Mt. Olokwe: Experience the rich heritage of the Samburu people at Mt Ololokwe. Stay at Sabache Camp, and enjoy breathtaking views. Mt Ololokwe is located on Namunyak Conservancy, one of the oldest in the country. It is in Samburu East, and at its peak, it is around 2,000m above sea level. It’s about 340 km from Nairobi, through Nanyuki and Isiolo. Mount Ololokwe is the iconic symbol for the Samburu people in this area. The name ‘Ololokwe’, means ‘wide head‘ in the Samburu dialect. As far back as they can remember, this mountain has been closely connected to the lives of their ancestors. Important ceremonies to celebrate the transition from adolescence to adulthood, ritual cattle slaughter, rain prayers, and many other cultural activities take place on this mountain. There are also caves where the Samburu frequently spend the night and mountain streams from which they fetch water.

Ololokwe doesn’t stand alone. Two smaller mountains connect to it forming a horseshoe around a valley with one entrance. This place is called Sabache, named after the clasp of the Samburu woman’s necklace, and is a symbol of beauty in their culture. At the base of the mountain lies the Sabache Camp. The camp is run by the local Samburu community, who welcome their guests with open arms. The collected revenues are invested in education, health, and financial security for the community. By staying at their camp, you contribute to the community.

In reference to the available accommodation, you can expect comfortable “glamping” tents with private bathrooms and verandas that offer views of the mountain, all furnished with a generous dose of Kenyan charm. Included are a delightful breakfast and dinner by the campfire, making it an excellent place to unwind after your camping adventure on Ololokwe.

Technical Rock Climb.

Mt. Ololokwe offers big wall cliffs for technical rock climbing. It is about 500 m high and 2km long. There are several routes to choose from. This climb takes at least a day to complete (plus two and a half days of hiking in/out).  Besides Ololokwe, two enticing towers face Mt. Ololokwe’s 500-metre wall: The ‘Cat and Mouse‘. Head out along the track through dense bush to a point where vehicles can reach and go on foot. With some bushwhacking, find the base of the wall and edge your way around, linking up numerous ledges, chimneys, short scrambles, and awkward steps to gain the top slabs that put you on the summit of the ‘Cat’.

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Cat and Mouse