KARIBU KENYA - UNON - the United Nations Office at Nairobi

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CHAPTER 10: ON SAFARI On Safari in Kenya Safaris on Nairobi’s Doorstep As Africa’s original ‘Safari Capital’, Nairobi still boasts some of the best and most varied wilderness adventures on the continent. From the great wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara to the little-explored corners of Tsavo and Samburu to some of Africa’s most beautiful beaches, the brochures do not exaggerate when they imply that you are living in one of the most diverse and spectacular countries on Earth.And these destinations are available in all levels of comfort, with all manner of luxury lodges and hotels, private homesteads and public campsites, and a rich variety of cultural, sporting and family activities that can be tailored to any type, length or price of safari. Most international personnel who travel abroad on their annual leaves may only have a few short days or long weekends to escape from work.There are several short wildlife viewing adventures that can be made in 3-4 days overland, including Tsavo,Amboseli, the Chyulu Hills and the Maasai Mara – particularly for the great migration every July and August. These parks have all levels of accommodation, from five-star tented camps and luxury lodges to self-service chalets and campsites, which any of the good travel agents below can tell you about.The larger hotel groups can also arrange overland or flying itineraries that take in two or more parks. Closer to home, an idyllic peaceful weekend can be spent on the shores of Lake Naivasha, a stunning freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley, just over an hour’s drive northwest of Nairobi. Here again there are all manner of accommodation and activities, from the stylish surrounds of Olerai House (890596) to the peaceful charm of Crater Lake (05020-20613), and stunning views with horse rides, pampered care and delectable cuisine at Malu (05020-21200), Malewa River Lodge (05020-30312) or the Great Rift Valley Lodge (4446651), which also boasts one of Africa’s most spectacular 18-hole golf courses. South of Nairobi, the Rift presents a wilder side at Lake Magadi, whose high soda content attracts a stunning variety of waterbirds.Visitors can make the journey on to Shompole (884135), one of Kenya’s most beautiful and 76 • KARIBU KENYA
innovative lodges, which is co-owned by the local Maasai. Close to Magadi too is the fascinating prehistoric site of Olorgesaille, where on the shore of an ancient lake bed Louis and Mary Leakey family found thousands of stone age tools, which are now preserved in a series of ‘living museums’. Family Destinations Some of Kenya’s largest hotel and lodge operators have in recent years launched a variety of children’s ‘safari clubs’ to make their destinations more attractive to visiting families – and to enable Mum and Dad to get a little peace from the kids! The market leader is Heritage Hotels (4446651), which runs two clubs, the Adventurers’ Club for 4-12 year olds and the Young Rangers’ Club for teenagers, offering a rich variety of educational games, wildlife-spotting walks and cultural outings from the group’s properties in the Maasai Mara, Samburu, Mombasa and Naivasha. Several other hotel groups have taken up the family baton, including Sarova Hotels (2716688), whose Ozone Club hosts younger children in the Mara, Shaba and Mombasa, and Lonrho Hotels (216940), with a Young Explorers’ Club in the Mara, the Aberdares and Mount Kenya. Golf Courses Kenya boasts a huge variety of golf courses, from the manicured fairways and lake-ringed holes of the grand Windsor Golf & Country Club to the smaller but no less challenging nine-hole city course at the age-old Nairobi Railways Club.All of the courses give priority to members, and are usually open only to members on weekends, but during the week non-members can usually turn up and play on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, it is always best to call the clubs in advance, as there may be competitions taking place, and most clubs have at least one members-only day during the week. Prices for 18 holes normally range from Ksh 1,500 to Ksh 3,000, with an additional Ksh 150-400 caddy fee. Karen Golf Club 882801-2 Muthaiga Golf Club 318804 Nairobi Railways Club 725125 Racecourse Golf Club 566108-9 Royal Nairobi Golf Club 2725769/2721630 Sigona Golf Club 066-32462/32144 Windsor Golf & Country Club 862300/862500 CHAPTER 10: ON SAFARI • 77
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KARIBU KENYA An orientation guide f
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Credits: Written by Ralph Johnstone
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iv CHAPTER 5: AT HOME IN NAIROBI Ho
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Acknowledgements The production of
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CHAPTER 1: KENYA Life in Kenya Ever
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new nation.The blood shed in the In
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The Economy Following strong econom
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daily lives. However, some cultural
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CHAPTER 2: NAIROBI The ‘Green Cit
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again reared its ugly head when sui
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3 5 6 A kaleidoscope of Kenyan cult
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CHAPTER 3: GOVERNMENT & INTERNATION
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UN International Headquarters Unite
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CHAPTER 4: SAFETY & SECURITY Stayin
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■ Good perimeter lighting. ■ Se
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■ Keep valuables in the boot or o
Page 35 and 36: slightest suspicion of intruders in
Page 37 and 38: CHAPTER 5: AT HOME At Home in Nairo
Page 39 and 40: Among the most comfortable furnishe
Page 41 and 42: handful of residential areas.The va
Page 43 and 44: children’s ayah will expect in th
Page 45 and 46: Shipping & Freight Forwarding Trans
Page 47 and 48: in Karen (883029) and David Long, a
Page 49 and 50: CHAPTER 6: Facilities & Services Ed
Page 51 and 52: Society offers an annual ‘Know Ke
Page 53 and 54: includes damage to your vehicle cau
Page 55 and 56: Hire Cars Only by hiring cars from
Page 57 and 58: elt between Mombasa and Kisumu, inc
Page 59 and 60: All bulk mail sent in boxes or cart
Page 61 and 62: CHAPTER 7: HEALTH & HYGIENE Staying
Page 63 and 64: against it is available, in total c
Page 65 and 66: Emergencies In the case of an emerg
Page 67 and 68: CHAPTER 8: WORKING IN NAIROBI Worki
Page 69 and 70: Cafeteria next to Block G (622496).
Page 71 and 72: e refunded by your agency. National
Page 73 and 74: still mandatory for them to hold th
Page 75 and 76: Early morning at the Nairobi Railwa
Page 77 and 78: The African Butterfly Research Inst
Page 79 and 80: history with a stunning display of
Page 81 and 82: Theatres, Cultural Centres & Galler
Page 83 and 84: Restaurants Nairobi boasts itself a
Page 85: A Maasai junior elder looking out o
Page 89: The main carriers serving the touri
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KARIBU KENYA - UNON - the United Nations Office at Nairobi

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