Writer

Waithera Mbuthia

You have heard about it maybe or maybe not. The Rhino Charge; an annual off-road 4×4 competition held in Kenya that raises funds to support the activities of the&nbsp;<a href="http://rhinoark.org/">Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust</a>. It is a one-day off-road event that involves a maximum of sixty-five competitors (65). They are required to visit thirteen checkpoints that are scattered over a rough terrain of approximately 100 square kilometers, within a ten-hour period. Armed with a map, each team decides which route to follow, and the winner is the competitor who gets back to the starting point after having visited all the other checkpoints in the shortest distance. The distance is measured using a Distance Measuring Device(DMD), which is supplied by the officials.&nbsp;It is an exciting competition and requires bravery and a high level of off-rad skill for navigation.&nbsp;The event was first held in 1989 on 2nd February. It was started by the Rhino Ark, a charitable trust registered in Kenya, UK, and the USA.&nbsp; The trust was founded in 1988 in response to the crisis facing Kenya’s Black Rhino population in the Aberdares ecosystem. The Rhino, for a long time, have been under threat from poaching due to their valuable horn. There was also the human-wildlife conflict, where animals were crossing into farms and destroying crops, creating fear and bringing loss of lives and revenue. Rhino Ark was to assist Kenya Wildlife Service to build a protective fence around the area with the highest concentration of wildlife in the Aberdares.&nbsp; The idea subsequently evolved into a more ambitious task of fencing the entire Aberdares conservation area with a game-proof fence.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1656443207/2_97e9b0cf97.jpg" alt=""></figure>The fence, which is strong enough to resist animal pressure, is powered by electricity to keep wildlife within and to curb poaching and illegal logging. Its construction started in 1989 and was completed in August 2009. It was commissioned by the late former president Mwai Kibaki. Over the years, the trust has evolved to seeking sustainable, long-term solutions to challenges facing mountain eco-systems.&nbsp; In 2010, Rhino Ark announced its formal commitment to supporting the conservation of other mountain forest ecosystems. The initial areas of focus are Mount Kenya and Mau Mount Eburu.This is where the Rhino Charge comes in. The event's cause is to fundraise funds for the cause of forest ecosystems conservation. So far, a total of 1.6 billion Kenyan shillings has been raised, with this year’s amount being Kenyan shillings 156 million. The first Rhino charge event raised only an amount of Kenyan shillings two hundred and fifty thousand, (250,000). These figures have increased tremendously over the years, with the highest amount raised in 2018. The amount was Kenyan shillings 181 million. Last year, an amount of Kshs 140 million was raised. All these funds go to the various eco-system support projects by Rhino Ark charitable trust, including funds raised this year. The event is organized by a main committee, and supported by various sub-committees, composed of Rhino Ark staff and many volunteers who bring a variety of expertise to the event.This year’s edition was the 33rd, and it was held in Mosiro, Kajiado County.&nbsp;The location is usually kept a secret, until the last few days to the event.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1656443299/hh_2aa23ad6ea.jpg" alt=""></figure>TicketsThe tickets are usually sold in an online platform. This includes paying for vehicle entrance and accommodation. There are different charges for vehicles depending on the vehicle capacity. The accommodation also varied depending on the number of nights, and whether it is self-camping. The choices are available on the online platform. There are designated camping areas for spectators, and there are rules and regulations governing these areas.Due to the growing popularity of the event, which puts the host community and their land under increasing environmental pressure, tickets were introduced in 2015. Anyone who wants to go to the event must now purchase a ticket. This has helped in matters of comfort, security, and administration of the event. The measures have also ensured environmental friendliness.&nbsp;Each competitor has to raise some money to qualify for the race. There is a minimum amount set for competitors, and it is paid on a first-come, first-served basis. These funds go to the Rhino Ark. The money raised by spectator vehicle entrance which is known as Land Owners Access fee goes to the community, for community development and not for individual use. The land owners usually sign a memorandum of understanding with the Rhino Ark committee.Benefits<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1656443405/Whats_App_Image_2022_06_28_at_7_18_44_PM_ee39333510.jpg" alt=""><figcaption>Local community leaders receiving a cheque of over Kshs 5 million raised from car entrance fees.</figcaption></figure>Apart from the funds raised going to the conservation of Kenya’s water towers’ the communities also benefit from the land access fees.&nbsp; They are also encouraged to sell their merchandise at the entrance gates. Patrons also buy goats and sheep from the local communities.&nbsp;Winners<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1656443482/PK_0ab761e91e.jpg" alt=""><figcaption>Peter Kinyua of car no. 23. The leading fundraiser for the second year running.</figcaption></figure>There are various categories of winners, based on the distance of vehicles and also the funds raised. For the second year running, The overall winner was car number 38 entered by Sean Avery (Bundifundi), followed by Car number 22 entered by Gray Cullen (The smiling shenzis). Car number 5 by Phillip Walton (Team 5) was in third place. This year’s charge attracted fifty-four participants out of the potential sixty-five.&nbsp;The highest fundraiser was Peter Kinyua (Car number 23), who secured Kshs 39,517,947 up from last year’s figure of Kshs 36,243,250. The second position was taken by Adil Khawaja, Car number 44, with Kshs 21,733,677 up from&nbsp; Kshs 21,361,001 last year. Third position was Stanley Kinyanjui, Car number 62, with Kshs 10,840,000.Kinyua’s Car number 23 won the Victor Ludorum award, which rewards participants for distance and funds raised. He was followed by Phillip Walton’s Car number5 and Mark Glen’s Car number 48 in second and third positions respectively.&nbsp;The modified car category was won by Sean Avery, car 38, followed by Gray Cullen, Car number 22. Phillip Walton’s Car number 5 came in third. The Unmodified class category was won by John Bowden, Car number 9, followed by Salim Walimohamed’s Car number 10. Car number 19 entered by Petra Somen was in third place.Funds UsageAs known now, all the funds go to promote water tower conservation. The Rhino Ark charitable trust has built 232km of electric fence on Mt. Kenya, and 34km of a low fence with outriggers. With the funds raised this year, they hope to complete the 300km mark of the fence by this year. There have also been a lot of wildfires in recent times in the Aberdares, Mt. Kenya, and Eburu forests. The funds also go towards combating this. They are also doing fire breaks as of last year, to help mitigate this.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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All You Need to Know About Rhino Charge 

Contributor

Hannah Randa

Feeling lethargic or a little stressed? You’re not alone. As we observe the last week of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are encouraged to prioritize both our physical and mental wellbeing. A timely reminder as we live through a growing mental health crisis that has been exacerbated since the onset of the pandemic.Everyday Nakhulo Khaimia – Marketing Manager, gives her mind an extra boost. We're not referring to tossing back multiple strong shots of espresso or playing one of those brain-training games found in plentiful apps.&nbsp;"Nothing can fix a bad mood quite like getting my leg over a saddle from time to time.” says Nakhulo"When I get to the office, my brain is at peak activity for a few hours." After her mental focus sputters to a halt later in the day, she utilizes the lunch break with another short spin to run errands or catch a breeze. “It jump-starts my brain especially when I'm working on something and it's not coming out the way I want it.” she adds.Right now is a magical time to be outside; so when it comes to picking an outdoor activity, there are of course plenty of options out in there to weigh up. However, should you pick cycling, here’s why we think you’ll be doing your mind some serious good:Proven Stress RelieverIn a fast pacing world, we often find ourselves fighting off day-to-day stress or combating symptoms of an ongoing condition.&nbsp;<a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/6/e013542">Researched studies</a> show that people who ride bikes daily are more content with their lives than individuals who haven’t biked since becoming an adult. “A 30-minute bout of daily cycling usually eases any feelings of stress from my daily hustle and brings me to a place where I’m more positive and motivated as it gives me time to reflect on the day ahead and time to unwind in the evening.” says Nakhulo. Being a cardiovascular exercise, it promotes the release of endorphins into the system which helps lowers the stress levels. “Pumping some hyped-up music or motivational pep talks, definitely creates a vibe which does wonders for my mood, reduces fatigue and leaves me feeling more positive about the day.” she adds.&nbsp;Keeps you Cognitively Sharp and Improves MemoryOur cognitive abilities tend to decline as we age. Hopping on a bike to explore different routes and terrains is one way of challenging your mind to experience the combining effect of constantly being alert to monitor your environment while pedaling. All this in addition to listening to podcasts or audiobooks. The intensity forces the nerve cells inside your brain to fire up thus improving your ability to learn and remember things faster. Nakhulo says, “Sure, you can multitask with other forms of exercises, but for me cycling has improved my reaction time to challenging situations, memory and creative thinking.”<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653666684/bike_2_e1e9a56319.jpg" alt=""></figure>Combats Anxiety and improves Mental ResilienceCycling can intensely build you mental strength as it has also been found to reduce anxiety and depression. It helps keep hormones like cortisol and adrenaline in check, which enabling one to bounce back from anxiety-filled situations more easily. “Although cycling is a low-impact aerobic exercise, doing it every day has the power to make one consider their life happier, potentially preventing anxiousness from developing into full-blown panic attacks or disorders. Once I cover a good set of kilometers, it’s easy to tell myself: Oh, man, any obstacles I face today is nothing compared to that butt kicking I just gave myself”, says Nakhulo.Grows your Social Circle and Boosts Confidence<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653666751/bike_3_b0b81c9b82.jpg" alt=""><figcaption>Nakhulo and other members of a cycling club called Pedalwise</figcaption></figure>When it comes to riding a bike, you have the choice between going solo or making it a social activity. All that newfound network could result in a strong support system and newfound confidence.&nbsp;“I meet a lot of people when cycling. As a marketer by profession, it gives me the chance to showcase products that I market at the same time get feedback on the brand that I represent. For example, I work at Huawei so when cycling, I bring a Huauwei smartwatch and get to share its experience with my cycling buddies. I also get an opportunity to talk about other products such as weighing scales, free buds, speakers etc. that are relevant for the outdoors. So it becomes a win-win situation as I get to boost my confidence in networking and overall performance at work.” says Nakhulo.It’s a Peaceful Escape that Gets you out in the open&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653666857/bike_4_1c0a84b9e9.jpg" alt=""><figcaption>Nakhulo poses during the 2021 KiliMarathon in Moshi, Tanzania</figcaption></figure>Forget dragging yourself to the gym. Cycling can be easily woven into your daily routine without disrupting your plans. Also, while all exercise is good, doing it out in nature gives you the bonus of feeling energised, revitalized and optimistic in a way that bouncing around a gym can’t. So why not ditch the gym and get out on your bike to soak up some sunshine, scenery and peaceful vibes!“Repetitively riding a bike can be a very meditative experience. You enter this peaceful state, and just get away from all that's going on in the world today,” says Nakhulo. “During the pandemic, I got to discover some of the most beautiful sites within and outside the country. Through Pedalwise Cycling Club, we even challenged ourselves and participated in KiliMarathon which made me realize that I can always push myself to the next level,” she addsOf course, no type of exercise can replace professional treatment for mental health conditions, but research does seem to suggest a solid psychological benefit to it. Besides the physical health benefits of cycling, we should also appreciate its mental health benefits.&nbsp;

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Cycling is Great for the Mind: Here’s Why

Guest Writer

Ndugu Abisai

The Kenya Defence Forces in conjunction with the Aero Club is set to stage a spectacular display of aerial stunts at the newly rebuilt Uhuru Gardens along Lang’ata Road in Nairobi. The one-day festival will take place on Saturday, May 28, 2022, and will be one it’s kind in the region. Traditionally, military airshows in the country are only held on national holidays and are just a brief portray of a few stunts. If you have heard uproarious noises dotting the Nairobi skyline over the past one month, this has been the participants preparing for the festivals.Airshows are common practice in some parts of the world and are considered as visual displays of the pride and professionalism of a country’s military. Specifically, its air force regimens. The most famous being the US Navy’s Air Shows held every year and witnessed by a record 11 million people.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653666164/kdf_1_ad7f2b53f0.png" alt=""></figure>The Air Show led by the Kenya Air Force will display both military and civilian aerobatic skills, dexterity and flamboyance aimed at engaging and entertaining the public. Common stunts to expect on this display will be high-speed Sneak Pass, Diamond 360 maneuver, The Loop, Cuban, The Barrel Roll, The Running break among others. If these stunt terms are unfamiliar, worry not because they will announce every stunt name on display. A perfect chance for you to learn military terms. Also, of interest to watch will be KWS’s show on how they take well to the challenges presented by poaching and how they combat them. There will also be displays of firefighting and air rescue and evacuation simulations.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653666205/KDF_2_44cefd3ab0.png" alt=""></figure>“You are all invited to witness this spectacular show of scintillating aerobatics by Kenya Air Force jets and extreme maneuvers by a variety of helicopters in their inventory. The Kenya Wildlife Services will also display anti-poaching drills.” Read the statement sent to newsrooms from the Ministry of Defence’s communications department.&nbsp;The festivals will be held just a few days to the commemoration of the country’s 59th Madaraka Day which will also be held at Uhuru Gardens. The venue has been undergoing renovations to transform it into a modern National Museum of History dubbed The Mashujaa Museum, a shopping complex a business complex, a recreational facility, and hotel for use by the public. On a recent tour of the premises, the Ministry of Interior Permanent Secretary said, “As you can see, all the infrastructure is complete and I can proudly say we are 90 per cent ready with little work left to give character to these celebrations three weeks to the event.’’The festival is open to the general public and will be free of charge. The grounds can sit upwards of 30,000 people and members of the public are encouraged to go and enjoy the show. It will also be an opportunity for the public to get close to the forces that command great deference and servility and whose operations are tight fists secrets. Consider this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.&nbsp;Other participants will include Phoenix Aviation, Cessna Sovereign, Kenya Airways, Embraer 190 fly-past, Farmland Aviation firefighting display, and aerobatics by Mark Hensman from South Africa among others.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Museum Air Show Festival

For the ramblers, the outdoorsmen, the primal thing about their outdoor experience is twofold, exclusivity and satisfaction. Because everybody has a list of things they want to do when they get out. Either to travel, to picnic or just to bathe under the sun.&nbsp; The best way to enjoy the outdoor is to do it with a hint of monopoly—exclusivity and the best way to measure the value of that is by checking how best you were satisfied.&nbsp;Ironically, these two are also the greatest hindrances to going out. The cost that comes with enjoying them is many times restrictive. Or if we want to sound more serious, punitive. We have in the past, given tips on how to plan for your outdoors, what activities to do while outdooring, where to go, new places we have discovered, and how to keep your groove on in the face of many other alternatives in the offing. And by now the details are up to your ears. The baseline of all these will be the resource factor. When one is planning for the outdoors with a budget that fits their hand like a glove it is easy to miss the places, the fun and the chances to explore. Everything costs the price of aged wine. Expensive.&nbsp;We have a little secret. Pull your stool closer. You can have all the experiences you want to have if you are keen enough to look at the timing of your plan. Circle your activities around the times that fit your budget without removing anything from your expectation. Remember, the goal is to maximize your experience without forming a small crater in your pockets. Don’t forget the other goals, exclusivity, and satisfaction. Here are a few secrets to consider.&nbsp;Fix your plans in the low season.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653531893/bi_cfa02641f8.png" alt=""></figure>Understand industry season. Every industry has a low and high season. For the travelers, the months after January all the way to July are the slowest in the industry. Travelers barely make plans during this period. This is to say that all hotels and facilities in the industry are experiencing low traffic and therefore they might institute reduced prices for trips, accommodation and other services. Some will have as much as half the prices reduced. For the budget traveler this is the best time to fix your traveling plans. The experience will be the same, the prices won’t and that is what you want. For other outdoor activities like picnics and barbeques, the months at the end of the year are the busiest, and the prices are hiked as the demand demands. Finding a place within your budget might be hard. And if you do, your expectations might not be met. The low seasons will also offer to you the exclusivity that you yearn for. As the fewer the users of a facility the better your chances are at fully enjoying it.&nbsp;Take Advantage of Discounts&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653531945/disc_7f0373d51f.png" alt=""></figure>Everybody knows, discounts are life savors (and money savors too). Travel agents, hotels, parks and many outdoor facilities are currently on a discount craze. Again, this is tied to our first tip up there, low industry season. The slow traffic necessitates the introduction of discounted rates. Some hotels will offer a night for free; some will lower their accommodation rates; others will combine activities that are pay worthy into your packages to attract customers during the season. &nbsp;However, there are facilities that institute discounts even when the traffic is high as a way of earning loyalty from clients or encouraging more people to use their facilities. If you want to go out in that lean budget, keep your eyes on the discount seasons that spread across many industry players. If you can get a discount, say on travel, and another on accommodation and site visit, this will leave you with some extra money to spend on some other things. And that will up your scale of satisfaction.&nbsp;Look out for new places&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653532046/new_e9a930e6ed.jpg" alt=""></figure>New facilities always set up “baits” to attract clients. If a new place is opening, they will be keen on having numbers their way. Say a picnic facility is opening, they may offer free picnicking experience for guests hoping the guests will carry on the message to other potential clients. A new hotels may also offer free meals to guests that take up their accommodation packages. Always be on the look out on what extras new places are offering. They have a subtle way of inviting you to enjoy their facility and this might be a good time to enjoy the exclusivity of their newness at their pocket friendly introductory rates.Loyalty cards season.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653532121/lc_de0a517e96.jpg" alt=""></figure>Everyone has those ones these days. Airlines, hotels, restaurants etc. They keep you loyal to their brand whenever you go. These cards will earn you points that you can either redeem for cash or a service. The service providers always use these two ways, encourage users to redeem their points or offer exclusive services to card holders. If you are that card holder, why not jump in on it and enjoy what the fruits of your hard-earned labor—or card? How good would be it to travel to say, another country using the points in your card and zero of your money?&nbsp;Cost-sharing&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653532218/cs_287460fbc7.png" alt=""></figure>If in your circles there are people planning on outdoor activities that may interest you, consider joining them. It is one of the cheapest ways of doing anything—cost sharing.&nbsp;If you want to travel for example on a hired track, doing it alone might be cost restrictive. As you funs the trip alone. When you have a few more people chip in, the cost significantly reduces without you having to give up on the fun you want to experience because of cost implications. Always be on the look out for such. You will stick to a budget and enjoy your outdoors!&nbsp;The lean-budget outdoor person doesn’t have to shelve their desire to outdoor because of price restrictions. These are just but a few ways of keep you in the road but still on your lane (budget wise).Do not let your budget determine your outdoor experience.&nbsp;

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The Best Time to Outdoor on a Lean Budget

There is no irony in its name. Everything at the camp is rapid. Fast. Rapids Camp Sagana should be every outdoor lover’s choice destination. Especially winter kicks in Kenya. I know we are not used to saying winter and Kenya in the same sentence but, July is coming and therefore winter is coming. With all the wintry hibernation that is about to meet us in a month’s time, June should give you itchy feet to get out and experience the sun and fun. And your thirst for adventure should end up at Rapids. Whether you walk in and out or reside for a few days, the camp will have to pluck you from the dour of the midyear boredom and add a little fan to your life ahead of the wintry days ahead.&nbsp;Camping<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653530955/Camping_6bbc8a4e25.jpg" alt=""></figure>Sleeping under a canvas has been many people’s childhood dreams. The adventure we hope, is rewarding. There is a place where your fear and wont for thrill meet, and that place is in a tented camp. Although the camp is a protected area, and you may not encounter wild animals or aliens—if you believe they exist—there is always a ‘what if’ when one goes camping. Camping is akin to separating yourself from danger behind the veil of a curtain. And I think that is where the fun is. The lantern lamp lighting outside the tent help is accentuating the ‘jungelness’ of the camp. Because what is camping with the feeling that you are beating a jungle fearlessly so?Water rafting&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653530997/magical_466d4ac8d4.jpg" alt=""></figure>A life jacket, a helmet, a paddle, an inflated boat, raging water and willingness to do something extreme. That is how best we can describe this activity. It is the resident fame in this camp and their best seller. An endurance testing duel that will have you biting your nails in anxiety after you get to shore because you can’t be biting your nails while holding a paddle. Can you? It could be the longest 12 kilometers of anything you do in your life, but maybe the most exciting.&nbsp;Water Gliding&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653531081/Gliding_f6ac3281ce.png" alt=""></figure>A natural glide that empties into a whirlpool of orbiting water that centrifuges you a number of times before spitting you into the waiting Sagana River. This section has grade 3 rapids. The giddiness that follows the spin is the feather that is added to the cap of experience. It is like living your childhood spinny games all over again. And if you are asking how safe you will be, before you plunge into it, you must have a safety jacket on to keep you buoyant and floating.&nbsp;Abseiling.You will be falling parallel to the waterfalls—albeit at different speeds. The idea is like rock climbing but on an opposite direction. They fasted holds on you to control movement and for safety in case of any misstep. It is chilling quite literally because of the cold from the humidity around the falls. Also, at the same place you could try rock climbing if your mantra in life is to always go up and never descending. The Colorado attractions at the camp is a trail of canyon like structures that will bring the Colorado attractions in America close to you.&nbsp;Waterfall Plunging<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653531396/plunging_min_ba21caa5d5.png" alt=""></figure>A fancy way of saying, on your marks, get set, jump! This is a free fall into the base of the falls 40 feet under. The plunge is an extreme especially to people that say they are afraid of heights. It is also a good chance for you to have your squad cheer you and take photos and videos of you midair. If you want to push your limits proper, thus should be something you want to do.&nbsp;Ziplining<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653531451/zip_141934a914.jpg" alt=""></figure>This is one of the longest ziplines in the country and the only one over a waterfall. A walk-on-the-water type of feeling, the zipline will have you cruise over the roaring waterfalls and the raging water on the rapids. Your screams and shouts will be muzzled by the noise. This will have you subdued even for just a moment. The facility has a kids' zipline adding to the reasons you need to go there.&nbsp;Bungee Jumping<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653531591/buge_ff9b1e07f8.png" alt=""></figure>If up to this point you haven’t seen an activity that will raise your hair and plant goosebumps on your skin, this should be it. Climbing a 60-meter structure and jump. For context, 100 meters is ¼ of an Olympic size running track. So, 60 meters should be in the province of a third. I think there is no better definition for a leap of faith than this. To jump off the edge of a cage harnessed only to a rope and your faith that your will not headbutt the ground.&nbsp;PicnicsWhat is the outdoors without picnics? Whether you want to sit on the grass or the canopied tables of on the rocks. The Rapids Camp has plenty of picnic spots that you can explore. And to make your work easier, the restaurant on the premise will serve you delectable food that will better your camping experience. You don’t have to carry food with you. After all, aren’t we in agreement that you are going to maximize your time at the camp? Don’t waste some of it in preparing food for the picnic.&nbsp;MoonwalkThis has nothing to do with the famed Michael Jackson dance style. At night the sky over the camp opens into the grandeur of telestial awesomeness. The facility offers pre-arranged night walks under the lit sky. Nature in all its splendor will be at display here as you get to hear nightly animal coo and call out into the night.&nbsp;What more would you want after a long adventurous day if not to venture out into the jungle and experience its mystery of it?&nbsp;Sagana Rapids Camp is your off-the-beaten-track destination for these and more of your outdoor experiences. The best times to visit Sagan is between April and June and the end of the year (November-December) as the water levels are high and therefore the water-based activities will be more fun. For any&nbsp;outdoor lover, Rapids Camp is a must-visit.

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Magical Sagana: All Outdoors Under One Sky

Soon we will have thawed on half the year 2022. A good time to reflect on your travel and outdoor bucket list that you put together when the year began. For the beginners, we had assembled a bit by bit easy-to-do guide on travel and the outdoors when the year started. Read it <a href="https://thepicnicsite.co.ke/2022-travel-guide-for-beginners">here</a>. It is likely that life got busy, and the bucket list has been gathering dust for months. That is why we are posing a better challenge, globe trotting but on a smaller scale. A trip around the East African Community. You might have read the story of <a href="https://thepicnicsite.co.ke/how-to-plan-and-go-on-a-continental-tour-a-lesson-from-a-french-couple">this French couple</a> that has embarked on Africa’s mainland continental tour&nbsp; from Morocco to Cape Town to Alexandria&nbsp; in Egypt. Or the Nanyuki based <a href="https://thepicnicsite.co.ke/from-kenya-to-south-africa-in-a-tuktuk">expats </a>taking the mainland Africa by a storm in Tuktuks. Taking on such a grand trip requires great planning, resources, time and a huge deal of willingness.&nbsp; But beyond these, there is always what you will take home with you. The memories. These are created through the people you will meet, the places you will visit and the activities you will take on. So, beyond the resources and time, what is your why? Enjoyment that crystalizes into long lasting memories. Yes? Before you embark on this trip, we have a few suggestions to help you brainstorm.&nbsp;For the Adventure Seeker<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653529685/Rwenzori_min_092605663a.png" alt=""><figcaption>Part of Mt. Rwenzori Uganda</figcaption></figure>If you feel like tackling the highest peak in Africa should be on your bucket list, try the Kilimanjaro. This cross-border odyssey is humbling and energy usurping, if you make it to the Kibo peak, you could simply brag to be the highest person at that point in time in the continent. If mountain climbing is new to you, it would be good for you to start on a lower target either on the Kilimanjaro or other peaks that East Africa offers. Rwenzori in Uganda or cross over to the land of a thousand hill—Rwanda and take on a less demanding challenge like the Nyiragongo,&nbsp; Bisoke both in Rwanda and partly the DRC . Or Mt. Elgon in KenyaFor the Beach Lover&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653529742/Beach_min_53e3183518.png" alt=""></figure>The Kenyan and Tanzania Coasts are a resident fame. Kenya has a stretch of 1450Kms of coastline. Tanzania has a 1424Km long coastline. This gives you a lengthy pool of choices to sample. From public beaches for the budget traveler to the private beaches along these two coastlines, you will find some of the world’s most pristine beach facilities you did not know existed. Zanzibar is a tourist favorite. The culture, the sun and the sand are eternal, and the experience will be unforgettable. The Lamu Archipelago is another attraction you should include in your regional tour bucket list. And now, how about you sample the Atlantic Ocean from the Congo. The country has a relatively small coastline (about 40KM). But do you need more than 40Km to enjoy a beach?For the History Lover<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653529781/History_min_be43b84787.png" alt=""><figcaption>Aerial view of the Gbadolite Palace ruins</figcaption></figure>Start your journey where it all began. Turkana Kenya. Where fossils of the Turkana Boy, also called Nariokotome Boy, were discovered. Down south, the Kariandusi pre-historic site would be another of your favorite picks. In the Neighboring Uganda, the Kasubi tombs would be a good place to check out. The tombs are the burial ground of four Kabakas (Kings of the Baganda Kingdom). The Namugongo martyr shrines is also a must see in the country. Down south, the grim relic of the sordid East African Slave trade will pop its ugly head in the slave holding cells of Zanzibar. And the regional historical tour can’t be written without mentioning the genocide in Rwanda. Therefore, visiting the site for the commemoration of the death of nearly 1 million Rwandese Citizens is a top of the list things to do. While in Congo, visit the ruins of the former strongman Mobotu’s palace in Gbadolite. The ruins were once a masterpiece of architecture and is interesting to see the excess humans can get to achieve luxury.&nbsp;For Road Trip Lovers<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653529854/RT_min_f265c811a0.png" alt=""></figure>This should the easiest of plans. There are buses that travel across East African Community cities. Nairobi to Dar e Salaam, Kigali to Kampala, Kampala to Nairobi, Nairobi to Juba etc. That is if you are using public means. The roads are similar if you elect to use private means. For some trips you will be on the road for more than 24 hours it is tiring, but for a seeker of adventure this is cakewalk. Although not common in this part f the world, RV’s come in handy for such trips. You don’t have to go one continuous journey. You could break, camp or convert your vehicle into your temporary house. However, check with local authorities on the legal and security implications of the same.&nbsp;For Animal Lovers<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653529940/animal_min_994d304d5e.png" alt=""><figcaption>The endangered Okapi in Congo</figcaption></figure>Would seeing a gorilla in its most natural habitat excite you? Or spotting the stripped hyena in the Serengeti? The community’s member countries are sanctuaries to some of the rarest species in the world that might only survive in this lifetime. Whether it is the white rhino in Kenya, the Grauer’s Gorilla and the Okapi in Congo and many more across the region. There are other species of animals that aren’t endangered are spread across the national parks, reserves and conservancies in all the countries. Don’t limit yourself to only the parks that you have read about in books and social media. Explore.&nbsp;For Music Lovers<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653530053/music_min_fd55ff30ba.png" alt=""><figcaption>A Music Concert in Zanzibar</figcaption></figure>For this, we will focus on two nations in the EAC, Tanzania and Congo. Tanzania because the country has an age-old, world-famous genre of music decorated in heavy Swahili culture—Taarab. If you crave for good Taarab music, mainland Tanzania and the island Zanzibar are your best choices. For Rhumba afficionados, Congo is the capital city of your musical love. Who says you can’t travel to listen to the best version of your favorite music, done by the best people that can do it? It is common for cities in these countries to hold music extravaganzas like the annual Sauti za Busara Music festival in Znazibar.&nbsp;The community has grown so should your scope of travel. Go and see the world.

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Travelling Across East Africa

Karen is sublime. That is a general consensus. From a casual inspection, you’d think that the only things in Karen are the palatial homes that dot either side of the many tiny two-lane roads. It is silent. And for a long time, it has pulled itself away from the hubbub that is the city center only that, it remains prevalently quiet—for a place that has so many great outdoor spaces in Nairobi—but I think it is intentional. To guard its sacred and most salient commodity. Serenity. Crowds have a way of watering down a good thing. It, therefore, is little wonder that most of these outdoor spaces in Karen are largely undiscovered. They rarely are top of the list places people mention they know or will want to visit at some point. To start with, the roads are as old as time. Thin, potholed, at times dusty and unmarked. But let that not deceive you. There are havens where the dirt ends. Chilled out places that will invite you to see the other side of the affluent neighborhood that is rarely talked about. What’s good is that some have very reasonable rates. And you will be amazed that the only thing that has kept you away from them, is that you didn’t know they exist. &nbsp;Let’s sample a few.Boho Eatery<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653528430/Picture1_min_a5c7e5301f.png" alt=""><figcaption>Boho Cocktail Bar by evening</figcaption></figure>This is the classic case of, “if you know you know.” They don’t have elaborate pronouncement on the road. Not a single signage will point you to where they are located. They are domiciled at Hardy in Karen off Ndovu close in a gated community. When you get to Boho, you understand why they rarely announce their presence. The space offers boutique outdoor dining, with a large selection of continental food and drinks with a very local touch. The place is artsy, shy and intimate. Unless you live in the neighborhood, it is not a place you walk into. It is a bit far from the main drag of the neighborhood. They have a well-stocked bar for all your wines and other beverages. Outdoor sitting space is ideal for weekend brunches as it is canopied by indigenous trees and lets in the right amount of sunshine. The menu is 80% vegan, but meat dishes are available on request. The furniture is largely rustic with a combination of flowers and potted plants. They serve in medieval dinnerware which compliments their artistic idea of the place. The house music is selection of slow placed music that cements the intended mood of the surrounding. Nothing fancy or noisy. Here, the only noise that will bother you are the birds, a crow here and a coo there. Boho is a good score when you are looking for a hibernation spot. Calling prior to the visit is advisable as they close early on slow days.&nbsp;Asmara Karen<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653528524/Picture2_min_9f77b580d7.png" alt=""></figure>They repurposed a home to a restaurant, and I think that is stroke of genius. It is a bar and a restaurant without shouting much that it is a bar and restaurant. It has cozy couches, homely dining tables and décor that emphasizes on its homeliness. The beauty of this space is its easy of accessibility and the ambience it comes with. The outdoor sitting space is not as big but is very functional. The poolside has been repurposed into a dining area using canopy umbrellas and outdoor lighting for evening dining. The menu is Eritrean—which is majorly meat based. It is a family friendly place and another good chill spot for when you just want to be out a do nothing. The garden is ideal for your picnic needs, small parties and meetups. Asmara has a bouncy castle and a play area for the kids. The food is amazing, and the bar is well stocked. &nbsp;It also affords you a good chance to learn some Eritrean culture, a bit of their language, check out their art and enjoy their music.&nbsp;The Escape Room<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653528659/Escape_min_5e786af9d7.png" alt=""></figure>Ideal for when there is energy and psyche dripping from you like sweat. Like many escape rooms in other places in the world, the one in Karen has a long list of exciting games; paintballing, jailhouse, secret gallery, inventor’s workshop and many others. The idea here is to gather your tribe and get them to play these games with you. The thrill is in the challenges and their conquest. This space is also good for teambuilding, school reunions or colleague outings—if you are into those types of things. Beyond the games, there is restaurant—Talisman restaurant—a kids play area and an outdoor space that you can request to repurpose to suit your needs.&nbsp;Karen Blixen Coffee Garden and Cottage<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653528806/hn_min_97929c2e87.png" alt=""></figure>Part of the places that gave the neighborhood its name. Named after the matriarch Karen Blixen, author and poet of the 1900s, it is just a walk away from the Karen Blixen Museum, a centerpiece of historical artefacts from a century ago.&nbsp; A perfect spot for a great afternoon pick-me-up date or weekend hideout. They offer accommodation and dining services as well as garden facilities. Like the other places, tranquility is the greatest selling point. Of course, there is exceptionally good food and beverage service. But they will sell to you, serenity better than they will sell any other thing.&nbsp;Polka Dot Art Gallery<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1653528935/polka_min_a49618ffd0.png" alt=""></figure>For art enthusiast this the vibe. This is the place. It offers you a chance to immerse yourself into contemporary arts. It is showpiece for masterpieces predominantly East African. It is a place you want to visit when you feel like piquing the human creative mind and exploring its limits and boundaries. The gallery has regular exhibitions that you could loop in either as an exhibitor, an observer or an art buyer. It is as silent as the other places and nothing about it would kick any dust.&nbsp;Karen is the capital’s capital for cool places. Only that, they don’t scream their coolness to everyone.&nbsp;Sample some of them and experience this Nairobi cool that is rare.

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Karen: Nairobi’s Capital of Cool Outdoor Places

Sharon Gwada

James Kagambi (KG) will no longer be referred to as the retired teacher because he has gained himself a new title. The 62-year-old has realized his dream and became the first native Kenyan to summit the world’s tallest mountain.&nbsp;But that is not the only history that was made on the morning of 12th&nbsp;last Thursday. The successful climb by the all-black team, dubbed Full Circle Everest, pens a new chapter into the 60-year old history of the world’s highest peak as it was the first all-black team to summit the mountain.According to the Full Circle website, the racial makeup of Everest mountaineers inspired the climb. They also want to inspire people of colour who are the next generation of mountaineers, leaders, educators and outdoor enthusiasts to continue chasing their personal summits.In an&nbsp;<a href="https://thepicnicsite.co.ke/gratification-or-death-wish-king-of-the-mountain-aims-for-mount-everest">interview</a> before the expedition, KG had stated that the fact that not everyone who went up there came back alive didn’t scare him as he was confident in his skills and three decades plus experience.The expedition that took months to prepare for attracted a couple of donors and sponsors including our local gaming company Betika. Hence the teams' gear and other requirements were well catered for. So having a dream is not all you need, a great deal of financial assistance is required as well.Climbing a mountain has got to be one of the most trying things one can ever do. The best I have ever done is Ngong my feet were numb and its peak is only 2,460m. I don’t want to imagine what the world's highest will do to me. That is to say I think anyone who has summited the Everest is special and needs to be commended!&nbsp;

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To The Peak and Back! King of The Mountains Successfully Summits Mt. Everest

Just outside the Nairobi metropolis to the west is Tigoni in Limuru. Limuru is known more for the cold spells and for its everlasting fogginess than it is known a choice destination for its outdoor spaces. They are many and tucked away from the populace in an attractive uncanniness of the countryside. It smells of the freshness of the soil the trees. And tables for all its visitors a chance to be one with nature and all its facets.&nbsp;Tigoni is aged, not just with strictures, but with history too. It was a favorite settlement for oligarchs during the colonial period. Visiting any place in Tigoni means you have history latch on you like a moth would to a bulb. Aged as it is, but as comfortable as an old shoe. And this is why it should be on your list of places you favorite for weekend and holiday visits.&nbsp; We will sample some of these places. All you will have to do is to have your picnic baskets, mats and all accessories ready to have a good time. Tigoni is half an hour’s drive from the city center on Nairobi Nakuru highway. One of those places you don’t need to have lengthy plans to visit. Pop in and pop out once you are done.&nbsp;The Lake House Tigoni<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652896796/lake_house_a25fd5d9f3.png" alt=""></figure>Yes, it has a lake. It is calm and stylish and a perfect choice for your rural styled retreat. It is very quiet, relatively sparse in terms of visitors. It offers a lawn that you can lay down your mat for a picnic or set up a table when it is cold and the grass moist. The natural greenery not only adds to the aesthetics but also the creates for your perfect nature-ish experience not far away from the city. On the lake you can sit on the floating pontoon and enjoy food and drinks from the restaurant. The lake house also offers accommodation for up to 11 people in case you change your mind after the picnic or boat ride. The space also offers occasional Yoga cafes which you may want to combine with your visit there. It is also a spot to test your fishing skills and walk your pets as they allow pets on the premise.&nbsp;Waterfalls Inn&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652896966/waterfalls_min_2055e0c126.png" alt=""></figure>The sun sets here. This is your space if you love to watch sunsets. Waterfalls Inn is known for camping, nature trailing, cycling and birdwatching. It is the encompassment of the truest definition of outdoors. The space has wooden benches spread across the property that you can sit and view the city’s skyline and its concrete appendages. On less cloudy days, it offers a perfect place to sunbathe and enjoy the glorious sun on a hilly countryside. Then there is a nature trail that leads you to the waterfalls. A scenic place for photography lovers and for the overzealous ones, to stand under the falls like it is a natural shower. Only that the water is very cold. But what is cold water when one is looking for some good fun? Nights at the Waterfalls Inn are equally as glamourous as there are provisions to set up bonfires for campers and visitors extending the night.&nbsp; This is a perfect space for your picnic, birthday and engagement parties of a gateway within a small budget. It also has a children's play area. The young ones can have their own fun as the adults do their thing.&nbsp;Turi a Mumbi Cultural Center<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652897149/mumbi_min_e06d167adc.png" alt=""></figure>At a small fee of 350/- for adults and 200/- for kids, you can access this cultural center in Tigoni, learn about the Gikuyu culture and traditions, their food and systems. The space plays African folk music, has an exhibition center and has arts and history curators on site for your questions and answers sessions if any. Turi a Mumbi’s menu, signage and directions are all one in Kikuyu and if you have wanted to get immersed into a culture deep to the knees this space gives you that perfect chance. The cultural center is not just about that, it also is, a nature envelope. It has a waterfall, a small river and a forest of mostly indigenous trees. Which invite you to trek and waterfall viewing. They have a well-maintained picnic garden that can also serve your photography needs well. It is child friendly so you can carry along the little ones with you. It is advisable that you book first before visiting as the space is not as big. Also look out for times the center hosts afro-fusion musician to maximize your experience there.&nbsp;Kawamwaki Farm and Horse Stables<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652897230/farasi_07cbea5737.jpg" alt=""></figure>It is sacrilegious to talk about Tigoni outside the province of tea and tea estate. Kawamwaki farm is an endless expanse of a beautiful scenery carpeted by shiny green tea leaves. A visit to the farm gives you the opportunity to ride on horsebacks across the hills and valleys rolling with the tea plantations. You could also pick the option of walking on the dirt aisle barefoot for a chance to reconnect with the earth. The farm offers beginners classes for horse riding. The farm offers education tours on their expansive organic farms that grows among other things, vegetables. Picnic. Make sure you have a picnic in mind when you visit the farm. Just carry your maasai shuka, your food and drinks and enjoy the goodness of kawamwaki farm. And there is plenty of goodness to enkoy.Thayu Farm House<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652897303/time_e916d22581.png" alt=""></figure>This is a rustic colonial era farmhouse built on five acres of land surrounded by trees, flowers and a manicured garden. It hosts a 3.5-star hotel with a selection of mouthwatering cuisine. A garden for your use in picnics. It is ideal for outdoor family lunches or other small parties that may involve food and drinks and garden space. &nbsp;It is also a perfect venue for a romantic date if you may.Naishola GardensYou ever stepped on grass and felt the need to remove your shoes like you are about to walk on holy ground? Naishola Gardens is that place for you. The grass carpet escapes away from your standing point into the tea plantation and vegetable garden away from the gate as you enter the compound. The gardens are big enough to hold 150 pax, considering the social distance. The parking is equally spacious. Naishola is a perfect location for garden birthday parties, book club outings, engagement, gender reveals and anniversary parties. Simply said, they have you in mind when you want an outdoor space that can satisfy all your needs. The property has four gardens all tended to perfection that ensuring you have a one-stop-shop for all your needs. How about holding the wedding in one garden and the reception in another? They provide a safe stretched play area for kids. After making merry, make sure you pass by their vegetable garden and take home fresh veggies from as low as Ksh. 500/- from an assortment of the same.These reviews are an injustice to the pure gold that is Tigoni. Our advice would be that you make it a point to visit any of these places and explore more that aren't on this list.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Tigoni: The City gate’s Perfect Getaway

Michael Muyoma 

Here is a fickle saying. That the world is a stage and that we are mere players. There is also another that says that the wilderness is the Amphitheatre of men- a colosseum where free spirits break their bones. What is your pick?What is the wildest most darndest thing you have ever done and for a charitable end while at it? Skydiving for charity? Travelled from Europe to take a shanty in Kibera to raise awareness on the importance of clean water and sanitation? Was it fun? I highly doubt. How about cycling from Cairo to Cape Town or from Nairobi to Cape Town because all the madness in Africa is domiciled in Nairobi? Chuckle.Now picture four friends, men-Robbie, Josh, Jasper and Ivo. Probably they were sharing a pint and one of them had an incredulous idea.Hey guys.Yes.I have been thinking.Oh, quit the thinking, just shoot it straight!Is it possible to make a journey from here in Nanyuki to Capetown, on road?On-road? I think that is enough drinking for the day, let’s go home.Wait listen. We can put our savings together, buy two Tuktuks, fuel them up and get sponsorship for the cause that we want to support. My idea is that we pour the funds we get from our journey to Cape Town into the Rangers that protect wildlife spaces in Kenya. They have given us such memorable moments, but they are underfunded and live in quite stringent conditions. We can be the wheels that will steer change into the quality of their lives and help make their work easier and more enjoyable. Plus, we can document our journey as we travel and pick up more sponsors on the road.Not a bad idea, is it? Now who wants to home?&nbsp;Silence. Introspect.Well, we are all in, loop us in on the details.What has been left out is that no one of these four gentlemen has a real production company, none of them has ever shot a documentary and none of them has ever made a journey, in a Tuk-tuk from the Equator to Cape Town. The whole idea was just a backbone of adrenaline, adventure and a spec of good-naturedness, I mean a man without a dream is as of equal use as an empty tinpot.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652641355/SOUTH_min_0856dab686.png" alt=""></figure>The boys being adrenaline junkies, understand adventure and travel but not of such a high altitude. There are splashes of their encounters here and there from their tours of the local game parks, splashes left in videos and pictures which they share on their socials, nothing Sir David Attenborough worthy but still you start from somewhere, a camera, a handheld mic and some basic filming equipment and its Cape Town here we come!&nbsp;Their rides are 8 Horsepower Tuk-tuks perhaps highlighting that the journey is no mean feat. They document their journey on their socials on Youtube, Tik-Tok and Instagram all under the name&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/TukSouth">Tuk South</a>and if their pictures are anything to go by, Kilimanjaro has some bomb views from a Tuk Tuk and a game drive in a Tuk-tuk doesn’t look unpleasant as it sounds.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652641546/PUSH_min_304f0de714.png" alt=""></figure>In my world, they epitomize the free nature of adventure, that at times the best of experiences are the ones that undress you from your cloak of comfortable convenience. They are the trips where puerility flies with the wind and your souls are lost to adventure. They are minimalistic but the memories and experiences are obese, you will bask in them in your entire life.&nbsp;It makes an orgasmic sense if there is a cause at the end of it and not just fun and travel. The cause makes you the high priest of adventure and the Mother Teresa of travellers.It is everyone's dream, isn’t it? Journey with them.

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From Kenya To South Africa in a Tuktuk 

Nothing enchants bibliophiles more like the promise of a peaceful and quiet place to latch on, plug earbuds and turn on the pages. And with the reading bug biting more people than ever before, book lovers are looking for alternative spaces to indulge into their literary havens that betray convention without interfering with their comprehension or attention. It could be a place they want to spend an hour to push a chapter or a space they want to spend the whole day and get done with a whole book. What is constant is their search for serenity when they sit to read. It is not lost to us that some people are able to fish out a book from their bags and read while on public transport or seated on a bench in a public park. But to those whom quietude has no equal, there are places in the city that accept them with open arms. Some have been designed with readers in mind, some in places that are largely quiet and that serve the purpose and intention of the booklovers. Others have been repurposed to suit readers’ needs.The Library Kenya- Sarit Center<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652640376/space_d20b856f7e.png" alt=""><figcaption>The hexagonal cubes at The Library, Sarit</figcaption></figure>Once you get in, you will forget that the space is in the hubbub that is Sarit Center. It is like getting into a different universe. A bookverse. The library is, well, a library and restaurant. On normal days, you will see book club members seated in kraals discussing their current reads in hushed voices. The space also serves as a rentable co-working space. For 1500 a day, you get to enjoy your small enclosure, which is separated from the rest of the space by a glass window, plus bottomless coffee as you catch up with your read.&nbsp; On the upper floor is the library which you can browse through and get a perfect read.Soma Nami- Ngong Road<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652640546/Soma_min_76933ba012.png" alt=""></figure>Is it me or does this place remind you of the primary school series, Read with Us? Soma Nami is along Ngong Road—again, the insanity is rife when you say Ngong Road and tranquillity in the same sentence. Ngong Road is the bedlam of chaos. The distinction is however not lost when you get to Soma Nami, an inviting Ankara finish on the reading couches creates a comfortable homely appeal that summons your reading spirit. They have not only invested in ambience, but they have also put great thought in aesthetics as well. The walls are plastered with portraits of literary greats which reinforces the theme, that you are in a reader’s space. The space is not as big, and that makes it cozier. They occasionally hold book reading forums and if that is your cup of tea, hop in and participate.&nbsp;Maktaba Kuu- Upperhill<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652640588/Maktaba_min_0af9e06fbb.png" alt=""></figure>If you’d want to add a dash of nostalgia to your book reading experience, this should be the space. It will take you back to those school days when you’d be balled up in the library with class readers and asked to read. It is the biggest library in the country. It is quiet as any library would be, has a great collection of books from across various genres and offers audiovisual library services. Meaning, if you are not into hard copies, they will hook you up with either an audio or a soft copy of your favourite book. At a paltry 20 shillings a day you can sit in the library and enjoy as much as you want. What’s good about this space is that you can become a member of the library. For about Ksh. 2,700 you will not only access this library but other libraries across the country and access the many books they have.Connect Coffee Roasters – Riverside Drive<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652640723/sky_min_e64fbf2e13.png" alt=""></figure>If we could have a descriptive word for this space, we would say spectacular! It is a fusion of an outdoor experience with an indoor setup. Grass carpet, palleted furniture, potted plants etc. You can sit on the low back caved chairs as you indulge in your book. You can also take one of the poofs. Or plunk your back on the grass carpet. Whatever will work for you. The idea here is to maximize your experiences bot in book reading and comfort. The space is quieter on weekends as most clients from the officers around are not available for a random coffee check-in. But even on weekdays, it is a space you can comfortably utilize for your reading and coffee. You can try their branch in Gigiri too. It is similarly styled.Nairobi Arboretum&nbsp;Book reading and nature have always been great companions. Nairobi Arboretum is one of those few remaining spaces you can walk, soak in the sun, lounge on the grass, sit by the stream, basically all things nature and still enjoy your book.&nbsp; The arboretum has benches that you could sit on in case the grass is not something you want to try.&nbsp; To access the arboretum, you only pay Ksh. 50 and get to enjoy its calmness for the day.&nbsp;The River Café -KaruraThis will be a make do with what you have approached. While it is not a library, or not built with readers in mind, The River Café provides a perfect space to tuck in a seat at the corner of the restaurant and get lost in your book. It wears the air of cool. Cool places, cool people, and then there is the cool you that is reading a book filed into a corner ticked in a seat and buried in your enthralling piece of literature.You now have the powers to read! Don’t say we don’t let you in these sacred reading spaces of the city!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Looking For a Space to Read? Here are Nairobi Best Reading Spaces

Anyone can mention a handful of places they have visited in the Rift Valley; they are all similar. Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Mt. Longonot, Menengai Crater, Thompson’s Falls, Lakes Baringo and Bogoria. That small list always ends there. But the Rift in its geographical magnificence has several other paces that would interest travellers. Especially the North Rift which has for years been known for other non-tourist things. These places are unexploited, less crowded, virgin and equally attractive. They are spread across different counties and offer visitors unforgettable experiences. With the road network expanding up the North, we look at some of these places and what you could do while visiting them.&nbsp;Kapedo Hot Waterfalls—Baringo/TurkanaYou have heard many things about this part of the north—Kapedo. Now it is time to hear the other things you haven’t heard about. The Kapedo Hot waterfalls are one of the major attractions placed at the border of Baringo and Turkana counties, they are an amalgamation of two waterfalls flowing from Kapedo hot springs that merge with Suguta river to create a natural spa at the bottom. Travellers here have delightful moments bathing in the hot waters at the bottom of the falls. Further downstream the Suguta river flows creating sandy banks rich in vegetation ideal for busking in the hot sun.Namoratunga Standing Stones&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652638522/mawe_min_fc41ddac8a.png" alt=""></figure>They are commonly referred to as the dancing stones of Namoratunga these is an intriguing archeological site that inspires numerous lores from the local community. They attract scores of local people annually for spiritual functions.&nbsp;Other things to look for in this region include the Suguta dunes, Ngurunit natural slides etc.&nbsp;Kapenguria Museum-West Pokot<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652639041/green_5c64711a00.png" alt=""></figure>Kenya’s Robben Island! The Museum is located at the site where the infamous Kapenguria Six were detained. The site is managed by The National Museums of Kenyan and is host to several ethnographic artifacts preserving both the country’s history in the struggle for independence and the local community’s history.&nbsp;Other sites to visit while in this county include The Turkwel Gorge Dam, Saiswa Swamp National Park and Nasorot National Reserve.&nbsp;Samburu National Reserve-Samburu&nbsp;It has the pride of place in Kenya’s most diverse ecosystems. It is home to the famous Samburu Five; Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Gerenuk antelope and Somali ostrich some of these like the reticulated giraffe are alarmingly endangered. This is the only place in the world you will see all of them in one area.&nbsp;Samburu county is home to numerous other reserves and conservancies. It is also home to the monumental Kenyatta House in Maralal town. It is now a museum and like the Kapenguria one, it harbours historical importance in Kenya’s journey to independence. This is part of the north that you must visit.&nbsp;Cheploch Gorge -Baringo/ Elgeyo Marakwet<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652639223/gorge_min_e462cff636.png" alt=""></figure>Located about 40KM from Iten town, the gorge formed as a result of attrition by the Kerio River is about 40 meters high and is a site for high rock diving. At a small fee, you get to watch divers plunge into the 20-meter deep river at the bottom of the gorge.&nbsp;Paragliding in Kerio Valley<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652639295/throw_min_e5154d5baf.png" alt=""></figure>This extreme sport gives you a rare view of the scenic Kerio Valley for about an hour or less. With an average speed of 15Kmph, you can tour a sizeable amount of the valley. The best times to paraglide in the Kerio Valley is between December and March when the weather is favourable for the activity. For about Ksh.8,000 you will enjoy the best of Kerio Valley from the sky.&nbsp;&nbsp;Run with the best-Iten&nbsp;If the trip up north means anything, then it shouldn’t miss a chance to run with the best athletes in the world. Most of the world's running teams send their athletes to Iten because of its high altitudes that enhance endurance, especially for long-distance runners. You can take advantage to share a running track with the champions in Kamariny running track that hosts among other notable names, Eliud Kipchoge, Peres Jepchirchir, Mo Farah, and David Rudisha and others.Picnic at Kapsimotwa—Nandi&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652639545/gho_min_3dd3521d6e.png" alt=""></figure>The Kapsimotwa house is not a historical colossus planted in foresty greenery, it is also a scenic beauty to have your picnics and camping. It is a wooden house erected in the 50s by a colonial tea farmer and it is surrounded by expansive lush gardens, a dam with geese and ducks and tea farms. This is a good destination for photography, birdwatching and picking.&nbsp;Nandi Rainforest-NandiThe Nandi South Forest in particular has been documented as an important birding area (IBA) and thus a good site for birdwatching. The forest is largely indigenous and has some rare and very old species of fauna. It provides for a good nature trail premise.Lake Bogoria Reptile ParkStill in the North. This park takes advantage of the surrounding ecosystem that favours the availability of land reptiles like snakes, lizards etc and the nearby lake Baringo has crocodiles. Visitors to the park get to enjoy vast knowledge about the reptiles dished out by the attendants. Among the species, you will find here are the Black Mamba, Puff Adder, Boomslang (tree snake) and Spitting Cobra as well as Monitor Lizards, Crocodiles and a central pit shared by endangered tortoises and harmless Stripe Bellied Sand Snakes.Lake Kamnarok&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652639598/ngo_min_c4fd12a3fa.png" alt=""></figure>This is Kenya’s only oxbow lake. It is home to Nile crocodiles and a host of fishes. If this should encourage you to visit, it is Africa’s second-largest home of crocodiles as of <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/campaigns/giantsclub/africa-s-second-largest-home-of-crocodiles-fast-vanishing-as-oxbow-lake-gets-drained-a8910876.html">2019</a>. Sadly, it has been diminishing in size over the past years due to the effects of climate change, deforestation in the larger Kerio valley and human activities like farming. The lake iThe North Rift has so many other attractions. Only a few of them glom space in the travel agencies and tour companies’ itineraries. Some of the best road networks in the country are found here. Even without having a proper destination, a road trip up north would be a breathtaking experience for you. For instance, the road from Eldama Ravine to Kabarnet town with all its meanders is a beautiful site. What’s good about it is that there are roadside viewpoints spread along the entire road, giving you a first place opportunity to view part of the beautiful Kerio Valley.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652639656/bara_min_9eeb4d9fc3.png" alt=""></figure>The North awaits you. Go out and enjoy.&nbsp;

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The North Rift’s Alternative Places to Tour

The ministry of Wildlife and Tourism has picked adventure hiking and mountaineering as key tourism attractions in a bid to boost efforts to recover tourism in the country. Wildlife and tourism Cabinet Secretary has said. Kenya is well placed to tap into this niche because of its diverse opportunities and attractions. There are approximately 3,800 named mountains in Kenya, and this proves the viability of the project and its sustainability.Early in May, the cabinet secretary successfully hiked Mt. Longonot accompanied by among other, KWS director General- Brigadier (rtd) John Waweru. Mt. Longonot is christened “Sheer Adventure,” and is among a list of very fascinating sites but also one of the least visited in the country. Which prompted the KWS Director General to assure visitors of their safety while adventuring.&nbsp;“Mt. Longonot National Park is part of the rich ecosystem in Naivasha which includes Hells Gate, lake Naivasha and many facilities that are ready to host visitors in the area. Visitors can be sure of their safety and a good time while in the park” Said, Brig. John Waweru.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652637759/bal_min_5e17f5ed44.png" alt=""><figcaption>KWS Director General Brid.(rtd) John Waweru (left) and Najib Balala at Mt. Longonot</figcaption></figure>Speaking after the hike, Mr. Balala noted that, adventure tourism and mountaineering is the fastest growing experiences in the world with thrill seekers looking for monumental experiences that suits them. Mountain climbing and zip lining are just but the first few the ministry is rolling out.“Mountaineering and hiking have the potential to improve our tourism numbers because today’s traveller is looking for immersive and engaging opportunities.” Mr. Balala said.This paradigm shift I informed by trends both locally and in other parts of the world and comes in the wake of the world recovering from a devastating pandemic that redefined traditional tourism and what it had to offer. Today, countries are looking at two things, tapping the local tourism markets, and diversifying products in the tourism sectors. There has also been spirited competition from other destinations in the region like Rwanda and The Congo and the only way to remain relevant and profitable is to diversify.&nbsp;“We must be ready to demonstrate to both domestic and international visitors that we have more than Beach and Safari experiences. People are today also conscious about their health and hiking is a good fitness and outdoor activity. I encourage Kenyans to visit some of the mountaineering and hiking destinations in the country. They can be a pocket-friendly option for many people because they include day trips which are easily accessible,” said CS Balala.He added that, the ministry is keen on improving visitor experience and putting spotlights on attractions like Mt. Longonot and Mt. Kenya to create awareness and attract more visitors.&nbsp;“We have earmarked the development and showcase of these experiences to propel the recovery of the sector. We are working with the partners and experienced owners in the industry to fully enhance and market these attractions in Kenya” added the CSThis will be the second time Mr. Balala is hiking Mt. Kenya, first time being 2017. The purpose of &nbsp;that hike was to create awareness and profile Mt. Kenya as a favorite tourist destination.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652637931/Najib_min_357e4d2052.png" alt=""><figcaption>Najib Balala and a climber at Lenana Peak. Mt. Kenya in 2017</figcaption></figure>This attempt will also seek to raise funds to upgrade the facility and improvement of the climbing gear. The project has already attracted partnerships from Safaricom, Royal Media Services, Huawei among others.Also climbing with the cabinet secretary will be Magical Kenya’s brand ambassador and marathon great—Eliud Kipchoge.&nbsp;Other attractions worth trying out include, The Menengai Crater, Mt. Elgon, Mt. Ololokwe and The Ngong Hills.&nbsp;Additional News from Capital News&nbsp;

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Promoting Adventure Tourism

Everyone wants to travel the world. Well, most people do. Few people get to explore this side of their lives. Fewer people get to have their passports stamped severally for leisure travel. Life happens. And for most people traveling is pushed to the bottom of the hierarchy of needs. Yet some people still create time and chances to go out and see the world through their own lenses and judging from the photos many share social media, they see difference. To travel is to see. To travel is to know. To travel, is to discover for yourself what others have seen.&nbsp;This is the truth for a couple actualizing their dream to see the world. One nation at a time. On <a href="https://www.instagram.com/travelburners/">Instagram</a>, they sign off as Mom and dad or Mae &amp; Ore. They are Travel Burners. Which I think is a veiled imploration by the two for us consider them brave and derring-do. And that we can, and we should. For they exemplify and embody courage. They met about 3 years ago and discovered they loved traveling. Most of their socials are about traveling and rarely will you see their faces. Theirs is a canvas of vistas spread across months of travelling on two offroad vehicles. Their story is in pictures and their experience is inexplicable. They quit their jobs to travel and in their own words to “forget what the media says and experience the human side of Africa.” The couple is now on a grand trip across 40 African countries. By their estimates, they will spend the rest of the year in the continent traversing hills and valleys, camping, hiking and cutting through plains from the second northmost part of Africa, to the southmost and then file out through Alexandria in Egypt to Europe.&nbsp;They have no budget! Yes. But the days that led to this, they worked endless hours to save for this odyssean experience.&nbsp; You can follow their journey on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/travelburners/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.fr/travelburners/_saved/">Pintrest</a> and <a href="https://travelburners.com/">Blog</a> and have a virtual experience.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652289654/Africa_min_d2b0972210.png" alt=""></figure>In this writeup we look at what it takes to plan and execute such a journey.&nbsp;Plan the MoneyIt goes without saying. Money is a very important part of the journey. You will need to pay for your food and other supplies and services along the journey. While having a concise budget may be hard to come by due to exchange rates and inflation across borders, you can work with a researched plan. Get to know the cost of living in the countries you will visit etc. It is a money intensive, and you may require a source that never runs dry.&nbsp;Plan the legalJurisdictions across the world differ in policy and administration. Some countries will admit you without a Visa while others are strict. Others that operate as blocks will only require a passport or an ID from original country and you are good to go. Get the paperwork right first before embarking on the journey.&nbsp;Plan on healthAs preposterous as that line sounds have a health plan. An insurance cover maybe. There are companies that offer cross border insurance covers. During your travel, should you grow green around the gills, you are sure that you will access treatment trouble free. Important also on health, is to get the right vaccinations, there are some that are universal like the yellow fever and COVID 19 vaccine, while others are local. Check the forecast and surmise whether the weather is good enough to have you travel in the specific places.Plan on travel means.A trans-continental tour would best be done on road or rail. There is some realness when you travel with your feet on the ground. If you go by road, it is important to service your car, have spares on board. Understand the terrain you are about to get into. Get a map if you are going by road, it will save you a lot. The type of car you use is very instrumental. Pick a car that can serve you more than just as means of transport. Can you use it for camping for example? Is it suitable for offroad travels? Consider the fuel consumption and other essentials too.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652290844/makumbwa_min_f6ff4c5699.png" alt=""></figure>SecurityThis could be beyond you as security is the vassal of governments and authorities. Here is what you can do about it. One, make inquiries about the security of the country and I am not saying google about it. You could easily be misled on google unless it is from credible sources. Ask people that have traveled or lived in those countries of interest. Two, check on advisories by your government. Oftentimes, governments receive intelligence on danger hotspots within and outside their countries and advice their citizens about them. There are countries experiencing periods of unsettlements, wars and vigilantism. You don’t want to drive right into a rebel territory. Your safety and security are very important. There could also be roads and areas with wild animals. You need to know what and where to avoid during your travel as this is a sure security measure.&nbsp;Accommodation.&nbsp;If like the couple up there you will have travel for long periods of time, you need to have a good plan for your accommodation. You could opt to saddle a small tent for camping whenever darkness finds you. That is subject to approval by local authorities as there are places you can pitch tents. If you opt for hotel accommodation, book early to enjoy discounts and the benefit of variety. For hotel accommodation, always confirm location. Some hotels are in parks, on islands and it is assumed that you know. This may attract extra charges to access. Getting your accommodation right is very important.&nbsp;Itinerary&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652290969/valley_min_63056c4933.jpg" alt=""></figure>What would a continental trip of this magnitude be without an itinerary? Create a list of places you will visit and things you want to do. This can also help you in your budget estimates. The couple above, has made a list of countries and stopovers in the said countries they want to do.&nbsp;Now that you have the plan, go and see the world. Go and enjoy.&nbsp;

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How To Plan and Go on a Continental Tour: A Lesson from a French Couple

Exactly four years after the project stalled, the dream to have first-ever cable cars in the country cruising over the Longonot crater all the way to the Hell’s Gate National Park is back on track. Also the first of its kind in the region, it will only be second to a similar project in the South Africa Table Mountains. Once again setting regional standards in tourism.The plan to have cable cars at the crater was birthed about ten years ago, only halted in 2018 over safety, environmental and licensing concerns. The project had commenced theretofore with the investor erecting pillars to support the cables and rehabilitating an abandoned quarry into a swimming pool.&nbsp;However, the concerns raised by conservationists about the inadequate Environmental Impact Assessment report may have been the reason for its stalling.&nbsp;Speaking during an excursion to create awareness and promote tourism in the crater, the Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala said, “we are keen to launch a cable car and a zip line across this major crater and this will be a major tourist attraction site in the world.”Balala led a team in hiking the mountain aiming to boost the number of visitors to the site. Last year, 26,000 people visited Mt. Longonot National Park where the crater is planted. The motive to increase the numbers is twofold, to increase income generation through gate and activity fees so that the park can cater to its needs and to showcase Kenya’s beauty beyond the known attractions.&nbsp;When completed, the visitors will have a broader variety in terms of activities to undertake while in the park. The most popular of which is hiking. A thrill-filled activity that attracts thousands of people every year. The cable cars and ziplines will spring from a cliff on the mountain and end at a cliff in the Hell’s Gate National Park whose highest point is the same level as the bed of the mountain.&nbsp;The cable cars and zipline idea come at a time National Parks and Reserves are diversifying their income streams over-relying on government and the traditional revenue sources. “There is so much untapped potential in this park, and we have to use such opportunities to sell this park to more visitors so that revenue can also increase,” Mr. Balala added.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652200686/Balala_6f36d6a5e7.png" alt=""><figcaption>CS Balala and the team during the hike at Longonot. Source: The Star Newspaper</figcaption></figure>On his part, KWS Director-General, John Waweru said the service is keen on increasing the number of visitors by increasing the number of attractions in the parks. “We are impressed by the number of local tourists who are visiting this park every month and we are working to see the numbers of international visitors also rise in the coming days,” he said.Other facilities in the crater include camping, birdwatching and rock climbing.&nbsp;The terminal of the zipline at Hell’s Gate is however still closed and it may open either before or after the completion of the zipline. Hell’s Gate was closed after a number of fatal incidences involving thrill-seekers. There are currently works going on to crate escape routes in case of danger commissioned and carried out by KWS partners—the KDF.&nbsp;

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KWS to Install Zip-lines at Mt. Longonot 

It is likely that if you saw that bag tucked in a thicket somewhere—first thing in the morning—you’d jump back in fright and probably call out for help. Because the bags have a printed face of an African Lion. Pleasing to the eye when you see it. But scaring when you think of it as a lion. In the morning, in your compound.&nbsp;This was the case in Muritubu village, Meru County when a resident sported what looked like a lion hidden in a flowerbed. It is possible to imagine a lion hiding on the flowerbed because Meru National Park is not far away. Besides it is in the same region that a cow once <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmuidnLqaoQ">"killed"</a> a lion.&nbsp;Imagine the scare of the caller and their frantic effort to look for a KWS number. Because let’s face it, nobody keeps a KWS number for when they will meet a lion strolling on the streets one day. People acquire it when they can’t avoid it.&nbsp;Imagine the KWS officer that had the privilege if talking to the caller. In a shrilled shaky voice. Report that there was an immobile lion staring at them in the morning chill with every intention of having a human for breakfast.&nbsp;Imagine the swiftness with which the KWS assembled a team, quickly checked their database for a lost lion, and advised the resident on what to do before a rescue team gets there. Maybe a crowd gathered. Curiosity. In the true nature of the village life, maybe a religious was informed of these unfolding events. To offer prayers and to enchant an entity on the community’s behalf.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652034997/Paperbag_min_134c5df06a.png" alt=""></figure>KWS officers holding the shopping bag at the sceneThe KWS was in the compound in no time once they received the distress call. The supposed lion was a planter that had growing fruit trees, in preparation for transplanting. A lion by any other name and shape is a lion.&nbsp;It is impressive, however, how they responded to the scare. They did what is recommended. Notifying the KWS of the impending danger and seeking safety as one waits for their response. It was comical when the KWS posted on their socials of what had happened and jibed the retail shop to meet behind the tent which is street language for, “I need to talk to you urgently.” In their quick and witty response, Carrefour tweeted KWS, “hakuna haja ya kukutana nyuma ya tent, our bags are eco-friendly.”<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1652035126/Lion_06d743c0b4.png" alt=""></figure>KWS and a few other internet users turned it into a marketing opportunity with KWS encouraging Kenyans to Zuru Meru National Park to see real lions. Carrefour on their part, had cheesy message, “The Lion isn’t real, but our low prices are.”&nbsp;To report any wildlife emergency please call this toll-free number always 0800 597 000. To get a Carrefour bag, well, go to Carrefour.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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The Lion’s Lair 

Travelling involves a lot of planning and oftentimes people wish to avoid the whole drag. Looking for the destination, transport, planning on the activities to undertake while on travel, and the charade that is trying to look for suitable accommodation picks. It is easier therefore to have someone do the ground for you. It is commonplace these days to see tour companies on every small space on social and other media muttered with ads promising eye-watering deals at pocket-friendly rates. They capitalize on something that is now virulent, the need for travelling and vacationing.&nbsp;Most of these companies ply their trade on social networks. Mostly unregulated and only selling the promise of exemplary services and unmatched satisfaction. It is in these places that swindlers hang behind the demand for such services. It is not easy to suspect the perps. They are veiled in good professional language, attractive photographic evidence of past engagements and the right industry knowledge to knock you out of your shoes in wonderment. Some might even have a physical location to earn your trust and inspire confidence and will move on to ghost you once money exchanges hands. A club and clout sort of baptism especially for first-time service seekers.A local travel group on Facebook recently was awash with claims of a tour company swindling clients of tens of thousands of shillings on a botched trip to Zanzibar over the Easter Weekend. The tour company had a five-day attractive package that included travel by road, three days of accommodation and other provisions in the tour. On the travelling day it is alleged, the company cancelled the trip at 2 AM via a short WhatsApp message. For a trip that was supposed to start at 4AM—exactly two hours after cancellation.The responses thereafter were polarized. Some people claiming, they had used the services of the tour company with little or no problem while others complained they had been swindled by the same people on other separate occasions.&nbsp;Another frustrated traveller took to Instagram after a bad experience with a tour company she first saw on the same platform—Instagram. She claimed that all was well and rosy on a trip to the coast in an overland truck only for them to get to the hotel and discover they had been booked on half board and for a shorter period than they had paid for. The organizer who had been on phone with them while on the road was no longer picking up their calls. Turns out the truck was also hired from a third party and the driver and tour guide had no information as well.&nbsp;It is such incidences that lead to one questioning, how can you protect yourself against losing your money when looking for these services?We examine a few ways.&nbsp;Compliance with the regulatory authoritiesOne reason why governments enforce regulations is to protect both the consumer and the service provider. Regulated industries have fewer cases of exploitation and abuse. For the tourism sector, operators need to be certified and approved by the ministry of wildlife and tourism through its agency, Tourism Regulatory Authority. It ensures that operators adhere to set guidelines that protect both service providers and consumers. It is the case in most countries. It is not likely that a swindler will waste money and time in seeking approval from the relevant ministry as most will ride on the consumers' ignorance to swindle them. If you are ever in doubt, ask to be shown their approval from the authorities.&nbsp;Check ReviewsAny serious business these days has a social media foothold. Sadly so, even swindlers have this advantage. What sets them apart are the reviews that come in the case, they render services. What are the chances that a five-star rating from several people is misinformed? Or what are the chances that poor rating and reviews about a service provider could be malicious? Reviews will inform you how previously the company has conducted its business and the likelihood of you receiving the service you are looking for. It is very suspicious if a company offers you a package that has never attracted any feedback good or bad.&nbsp;The PricingBusinesses are about profits as much as they are about service provision. Times are hard and everyone is trying to woo clients. It is possible that a business will use price reduction as bait to entice clients. Only that, it can only go a certain far. If you are looking for an outdoor product or a service, you most likely know the price range. A dramatic price reduction should be a red flag. You should ask yourself how they are able to stay in business with their prices. And therein should be your answer. They are not in business! They are about to swindle you clean. There are times travel companies place offers, but an offer should make business sense to you.&nbsp;Check with the venue.If you have doubts, check with the hotel or destination. Ask the hosts if they have information about or are expecting you on the given dates. We have all heard or seen times when people got to a venue only to be informed that their service provider has not booked it. For the above Zanzibar case, it would have been easy to check if the hotel was expecting the guests and for how many days since the clients had an itinerary of the visit before making payments. But it is easy to trust anyone on social media, people package everything in gold standards. They show you everything right and hide everything wrong. Picking these red flags is a high wire act. Our advice, is never to let your guard down.Consider renowned service providersIt may sound like common knowledge. Trust me, it is not. Companies that have a reputation of good services have a lot to lose if they try twisting your arms. They are more concerned with their public image than say, new entrants. Plus, the experience they have gained over time puts them at a better place of providing better services and catering to clients’ expectations.It is true that even with all these pitstops, you may still get a raw deal or entirely lose money and time and face when looking for a good tours and travel service provider, but in carrying out your due diligence, you stand a better chance at averting loss and mitigating it in case it happens.&nbsp;Be safe out there.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Getting Value For Your Money on Travel

The Solo Sauti Sol projects are the best thing to have happened followed by the lifting of the Covid 19 restrictions. To some it may have been a lifting of the veil moment, an insider peek into the individuality of each of the artistes that form the famed boy band. To others it was a mere revelation, that inasmuch as they form a tight ship with the band each one of the musicians in the unit can still hold fort on their own, all while packing up a neat solid punch.I have enjoyed each of their EPs and in my mind’s eye, it was a stroke of genius for them to go solo in the essence that they would be able to generate their own revenue far from the indulgence of Universal Records while showcasing to their fans that when it comes to good music, Sauti Sol is up top with the very best of them in the global industry.&nbsp;Chimano has always stuck out from the pack, his vocal range is of the lower midriffs, a confident Baritone with a funky style- we have few of those in Kenya. His style is classic, wait, his style is soul, hold up, he has a litany of styles all which enable him to be a fully packaged vocalist and then there is more, he is not shy of expressing himself after all that’s what good artists do. They wear their strengths and their vulnerabilities on their pearls and sleeves allowing us into a world only they can create. Heavy is the crown is from top to bottom layered with the theme of self-authenticity.His EP heavy is the crown is a regal thing, royalty dished out as alms to the peasantry, what you would call a skinny dip into a world of funky, retro, RnB, classic, soul and blues sonnets with undertones of refined precision and a really laid-back groove; again what is versatility? It is heavily influenced by the music of the 80’s and 90’s and any old-timer will tell you that it is the window period for the best of the world's music. The EP is dulcet of a banger; the best yet so far. The Kenyan Musical sound diverse as it is always tinkering on the orthodox, the need to give out what the masses are comfortable with and what we end up with is a regurgitation of the same style genre and even beats all over again and again and not so many people try to be different. Not for Chimano, his creativity on this EP is a monster on steroids, marauding and ravaging. It is a breath of fresh air that is ravishingly pure and with a heavily scented cathartic essence.&nbsp;There is something for everyone on the playlist and everything on the playlist is for everyone, beautifully done, finely weaved and beautifully sung, every darned song. Mushy, ecstatic gentle and then yet still a tad groovy.&nbsp;What Chimano attempts to do and do so successfully is retain his musicality without losing the crowd. What he does successfully is trying out different genres from the modern techno sound to the classical sound of the eighties and nineties and boy does he not fuse them well.Mellow is the theme even when it is a party, the constant standard is mellifluous.If you needed a rating for the seven songs on the EP, I would disappoint. It would be an injustice to placate any song above the rest especially when each one is done so differently and yet so intricately and perfectly. Friday Feeling, Loser, Hallelujah (written by Bien Aime Baraza), Beautiful Day, Stereo and Mad Love,&nbsp;are all nifty gems in what proves to be a modern day classicThe playlist on this one is a repeat loop.

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Chimano; The Light King With a Heavy Crown

Ngare Ndare! Goat waters. That is the lose Maasai translation of the name. It is a forest domiciled at the foot of Mt. Kenya and among the few Kenya’s sites that pride themselves in being in the coveted UNESCO’s list of world heritage centers. With rare indigenous trees, some as old as 200 years, rolling azure waterfalls glistening in the sun, rock pools at the bottom of the falls and bordering two conservancies, Lewa and Borana conservancies, it gives you firsts priority experience of not only enjoying its offing, but also explore the fairly virgin North of Kenya. It is one of the corridors that opens to the Kenya North that for years hasn’t been on the mentions of places people want to visit, but recently has attracted lots of traffic from thrill-seekers.&nbsp;There are two routes to get you to Ngare Ndare if you are travelling from any other part of the country save for the North. Both, long stretches of well-maintained rolls of tarmac bracketed with scenic countryside beauty. You can either go through Timau or Nyeri through Karatina, on this route you spear right into Mount Kenya forest, cascading valleys and ascending hills as you chase the sun—if any because it is cold most times of the year. Plus, the trees canopy at the top with little sunlight penetrating to the ground. Through the Timau route, you shoot through acres of tea plantations, several horse stables and camping sites along the way. For photography lovers, the light and background are endless for you to exploit.&nbsp;Why should you visit Ngare Ndare then?&nbsp;The Road Trip ExperienceIt will be pointless to belabour this, but just so we overarch the point, on the Timau route, stopover at Kisima Stable to learn and try horse riding. Park by the roadside and view the snowcapped Mt. Kenya on a next-door near experience.&nbsp; While using the Karatina route, stopover at the great Sagana. If you have spare time, water rafting is something you may want to try. For both routes, plan well ahead, consider the weather and call the places you’d want to stop over and make it a memorable experience.&nbsp;Camping.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651943739/two_min_f95f368ee7.png" alt=""></figure>Would you love to spend a night or two in a tented camp blending the past and present? Sieku camp offers you thatched tents for pocket change. With modernized facilities in a traditional setup. For a place that has high end hotels, finding a camp that has a double tent for below 10,000 a night is a high wire act.&nbsp; There are several other camping sites that you could pick from, Ngare Ndare Forest Park, Kentrout Grill and Camping, Entalata camp and more.&nbsp;Canopy walk.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651943802/three_min_44dda7d098.png" alt=""></figure>Forty feet up, 450 meters long. If you walk on this suspension bridge, you will dwarf the trees you thought were tall on your way up. It is like walking on top of trees. Superman powers even for just a short while. It gives you a bird’s eye view of a large portion of the forest as most trees are towered by the meshed walkway.Cliff Jumping<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651943852/four_min_7d06071c78.png" alt=""><figcaption>Photo courtesy: Medium</figcaption></figure>You can kill two birds with one stone here—rock climbing, and cliff jumping. Toss yourself into the marvelously blue water under water and bathe under the waterfalls. This is ideal mostly in the dry season as the water levels are low and clearer. This is the azure falls and rock pools we talked about up there. This being a guided activity, you are assured of safety as there are onsite KWS wardens and divers in case of any accidents. &nbsp;Nature Trailing &nbsp;You will meet face to face with some wildlife and birds as you snake around the trails in the forest. Great for photography and exercise, these nature trails hikes are guided tours as the wildlife might pose danger if they sense any threats in their habitats.&nbsp;Explore the Lewa and Borana ConservancyFor years, the Lewa Conservancy has been known as the kraal of conservation in the country, helping to ensure posterity or at least delay total extinction much longer for most of the critically endangered species. The Grevy’s Zebra is one such species Kenya is currently home to 90% of the world's population. Which is 2,350(it could differ as this is per the last census). Visiting and exploring these two and many other conservancies in the area gives you a front-row experience on the conservation efforts put across the country and the world by government agencies and other partners. It will also make you appreciate the diversity of nature that would otherwise not be present if not for these efforts.Ngare Ndare is one place you should visit.&nbsp;

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Ngare Ndare : The Magic A Little Far Away

By general consensus, the coast is the beach, and the beach is the coast. Few people make effort to explore the larger coastal region for other outdoor attractions it has. Fewer people even know there are other attractions. For many, after Kilifi, Kwale Mombasa, the coast is cut and dried. There is more than the sands and the sun, the islands and the coral reefs.&nbsp;By definition, the coastal region has six counties, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Lamu and Tana River. Even though the region is most famous for three or four counties out of the six, the others are similarly as touristy as the common ones. And may present more intimate and personal outdoor moments plus an opportunity to see and explore more of the country.&nbsp;Lake Chala and Lake JipeChala, is a beautiful lake formed in the depression of a crater only accessible through trekking down a cliff and wading off thickets of flora. It has very clear waters as it is fed by underground springs from Mt. Kilimanjaro. The lake is shared by Kenya and Tanzania and maybe your best opportunity to say, you swam to Tanzania. For a small fee of 50 shillings per person and 100 per vehicle, you can see the marvel that is this lake deep in Taita Taveta. Fun activities to do here include hiking and swimming in the lake. Try a hand in fishing too and see how lucky you could get. &nbsp;Boat riding. Don’t forget boat riding, The clear water will make it more interesting since you can see the fish swim. Lake Jipe is another lake on the border of Kenya and Tanzania, Jipe is bracketed by reeds, and one has to hike a paddle powered canoe locally referred to as ngalawa to access the open waters. Unlike Chala, Jipe is home to crocodiles and hippos so the ngalawa can only get as far. Speedboats are however available on hire for the transborder rides. &nbsp;Jipe is 30 square kilometres. For context, Lake Nakuru is 45 square kilometres. On a good day, you can see at least two peaks of the great Kilimanjaro- Mawenzi and Kibo.&nbsp;Tsavo East and West<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651818461/Elephants_fbf544a248.jpg" alt=""></figure>Before leaving Taita Taveta, you could file into Tsavo East National Park famed for the dust-red elephants that graze in the vast of one of Kenya’s oldest parks spread on the expansive Yatta Plateau. Tsavo East is home to all the big five and on a lucky game drive you could spot all of them. The West is best for rock climbing. Mzima Springs are other attractions that could pique your interest. They are a series of 4 natural springs whose source is the natural reservoir under the Chyulu hills.&nbsp;Shetani Lava Flow, an eight-kilometre stretch of lava formed about 250 years ago, is another spectacular attraction. Weaving across the floor of the park and rolling right into the Shetani caves is also a result of volcanic action.&nbsp;Grogan Castle&nbsp;A house on the hill—literally. The castle-like architectural masterpiece is built on a hill about 7Kms from Taveta town. It has now been converted into a hotel. When it was built by Colonel Ewart Grogan in the 1930s, it served as a home for him and his wife Gertrude. It provides for a 360-degree view of the surroundings which include Mt. Kilimanjaro, Chyulu Hills, Lake Jipe and more. Grogan Castle is a boutique hotel that offers top of the range accommodation, food and other luxuries. A place you’d love to shoot the breeze. The breeze here being literal.&nbsp;Tana River CountyAmong the places you should visit when you first get here, is the Tana River Primates National Reserve. Known to locals as Mchelelo,&nbsp;it is home to two of the most endangered monkey species, The Tana River Red Colobus and The Crested Mangabey monkeys. The reserve is home to six other species of primates, birds and diverse wildlife. The historical Hola Monument is domiciled in this county. Visiting it will usher you into a historical period of Kenya’s journey to independence. The monument commemorates the massacre of 11 Mau Mau fighters that had been detained at the Hola concentration camp. Kora National Park is a must-see while here. The park that stretches all the way to Meru is graced by Tana River on which The Kora rapids, The Adamson’s Falls and Grand Falls are found. It is managed by Kenya Wildlife Services and attracts a fee of KSh.300 per visit per adult and 215 per child’s visit. Rock climbing is a popular outdoor activity in this park, and it would be fun doing it in the park once christened “The Last Wilderness”&nbsp;The coastal region has much more than sandy beaches, an endless water body and exotic islands. Explore, discover and enjoy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Everything Coastal—But the Beach 

The promise of serenity and calmness is a great deal that people are willing to buy these days. You can tell this by how tour companies, Air BnB sites and hotels advertise accommodation packages. Nobody leaves serenity out of it. Nobody can leave serenity out because it is a great buy, a great promise and a great sell. It is where the seller and the buyer meet and agree. Any other factor like the price is secondary. Exclusivity is the other great sell. Everyone wants to be imbued to the place of exclusivity and interiority only accessible to a few. This is why hotel rooms are stratified and segmented. To separate specific needs, the needs to feed different levels of this exclusivity. For example, a presidential suite in a hotel comes with better ambience, better services, and more privacy than would a double. The extra charges for the former accrued to the former, are as a result of these extras we have mentioned above there. And most hotels have only one presidential suite, or at the extreme, two. The smaller the number the greater the exclusivity.Spending time in such a facility is a rarity everyone is looking to buy into. It is like buying a limited-edition pair of designer shoes. You afford the bragging rights to say, there are only 12 pieces of these in the world and I am having one of those.&nbsp;For this reason, service providers in the hospitality industry are outdoing themselves in putting up facilities that offer such blessings to outdoor lovers and travel enthusiasts. Places tucked away from the prying eyes of the public and cameras that are wont to capture everything to display in the public galleries that are social media. Welcome to the new way of getting away. The new way of doing your outdoors. Farmhouses. Some are old structures built before everyone joined social media, some are new, employing age-old architectural styles to throw you back in time a little. Because everyone wants a hint of vintage in the things they do; dressing, vehicles, music, furniture name it. Vintage is king. We take a look at some of these farmhouses, rate their ambience and advice on how you can access them.&nbsp;Muskoka Log Cabin-Machakos<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651817485/Machakos_min_86caea8095.png" alt=""></figure>This log cabin located 80 KM east of Nairobi off Mombasa Road, gives the feeling of the wintry movies we watched in the 90’s. Of log houses sprouting out of white snow like trees with smokey chimneys. It comes complete with a spacious patio that reminds you of countryside evenings. You will sit here and enjoy evening tea rocking on your seat as the sun goes down. It is a one-bedroom farmhouse, that has a well-furnished kitchen, living room and working area. The cabin is built on an elevated platform just like the old ones and is planted in a foresty surrounding of 7 acres. It can be ideal for small intimate weddings, honeymoon stays, birthday getaways and anniversary celebrations. The parking is large enough to take a sizeable number of vehicles during the day. It will cost you about Ksh. 5,000 to spend a night here on a self-catering basis. Verdict: Very serene, very exclusive.Loldia House Naivasha<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651817531/Loldia_min_7215a7ae7a.jpg" alt=""></figure>A little past the main drag of the city to the west is the tourist haven that is Naivasha. It has attracted great numbers of tourist locally and abroad. Don’t worry, we are still on serenity.&nbsp; Lodia House is about a one-hour drive from Nairobi—not considering traffic. It offers a choice of accommodation either in the in old family house or cottages in the ground. The main house has one en-suite double room. The three other cottages each with separate rooms all en-suite. Our focus is on the distinctively separated, Top Cottage, which is built on a small hill in the compound. It is a family like house that has an open fireplace, cozy living room couches and three bedrooms ideal for people that trave in groups and want the exclusivity this writeup is looking for. The facility has a restaurant and a spa, a swimming pool and other hotel like amenities. Even though this doesn’t glom away the experience you will be looking for. The house can accommodate a maximum of 6 adults and will cost about Ksh. 190,000-200,000. Verdict: Very ambient. Very cozy.Oljororok Farmhouse&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651817590/in_274af068de.png" alt=""></figure>Was that a tongue twister? Cascading farther away from the slopes of the great rift, is a town little known for any commercial tourism. Oljor Orok. The farmhouse here is a three-bedroom cabin located a spit away from the Aberdares providing spectacular vistas of the ranges and forest. The place being very cold, the farmhouse has an open fireplace, and the rustic finish helps in preventing heat loss to the environment creating a homely feel in the countryside. Visitors can self-check-in as it is not a very busy establishment. The garden isn’t as big and if you are considering outdoor activities, a small group would be ideal. The whole cabin costs about Ksh. 10,000 a night on a self-catering basis. &nbsp;It has a grill, a spacious and a well-equipped kitchen for all your cooking needs. Verdict? Top of the range ambient.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651817739/beauty_min_750c1d79e9.png" alt=""></figure>Samawati Rustic Value ChaletsNot far away from Oljor Orok farmhouse is the neatly finished Samawati Rustic Value Chalets near lake Ol’bolosalat. The only lake in Central Kenya. The giant Victorian-finished structure accommodates 4 people, it has two bedrooms, one shared bath and a large patio. It has a sizeable garden ideal for small garden parties, barbeque nights or picnicking. The entire house goes for Ksh. 8,000 a night on a self-catering basis. From Nairobi, one should head Northwest towards Naivasha, you can either use the Gilgil Route or the Ol Kalau route. Take 3-4 hours when suing private means. On a scale of 10, it scores a 10 on ambience and exclusivity.&nbsp;Next time you have a long weekend and want to file out of town, these are just but a few options you could consider. Enjoy.

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Farmhouses, The New Getaways 

Do you remember in the early aughts when going to the mall was no more than going to the grocery store? It was just a shopping trip. Nairobi had just a handful of malls and all centered around shopping, mostly food shopping, save for a few that had cinema halls and a dime a dozen recreational facilities. Then in an imperceptible change of fortunes, the mall culture that is typical of more famous world cities kicked the dust in Nairobi and now, malls are much more than places where people just go shopping. They have become our essential places of hangouts and more recently our next-door destinations for when we are looking for fun.&nbsp;The Eye of Kenya is a localized version of the London Eye and one of Nairobi’s best ways to spend a lose 17 minutes (the duration of a single ride). It is a 60meter cantilevered Ferris wheel that gives a bird’s eye view of the city. The Eye of Kenya is located at The Two Rivers Mall and is the highest in the continent containing 40 cabins that can all carry 240 people per rotation. Meaning, if you can assemble four generations of your family, you could all fit in one place at the same time. And I think it would be a fun place to spend an afternoon. For you and the four generations.Still at Two Rivers, City Lodge could offer you a little weekend escape if you intend to be away from the house without much travel hustle. Photography lovers, gamers, gamblers and everyone else is bound to find something interesting here There is more fun that there is a mall at two rivers.&nbsp;Holidays and weekends are for zip-lining, climbing walls, abseiling, giant swings and a leap of faith. If you want to put your life in the line, and this is not in the strict sense of the phrase, The Hub Karen has you under wraps. With high-speed zip lines and free fall jumping into giant airbags from as high as the third floor of a jumping tower, The Hub will help you tick off items from your bucket list without much plan. Just drive to the mall, saddle on and slide on a line as you scream—which is standard for all zip-lining. Have fun while at it. Don’t forget to scream. It is not zip-lining if it doesn’t involve screams.&nbsp;The closest you could come to balancing on stilts is skating. And haven’t we all tried this? Trying your balance on wheels is a high wire experience. It makes you both the scientist and the lab rat, you examine the fun in it while using yourself as the specimen. Your lazy weekends can be spent at garden City Mall along Thika Superhighway skating. You don’t have to carry your skating shoes as there are vendors that rent them out. There are also instructors that will hold your hands—literally as you wobble and loll off balance on the wheels.&nbsp;Fancy watching a new movie on a big screen? Pop into Century Cinemax right in the mall. Bigger screens will always better your viewing experience.&nbsp;A less energy usurping activity you can do in the outdoors is read a book. Books have an interiority that demands silence and aloneness. It is their integrity to be read inquietude—or at least in places with unnecessary noise. The Library at Sarit Center, Kenya’s oldest mall, has pods you could hire for a day to sit and catch up with your readers. It offers you the promise of tranquillity. An environment with little distraction and interruption like in the case of homes and offices and bland libraries.&nbsp;A bowling alley used to be stuff only seen in the movies until recently. With the gaming arcade at Westgate, you can try a hand at it and much more that Strikez Arcade offers which includes, Foosball, air hockey, and pool.&nbsp;If what you want is a chilled outdoor experience with no physical activity, while away an evening with a glass of wine at Galleria Mall. Galleria perfectly describes chilled. It is probably the mall in Kenya with the least physically demanding activities. Just chill and wine.&nbsp;The idea of a mall now goes beyond shopping for groceries. It goes beyond a spending round trip that leaves you broke. If you think about it, Nairobi malls have everything under one roof these days. You could live in a mall if you are rich enough.&nbsp;

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Mall Fun, More Fun

Ideally, wildlife should be regimented in protected areas. Challenges however arise because of the population density, diversity and natural habitat behaviours. For example, elephants are known to migrate along certain corridors. These migration corridors are fraught with danger as they sometimes come close to human settlement areas and conflicts are inevitable even when mitigation measures are put to place.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://mountkenyatrust.org/portfolio/elephant-corridor/">The Mount Kenya Trust</a> has a success story in the implementation of mitigation measures. They have created a 14KM corridor between Laikipia and Samburu informed by years of study of Elephant behaviour. This pathway offers a traditional ecosystem for the elephants to exploit—by way of browsing, mating and searching for minerals. By ensuring the elephants remain in protected areas and do not interfere with their diversity, it dramatically reduces instances of human-wildlife conflicts.&nbsp;A <a href="https://africanbioservices.eu/human-wildlife-conflicts-and-compensation-for-losses-in-kenya/#:~:text=The%20major%20human%2Dwildlife%20conflict,wildlife%20involved%20in%20the%20conflict.">study</a> shows that the main human-wildlife conflict concerns in Kenya are; crop-raiding, attacks on humans, livestock depredation, and property damage. Such conflicts have negative impacts on the livelihoods of people, who often respond by killing wildlife involved in the conflict. And because of these conflicts, there is a threat to biodiversity and may lead to the extinction of some species.&nbsp;Another region that experiences these conflicts is the Mara region consisting of The Maasai Mara and the expansive Tsavo National Reserve. Both regions have large herbivores like the African elephant, African buffalo, and Burchell’s zebra, and large carnivores like the lion, leopard and spotted hyena. Non-human primates, including baboons and monkeys, are also found there.The study also sought to inspect the lifestyle and behaviours of communities that border the regions to ascertain whether they have a direct link to the conflicts. While those closest to the Mara are pastoralists, those along the Tsavo ecosystem are crop farmers. The study found that, interestingly, fewer people felt threatened by wildlife in the Mara than in the Tsavo region, likely because of the historical co-existence and tolerance of wildlife by the Maasai community.In the Tsavo region, the elephant and nonhuman primates caused most crop-raiding conflicts, but with distinct spatial differences within the region. There were more elephant conflicts in areas with higher human, elephant and livestock densities. In the Mara region, the elephant was the leading crop-raiding species, preferring the maize and wheat crops, while the nonhuman primates were responsible for most crop tuber destruction. The lion killed most cattle, whereas the leopard and spotted hyena killed sheep and goats.<a href="http://www.kws.go.ke/content/hwc-victims-receive-sh-500m-compensation">The Kenya Wildlife Services</a> recognizes this danger and further acknowledges that, while there are mitigation measures in place, established by them and affiliate organizations, 65% of wildlife live outside protected areas and thus posing a threat to a peaceful coexistence.&nbsp;The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 provides for the establishment of County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committees. These committees comprise a chairperson appointed by the Cabinet Secretary, and this is the County Commissioner, four persons who are not public servants nominated by the community, an officer from the Service who is the secretary and other relevant technical officers at the County Government level.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651305311/CS_min_cb6d2c48a4.jpg" alt=""><figcaption>Tourism CS (in a cap) during the compensation exercise at Kampi ya Samaki.</figcaption></figure>During a launch for compensation to victims of HWC in Kampi ya Samaki&nbsp;snake park, Baringo in 2021, the tourism cabinet secretary said, “the management of human-wildlife conflicts demands the adoption of various approaches, and requires collaborative arrangements involving both states, non-state actors and stakeholders for tangible results to be achieved.” Balala said it was important for the public to familiarize themselves with the process of filing for compensation for when such conflicts arise. Balala also said that the ministry is building an application that will be linked to the e-Citizen platform to fast-track the process of compensation.&nbsp;Below is a chat that explains the process.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651305369/Poster_ee70d2946d.jpg" alt=""></figure>

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The Anatomy of Human Wildlife Conflict and Compensation

The inaugural edition of The Uhuru Classics, Nairobi City Marathon will kick dust on Sunday, May 8, 2022. The event targeting elite athletes and other social runners will be held in part, on the new Nairobi Express Way. It is the only other full marathon that happens in the city after The Nairobi Standard Chattered marathon and the one with the fattest purse in Africa promising prize money of $60,000 for winners in the 42Km race, US$2,500 for the 21Km run and US$1,500 for the 10Km run. Elevating it to the league of the world’s major marathons like Boston, New York, Chicago, London, and Berlin marathon is both prize and organization.&nbsp;"We have always watched our athletes win some of the world's major city marathons but it's now time we watched it happen here in Nairobi," said Amina Mohamed, cabinet secretary for sports in February this year, adding that the cabinet had already met and approved the marathon. "It has always been our dream to host a major marathon and I want to announce that a cabinet memo has gone through, and the country will have its first-ever city marathon," explained Amina.It will be exciting to see some of the world’s biggest names in athletics compete on home soil. The stuff is normally seen on TV in other world cities. Also, of importantce is to wait and see if this will be incorporated into the calendar of the world's major marathons since it meets most if not all the requirements. If this happens, Kenya will pride itself in not only producing the best in terms of competitors but also the best in terms of the competition ground.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651057284/run_8d3b58cd51.jpg" alt=""></figure>For those not willing or unable to compete for prize money, there is the 5Km run as is the case with all other city marathons of the world. Dubbed the fun run, the 5km run is mostly organized for the general public to run for given courses or just to have fun in the presence of great athletes. And there is a medal for everyone that takes part in this race.&nbsp;The other exciting thing about this race is the singular privilege it will present its participants to run on the expressway. Being new and extensively virgin, it will be a fertile ground for humblebrags and hot takes for those running. Especially if they are not running professionally.&nbsp;For official registration details, check <a href="https://www.nairobicitymarathon.com/">Nairobi City Marathon</a> website. Registration is open to both East African and International participants professional and otherwise. After registration, participants should collect their running bibs and even t-shirts at The Nyayo National Stadium along Uhuru Highway.&nbsp;There will be changing rooms and luggage storage for all participants.&nbsp;For International and even local participants that would love to top their weekend experience. The organizers have planned to the T, exciting travel packages that include visit to the Maasai Mara, the Kenyan coast and the Nairobi National Park. Check details <a href="https://www.nairobicitymarathon.com/travel-packages">here</a>.This is a great outdoor activity that you and your kin can take part in and later enjoy the splendor of Nairobi’s beauty and Kenya.&nbsp;

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 Run On the City’s Highest Road

About three weeks ago, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kg_mountain_exp/">James Kagambi</a> and his family knelt before a solicitous congregation. In faded jeans, a white polo t-shirt and snowy hair. James and family were entreating God. They were entreating God because James was about to set out on a journey to Mt. Everest. It is easy to see why a congregation was praying for him. They were enveloping him with a cover of an entity they believe is above them. To cover him as he goes out to live his dream and he conquer another mountain. This was not the first mountain he has attempted to summit a mountain. He has a generous list of peaks he has conquered over the three decades he has done this. His last being the Rwenzori. But Everest would be his highest point if he makes it to the top. And not just his personal best, the world’s best.&nbsp;Mt. Everest is one of the 110 peaks on the Himalayan Mountain Ranges. It is of particular interest to many as it is considered the highest elevation on earth.&nbsp;A week later James was in the Nepalese village of Panchobe, a base camp in the Himalaya ranges. This time, he went to a monastery for a blessing ceremony. Above temerity, determination physical strength, and audacity, he sought blessing to scale the mountain. Missions like his are precise, the target is to get to the target. And in this case, the target is the summit. What is imprecise rather, is whether one will get to the summit. Bad weather, fatigue and body weakness, and loss of psyche to continue can interfere with one’s quest. Perhaps that is why James sought prayers twice.&nbsp;Miles away from Nepal, another Kenyan was preparing to hop on the next plane to Kathmandu the capital city of Nepal and home to what is called the world’s most dangerous airport, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17903159723533011/">The Lukla Airport in Nepal</a>. Alex Kamau is his name. He lives by one simple mantra; Stay Curious. He is spindly in the frame, ever-smiling with a gentle mien. He feeds on this curiosity, to always discover. Alex runs &nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lets_drift/">Let's Drift Kenya</a>, a community of thrill-seekers that live by the same maxim as Alex.&nbsp; It is this curiosity that led him to the Himalayas to attempt to scale the highest peak—the Everest. James runs <a href="https://kenyaexpeditions.com/about-us-2/">KG Mountain Expeditions</a>, a tour company that organizes tours across East Africa with a special focus on mountaineering.&nbsp;Alex’s journey was a little more exciting, he shared a flight with the current record holder for the most ascents to the peak of the Everest, Kami Rita. He has a photo to show for it.&nbsp;These two men share a commonness that goes beyond nationality and place of birth. Their adventurous spirit and resilience. Their biggest difference is the length of time and the scope of focus in doing this, Alex has been an adventure seeker, for now, four years while James has done it for thirty years, which is half his life.&nbsp;Their journeys to the highest elevation on earth are documented on their Instagram pages with a more playful James sharing videos and reels of him dancing in the snow and chronicling the people he has met on his way up.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651056774/2_ae9acd3f13.jpg" alt=""><figcaption>James on his journey up</figcaption></figure>Alex on the other hand has a keen eye on photography, every of his stop is frozen into a glorious moment of great photography. Whether it is small as a flower, or big as a valley, James has a photo for it. He shares these photos with his followers to be used as wallpapers, so that everyone shares a little of Alex’s journey even though not physically.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651056985/1_8dcc3d3355.jpg" alt=""></figure>According to Alex, the journey will take him 21 days. Which is about half the time most people take to the peak. For Alex, his body is acclimatized to high altitudes, and he may not need as much time as inexperienced people to level up.&nbsp;James does not broadcast an estimate of the time he will take to complete his mission to the top, but it shouldn’t be hard for a person that has climbed Mt. Kenya five times in just under four months this year. His body is well versed with changes in altitude, and he sure will give it a good try.&nbsp;It will be interesting to see the outcomes of their parallel journeys to the top together with the more than 25 other Kenyans embarking on the same journey. And maybe the two will encourage other Kenyans with fear-defying spirits to venture in mountaineering.&nbsp;So, what would it take you to get to the top, especially from Kenya? Like James and Alex, remain curious. But that is not a general requirement. It is personal. You need to get a passport and a tourist visa to Nepal. The normal travel health requirements, matter-of-factly because, such a fete raises health-related questions. You need to get prepared by attempting other smaller climbs to prepare your body for the onslaught.&nbsp;Time for you to go and conquer? All the best.&nbsp;

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Alex Kamau, James Kagambi: The Ever Best at Everest

When <a href="https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/anna-delvey-morocco-hotel-inventing-anna">Anna Delvey</a>—an alleged socialite—planned for a trip to La Mamounia in Marakesh Morocco, she told her friends that she wanted a Khloe Kardashian experience. She demanded the same experience that the famous Kardashian had had a year earlier. In the trial against her that followed, prosecutors said, “she went for a lavish trip fit for a Kardashian.” The La Mamounia is an insanely opulent hotel in Morocco built in traditional Moroccan architecture targeting the uber-rich of the world. It has hosted famous people with the promise of the best experience one can have on African soil. Anna was saying what most of us say, either loudly or just to ourselves when we file through Instagram posts of celebrities. “I want this.” Whether it is a piece of clothing, an electronic gadget, a car or a book, or a holiday destination, if a celebrity has it, it is almost settled that we want to have it. Because we believe in their choices, they have bought into sophistry and style and elegance with much grace we envy them and want to covet their lives, and they are not afraid to show us what we are missing in our lives. It is attractive and enticing and once they up their thumbs at anything, someone is willing to buy it. Just to enter a similarness with them (the celebs).&nbsp;Welcome to the era of big-mouth marketing. Your new authority over anything you want to buy. If it is endorsed by a famous person, you trust it. &nbsp;For this article, your new authority on places you want to visit.I discovered Santorini through a Kenyan social media influencer. She shared photos, reels and long garish videos of her stay in one of the hotels on the islands and I Googled it up later. I would have eventually found it on the internet, but I don’t think it would have been faster to discover it myself than it was through an influencer.&nbsp;Tour companies now are fond of contracting celebrities to push their business on social media. The marketing logic behind it is that they have a ready audience and the clout to influence these audiences to buy into a trip. Judging from how many celebrities are doing it these days, it might be paying off.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651056107/1_30975d6517.jpg" alt=""><figcaption>Timothy Kimani aka Njugush (left) with family and friends on a Safari</figcaption></figure><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bonfireadventures/posts/eric-omondi-setting-standards-one-more-time-treat-and-bond-with-your-in-laws-in-/1600212256680993/">Eric Omondi</a> for years worked with Bonfire Adventures. Most if not all of his holidays had a touch of the company, either a mention, a subtle showcase or a thumbnail with the company logo, the company’s presence was always felt in his travels. And I think it was very intentional. Celebrity couple, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78t_4iH_qRo">Njugush and Wakavinye</a> have severally documented their travels in Kenya styled by Bountiful Safaris. Musician <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmruWSe6VzY">Akothee</a> has built her own company and with most of her family members being in the public space, they have helped in pushing her tour company through the social media space. It is easy to see why companies pay influencers and celebrities for this kind of product placement. It is because we are in an era where everyone believes what they read and watch on their phones and computers. It is only logical for companies to tap into this mass faith.&nbsp;Away from company-based influencing, one of the most sought pieces of information, when the former US President, Barrack Obama visited the country, was where he spent the two nights he was in the country. While it remains cagey, the moneyed mass would want to know where he was accommodated, if for nothing else just to humblebrag that they have shared a room with an American president albeit at a different time.&nbsp;A photo of Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg eating at Mama Oliech’s restaurant when he visited Nairobi was an easy but very powerful endorsement. In his post, Mark said that everyone he asked had recommended the restaurant, the effect was seismic. Now, everyone wanted to go to Mama Oliech to check out the place. If you are close enough for Mark to trust your choice of a place to eat in Nairobi, you must be a person on his pedestal, I think.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651056265/2_min_b485f1cb06.png" alt=""><figcaption>Mark Zuckerberg(in a sweat shirt) seated with Kenya ICT Cabinet Secretary(opposite) Joe Mucheru at Mama Oliech’s</figcaption></figure>Naomi Campbell has made it a habit to visit Kenya whenever she has time, so much so, that she has been involved in formalized endorsement deals with the government of Kenya in an effort to attract more people to visit the country.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1651056400/3_min_84f0eebee6.png" alt=""><figcaption>Kenya’s Tourism and Wildlife cabinet secretary Najib Balala with Naomi Campbell&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>For most people, celebrities and influencers are a digital thesaurus. They hold information crucial to their plans and desires to visit spaces and places they would however not know. For most of them, it could be what pays them but to the millions of people that follow them on their socials, these people are sharing crucial information that would otherwise be hard to get or to trust when offered by a person you know nothing about.&nbsp;People want to buy what their favorite celeb is buying; they want to identify with them. They want to be able to say, “I slept in the same room that Obama has slept in before.” And nobody can take that away from them.&nbsp;This is the new way to settle on a decision on where to visit the next time you are in doubt. Just check a celebrity’s profile. All your answers are there.&nbsp;

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The New Authority on Knowing Where to Visit: Influencers

If you ever talk to a wine enthusiast or an experienced sommelier as a casual wine consumer, you most&nbsp;likely will feel like they are on to something. Something that has nothing to do with wine. When they say such things as, “let it breathe, the wine is dead, lay it down.” Or “this wine is hot.” When talking about wine that is chilled and cold. The problem is that these should be the people that also sell us the wine or the wine idea we are supposed to enjoy. You will stand next to a person swirling a glass of wine or sniffing it and swallowing it as if they are pulling it with a straw with closed eyes while you ebb away from their experience both in word and action. &nbsp;How can you better your experience with wine? The answer is simple. Learn the basics. It is like driving a car, once you know what peddle does what, you are in for a good ride. Provided you maintain a good deal of self-control. Here are the basics you need to know about wine.&nbsp;Look, Swirl, Smell, Sip&nbsp;These are the bottom of the barrel (no pun at all) basics of wine. Especially if you are hanging out with wine lovers. You don’t want to look basic when it comes to wine. It is the polity of wine. To be well versed with good “wine behaviour.” Look at the content of your glass, swirl it like a suave wine connoisseur, smell the wine and let your lungs fill with that exclusivity, let it invite your taste palate to its greatness, then sip. Remember it is not a mouthful. Just enough to let your whole mouth enjoy its goodness.&nbsp;Wine CharacteristicsBy now you know that wine has a personality and therefore, characteristics. This is what distinguishes wines from other beverages, say beers. There could be more than the list of characteristics we will offer here but check these ones out.&nbsp;<ol><li>Sweetness (how sweet or dry is the wine)</li><li>Acidity –the tartness of the wine.</li><li>Tannin—how astringent or bitter the wine is.</li><li>Alcohol—the ABV percentage of the wine you are taking.</li><li>Body—the overall impression of the wine.</li></ol>Price is not always indicative of qualityWhen looking to enjoy good wine, consider these three factors especially when the price is in contention, vintage, oak, origin. For instance, a Barolo is aged in oak barrels for about three years, wine speaking, it has room for growth. You can leave it to age for the next seven years for a special occasion. In those seven years, the price will have changed as compared to its younger version despite the brand name. Check those three factors and determine whether the pricing you are getting is right.Clean wine is not a thingThere is no wine in the market that is “chemical-free”. Anyone that uses this as a selling ploy is just trying to make an extra coin by tapping into the booming wellness market. All wines and beers and cheeses contain Sulfites which are natural products of the fermentation process. They help in protecting the wine from premature oxidation, bacteria and yeast.&nbsp;There are no rules. &nbsp;Does this sound counter-intuitive? Maybe it is or it is not. Every now and then you hear people say, if you are having white meat, pair it with white wine. However, if you want to try red wine with your fish, it is not preposterous to enjoy it with a Red Burgundy. Develop your palate for other existing but rarely exploited tastes.&nbsp;Taste is influenced by origin&nbsp;Originating in France, the cabernet sauvignon grape is now grown all over the world, and the terroir– the geographic topography, soil, and climate – of each region imparts its own unique twist on this adaptable grape. It could be the same type of wine but varying in taste.&nbsp;Wine is subjective&nbsp;From the same bottle, I may smell pithy grapefruit and you may smell a totally different thing say oranges. You could taste smoke and leather while I taste jammy, cooked fruit. It remains a very subjective thing.Friends make it better&nbsp;Borrowing from the lyrics of the song by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2rLvqXPCXk">Iyaani</a>, “Furaha ni kua na marafiki.” Pair your wine enjoyment with friends. It is always a good time.&nbsp;You can watch more wine mannerisms and how to behave around wine, how to serve wine, how to lay it down on Showmax’s <a href="https://www.showmax.com/eng/tvseries/alrvzdn2-grand-crew">The Grand Crew</a> .&nbsp;

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The ABC’s of Wine 

If you are not having one of those nights on the tiles or have flown out of town to Diani or Malindi for a mini-vacation on any of April-May long breaks, here is a small list of movies and documentaries you can watch on <a href="https://stories.showmax.com/what-to-watch-on-showmax-in-april/">Showmax</a>. April has Easter and Mayday weekends, and you may find yourself bored to tears if you will lurk at home as a moth lurks of a bulb. &nbsp;Don’t careen off the rails to boredom simply because you didn’t go out. Create the outdoors right where you are. Add to your watching experience some good food. Nothing ever goes wrong with food. If you are asking how to arrive at good food, look for great cooking ideas <a href="https://www.dstv.com/en-za/discover/honey">here</a>. Whether you want oriental, continental or easy quick fixes to entertain the family on this binge-watching journey, Honey TV will help you achieve that through the variety of cook shows. You only need to watch. &nbsp;Do we sound like we have that problem out of the way now? Back to the movies.The Greatest Story Ever ToldI don’t know, is it Easter season enough if there isn’t a movie chronicling the life and times of Jesus? Gather your people around especially if you practice the Christian faith. The movie is a reenactment of the gospel books. Basically, some of what you have read in the good book on motion pictures. It is a family-friendly movie. Of course, it is, you don’t expect this to be a rated movie. Surely.I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)This emotionally drenching movie is rated 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. It depicts the life of a recently widowed woman living in the streets with her daughter after the Covid-crunch throws at her heavy curveballs. She manages to convince her daughter that they are out in the streets camping but soon the heat and hostile weather compel her daughter to demand they go home.&nbsp; This is quite a watch.&nbsp;The ReckoningSet in 1665 London, a great plague stalks the streets mauling over everyone it finds on its way and leaving death in its wake. Fear and superstition hold people by their gonads, Grace, a young widow howling over the death of her husband, refuses the advances of her landlord and she gets accused of witchcraft. Follow this story to see how or if Grace disentangles herself from these misfortunes.&nbsp;MaydayA young woman joins an army of gun-wielding women engaging in a never-ending war when she finds herself in a dreamlike and dangerous land. A question lingers. “Is she the kind of killer they want?” It is a picturized symbolism of female umbrage and vengeance. It is ideal for adult watchers.&nbsp;The AlpinistA free-spirited, untamed, solo legend embarks on a mission to summit the world’s highest place. Follow his escapades as he climbs and documents it on camera with the sheer belief that anything is possible. Marc-André Leclerc is a man on a mission and the only you can be part of it is by watching it. The documentary has been nominated for Best Cinematography at The Critic’s Documentary Awards.&nbsp;Painting With JohnJohn Lurie has a delightful and annoying won't. He will teach you how to paint but he will teach you a host of many other things in a very unconventional way. You want to watch this show if you have had this nudge to try something new with your life. Say, painting, or singing. He shows you the ugly side of trying to come up with pieces of art and how they end up becoming masterpieces. Watch the curmudgeon that has a 100% rating on rotten tomatoes do his thing(s).Waiting For GoldmanThe first thing you should ask for when you are hired as a hitman is the image of the target. And no, I don’t know this because I am either a hitman or a target (this I don’t know yet). Mikey and Clinton have been hired to kill financial broker Ivan Goldman. But they don’t know what he looks like. It is funny and will have you on the edge of your seat as it unspools.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you are going to remain at home during any of these two breaks, at least have some fun as you lazy on the couch. Get entertained at the comfort of your living room. Download the Showmax app and get watching.&nbsp;

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Weekend Blues? Not here

Pick your favourite sports bar. Or transform your living room to one. Or even better, in the next few months plans for road trips that end up in the wild where you and your mates can’t watch live footballing action from your DSTV App. And because football and small screens are strange bedfellows you may want to project to enjoy it even more.Your football calendar this year might not have any holidays. Or days you go without any footballing action. Aptly put, we are right about to get into a high FIFA pitch. That is a pun! While you have been experiencing great Premier League action on <a href="https://supersport.com/football/premier-league/fixtures/">Supersport</a>, the tempo will rise a little more. Most teams have 6-8 games to play until the end of the season and this means cutthroat competition. It is hard to predict who will carry the day, and the trophy since the top teams are just an arm’s a shadow away from each other.&nbsp; A tougher competition however is boiling a little under the top two teams. The competition for automatic qualification to the Champion’s League. Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and Westham are fighting it out for this position. We can’t rule out the current number 3—Chelsea from this duel since football is full of surprises. Okay maybe we can because Chelsea surprised the league three weeks ago by dropping points to Brentford. What was supposed to be an easy task became a hammering fixture for the blues. But redeeming themselves a week later like repentant errant a week later.&nbsp;Other domestic leagues are also on a similar trajectory, La Liga on Supersport’s <a href="https://supersport.com/football/spain/">Channel 204</a>, Bundesliga on SABC on <a href="https://dstvguide.com/dstv-bundesliga-guide/#Does_DStv_show_Bundesliga">DSTV</a>, Serie A, and all other elite leagues of the world.&nbsp;Add the <a href="https://supersport.com/football/uefa-champions-league/fixtures/">EUFA Champions League</a> to this and you have more action to boot. The surprise exit of Bayern Munich which are currently on top formation in their domestic league and Chelsea—the defending champion, now leaves a strong and seemingly indefatigable Manchester City, Liverpool that want to lift the title for the second time under Jürgen Klopp, a Madrid that has been worthless for some time now especially on the Europe pedestal and a lucky as plungers Villareal. Mancity will want to cement emphasize their dominance home and away as they shoot their shot at lifting the domestic and European trophies—this one for the first time in their history.&nbsp;Contrary to the norm, this year, the break between seasons for most leagues will be shorter. This is because this is also the World Cup year which starts on November 21 and ends on December 18, in Qatar. Most league season openers have been pushed forward. It is a unique world cup because it is the first to be played during a pandemic and because it will be played in one city and in this part of the world.&nbsp;DSTV customers will enjoy all the 64 matches in full high definition plus top-class commentary and pre-and post-match analysis during the entire season of the world cup. Supersport concluded a broadcast <a href="https://supersport.com/football/fifa-internationals/news/210408_SuperSport_scores_FIFA_World_Cup_2022_Pay_TV_rights">deal</a> in early 2021 to show all the 64 matches. If you are not travelling to Doha, Doha will travel to your living room.&nbsp;This year’s tournament has friendlier kick-off times, especially for African countries as the time zones aren’t splayed far apart as was the case with the two previous tournaments.&nbsp;What’s more interesting will be to watch how elite Leagues’ players juggle between the professional and patriotic duties as they switch from their club jerseys to their international ones. Also, important to observe will be how teams will build formation given some leagues will have played for two months which is an equivalent of 8-10 games under the new substitution rule which allows EPL teams to have five substitutions per match. This is also the phenomenon at the FIFA world cup though some jurisdictions are yet to implement it in domestic and club football.&nbsp;All you need to do is upgrade to the DSTV premium to enjoy every action as it happens on HD. Log on to <a href="https://www.dstv.co.za/mydstv/">My DSTV</a> app (available on all app stores) or use the USSD code *423#.The other thing, get your jersey ready and your drinks and your grill because this is about to get real.&nbsp;There is no catching a break, this time for a good reason.&nbsp;

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No Break for The Lovers of Good Football 

If you are hosting a picnic or a small party, you want to get the food right. Because food is part of the good memories you want to create. You need to whip up something good in the kitchen not just to make memories, but also to make a statement. Meta dishes are an easy pick, only that they present challenges in preparation that will make you want to order out. But we all know, ordering out lacks in personal touch what sweating it out in the kitchen has. It should be hard really, making these dishes. It can be intimidating especially if you haven’t tried it before. The following hack tips will make your (first) try easier. Ladies and gentlemen, shall we prepare lamb chops?&nbsp;Preparation:&nbsp; 10 Minutes&nbsp;Cooking Time: 25Servings: 4Ingredients&nbsp;<ul><li>Quarter cup olive oil</li><li>Juice of 1 lemon (about a quarter cup lemon juice)</li><li>2 teaspoons dried oregano preferably Greek, or half a cup chopped fresh</li><li>4 cloves garlic minced</li><li>1 teaspoon salt</li><li>1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper</li><li>12 lamb chops</li><li>1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking</li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1650275547/1_28678f468b.png" alt=""></figure><ul><li>Using paper towels, pat dry chops and discard any shards or bone fragments.</li><li>Mix all the ingredients together in a small jug or bowl.</li><li>Arrange lamb chops in a large baking dish or on a large plate, and pour the marinade all over the lamb, rubbing it into the meat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate for half an hour, or for a deeper flavour, marinate overnight in the refrigerator, turning the chops from time to time (before cooking, let lamb chops sit at room temp 30 minutes).</li><li>Heat oil in a pan (cast iron preferably or grill plates) over high heat until just starting to smoke. Fry or grill lamb in 2 batches for 3-4 minutes each side, depending on thickness until done to your liking. (Usually, at 3 minutes per side they are medium, and at 4 minutes they are medium-well.)</li><li>Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.</li><li>Sprinkle with a little extra dried oregano for added flavour and a little extra lemon juice (optional).</li></ul>OptionalFor leftover marinade: reduce heat down to medium-low leaving any leftover drippings in the pan. When the pan has lowered in heat, pour in the leftover marinade along with 1 tablespoon of butter and 1/4 cup of beef broth. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook for at least 5 minutes. Stir in a tablespoon of lemon juice and serve with the lamb.Serve together with the accompaniment of your choice.&nbsp;If you are hosting a picnic, it would be best to serve the chops with roast potatoes, other accompaniments may prove difficult to pack and carry around.&nbsp;More of these recipes can be found on DSTV’s <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.com/">Food Network</a>.

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Grill It to Your Liking

Does this photo speak to you? If yes, is it saying “tranquillity” in your mother tongue? I’d love to say tranquillity is my dialect but that is not why we are here. This is Featherbed Nature reserves in Knysna South Africa. Knysna is the current shoot location for the internationally acclaimed television reality show, Temptation Island—the African version showing currently on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9II7Jb8hso">Showmax</a> and now on its first season. You probably haven’t heard about Knysna, but we want you to start packing your bags and head south. Because this is an experience you want to have in your life.&nbsp;Knysna is adorned by great physical features, wildlife and touristy infrastructure of naught. The coastal town is home to the world-famous Garden Route, a 200Km stretch of coast connecting Mossel Bay to Storms River Mouth. It is surrounded by wide sandy beaches, lagoons and indigenous forests cliffs that provide scenic vistas for outdoor enthusiasts. If you are looking for a place you will enjoy a bit of everything, silence, tranquillity, culture, and nature in its unbridled form, go to Knysna. Apart from the usual travel requirements, you will need a PCR negative test done not more than 72 of the travel date. While there you can enjoy the following.&nbsp;Nature trailing is fun. It will be more fun when you add a little speed to it. Hop onto a Monster Mountain Scooter. A non-motorized scooter that is ideal for scaling down non-steep slopes in Knysna. If you are traveling in a group, it is especially fun as this can set up races and competitions for the 3-hour duration of the rented scooting experience. There are guides to help you in riding and implementing safety measures for a great experience.&nbsp;Will it be a visit to Knysna if you don’t do the Knysna lagoon Cruise? It is home to the famous Knysna heads, abundant marine life and rich local history told with the finesse of age by local tour guides. This tour lasts 75 minutes and you will want more by the time you are back to the show.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1649959742/Trailer_4230bd8ad2.jpg" alt=""><figcaption>Temptation Island offical trailer</figcaption></figure>The Garden Route is your chance to become the explorers you read in geography. The whole tour takes 4 days with stops at hotels along the pristine beach on the course way. Experience marine life, whales, seals and dolphins from a front-row vantage point. Also, get to explore the Cango Caves while at it.Visit the old mines. Do we need to emphasize this? This is for lack of a better phrase, the gold mine of the trip.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1649959810/Dusk_0599839f02.png" alt=""></figure>&nbsp;How would you like to jump off the world’s highest commercial bungee? The Bloukrans bridge is 216m high and overlooks the Bloukrans River cutting across Nature’s valley not only is this experience breathtaking it is also very rewarding as it is a venue for a handful of world records. The bridge is not exactly in Knysna, it is in West Cape. But this should not be the excuse for you to not go bungee jumping. You can’t get that far and fail to get there.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1649959851/Bridge_644391a107.png" alt=""></figure>

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A Little Bit of South—Enjoy It

Kakamega is a hick town bustling with activity. It reeks of industry and productivity, everyone on a dogged paper chase. Everything is narrow, the streets, the lanes, the alleys, the open spaces, everything is on a parsimonious budget, a town on a slimming routine.It is sunny, pleasant and it carries about it, a nostalgic twinge of old for the sole reason that it is a town that ages slowly.I wouldn’t laud it as a proper tourist destination, but you never know, sometimes we stumble into places we never expect ourselves to be in and when we do, the proper thing is to make hay in the scorching sun. Talking about scorching, it is a hot town, the heat burns like a cast iron pan. The rains are a honey badger ovulating or a pregnant cat, proper moody and indefatigably irritable—always carry a sweater.The street cuisine is almost cliché it is like being Kenyan, variety is a disparaging entity, a collapsed institution. It is broiler chicken all over marinated with the laziest hue of egg yolk yellow, food colour. And whatever you do, don’t ever attempt to eat the mutura at Joyland. There are ways to die and then there are painful dehydrated ways to die, savvy?You can blow your money at the Stone of Ilesi on your way to Khayega which is a granitic tor bleeding water from the tip of its head. It stuck out for so long in your Geography books, hopefully, it will elucidate fond memories. The charges are menial, you should consider it more or less like being panhandled by a starved villager than it is about paying viewing fees because the money is menial.Kakamega forest and its environs are probably the places where your money will count. Carry a pair of binoculars and a chirpy spirit because the place is a haven for anyone in love with birds and indigenous trees. She is a curvy forest with a thick foliage, an air laden with sounds and so crispy as to filter your lungs. It is a breath of fresh air reincarnated.&nbsp;A bit more north is Malava Forest, which carries the same package as does Kakamega Forest but only with a higher and a more diversified count of primates. They come in all shapes and colors and that gleeful swinging from branch to branch while chattering in loud howls and shrieks should make for a pensionable moment.Bukhungu Stadium is a hub of sports and culture and every weekend plays host to a soccer match or two. The locals are passionate about football and if you want to have an experience of a live Kenyan Premier league match, you have a home right at home here, just make sure that Kakamega Homeboys are playing.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1649959292/Bulls_0802a18248.png" alt=""></figure>Bullfights also happen on weekends most likely in Khayega where you are likely to meet a popular senatorial seat aspirant in tattered jeans and sandals dancing to isukuti while holding a staff, cheering his favorite bull on, half the crowd will be properly inebriated. Bullfighting is a crass and pugilistic affair; it is wildly hedonistic and as invigorating as a proper blood rush fiesta should be.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dn4vattmg/image/upload/v1649959362/AP_114323e6df.jpg" alt=""></figure>Sundays are for puya(busaa) if you ask any local. Take a boda and head off to Rosterman somewhere near the gold mines and you have an entire day to bask under the shade of a tree, eating pork and drinking busaa.&nbsp;Sundays are for pork too, with the most popular joint being a place called Bukhulunya. The pork haute cuisines are a handsy affair. You buy your own pork, you light your own fire using stoked wood in ceramic jikos, you buy your own onions and tomatoes and from then on, it’s your culinary skills put to test, it’s a good way to start a Sunday morning.Going and eating out.Vovo is your perfect sports bar. They make decent cocktails. I wouldn’t however review their food. Their prices are a tad above the rest when it comes to budgetary comparisons.&nbsp;Specs, is one of the most popular joints. Their food is good, their prices fair but the service is like watching a tortoise hike. It’s a near decent place to catch a soccer match, have a pint and listen to music on a weekend. At its best, it is clubbing under a tent. Signature, is a jampacked place, teeming with teens, post teens and anyone chasing a wild night out.The Comfort Court, is a balance between Signature and Specs but with a Dj who knows how to string up a decent mix.The Tavern has a pool and is worth checking out. Nothing out of the moon though.Golf Hotel is old and living in its past glories. It should be torn by an earthquake to hopefully facilitate a rebuild.Frikaz gets packed on weekends, its more convenient for folks living on the outskirts of town. Good for Nyama choma, to catch a match and definitely grab a pint.The Boyz Lounge makes for a cozy place with decent prices and some superb service. It is a good place to get lost into while in town.Morgans Café would be an ideal spot in town for a coffee date with the standards of a small-town blossoming.The town is small, hopefully, this review too.

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