Namanga Hills Soft - Oldonyo Orok Hike
Namanga Hills Soft - Oldonyo Orok Hike
Ol Donyo Orok—The Black Mountain
Touching the Kenya-Tanzania border near the Namanga border is a series of hills named Ol Donyo Orok (Maasai for "The Black Mountain"). Popularly known as Namanga Hills, the hike to the top of the hills offers a rewarding day out for all adventure lovers. There are several trails up the hills with varied difficulty.
Our hike takes the most popular trail suitable for beginners and anyone looking for a good moderate challenge. The hike starts at the base of the range on the Kenyan side and ends on top of the second-highest peak, Enkamuka peak, with lots of scenic pauses along the way. At the peak, expect breathtaking views across the villages below and if the skies will be clear, the magnificent views of Mount Longido and Kilimanjaro from a distance will take your breath away.
Namanga Hills Hike Distance And Stats
Distance: 14km
Maximum Elevation: 2,308m
Maximum Elevation Gain: 1,050m
Duration: 6-8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Beginner-friendly: Yes
Child-friendly: Yes, 10Â years and above
Namanga Hills Hike Itinerary
4:45 a.m Meet up at International House Parking, City Hall Way. Boarding opens.
5:00 a.m Departure for Namanga
08:30 Arrival at Namanga
09:00 a.m Hike Starts
01:30 p.m Mandatory turn-back
5:30 p.m Departure for Nairobi
Charges
Ticket | By Bus | Self-Drive |
Kenyan Citizens | KES 3,850 | KES 2,200 |
Foreign Kenyan Residents | KES 4,150 | KES 2,500 |
Non-Resident Foreigners | US$ 36.00 | NA |
Mpesa Till 989985
What to Wear
- Quick-drying tshirt
- Quick-drying pants
- Fleece jacket
- Sun hat or cap
- Well-treaded hiking shoes
What to Carry
- 3L water and suitable snacks
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Trekking pole
- Identification documents
How to Prepare for the Hike
- Engage in active cardio exercises such as aerobics, walking, running, cycling, and swimming among others the week prior to the event.
- Set aside the day before the hike for resting--take a break from exercises.
- Increase your hydration at least two days to the hike.
- Purpose to get enough rest the night before the hike.Â
- If on intermittent fasting or on a diet, take a break in the period one day before and after the hike. This way, you will build up your energy reserves for the arduous task ahead.
- Cut your toe nails!
- Have a generous breakfast at least 3 hours before the start of the hike. This ensures that most of the food has been digested by the time you begin the hike, giving you the much-needed energy while ensuring your stomach is not too full for comfort.
- Use the bathroom before leaving the house to reduce the need for bathroom breaks on the commute.
- Set your mind up for conquering yourself. Hiking is more about your mindset than physical preparation. Once you win the battle in your mind, everything else contributes less than 10%. You can do it!