Tag: Travel Africa

An Insiders View on Kenya

By Renuka Natu

  

What makes Kenya a good travel destination?
The promise and guarantee of spotting the wild animals all year round.

Top 3 things that every traveller must know about Safari experience in Kenya?
• When you observe the behaviour of the animals in their habitat, you can’t miss the uncanny semblance they have to human behaviour – especially the male Lion, lazing around while the Lioness works hard to get a kill & feed the family

• So many words in Swahili and Hindi are similar – Safari (Safar) = Journey; Duka (Dukan) = Shop; Gari (Gaadi) = Car; Dava (Daru) = Alcohol …..

• The huge ethnic Indian influence, especially the Gujarati influence, where sometime even the local Kenyan might throw in a phrase like “Biju kai?” in a restaurant


When is the best time to go on safari in Kenya?
It is a year-round destination. Once is never enough
Ideally one must visit, once during migration season and once during the non-migration season.

What items and clothing should one pack when travelling to Kenya?
Travel very light
-Light Jacket
-One open & 1 closed pair of shoes
-Cotton / Linen Shirts
-Cotton Trousers / Track pants
-Hat
-Bandana
-Glares
-Glasses (no Contact lenses)
-Lip Balm, Sunscreen, hair-oil

What sort of preparations do you need to make before travelling to Africa?
One must take Yellow Fever Vaccination and Polio Vaccination (oral) which is a requirement by Indian Ministry.

When is the great migration?
Mid-June – Mid Sep (depending upon the rain pattern)

Can you tell us a little about the life of the locals?
Locals are mostly into cattle rearing, but also hold white collared jobs today.
They are strongly rooted & connected to their families

What are the local delicacies/drinks which one must try in Kenya?
Food: Game Meat: Ostrich/ Crocodile/ Ox etc, Kasava (Tapioka chips)
Drinks: Tusker Beer

According to you what is the best thing about going on a safari in Kenya?
Being in absolute nature, which is supremely calming. Not many digital/technological distractions. As a family, Safari Van is the best place to bond & reconnect!

“Once is never enough, you have to visit Kenya multiple times if you love the wildlife & the bush”

Insiders view on Zanzibar

The Wanderers in conversation with Niall Anderson

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place.

One little known fact/trivia that everyone should know about when travelling to Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is home to the most endangered antelope in Africa – Ader’s Duiker.

They number less than 500 on the planet, and can be found in Jozani Forest and on Mnemba Island.

What is a must buy when in Zanzibar?

Kikois – the traditional and colourful, Zanzibari multi-purpose item of clothing that can be worn as a wrap, a scarf, head dress, or used simply as a blanket or throw.

One take-away after a visit to Zanzibar..

You will never see whiter sand or an ocean so turquoise blue!

What is your advice to first time travellers?

Bring lots of sunscreen!

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to…

Swimming costume…

One activity anyone travelling to Zanzibar should not miss!

A sunset Dhow cruise across the ocean.

Where should anyone, travelling to Zanzibar, definitely get their picture taken?

On a local Dhow sailing across the ocean

On the beach at Mnemba Island

Under water on the Mnemba house reef

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo?

The best place to get a panoramic photo is off a local Dhow sailing in the ocean, looking back at Zanzibar or Mnemba Island.

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise?

Sipping a cocktail on the beach at Mnemba Island!

Most romantic place to take a special someone to.

Mnemba Island – your private island!

Best place in Zanzibar to have local food?

Foradhani garden in Stone Town

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend?

Zanzibar Curry and a dawa!

A local cocktail made of vodka, lime and honey, ‘dawa’ means medicine, or poison in Swahili – Depends how much you drink!

One place only the locals would know.

Jozani Forest!

Zanzibar’s only national park, search for rare birds, Red Colobus monkey, Ader’s Duiker and Suni here.

The best pub and best place to catch up for a drink?

Sundowners with live music at Livingstone, or on the roof at Maru Maru hotel, both in Stone Town.

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see?

Sauti Busara, an annual African music festival, which takes place in historic Stone Town, attracting artists from all over the world. It had been dubbed the ‘friendliest festival on the planet’.

The things guide books will not tell anyone about Zanzibar?

The best samosas and biryani in East Africa can be bought at Passing Show, a local restaurant near Zanzibar port in Stone Town.

Is there any particular month you would not recommend travel to Zanzibar and what would that reason be?

April & May, as this is the rainy season in Zanzibar

In one sentence, Zanzibar is the exotic spice island.

Niall Anderson is the Regional Director for Tanzania with &Beyond, which he joined six years ago. Settled in Arusha, Niall takes on exciting challenges in leading teams around Tanzania.

Check out our package on Tanzania