My recent trip to Kenya confirmed that the country is "A Must Visit Destination in Africa", as a result of her friendly people, natural beauty, peaceful environment, incredible scenery and abundance of amazing wildlife.
Travelled on-board of Ethiopian Airlines en-route Addis Ababa to Nairobi and landed safely at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
I was amazed, thrilled and dazed with the small but mighty Jomo Kenyata Airport with the level of the technological advancement noticed on our arrival compared to the same old airport I passed through about 2 years ago.
During my short stay at the airport for my 'visa-on-arrival', the immigration officials are noticed to be calmed and very courteous in attending to all the incoming visitors and tourists.
No string attached, no sentiment and no racism, tourists and visitors simply filled the visa on arrival application form and on presentation to the Immigration officer with the $50 visa fee. Just a question, "How many days are you staying in Kenya? The immigration officer asked and I responded with enthusiasm, "10 days". In less than 2 minutes, my visa was affixed on my passport.
'KARIBU', the Swahili language came out of the Immigration officer with a smile, what a great way to welcome me into KENYA, the "agical tourism destination".
Arrived into the warm reception of the Kenya Tourism Board officials at the airport and straight to the prestigious SAROVA STANLEY HOTEL in the eyebrow area of Nairobi.
I flashed back quickly to my first experience at the hotel two years ago and was astonished that instead of noticing some little defect or depreciation, I was stunned with the adoring available facilities now on ground telling the story of high standard of maintenance culture and quality upgrading.
The 25minutes drive from airport to the hotel reveals Nairobi as a charming, cosmopolitan and prominent city with a National Park in its precincts.
Had an early breakfast in the restaurant as there was a scheduled flight with my colleagues from Canada, China, UAE, Uganda, South Korea and India to Amboselli for safari. The flight from the Wilson Airport, Nairobi operated by Safarilink on about an hour flight was indeed a smooth journey shading away my fear and tension of flying on smaller aircraft and landing in the safari airstrip.
A pleasant experience on the Safarilink aircraft, no turbulent, no cause for any technical itches or complains by the experienced pilot and co-pilot who was applauded on excellent way the aircraft landed on Amboseli Airstrip.
At the Amboselli Airstrip are the two safari SUV vehicles with two friendly drivers and tour guides, Hashim and Peter who conveyed us for our onward transfer to Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge on safari exploration of Amboseli National Park.
AMBOSELI SERENA SAFARI LODGE/ AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Our arrival and stay at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge which is located just out of the Amboseli National Park, with stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Amboseli Serena safari Lodge offers nature lovers a front-row view of elephants, hippos, buffalo, and other wildlife as they wallow in the nearby swamps, their only source of water in this legendary national park.
The architectural design of the building and the luxury en-suite rooms are accommodated in two-single stoned dedicated buildings which lie to the right and to the left. All the buildings are master piece to see, quite appealing and highly fascinating.
Shortly after the sumptuous lunch at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, I had the priviledge of meeting with some of the hosted buyers from various countries across the globe. I was surprised and glad to met Fifi Rurangwa, the former Country Manager - Nigeria of RwandAir among the hosted buyers also accommodated at same lodge.
The joy and excitement of the reunion generated a discussion on the game drive to the Amboseli National Park and the famous Elephant Conservation later in the evening.
The game drive to the Amboseli National Park that covers about 39,206 hectares in size at the core of 8,000 square kilometres ecosystem that spreads across the Kenya - Tanzania border is a camp to behold.
The park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close free-ranging elephants among other wildlife species as we moved with ease within the camp savouring the real nature and wildlife experience of various animals.
At Amboseli, it is not all about the wildlife animals alone, it is also a place to meet and interact with the Masai people and catch the spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
Amboseli has an endless underground water supply through thousands of feet volcanic rock from Kilimanjaro's ice cap, which funnel into two clear water springs in the heart of the park.
The visit to Amboseli will not be complete without a visit to the Elephant Conservation Project within the camp. Cynthia Moss is the director of the Amboseli Elephant Conservation project, she has studied elephants in Kenya's national park for over 40 years in the longest-running elephant research project in Africa.
Moss as the founder of the Amboseli Elephant Research project and like many others recognizes that dealing with ivory demand is crucial in the battle to save elephants. Amboseli Elephant's population is around 1,600. The Amboseli Elephant research project has established that it consists of 55 families.
GALDESSA CAMP LODGE/TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK
It was an adventurous 5 hours road trip from Amboseli to Tsavo East National Park for another exciting safari experience.
The driver and tour guide, Peter said, "Tsavo East National Park is fascinating and real. It is a place you reside with the animals".
Curious about the information from Peter, we arrived Tsavo East National Park and we were welcomed with cups of chilled watermelon fruit drink at "Galdessa", the camp we are to lodge for a night within the park.
Galdessa is an Italian-owned makuti-roofed lodge of 15 bandas, nestling under the doum palms in an isolated corner of Tsavo East National park. The magic of Galdessa is tangible.
The Galana River flows by, refreshing in the middle of Tsavo's heat and breeze ruffles the doum palms over the bandas. Galdessa camp is a remote place, off the beaten track, where peace wraps around you like a blanket.
The camp is divided into two separate entities, each with its own private lounge and dinning which can be reserved on exclusive use. Galdessa is overwhelming with spacious bandas offer accommodation, with ensuite bathrooms, solar electricity and running water.
Each bandas facing the river built on timber floor under a thatched roof, with a canvas front that opens into veranda during the day and zipped closed at night.
The peaceful setting, the beautiful riverine landscape and the serene contentment that accompanied a stay here is an experience to remember for life.
Tsavo East National Park is home to over 500 recorded species of bird life as well as most of the larger mammals, including Elephants, Lions, Rhino,Buffalo, Hippo and Crocodile.
The park is where Tsavo and Athi River confluence to form the 'Galana River'. Also, there is Lugard falls on Galana River where we are able to walk to the river to view the rapids.
At the Lugard falls, the Masai tribesmen demonstrated how they make fire by rotating a wood stick in a hole in a board with the aid of dried elephants dungs and grasses. It was simply amazing.
'CIAO' ITALIAN SAFARI ROUTE
Travelling from Tsavo East National Park to Watamu along the Mombasa route is a journey of about 6 hours.
The trip was so interesting, enduring and full of fun. There was a heavy downfall of rain as we embarked on the journey that make the road to be muddy and slippery. Thanks to our 4 wheel drive SUV with the auxiliary gear to surpass all the odds of getting stocked on the road.
What literally makes the journey to me more interesting is the way the inhabitants on the routes, both the old and especially the children despite the slight shower lines up on the road sides with joy written all over their faces beaming with smiles, waiving at us and shouting "Ciao".
Peter, our driver and tour guide hinted, "Ciao" is an Italian word meaning "hello" or "goodbye". He disclosed that the routes are commonly plied by the Italians on their way to Malindi, a favourite destination in Kenya to the Italians.
The inhabitants on the routes are so familiar with all the tourists and thought the only language understood by all tourists is the Italian language, irrespective of the colours".
MEDINA PALMS WATAMU/GEDI NATIONAL MONUMENTS FOREST
The 6 hours journey from Tsavo East National Park to Watamu could be energy sapping but the thrills, funs and roadside excitements did not give room to have any wrong feeling about the long trip.
Watamu is a small town located approximately 105km north of Mombasa and about 15km south of Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya.
Watamu is an eco-tourist's dream, lined with sandy white beaches and various appealing hotels as one drive round the small town.
Set on one of the world"s top 10 beaches, Watamu has long been favoured as an exclusive holiday destination.
Finally, we checked into Medina Palms Hotel in Watamu, the stunning accommodation sets a new benchmark for luxury and I can easily say Medina Palms is a place to have a "taste of paradise".
Medina Palms is designed to re-define the holiday experience with an all ensuite hospitality destination inspired by the architecture of the ancient seafarers who visited this coastline.
Medina Palms offers a personalized holiday experience with all suite accommodation within luxury penthouses and villas. Set within tropical gardens with mature indigenous trees, Medina Palms has four swimming pools with interconnecting water channels, cascades and waterfalls.
As we set out of the prestigious Medina Palms the following morning, the beauty and memory of my luxurious apartment was clearly on my mind as we proceeded on the journey from Watamu to our final destination, Diani which is the venue of the 5th Magical Kenya Travel Expo holding outside Nairobi for the first time.
As we are about driving out of Watamu, we branched at Gedi National Monuments Forest and popularly known as Gedi Snakes Park under the auspices of National Museums of Kenya. The museum have its slogan as "Where heritage age lives on".
Gedi is a 12th century town which was established by the Swahili people. During its high peak time of occupation, it had a population of about 3000 people.
This was disclosed by our host and museum guide, Mr. Alphas Randu while conducting us round the forest and the museum.The name Gedi is a Galla or ormo word meaning 'precious' and is also used as a personal name.
Gedi National Monument's forest is very rich in flora and fauna. The natural forest at gedi consists of over 100 indigenous trees. "Gedi's forest is also an important environment for different animals", Randu added.
The relic of the "Great Mosque" believed to have been built in 1550AD and The Great Palace was showed to us.
Randu hinted, "the town was surrounded by two protective walls, the inner wall which had a height of seven feet and outer one with a height of nine feet. The inhabitants of Gedi are known to be involved in various trading activities both locally and internationally".
This factor was supported by archeological finds which are displayed and showed to us in the museum.
Our last point of call, the Gedi Reptiles Rescue Park, an integrated entity of the National Museums of Kenya, targeting at providing awareness and education to the public and in particular the young generation with the phobia of snakes and amphibians was an avenue for us to be educated on various type of snakes.
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