by Leigh Kemp, 20 November 2007

About 15km from Nanyuki in Kenya, almost on the equator and in the shadow of Mount Kenya, a short, non-descript dirt road leads off the main highway for about 150m after which you enter another world.

There's an old joke when food is slow in coming at a restaurant: 'Have they gone to catch the food or what?' Well, there's a place where the answer to the question would be yes.

At Trout Tree Restaurant they catch the trout as per the order. The only problem at Trout Tree is that the waiting time passes too quickly.

There are many places that are memorable for personal reasons and a few that provide an experience of a lifetime. Trout Tree is memorable.

Of Monkeys and Cold Beers

It's a place where black and white colobus monkeys swing from the trees, tree hyraxes watch over the bar, the air is clean and crisp and the beers are cold - an intoxicating mixture.

The food is grown on the farm and the drinks are kept cold in the icy waters of the stream that drifts by.

Built on stilts around a large fig tree, and on three levels, Trout Tree offers more than a place to eat. It's a place to unwind, to find comfort from the rigours of Kenya's roads and to feel wanted for a while.

It's the perfect stop when en route from Nairobi to the northern parks such as Samburu and Meru.

Reasons for Leaving

The final paragraph in the Trout Tree pamphlet reads: 'Beware! You may not want to leave.' Were it not for the fact that we were heading to one of my favourite parks in Africa, I would have spent the afternoon depressed at leaving the place.

Although having only spent a lunchtime there, Trout Tree will always be one of my favourite restaurants.

Oh, and the food is wonderful too!

Article © Copyright 2007 Go2Africa.

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