I've not been on this road for many years and so today was a deserved trip to lake magadi. Totally refreshing, low traffic and amazing views! Its about 100kms (one way) from Nairobi and well worth the trip. For those who have travelled the alps during summer can easily relate to the views, too cool. Olepolous Club is a must stop over, the views will simply blow you away, especially early morning. The hot springs at lake Magadi are definately worth wading through. Then there is the most impressing views of the mountains, hills and beyond at at corner just after Kiserian town, just before you start descending down the escarpment. There is plenty of cool wind and I think the place is called Corner Baridi. You must stop here and take in the views and the breeze, truely amazing. Directions: Take the C58 or Magadi Road. It ends at the Magadi Company. To get to the hot springs, they are about 16 kms from the Magadi factory and people are very keen to point you in the right direction. Some portions of the road are on the dry lake. You do not need a 4X4 to get there. There are 2 sign posts, wet season road and dry season road. Take the correct one, else your car will get seriously stuck in a salty slick... Cautions on the C58 Road/Magadi road : Its a narrow road compared to other roads. The section after Kiserian, down the escarpment and towards Oltepesi has potholes but nothing major, you can average about 60-80kph but dont push it too much if you have a saloon car with soft suspensions, you could easily damage the rims or suspensions. One extreme caution are the blind dips and bends around corners so take it easy on such. Best of all, take in the views and enjoy the drive. :-)
Dude!... Photos speak a thousand words..... a geek like you must have carried a photo taking contraption with you... any chance? On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 8:29 PM, aki <aki275@gmail.com> wrote:
I've not been on this road for many years and so today was a deserved trip to lake magadi. Totally refreshing, low traffic and amazing views! Its about 100kms (one way) from Nairobi and well worth the trip. For those who have travelled the alps during summer can easily relate to the views, too cool. Olepolous Club is a must stop over, the views will simply blow you away, especially early morning. The hot springs at lake Magadi are definately worth wading through. Then there is the most impressing views of the mountains, hills and beyond at at corner just after Kiserian town, just before you start descending down the escarpment. There is plenty of cool wind and I think the place is called Corner Baridi. You must stop here and take in the views and the breeze, truely amazing.
Directions: Take the C58 or Magadi Road. It ends at the Magadi Company. To get to the hot springs, they are about 16 kms from the Magadi factory and people are very keen to point you in the right direction. Some portions of the road are on the dry lake. You do not need a 4X4 to get there. There are 2 sign posts, wet season road and dry season road. Take the correct one, else your car will get seriously stuck in a salty slick...
Cautions on the C58 Road/Magadi road : Its a narrow road compared to other roads. The section after Kiserian, down the escarpment and towards Oltepesi has potholes but nothing major, you can average about 60-80kph but dont push it too much if you have a saloon car with soft suspensions, you could easily damage the rims or suspensions. One extreme caution are the blind dips and bends around corners so take it easy on such.
Best of all, take in the views and enjoy the drive. :-)
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@Areba, photos would not do the place any justice unless I had a fish eye lens on the camera so I did not take any pics. Trust me, it is worth experiencing it for oneself. :-) On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 8:36 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
Dude!... Photos speak a thousand words..... a geek like you must have carried a photo taking contraption with you... any chance?
Im definately charmed. That goes to my "to go" list plus that suguta valley where there are sand dunes on that "niko na" ad for $fcom. On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 8:40 PM, aki <aki275@gmail.com> wrote:
@Areba, photos would not do the place any justice unless I had a fish eye lens on the camera so I did not take any pics. Trust me, it is worth experiencing it for oneself. :-)
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 8:36 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
Dude!... Photos speak a thousand words..... a geek like you must have carried a photo taking contraption with you... any chance?
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You can easily imagine what drove early explorers through such terrian....... :-) On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 8:57 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
Im definately charmed. That goes to my "to go" list plus that suguta valley where there are sand dunes on that "niko na" ad for $fcom.
Suguta Valley is top on my to go to list as well! Aki, nice writeup about the Magadi trip. Eric On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 8:57 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
Im definately charmed. That goes to my "to go" list plus that suguta valley where there are sand dunes on that "niko na" ad for $fcom.
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 8:40 PM, aki <aki275@gmail.com> wrote:
@Areba, photos would not do the place any justice unless I had a fish eye lens on the camera so I did not take any pics. Trust me, it is worth experiencing it for oneself. :-)
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 8:36 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
Dude!... Photos speak a thousand words..... a geek like you must have carried a photo taking contraption with you... any chance?
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@Eric, thnks. @Areba, I'd like to share with you some info on vehicles since some on your wish list will need at least a 4X4. Its a bit lengthy so bear with the writeup. While we all want the porsche cayenne, vw toureg, discovery td5, vogue hse for comfortable offroad driving there is a big reality between pricing and following ones travel dreams,aspirations. I bought a short wheel base pajero, a 96 model which was in a reasonable condition. It had done 180,000kms and I was quite happy with this, to the amusement of the seller. When I took the vehicle, the first thing that I got done was a complete suspension, gearbox strip. Nothing was spared because once I had all the parts replaced, they would last the equivalent of the current mileage. On the engine side and because it uses the dreaded 2.5TD engine, I got the radiator-cyclinder head-thermostat-belts-fan unit-waterpump replaced. These things are not cheap so its was a gradual build process. At the same time, I also got 50/50 bridgestone tyres, another gradual process. Why did I get the SWB pajero? When it was shipped in, it had the engine-gearbox-diff guards. It also had an inclinometer which is important for offroad driving. Many times you will find that dry roads have turned into mud-slicks because of rain so you need to go off the normal track. The entry/exit angles cannot be known and one can easily roll the car, roll back or pin the front end into a culvert so the inclinometer will give one a good idea on dip, entry and exit angles. The pajero also came with an extra feature, I can electronically engage a rear diff lock in extremely conditions. There is still much for me to do like add a high-lift jack, winch, a cooler box and a tent but this will be a gradual process. In the meantime, I can comfortablly do off-road though not extreme. To make your wish list happen, start somewhere and put some effort into detailing the car and you will never go wrong or have a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Wish you all success with the wish lists and happy driving. :-) Asante. On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 9:47 PM, Gitonga Eric <gitonga@egmgem.com> wrote:
Suguta Valley is top on my to go to list as well! Aki, nice writeup about the Magadi trip.
Eric
<SHOCKED> I have exactly the same car, as does at least one other lister in this group <w@watchman>who i believe share the same sentiments about choice of car for stuff like this. Maybe we should begin a shogun / pajero club as a skunkworks sub club... </SHOCKED> After the shock, I replaced my 2.5TD with a "new" 4M4T which pulls several horses more.... Definately thrilled. On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:40 PM, aki <aki275@gmail.com> wrote:
@Eric, thnks.
@Areba, I'd like to share with you some info on vehicles since some on your wish list will need at least a 4X4. Its a bit lengthy so bear with the writeup. While we all want the porsche cayenne, vw toureg, discovery td5, vogue hse for comfortable offroad driving there is a big reality between pricing and following ones travel dreams,aspirations. I bought a short wheel base pajero, a 96 model which was in a reasonable condition. It had done 180,000kms and I was quite happy with this, to the amusement of the seller. When I took the vehicle, the first thing that I got done was a complete suspension, gearbox strip. Nothing was spared because once I had all the parts replaced, they would last the equivalent of the current mileage. On the engine side and because it uses the dreaded 2.5TD engine, I got the radiator-cyclinder head-thermostat-belts-fan unit-waterpump replaced. These things are not cheap so its was a gradual build process. At the same time, I also got 50/50 bridgestone tyres, another gradual process. Why did I get the SWB pajero? When it was shipped in, it had the engine-gearbox-diff guards. It also had an inclinometer which is important for offroad driving. Many times you will find that dry roads have turned into mud-slicks because of rain so you need to go off the normal track. The entry/exit angles cannot be known and one can easily roll the car, roll back or pin the front end into a culvert so the inclinometer will give one a good idea on dip, entry and exit angles. The pajero also came with an extra feature, I can electronically engage a rear diff lock in extremely conditions. There is still much for me to do like add a high-lift jack, winch, a cooler box and a tent but this will be a gradual process. In the meantime, I can comfortablly do off-road though not extreme.
To make your wish list happen, start somewhere and put some effort into detailing the car and you will never go wrong or have a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Wish you all success with the wish lists and happy driving. :-)
Asante.
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 9:47 PM, Gitonga Eric <gitonga@egmgem.com> wrote:
Suguta Valley is top on my to go to list as well! Aki, nice writeup about the Magadi trip.
Eric
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mine though is the LWB. Ive always had a thing for momentum on the barabara in case of anything bad. id rather be on the larger Mass X Velocity in the sad event of a crash. On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:45 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
<SHOCKED> I have exactly the same car, as does at least one other lister in this group <w@watchman>who i believe share the same sentiments about choice of car for stuff like this. Maybe we should begin a shogun / pajero club as a skunkworks sub club... </SHOCKED>
After the shock, I replaced my 2.5TD with a "new" 4M4T which pulls several horses more....
Definately thrilled.
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:40 PM, aki <aki275@gmail.com> wrote:
@Eric, thnks.
@Areba, I'd like to share with you some info on vehicles since some on your wish list will need at least a 4X4. Its a bit lengthy so bear with the writeup. While we all want the porsche cayenne, vw toureg, discovery td5, vogue hse for comfortable offroad driving there is a big reality between pricing and following ones travel dreams,aspirations. I bought a short wheel base pajero, a 96 model which was in a reasonable condition. It had done 180,000kms and I was quite happy with this, to the amusement of the seller. When I took the vehicle, the first thing that I got done was a complete suspension, gearbox strip. Nothing was spared because once I had all the parts replaced, they would last the equivalent of the current mileage. On the engine side and because it uses the dreaded 2.5TD engine, I got the radiator-cyclinder head-thermostat-belts-fan unit-waterpump replaced. These things are not cheap so its was a gradual build process. At the same time, I also got 50/50 bridgestone tyres, another gradual process. Why did I get the SWB pajero? When it was shipped in, it had the engine-gearbox-diff guards. It also had an inclinometer which is important for offroad driving. Many times you will find that dry roads have turned into mud-slicks because of rain so you need to go off the normal track. The entry/exit angles cannot be known and one can easily roll the car, roll back or pin the front end into a culvert so the inclinometer will give one a good idea on dip, entry and exit angles. The pajero also came with an extra feature, I can electronically engage a rear diff lock in extremely conditions. There is still much for me to do like add a high-lift jack, winch, a cooler box and a tent but this will be a gradual process. In the meantime, I can comfortablly do off-road though not extreme.
To make your wish list happen, start somewhere and put some effort into detailing the car and you will never go wrong or have a breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Wish you all success with the wish lists and happy driving. :-)
Asante.
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 9:47 PM, Gitonga Eric <gitonga@egmgem.com> wrote:
Suguta Valley is top on my to go to list as well! Aki, nice writeup about the Magadi trip.
Eric
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
LWB is a lovely car, it has hydraulic dampers in the driver seat for a super comfortable experience. The only issue you'll have is the diff seating on a stone when exiting out of a off-road dip but you can cancel that problem with a different approach. Very cool.. :-))) On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:47 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
mine though is the LWB. Ive always had a thing for momentum on the barabara in case of anything bad. id rather be on the larger Mass X Velocity in the sad event of a crash.
@Areba, chat soon, am on the road early tomorrow.....cheers :-)
cheers! On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:56 PM, aki <aki275@gmail.com> wrote:
LWB is a lovely car, it has hydraulic dampers in the driver seat for a super comfortable experience. The only issue you'll have is the diff seating on a stone when exiting out of a off-road dip but you can cancel that problem with a different approach. Very cool.. :-)))
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:47 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
mine though is the LWB. Ive always had a thing for momentum on the barabara in case of anything bad. id rather be on the larger Mass X Velocity in the sad event of a crash.
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Would love to add an extra fuel tank, a heat exchanger and more battery space to run it on my fuel and any other veggie oil... On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:58 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
cheers!
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:56 PM, aki <aki275@gmail.com> wrote:
LWB is a lovely car, it has hydraulic dampers in the driver seat for a super comfortable experience. The only issue you'll have is the diff seating on a stone when exiting out of a off-road dip but you can cancel that problem with a different approach. Very cool.. :-)))
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:47 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
mine though is the LWB. Ive always had a thing for momentum on the barabara in case of anything bad. id rather be on the larger Mass X Velocity in the sad event of a crash.
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
I've done Magadi twice by motorbike last year, went towards the Shompole to the springs. As the safaricom ad shows, Kenya has some stunning scenery. Pics available on facebook group - African Motorcycle Diaries<http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144420285013&v=wall> 2010/12/25 Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>
Would love to add an extra fuel tank, a heat exchanger and more battery space to run it on my fuel and any other veggie oil...
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:58 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
cheers!
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:56 PM, aki <aki275@gmail.com> wrote:
LWB is a lovely car, it has hydraulic dampers in the driver seat for a super comfortable experience. The only issue you'll have is the diff seating on a stone when exiting out of a off-road dip but you can cancel that problem with a different approach. Very cool.. :-)))
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:47 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
mine though is the LWB. Ive always had a thing for momentum on the barabara in case of anything bad. id rather be on the larger Mass X Velocity in the sad event of a crash.
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
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-- Gichingiri Kuria _________________________________________ www.website.co.ke / www.sokoletu.co.ke
Aki: You should've given a warning on the temperatures over there. DOn't you dare take a jacket with you... unless you are planning to visit in the night. Was at Magadi like two months ago. I had been to Oloorgesailie in 2003/2004, during which time I was in campus and we had hired an "Eldoret Express" bus to take us there and guess what, myself and three other friends got left behind. Now that was one hell of an adventure!!! Details too sumptuous to share now :D On 26 December 2010 15:00, Gichingiri Kuria <gmail@gichingiri.com> wrote:
I've done Magadi twice by motorbike last year, went towards the Shompole to the springs. As the safaricom ad shows, Kenya has some stunning scenery. Pics available on facebook group - African Motorcycle Diaries<http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144420285013&v=wall>
2010/12/25 Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>
Would love to add an extra fuel tank, a heat exchanger and more battery
space to run it on my fuel and any other veggie oil...
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:58 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
cheers!
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:56 PM, aki <aki275@gmail.com> wrote:
LWB is a lovely car, it has hydraulic dampers in the driver seat for a super comfortable experience. The only issue you'll have is the diff seating on a stone when exiting out of a off-road dip but you can cancel that problem with a different approach. Very cool.. :-)))
On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:47 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com
wrote:
mine though is the LWB. Ive always had a thing for momentum on the barabara in case of anything bad. id rather be on the larger Mass X Velocity in the sad event of a crash.
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Gichingiri Kuria _________________________________________ www.website.co.ke / www.sokoletu.co.ke
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
Great! I'm planning to get a workshop manual for the 2.5TD engine so I can build it myself because I dont have the torque settings. Woah...let me check if the 4M4T is also available for you, maybe I can mail you a scan. Talk soon on this one.... :-))) On Sat, Dec 25, 2010 at 11:45 PM, Collins Areba <arebacollins@gmail.com>wrote:
<SHOCKED> I have exactly the same car, as does at least one other lister in this group <w@watchman>who i believe share the same sentiments about choice of car for stuff like this. Maybe we should begin a shogun / pajero club as a skunkworks sub club... </SHOCKED>
After the shock, I replaced my 2.5TD with a "new" 4M4T which pulls several horses more....
Definately thrilled.
participants (5)
-
aki -
Collins Areba -
Gichingiri Kuria -
Gitonga Eric -
Simon Mbuthia