140 kilometers North East of Nairobi, just after Gilgil town, lies the Sleeping Warrior and Ugali Hills. It is within the Soysambu Conservancy, on the shores of Lake Elementaita. The name of the place is derived from its appearance, a person lying on his back, and the shape of Ugali, Kenya’s staple food. 

Aside from the inviting nature of the hiking hills, Lake Elementaita is a geographical marvel. It is at the base of the Great Rift Valley and one of the Soda Lakes in Kenya. The view at the top of Ugali Hill gives the adventurer a glimpse of the lake and a bird’s eye view of the entire Soysambu Conservancy. A trip to these hiking hills is exhausting but fulfilling and educating.

The community around Ngare Ndare are involved in forest conservation, which brings communal responsibility. Needless to say, the forest is one of the few in the country with peaceful coexistence between the wildlife and the local population. The locals also benefit from the diversity, improving the livelihood standard. Essentially, it is the hidden gem in the north, after which the northern rangelands begin.

The hike starts at Lake Elementaita Park gate, trailing 8 kilometers on a dust route that passes along the shores of the lake. On a good day, you will see buffalos, one of the Big 5 animals, and up to 400 species of birds. If you are a bird lover, the Sleeping Warrior and Ugali Hills hike should feature on your bucket list. As you leave the soft lake shore, the trail becomes rocky. We advise that you wear comfortable hiking boots. You get to the Sleeping Warrior Hill either through the spiraling trail up or direct ascension. It is one of the toughest 500 meters of the trail. You pass through rocks, thorns, and shrubs to get to the top.  You can pause on the Sleeping Warrior Hill and try to trace your way up from the shores. It also gives you a view of the lake, crater, and the Ugali Hill ahead. Nearby towns and villages are also seen from the Hill. Those new to hiking might call it a day here, unaware of the bliss ahead.  The Ugali Hill is the highest point in this expedition, rising 2,300 meters above sea level. From here, the Great Rift Valley and Lake Elementaita are clearly visible. The hike gives you fulfillment and an enjoyable nature walk of at least 5 hours. 

There is also 11 km off the main road on a rough road towards Ngare Ndare Forest Gate, which is the hiking destination. On arrival, you meet a KFS guard who will take you around the park. The 7km trekking deep into the forest can be dangerous but fulfilling. The attraction points in the hike are the 7 waterfalls. Actually, the name Ngare Ndare means “waterfalls of the gods.” The 450m canopy walks in the trees are also breath-taking, creating a relaxing atmosphere for an excursion. Compared to other hiking destinations, the Ngare Ndare is the easiest in the pack. There is no steep climbing, harsh weather or rocky terrain. In fact, you can swim in some of the waterfalls and enjoy the freshness of nature. Besides the waterfalls, you can also catch a glimpse of wildlife within the forest, but different species of birds are more prevalent. Other activities include biking and camping. However, since ours is a normal hike, we dwell on the waterfalls, canopy walks and sight-seeing. 

It can either get wet and windy or hot and dry, depending on the season. However, the lake breeze makes the ambiance worth the while. In February, the weather is hot, but an occasional breeze and cooler temperature as you go up the Hill balances the scale.

Foot ware – put on proper hiking boots since the rocky terrain is unforgiving.