We have seen it many times ourselves. And our adventurous visitors confirm it as well: exploring Elgon’s trails slowly, together with one of our native guides, brings depth and meaning to the experience.
Local eyes reveal unique plants, meaningful Community stories and hidden caves or waterfalls, things you might otherwise pass by unnoticed. At the same time, the curiosity and stories of international visitors add a fresh dimension to these encounters.
That is why today we place the voices of our guides at the center, alongside some of the testimonies from our long-stay guests.
Are you ready for our guides’ passionate stories and practical insights?
Childhood Roots and Guiding Philosophy
Shadrack’s Memories in Kapchorwa’s Hills
When our native guide Shadrack was a young boy, he was often sent into the Kapchorwa hills to work on his parents’ land together with his brother. A vivid memory from those days is how they would run back home - from a rocky hilltop down to the lower town - barefoot and at incredible speed. Whoever arrived last had to give his piece of meat to the other brother at one of the next dinners!
Running is in the blood of the Kapchorwa (Sebei) people. Photo taken in Kapenguria village during a Kids Olympics event in 2019
Hospitality at the Heart of Guiding
Hospitality lies at the heart of Sebei society. It inspired the name of our Guesthouse and guides us in selecting and training both our staff and native guides. As a result, our guides value not just your time, but also the attention and connection that come with it.
Guest Encounters that go Beyond Elgon’s Trails
One day, Shadrack hiked with a guest who, to his surprise, turned out to be a fellow teacher.
“My client teaches languages, just like me, to children of the same age. During the hike we kept discovering things we had in common. It made the experience very special, because on most of the topics we shared, we had the same thoughts. He was also happy, and we are still in touch to this day.”
Have you ever experienced a cross-cultural exchange this strong? These are the type of moments that make a journey unforgettable!
Shadrack: Elgon hiking guide, cultural storyteller & secondary school teacher
Women Leading the Way on the Trails
Becky’s Pride in Land and Traditions
Recently, Becky joined our team of guides through our Community enterprise, Run Kapchorwa. Yet she is not new to us: since 2022 she has been part of the Sebei Cultural Storytellers, performing Cave Experiences and Campfire Storytelling for our guests.
When asked what inspired her to become a guide, she explains:
“Growing up on the foothills of Mount Elgon, I feel proud of our land and traditions. Guiding allows me to share that pride with others. And Run Kapchorwa appealed to me because it combines tourism with Community impact.”
Becky at the Elgon Half Marathon launch 2025 together with champion Joshua Cheptegei and colleague guide Shadrack
Coffee as a Way of Life, Not Just a Crop
According to Becky, coffee is much more than just a crop. It’s a way of life!
“The process of hand-picking, roasting, and serving connects people. It makes them appreciate each cup more.”
Perhaps that’s why Becky naturally weaves stories into our new coffee experience at Masha Coffee in Kween District.
What meaning does coffee have in your life?
Shared Laughter Carrying Matoke
One of Becky’s favorite moments of laughter and bonding was when a guest tried to carry matoke on her head.
“The matoke started to shake and wouldn’t balance, until it finally fell down. Soon everyone was laughing, while showing her how it’s really done. It turned into a joyful moment of connection.”
Guest carrying matoke during a Cooking with the Mamas experience in August 2025
Inspiring Other Women to Join Guiding
Some women in the Community feel inspired when they see Becky guiding. They admire her work and often ask how they too can become guides.
“At first, people were surprised, since guiding was considered men’s work. But many women now say they feel encouraged seeing one of their own leading hikes. Some even ask how they can join tourism themselves. They are truly excited, and they love it.”
Eddy, from the Netherlands, who stayed with us for 10 days in January 2025, feels the cultural bonding and empowerment too:
“Kapchorwa is an amazing place to visit. From Home of Friends we joined many different tours with local guides, who were so passionate about sharing their culture and home with us. We hope to come back someday.”
Our guide Rommy doing a mini coffee tour as part of the Kapchorwa Nature Walk
New Voices, Fresh Perspectives
Rommy’s First Steps as a Guide
Rommy spent his early childhood in the tourist village of Sipi, before moving to the village right next to Home of Friends. In 2019 he started working with us, after we shared our belief that the nature and waterfalls around Kapchorwa are just as beautiful as those in Sipi…So why not develop a nature trail right in our own surroundings?
Rommy admits that his first hikes with clients were quite challenging:
“It was not easy, because I was doing it for the first time! I wasn’t so confident back then, so it wasn’t the best experience. But later, I learned to cope.”
His eagerness to learn, combined with our in-house training and hands-on mentoring, has played an important role in his growth as a local guide.
Guide Rommy in front of Kaptokwoi waterfall
Learning from Guests, Growing in Confidence
When asked about a moment of strong connection with a guest, Rommy recalls:
“I have had many strong encounters with guests over the years. But one experience stands out. She was such a friendly person and touched me deeply by sharing her personal story. It moved me to the point that we both cried. There was a truly strong connection there.”
As Brené Brown reminds us, vulnerability is a sign of strong leadership. Over the years, we’ve seen Rommy grow in confidence by navigating all kinds of situations with his guests.
Just as Rommy grew through vulnerability, Elijah’s journey shows how companionship fuels ambition:
Emotional Bonds on the Trail
Elijah is one of the newest - and most charming - guides on our team. Though not entirely new: back in 2019 he was already running with one of the Community youth teams of From Coach to Coach, the organization that later merged into Run Kapchorwa in 2021.
Elijah emphasizes the importance of building a real connection with his clients:
“I run with visitors to acquire more skills, to gain experience as a professional running guide, and to make more friends.”
For him, these bonds can also lead to new opportunities:
“After my guided runs I hope my clients keep following me on Instagram and WhatsApp! I want to stay in touch with them, so they can also follow me when I compete in races.”
It’s an understandable wish. Elijah is still a young and upcoming runner, full of dedication to succeed.
Running guide Elijah giving a briefing before a team run
Slow and Meaningful Travel is All About Sharing
Our guides are learners as much as they are teachers. Slow and meaningful travel thrives on sharing stories, skills and experiences.
This spirit is also reflected in the words of a guest from the United States, who stayed with us for a few days in June:
“I had a tight schedule to get to Kenya, and both Shadrack and Rommy went way above and beyond their duties - helping me finish packing, arranging boda boda transport from Home of Friends to Kapchorwa Town and even loading my many heavy bags onto the boda boda.”
What Lingers with Our Guests
Warm, Attentive and Engaging Hospitality
Looking at our reviews and the feedback from adventure guests, what resonates most is the warmth and attentiveness they experience at Home of Friends. Guests consistently mention feeling truly welcomed, cared for and supported. This can be in arranging food in advance, accommodating allergies or helping with last-minute travel needs. As Danielle (US) puts it: “Home of Friends was just as it sounds. It felt like home with friendly people and service.”
They also highlight the authentic cultural encounters and guiding experiences. Guests value how our native guides bring them close to the Community and landscape, creating bonds that go beyond tourism. Matty (Netherlands) shares: “It gave us the opportunity to experience the culture up close without feeling like tourists.” This genuine sense of exchange, both with local guides and Kapchorwa’s native people, is what lingers most.
Finally, the beauty of Kapchorwa and the passion of our team stand out as lasting impressions. The combination of stunning, less-touristed landscapes with guides eager to share their culture makes for transformative experiences. Eddy (Netherlands) sums it up: “From Home of Friends, we were able to do many different tours with local guides, who were very passionate to share their culture and home with us.”
Eddy exploring Kapchorwa by bike, together with his girlfriend Romy (January 2025)
Unique & Off-the-Beaten-Track Experiences
Beyond the warmth of our team, what also lingers with guests are the unique experiences they wouldn’t find elsewhere. Because where else can you find the combination of dozens of waterfalls not on Google Maps, a high-altitude running culture and adventure environment with an abundance of stunning trails, and a series of engaging Community experiences?
Kapchorwa’s highlights can be summarized as follows:
1) Hidden nature trails: immersive hikes like the Kapchorwa Wilderness Hike, Champion’s Trail, and Kapchorwa-Benet Trail, where guests discover distant waterfalls, caves, and indigenous trees.
2) Cultural encounters: activities such as Cooking with the Kapchorwa Mamas, the Cave Experience, and Campfire Storytelling that give unique insights into Sebei life and traditions.
3) Humble authenticity: small but meaningful moments, for example carrying matoke, listening to singing farmers, or learning coffee stories from Becky.
4) Off-the-map feeling: guests say Kapchorwa feels more peaceful and untouched compared to busier destinations like Sipi Falls and Jinja, giving them space to slow down and (re)connect.
Kapchorwa has the experiences and guides that open an avenue for cultural sharing, personal growth, and the kind of encounters that bring slow and meaningful travel to life!
Guest making a new friend during the Mengia Village Tour, on the higher slopes of Mount Elgon (July 2025)
Closing Reflection - Sharing the Trail
Stories, Silence and Connection
In Kapchorwa, slow and meaningful travel isn’t about rushing to tick off highlights. It’s about moving side by side - walking, running or sharing a cultural experience - while listening to stories, laughing together and sometimes simply enjoying the silence of the trail. Along the way, guides and guests create a shared space where new insights, memories and friendships naturally take root.
Are You Ready to Walk With Us?
Feel welcome to walk with us - not just to see Mount Elgon, but to share stories around a campfire, to learn from everyday life and to rediscover the joy of slowing down.
Are you ready to let Kapchorwa - and our passionate native guides - walk a part of the journey with you?
This blog is written by Daan Oxener, a Dutch social entrepreneur who is based in Kapchorwa since 2016. Daan manages Home of Friends Guesthouse, together with his wife Eliza. He is passionate about documenting Mount Elgon’s beautiful nature and remarkable culture. Daan is also engaged in Community & youth empowerment through adventure tourism.
