‘I had a farm at the foot of the Ngong Hills’ … famous words about a famous venue
KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM PROVIDES STAGE FOR ‘XPLORE – TRAVEL AND FOOD FAIR’ (Posted 18th September 2015) A privately organized travel and food fair, ‘Xplore’ will open this weekend at the famous Karen Blixen Museum to showcase a range of services for the Kenyan domestic market. From posh resorts at the coast, fancy safari camps and […]
Clean beaches – good for tourists and for the locals too
WATAMU MARINE ASSOCIATION LEADS BEACH CLEAN UP EXERCISE (Posted 16th September 2015) This annual event is organised by the Ocean Conservancy based in the USA. The data they receive from the event helps them to collect scientific information for education purposes and to gain support and lobby governments and policy makers in an effort to […]
New airport set to open up Kenya’s north
ISIOLO’S NEW AIRPORT – A SPRINGBOARD TO KENYA’S NORTH (Posted 11th September 2015) Progress is reported from one of Kenya’s new aviation facilities, the Isiolo Airport, long seen as a sort of a white elephant but coming into its own now. Tourists flying to some of the northern parks and game reserves near Isiolo have […]
Amadeus updates from across Eastern Africa
NEWS: Amadeus strengthens LCC offering Amadeus has agreed to acquire Navitaire, a wholly owned subsidiary of Accenture (NYSE: ACN) that provides technology and business solutions to the airline industry, for US$830 million. The addition of Navitaire’s portfolio of products and solutions will complement our own Amadeus Altéa suite, enabling us to serve a much wider […]
More tourists expected to head to Mombasa as British tour operators resume sales
UK’S BIG LEAGUE TOUR OPERATORS SET TO RESUME KENYA SALES (Posted 03rd August 2015) Kenya’s coastal tourism industry expects rapid improvements in visitor numbers, now that the UK’s leading tour operators have signaled a change in their attitude against the country and have promised to resume active sales from next month. This is a result […]
Visiting the Kenya coast on a tiny budget AND having fun? Read on for the where and how!
A coast based friend just sent in this article, describing a unique travel experience from Lamu all the way to Wasini and done on budgets of between 30 and 40 US Dollars a day, accommodation, meals and bus tickets included. WOW … yes, that is affordable, in fact outright cheap … so for anyone travelling […]
Kenya tourism in the limelight as Obama announces plans to come back for a holiday
OBAMA’S PARTING COMMENTS SHOULD HELP TO LIFT KENYA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY (Posted 27th July 2015) Magical Kenya got a massive boost from US President Barrack Obama, when prior to his departure for Ethiopia he expressed his intent to return to the country after leaving the presidency. In a radio interview with one of Kenya’s most popular […]
Ten things to do while at the Kenya coast …
MOMBASA AND THE KENYA COAST – THE TEN TOP THINGS TO DO WHILE ON VACATION (Posted 19th July 2015) Surprisingly often are questions asked when I highlight the many attractions the Kenya coast holds for visitors ‘But what shall we do all day long’. Most hotels and resorts these days have a professional animation team […]
Jambojet adds Visa and Mastercard to their payment options
Jambojet is pleased to announce that we have extended our flight schedule. You can now purchase travel through January 15th, 2016. We look forward to seeing you on board this. Book today by Clicking here now! Looking for great accommodation in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Malindi, Diani or Lamu? We have partnered up with Booking.com to […]
Contempt of court may end KALPA boss in jail
KENYA PILOTS ASSOCIATION SECRETARY GENERAL FACES JAIL FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT (Posted 09th July 2015) Ronald Karauri, the Secretary General of the Kenya Airline Pilots Association, is facing a contempt of court charge and will have to defend himself why he should not be jailed, something many airline executives think is long overdue. The case […]
No Visa – No Entry as Kenya launches new rules
VISA IN ADVANCE? NOW KENYA TOO STARTS THIS NONSENSE! (Posted 01st July 2015) Come midnight tonight, 02nd of July 2015, do major changes in Kenya’s Visa policy come into place. Unlike in the past when many nationalities were able to get their Visa on arrival in Nairobi or Mombasa, will intending visitors now have to […]
Act now do Kenyan tourism stakeholders demand of their government
KENYA’S HOTEL ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN J.S. VOHRA SPELLS OUT REQUIRED ACTION (Posted 01st July 2015) A symposium last week at the Sarova Whitesands Resort in Mombasa brought together Kenya’s hoteliers and other tourism stakeholders who came to the coast to discuss the dire state of the industry especially for coastal resorts, which were hard hit by […]
Lillian Gaitho’s weekend post … coming to you on a Monday
8 Almost Free Things to Do Along the East African Coast Gone are the days when we would all save a lifetime for a two-day vacation, the internet of things has made it known to all and sundry that you can still live the dream without breaking the bank of costing an arm and a […]
Lillian Gaitho’s weekend thoughts …
Six Tips for Travelling During the Holy Month of Ramadan Ramadan Mubarak! The moon has been spotted and our Muslim brethren are on for a month of fasting, kindness and self-sacrifice. But what about the Traveler? This season may call for more than just the usual suitcase for the business traveler and the rucksack for […]
What is the real reason for Jambojet’s reduction of coast flights
COMPETITORS DISMISS JAMBOJET’S REASONING FOR REDUCING FLIGHTS TO THE COAST (Posted 19th June 2015) ‘This is complete bull’ ranted a regular aviation source from Nairobi when asked to comment on reports that Jambojet had cited issues with the runways in Lamu and in Ukunda as the primary reason for cutting back on flights. ‘They simply […]
It is good bye and good riddance to the hated travel advisories and Karibu Sana to the tourists again
KENYA’S COASTAL TOURISM FRATERNITY GETS A BREAK AS UK LIFTS CRIPPLING ANTI TRAVEL ADVISORIES (Posted 19th June 2015) The UK has finally lifted their crippling anti travel advisories which had banned all but essential travel to the Kenya coast, blanketing the almost entire coastline from Malindi over Watamu, Kilifi, Shanzu, Bamburi, Nyali to the city […]
Lower passenger numbers lead to a downsizing in planes
JAMBOJET SWITCHES ALL FLIGHTS TO ELDORET AND KISUMU TO TURBOPROP OPERATIONS (Posted 05th June 2015) 15 months into operations, the airline commenced flights on the 01st of April last year, has Jambojet changed tack vis a vis their flights to Eldoret and Kisumu, after passenger numbers remained lower than expected on these two upcountry routes […]
New railway plans becoming reality …
TANZANIA SIGNS RAILWAY CONTRACTS WORTH OVER 9 BILLION US DOLLARS (Posted 03rd June 2015) Tanzania’s Minister for Transport Samuel Sitta last weekend confirmed that the Tanzanian government had put pen to paper with two Chinese companies for the construction of two new rail lines. One of them, to be built in Standard Gauge, will eventually […]
Three decades later – from 1985 to 2015. Reflections on ATA Congresses in Kenya
LOOKING FORWARD BY LOOKING BACK (Posted 02ndJune 2015) When the Africa Travel Association returns in November to Nairobi, to stage the organization’s 40th World Congress, memories rushed back on the 10th such congress way back in 1985, the first I attended since arriving in Kenya many many years earlier. Like this year was the venue […]
Third party competitive threats bring Wilson Airport rivals closer together
SAFARILINK AND AIR KENYA TEAM UP FOR UKUNDA FLIGHTS (Posted 29th May 2015) Safarilink and Air Kenya have now reacted to the launch of flights by Jambojet, Kenya Airways’ low cost subsidiary, to the Ukunda aerodrome, after that airline started to offer flights twice a day. Air Kenya, flying every morning from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, […]
Groundbreaking for new Ugandan SGR line expected in June
UGANDA SET FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION (Posted 23rd May 2015) After the Ugandan parliament approved a 13 trillion Uganda Shillings loan, sourced from the Chinese government, will work on the new Standard Gauge Railway commence next month. The Minister for Works Hon. John Byabagambi at the same time also confirmed […]
Major East African airport carries out ICAO mandated drill
DO NOT PANIC – THIS IS A DRILL (Posted 20th May 2015) Several regular sources yesterday early morning were swift to pass information that ‘Something is going on at JKIA’ but upon further investigation and when getting in touch with the Kenya Airport Authority it soon became clear that Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was undergoing […]
Lillian Gaithos’ weekend travel recommendations
No weekend edition is complete without Lillian openingour eyes to what is out there waiting to be discovered. Read on where she intends to send you this weekend! Five Hot Spots for Cruising and Sailing in Africa Cruising and sailing is one kind of novelty that I fill has not been fully exploited in East […]
Now where is that beach …
JAMBOJET’S DIANI ADVERT RUFFLES MORE THAN A FEW FEATHERS (Posted 08th May 2015) When Jambojet sent out their latest mailing yesterday, aimed at the upcoming Mother’s Day, and wrote: ‘Your mom deserves an unforgettable experience Fly her to any of our 7 destinations at an affordable price Eldoret / Kisumu and Mombasa starting from 2,950/- […]
Hidden Gems – Made in Kenya
The Lamu archipelago does not need much explanation in our region oramong my readers. This ancient Kenyan town takes visitors back in time. Accessible by air from Wilson Airport with Safarilink and Air Kenya and from JKIA by Jambojet has Lamu something in store for every visitor. Festivals galore, from the Lamu Cultural Festival over […]
40 kilometres in four months but 431 kilometres remain. Read on to find out more!
NEW STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAY MAKES ADVANCES (Posted 04th May 2015) Information coming in from Kenya indicates that about 40 kilometres of the new Standard Gauge Railway, in short SGR, is already complete after work started in earnest some four months ago. A further 431 kilometres however need to be finished if the new Chinese financed […]
How best to deal with frivolous law suits when it affects a country’s economy
KENYA PILOT’S UNION LATEST CASE AGAINST KENYA AIRWAYS EXPOSES SHOCKING LACK OF COMPETENCE (Posted 14th April 2015) ‘Just ask yourself how any of the planes Kenya Airways or Jambojet presently has on their fleet, will be able to land in Ukunda or in Lamu’ asked a regular aviation source when passing the news last night […]
Safari Trails Newsletter – April 2015
Excerpts from the latest Safari Trail Newsletter … AN OASIS IN THE WILDERNESS – SARARA CAMP In the northern frontier of Kenya lies the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, an area of 850,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the Mathews Range. The Savannah plains and lush mountain slopes are home to elephant, leopard, reticulated giraffe, wild dog […]
All tarmac to Addis Ababa – an African dream gains shape
THE ROAD TO ADDIS ABABA – SLOWLY BUT SURELY BECOMING REALITY (Posted 11th April 2015) A generation old road project, to link the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa with East Africa’s main cities through a tarmacked highway, is progressively gaining shape as major sections of the new highway are now complete or nearing completion. Landlocked […]
One year down the line it is mixed fortunes for Jambojet
JAMBOJET CAPTURES 30 PERCENT OF DOMESTIC MARKET IN FIRST YEAR OF OPERATIONS (Posted 10th April 2015) When Jambojet launched their flights on April 01st last year, did the airline announce ambitious targets for their first year of operations. Fully owned by Kenya Airways is Jambojet a successor of the former Flamingo Airways, which was KQ’s […]
