Eldoret’s elegant side

By Allan Olingo

Eldoret is the hometown of most of Kenya’s legendary runners amongst them being the world-renowned long distance champion Kipchoge Keino. Its high altitude is an ideal training ground for many long distance runners.

It is claimed that the name Eldoret originated from the Maasai word Eldore which means ‘Stony River’, named after the stony riverbed of the nearby Sosiani River. Strangely enough, Eldoret it is claimed, to have been founded by Afrikaan speaking South Africans in 1910, a rarity in the then British controlled territory.

Eldoret is a popular tourist destination with many attractions with the most popular being the beautiful Naiberi Campsite located just outside the town. It’s great for camping and enjoying the mysteries of African night. At Naiberi River Camp you get to make your choice between hotel rooms, tents or some traditional hut like shelters.

Panoramic view

There is the Kerio Valley, which is a 4,000 feet deep valley with semi-tropical vegetation on the slopes leading down to dry thorn bush at the base, with impressive views. The Kerio Valley was made a national reserve in 1983 for its bio-diverse importance. The escarpment view is one of the most talked of scenery within this are because of its beauty. The Kerio valley is always deemed as a place to relax. The valley lies between the western escarpment of the Rift Valley and the Tugen Hills. The Kerio Valley National Reserve is famous for its elephant population of about 200 animals, which tend to stay around the  inaccessible Lake Kamnarok. For those wishing to make the effort, a guide from the KWS Rimoi Game Reserve might bring you within sight of the elephants.?

Another attraction is the Ngala Falls that is located towards the Eldoret International Airport. However, there is neither hotel nor accommodation at Ngala Falls but it’s a wonderful site for a picnicking and relaxing because of its beautiful scenery.

Great spots

Opened in 2008, Poa Place has rapidly grown to become a family hot spot. Poa Place has a nature park within it where one can see a variety of animal species such as snakes, lizards and rabbits among others. Located on the outskirts of Eldoret in Elgon View Estate, Poa also has cottages for travellers.

Eldoret has a range of accommodation to suit all budgets, tastes and interests. Within the town, there are very basic campsites where you can pitch a tent and sleep under canvas in the wild especially along the Naibera River.

Eldoret also boasts of various accommodation facilities amongst them the Kerio View Hotel  located towards Iten. There is also the Sirikwa Hotel, the Poa place, the Noble Conference Centre, Water Crest Gardens, Relax Inn and Pine Tree Gardens amongst others. Accommodation costs vary depending on the establishment but it ranges from Sh2,500 per night to around Sh6,000.

There is a vibrant nightlife too, with several nightclubs in the town. Many clubs are open all night, playing the latest music and offering great food. As a tourist, the activities you can engage in within Eldoret include nature walks, game drives, sightseeing, cycling and hiking.