Luxury in Eldoret

We have the luxury of a lie in today before the drive to Eldoret, the last stop before we cross the border into Uganda. The landscape becomes lush with cultivated fields as we make our way, with the occasional burnt out building the only legacy of the tribal turbulence which pervaded the last elections. Picturesque thatched huts abound but there are no services on the 7.5 hr journey forcing some of us to make a roadside al fresco pit stop to the delight of passing drivers. There is only an hour of daylight left as we pull into our remote campsite for the night. It is a pretty campsite set into the hillside. After setting up the tents, there’s a mad dash down to the pool by the riverside where only the totally insane actually dare to dive straight into the chilly, and slightly murky, water. Dave decides on a pool entry via the children’s slide, ensuring that even those who had not intended to swim get a soaking. A couple of the girls are whizzing happily around on the roundabout and the tree swing looks very inviting.

It looks the sort of high class establishment (after all, it’s rumoured Bill Gates was here only a few weeks ago!) to provide luxury showers with hot water, but we are sadly disappointed. Even a lock on the door might have taken them to such an elevated status. Nonetheless, even a cool trickle is welcome after a long and dusty day on the truck.

After dinner, we seek out the bar. Not as easy as you might think, as it involves going down an underground tunnel which opens out into a fantastic cave like area with comfy sofas and a blazing fire in the centre. What a shame we’re only spending one night here.