Archaeological Site - Thimlich Ohinga

Built in the 14th century on a hill, Thimlich Ohinga is a complex surrounded by stone walls now partially covered under Savannah bush land. The site consists of six enclosures and is a rare example of the first settlements in the region. Its stone wall is unique; it appears not to have had mortar applied originally and ranges from 1.2-4.2 meters in height and 1-3 meters in width. The walls surround the remnants of the once bustling urban center, now marked only by a series of house pits and cattle enclosures.

Thimlich Ohinga is a rare, early example of defensive savanna architecture that led to this type of design becoming a traditional style across East Africa. It is a specimen of the stone walling practices and a communal, centralized system of control, which became prevalent in the Lake Victoria region of Kenya. Built as a fortified village, Thimlich Ohinga served defensive, economic, religious, and social functions.

Traditional Luo Dance

The Luo ethnic group has a strong tradition of music, that has always been the most practiced art by this population. Music is present at every hour of the day or night, it has always had a functional role to underline important events such as religious ceremonies, political events, festivals or sporting events.

Music is used at funerals to pay tribute to the missing person but also to console the bereaved relatives or to keep people awake at night to celebrate the ritual of waking, during which they demonstrate their anguish and suffering caused by the loss pain. It plays an important role during certain rituals that diviners and medicine men implement to drive away evil spirits, to invoke the rain, to heal the sick and during divination. Even during the festivities, such as the beer festival, or on the occasion of sporting events, music plays an important role; it is critical, as much as during the courting of a girl.

The Luo use numerous musical instruments, from percussions with drums and rattles to strings instruments similar to the harp and the violin, to wind instruments made from the horns of cattle. The dance is usually elegant and graceful, the Luo use traditional costumes and ornaments that are designed to improve and make more evident the movements rather than to beautify the wearer.

Ruma National Park

“Dramatic Valley of the Roan Antelope and Oribi”

Ruma National Park lies in Western Kenya, close to the shores of Lake Victoria. An island of wilderness in a sea of intense cultivation, the Park is situated in one of the most productive and populous regions in Kenya, and is one of the country’s more rewarding but less well known Parks.

A mosaic of landscapes, ranging from riverine woodland and rolling savannah to magnificent escarpments and towering cliffs, Ruma National Park promises undiscovered wildlife treasures and undisturbed peace. It is also Kenya’s last remaining sanctuary for the endangered roan antelope.

A Vivid and Varied Landscape
Ruma lies on the flat floor of the seasonally watered Lambwe River Valley. Bordered by the Kanyamwa Escarpment to the South-East, and by the Volcanic plugs of the Ruri Hills, to the North, the Park is a long, narrow corridor of land contained on a fist-shaped peninsular extending into Lake Victoria. The terrain is mainly rolling grassland, with tracts of open woodland thickets. The soils are largely “black cotton” clay (Oxisols).

The Last Refuge of the Roan Antelope
One of Africas’ rarest antelopes and the third largest of Kenya’s antelopes, the roan (or Korongo as it is known in Swahili) is a large, grey to rufous antelope with a distinctive black and white face, not unlike a tribal mask. Roans live in herds of upto 20 members, led by a bull.

The Oribi Antelope
The small and graceful oribi antelope (known as Taya in Swahili) has a conspicuous bare black glandular patch below the ears, a short black-tipped tail and black knee tufts. Living in strongly bonded pairs or small groups, oribi inhabit grassland and dense undergrowth.

Realm of Rare Birds
Ruma’s birdlife is exceptional. The park is also the only protected area in Kenya where the globally threatened blue swallow, a scarce intra-African migrant, is regularly recorded. Blue swallows, which depend upon moist grassland for both feeding and roosting, arrive in Kenya from their breeding grounds in Southern Tanzania around April and depart again in September.

Flourishing Wildlife
Ruma offers visitors an opportunity to see various wildlife species including the Rothschild’s giraffe, serval cat, hyena, impala, vervet monkey, roan antelope, oribi, bohor reedbuck, leopard, buffalo, and Jackson’s hartebeest. Recently introduced and re-introduced species are Black rhino,White rhino, Burchell′s zebra whose populations have adapted quite well. The roan antelope, Oribi and Jackson’s hartebeest are easily spotted in Ruma than anywhere else in Kenya.

Rich in Reptiles
Ruma has an exceptional snake population. Easily spotted species include: The African spitting cobra, forest cobra, python, eastern green mamba, black-mouthed mamba and puff adder. The park also abounds in lizard, skink and gecko.

The Queensbury Hotel

Located in the heart of downtown Glens Falls, New York, The Queensbury Hotel is a historic hotel built in 1926 with a gorgeous architecture, multiple meeting spaces, newly revitalized lobby and guest rooms, endless amenities including an heated indoor pool, restaurant, lounge, and more.

This is where we will begin and conclude the retreat. We will depart on day one at 3pm.

Hotel Information
Address: 88 Ridge St, Glens Falls, NY 12801
Hotel Direct: 518-792-1121
Reservations: 800-554-4526

The Village Resort

Located in Ndhiwa, Kenya, there mission is to provide an environment for physical, mental and spiritual restoration. There are three room options to choose from. Single and double and twin rooms. This comes with a choice of full board, half-board or breakfast only for meals. Enjoy well manicured grounds and our green scenery as you make happy memories with your friends and loved ones.

Ole-Sereni Nairobi

A convenient location for business travellers due to its proximity to JKIA, Nairobi's international airport and to Wilson Airport, Nairobi's domestic airport. We offer facilities to accommodate large and small groups for business, leisure or conferences.

2.5.4 Ole-sereni Hotel is amongst the leading airport hotels in Nairobi for business and leisure travellers, events, conferencing and weddings. With stunning greens and golds of Nairobi National Park's landscape punctuated by giraffe, zebra, antelope, and buffalo lounging near our waterhole, the views alone make 2.5.4 Ole-Sereni Hotel one-of-a-kind.

Safety

Safety during our trips is a top priority. Team members will always travel with another team member. Phone service is available depending on your provider, we recommend using WhatsApp for calls and texting.

Technology

Internet service and wifi are not readily available. You will need an Kenya Type G adaptor for all your electronics.

Personal Items

Be careful not to bring any valuable items. Recommended to bring: Kleenex tissues (small packets), hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, suntan lotion, sun hat, bug spray (must be travel size if packed in your carry-on bag), ear plugs, small flash light, towel, anti-bacterial cream. Snacks, power bars are good to have.

Clothing

The dress code in Kenyan culture is conservative. Also, many Kenyans adhere to different cultural, religious and customary dress styles. Jeans and decent tops/blouses for ladies are perfect. Swimsuits are acceptable at the beach but not in public places. Evening Wear: Kenyans dress up for special occasions, especially when going out clubbing/dancing, to church, to sporting and other events or out to dinner. In some restaurants and clubs, you will probably be fine wearing shorts and a t-shirt, but if you are considering dining at one of the more up-scale restaurants or having a social night out, you may want to show off your nicer clothing and join the party!

Cautions and Do Not's

Do not eat raw food or drink any water unless purchased sealed (bottled water will be provided). Do not ask for ice or drink anything with ice in it. Do not brush teeth with water from the faucet. Use bottled water. Do not enter streams, rivers, or lakes. Do not leave the group without permission. Do not pet dogs or any other animals.

Spending Money

You may want to buy some souvenirs when you are there. You can exchange $20, $50 and $100 bills that are in very good condition (no folds, tears or writing) and were printed from 2006 on. Any American money printed prior to 2006 will not be accepted due to excessive amounts of forgery.