Here is the second guest post from Lillian Gaitho, Head of PR at Jovago.com, where she shares her ideas where to go and what to do over the long weekend in Kenya – enjoy the read. Feedback to her can be channeled through my blog comments from where it will be passed on to her. Enjoy #TembeaKenya
Create Memorable Adventures this Mashujaa Weekend
By Lillian Gaitho, PR Manager, Jovago.com
Let’s take a moment of truth; Mashujaa Day is here, you and I have been counting days, crossing the calendar, if only for a one-day-off from the usual routine! And now that the reprieve is nigh, everyone around is busy asking everyone around them what they are up to! Reminds me of Dinah Washington’s Classic What a Difference a Day Makes. While some have their calendars well programmed from the turn of the year, others like me hide our not -so-meticulous-ways under the camouflage of Spontaneity! Hey, we are Sanguine; just arise and shine, happy-go-lucky. But like everyone else we could do with a few pointers. Jovago.com, Africa’s leading hotel booking service offers some useful insights on where to go, what to do this Long Weekend. On top of the tips, you shall have a 25% off the Rate by using the Special Code: JoinUs.
Try some Country-side Intrigues; White Water Rafting at Rapids Camp, Sagana:
For any adrenaline-filled adventure, nothing beats the raft at Rapids Camp Sagana. The camp, which hosted the 2008 African Kayaking Olympics still retains its charm. You can opt to finally face your fear of heights, scientifically termed as acrophobia by taking a bungee jump into the wild waters of Sagana River or somersaulting against the rough tides. White water rafting in River Tana and rock climbing on the boulders along the river is a common activity at the camp.
Photo URL: http://static.jovago.com/media/cache/700x700v/044eb16370712401513bd048deb926f29c6f44d9.PNG?6 (Rapids Camp)
You can chose to camp the whole weekend, as the camp houses about 300 tents or take a 1 1/2 hour drive from the city through Murang’a-Nairobi or Thika Highways to this tranquil location. Once here you can choose to have a relaxed afternoon on the acres of well-manicured lawns on banks of the river or make arrangements for bush lunch, River trekking and fishing. More active individuals can explore the array of watersports including diving, kayaking, white water rafting and sport fishing. If staying overnight, consider taking part in the moonlit walks for the fun of bonding with nature’s nocturnal mystique!
Earthly Paradise on top of Mt Longonot
It’s amazing! And quite practical; take roughly one hour drive from the city, any of the three days and enjoy stunning views of the “beautiful world beneath” from the crater. Longonot is an extinct volcano, 2, 776 m above sea level and offers great views of the Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha. Depending on your fitness (ooh, yes! It matters) it will take you about 1-2.5 hours to scale the rocks and terrains on the climb, and then another 1-1.5 hours to complete the legendary walk around the crater.
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The view is spectacular and quite serene, very suitable for a family picnic or just an afternoon with happy-go-lucky nature lovers. Keep a firm eye on the young ones, and of course stay sober while up the crater! The sides are steep and a potential danger of slipping off to the bowels of the volcano is real!
A park fee payable at the KWS entrance guarantees you a trained guard for your escapade. Remember to keep your camera and binoculars on for wildlife spotting.
A Divine Dive in East Africa’s Most Magnificent Spa
On top of offering the splendor and grace that’s naturally occurring in the Great Rift Valley, Enashipai Resort & Spa also boasts of East Africa’s biggest spa and supersized swimming pools. Another plus on the exclusive treatment you are bound to receive here is the child-minders and the Kid’s club that will keep the young ones occupied!
Sheltered within sun-kissed natural gardens, the ultimately invigorating World-class Ziwa Spa (meaning ocean) offers a much-deserved retreat to soothe away months any bouts of tension, any un-appreciated feeling! Treat this as your R&R and leave your itinerary at that.
Photo URL: http://static.jovago.com/media/cache/700x700v/a48c1ac48b6bd2f1b12e58e31f9c53721febb8c5.jpg?6
Or Just Drive Away to Hell’s Gate
Hell’s Gate National Park, though small by African Standards is home to diverse and an amazing birdlife in the region. The park also allows activities such as biking, motorcycling, and hiking an aspect not very common in national parks. You may consider staying close by in camping sites such as Camp Carnelley’s just to ensure you rise early enough to catch the wildlife by the waterholes!
Photo URL: http://static.jovago.com/media/cache/700x700v/e68cabaa70a09912ace5684d7b4a43af954bb1a3.jpg?6 (Camp Carnelleys)
Not to be missed in your nature trail is Ol-Njorowa’s gorge, one of the highlights of Hell’s Gate National Park; the gorge is very scenic, from the steep and incised rock moldings to the pumice lava and green algae thriving in the “day lighting” spots of the underground springs. The mythical section “Devil’s bedroom” apparently named by early visitors because of the monkeys who usually congregated here making unearthly noises should also be on your list.
If rock climbing spurs an adrenaline rush in your system, then you will have a great time on the rocky extrusions of Fischer’s tower at the mouth of the gorge. Picnics are great here, but beware of the flash floods- heed to the very last word of your guard’s instruction!
Treasures in Your Backyard: Nairobi National Park;
Isn’t it disturbing how we all want to travel, experience and create look books on top of travel diaries of where we’ve been/ what we’ve seen, yet few of us bother with the very world-renowned park on our way to the airport??
Photo Url: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Giraffe_-_Skyline_-_Nairobi_-_Park.jpg
Nairobi National Park ranks high on the global scale, remember its Africa’s largest protected area so close to any capital city. It’s also one of Kenya’s most successful black rhino sanctuaries and home to over 400 species of birds; more than can be found in the entire United Kingdom. Maybe then, after your day at the park, you can consider changing your route back and pass by one of the nyama choma houses along your way!
And by the way, just a little further is the Silole Sanctuary (www.silolesanctuary.com), the entrance not far after Rolf’s Place when coming from Rongai. Silole does have accommodation available, simple but clean, for a weekend getaway from the city and yet seeing the skyline of Nairobi’s CBD on the horizon.
Treat your Inner god; Dine like Royalty at The Tribe!
Probably representing that One Tribe that quite comprehends the intricacies of fine living and tasteful interiors. The clan at Tribe just like they have promised on their website will receive you traditionally; arms wide spread, eyes smiling and eager to offer you the comforts of a weary traveler! And since, I suppose you won’t have travelled for too long, take a moment and take in the serene atmosphere; plush and chic décor, world-class finishing and tastefully put together furnishing, nothing in the “usual”. Dine and wine like the royals, sample the assorted bars and finally go flip back to your copies of Conde Nast Traveller-you will agree the Tribe has a rightful place on the Hot List!
Or Drift off to Dazzling Diani
Voted as the top-destination by the recent 2014’s World Travel Award, Diani does not disappoint. The 10 kilometer expanse of glittering white sands stretch from the Kongo River to the North and Galu Beach to the south. This world renowned destination is a favorite with top celebrities as well as the corporate league with a taste for virgin, uninterrupted natural beaches. Diani is within easy reach from Nairobi with direct flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport on Safarilink’s daily scheduled afternoon service to the Ukunda airfield.
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Once here, forget the worries of depreciating markets, un-appreciating relations, a degrading ozone layer and just soak in the shallow waters hugging the shore line! The sands seem to kiss and soak in the sun’s rays, just the perfect set up for a sunbathe afternoon. One thing about this idyllic setting, is that you cannot have an idle moment!
Finally, do not lose the holiday’s meaning; take a minute and think how far we’ve come from the struggle for independence, celebrate your hero/shujaa by supporting/contributing or donating to a worth course!
