Happy Tenth Anniversary to Safari Trails …

It’s hard to believe that not too long ago, our dream of starting our own company, Safari Trails, was realized. We started from a tiny space in the Hilton Lobby and grew from strength to strength over the last 10 years with the strong and dedicated support from our staff – "The Safari Trails Family".

To all our partners, suppliers, valued clients, friends and family who, along our journey, have given us their full support, had faith in us, encouraged us and continue to do so, The Safari Trails Team says ASANTE SANA!

We are very grateful to have the opportunity of celebrating this Milestone with you all.
Here’s to the next 10 years!

Mona Thethy
Managing Director – Safari Trails

‘Ololo’ is an Australian family-owned safari lodge, which combines the atmosphere and style of bush living while offering all the convenience and amenities of a city hotel.
Set on twenty acres of beautifully manicured gardens, Ololo is picturesquely positioned on the banks of the Mbagathe River on the southern border of the Nairobi National Park.

Ololo’s partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service allows them full park access. Guests can be transferred to both international and local airports, avoiding the notorious city traffic and at the same time can experience the delights of one of the world’s most unique national parks.

Their convenient location, home-style warmth and comfort as well as their attention to detail in a beautiful bush setting, are hallmarks of the Ololo experience.

Ololo Lodge is built around a traditional colonial farmhouse that has been carefully restored and extended by the owners making it an iconic blend of classic old Africa with a slightly more modern eclectic twist.

Guests can relax in the large open living room in front of a blazing fire with their well stocked wine cellar close at hand, or choose to sit quietly in the adjoining library, all with views to the park.

Lodging choices include the Terrace room, the Tower room, the three-bedroom Stable cottage in the converted horse stables, seven double rooms with their own private courtyard and barbecue, and several tented cottages.

Ololo, which offers Wifi, can be booked for private functions, such as business meetings and conferences (accommodating 20-30 overnight guests), wedding receptions and other special occasions.

‘The Kitchen at Ololo’, their restaurant overlooking the park, offers a delicious range of meals to guests and lunchtime visitors. With a menu that changes regularly according to seasonal availability, their dishes use ingredients that are all locally produced and fresh from garden to plate, emphasising on home-style, hearty food and flavours.

Ololo offers guests game drives into Nairobi National Park, bird watching expeditions into the park led by local bird specialists, bush breakfasts or ‘sundowners’, cultural excursions to Karen to visit the Karen Blixen Museum, the Giraffe Centre or Daphne Sheldrick’s renowned Elephant Orphanage.

The Australian owners of the lodge attempt as much as is possible to follow the ethos of practising ‘sustainability today for a better tomorrow’.

Ololo practices efficient use of energy with approximately 50% of their electricity supplied by solar panels. A bio box recycling and filtering unit treats all waste-water which is used in the gardens. Their water comes from their own borehole, which is also accessed by the local community. This water is filtered and treated at Ololo for drinking. All their rubbish is separated and recycled and glass bottles are taken to nearby Kitengela Glass Studio to be used for glass production. Ololo is also proud of it’s own workshop, where their own carpenters have made many signature pieces of furniture throughout the lodge.

After Kempinski, Hemingways, Sheraton and Radisson Blu’s entry into the Kenyan market, Mövenpick has decided to follow suit.

In a show of confidence in the future of Kenya’s hospitality sector, Swiss-based Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts will open its first property in Nairobi’s Westlands area in mid-2016.
The 223 room facility will target business travellers and the affluent local community alike, but will also offer 54 spacious contemporary 1 and 2 bedroom apartments targeting long-stay couples and families.

Mr. Mureithi Ndegwa, Managing Director of KTB delivers the keynote speech

The conference also featured a preview of the digital components of the new global Make It Kenya campaign.
The event focused strongly on the use of social media to leverage online bookings. Mr. Damian Cook, the CEO of E-Tourism Frontiers, emphasized the importance of online tourism. "With over 69% of travellers now beginning their search online and seeing there has been a 50% increase in mobile use across business and leisure travellers, with 30% relying purely on their mobiles to make last minute bookings, it is critical that tourism players in the sector make better use of the internet and social media to market and manage their destinations and businesses."

Pope Francis’ 3 day visit to Kenya has been confirmed and the global leader of the Catholic faithful will be in the country from November 25th to 27th.

During his visit, the Pope will hold bilateral talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta before meeting senior government officials at the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) offices. While there, he will also address members of the diplomatic corps.
Pope Francis’ itinerary will include an inter-religious meeting with Christian, Muslim, Hindu and traditional leaders. He will also give a general address to Kenyans, meet with a number of young people, and conduct Mass.
Pope Francis will leave for Uganda on November 27th before heading to the Central African Republic on November 29th.

Local and foreign visitors flocked to South Coast for the 5th edition of the annual Magical Kenya Travel Expo which took place from the 15th to the 17th of October 2015 at the Leisure Lodge Resort in Diani, Kwale.

KTB managing director Mureithi Ndegwa said about 170 hosted buyers and 122 exhibitors attended the expo, compared to 130 hosted buyers and 110 exhibitors in previous expos in Nairobi.

He said the board has seen an improvement after taking the expo outside Nairobi for the first time. In attendance were travel agencies, tour operators, hoteliers and airlines.
Ndegwa said they are working with the private sector to raise the profile of the destination through improved public relations and communication.

Safari Trails will be attending the WTM in London between the 2nd and 5th of November, 2015. Book an appointment to meet us by emailing sales.

How does a clam celebrate his birthday?

He ‘shellebrates’!