Running vacation in Kenya
A running vacation in Kenya is an ideal opportunity to combine training (at 2400m above sea level) and safaris. While you will be looked after by our head coach, you will be able to train with Kenyan athletes shoulder to shoulder and catch a glimpse at their lives, all the while you will be supporting our social projects with your staying fees.
Costs accomodation
Our Sport & Recreation Centre is open all year round.
1 overnight stay in the four-bed room with full pension: 25€
1 overnight stay in the double room with full pension: 35€
1 overnight stay in the one-bed room with full pension: 45€
Camping ground in immediate the surrounding of the Sports Camp plus shower and toilet facilities: 10€ per night
Costs of transfer from and to the airport:
Transport Nairobi Airport – Sport Camp – Nairobi Airport
1 person 55€
2 or more persons 40€
Travelling to Kenya
Travelling to our camp in Kenya is only possible by flying to Nairobi. We are happy to assist you in your search for the right flight.
On entry to Kenya:
In Kenya there is a Visa requirement. However for 50 USD or 40€ cash you can both apply and have the Visa issued directly at the airport of Nairobi. (single entry, valid for up to 90 days) Your passport has to be valid for at least 6 months the following 6 months at date of entry. You should exchange your money only at authorised currency exchange counters, for example directly at the airport. It is preferable however, to bring with you EUR and a credit card.
Source: Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs
At Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi our Kenyan runners will already wait for you. Depending on the time of day and traffic in the city centre of Nairobi, our club bus will take you to the camp in Kiambogo in 60 to 90 minutes.
The management of our camp lies in the hands of a young and motivated team. A range of duties is divided among several persons.
- David Cheruiyot SANG is our secretary who is responsible for the area of finance. As a former marathoner (many starts for our team, including in the Graz Marathon, PB 2.14) he still is training and wants to specialise on ultra distances.
- Peter Ndegwa NYAMBURA is facility manager. He is responsible for maintenance and instruct the respective subgroup.
- John Murigi MWAURA and Patric GITHUNDO are our cooks.
- Rahab Wairimu NDUNGU is responsible for the camp’s cleanness.
- Julius MUTAI, called “Soldier” is responsible for security.
- Paul Njogu GIKUNI, was a guide in the National Park Longonot until 2010 and organises and looks after our guest during tours through the national parks. He is an expert on African Nature and specialises in ornithology.
- Geoffrey Gikuni NDUNGU doesn’t hold any position but is the heart and mind of our project in Kenya.
- Joseph Karatu NGURE is our head coach and together with Nahashon Gitonga KARURI and Stepen Ndungu KIARIE he manages the training assistance for the guests.
- Tim KOCH is responsible for bookings in Austria and Kenya.
- Thomas KREJCI is responsible for international relations.
Our running tracks always start and end at the r2g camp 2380m above sea level. Because of this altitude warm clothing is necessary for the morning runs (at sunrise the temperatures usually lie between 10 – 15°C).
- 400m murram track at run2gether stadium. Only 1.5km from our Sports Centre you will find perfect conditions for Speeedwork and Intervals on our new track.
- Short-distance running on dirt streets and paths in the immediate surroundings of the camp.
- Tracks in the Savannah that lead down towards the valley, in the direction of Naivasha Lake (on 1900m above sea level) are flat and one has the opportunity to see zebras, antelopes and giraffes.
- Mountain tracks lead up to the Highway (the highest point with a satellite- and radio installation at 2700m)
- Long runs lead along the Uganda trail track to Kijabe, where there are hot springs and a big monkey population. They continue over Kijabe to Kenton or to the Flyover crossing (2100m to 2680m above sea level).
Getting up
Although it is still quite dark outside, one can make out the outlines of Mount Longonot.
The ringing of the alarm clock at 6am is not too frustrating, as we’ve gone to bed at 9pm the pervious night. As we go to wash ourselves we come across drowsy John and Benson. The camp slowly comes to life and at 6.20am we are already 20 runners, mostly Kenyans, waiting for the morning run to start. In the meantime the horizon has turned red in the southeast and the sun is going to rise from behind Mount Kijabe in a few minutes. Unhurriedly jogging we start our run and enjoy the fresh, cool air and the view of the African savanna.
The morning run
After about 15 minutes we divide up into different groups according to our athletic performance. Each guest, however is being carefully observed by at least one of the Kenyan athletes. With a hand gesture, they warn us of every obstacle, however small and stay shoulder to shoulder with us giving us one or two tips on how to improve our running style. Basically, little is spoken and we concentrate on the running surface, our running style, our breathing and of course on the beautiful view of Lake Naivasha and Mount Longonot.
As one of the groups returns to camp after an easy 30min jog, we continue to run on little paths and dirt streets along steep rock steps, almost to the village of Longonot. On our way back to camp, as we have to cope with the altitude, we power through the village of Kiambogo, past Geoffrey Gikuni’s house. Now we also start the feel the lower oxygen level at an altitude of 2200m above sea level but we still try to maintain our running style. We succeed in doing so mostly thanks to the 5 very attentive Kenyan athletes and because we automatically, without thinking too much about it, try to copy their running style. Although we are not very fast – at the end of the group we need about 6min per kilometer – we stay one big group and Kiarie and Gitonga motivate us again and again. After 70min we reach our camp tiered but profoundly happy. In the meantime the sun has been shining on a blue sky and in the past hour the temperature has increased by 10°C. However before we sit down to our well-deserved breakfast we do a 15 min stretching and gymnastics session on the lawn in front of the camp.
A warm shower does wonders after such a run. While we enjoy it, we keep in mind how precious water in this region is and try to be economical with it.
The well-deserved breakfast
The breakfast room is already very busy and a wonderful smell of freshly prepared chapatis is spreading from the kitchen and filling the room. My girlfriend takes the opportunity to learn how to make the chapatis. I can immediately imagine what we will in future eat for breakfast when back at home. At the table we discuss our training and Gitonga talks about our progress, which he is very proud of. This is very motivating to carry on.
Yesterday we have arranged a trip to the National Park of Mount Longonot with Paul. Before we go back to our Maasai House to relax, he reminds us of the departure time, which is set for 10 am. The incomparable atmosphere in our room, which we have a direct view onto Mount Longonot’s crater from, has fascinated us from the beginning. There is no second in which we miss the luxury of a hotel, on the contrary, everything is clean, well taken care of and very authentical. There is a large bed with a very comfortable mattress and anyway we would take the original furnishment of our room home to Europe if we could.
Mount Longonot tour
Shortly before 10am there is a knock at our door. We had fallen asleep and Paul woke us and reminded us of the departure. The run2gether club bus takes us, two other guests (Germans) and five Kenyan athletes on adventurously bad roads (pothole follows pothole) to Longonot. A short while later, not even 30 min away from our camp, we reach the Centre of the National Park. As we arranged with Paul that we would conquer the volcano’s summit, we start our ascent on the little path. While we are ascending the volcano Paul tells us about the fauna and flora of the national park and can even name the birds that we see. Besides Paul, the two successful athletes Robert and Edwin are accompanying us.
Slowly the horizon widens and we can see the camp on the opposite slope and Lake Naivasha is also within reach. The ascent steadily becomes steeper and tougher. However the first glance at the crater of the volcano compensates for all the trouble. Just 45 min later we reach the summit and have a 360° view of the region. With a sharp eye Paul suddenly points to a herd of buffaloes at the volcano’s west foot, this is a fascinating scenario in the African wilderness. Afterwards, while descending, Paul reminds us of the diversity of snakes on the volcano and asks us to pay attention to where we set our feet. Although the chance of being bitten by a snake is quite small, one should tread carefully and not leave the path. After we’ve had chapatis on the summit, we have some tea at the National Park Centre before we head back to the camp.
Back at the camp
Back at the camp some of the other runners wait for us to tell them about our trip and while we do so time flies by and suddenly its dinnertime. For dinner we have delicious Ugali and Sukuma Wiki (similar to spinach). After such a long day we needed this. While having tea together our headcoach Joseph Ngure tells us about his experiences as manager of the IOC training camp in Eldoret where he worked together with world-class athletes like Ezekiel Kemboi. To listen to his stories and tips is more than a worthy day closing.
Time to sleep
Tired but happy we go to sleep shortly after 9pm. Nine hours of well-deserved sleep awaits us before we have to get up for the morning run the next day.
Following animals can be found in and around the centre:
Dogs, donkeys, cows, goats, sheep, antelopes, zebras, a variety of birds and in the area of Kijabe some monkeys. Wild animals such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions and snakes are not very far away – partly as close as the Mount Longonot National Park – but not to be found in our camp or our running tracks.
As it is the case with all travels to Africa there are certain vaccinations recommended when going to Kenya. You can find detailed information here: http://www.reisemed.at/country/countries.html
In our experience you do not need a malaria prophylaxis, should you come to our camp with the intention to visit only the national parks and refrain from visiting the areas north or south of Nairobi (Mombasa, Kilimanjaro, etc.). Due to its altitude and climatic conditions Kenya’s highland is malaria free.
We have a first aid kit at our disposal, should you need medical attention during your stay at the camp. If needed a transport to the nearby Kijabe Misson Hospital may be arranged. As the Kijabe Mission Hospital is considered to be the best-equipped hospital in Kenya, we can guarantee excellent medical care.
http://www.kijabehospital.org/
Help for self-help is our motto for all of our activities in Kenya. Whatever run2gether does in Kenya happens in accordance with the population and for the benefit of the local athletes and people.
Creation of jobs:
- Building the Mount Longonot Sports & Recretion Centre
- For the continued operation of the centre
- Through regional shopping
School education and the running sport
- Cooperation with local schools
- Discovery and promotion of running talents
- Creation of infrastructure (building a running track)
- Support of young students by paying tuition fees
- Founding the run2gether Nursery School for orphans
Ideal surroundings for the runners’ training
People who know the living conditions of some of our club members, who come from the slums of Nairobi, also know how important the safe environment of our centre is for a good training. Here is the place they have a chance at a different life.
- Peace and safety
- Free accommodation and food for the athletes
- Healthy and sufficient food
- Professional coaching
A win-win situation for both, our athletes and our guests
Besides their training our athletes also focus on taking care of our guests. They assume responsibility for our guests during theirs stays and give them a glimpse of their life conditions but also can support their families with the money they earn thereby. This is especially important to athletes who do not start at any competitions in Europe – may it be because they’ve retired or they are still on their way to becoming world-class runners.
With your holidays spent at our Sports & Recreation Centre YOU provide social support and contribute to the realisation of our ideas.
