The Matthews Mountains

Sustainable Community-focused Travel to the Matthews Mountains

The Matthews Mountain Range, also known as the Lenkiyio Hills, is a range of mountains about 150 km long in Kenya's northern frontier. The region stakes it's claim as one of the wildest in the country; dry desolate bushland plains surrounded by impressive mountains: the Ndoto Mountains to the North and Karisia Hills to the West.

A TRUE FRONTIER TRAVEL DESTINATION

The area is very isolated - a true frontier of travel, which we love. On the mountain slopes and foothills it holds forests of juniper and ancient cycads. Because of its isolation, a number of wildlife species on the Matthews Mountains have evolved independently and the diversity of the forest is considered to be of great conservation value. The valley basins are a strong contrast to this: savannah bushland that can be stark and dry in the dry season, but lush and green after the long rains and part of the reason this region has been designated as a wildlife sanctuary is to protect this diversity. Since the region receives very few visitors, the area also offers some of East Africa’s finest undisturbed hiking trails.

SPEND TIME WITH SAMBURU TRIBESMAN, LEARNING THEIR CULTURE

The Namunyak conservancy located on these lands is about conserving not only the impressive landscape and its wildlife, but also Samburu heritage and culture. Parts of this region are genuinely untouched, so expect to find small, colourful local villages centered around ancient community values and run by tribal elders while their sons are out herding cattle, camels or goats. These communities are all owners of the land itself and the conservancy, so are directly involved in its management - a fantastic sustainable development model that is as pleasant to see as it is thought provoking and inspiring to the curious mind.

WILDLIFE IN THE MATTHEWS MOUNTAINS

The main attractions here are the scenery, untouched landscapes, interacting with the Samburu tribe and the scarcity of other tourists. So although it is primarily an outdoor wilderness destination rather than a big game viewing destination, there are still a fair number of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and leopard which have found sanctuary in the Mathews Range. Birdwatching is also fantastic, there is an impressive number of species and bird count in this area, bringing an already colourful area further to life.

RAW, ORGANIC SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL

We like the Matthews Mountains as a destination for old safari hands and those wishing to explore the frontier of East African travel, to immerse themselves in the questions of sustainable travel, genuine conservation and modern values; those who wish to explore Kenya as a whole while adding colour and vibrance to a journey. At the end, you may find you leave a piece of your heart in this wonderful, wild land.