Lodge creates green oasis to tame arid heat

Situated in a picturesque location overlooking the plains and surrounded by hills, Aldrin Ojiambo's exquisite garden is a real show-stopper.

With the vastness and majesty of nature, the horizon stretches forever. Aldrin's green rich garden stands defiantly in an arid land.

His green journey began with the opening of his Last Village Lodge, in Lukenya, Athi River, 55 kilometres from the capital.

"When we opened this lodge in 2016, it was so dry. The place is on raised ground, so when the winds come from Kilimambogo, they would blow away a tent," Aldrin recalls.

Aldrin then began planting trees to protect his property from the strong winds and scorching sun. The plants would also provide a barrier against his neighbours prying eyes and catch dust from passing trucks, in what he terms as massing.

But there was an even more intrinsic reason behind his greening project.

"I made this garden because I thought it wouldn't work, and everyone told us it wouldn't work. If we had started with the idea that it would work, we could have given up. I bought Sh100,000 trees and got busy planting," says Aldrin.

Eight years down the line, Aldrin has transformed his eight acre of land into a green oasis. He has lost count of the number of trees in the property, but estimates they are in the hundreds if not thousands.

His first plant was a cactus, a safe choice as it can thrive in extreme weather conditions.

The most prominent tree is the acacia, known for its hardiness. He has planted green and yellow varieties, but his favourite is the yellow acacia.

"It is so attractive and, of course, easy to maintain,” says Aldrin.

The pool area is enhanced by the presence of royal palms. There are also Thika and traveller's palms, both of which he highly prizes. The golden palm, he says, gives him the energy to keep moving in his green journey.

In the vast garden, cycads and Christmas trees sit harmoniously in the black cotton soil. The garden is also home to a bishop tree, bamboo, mugumo tree, baobab tree and the neem tree, commonly known as mwarubaine, a wonder tree that has medicinal properties.

"You don't plant a plant that asks for a lot of water. Every tree here can withstand the heat," says Aldrin, explaining his garden is full of hardy plants.

Layering plants

Aldrin has perfected the technique of layering plants - trees, shrubs and ground cover - to prevent rainwater loss through evaporation.

"For one tree to survive, we had to plant at least three. I was not sure they would survive, so I had to plant many," he says.

To complement his green garden, Aldrin has added a few flowers.

Birds of paradise, crotons and durantas bloom outside the restaurant. And then there is the bougainvillea that is among the most treasured flowers in the garden.

"It has beautiful flowers and is so easy to take care of," he says.

Plant lovers also incorporate copper leaf into their gardens. It comes in different colours, but Aldrin loves his green.

He buys his trees from all over the country, including Kitui, Mombasa, Karura and even Ngong. Some he gets from friends.

"When I come across a plant, I ask myself if it will do well here, then I come and try it. If we see it can survive, we give it more space," says Aldrin.

Among the plants that won the entrepreneur's heart and earned their place in the garden is the snake plant, also known as mother-in-law's tongue. The plant thrives in dry areas an Aldrin has hundreds of them.

What is a garden without a well-manicured lawn?

Zimbabwe grass carpets the garden. An aggressive creeper, it easily outcompetes weeds and pests and requires minimal watering and maintenance.

"I have tried many types of grass, including Kikuyu, but they have all failed," says Aldrin.

High-profile events

The privacy offered by the green wall of the garden has been a big selling point, attracting high-profile events.

While most businesses were forced to shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic, business was booming for the Last Village as people sought out open spaces. Many were eager to escape the confines of their homes by working remotely.

"Business was good for us because people wanted small, intimate outdoor spaces," says Aldrin.

The beautifully maintained grounds are a popular destination for events such as weddings.

Pain and loss

Aldrin's gardening journey has never been easy. He recalls the pain of losing trees which cost him thousands of shillings. In 2022, he says, the area only received rain twice.

"Out of every three trees you see, two have dried up. I have lost more trees than I have now. But we learned not to cry," he says.

He adds, "I felt so bad. But instead of giving up, we went on and found out why they dried up, and then we did the right thing. We learn as we go. I am happy to have something to show."

So, what does he do when the plants start to dry up?

"Plants have taught me that 'I'm just part of the cosmic calendar, I can't speed up the process of flowering," says Aldrin, whose love of a serene environment dates back to childhood.

"When they die, you just wait for them to get back to life. Give them a month or two to sprout,” he says.

He plans to add more plants to his garden, eventually creating a forest.

One thing Aldrin has learnt about gardening on an arid land?

"Plants have a cosmic calendar, there is a season for them to bloom, and it doesn't matter how much fertiliser you give them," he says.

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