Miles for Elephants

From our gathering point in Nairobi we drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and meet the Anti-poaching Rapid Response Team and their highly trained tracking dogs, who we are helping to support through our donations to  Space for Giants. Continuing northwest through increasingly wild country we reach our first camp on the Laikipia Plateau, with views of Mount Kenya – and hopefully elephants! Next morning, after a hearty breakfast, we head off on foot into the wilds. 

For seven days we walk with a camel caravan across the vast savannah. Accompanying us are guides from the Samburu tribe, who lead us safely through wildlife areas and also across their traditional lands, where livestock mingle peacefully with herds of giraffes, antelopes, the endangered Grevy’s zebra.

Each day of our trek, we walk to a different campsite in the morning. Four camels and three guides accompany us, while the rest of the team go ahead to set up camp. After lunch we relax in the shade of acacia, fig and fever trees, and as the day cools down we can go for an optional walk from the camp, for some great views and game watching. At night we gather around a campfire beneath the star–studded African sky, before settling into our cozy tents.

Along the way our guides share stories about their lives and culture, and teach us their songs and the traditional leaping dance! We stop in a village where Hidden Places has been supporting local women since 2010, including paying for the education of Elizabeth, who is now a teacher, and Agnes who in 2020 qualified as a barrister. With luck we will also encounter one of the scout teams we are helping to support, as they patrol the area we are walking through.

Our final destination is high on the Laikipia Plateau, next to some stunning pinnacles with panoramic vistas of the land we have crossed. On our last morning we visit a colorful local market, then drive back to Nairobi, arriving by late afternoon.

This is a Hidden Places Signature Trip led by Maria Coffey, who with Dr. Dag Goering founded Hidden Places Travel and its conservation branch Elephant Earth. Dag is a large animal vet and photographer and Maria is the award-winning author of 12 books.

How Your Trek Will Save Elephants

We ask that by joining this trip you “go the extra mile” for elephants by launching your own fundraising and awareness campaign. 100% of donations go to our partner organization Space for Giants for their crucial work to protect elephants from poachers and mitigate elephant-human conflict.

Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of $500, with a target of $2500. Donations can be made directly through a fundraising page to Space for Giants.

Join us in fundraising and spreading the word about the threats to elephants: your help will make a huge difference and will never be forgotten by the local people you meet on this trek!

The Story of the Miles for Elephants Trek

In January 2012, Dag Goering and Maria Coffey trekked over 150 miles with camels to the Kirisia Hills and back. They were greeted by members of the Kirisia Community Forestry Association, who are working year round to protect the forest and to combat the epidemic of elephant poaching in the area. Inspired by their courage and dedication, on returning home Dag and Maria embarked on a whistle–stop fundraising and media tour through BC, raising over $8000 to cover the first year’s stipends for 12 key Kirisia anti–poaching scouts. They then decided to run 100 Miles for Elephants treks, and to date team members have raised over US $150,000.

Maria and Dag’s work has now expanded to help other anti-poaching initiatives across the region. Their partners Space for Giants  are tackling the poaching and elephant-human conflict at all levels, from grass-roots to government level. Your participation in this transformational journey will help ensure continuing protection for elephants in the Laikipia/Samburu region.

Prerequisites

Participants must be reasonably fit and – crucially – able to walk up between 10 and 15 miles per day. Training is essential, and we will give you guidelines on this. Much of the terrain is relatively flat, however the ground can be rough as we will  be off road, and occasionally on steep trails. The altitude is about 4000 feet. The maximum daily air temperatures range from 30° C (85° F) at mid-day and 10° C (50° F) at night. However, as we are on the equator, the sun can feel very hot at midday.

Itinerary

Day 1

We leave Nairobi early in the morning and drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This is the base for the Mobile Anti-poaching Rapid Response Team, a highly trained group of men and their canine unit who are essential in combating the threat to elephants in Laikipia. We meet the team and their dogs, as well as members of Space for Giants . After lunch we continue to the Laikipia Plateau and a lovely tented camp on the El Karama Conservancy, with views of Mt Kenya. Our Samburu guides and their camels will be waiting for us here!

Day 2

Our trek begins! After an early breakfast we set off with the camels due north along the edge of the Ewaso Nyiro River. We’re sure to see giraffe, antelope, zebra – and with luck some elephants! Our destination is a beautiful camp site in the shade of large yellow fever trees.

Day 3

This morning we cross the Ewaso Nyiro River, and walk up to the edge of the Laikipia Escarpment, where our camp has expansive views to the north.

Day 4

Get ready for wildlife sightings – including elephants if we are lucky  – as we head to a campsite by some stunning rock formations looking out across the plains of Laikipia.

Day 5

Another great day for wildlife sightings, including large herds of grevy zebra, both while walking and from our camp out in the wilds of Naiasura.

Day 6

Today we walk into community lands, where Samburu villagers tend their herds of goats and sheep alongside large groups of zebra, antelope and other plains game. We follow sandy river beds to our campsite, with some interesting bird watching opportunities along the way.

Day 7

Get ready for a very warm welcome as we walk into  Nalare Village, where Hidden Places have supported local woman, including putting one student through university to become a barrister.

Day 8

Our destination today is  Ngai Suisui  – ‘Where God Blows the Wind’.   Our campsite below dramatic rock pinnacles atop a high escarpment  is an inspiring and unforgettable place to spend our last night in Laikipia!

Day 9

Our final walk takes us to the colorful and lively Ol Donyo Nyiro Market, where Samburu from across the area congregate  once a week to buy and sell produce, livestock and traditional jewellery. From here we drive back to Nairobi, arriving mid to late afternoon.