Forest Explorers

This Wednesday, the Year 3 and 4 classes enjoyed a trip to Ngare Ndare Forest, located in the foothills of Mt Kenya, as part of their study on rainforests.

While Ngare Ndare is an indigenous forest (there is only one rainforest in Kenya - Kakamega - which is a little too far for a day trip!), it still gave the children a great taste of forest life.

The 10 metre high, 450 metre long canopy walk was a highlight for many whereas others, including some teachers, were not such fans of the swaying walkway and it required lots of perseverance to make it to the end. Seeing and hearing the birds and monkeys at eye level was another great experience.

We also enjoyed a walk to the source of a stream and had to shelter under a huge tree when it started raining. As we continued on the walk to our picnic lunch spot, everyone’s shoes got covered in mud and many commented that it ‘feels like I’m walking in high heels’. Our trip finished with a drive to nearby Borana Conservancy to see several elephants.

A big thanks to our guides for their explanations and insights and to Ngare Ndare Forest Trust. We would encourage everyone to go and experience Ngare Ndare for themselves!

Some reflections from Year 4:

“Group by group we go, some frightened, some not, on the mesmerising canopy walk.”

“The best thing that happened was that I persevered to the end.”

“I saw a lot of beautiful birds on the canopy walk; some I could hear but not see.”

“I felt like a bird brushing the trees.”

Natural habitat

Growth is all around me

Airy breezes

Rainy droplets

Enormous undergrowth

Neverending trees

Dense canopy

Animal freedom

Rapid rivers

Enjoyable peace