In parts of Isiolo district there are still large areas of natural acacia woodland. However the rate at which the trees are being cut down and carted into the local towns suggests that won’t be the case for long. Every day bicycles, donkey carts and lorries, piled high with wood, make their way along the dirt tracks that connect the arid bush land with the urban centres. On a still evening the low angled sunlight picks out the smoke from countless charcoal burning mounds. Sometimes the sheer number of them covers the open plains with a low fog of smoke, which is an eerie sight in this super dry air. Such high rates of both firewood and charcoal use by the rapidly expanding population means that the native woodland is disappearing before our eyes. The knock on effect this has on the local flora and fauna is devastating. Ironically it’s not so good for the local people either. Now there is no shade to cool you in the middle of the baking hot day and the soil makes constant clouds of dust to sting the eyes as it blows unhindered from the ground. So enjoy the cool of the last acacia woods while you can.