That we call this place a hidden green pearl is not for nothing, as you can go on magical hikes here. Who would have thought Africa could be so green! Climb the hills, visit the cute villages on the way and celebrate your arrival on the hill (or mountain, by our Dutch standards) with an ice-cold Tusker. Nothing tastes better than a beer after a diligent effort.
So... you've reached the top. Now what? You can whet your appetite for adventure by abseiling down one of the Taita hills with Charlie's Travels. Endless green landscapes plus screaming adrenaline at high altitude: hurtling down really doesn't get much better than this. After this retreating activity, hop on the back of a boda and moped through the authentic villages of Taita-Taveta. Have a delicious local lunch (a plate of sukuma wiki with kachumbari and chapatis) and sniff some culture along the way. You'll find the special Kenyatta caves, the caves where the current president's father was in hiding during the Mau Mau uprising. Exciting! Still not tired? Then hop on a mountain bike and explore the green surroundings by bike like a true adventurer.
Since 2017, instead of a polluting domestic flight, you can take the express train between Nairobi and Mombasa. Nice and sustainable, we love it! This train leaves punctually and you can rest assured that you will be taken to your destination as efficiently as possible. Not for nothing, as this project is funded and run by the Chinese. You get off at the small town of Voi, from where you can reach the verdant Taita Hills within an hour. Of course, it is also possible to drive to this hidden green gem on your own initiative.
Combine this destination with booming Nairobi, the vast savannah of Lumo and tropical coastal city Mombasa: a super diverse trip through Kenya. We would know...backpack on, board the train and go with the flow!
This blog is part of Africa Inside Out.
Are you also up for this off-the-beaten-track destination? Then go for it! Find out more about this train route here.
