Rock-climbing Audit with Schaniela Wright and Panai gets a climbing Job in Kuwait!

Every year, Tumaren Camp and Karisia Walking Safaris conduct a comprehensive audit and training for our rock-climbing guides and assistants. With a commitment to both adventure and safety, we partner with Schaniela Wright, a highly qualified Moutaineering and Climbing Instructor (MCI), the highest climbing certification in the UK. This helps us to maintain the highest standards in all aspects of our climbing.

Schaniela’s annual visits are essential to ensuring our rock-climbing team, consisting of Kaisa, Paul, and Ntiemu, receive updated training, skill reinforcement, and practise with all possible safety protocols. As a UK-certified climbing instructor, she brings a wealth of expertise and a meticulous approach. Schaniela’s training sessions not only help our team refine their climbing techniques but also introduce new safety procedures and equipment-handling skills. We also had great fun. When Kaisia, Paul, and Ntiemu completed an aid climb onto the most prominent and isolated rock kopje at Nyasura, they were likely not only the first Maasai to reach its summit, but also the first local people—across so many generations and different peoples living around this revered formation—to dare such a feat. Without the safety of ropes, these sacred rocks have long been respected but likely left unclimbed.

In addition to the training, Schaniela thoroughly inspects all our climbing gear to verify it meets stringent safety standards. Rock climbing gear has a limited lifespan due to wear and tear, and we’re dedicated to retiring our equipment after only a few years of use, regardless of its condition. Schaniela also assists in sourcing and replacing gear as needed, ensuring our equipment remains in optimal shape for our climbers.

For us, these audits are about more than maintaining compliance—they’re a commitment to providing our guests with the most fun climbing experience, rooted in safety and professionalism. By investing in annual training, regular audits, and top-quality gear, Tumaren Camp and Karisia Walking Safaris ensure our rock climbing adventures are as safe as they are exhilarating. We look forward to welcoming climbers of all levels to explore our beutiful rock kopjes with us, knowing they are in capable and experienced hands.

Another big victory for Karisia / Tumaren climbing is the rock-climbing success that our friend Panai has found. Panai as many of our guests might remember helped us throughout all his junior school and high school years, accompanying safaris and later working exclusively in climbing. He joined us as family after his parents sadly passed. He moved on the our climbing gym in Nanyuki before getting work in rescue and emergency training. Through all this experience Panai was able to get a job in Kuwait working at the Kuwait Climbing Wall in Sabah Al-Salem. He is the first person in his family to get a job outside of Kenya and we are so proud of his success.

The day we first met Panai