, covered with pearly green-blue water. At the lake’s edges were many pink specks – scores, upon scores of flamingoes, were here, feeding on the algae rich waters.
Scores and scores of flamingoes and white storks were everywhere, enjoying the bounty brought in by the flood
I now understood the problem the Maasai had warned us about. The road that cut across the landscape, forging ahead towards Lake Magadi’s usual boundaries, was completely submerged. The only way across was a long pipe, about two kilometres in length. There was no way to cross the water by walking on the pipe, not with all our provisions. We would have to go around.
Another look at the flooded plains in front of us, keeping us from our destination at the other end
Lake Magadi had come to Meet Us
Interestingly, we were technically at Lake Magadi, for the lake itself had spilled out to come and meet us. Aeons in the past, when East Africa was a wetter place, Lake Magadi and Lake Natron were joined as one large water body. Some scientists believe this is what is happening to many of the Alkaline lakes in East Africa at the moment.
Grey headed gull flying over the flooded salt flats
Although the day was already scorching, high up on the outcrop, there was always a pleasant breeze. There was also an acacia tree, which provided just enough shade for everyone. Under it, we all felt quite relaxed.
Johnny, our Maasai guide, resting under the shade of an acacia tree
Extreme Cooking
All of us rested, except the cook, Steve and our guide (also called Steve). Steve, the cook, immediately took out his pots and pans and began cooking on a small clearing right at the edge of the outcrop. I marvelled at how he did things – balancing the gas canister on a rock and using exposed rock faces to balance bowls of vegetables and potatoes. With this setup, he began making our mid-day meal. For a moment, I felt like we were in a reality TV show about extreme cooking.
Our cook Steve (behind the rock) and guide Steve (in the red shirt) preparing lunch on top of a precipice
Walking on the Salt Pans
I was reluctant to leave my shady, cool spot under the tree, but we had a long way ahead of us and had to get moving. So get moving we did.
From where we were, it was a long way down to the edge of the lake. Look carefully and you’ll see little pink specks which are flamingoes
We began by walking along the edge of the flooded salt pan. The view from below was very different from the one above, although no less magnificent. It was also a surreal landscape, with the ground covered in a thick white crust of salt and slippery clay. As we walked, our shoes crunched and squished in turn on the strange terrain below our feet.
Two plovers, stranded on a rock
A Flamboyance of Flamingoes
The most fabulous thing, however, were the flamingoes. There were hundreds of them, flying to and fro on the lake, hovering a mere few metres above the water. As they flew, they were almost perfectly reflected in the still, salty water below.
We were treated to the sight of hundreds of endangered lesser flamingoes taking off over the flooded plains
I knew that when it came to flamingoes, this was the moment. The high rainfall that had created this beautiful flooded plain with its hundreds of flamingoes would also have diluted the water at Lake Magadi’s usual boundaries. I knew we would not find many wading birds there. As far as flamingoes were concerned on this hike, the moment was now.
Lesser flamingoes taking flight over the flooded Magadi salt plains
A unique experience
It was unbearably hot – so hot we could feel the salt from the ground steaming up into our eyes. However, the surroundings were so magnificent I did not mind the heat one bit.
Our guide, Steve, walking across the desolate salt plains
I knew what I was experiencing was something entirely out of the ordinary. Usually, water did not flood the plains. None of our guides had seen it flooded like this before. To not only see it but to walk on it, was a truly unique experience.
Johnny, our Maasai guide, crossing the salt flats of Magadi
If the Maasai can pass, so can we
Soon, we came to the very edge of the temporary new boundary of Lake Magadi. Here the land was mostly muddy, with occasional pools. Johnny looked across the shining flatland and pointed into the distance. Miles away, I could see some trees shimmering in the heat. That was where we had to go.
Three Maasai men in colourful shukas crossing the ash white salt flats of Magadi
“Are you sure we can cross this mudflat?” I asked. I could see many shiny pools of salty water between us and the trees from where I stood.
“Sure we can.” Steve, our guide said. “Look.” He pointed to the ground. I saw there were the tracks of a motorcycle. “The Maasai have come here on motorcycle, if they can do it, we certainly can too.”
Another shot of the indefatigable Johnny crossing the desolate but breath–taking landscape
Despite the intense heat, the adventure of crossing the alien landscape was exciting enough that I didn’t mind it. We even came across some elephant tracks, which I got quite excited over. The thought of seeing an elephant crossing these majestic, empty expanse made such a poignant mental image in my head.
Elephant foot prints in the sand
In the end, the crossing was not too challenging. Apart from having to jump over some large puddles and land on slippery mud, the walk across the flats was pretty straightforward. Our hiking shoes had soles thick enough to get through most of the pools.
The muddy and salty ground was covered in these strange white disc patterns
Back on Land
Once we were done with the salt flats, we came to a raised piece of land covered in long, golden grass, dotted with acacia trees. The terrain here was tricker, as the grass-covered many high boulders underneath and we had to be very careful while walking, least we make a misstep and twist our ankles. The going was slow.
Johnny, hiking through the tall golden grass
Although we were getting tired, Johnny showed no signs of flagging. He was filled with energy and was excited to show us the land. Along the way, we spotted a couple of giraffes and some zebras grazing in the high grass. It was an incredible feeling, walking through the bush, surrounded by such majestic creatures.
Johnny was excited to point out this towering giraffe watching us curiously from a distance
Getting to the factory at Lake Magadi
The going was slow for us, walking in the high grass, so our guides took us to the road that lead to the factory at Lake Magadi, and we walked along with it. Although the landscape was boring since we were walking along the road, I was glad for it. It was already mid-afternoon, and I was exhausted from walking in the high grass, fearing I might twist my ankle with every step. It was a nice change to be able to see the groud I placed my feet on.
The Lake Magadi Soda Ash factory
Following the road, we soon came to the permanent part of Lake Magadi. It was an impressive lake, with a large soda ash processing facility along its banks. The edge of the lake also harboured a few flocks of flamingoes, although their numbers were not so great, due to the recent high rainfall which had diluted the lake’s alkalinity.
Camping in a Maasai Village near Lake Magadi
We arrived at our last campsite just before sundown. After miles on the road, I was looking forward to dropping my pack and taking it easy under the shade. After hiking for a bit into the bush, we caught sight of a Maasai manyatta. These were of a slightly different style to the ones we saw in Enkototu. The villages we had seen earlier did not have their households delineated with a fence of any border. We only recognised them as a collection because of their proximity to each other. Over here, near Magadi, the style was different.
A Maasai girl in front of her manyatta, posing under the dreamy light of the evening sun
The manyattas were surrounded by a thick fence of thorny branches, presumably to keep wild animals from entering the compound. There are wild animals everywhere in the Loita Hills, but it was around here that we saw signs of the big ones, like elephant and giraffe.
A scene to remember – this Maasai girl was curiously watching us for some time as the stunning sunset filtered through the branches of the acacia trees
Maasai children under the African Sunset
As usual, the children here came out to greet us, but they were bolder and loved to have their photograph taken. While trying to capture the lovely, fiery sunset, the children gathered themselves into the shot and began posing. We were delighted they felt so comfortable in front of the camera and insisted on having us take their photo. It was such a joyful, spontaneous moment.
These Maasai children were super eager to have their photo taken
The night we spent here was an interesting one. We met a young Maasai woman who went to university in Nairobi. She was sassy and wouldn’t lay off making fun of our guides and porters. She stayed here in her village until the university reopened again after being closed for moths because of covid-19. It was an interesting meeting for me, as it revealed how Maasai culture has already begun to embrace women’s empowering for many years now.
One of our favourite moments on the entire trip with these fun-loving children boisterously posing for our camera
Reflections after Lake Magadi
Our six-day hike through Loita Hills, starting from Maji Moto and ending off at Lake Magadi, was a truly incredible experience. We truly enjoyed being with our guides and having met all the incredible people that hosted us. During the hike, I felt how dynamic the Maasai people are – they genuinely bridge both a traditional lifestyle and a fast-changing modern way of thinking. And also, of course, there was the unique landscape that will forever be seared in my memory.
Dverghamrar Basalt Cliffs, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Reynisfjara Beach and Vik
Basalt hills right out of a folktale, a canyon from the land before time, and a mystical black sand beach, all on the coast of Southern Iceland…
Dverghamrar Basalt Cliffs
“Wow! What’s that? We’ve gotta turn around!”, I remember saying, as Phil drove past the Dverghamrar Basalt Cliffs. The cliffs didn’t reach too high (Dverghamrar essentially means the Dwarf Cliffs), at least compared to the average height of the other things we’ve seen so far in Iceland, but there was something special about them.
The meadow that sits literally atop the Dverghamrar Basalt Cliffs, hiding them from most casual passers-by
Apart from the unique hexagonal column structure, which we’d already seen several times throughout the trip, these cliffs rose out of ground in several layers of flat tiers. If you have an imagination, they almost look like steps to a throne that isn’t there.
The path winding between the basalt columns, leading towards just one of the oh so many cliff’s edge waterfalls that Iceland has no shortage of
Their tops are also covered in grass, making it seem as if they are hiding something. Perhaps they are. Icelanders believe that these cliffs are home to dwarves and elves – indeed, they remind me of the Shire.
The Dverghamrar Basalt Columns are layered in several levels, often appearing as some giant steps
These basalt cliffs are similar to the ones we saw at Hofsós, which is by the sea, although these are much farther inland. Apparently, they were formed during a period when the earth was much warmer and the seas were higher, and that sea waves are the reason for the shape the cliffs are in present day.
Anywhere else in the World, this would be a one of a kind sight, but these small waterfalls are so abundant in Iceland, that we could not even find a name for this one, close to the Dverghamrar Basalt Cliffs
What I really like about them is how the main mounds of basalt structures are partially hidden behind a higher cliff that goes all around them. From a certain viewpoint, it looks as if they are hidden by an ancient fortress that was built with magic. We were pretty much the only visitors at this place, so it was the perfect place to let my imagination run wild!
The view into the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, close to the main entry point
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Fjaðrárgljúfur is definitely one of the must sees, if you get to Iceland. It’s like the Glacier Lagoon or Detiffoss/Goðafoss, there’s nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world.
Around a half-way point to the lookout spot at the beginning of the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, we turned back towards the canyon’s mouth, appreciating its meandering nature
The first thing you’ll notice about it is how epic it is. Many things in Iceland are on an epic scale, but this is in the top tier. The canyon averages about 100 meters deep and 2 kilometres long. Standing at the start, you can’t see the end, and it seems like it could go on forever, into the very center of the earth.
There are many arctic terns around the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, the lush grass surrounding it providing plentiful hunting opportunities
The sheer walls of the canyon are smooth, made from whole, smooth rock that doesn’t look like it has faced a great deal of erosion in recent times. If a sculptor had made them, he would be at the end of the project – the canyon was formed at the end of the last Ice Age – 9,000 years ago, when the glacier that covered the land retreated and a mighty river poured through this canyon, giving it its present shape. Eventually, so much sediment was deposited that the river lost its strength. Although its still got a pretty strong current – just not at the levels it had once had.
It’s best to give a few hours to see the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. We had a pretty packed day, so we didn’t have much time, which was a pity. We managed to walk a little bit by the river bed, but then opted to climb to the top and see the canyon from above. I really wished we had more time to spend in the valley though.
The view from the final lookout point, at the start/end of the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, uncovered not only these two brave sheep, grazing on the little ridge…
The view of the canyon is best from the valley I think. From here, you get to really experience the play of light and shadow across the bubbling Fjaðrá river. There are also a lot less people walking on the valley than above, and there’s nothing quite like the feeling of being alone out in such majestic nature.
…but also this lone tree, literally the only tree in the entire canyon and its surroundings – we tried to find out if there is any significance to it, but could not get any information
The walk to the plateau into which the valley was carved though was fun. I enjoyed ascending the hundreds of steps to the top and later walking on the undulating pathway that skirted the edges of the cliffs. From here, you get to realise what a long way down it was to the valley floor.
The view back, along the main Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon path is simply incredible, with the ever changing play of light and shadows giving its sides an amazing new quality each and every moment
We visited the Fjaðrárgljúfur cliffs, I felt, at a really good time – around sunset. I think the dramatic lighting contributed a lot to our experience of the cliffs.
The Reynisfjara Beach was covered in fine mist, giving the entire region an otherworldly quality – so easy to see why fantasy and science fiction film crews would be attracted to it
Reynisfjara Beach
Reynisfjara is truly a special place. The basalt cliffs that border it and the rocky outcrops that extend into the sea give the place a magical vibe. These rock formations look so special that it’s easy to imagine they weren’t a product of erosion but rather the result of some enchantment.
When we were there, there was a thick sea spray coming off the shore, and the main rock formation jutting out into the sea looked like a troll that was turned into stone – at least, that is what the icelandic folklore of the region tells us had happened.
Here is Isabella, walking along the seemingly abandoned Reynisfjara Beach – one has to stay away from the water, as it is apparently rather treacherous here and claims a life every now and then
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan like we are (despite the ending), you might recognise it from a couple of scenes shot for the “North of the Wall” episode in Season 7. Moreover, for the Star Wars aficionados, a part of the Rogue One was also filmed here.
The ubiquitous basalt columns are perhaps at their most majestic at the Reynisfjara Beach
The basalt rocks are also home to lots of northern birds, including puffins. We didn’t see any while we were there though – maybe they were farther down in parts of the beach we could only access when the tide was lower. But certainly keep a look out for them when you get there!
The Reynisfjara beach is also likely the only place that you may also see the basalt columns from below, at least to our knowledge
Vik
While you are in the area of course, don’t forget to drop by the town of Vik and the surrounding area. The town is very charming, like most Icelandic towns are, and it gives you the opportunity to feel what life must be like so far up north in the world.
The small church atop a hill in Vik – it was amazing to observe the weather cyclically change in mere minutes, from warm late afternoon sunlight, through light mist, thick blueish fog, back to sunny again in no time at all
I personally feel it must be really special to live in a place like Vik – outside the capital citiy Reykjavik, I felt pretty alone. In Vik. there’s a stable population of only 318 people, so you can imagine how small and isolated it must be.
Nevertheless, it was nice to get a sense of what it must be like to live so far away from large crowds and so close to nature. All in all, I thought Vik was a really pretty place.
Sheets hanged out to dry – such a pastoral scene, but in Iceland, it comes with a special background – snow and ice covered black mountain peaks
While you are there, do go to Strondin Pub for lunch or dinner. It’s got great views over the basalt rocks and serves up tasty pub food. A pan friend artic char and some viking beer made the perfect end to a day of adventure.
One of the majestic peaks above Vik, shrouded in the swirling fog
The Quinta de Regaleira is carved with the symbols of cultures across time, from Ancient Greece, Free Masonry to Portuguese Romanticism…
The Quinta da Regaleira is an enchanting estate near Lisbon. Built by an eccentric Free Mason, it houses the mysterious Initiation Well and is filled with Pagan and occult symbols. I first learned of the estate while searching for fantasy world ideas on Pinterest. I was immediately captivated by photographs of this Gothic palace, rising out from the lush forest that surrounded it. At first, I thought they were scenes from a movie.
The main palace of the Quinta da Regaleira. The palace is in the Neo-Manueline style, a variation on the Gothic style
There were so many mysterious things about it. Why was there such an opulent palace hidden in a forest? Who would build a well you could walk into, and for what purpose? Why were there Greek gods and goddesses in a place with distinctly Christian architecture? These were questions that made the Quinta da Regaleira captivating to me.
The main building the the Quinta da Regaleira. Here you can see the corridors on the first basement floor that connect with tunnel from the Chapel
But what drew me to the palace, most of all, was how it seemed to have been conjured up by magic from the stones of the mountain of Sintra itself. Its towers and bridges seemed not to be man made, but created by the sprits of nature. The Quinta da Regaleira is a place half in the real, and half in an imagined world. With clever architecture, tapping into a multitude of mystical beliefs throughout time and many different cultures, the palace has managed to conjure up an atmosphere of enchantment.
Who Built the Quinta da Regaleira?
Perhaps, when we consider the man who owned the estate, its otherworldly architecture might seem less inexplicable. The wealthy eccentric who bought the place, Carvalho Monteiro, was an etymologist with a great love for lyrical poetry. He had a true passion for the natural sciences and dedicated many years of his life studying the insects of Brazil and Europe. This combination of interests, mixed in with his spirituality as a Free Mason gave rise to the magical Quinta da Regaleira.
The enchanted grounds of the Quinta da Regaleira, its stone sculptures half hidden by its lush forest
Its architect, the Italian Luigi Manini, was also a stage designer who created theatrical set pieces. Manini was a creative genius and well known for his Neo-Manueline style. The Quinta da Regaleira is possibly one of his most amazing works, combining mystical elements from various ages, and merging them into the beautiful forest of Sintra.
One of the many grottos in the upper levels of the Quinta da Regaleira complex
This genius is apparent throughout the site. There are many structures that seem perfectly natural, but are not. The waterfall lake and the labyrinthine grotto are two such structures. But really, the entire place feels as if it is carved out of the very rock it stands on.
The Initiation Well
The Initiation Well is, perhaps, one of the most famous attractions in all of Sintra. Its mysterious design, without any clear purpose, is a source of fascination. From photographs taken from the bottom of the well, looking out at the circular patch of sky above, it looks like a tower built into the ground. When I first saw photos of it, I thought it was built for defensive purposes. Perhaps the stairs curving around the tower led to rooms in an underground estate built to withstand siege.
The Initiation Well, a subterranean tower 27 meters deep, an architectural metaphor for Dante’s Inferno
In reality, this tower is more symbolic than utilitarian. Carvalho Monteiro, a notable Free Mason, had built it for spiritual reasons. This well, it is said, was designed to represent the nine circles of Dante’s Inferno. Although it is only six stories deep, the experience of walking down the well makes it feel like it extends further. This sensation is a testament to its evocative design.
View from the bottom of the Initiation Well
Entering the Initiation Well
As I stepped into the well, the world outside seemed to leave me. Its sounds became muted and I could sense the cold actively coming from the ancient looking stones. I treaded silently, trying not to disrupt the serenity of the well with the sound of my footsteps. As its name suggests, the well was used for initiation rites. I imagined myself as one of those few converts who had walked down its stairs, in what must have been a very important moment in their lives.
Looking all the way down into the Initiation Well. Notice the Templar Cross at the very bottom
At the very bottom of the well is a circular floor, simply decorated with coloured tiles in shades of ochre. Here, the tiles depict the cross of the Knights Templar, a symbol exclusive to Free Masons who believe in the Christian doctrine. Although I am an atheist, this place felt profoundly spiritual to me. Monteiro and Manini had taken an idea and turned it into a structural concept. The Initiation Well, and indeed, all of the Quinta da Regaleira, is artistic expression at its finest.
The Unfinished Well
At the bottom of the well are two main tunnels. The first of these leads to an exit underneath the Portal of the Guardians, the other splits into three separate tunnels. One of these sub-tunnels leads to a second well, the “Unfinished Well”. Its aspect is simple and unadorned, its wall looking much more like that of a regular well. Although it was easy for me to dismiss this well after the majesty of the Initiation Well, it likely had its own special purpose. I doubt there was anything in the Quinta da Regaleira that did not have meaning.
View up at the tree covered sky from the bottom of the “Unfinished Well”
Exit from the Initiation Well
The main way out from the bottom of the Initiation Well is a truly magical path. Sunlight streams in through the rough arches cut into the walls of the tunnel. From the arches, you can see the Lake of the Waterfall, which separates the caverns of the wells from their exit. The lake is crossed by bridges that seem completely natural – as if nature had placed them over the water for the convenience of visitors to the park. I later found out that this was not true, they are wholly man made, although Manini had designed them to look as if they were completely nature’s work.
The Lake of the Waterfall, and the stepping stones which we would have to cross to leave the tunnels of the Initiation Well
To get across to the exit, we had to walk on stepping stones placed in the water. This was a lot of fun as the stones were on the small side and we had to be careful while crossing them. It was exciting and made me feel like a child again. After the stepping stones, we were finally out, back to a lower portion of the park we had come from earlier.
The Portal of the Guardians. This holds one of the exits from the Initiation Well. The exit is under the semi-circular entrance beneath the central tower. Note the sea shell and seaweed like patterns which encrust the fountain – typical of the Manueline style
Promenade of the Gods
Although the Quinta da Regaleira isn’t all that old itself, the themes that run through its architecture span all the way from the Ancient Greece to the time it was completed, at the turn of the century.
Stone statue of Fortuna, the goddess of luck, on the Promenade of the Gods
Lining one of the main paths into the estate is the Promenade of the Gods. Stone statues of Venus, Hermes, Dionysus, and many other Greek gods and goddesses, line this pathway. The Greek god Dionysus is featured throughout the estate, and is a powerful symbol connected with the cult of Free Masonry, which the owner of the Quinta da Regaleira was almost certainly a member of. Along with the cults of ancient Greece and Free Masonry, other symbols included the Knights Templar and the Rosicrucians.
The Chapel
I love the Chapel of the Quinta da Ragaleira. This beautiful, delicate building, decorated with Manuelian floral motifs is the most elegant place of worship I’ve seen. The design contrasts elaborate patterning with simple white washed walls. Inside, the alter selectively uses gold leaf such that it enhances the beauty of the chapel, instead of overwhelming it with its overuse. If the walls of the chapel seem golden at times, it is because they have been hit by sunlight.
The delicate looking Chapel, its white walls half hidden behind lush vegetation
This chapel is thoroughly fascinating. Although Christian in design, it shows how no religious belief is ever truly separate from all the others that have come before. Apart from the usual Catholic imagery and statues, the chapel also spotted pentagrams surrounding the Order of the Christ Cross and the symbol of the Free Masons on the ceiling of the doorway.
The Chapel’s iconography includes the life of the virgin Mary and Christ, and symbols from the Templar Order. It has a subterranean passage linking it to the main palace
The Main Palace
Underneath the chapel is a “secret” tunnel that leads to the main palace. The tunnel exits on the kitchen level, where you will have to walk past a long corridor to get to the stairs leading to the front porch of the building. The main palace is perhaps the most famous sight of the Quinta da Regaleira. Its slender Manueline-Gothic spires dancing high into the sky, its stone walls half hidden by the surrounding greenery. It is an enchanted castle in an magical forest.
The majestic main residence of the Quinta da Regaleira looks even more impressive when seen from below
As I stepped into the building, I was transported back to the 19th Century. The interior and its furnishings are well preserved and restored, and it was easy to imagine myself as a visitor travelling back in time.
Beautiful staircase carved from the wood of chestnut trees
At the heart of the palace is a beautiful chestnut staircase that links its three main floors. Although it is simple in design, the wood is beautifully carved. It was a pleasure to walk up its stairs, my footsteps softened by the carpet underneath, the polished handrails smooth underneath my hands.
The Forest and the Age of Discovery
Monumental architecture during the late 18th Century in Portugal seeked to express a golden age of discovery. This extends beyond its buildings and into its parks. One of the things I love about the Quinta da Regaleira is how its gardens are a living collection. Here, there are species of trees from all over the world. There are sequoias from North America, Magnolias from South East Asia, Cycads from Central America and even the Norfolk Island Pine from New Zealand. It is not surprising that Monteiro, a biologist and an avid traveller, planted these trees to bring the world into his garden.
Gothic tower overlooking the forest on the Sintra hillside
The Quinta da Regaleira is definitely a man-made wonder, hidden deep in plain sight in its own piece of nature. What’s impressive is that this tranquil, mystical place is not so far for the hustle and bustle of Lisbon. Despite this though, it was not overrun with tourists, and our visit was both eye-opening and enjoyable.
Garden in front of the Quinta da Regaleira, near the entrance of the park
FAQs for Quinta da Regaleira
Who built the Quinta da Regaleira?
It was commissioned by the wealthy Portuguese eccentric Carvalho Monteiro, who was also a renowned etymologist. It was built by the Italian architect and stage designer, Luigi Manini. Read more…
What is the Initiation Well
The Initiation Well is not a real well. It is a subterranean tower in the Quinta da Regaleira built to represent the nine circles of Dante’s Inferno. Read more…
When was the Quinta da Regaleira built?
The owner, Carvalho Monteiro, bought it in 1892. Construction began in 1904 and was mostly completed by 1910. Monteiro died in 1920, so sadly, he didn’t have many years to enjoy his estate.
How to visit the Quinta da Regaleira from Lisbon?
You can take a local train to Sintra. Tickets are only €2.25 and the journey is around 40 minutes. From the train station, you can walk to the Quinta da Regaleira or take bus N375.
An experience of walking on the savannah takes us back into our evolutionary past. Here, we encounter nature in the raw, with nothing between us and the wild…
During our time in the Masai Mara, we had the opportunity to go on a walking safari when we stayed in Eagle View Camp, in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. Naboisho is not technically part of the Masai Mara National Reserve, however, it is part of the same ecosystem. While you cannot do walking safaris in the Masai Mara itself, you can do so in the Mara Conservancies.
Maasai Ascari resting under a tree while waiting for us to catch up to them
What is a Walking Safari
A walking safari is a guided walk, out in the African bush, with nothing between you and nature. The walking safari is not a physically demanding activity, although participants need to be moderately fit, as the terrain is uneven and there will be gentle uphill climbs. Walking safaris can be short strolls around your tented campsite or longer ones that take you further out into the bush.
You get a lower viewpoint on a walking safari that allows for an interesting new angle when photographing wildlife
Walking safaris enable safari-goers to see nature from a different perspective. Firstly, on a walking safari, your viewpoint is lower and at a more natural angle. This was how humans had experienced nature for aeons – on foot, with nothing but our wits and some simple weapons to protect us.
Birds like this African Grey Hornbill are less likely to fly away because there’s less noise pollution when you are walking than when you are in a jeep
Secondly, the safari experience is incredibly tranquil without a jeep’s noisy diesel engine which can bother some animals. Finally, there is the incredibly liberating sensation of being on foot in the savannah. After all, we did spend millions of years evolving in this environment, and we did it all on foot. I think the experience does touch something very primal within us and is an adventure that everyone should try at least once in their lives.
Are Walking Safaris Safe
All walking safaris will have guides leading the guests. As long as you stay with your guides and follow their advice, you will be safe. Wild animals behave predictably and do not attack humans unless provoked. While we were on our walking safari, our guides stayed close to us at every moment. Everyone in the group had one Maasai assigned to them. Even if you fall behind the group, your guide will ensure your safety.
A lone Maasai man walking through the open plains of Mara Naboisho, part of the Masai Mara ecosystem. Getting around by foot is still a popular mode of transport for many Maasai
The Maasai guides with us have walked freely through their lands since they were children and know how to avoid danger. They also know how to deal with threats. Many of them have been in dangerous situations before and lived to tell the tale. The truth is, most animals only attack as a last resort, as any attack brings with it some measure of risk. However, the first step is always avoidance. For example, if the Maasai see a lion, they will steer well clear of it.
Our Walking Safari Experience
Our Maasai guides walk on ahead of us, their colourful shukas floating above the tall, yellow grass. The dry blades rise to my knees, and it is as if I am walking in a sea of grass. This landscape stretches out all around us, reaching towards the horizon. Dotting the pale green fields of tall grass are many woody bushes, characteristic of Mara’s Naboisho conservancy.
Our Maasai guides, Caleb, Johnson and Wilson. This photo was taken some distance away from Eagle View Camp. Closer to the camp, the grass gets significantly longer
The tall grass worries me – most certainly, there are snakes, hidden in the thick vegetation. Our Maasai guides tell us this is not something to worry about. The snakes will sense vibration from our footsteps and slither away before we get too close.
Beginning the Walking Safari
It is mid-morning, and the day is beginning to heat up as we start our walking safari out into the African bush. There is an excitement in the air, a sense of play, as we venture out from the premises of our lodge, Eagle View Camp. We are accompanied by six Maasai Ascari, three of whom were once lion hunters, as was the tradition of the Maasai. Today, they are all conservationists belonging to the community that looks after the grasslands of Naboisho.
Our three Maasai Ascari (guards) who accompanied us on our walking safari
Safari goers to the Masai Mara usually undertake an expedition in a 4×4 vehicle. Wild animals are accustomed to these large, sturdy jeeps and, for the most part, pay them no heed. As long as you are in the car, you’re safe. You can get quite close to top predators like lion, leopard, cheetahs and hyenas and be secure knowing they will not attack.
Safety First, Weapons Second
A walking safari is different. It’s just you, out in the wilderness, on your own two feet. There is nothing between you and nature. The Maasai that guide you are your lifeline. They are fearless and have known the land and its animals since childhood. Fearless, but not foolhardy. These men do not take unnecessary risk. They can spot a lion from miles away and will avoid getting too close. On the African savannah, the best way to prevent dangerous encounters is to go around it altogether.
Our Maasai Ascari rest under an acacia tree. They stayed closed to us all the time and would stop often to wait for us to catch up
A few of them laugh and talk among themselves in Maa, their local language, as they scout ahead of the group. Their colourful dress and relaxed demeanour set the tone for the walk. As long as nobody does anything foolish, there is nothing to be afraid of. As we walk along, we marvel at their courage. These Maasai do not carry modern weapons. Instead, each wields a spear and a throwing club. These weapons, along with their fearless attitude, have been their defence against predators for millennia, and continue to protect them today.
A Lesson on The Mara’s Flora and Fauna
As we continue walking, knee-high grass gives way to recently grazed, green plains. Our guide leads us unhurriedly through the land, stopping us when he sees something interesting.
Our Maasai guide Caleb reaches out for a leaf of the sandpaper plant
As we pass an orange croton bush, he tells us about its insect repellent properties. Animals, especially lions, like to relax in its shade because it rids them of annoying flies. He also alerts us to the sandpaper plant, with leaves are like sandpaper. The Maasai use it to polish their spears and clubs.
The sodom apple. This bushy plant can often be found hidden among the grasses
Then, there’s the sodom apple, named after the famed biblical city near the Dead Sea. This poisonous fruit is as ancient as civilisation itself, dating back to the time of the prophets. Throughout history, the fruit and its plants have had many uses. Today, the Masai continue to use its anti-bacterial stems as toothbrushes and make tea from its roots to relieve stomach pains.
Hyena droppings are recognisable by their bleached white colour
We also encountered some peculiar while balls, drying out under the sun. These are hyena droppings, and they are white because of their high calcium content. Hyenas, after all, consume bone. Luckily for us, these droppings were made quite some time ago, and there were no hyenas around.
Unexpected Encounters in the Bush
As the Maasai walk, they occasionally thump the butt of their spears into the ground. There’s no real reason for this; perhaps it’s merely a way to distribute weight while walking. However, once, an Ascari’s spear landed near a low bush, startling a furry creature resting among its leaves. The animal, a bat-eared foxed, jumped out in surprise and ran away at an incredible speed. It was not our intention to surprise the resting creature, but all the same, we were glad to see it. After all, bat-eared foxes are nocturnal and almost impossible to spot on safari.
This bat-eared fox raced away at breakneck speed when we stumbled onto his hiding place
Up ahead, we can see trees clustering along a riverbank. Unlike the woody bushes and thorny acacias that cover most of the landscape, these trees have thick green leaves and provide dense shade. Many are enormous fig trees with sturdy, thick branches. It is just the sort of tree leopards love. A grown fig tree’s branches are strong and broad, sufficiently robust for a leopard to haul her kill into. High up in the tree, her meal is safe from thieving by other predators like lion and hyena.
Leopards like hanging around near riverbanks with bushes and tree cover. Trees with strong branches also make good “larders” as leopards can keep eating their kill for up to seven days
The Most Dangerous Animal on the Savannah
There are no leopards today, or at least none we could see. The river, however, is filled with pods of hippo taking shade from the warm African sun. We approach them cautiously, careful not to cause alarm. All of them are in the water, so staying by the river banks is enough to ensure our safety. Nevertheless, we have to make sure we do not get too close. A Maasai Ascari takes a tentative step down the gentle slope leading into the river. Unbeknownst to us, there is a hippo right below him, and it rears its head up and grunts a warning. We back off after that, keeping our distance.
A pod of hippos in the Laikipia river running through Mara Maboisho
We continue along the riverbank, observing the hippos go about their day. During the heat of the afternoon, not much goes on. Mostly, they stay in the river, their heads bobbing up and down the mud-coloured waters. Once, we observed a large hippo marking his territory with a spray of excrement, fanning the waste across the banks with a vigorously flipping tale. Even from fifty meters away, the stench was significant.
This guy does not look like he’d like us to come any closer
How Scary are Crocodiles?
We leave the hippos and make our way to a drier part of the river. One of the Maasai have spotted a crocodile on the far bank. It’s almost too far away to see with the naked eye, its light brown scales the colour of the sandbank it lay upon. Through the long lens of a camera, however, we were able to catch sight of it. The creature was huge, and we approached it cautiously. Even from a distance, it sensed our approach. In a blink of an eye, it scampered down into the dry river bed and came out the other side. It was a reminder of how even the most fearsome creatures of the savannah are more wary of us than we are of them.
This was the large crocodile we spotted. By the time we took this photo, he had already gone on to the other side of the river bank
Let Nature Set the Pace on Your Walking Safari
It was nearly high-noon, and the sun had climbed almost directly overhead. We had walked many kilometres out into the African bush, and it was now time to make our way back. Assuming we set a good pace, and we did not stop along the way, it would still take us an hour to return to camp. But we were in no hurry. In Kenya, there is a saying people are fond of. “Pole, pole”, meaning “slowly, slowly”. After all, nature is never in a hurry, so why should we be?
At some point our Maasai Ascari decided to get back on the road
A Demonstration of Masai Weapons
We make our way back, leisurely crossing the golden-green savannah. Along the way, our Maasai guides demonstrate how they use their primary weapons, the stick and the spear. We were surprised to learn how powerful their simple stick was – this tool, a mere foot and a half long could be used to defend themselves against large animals.
Our guide, Caleb, with his spear
In the distant past, the Maasai also used it in warfare. All it took was good momentum, and a well-placed aim between a creature’s eyes, and the animal would be knocked out. That said, these Maasai no longer hunt animals for sport. These days, they only use their weapons in self-defence.
Johnson, demonstrating how to throw the Maasai spear. Johnson is university educated and soft-spoken, but like all other Maasai men, he had spent a period as a Moran – the warrior phase all boys have to pass to become men
Our guides show us how they use their spears. These weapons are longer and more massive than the sticks. Some almost as high as their bearer. Throwing them far, and with accuracy, takes skill and strength. Two of our guides, Wilson and Johnson, demonstrate the technique.
Johnson and Wilson, both about to launch their spears
There is an art to it – first the body has to be positioned in a slight crouch, giving momentum to the run, which will add speed to the final throw. After a few leaps, they twist their bodies, placing all their power in their shoulders and arms. Then, with great accuracy, the Maasai makes the throw. Despite the spear’s weight and its bearer’s lean frame, the Maasai can launch them far into the distance.
The spears have launched!
A Lion in Our Midst
Entranced by this fascinating show, we did not notice the sudden disturbance in the nearby bushes. It was not until an entire herd of zebras and wildebeest came dashing out we realised there was a predator in our midst. From the way the animals were running, our guides surmised it was most likely a lion.
Herds of wildebeest and zebra gallop through the plains of the Masai Mara
The animals, about two hundred of them, came running out into the open field, making a wide semi-circle around us before stopping. We looked around, hoping to spot the predator that had disturbed them, but did not find anything. Soon, the animals, previously alert, began to mill about once more, grazing calmly at the grass under their hooves. It seemed their attacker had given up for now.
The grazing animals remained flighty for sometime, constantly moving away from the bushes
Our Walking Safari Concludes
It was now beginning to get late and quite warm. We were all eager to make it back to the comfort of our lodge for a nice lunch and a cold drink. Together, we trundled our way across the rolling green fields that stretched out into the distance. Soon, we notice the short, green grass give way to the tall golden meadow which surrounds the campsite. As we wade into the long grass, we know we are almost home.
We wade back into the long grass around Eagle View Camp – the grass comes up pass the knees of the Maasai, which is saying something since Maasai are tall people
FAQs for Walking Safari Kenya
What is a walking safari?
A walking safari is similar to an easy hike out in the African savannah. The only difference to a hike is that you will see plenty of wild animals during your walk.
Is a walking safari safe?
A walking safari is safe as they are always conducted with experienced guides. These guides, who are armed, know how to avoid conflict with wild animals and deal with danger should any arise.
Can I do a walking safari with lions?
Lions are wild animals and you cannot do walking safaris with them. Our Maasai guides explicitly told us if we encountered lions we would make sure to walk some distance around them. This is what the Maasai do themselves when they encounter lions out in the bush.
A charming medieval town on the way from Lisbon to Porto, Óbidos is worth a long visit to truly soak in its atmosphere long after the other tourists are gone…
We stopped by Óbidos, Portugal on our way from Sintra to Porto. Having left Sintra a little late, we almost decided to skip it, but are very glad we didn’t. A nominee for a UNESCO Heritage Site, this charming fortress town is full of history, and a perfect prototype of a medieval city.
The imposing castle walls of Óbidos, Portugal towering high above the walled town
Things to do in Óbidos
We were, sadly, only in Óbidos for a day trip, like many others. We definitely wished we’d booked at least a night, to fully soak in the wonderful atmosphere of this quaint town!
The stacked rooftops of Óbidos give a sense of its old world charm
Enter the City Through the Senhora da Graça Chapel
Truly impressive, the main entrance into the city is a patchwork of exquisitely painted tiles. This archway “hides” an artfully decorated door, which is part of the adjoining Senhora da Graça Chapel. The elaborate decoration dates back to the 1700’s. It is a great example of “Azulejos”, the glazed blue ceramic tiles typical of Portugal.
The elaborate archway of the Senhora da Graça Chapel. This archway also connects to the main entrance into the city
Walk through the ancient, winding streets of Óbidos
Inside its thick stone walls are quaint white washed houses, with terracotta tiled roofs that jostle each other alongside narrow, winding roads.
Vendors and local elders sitting outside the Igreja de Santa Maria in Óbidos
Semi-permanent market stalls line the entrance to the fortress, selling everything from natural soaps to Portuguese pastries and cakes – certainly some of the best in the world. We entered the town by its main thoroughfare, cutting straight to the castle that dominates it. Along this street are lovely shops selling hand made Portuguese crafts and (you guessed it) more pastries and cakes. In Portugal, you can live by one rule – if it looks good, eat it.
Shop selling clothing made with beautiful Portuguese fabrics
Treat Yourself to a Pão de Ló
We found a no frills pastry shop that looked like it had been there for decades, which sold a traditional Portuguese cake called the Pão de Ló. The Pão de Ló is a type of custard sponge cake that is still molten in the center. We got a chocolate flavoured one covered with chocolate cream – simple, yet absolutely exquisite. It was one of the highlights of the visit and we ended up eating the cake even before we left the shop.
Beautiful cobblestoned alleys of Óbidos, lined with whitewashed houses adorned with yellow and blue motifs
Visit the Mercado Biológico de Óbidos,
There was an impressive bookshop, Mercado Biológico de Óbidos, that occupied the first floor of a few narrow houses, with books that lined the walls floor to ceiling. The refurbishment of this former organic market was done by Ler Devagar, a bookseller from Lisbon, who transforms spaces of historical importance into book havens. It was the sort of a place anyone with a book fetish would immediately feel drawn to.
The Mercado Biológico de Óbidos, a former organic market transformed into a bookstore
What was even more cool about this place was the fresh fruit and vegetable stand at the end of the store, in the cooking and gardening section. This place took the book café concept to a whole new level!
Narrow houses seen from the high point of Óbidos
Visit the Óbidos Castle
After all these wonderful distractions, we finally made it to the end of the thoroughfare, and reached the entrance to the castle’s keep. Inside the keep, there were market stalls and a restaurant, which were unfortunately closed when we were there. Nevertheless, it did provide a good impression of how daily life was structured within the castle keep during medieval times.
The walls of the Castle Keep, constructed in the 14th century, and refurbished in the 1950s
Inside the keep was a lovely leisure garden full of pink blossoms in full bloom, overlooking the surrounding lands. It was trussed up against the high stone walls of the keep, and was an interesting feature of the castle’s overall architecture. From here, you could also look down onto the town of Óbidos.
The Castle Wall Walk
It’s worth mentioning here that you can walk on the walls of the Óbidos Castle. This will will provide you stunning views of the town on one side, and the beautiful Portuguese countryside on the other. There are a number of entry points to start the walk on the walls. On your way up to the castle’s market square, you’ll encounter a sign which will show you where you can being your walk.
The walk is a great way to get your bearings within the town itself. It was also interesting to see the wall standing as a division between the ancient core of Óbidos and the new houses which were outside the castle walls.
Do be cautious though! There are no handrails, and the path can be quite narrow and definitely not suitable for walking in groups.
Many houses in Óbidos are covered in old wisteria wines
Ending a Day Trip to Óbidos
We ended our day in Óbidos in a little pub restaurant just off the main street, which served traditional Portuguese food. We had grilled sardines and fried squid, all fresh from the sea and very tasty. Óbidos was definitely a great stop and if we had the chance to do it all again, we’d definitely choose to spend a night in one of the apartments for rent in the town. That way, we would have gotten to see the sun set over castle keep and stroll its winding streets without other tourists in the way.
A hawk living in the walls of the keep, with a mouse in her beak, taking it back to her nest
FAQs for Óbidos, Portugal
Why visit Óbidos?
Óbidos is an incredible little medieval town with quaint winding streets and a slow pace of life. Little has changed here since its heyday in the 15th Century. Visit to get a sense of what life was like in medieval Portugal.
When was Óbidos castle built?
Most of the castle was built in 713 by the Moors. However, its history and that of the town goes back to Roman times. Parts of the castle might have been around since the Visigoths conquered Óbidos in the 5th Century.
What to visit in Óbidos?
The main reason to visit Óbidos, is the city’s heart itself. It’s a charming medieval town with cobblestone streets. We spent hours walking around and visiting is many quirky shops. You should also visit the Óbidos castle.
How to get to Óbidos from Lisbon?
If you don’t have a private car, the easiest way to get to Óbidos is by bus. The Rodotejo bus company does a route to Óbidos from Lisbon which takes an hour, and there are 32 departures every weekday and 13 departures on weekends and holidays.
Český Krumlov, Things to Do in This Fairytale Town
Český Krumlov captivates with its quaint medieval town and enchanting castle…
Situated along the mountains of South Bohemia, embraced within the curve of the Vltava River, is the enchanting town of Český Krumlov. There’s plenty of things to do in Český Krumlov and its mix of grandeur and small-town charm draws in visitors from all over the world.
TIP: GETTING AROUND IN THE OLD TOWN AND THE LÁTRAN
To help orient yourself, you can remember the Old Town of Český Krumlov as being the section of the city where the main municipal attractions, like the Market Square and the Regional Museum are located. The side of the city directly under the castle is called the Látran.
The Castle Tower reaching high into the clouds. I love the striking pink detail and the green copper roof. If you look closely, you’ll see the Vltava flowing between the Old Town and the neighbourhood of the Látran
Explore The Old Town of Český Krumlov
One of the first things we did after checking into our hotel was to explore the old town of Český Krumlov. Most hotels are within the heart of the old town itself, and you can start exploring by simply stepping out of your door.
The Secret History of Český Krumlov’s Old Town
We enter the city in a taxi, crossing the Lazebnický Bridge into the Old Town. The Gothic stone buildings and small town vibe immediately transports us back to the city’s golden age in the 15th century. This was the century when the ruling family transformed the Castle, giving it its present day elegance.
However, Český Krumlov is older than the 15th century. Settlers first came here in 1240, building beneath the castle. Back then, the city was a medieval town. However, the ruling Rosenberg family, who were greatly influenced by artistic trends in Italy, turned it into the beautiful Renaissance city we see today.
The tall, gothic windows of St. Vitus Church, as seen through the buildings of the Old Town. Its winter, that’s why the branches of the tree are bare
Radniční Street – A Charming lane with historical buildings
Our taxi driver expertly manoeuvres his way up Radniční Street, a narrow cobblestoned lane lined with colourful buildings. Along the way we pass the Fairytale House and the Museum of Commerce, which catch our attention with their evocative storefronts. Our hotel, Ú Malého Vitka, is located in the three gothic buildings beside the Museum.
The crucifix and the Castle Tower. This was taken on one of the bridges crossing the Vltava, leading up to the Krumlov castle
We step out of the taxi, and I feel a cold drizzle on my face. It was winter in Český Krumlov, and showers are not uncommon. We hurry to enter the warm interior of the hotel.
The start (or end) of Radniční street, a truly historical street in the Old Town. This type of cobblestone street is what I used to image all of Europe looked like
Medieval Archaeology hidden in the buildings of Radniční Street
Like all buildings in Český Krumlov’s Old Town, Ú Malého Vitka has an interesting history dating back centuries. In fact, medieval archaeologist discovered and dated a number of artefacts from the 1400s and 1500s in the buildings of the hotel. However, there was no need for the archaeologist to dig. The researches found many items simply stored away in the vault, untouched for 600 years. They found a wooden spoon, parts of a leather pouch and numerous other household items and pottery.
After checking us in, our receptionist leads us through a labyrinth of wooden stairs and brick corridors, to our room. Along the way, we pass the dining hall, with its high ceilings, spacious interior, and solid wooden benches harking back to a bygone era. Already, I was immersed into the living history of the city.
The quaint Medieval buildings of the Old Town with their red tiled roofs cluster around the impressive St. Vitus Cathedral
Lunch at The Christmas Market in Český Krumlov
During the Christmas week, there is nothing like a cup of mulled wine in the market square to feel properly welcomed to Český Krumlov. One of the things to do in this charming town is to lunch in the market square. There’s quite a few choices for food here, mostly cuisine typical of central Europe. The stalls here make a potato pancake called Bramboráky, it’s one of my favourites and resembles a large hash brown. Most stalls serve it, along with sausages and picked cabbage.
A Market Stall in the Krumlov market square. As you can see, the main offering here are Christmas drinks like hot wine and grog
Explore the History of the Český Krumlov Market Square
In the past, Náměstí Svornosti was not only a marketplace, but also a place for the execution of justice. For many centuries, a gallows stood in a prominent location on the square. Here, executioners hanged the murderers. Thankfully, this antiquated instrument of justice is no longer there. Instead, a market selling traditional hot meals and the ever present chimney cake can be found during the festive months of the year.
Beautiful medieval buildings line one side of Český Krumlov’s market square, which dates back to the 14th Century
Standing in the middle of the square, I marvel at the quaint beauty of the restored houses that surround me. Once these belonged to the most respected members of society. The officials working for the government in the 1500s conducted matters of parliament in the building that is now the Tourist Information Centre and the Museum of Torture.
Check out The Marian Column and Fountain
In the 17th Century, a plague swept through the city of Český Krumlov, killing many people. When the spectre of death had passed, the Schwarzenberg princess, Marie Ernestina, erected this impressive column to give thanks. Restorers in the the 19th century moved the fountain from the middle of the square to its present position where it encircles the column
Merry-go-round hides the far more sombre Marian Column, which was erected between 1712 and 1716. It is topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary
Beside this opulent monument, tourists queue for food and amble around, unaware of its grandeur. Perhaps in a city where every detail is of historical importance, it becomes difficult to pay attention when the smell of frying sausages and spice wine bekons.
Take in the View of the Castle Tower and Streets
A little ways up Horní Ulice is a little garden that is part of the Český Krumlov Regional Museum. Locals call it the Seminární Zahrada, or the Seminary Garden, as the Regional Museum was once a seminary for Jesuits. On any day, regardless the weather be fair or foul, you will see a small crowd gather in front of the low stone wall facing the river. This was one of my favourite lookout points in the city.
View of the Český Krumlov Castle Tower, the Látran neighbourhood below, and the little medieval houses on street Parkán in the Old Town
Looking down, over the wall, I could see the quaint medieval street of Parkán, lined with charming, simple houses winding around the Vltava. Just beyond the river, the little red roofs of the Látran neighbourhood mushroomed at the base of the castle tower. The scene is right out of a storybook.
Sticking my head out as far as I could, I made out the silhoutte of a cute medieval building with a wooden balcony right at the very end. Perhaps more charming buildings like it lay just beyond the bend of the street. The view from the garden was a tantalising teaser to the rest of the town.
One of the many ‘Pensions’ or hotels in Český Krumlov
Stroll through the Historical Buildings of Český Krumlov
As I spent more time walking between the tightly packed facades of Český Krumlov, I began to notice surprising and unique details preserved on many of them. Quite often, especially in the case of the buildings in the Latrán, I would spot new paint work around an image dating back to the Renaissance period.
A charming corner and the meeting of two cobblestone streets in the Latrán. I love the overhang of the building in the picture, with its carved wooden supports that have a Gothic style. A great example of Gothic architecture in an everyday building.
Spot the Sgraffito Paintings from the 15th Century on the Buildings of the Látran
These paintings mimic the artwork in courtyards III and IV of the castle, and have an illustrative quality about them, like something you might see in a children’s storybook. Also sometimes, instead of people and animals, they would mimic brickwork. Like the paintings in the castle, they utilise the sgraffito technique. To create the painting, the artist would make a layer of paint and then cover it with another. Scratching through the topmost layer would reveal the paint underneath. Like this, artists created the decorations on the facades.
Portraits of people done in the sgraffito technique painted on the side of a building in the old Látran neighbourhood
However, The craftsmen did not create all the decorations in this manner. Sometimes, they simply painted them on. Many are portraits of saints re-enacting a moment in their lifetime, or the coat of arms of the ruling families of the city.
Most of the paintings on the walls of the residential buildings were of a religious nature. Many of them also depicted coats of arms of prominent families that lived in ČeskýKrumlov
Stay in the Hotel Ú Malého Vítka
In entering our hotel, Ú Malého Vitka, we stepped back into another time. A time before the digitisation of the world, when life was simpler and slower. I could not imagine a better place in Český Krumlov in which to stay.
The owner of Ú Malého Vitka has taken pains to recover the history of the buildings and has published the research in a book displayed in the lobby.The artefacts the archeologists have uncovered in the building’s vault, and the record of the people who bought and sold the buildings, play a role in understanding Český Krumlov’s history.
The hotel’s architects have built it from three historic Gothic townhouses and the owner has furnished it with sweet smelling wood. He has also added nice touches like decorations of animal and human characters from a famous Czech fairytale.
View of the Castle Tower from the historic Radnicí street, where hotel Ú Malého Vitka is located
Discover the history of those who lived in Ú Malého Vitka
The rooms are all decorated with simple, handmade furniture – I could imagine the people who used to live here using furniture just like the ones we saw. In the cosy foyer of the hotel there are some books detailing the history of the buildings through the centuries.
Account of the People who Lived in the Buildings since the 1500s
This history goes back to the 1500s, when the oldest record of a buyer was found. He was a butcher. The houses passed through many hands throughout their lifetime. It was mostly people who had a skilled craft or trade that owned the properties – besides the butcher, there were two tailors, a court chef, a teacher and quite a number of gingerbread bakers. I didn’t think it was possible to be so specialised in the Middle Ages, but there you go!
The strange layout of the hotel’s interior is due to it being three different buildings connected together
Medieval Style Dining Hall
The room that stands out the most is the dining hall. This impressive rectangular room with its high ceilings and solid wooden tables and benches really made me think of a medieval beer hall. I thought it was a bit of a pity it was only used for breakfast. I would have like to have a jug or two of ale in it!
The charming breakfast hall of Ú Malého Vitka, with its handmade wooden furniture. When I had breakfast here, I felt like I was in an inn back in the 1500s!
If you really want to experience life in Český Krumlov during its heyday, I would highly recommend Ú Malého Vitka. The traditional ambience is a great experience and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeble about the history of the city.
Visit The Museum of Commerce
The Museum of Commerce is a window into a world only recently gone. Beautifully decorated metal plates, wind up musical boxes and other retro items fill the shop front. The items glint under the bright lights of the display window, inviting us in.
The facade of the Museum of Commerce in Český Krumlov. I love the quirky Art Deco sign and the metal plates from the 1900s which completely cover the door
Walking inside, I felt like I’d stepped into a Disney movie in the 1940s. I don’t recall any actual items from Disney inside it, but there was just something. Maybe it was the music that was being played, or maybe it was the bright colours of the items on display… I also noticed that things from that era tended to have more figural representation on them. There was always a woman, man or animal used to advertise the use of a certain product.
One of the quaint dioramas inside the museum. This scene is of an apothecary in the 1950s
Contemplate over the Dioramas Depicting Life in the 1900s
In the first room, there stands a diorama of a scene from a grocery store. In it, the sales woman is tending to a shopper and her child. Beside her on the counter is a large and beautiful decorated cash register like I’ve never seen before. Behind her are boxes of produce.
Examples of dispensaries from the 20th Century – back then our products did not come individually packaged
In the next hall, there is an exhibit of beautiful metal containers that were once used in shops for dispensing items like coffee beans, grains, nuts and other dried household goods. Both these exhibits really struck a chord with me. In today’s society of waste, almost all our food comes packaged in plastic. These colourful canisters were a reminder of how people lived more elegantly and less wastefully in the past.
Reflection on the Pace of Consumption in the early 20th Century
We spent more time than most would in this museum, I think. But I absolutely fell in love with all the items. Things, back then, were passed on from generation to generation, and as such, people took the effort to decorate them. To make their value more than just their utility.
Diorama of a scene from a leather workshop. Note the beautiful but faded tiles on the arched ceiling above…
I also loved all the marketing posters. This is the other defining feature of the era, I think. When advertisements were illustrated and not photographed. The posters in the museum are very imaginative and beautiful, and I left wishing I had the space in my luggage to transport a few delicate posters.
Visit the Castle of Český Krumlov
Rising over the red roofs and colourful houses of the Látran, dominating the quaint townhouses built around it, is the Castle of Český Krumlov. On first impression, this castle projects a strong Renaissance character. However, it is not from any one era. Instead, it is a mix of medieval, Gothic and Renaissance styles, acquired throughout the 700 years of its existence.
A scene which captures the essence of Český Krumlov – the quaint houses, the Vlatava and the pink and green castle tower…
Thoughts on the Barbers’ Bridge across the Vltava
Standing on the wooden bridge by the former mill, the river rushing below me, I crane my head to look up at the castle walls. Built into the cliffs that bank the nothern bend, its buildings rise high, high up into the sky. Along the rock face, vegetation creeps and climbs, the crowns of some trees higher than half the walls. Many of these trees are old, like the castle that lies behind them.
Views of the castle are spectacular from any angle. This shot is taken just before dusk, when the waters of the Vlatava were almost still. There is something almost magical about the castle complex reflected in the river…
View of Český Krumlov Castle Tower
Standing loftily above the surrounding buildings is the castle tower. With its pale yellow base, pink arches and copper green arcade, it seems right out of a Disney movie. As a finishing touch, three golden ornaments adorn its Renaissance spires. As the sunlight hits them, they gleam and sparkle magically. The tower, and the Little Castle under it, are the oldest buildings of the castle complex. By dating the wood inside the Little Castle, scientist have determined that it was built at the end of the 13th century.
When it was built, the Little Castle and its Tower were of simple Gothic design. Today it is elegantly Renaissance, its upper floors decorated with arches and paintings
Climb up the Castle Steps
From the Old Town, I cross the Barber’s Bridge into the Latrán. Turning right, I see that the road splits into two. The left fork leads up some narrow steps that wind around a quaint restaurant. The delicious smells of lunchtime cooking waft out from gaps in the windows.
Worm’s eye view of the Český Krumlov castle and tower from the bottom of the Látran, the neighbourhood that sprung up at its base. From this angle, you can see how the castle sits solidly atop the mountainous rock of the region
The Arch at the Top of the Castle Steps
From the restaurant, the steps turn farther to the right. I keep walking up Zámecké Schody street, my curiosity drawing me towards each bend. At the very end, the steps pass below a double arch. Here, the Rosenberg family who ruled Český Krumlov for over 3 centuries had commissioned a wood relief bearing the five petaled rose, a sigil of their house.
A charming mural of the Rosenberg bear looking out a window. This painting is on the last house at the top of the castle steps. I love the curious expression on the bear’s face, as he looks out for pedestrians walking up the stairs
Here, at the very last landing, I turned back to look at the winding path I had taken. To my surprise, there was a whimsical painting of a bear looking cheerfully out of a window, illustrated onto the side of the very last house on the street.
Spot the Bears in the Bear Moat of Český Krumlov Castle
Around the walls of the Castle’s outer couryard and its entrance bridge is a tall metal fence. I peer between its bars and look down. At the same moment, a little brown head pops up over a fallen trunk. One of the castle bears was awake! His sibling, who was sleeping, joined him a few moments later.
The two bears of Krumlov castle, listlessly picking at the leftover food from their Christmas party
Christmas Feast for the Bears
On the other side of the bridge, I noticed various bits of festive food lying around. Apparently, every Christmas, locals can come and offer pastry and honeyed sweets to the bears. The amounts offered are not small – about 120 kilograms (although I’m not sure if this is per bear or for both). The keeper of the bears put the animals on a diet for the month before, to accommodate for the calories from this yearly feast – no fat bears here!
The nativity scene, as depicted with stuff teddy bears, a truly creative take on an ancient story…
Bear keeping in the Český Krumlov Castle stretches back to the Rosenbergs in the 16th century. Some people criticise this tradition, but I’m quite alright with it. The current enclosure is designed to modern zoo specifications and gives the bears plenty of space and refuge. The old bear couple also gave birth to two cubs, which signal that the bears feel safe and happy enough to reproduce.
Wander Around The Castle Courtyards
The Český Krulmov Castle has many courtyards. The Courtyards all played an important role in the lives of the people who lived and worked in the Castle complex.
Castle Courtyard I
Courtyard I serves as the grand entrance to the castle grounds. This Courtyard is before the bridge that crosses the bear moat. Regular folk, including people working in the castle lived around this courtyard. It was common back then for households to own domestic animals like pigs, and some of them would run into this courtyard. The ruling family did not like the presence of farm animals here, and the recalcitrant creatures would be punished by being caught and slaughtered!
Castle Courtyard II
As you enter, you’ll notice the entrance to the Lower Castle and the tower. The opening here is Castle Courtyard II. It’s a casual, open space where you’ll also find the entrance to the Castle Tower. If you look carefully at the houses around you, you’ll notice that no two chimneys are built the same.
Straight ahead, past the fountain in the middle, is the entrance to the Upper Castle.
Courtyard II, the first courtyard right after entering the main castle gate. This courtyard was used mostly by the folk that worked for the castle
Castle Courtyards III and IV
The next two courtyards serve to divide up the Upper Castle. I suppose they were created to let more light into the buildings. These courtyards are notable for the sgrafitto artwork on them. Paintings of stonework cover all the walls of the courtyard. I suppose it was cheaper and more convenient to paint the masonry rather than make walls out of perfectly cut stone blocks. Or maybe it was simply more fashionable at the time.
Castle Courtyard IV, with its richly decorated facade in the Renaissance style combined with elaborate Gothic windows. Note the elegant alcove in the centre of the facing wall – it was built as a decorative element of the courtyard as opposed to a functional feature of the interior
The paintings here are mostly faded, so it’s difficult to make out who the human figures are supposed to represent. I later found on that they were Roman gods and goddesses.
A patch of sky above – as seen through Courtyard III. Courtyards III and IV are symbolically and stylistically connected through the paintings on the walls
Castle Cellars and the Miroslav Páral Exhibition
Walking onwards takes me through a dark stone corridor. A passage opens up to the right, with steps leading down. At first, I thought the stairs would take me to the castle dungeons. On closer look at the poster advertising the space inside, I realise that it is actually the castle cellars. No food is stored there now – instead, a permanent exhibition of a famous Czech surrelist is on display.
The Český Krumlov Castle cellars converted into a permanent gallery space featuring the tortured surrealist figures
The work inside is absolutely magnificient. If you like Salvador Dali, I think you might appreciate the works of Miroslav Páral. Unlike Dali however, there is nothing light-hearted about Páral’s works. Although there is humour, it is all dark. Very dark. I thought the Castle Cellars were a fitting place for his works.
The rooms in the cellar are connected by stone corridors with wooden guardrails. This art space is a labyrinth of strange oddities – without the guardrails to guide visitors, one could so easily get lost
The Cloak Bridge
Eventually, the dark corridor that runs under the Upper Castle opens up onto the Cloak Bridge. Its white walls reflect the cold winter sun onto every surface and the lightness that engulfs you is magical.
A cute view of Český Krumlov’s old town from the Castle’s Cloak Bridge – you really notice the tight bend of the Vltava from this point of view. The town looks so charming with all the red roofed houses packed together
Lookout Point and Panoramic View of Český Krumlov,
A beautiful scene unfolds to your right. The city of Český Krumlov, framed under the arches of the bridge, is like a tilt shift photo of a toy town. The scene is picture perfect. From here, you can see how the Vltava winds around the city. A few thousand years, and the lobes of land that hold the heart of the city will become islands.
The view from here is high up, but not too high up. When you look into the distance you’ll see houses almost merging with the landscape. But when you look at the river bank right across, you could almost make out the main details on the window frames.
When the Vltava is still, you can see the village reflected in its waters. Description Český Krumlov is such a charming town from another time
St. Vitus Church in Český Krumlov
Looking past the Marian column, the tall, thin Neo-Gothic spire of the St. Vitus church rises over the buildings cornering the square. Although it was a cold, rainy day, we did not want to miss a moment, and made our way up the slippery cobblestones of Horní Ulice. Three doors down, the street opened up, leading to the entrance of the church.
The Gothic tower of St. Vitus cathedral, rising up into the foreboding winter sky
From the bottom of the stairs, the church towered over us. Although not very long or wide, St. Vitus stands twice as high as the surrounding buildings. Its height is accentuated by the fact that the narrow streets around can only provide a close up view right at its base.
The stone steps leading up to the entrance of St. Vitus Cathedral can be found just off a main street running around the Old Town
We happily walked into the warmth and serinity of the church’s interior. Inside, it is lit by the soft winter light, filtering through the glass of its tall, thin windows. Slender stone columns rise up towards the ceiling, forming an elegant net vault.
The elaborate ceiling of the St. Vitus Cathedral. Note the keystones at the centre of these arches – a key architectural invention of the Gothic period which enabled engineers to build incredibly tall cathedrals
The Gothic Interior of St. Vitus Church
Dark pews fill the central nave, providing a solemn contrast against the church’s pure white walls. Walking among the pews, I spot the occasional choir book. I cannot help but pick one up and flip through its thin, delicate pages. Although the songs are in a foreign language, I know they are familiar ones, many of them sung throughout the Catholic world.
St. Vitus has quite a simple and elegant interior, I loved how its plain white walls and un-decorated pews juxtapose the ornate golden alter
Architectural Elements over the Centuries
Like most churches, St Vitus is not the product of any one particular time. It has seen many architectural evolutions since its initial construction in the 1400s. The oldest part that still stands is the stone loft which currently supports the organ, itself dating from the 20th Century. Between those times the red roofted stone sanctuary was built and the main alter within it completed in 1683.
Egon Schiele Centrum
The Egon Schiele Centrum was definitely one of the highlights of our Prague and Český Krumlov trip. Once the former town brewery, it has now been refurbished into a modern art space. Schiele’s work, and contemporary art about the artist and his influence, is limited to the top floor. The rest of the floors host art by contemporary artists.
The modern stone and wood interior of the Egon Schiele Centrum
Exhibition of Egon Schiele’s Art Works
To get to the exhibition, I had to walk up a narrow flight of stairs that to the building’s attic. As I neared the top, I could hear jazz music playing. The music immediately set the time period, and I felt I was back in the early 1900s, when Schiele was still alive and making his revolutionary art.
A few of Egon Schiele’s paintings were displayed as prints on light boxes in this evocative wooden room
The attic is dark, with low ceilings supported by magnificient wooden beams. The floor in the entrance hall, interestingly enough, is cobblestone and brick. Here, I discover the source of the music, a video, framed by a stone doorway that has since been walled over.
Ego Schiele’s sketch book – note the poster design for the Secession Exhibition of 1918 on the left page
I love the erotic artwork of Egon Schiele, but was unaware he did anything else. In this museum, I became acquainted with his whimsical yet sophisticated paintings of Český Krumlov. One item that I particularly loved was his notebook. It was left open to a page with his sketches for the poster advertising the 49th Secession Exhibition in Vienna, in the year 1918.
A print of the poster for the exhibition in 1918 – this was a notable year as it was the year World War One ended and also the year of the artist’s death
The Centrum also has a lovely café on the ground floor. Even if you’re not interested in the works of Egon Schiele, you should still drop by. The Egon Café is the perfect place for a bit of tea and cake after exploring the town.
View of the Český Krumlov Castle’s Cloak Bridge from a hidden window in the attic of the Ego Schiele Centrum
Český Krumlov has lots of restaurants, but this was the only café I remember coming across. It has comfortable chairs, a nice relaxed vibe, and really great cake.
Mango Mousse Cake and Czech brandy (Silvovitz) in the café of the Ego Schiele Art Centrum
Regional Museum in Český Krumlov
While walking around Český Krumlov, we spotted a poster with a beautiful ceramic model of the city. “Regionální Museum”, it read, on the poster. Immediately, we knew we had to pay the museum a visit to see this impressive piece of art.
The room in the museum featured artefacts from the period when Český Krumlov and its surrounding areas was inhabited by Celts
Ancient History of the Český Krumlov Region
The museum turned out to be so much more. On the very top floor, there was an exhibit about settlements in Český Krumlov in prehistoric times. I was excited to discover that the area around Český Krumlov had accommodated settlers as early as 800 BC. Archeologist identify the culture that settled in the region as the Hallstatt culture. This later evolved into the Celtic culture. In the museum, there were on display some bronze age pieces of jewellery with clearly Celtic decorations on them.
A model of the Krumlov Castle hill and surrounding area
The Famous Ceramic Model of Český Krumlov
The ceramic model of the town, which was our main reason for visiting the museum was very impressive. It was large and detailed enough so you could see all the important characteristics of Český Krumlov’s historic buildings.
This close up of the ceramic model shows one of the main entrances into Český Krumlov
All the streets of the city were featured, even the little alleys that most visitors to the city might pass without ever knowing they were there. The coolest thing about the ceramic model for me were the depictions of the sgrafitto paintings on the buildings in the Látran. They were so well done and easily recognisable!
An ornate room in the regional museum depicting an apothecary from the 1800s
Contemporary Czech Folk Art
In the final floor was an exhibition featuring the artworks of Martin Šítal and his wife Marie Šítalová. The artists were a working class couple who found each other in their 50s (rare for the time as people married early in those days).
The amusing sculptural work of Martin Šítal and Marie Šítalová depicting themselves
Their style, although naïve, is truly heart warming. Through their innocent paintstrokes, these two artists have given us a picture of the life of ordinary people living it the country in the middle of the 20th Century.
A graphic interpretation of of Český Krumlov
Monastery Church
East of the castle is a monastery complex consisting of the Monastery of the Poor Claires, the monastery of God’s Body and the former Monastery of th Minorities. There were plenty of activities in the gardens for most of the year – especially during the advent period. Quite unfortunately for us we were a few days too late for the baking workshop hosted by the monastery!
The empty courtyard of the Monastery church – usually there’s lots of activities, including village fairs, taking place here, but we visited a few days after Christmas so it was quiet
Festival Activities at the Monastery
If you enjoy baking, this sounds like a unique activity you should try out! I certainly wished I had the chance. When we were there, the monastery bakery was open to visitors on the 21 and 22 of December. It could also be useful to note that visitors and locals are allowed to donate pastries to the bears living in the castle moat for the 24th of December.
A charming view of the Old Town from the river banks on the Látran side
FAQs for Český Krumlov
Is Český Krumlov worth visiting?
Český Krumlov is a five star location and a definite must see if you are already visiting Prague. Some visitors who are short on time even opt for Český Krumlov over Prague. It is a unique town with a beautiful castle and charming medieval townhouses.
What to do in Český Krumlov?
There are lots of things to do in Český Krumlov. The city itself is very picturesque. To simply walk around it and soak in the atmosphere could take up an entire day. If you wish to visit the interior of the castle and the museums, you might need an additional day or two. One thing is for sure, it is impossible to get bored in Český Krumlov.
Where is Český Krumlov?
Český Krumlov is in the Czech Republic, located in Southern Bohemia. It is right between Prague and Vienna.
How to get from Prague to Český Krumlov?
There are buses that depart daily from Prague to Český Krumlov. Depending on the season, departures might be more, or less, frequent. Check out Omnio or Minibuzz.
Is there a train from Prague to Český Krumlov?
No, there is no train from Prague to Český Krumlov. To get to Český Krumlov, you have to take a bus.
How to get to Vienna from Český Krumlov
To get to Vienna from Český Krumlov, the easiest way would be to hire a mini-van. The service we used, MiniBuzz, was very comfortable and we highly recommend it.
How far is Český Krumlov from Prague?
Český Krumlov is about a two and a half hour drive from Prague
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – Blue Ice and Black Sand
A magical place, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon bewitched us with its black sand beach and brilliant blue icebergs…
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach is an extraordinary place made of blue ice and black sand. These phenomenal landscapes are created by the Vatnajökull Glacier. Even in a land filled with incredible sights, this lagoon stands out. Like the glaciers that surround it, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is continually shifting and changing with the seasons and with time.
The road approaching the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is itself extremely photogenic – the stark black gravel contrasting the saturated blue skies, silhouettes of the power line pylons breaking the distant blue horizon
Black Sand Beach
The first thing that will strike you is its black beach. I love black sand beaches, and there’s something moody and enigmatic about them. When I visited my first black sand beach in New Zealand as a child, I wondered why the sand was coloured the way it was. Now I know – the sand is made from basaltic magma, which is black. So the fine black grains of sand on the beaches of Jökulsárlón start their life as liquid magma, spewed out of a volcano.
The first sight of the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is genuinely breathtaking, especially on such a bright sunny day
The Secret Life of Glaciers
Because the Earth is continually moving, it creates unique landscapes like the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Iceland’s exploding volcanoes created the raw material for the fine black sand thousands of years ago. Once the magma cooled, glaciers started to form. All glaciers start their life as snow that piles in on itself year upon year. Over long periods, the compressed snow then becomes glacier ice.
The still waters of the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon perfectly reflect each iceberg. Well, as long as the tour boats are not messing it up
Although glaciers seem like unmoving things to us, they are continually moving. The daily cycles and seasonal cycles all affect significant change on them. And, as they move, they grind the ground beneath them.
After millennia of being ground underneath the weight of the glacier’s blue ice, the rock below slowly, but inevitably turned into the fine sand we see today.
The Blue Ice Giants of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The glaciers do more than create fine black sand for us to sink our feet in. (Ok, admittedly the sand was way too cold for us to take off our shoes, but one can imagine!) They also, ever so often, break off into smaller chunks and fall into the lagoon.
These icebergs of varying sizes, floating in the crystalline waters of the Jökulsárlón lake, make up one of the most impressive and unique sights in all of Iceland.
Though environmental processes can take a long time, in a land of extremes, like Iceland, they can happen over quite short timespans. Scientists had dated many of these brilliant blue ice structures back to the 1930s when the industrial age was well underway in Europe. Maybe they were the result of glacier melt due to global warming.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the glacier that tirelessly feeds it with fresh icebergs
Climate Change in Iceland
The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is both a beautiful wonder and a harsh reminder of the damage we are doing to our Earth. The pace with which the lake enlarges every year has accelerated since the 1970s and is a definite sign that global warming is taking its toll on our fragile arctic environment. Nevertheless, this did not detract from its beauty. Now, for someone from a tropical country, seeing an iceberg was a milestone. The last and only time I had seen an iceberg before visiting this lagoon was when I watched Titanic.
Incredible expanse of the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, seen here from the water level
Why is Blue Ice, Blue?
The icebergs are scattered over the beach and float in the ocean, coming in many shapes and sizes. Many were huge and had exciting colouring. The coolest ones had striations all along their sides like they were cross-sectioned so we could see the story of their formation laid bare. All were brilliant blue at their core.
Many of the icebergs had brilliant white tops sometimes followed by bright blue or blue-green centres, striped occasionally by black sediment. The brilliant blue/blue-green centres were what fascinated me the most. I’ve never seen ice that blue, what makes it so? How can something, like water, which we usually perceive as white or transparent, become this richly coloured?
One could not even imagine that many shades of blue, particularly the ones in the middle that appear like cutouts from some 50s science fiction flick
The Optical Science Behind Blue Ice
So, here is the puzzle – if glaciers are formed from compacted snow, why are icebergs that fall off the glaciers blue? When we look at the glaciers themselves, they are white. What is the reason for the glacier’s blue colouring?
Why is Snow White?
To answer the question above, we first have to look at why snow is white. Infinitely many snowflakes make up what we see as snow. Because these flakes are tiny and loosely compacted, they cause entering light to bounce from snowflake to snowflake. No colour is absorbed or reflected consistently, and eventually, all wavelengths are reflected, resulting in white light.
However, when snow falls on already compressed snow, something interesting happens. The snowflakes at the bottom become more and more compressed as it turns into ice. Ice, unlike snow, has a consistent structure that can predictably reflect visible light.
Every blue ice iceberg is reflected perfectly in the calm waters of the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
How is Blue Ice Formed?
As the air gets squeezed out from the lower layers of the iceberg and individual snowflakes press into each other, each snowflake starts to recrystallise. As the snow pile gets older, the crystals become larger, and the air pockets (which cause the chaotic reflection of light) become smaller. Eventually, this compacted snow ends up with a predictable molecular structure that absorbs all wavelengths except blue. The light that’s reflected out then is thus of the most brilliant blue you’ll ever encounter in nature.
This blue ice takes a long time to form, requiring at least a hundred years. So we usually can’t see it, since it’s in the heart of a glacier. However, when a chunk of glacier eventually breaks off, its ultra-compact centre gets exposed to light. And then we can see this beautiful phenomenon of blue ice.
Here is Isabella, utterly mesmerised by the sight before her, the glacier “river” seen at the top, slowly bringing new icebergs into the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
A Landscape of Icebergs
We had a wonderful time in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. It was funny being among so many large chunks of ice strewn randomly around. It’s not a common sight we encounter every day – or ever, really, unless you live far north. And there was something about this set up that made every visitor behave like a child-like how it was when we were seeing the world for the first time.
On our stroll along the beach, we saw many people touching the icebergs, trying to pick up large bits of ice that were floating in the water and even some adults attempting to taste the ice. It is not something I would recommend, but I can see the intrigue thousand-year-old ice might hold for some tastebuds.
We believe that these are Eider Ducks, calmly minding their own business in the aquamarine waters of the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The other fantastic thing about the lagoon was how still and crystalline clear its water could get. Scientists say the impressive reflective qualities of the lagoon is the result of the mixing of fresh and saltwater. When the water is completely still (sadly, it rarely is due to the boat tours in the lagoon), you can almost feel like there’s another world in reverse on the other side.
When to go to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon?
We recommend getting to the lagoon as early as you can, as it gets filled up with people pretty quick, especially on a beautiful, sunny, summer’s day. I can’t think of another season to view this place. I think you need the crisp, strong sunlight to bring out the icebergs and the crystalline quality of the black sand.
Many “diamonds” are to be found on the black sand beaches of the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, making for some great abstract images
We spent quite a lot of time strolling in the sand, marvelling at this beautiful wonder. The sun was so bright I almost felt like it was possible to go for a swim in the lake – but this is not possible of course. Eventually, we had to leave this crystalline wonderland – for another fantastic activity – Puffin watching!
One final look at the magnificent Jökulsárlón Lagoon and its peculiar cloud cover
FAQs for the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Where is the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon?
The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is in South Eastern Iceland. It is by the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier, located in the Vatnajökull National Park.
How far is the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon from Reykjavik?
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is quite a distance from Reykjavik – it will take you about 5 hours to drive from the capital to the lake.
What is Blue Ice?
Blue Ice is essentially compacted snow. As snow becomes compressed under its own weight, its crystalline structure changes, affecting the way light is reflected. [Read more…]
How is Black Sand Formed?
Black Sand is made out of basaltic magma. The black sand at the Diamond Beach is formed by glacial processes which grind the hardened magma into fine grains. [Read more…]
Like many other Greco-Roman cities, Jerash is a stunning example of urban living spaces going through different civilizations in history…
Jerash is a beautiful, sprawling complex of collonaded streets, monumental arches, plazas, baths and theatres. One of the best preserved Roman sites in the world, it is often overshadowed by Petra, and given a miss by the time-pressed traveller, in favour of Jordan’s other attractions.
View from the “backstage” of the Northern Theatre
This is a pity, as Jerash truly holds its own in the network of Roman cities – as it did in antiquity, so it does today.
The Temple of Artemis, who was the patron goddess of Jerash – built on a high point, it dominates the whole city
Like many other Greco-Roman cities, Jerash is a stunning example of urban living spaces going through different civilizations in history. From its early days as the Arab/Semitic village of Garshu, to its flourishing under Alexander the Great, as one of the great cities in the world’s first globalised empire, the ruins hold layers upon layers of stories from one century through the next.
Corinthian columns in Jerash, at the Temple of Artemis
It was during its heyday that its most impressive monuments were built, namely the temple of Artemis, who was the Greek goddess of hunting and the city’s patron goddess, and the temple of Zeus, which stood diametrically opposite, also upon a hill. My favourite was the street of columns, in the exuberant Corinthian style, that ran from North to South, connecting with streets that passed through East to West, all linked in at the South Tetrapylon, an ornamental construction at their junction through which trade flowed from the Orient to the cities of the Mediterranean and beyond.
The Street of Columns, leading from the Forum Cardo to the Northern Tetrapylon
Standing in this plaza, and strolling down the boulevard once lined with shops that stocked goods of the finest craftsmanship during antiquity, I couldn’t help but feel a bittersweet melancholy over how far the city had fallen since. Once a living, thriving metropolis, now reduced to ruins only to be admired and studied, as so many other Roman cities are.
The impressive staircase leading towards the Temple of Artemis
As with Petra, a guide was highly recommended for our visit to Jerash. This guide truly made the visit for us, as a lot of the magic would have been lost without its history being explained as we went along.
Columns of the Cardo Maximus and a view of Roman Gerasa
At the Nymphaeum, our guide spoke to a group of refugees from Syria. Elegantly dressed, well educated men admiring the fountain whilst speaking about the horrors of the war. Lining the wall of the basin were the sculpted stone heads of lions, one of which had its face hacked off, stolen, to be traded god-knows-where. I asked our guide what had happened to it. He replied: “Thieves”. One of the Syrians then looked towards me and said: “Its head is off, but who will cut the head of our lion?”.
The Nymphaeum, a public fountain built by the Romans in 190 A.D.
As they walked away, I came to the realization that the ruins of Jerash are the scars of ancient battles, a once great city built with the best abilities of man and destroyed by the worst.
Bleached white stones near the Cardo Maximus. The paving stones are lined diagonally so the wheels of chariots and carts do not get stuck in the gaps
The history and architecture of Prague’s famous icon, the Charles Bridge…
For centuries, Charles Bridge was the only crossing over the Vltava. This landmark is key to understanding the history of Prague’s Old Town. This iconic landmark, and its unmistakable silhouette can be identified by many. As a testament to its structural integrity, it is one of the few remaining medieval bridges still standing today. There are not many bridges in the world that can rival the Charles Bridge in age, beauty and utility.
Charles Bridge and the Vltava River are particularly charming on a sunny crisp winter day
History of Charles Bridge
Commissioned by King Charles IV two years after he was crowned the Holy Roman Emperor, the bridge made Prague the most important city in the region for many centuries to come.
Accessing the Castle District of Prague via the Charles Bridge is something every visitor to Prague should experience – yes, it is often crowded, but it is also amazing
When was the Charles Bridge built?
If you’re a numberphile like I am, you’d be amused to know that first stone was laid on the 9th day of the 7th month of 1357 (9 July 1357), at 5:31, forming a numerical palindrome 135797531. King Charles was a superstitious man and felt that this was important.
Looking back at the Charles Bridge and its Tower from the hill hosting the Prague Castle
Charles Bridge and Trade
Although the cost of the bridge left the Kingdom of Bohemia in debt for many years after its construction, it was a truly worthwhile investment. From its completion in the early 1400’s up till 1870, it was the only means of crossing the Vltava. Although Prague was already a key trading hub before the bridge, the bridge significantly increased the flow of traffic through the city. Today, as an easily recognisable icon of Czechia, it generates billions of tourist dollars indirectly.
Charles Bridge and the Prague Castle are intrinsically connected in both history and most photographs of the bridge
On top of being useful to traders in the region, it also made life easier for the Medieval residents of Prague. Especially those working in the Prague Castle, who now had an easy and safe way to cross the Vltava.
The cacophony of people, statues, domes, and architectural and artistic styles is one of the calling cards of Prague and the Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge and War
Of course, to any upsides, there are downsides. The bridge’s incredible importance as the only crossing across the Vltava meant it was a target during the many wars that took place in the following centuries. In 1621, the Habsburgs hung the heads of 27 Bohemian revolutionaries from the Bridge Tower. The location of the heads meant that this “message” was received and spread quickly. During World War Two, the Nazi army noticed the bridge’s importance in the transport of supplies, and the bridge came under threat. Fortunately, it was not significantly damaged.
The famous Prague panorama, including both the Bridge and the Castle, is impressive regardless of the time of the day
The Architecture and Engineering
In the 600 years or so of its existence, it has endured a lot. The floods of the Vltava can be severe, and the bridge has been damaged many times over the centuries. At the turn of the last century, the bridge accommodated trams and buses, which no doubt increased the load and wear on this historical monument. After World War Two, city planners wisely decided that the bridge would be for pedestrians only. Today, it accommodates the footsteps of the millions of tourists that visit Prague yearly.
The Charles Bridge looking very impressive as it stretches across the Vltava river
That it is still standing is testament to the power of an ancient engineering idea – the stone arch, which is a Roman invention. The Charles Bridge has 16 of these arches across its half kilometre length. Legend also has it that this strength was due to eggs being mixed in with the mortar by the constructors who built it. However, analysis of the bridge has so far been inconclusive whether this is true.
Charles Bridge is the most famous bridge in Prague, no doubt about that, but there are many others spanning the Vltava River
During my visit to Prague, I often found myself wondering what exactly made the bridge look so “medieval”. I concluded that it was the tapered pier heads (they cap the columns separating the arches), which resemble the conical roofs of medieval towers.
The Prague Castle side of the Charles Bridge offers more interesting ways to see the famous bridge, so it is well worth exploring around
The Bridge Tower
The Old Town Bridge Tower is one of the oldest and best-maintained structures in Old Town Prague. When you look at the skyline of the Old Town, you’ll feel that everything kind of matches up with each other. That’s because the Gothic architecture of the Bridge Tower inspired the other two prominent landmarks in Old Town Prague – the tower of the Prague Astronomical Clock and the twin towers of the Church of Our Lady Before Týn.
Charles Bridge is way more tranquil at night, so if you are staying in Prague for more than a day, make sure you take a stroll at moonlight
The Bridge Tower was, however, more than an impressive entrance into the heart of Prague. In the past, the size of its arches restricted the vehicles that could cross the bridge. In this way, the Bridge Tower performs a protective function for this historical monument.
Charles Bridge is packed with people all year around. I can imagine a scene just like this centuries ago, with the same Gothic buildings rising out into the sky behind. The only difference would be the clothes the people wore
The Statues on the Charles Bridge
Along the bridge are thirty statues. Various Czech organisations, nobility and business people commissioned most of these between 1683 and 1714. When the construction of the bridge was completed, there was only a simple cross installed on the North side. When the Protestant Hussites destroyed the cross in 1419, the city council only got around to replacing it n 1629. In the centuries that followed, each replacement was destroyed in turn either in war or by floods. Today, a sculpture from the 19th Century stands in its place. It is the Statuary of the Holy Crucifix and Calvary by Emmanuel Max, a Czech-German sculptor.
The statues of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the “Apostles to the Slavs”
Among the more interesting sculptures on the Charles Bridge is the one of Sant John Of Nepomuk. This statue stands out because of the five golden stars that ring the statue’s head. In the relief at its base is a knight with a golden dog by his feet. The dog is golden because tourists rub it “for luck”. Thus keeping it clean of the green copper oxide which covers all the statues on the bridge.
The ever present tourist crowd on Charles Bridge and the Church of St. Salvator in the background
Most of the statues are replicas. The Prague council has redistributed the originals throughout various Prague museums.
Statue of Bedřich Smetana, a Czech composer who wrote music expressing his country’s determination for independence in the 19th Century
Current Status of the Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge is, unfortunately, in bad condition today. The council has started a new series of renovations in 2019. When we visited in 2019, the bridge was, to my surprise, not lit. Workers had to turn off the lamps that lit the bridge to repair the ice guards. The bridge will be incrementally repaired over the coming decade in a way that won’t interfere with this function and view. It will continue to be accessible.
An abstract view of Prague from Charles Bridge, imbued with a romantic old world vibe
If you look carefully, you’ll notice that some of the stones on the bridge are mismatched. That the new stones do not match the old ones was one of the criticisms of the last restoration done in 2008. The quest to find matching stones continues for Prague’s city council.
Final Thoughts
For me, Charles Bridge is one of the world’s most enchanting bridges. There are not many other bridges in the world that can match up in age, quality and beauty. Today, the bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an essential bridge for historians and engineers alike. That it is still standing after six centuries is testament to its cultural and locational importance, and of course, structural integrity.
Seagulls can be found everywhere near the Charles Bridge
FAQs for Charles Bridge
Why is Charles Bridge famous?
Charles Bridge is an icon of Prague and the Czech Republic. For many centuries until 1870, it was the only way for people to cross the Vltava. It is also one of the few Medieval bridges still standing and in use today.
When was Charles Bridge Built?
The first stone was laid on 9th July 1357. The bridge was completed about a century later, in the early 1400s. [Read More]
How was Charles Bridge built?
Charles Bridge was built with local limestone, with Medieval construction techniques. It uses the Roman arch, which gives it great stability. Legend has it that eggs were mixed in with the mortar to ensure the strength of the bridge. [Read More]
How far is Charles Bridge from the Old Town Square?
Charles Bridge is a mere 9 minute walk from the Old Town Square
Want to book a safari in Kenya? Should you self-organise or go with a local company? We compare prices, locations and quality of experience.
Booking a safari in Kenya was one of the most involved travel plannings we’ve ever done. There are all sorts of levels of involvement, of course, but the more informed you are, the better your trip will be.
We recommend going with a local tour operator. It is possible to arrange a safari to several parks on your own, but it is a lot of work. Furthermore, it might not end up much cheaper, as tour operators can get rooms at a more affordable rate. Also, cheaper tours usually come at the expense of vehicle quality as a lot of the cost goes into transportation.
Air balloons flying over a herd of topi antelopes in the Masai Mara National Park
In this post, we will recommend the Natural World Kenya Safaris as a good, local option. They did not sponsor us in any way to write this post. We had the trip of a lifetime with them and feel that they offer a great service for a great price.
Driving on the famous red sand covered roads of the Tsavo East National Park
I think this company is able to keep their costs down while maintaining a high standard because they own their 4×4 vehicles. Their experienced guides also double up as excellent drivers. Furthermore, they are likely able to negotiate better prices with the lodges as they are a large local operator often contracted by foreign tour agencies.
Flexible Costs vs. All Inclusive
When considering the self-organised safari experience, you need to make room for unexpected costs. Going with a reputable tour company, we did not experience any unexpected expenses. The price they charged was all-inclusive, right down to the water in the jeep (but excluding drinks and bottled water at the lodges). In both instances, tips are not factored in. Still, the courtesy amount is the same regardless of whether you self-organise or go with an agency.
The incredibly beautiful main hall of the Mara Serena Safari Lodge in the Masai Mara National Park
Our first trip to Kenya was self-organised and our second trip was with the Natural World. We cannot recommend self-organising as a way to save money, because in our case, we felt the money saved, which was not significant, came at the expense of the game viewing and wildlife experience.
Choose Your Locations
Kenya is a vast country. There are countless famous parks and incredible locations everywhere you go. You need to be realistic when choosing your locations. Even if you are flying, travel and transit time will still be significant. You want to spend your time on safari game-watching, not in a car or airport.
Early morning in the Tsavo East National Park, its famous red dust covering everything in sight
Safari Locations in Kenya
We feel the first thing you should do before you book a safari in Kenya is to choose your locations. The most popular destinations for safaris and game viewing are the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo East and Tsavo West, Nairobi National Park, and Hell’s Gate National Park together with Lake Naivasha.
The martial eagle is one of the most impressive birds of prey you may come across during safari rides in Kenya
Of these locations, the Masai Mara is separate from the rest by distance. For example, to get to Amboseli from the Masai Mara by car, you will need to do an overnight stop in Nairobi. Whereas it’s possible to drive straight from a hotel in Amboseli to Tsavo East or Tsavo West.
In general, we suggest grouping the locations like this:
You can visit the Nairobi National Park when you arrive in Kenya, as most international flights land at the city’s Jomo Kenyatta airport.
Amboseli National Park is famous for its elephants but has also lately become home to countless flamingoes as well
Travelling Times and Options Between Locations
Be extra careful of tours offering you all the parks in a short time when you look to book a safari in Kenya. Some of them have impossible itineraries on which most of the time will be spent travelling instead of game viewing. Distances in Kenya are large, and the road quality varies a lot. For example, getting from Amboseli to Tsavo West (which looks near on the map) can take you between 4 to 6 hours. That’s pretty much one day of your holiday spent travelling. If there is travelling involved, ask the tour operator how long it will take. The road situation is continually changing in Kenya, so advice on the internet might not be up to date.
A knowledgeable and reliable driver/guide can make all the difference in the quality of your safari
Pick Your Budget
When you book a safari in Kenya, you can choose from three budgets. Economy, comfort or luxury. The range is usually from $250 to $1000 per person, per day for a safari in Kenya (sharing couple). Cost per person goes down significantly when sharing between four to six people. When considering the price, note that a chunk of it goes into park fees, which start from around $50 per person. Entry into the Masai Mara is $80, for example.
Salt Lick Safari Lodge in the Tsavo West National Park is one of the most iconic lodges in the world and the most photographed one in Kenya
Staying in conservancies can add about $100 per person, per day. This is because conservancy fees can be high, and lodges can pay around $70 a day, per bed, is what I’ve read. This is on top of required monthly payments to the community, regardless of whether there are visitors or not.
From our research, the Mara conservancies have the most expensive lodges. However, it is worthwhile to mix and match options, combining budget hotels with ultra-exclusive lodges that give you access to private conservancy land.
Luxury tents of the Losokwan Camp in the Mara North/Lemek Conservancy offer an uninterrupted view of the surrounding savannah, no fences here
Do I Need an Expensive Lodge for a Good Experience?
Absolutely not! Having a front-row seat at a conservancy doesn’t ensure you will see that cheetah hunt or leopard eating from her tree larder! All of that is down to pure luck, so don’t feel like you will miss out if you can’t afford some of the lodges.
Choosing a Tour Operator
Gone are the days of having to pay exorbitant prices to a foreign tour agency for your safari. These days, you can, and should, book your safari in Kenya directly with a local company. Many safari agents, especially those that bill themselves as “luxury providers” are tour resellers and add an unnecessary markup to the price. They make the booking in the UK, USA or Europe, and then pass on the work to a local company after adding a substantial markup.
The selection of your accommodation has very little impact on the quality of the wildlife encounters
Book Your Safari in Kenya with a Local Operator
Suppose you are hesitant to book a safari in Kenya with an unfamiliar company. In that case, you can check the website of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators to see if they are listed on it. There are indeed scammers out there so one can never be too cautious. However, if a company is not listed as a member, it does not mean that they are not trustworthy. We know a couple of small providers that are not listed but provide legitimate services.
A dazzle of zebras at a waterhole somewhere in the Tsavo East National Park
How to Choose a Safari Tour Company
Before you go with a safari company:
Make sure you have an idea of the locations you want to visit and a rough itinerary.
Approach a few that fit your budget and needs and ask them for a quote.
Make sure you know what you are getting – as mentioned before, some price quotes are lower because the company sacrifices the quality of the guide and vehicle.
Here, reading as many reviews as you can by clients who have gone on safari with the company will help you make an informed decision.
The interior of a luxury tent in the Ziwani Voyager Camp in the Tsavo West National Park
Personal Recommendation
For our trip, we went with the Natural World Kenya Safaris, a local company owned and run by Kenyans. They did not sponsor our post, and this recommendation is genuinely from the very bottom of our hearts. The service they provided was excellent, from start to end.
Pre-Booking Services
When you book your safari, you need an experienced person to advise you on what’s possible. As mentioned before, the distances in Kenya are huge, and first-timers are likely to create impossible or very tiring itineraries. We had great help from the Natural World here, who helped us with organising how we wanted to spend our days. They also took into consideration that we would be revisiting Kenya. They advised us accordingly so we could have a more relaxed safari.
Leopards are some of the rarest encounters on safaris, a good driver/guide increases your chances of seeing one tenfold
Guide and Driver
We were surprised by how knowledgeable and skilled our guide, Joseph Mbotte, was. He made me realise that being a safari guide and driver is not a walk in the park and requires specialised knowledge in many areas. There are so many things that can go wrong if you don’t have the right guide and driver. Our guide, and any excellent guide worth his salt, needs to have the following traits:
Have a comprehensive knowledge of flora and fauna found in different parks, including their names and behaviours
Knowledge of where the animals tend to congregate
Ability to locate areas in the park based on roads that may be overgrown
The skill for driving on challenging off-road terrain and insane Kenyan roads
Have a genuine passion for wildlife
Having an eye for photography and an interest in it
A lone zebra backlit by a magnificent African sunset in the Masai Mara National Park
Safari Vehicle
Natural World Kenya Safaris provided us with a very comfortable 4×4 Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser had been converted into an open-top and had ample height for tall people to stand up in. We felt this is a crucial detail as you’ll be standing up for most of the drive in the vehicle. The vehicle was super spacious and had ample area for all our camera gear.
Swimming pool in the Mara Serena Safari Lodge has an amazing view of the Mara plains below
The game viewing and photographing experience is markedly superior in a converted Land Cruiser as it gives you a lot of space to get the shot you need. Also, you can get to where you need to go a lot faster and safer in a 4×4 on rough roads. You really don’t want to miss out on a moment because you couldn’t get there in time.
A lone acacia tree silhouetted by a beautiful sunrise in the Masai Mara National Park
We hope that these tips help you in planning your first/next safari trip. All the best and hope to see you somewhere in Kenya sometime soon.
Tipping in Kenya does not have to be a minefield. We outline some of the expectation and etiquette associated with tipping on safari, while hiking, and in the city…
Coming from Europe, where tipping usually means rounding off to some arbitrary nearest figure, tipping in Africa can sometimes feel like a minefield. The cost of living in Kenya is more expensive than in its neighbouring countries, so tips need to be higher than the African average. However, Kenyans that work in the tourism industry are paid a living wage, and their salary is higher than the median. Therefore, they do not depend on tips to survive. At the same time, because of this higher wage, they are often expected to support their extended families. These are all things to consider when tipping.
Your crew is the most important ingredient of a successful trip – your life can sometimes literally be in their hands, so choose wisely
Kenyans are subtle about tipping. The ones we met believe that tipping should be a bonus for good service, and time and again they provided service beyond our expectations. Compared to many other developing countries we have visited, they are not aggressive about it. Tipping is expected, but not demanded.
While your transport options sometimes can look a bit rusty, you’d be amazed at how useful they often turn out to be
We also think that the expected amount, averaging around $10 – $15 per person, per day, is fair and affordable for most visitors to Kenya.
Tipping Recommendations
We compiled some tipping guidelines throughout our 45-day stay in Kenya. We gathered these figures from our tour operator and our lodges.
Tipping in Kenya on Safari
A tip of $10 – $12 per person, per day for the guide (in our case, the guide was also the driver).
A tip of $5 per person, per game drive, for a local tracker
We tipped $5 per guide on our 2-hour walking safari
$5 per person, per day for all staff (meant for the tip box)
$5 per boat ride
$1 for small services like carrying the luggage
We encountered some amazing safari guides on our adventures in Kenya, but Joseph Mbotte from the Natural World Kenya Safaris has become a lot more than that, we are happy to call him our friend
Tipping in Kenya when Hiking
The recommendation here is to tip about 10% of the total cost of the trip. However, you should treat this rule flexibly as some hiking providers are cheaper than others. Our five-day hike through Loita Hills, for example, was only $1250 for the two of us. We had two guides, two porters and a camp cook. 10% for five of them would be far too little. We thought a fair price would be $12 per day for each member of the crew.
A great crew when on a hike in remote parts of Kenya can make all the difference – we struck gold with the OutDoor Circuits East Africa
The custom in this situation is to tip the entire crew as a group. In our case, we gave the cash to the lead guide, in front of his team. Tipping your hiking crew as a group allows them to distribute the money among themselves, according to the work they have done. For example, the camp cook would usually have to do more work than the porter. If possible, offer the tip in smaller notes (like in bills of 1000 Kenyan Shillings). Where possible, change from US dollars or Euros into the local currency.
Tipping in Nairobi
Tipping in Nairobi is a bit different as the city caters to both locals and foreigners. There is a large, and growing middle class in the capital city, and also a significant affluent population. In Nairobi restaurants, it is similar to restaurants in Europe, where a tip of 10% of the total bill is customary. Uber rides are anywhere between $2.50 for a 15-minute ride, to about $8 for an hour-long ride. Suggested tips are between $0.50 to $2.
Every visitor will be spoilt for choice when it comes to wining and dining in Nairobi
FAQs for Tipping in Kenya
Is tipping customary in Kenya
Yes, tipping is expected in Kenya. Kenyans tip their service staff and, likewise, visitors to the country are also expected to tip for good service.
How much to tip in Kenya on Safari?
Natural World Kenya Safaris, a local Kenyan tour operator, suggests tipping $10 per person, per day for their safari guides (who also double as drivers).
What is the tipping etiquette in Kenya?
Tipping is customary at the end of a service. For example, you should tip your guide and driver at the end of your safari. For hotel staff, put the tip in the tip box at the end of your stay.
Hiking in Loita Hills and Camping in Maasai Villages
Discover the heart of Maasai culture with this multi-day hike through Loita Hills, where we camped in local villages…
Loita Hills is a pastoral paradise in the very heart of the traditional lands of Kenya’s Maasai people. Although Masaai culture is easily accessible through Maasai village cultural visits near the Masai Mara, those seeking an authentic and immersive experience will find the multi-day hike through Loita Hills a most rewarding experience.
Me desperately trying to catch up with our Kikuyu guides while crossing a river in Loita hills
“In Kenya, we say we have the big six.” Steve, our Kikuyu guide told us, as we settled around the campfire for a snack of roasted corn, freshly picked from the Maasai farm where we’d made camp. “The sixth is the Maasai traditions, for their way of life is changing fast”. I asked Steve if there are people from his tribe still living their traditional way of life in Kenya. “There are some.” He shakes his head and pokes at the fire. “But very few. It’s almost all gone now.”
Steve, our guide, thanking the children of the Maasai village of Narosura for their help
Changing Maasai traditions
It’s no secret the Maasai are fiercely proud of their heritage, which they maintain through strict social rules interwoven with celebrated coming of age rituals. A well-known rite of passage is killing a lion, to mark a boy’s transition into a man. These days, it is no longer practised, as the Maasai value the conservation of these animals and their role in bringing in the tourist dollar. However, other rituals, like the piercing of ears and fire tattoos, are still observed, although even that is slowly declining as some schools forbid body modification on their students.
Starting at Maji Moto
To begin our trek, we stopped in Maji Moto, a Maasai town, to pick up our guide, an elder called Johnny. A trek through Loita Hills without an elder would be inadvisable, as he was essential in ensuring hospitality on our travels, as we would be camping near a Maasai village each night.
Johnny, our Maasai guide. We later found out he was the first Maasai to pioneer walking safaris in Loita Hills
Johnny is a striking man – wiry in frame, dressed in the signature red of the Maasai, sporting many lively, beaded accessories. Colourful earrings dangle from his lobes, and he wore many brightly beaded bracelets on his wrists. After a quick introduction, we began our hike into Maasai land.
Camping in the Maasai Village of Narosura
We had set up camp in Narosura, an agricultural village in the northernmost point of Loita Hills for our first night. The Maasai here make a living from the maize and vegetables they grow, a change from the traditional herding of cows and goats. This Maasai village is nestled in a lush valley, and our guides make camp in a clearing covered with soft green grass.
Setting up camp in the Maasai village of Narosura, note the children watching us curiously
People here rarely see visitors. Steve tells us they do as many treks up Mount Kenya in a month as they do through Loita Hills in a year. The children here watch us shyly from a distance, observing everything we do with amusement. They see that we have a camera with a long lens attached, which raises some excitement.
The Maasai children did not get bored observing us as we set up camp
“Take a photo!” One of the teenage girls shouts across the distance. However, as Danny raises his lens, a young mother with a baby strapped to her chest yells, “No! No photo!”. This disagreement continues for some time, until, tired of the stalemate and not wanting to pass up on the opportunity to capture the moment, we took a few shots. With that, the excitement began to bubble up among the younger children, with some of the braver ones venturing forward to take a look.
A Maasai boy hiding between the trunks of two trees
Meeting with Maasai Morans
The next day, as we continued our hike, we came across three Morans. Despite the morning chill, these young men wore nothing but their shukas, their hair dreaded and coloured with red dye. These were Maasai teenagers, undergoing their rite of passing into manhood. The ritual of the Morani was the ceremony that involved the hunting of a lion in the past. In his mid-forties, Johnny told us his age group was one of the last ones to practice this tradition. “Back then, it was what we did.” He told us, with the help of Steve translating. “Then conservationists told us if we continue this way, soon there would be no more lions. So we stopped.”
We had met the Morans around this area, but our guides warned us not to take a photo. These two women, who were carrying provisions across the river, were alright with their photo being taken
Hiking through the Farmland of Loita Hills
The hike wasn’t strenuous, although the constant drizzle made the paths muddy, and the going slow, as chunks of mud glued onto our shoes while we walked. Steve told us the hike would be 18 kilometres today. It did not seem like much when we set out, but as the day wore on and the trail became increasingly wet and muddy, it began to feel like an eternity.
Hiking through the Kenyan bush with our guide, Steve
However, there were always moments of wonder. The landscape of Loita Hills is truly pastoral. The Maasai continue to live a comparatively low impact life in the countryside.
We saw many farm animals on our hike, like these goats grazing on a slope
The farther we got from Maji Moto, the more remote it became. Soon, the cornfields and vegetable gardens petered out into scrubland. We were soon deep in Maasai land, where herding cows and goats is still the primary way of life.
The landscape of Loita Hills is characterised by thorny bushes and low acacia trees
The Maasai Village of Enkutoto
Soon, we came upon the Maasai village of Enkutoto, a village in the heart of Loita Hills. Steve stopped us and told everyone to take a break under a large acacia tree, growing on a clearing separating two collections of huts. As was the case in Narosura, all the children and teenagers of the village came out to observe us from a distance. They were as curious about us as we were of them.
The village of Enkutoto
As our guide went to negotiate the campsite’s price with the village elder, I sat down on a large root and sketched a little bit of the scene before me. What struck me most about the village was how well positioned it is in Loita Hills. The Maasai village is situated on top of a high ridge, overlooking a valley. The view from the village was breathtaking.
Me, seated in front of a large termite mount, sketching the Maasai village
After some minutes, our guide returned with a striking lady in a bright pink shuka. Steve introduced her as the wife of the village head, who was currently not in the village. In his absence, she took care of matters like this for him.
If you look carefully, you’ll see the first lady stealing a glance at the camera
Steve, Johnny and her had a long chat – it is how they do things here. The Maasai expect travellers to bring news the good old fashioned way. She has a mobile phone, but I suppose the Maasai living in Loita Hills do not waste precious phone minutes on small talk. However, I think the issue usually isn’t phone time but instead, battery charge. Out here, deep in Maasai land, electricity is a privilege.
Johnny, our Maasai guide, patiently waiting for us to get a move on
After exchanging news and negotiating a night on their land, we began the last stretch of our hike for the day, making our way down to the river, where we would camp for the night.
On the banks of the Entasopia
The distance to the Entasopia river bank was not far. In an hour or so, we found ourselves leaving dry scrubland and entering thicker forest covering. A sign that water was near. We could also hear the sound of a rushing river, not too far in the distance. The air was fast becoming cool as evening approached.
There was still one more hurdle to overcome to get to our campsite – the river itself. Unexpectedly for September – it had been raining quite a bit, and the river was full and moving fast. Steve took my pack from me so that I could cross unencumbered.
The thorny branches of the whistling acacia
It was difficult, balancing my way across a large fallen log, holding tight to the dead branches, hoping I did not make a misstep. All the while, Johnny was with me, always a few steps ahead, grabbing my hand when I needed help balancing. I am still amazed at how agile he was, having seen how he managed the crossing while burdened with our belongings.
Camping by the River that flows through the Loita Hills
Camping by the Entasopia was one of the most memorable nights of my life. It was indeed an incredible experience, sleeping under the shade of a towering acacia.
A few minutes after we had crossed, our cook, Steve, took out all his pots and pans and began making dinner. I was genuinely amazed at his perseverance. Although he had spent all day carrying a lot of gear – a tent, cooking equipment and a tin of gas, among other things, no sooner had he put down his pack did he begin chopping up vegetables for the upcoming dinner. On the other hand, I, with near-zero camping skills, stood around uselessly as the men did all the work.
Me being useless as the men set up camp
And there was a lot of work to be done indeed. Our guides had our tents brought in by motorbikes that somehow braved the bumpy terrain and almost non-existent roads. They also brought in more food and drinking water for us. Happy that the porters had delivered all the provisions, Steve got everyone down to work with setting up the campsite and making a fire.
Steve our cook, unloading provisions off the delivery motorcycle
We were also waiting for our other guide (and friend from our previous trip to Kenya) Chris to meet us. He had left Nairobi earlier in the day to join us in Loita Hills. However, he did not make it that night as he’d arrived in the Maasai village of Enkutoto near sundown.
Breaking Camp on the Banks of Enkutoto
The next morning, Chris arrived, along with the first lady of Enkutoto. We had a lovely breakfast by the fire, and they told us about their night’s adventure. They’d attempted to set off for the campsite close to dusk, but the visibility had been bad as the roads in Loita Hills are mostly unlit dirt paths, and the motorcycle had tipped over. No one was hurt, but everyone then decided to spend the night in the Maasai village, and wait for the morning light.
Photo op with the first lady of Enkutoto
Hiking in the Magical Forests of Loita Hills
“The hike today is going to be incredibly beautiful,” Tito, our porter, told me before we set out. “You’ll see”, he said.
Hiking through the stunning, lush, green landscape around the Entasopia river
He was right. As we ventured out of the thicket of trees we’d camped under; we found ourselves walking through a lush, green valley. This area of Loita Hills was different from what we had seen before.
The land was verdant green and the air was incredibly fresh in the valley
The forest surrounding us was old and covered with a light mist, making me feel like I’d walked into the set of Jurassic Park. Creepers covered the many tall trees along the river banks, and it seemed as if the ground was rising like one giant organism. The land was enchanting.
Can you spot the colobus monkey?
We heard the calls of colobus monkeys from afar and strained to look at them. There were a few, although they were mostly hiding up high in the tree canopy.
A colobus monkey in his tree
Accompanying their calls was the sound of the river rushing beside us and a multitude of birds singing their hearts out. It was nature’s symphony at its best. Although we walked for hours, we did not see another Maasai village for some time.
Our guides spotted an un-named waterfall along our hike and called it the “Isabella Waterfall”
All around us, the greenery stretched out, seemingly unending. It was a lovely day too, the air was cool and fresh, and the sun’s heat was tempered by light cloud cover—the perfect weather for hiking.
Camping in the Heart of Loita Hills
The landscape soon changed, however, and the day grew hotter. Soon, the cloud cover dispersed, and the misty green scenery turned into dusty bush. We had entered Njoroi, where the vegetation grew thick around our path.
By mid-day, the weather had become almost unbearably warm, but I had to put on my rain jacket as the scrubland around us scratched our skin. Soon, with the African bush reaching above our heads, even our guides got a little lost. Luckily, a little boy was playing in the bush. He guided us to our campsite near his Maasai village.
Photo op in the African bush – note how the landscape here is drier than the lush green valley around the banks of the Entasopia
The child came in and out of view like a faerie, a moment he was right in front, waving us in the right direction, and a moment later, he was gone, vanished among the branches, leaves and thorns.
We walked around in circles for a while, with me sticking close to our guides and them keeping a watchful eye lest they lose sight of me. However, we were not lost for long. Soon, we found the clearing where we would camp for the night.
Our campsite in Njoroi was located in a clearing surrounded by very dense bush
Hanging out with kids in the Maasai village
As with the other villages, the moment we set our bags down, we were greeted by about twenty children and teenagers, standing a distance away, curiously watching us. Even after we retired into our tents to rest, they remained there, wondering what we were going to do next.
The day was hot and humid, and our tent was incredibly stuffy. After some time, I could no longer bear to be in it. With nowhere else to go, I sat outside, by the little makeshift table our guides had set up for us.
Steve, our cook, had whipped up a lunch sometime between settling down at the campsite and before we all crashed in our tents
There were tea and biscuits on it, as usual. I sat there and ate the biscuits while the children continued staring at me. At some moment, some young Maasai women with babies also joined the crowd.
Dancing in the Maasai Village
Eventually, one of the girls made eye contact with me and started dancing the Maasai jumping dance. She began chanting and making the rhythmic motions with her body and hands. Curious, I walked up to them, taking my shuka with me. The children were very excited now. She took the shuka from me, tied it around my shoulders, and then continued to chant, showing me the movements.
This photo was taken after the Maasai dance. The Maasai girl to the left of me in the pink shuka was the one who started the dance
I did as she did, and in no time, the entire entourage of women and children were singing and chanting, performing the traditional Maasai dance. I was surprised at how even the youngest of the children, who must have been about three or four sang along perfectly, their voices harmonising with the crowd.
After it was all over, I felt that this moment was one of those moments I will take with me for the rest of my life. I had not expected to have the privilege to enjoy such an authentic, spontaneous moment in a Maasai village, certainly not one as remote as this, deep in Loita Hills.
Nguruman Escarpment
The next morning, we began our hike up the Nguruman Escarpment. The escarpment is one of Loita Hills most incredible geological feature, overlooking the Great Rift Valley. All along the trail are breathtaking views of the surroundings, which spread out majestically below us.
View of the Great Rift Valley from Nguruman escarpment
We walk for miles along a path cutting through acacia forests. It was the dry season then, and I remember the forest floor covered in amber leaves. With the sunlight filtering through the thin branches above, the hike had a certain surreal quality.
The Ewaso Ng’iro river, flowing through the Great Rift Valley of East Africa
Eventually, we came to the highest point on the bluff. The panorama of the Great Rift Valley that greeted us was stunning, spreading before our eyes in an unending sea of green and gold.
The view from the Nguruman escarpment was simply breath-taking
Having reached this incredible place, Johnny insisted that we all should take a photo, which we did. We also thought he looked very photogenic, looking out over the valley, and could not miss the opportunity for that quintessential photo of a Maasai looking over the Rift Valley of Kenya.
Johnny, our Maasai guide, pointing out locations to us in the valley below
The Kenyan Outback – Deep in Loita Hills
We later made our way down the escarpment, heading for the Entasopia River Camp in the Maasai village of Kajiado. I thought the path downhill was quite challenging, with it being covered in scree. I did not enjoy the hike downwards as it was treacherous. Furthermore, I was put to shame by several Maasai women who bounded down the slope cheerily at five times the speed I was walking, all while carrying babies firmly bound to their backs.
