View of the wild at Maanzoni

Not so far from the hustle and bustle of the city is a wild yet well-kept getaway where guests can unwind and enjoy an unforgettable weekend, writes JECKONIA OTIENO

The moment one goes past the Namanga Road Junction along Mombasa Road towards Makutano, the searing heat begins to take its toll, a drastic shift from the much cooler city.

Way down towards Lukenya Hills, the vegetation changes to signal the beginning of the expansive savannah grassland, which covers much of Ukambani and Maasailand.

It turns to rocks and thorny bushes.

A few kilometres after the rocky Lukenya Hills, a rough road branches of into a serene place that stands out from the surrounding jungle. This is the Maanzoni Lodge, which is marooned by the wilderness. It is from here that the beauty of the grassland can be sampled without any danger.

Among the first attractions that can be seen from the lodge is the side view of the imposing and elongated Lukenya Hills with all its jutting rocks and patchy vegetation.

The hills stand out as a landmark of the rather flat area. They act as coolants, as the descending winds cause an afternoon breeze, which makes the stay at the lodge worthwhile even if a visitor does not plunge into the swimming pool to quell the heat.

Notable to any enthusiast who appreciates the beauty of the environment are the scattered acacia trees. They are surrounded by green grass due to the prolonged short rains that pounded the country late last year. It may, however, be a different story a few months into the New Year.

Holidaymakers

It is not only the beauty of the wider area that attracts, but also the outstanding splendour of the compound with its manicured lawns and paths. The camouflage of the buildings beset in pale green blends well with the green around it.

The landscaping is professionally and meticulously done. Plants that would otherwise be considered useless, bothersome and marauding by farmers have been used to bring out colour and variety.

The only plant among the weeds that would have been useful for its medicinal purposes is the aloe. Here, it is used for aesthetic purposes and the many people who thronged the lodge in the festive season marvelled at the grandeur brought forth by the weeds and the aloe.

An afternoon at the lodge can be turned into a worthwhile bird- watching experience. The sight of weaverbirds as they show their antics at building nests, not to mention their bright yellow colours and the antics they display by flapping their wings, erase all memories of the noisy city.

As the evening wears on, the chirping birds and the singing crickets create a melodious rhythm. And since it is warm, this could be the right time to plunge, for holidaymakers who love to swim. The night is uneventful, but morning is worth the wait.

The wildebeests are not only found in the Mara, but also in the plains of the Athi. They graze in groups as they keep a watch over their backs in case there are any predators stalking them.

The only difference is that, unlike the Mara and Serengeti, there is no river in the vicinity to be crossed. The wildebeest are accompanied by a few zebras that graze quietly as they enjoy the warmth of the sun’s rays.

The sun soon casts its blanket of heat over the plain. The clouds covering the peak of the Lukenya Hills add to the beauty of the bright morning.

A ride through the lodge’s open and almost wild grounds sets a meeting with agile monkeys that swing from tree to tree — never mind the thorns — but very wary of vehicles and people. The monkeys, however, are very keen on anything that looks edible.

It is difficult to mention the savannah without talking about graceful, but jittery giraffes. They never allow anybody close. Once they notice you from a distance, they keenly watch you, never taking their sight off you. As soon as they realise you are moving closer, they take off en masse.

And then there are the peaceful buffaloes that browse as a unit in the plains without a care in world, probably due to their trust in their mighty size.

Further ahead are antelopes that are as jumpy as they can get, ready to sprint away in case of danger. They graze, but constantly look up.

Nature trail

Other than the weaverbirds, there are also other birds that call this place home. Among them are the cattle egrets that follow the wildebeests and buffaloes ostensibly to eat the grasshoppers and other insects that flit due to the disturbance caused in the grass.

Ostriches can also be traced on the nature trail or in a visit to the nearby sanctuaries.

During the dry season, it is common to see vultures scavenging on animals that have succumbed to the drought. Hyenas can also be heard howling as if in pain far in the plains.

The manager of Maanzoni Lodge, Duncan Mwangi, says other than the place being a prefect view for wildlife roaming the savannah, it also offers conference and team building facilities.

He says there is also an opportunity for those who have time to spare to visit the nearby KK Sanctuary to see lions and cheetahs that are confined due to the danger they might pose if left free to roam the grassland. There are also tortoises and hawks.

After the excursion, one can unwind either at the lodge’s restaurant or at the wine bar, or even at the swimming pool.

So, for those interested in having an out-of-the-city experience, be it for conferences, holidays or just sightseeing, you can enjoy it not so far from the city, yet away from its hustle and bustle, at the Maanzoni Lodge.