Sunny In Kenya

Hello World, I hope you all had a great week! I visited Kenya in August to experience Safari in Masai Mara. As an animal lover, it was an absolute dream.

HISTORY

From Kenya Washington DC Embassy Site & Original travel Co:

Kenya is named after Mount Kenya- the second tallest Mountain in Africa. The Kikuyu people who lived around present day Mt Kenya referred to it as Kirinyaga or Kerenyaga, meaning mountain of whiteness because of its snow capped peak. Mt Kirinyaga which was the main landmark became synonymous with the territory the British later claimed as their colony. The name Kenya arose out of the inability of the British to pronounce Kirinyaga correctly.

Swahili culture, which took shape in the early centuries AD, is the fruit of commerce by Bantu people from the east coast of Africa and Arab traders – Mombasa and Lamu were founded in the framework of exchanges. At the end of the fifteenth century, in a climate of crusades, the Portuguese landed and took control of the traffic of gold. They re-embarked a century later driven by Arab revolts. Omanis then exerted a religious and commercial guardianship over Kenya; they developed the slave trade from Zanzibar and countries along the coast. In the nineteenth century, Europe unfolded again and English control stifled German ambitions in the region.

In 1890, the Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty defined two zones of respective influence in eastern Africa. In 1895, the British East Africa was established and spread across most of present-day Kenya. Colonists settled on the land and the native African people were kept out of the business management. Under British pressure, trafficking was abolished in 1873; traditional leaders were maintained, subject to the authority of the imperial administrators. The Protectorate of Kenya (which also included the future Uganda) became a colony in 1920. An encroachment of European settlers and a global economic crisis resulted in the degradation and exploitation of indigenous people. Kenya was nevertheless a key ally during World War II. But in 1952, the Mau Mau movement, originating from the Kikuyu people of Kenya, began an uprising against English colonists, which ultimately resulted in thousands of deaths and their defeat. Jomo Kenyatta was imprisoned for complicity with the Mau Mau. The British attempted to calm the situation by promoting the integration of Africans in the political administration of the colony. Parties multiplied and the pressure for independence mounted. The Kenya African National Union (KANU), with Jomo Kenyatta as its head, replaced the Kenya African Union in 1960. The following year, the British gave way and formal independence was declared in 1964. KANU’s Jomo Kenyatta formed the first government and became Prime Minister. After his death in 1978, Daniel Arap Moi took his place and, in 1982, the one-party rule was established. This lasted until 1991. KANU remained as ruler until 2002. Kibaki was inaugurated as Kenya’s third president on 30 December 2002. In December 2007, the disputed re-election of incumbent President Mwai Kibaki put the country on the brink of civil war.

Kenya is an independent republic within the British Commonwealth. The 1963 Constitution (revised in 2001) established a presidential regime. The President, elected for five years by universal suffrage, chooses a vice president and appoints members of the government. These are members of the National Assembly (a room of 210 deputies), which holds legislative power. The country is divided into eight provinces, each managed by an advisory board whose members are appointed by the President of the Republic. Each province is divided into forty districts with local boards. Broad autonomy is granted to local authorities, who raise their own taxes to provide health spending, equipment or teaching. The Nairobi region has special status.

BEFORE TRAVELING TO KENYA

Visa:Many nationalities need to obtain a visa before departure. Check Kenya’s official visa website and allow time to complete the application

Languange:There are two official languages in Kenya: English and Swahili (Kiswahili). Many different languages are spoken across the country as each population has its own dialect. The most common are Kikuyu, Dholuo and Kamba. Sheng, a Swahili-based slang mixed with English is widely spoken in Nairobi.

Weather: There are two rainy seasons—the heaviest rains (called masika) usually fall from mid-March to May and a shorter period of rain (called vuli) occurs in November and December. January and February are mostly dry, although there may be a chance of rain. The dry season, with cooler temperatures, lasts from May to October. 

Currency: The currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). It is a closed currency so you won’t be able to order any before you go. However, cards are widely accepted and ATMs are widely available. 

I flew in from Doha (DIA) to Nairobi (NBO)

The main purpose of my trip to Kenya was to experience Safari in Masai Mara. My Safari experience was planned by Leon Africa Luxury Travels

There are two option to travel to Masai Mara from Nairobi. You can choose to go by road or fly into the Mara. Drive to Masai Mara takes approximately 5-6 hours the road and flying into the Mara takes approximately 45 minutes. Leon African Luxury Travels planned and suggested both especially with such limited time. I was picked up at Nairobi airport, it was 4.5 hours drive to the camp.

I stayed at Entumoto camp, it’s a luxury tented camp. The camp is situated in a private conservancy. The area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including majestic cats, giraffes, zebras, elephants and rhinos. The tents at Entumoto camp are spacious with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, and private balconies. The camp also has a restaurant that serves a variety of delicious meals. Guests at Entumoto camp can go on guided game drives and walks to see the wildlife, or relax in the camp and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. If you are planning a trip to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, I will highly suggest you stay at this camp and ask for Alex and Purity as your guides. They are extremely knowledgeable about the animals, Masaai culture, and overall so kind and full of wonderful stories.

Animals comes very close to the camp due to the pond on site.

After settling in the Camp, it was time to go on Safari Game drive.

The “Big Five” is a term that is used to refer to the 5 African animals that early big game hunters considered most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot in Africa. These animals include the African elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino. Ticking off the African Big 5 is on many travelers’ bucket lists.Some facts about these magnificent animals: 

1. The Africa elephants are the largest species of elephant and the biggest terrestrial animal on earth. They are easily distinguished by their very large ears, shaped like the Africa continent. 

2. African lions are the most social of all the big cats and live together in prides. Male lions defend the pride’s territory while females do most of the hunting. Despite this, the males eat first.

3. Rhinos are very inventive and make their own sunblock. Rhinos which will soak in mud for up to three hours at a time, rely on mud to protect their skin from biting pests and the blistering  sun.

4. The African buffalo is one of the most abundant of Africa’s large herbivores. It will also not live in an area with less than 10 inches of rain water. They give birth only during the wet or rainy season. 

5. The leopard is a very strong claimer. They frequently hide their kill in a tree to protect it from lions and hyenas. Of the Big 5, they are the least well-known and difficult seen. 

There’s a wakeup call each morning based on activities scheduled.

Visited one of the Masai Mara Villages to learn about the Masai culture and way of life.

While heading to sunset dinner after my visit to the Masai village, we saw these brave Giraffes crossing from one bush to another.

More Game-drives

45 minutes flight from Masai Mara to Nairobi.

My stayed in Nairobi was an overall lovely experience courtesy of  @fourpointsnbo The staffs were accommodating, I got laundry service with less than 2 hours notice, delicious pre birthday treats. Breathtaking view from the roof top plus the hotel is central. Located in Hurlingham, it’s in close proximity to shopping centres, cool cafés, nightlife, and tourist attractions. I will highly recommend this hotel when in Nairobi! 

I visited the popular Giraffe Centre in Nairobi. 
Before going I was slightly hesitant that it’s too touristy, and animal welfare is very important to me! I was pleasantly surprised! It starts with washing hands before heading over to collect some snacks for the giraffes. A visit to the Giraffe Centre Nairobi directly supports the conservation of endangered Rothschild Giraffe, and it also provides you an opportunity to come into close contact with the world’s tallest mammal. I will highly suggest you add this to your bucket list when in Nairobi! 

I explored Nairobi city center with Nai Nami city tour. Nai Nami is a charity run by men who used to live on the streets for various reasons. They have all turnt their lives around and run this organization to create more opportunities for the children within the community. As my tour guide Tsunami showed me around, he narrates his personal story and what it was like growing up in Nairobi. They provide story telling of Nairobi online and in person.

My time in Kenya was an experience of a lifetime. Kenya is the Africa of childhood imagination – big cats, sprawling savannah, elephants, rhino and magnificent giraffes. Kenya delivered on all fronts of adventure and brought reality to my childhood imigination. From the thronging streets of Nairobi to the ancient traditions of the Maasai, I experienced the ultimate in everything this East African country has to offer. I hope this post helps inspires you all to visit Kenya. 

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