Newsletter From East Africa November 2006


by Karl-Heinz Straus - Date: 2007-03-12 - Word Count: 1521 Share This!

Bill Gates came to Kenya this July, and he chose to stay at the little known private conservancy eco-Shompole Lodge in Kajiado District, which is only a few kilometres away from Lake Natron and Lake Magadi in the Great Rift Valley. Bill Gates and his family were accompanied by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and Hollywood movie star Dan Aykroyd. The eco-tourism lodge is constructed on a hilly location in the 44,000 acre Shompole conservancy. It is located on the edge of the Nguruman escarpment, overlooking Loita Hills and the Great Rift Valley. The lodge's architectural design blends naturally with the topography and the buildings are made of inexpensive locally available materials and are designed in a way that would ensure visitors' comfort in the area's hot weather. Just outside the room is a swimming pool. The rooms are furnished with expertly curved furniture made from polished fig tree. The conservancy boasts of wild animals such as lions, cheetahs, buffalos, giraffes, caracals, genet cats, waterbucks, and warthogs. Some of these animals can be seen from the comfort of the rooms.

Horseback Safaris along the Upper Nile, Uganda. The upper Nile valley from Jinja has in recent years become synonymous with white water rafting, kayaking, quadbiking, cross country biking, bungee jumping and other adventure activities. A new venture has now opened however offering horse back safaris along the Nile, which of course offers a different view across the river and its rapids and falls. Main promoter of the new venture is renowned adventuress Natalie McComb, who participated as the only woman in the Nile Expeditions some two years ago, completing the epic journey from the Source of the Nile to the river's mouth into the Mediterranean Sea near the Egyptian port city of Alexandria. More information at info@nilehorsebacksafaris.com or via www.nilehorsebacksafaris.com

New Carriers for Nairobi-Mombasa Route. East African Safari Air Express and Airkenya have commenced daily services between Nairobi and Mombasa. East African Safari Air Express is operating from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi while Airkenya is flying from Nairobi-Wilson airport. Another airline Fly540 intents to start the service on this route soon as well.

The 10 to 4 Mountain Bike challenge in Kenya. The Mount Kenya '10 to 4' is a downhill mountain bike race and fun ride, organised by residents from the Nanyuki and Timau area and the Executive Officer of the Mount Kenya Trust. The event is now held annually to raise funds for local communities and conservation efforts on Mount Kenya. The race begins at the edge of the Mount Kenya National Reserve boundary at an elevation of over 10,000 ft and finishes in dry savannah country below on the Laikipia plains at approximately 4,000 ft, covering more than 50 kilometres. It is a challenging and unique event that has become immensely popular. The proceeds of the 10 to 4 Mountain Bike Challenge are divided equally between community schools and projects in the vicinity of the 10 to 4 route, and the Bill Woodley Mount Kenya Trust. The 2007 event is planned for 24th February 2007. For inquires about taking part in the event please send an email to Susie Weeks 10to4 online: www.10to4.org and for more information about taking part in the event see: www.bornfree.org.uk

Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Tanzania. Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania's most outstanding, pristine, paradise and unique exciting wilderness mountains forested with greatest altitudinal range of forest. It is one of thirty-four "World Biodiversity Hotspot" and one of 200 WWF Ecoregion of global critical importance. The Udzungwa Mountains National Park with it's area of 1990 sq. km is part of unique Eastern Arc Mountains, which cover about 10,000 square kilometers. The park is in the Iringa and Morogoro regions of south central Tanzania. The park is home of primate and known from the treasure of high biodiversity of plants and animals. The park has high density of endemism species with some plants and animals found only in these mountains and nowhere else in the world. The Eastern Arc Mountains, is a series of mountains ranging from Taita Hills in Southern Kenya to the Makambako Gap in Southern central of Tanzania.

Translocation Ngulia's Elephants, Kenya. Established in 1986, the 62kmsq. Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, currently holding an estimated 60 rhinos in the heart of the vast Tsavo West National Park was originally demarcated as a breeding and stocking zone for the critically endangered black rhino population. The fencing of the unique rhino sanctuary and the setting-up of a round-the-clock security detail made Ngulia the most ideal home not just for the resident rhino, but also for the other species that had been fenced in. The vibrant Ngulia Elephants population increased exponentially surpassing not only the carrying capacity of the 62kmsq. Rhino sanctuary, but also threatening the future of the species for which the sanctuary was created for. The vegetation destruction wrought by the excess elephants therefore a total of 38 elephants were translocated between May 26th, and June 11th, 2006.

New Tariffs for Ugandan Parks. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has introduced new tariffs after 2 years, effective August 01st. For more information on this development visit www.uwa.or.ug. Stakeholders were extensively consulted over the new fees and had sufficient lead time to inform their clients overseas. The next increase is due in 2008.

Heli Service to the new Serena Hotel in Kampala. There is now an executive helicopter service from the new hotel's helipad to the Entebbe International Airport available cutting the transit time to about 12 minutes.

One million wildebeests went to Masai Mara. More than one million wildebeests have migrated to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve from Serengeti National Park this year. Lions and crocodiles killing at least 15 wildebeests daily as they crossed the river.

Kenya Airways adds Brazzaville and Cotonou. In a further network expansion across the African continent KQ has now added another two West African destinations, bringing the total of African cities served to 30. This makes Kenya Airways a premier choice as connecting airline through Nairobi, especially from their main European hub Amsterdam, to which they now fly a B 777 three times every day in codeshare with KLM. Paris flights have also commenced on October 26th to add another European destination aimed at increasing tourism arrivals to East Africa from France. For more information see www.kenya-airways.com

Uganda gets 9 More Ramsar Sites. In addition to Lakes Nabugabo and George 9 other wetlands across Uganda have now been declared RAMSAR protected sites of international importance for resident and migratory bird species. Bird watching has been a growing market niche in Uganda's tourism sector and this declaration will undoubtedly boost the country's global attraction and standing as a leading bird watching destination.

MTN Kampala Marathon for November 19th 2006. The annual Kampala marathon will this year be run on the 19th of November and registration for runners will cost Ushs 5.000/- or about US$3 per person. Information can be accessed via www.kampalamarathon.com or from mtnmarathon@mtn.co.ug

Murchisons Falls, Uganda 'Northern Gate' to reopen. Following the agreement to cease hostilities signed in Juba / South Sudan by the Government of Uganda with the rebel bandits of Joseph Kony's LRA, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is now planning to re-open the main park gate on the Northern side of the national park, to allow access to the park also from the Karuma - Pakwach road. It is generally expected that the negotiations hosted by South Sudan's Vice President Dr. Riek Machar will improve the living conditions of the entire Northern Uganda population and open up more areas for economic and tourism developments in coming years.

Railway Handover finally took place. Rift Valley Railways and the governments of Uganda and Kenya signed beginning of November 2006 the final documents to effectively hand over railway operations to the concessionaire on November 01st. This now concludes a 4 year privatization process for the two railways, which were to be jointly-concessioned and operated by one new company. The railways concession will last for an initial 25 years and the South African led consortium is expected to make major new investments in both track and running stock of the railways. Improvements and opportunities also await for future passenger transport with an eye on luxury trains once again traversing East Africa.

Tourists Arrivals in Kenya continue to increase. Tourist arrivals in Kenya have increased by 13.2 percent from January to September this year, while earnings have risen by about five percent in the same period. There is a rise in the number of tourists from traditional markets such as the UK, which had 106,004 visitors, representing a 4.5 percent increase from last year. The US had overtaken Germany to achieve second spot in the ranking with 59,053 arrivals, a 13.4 percent increase. But the number of German tourists rose in the same period to reach 53,267 compared to 47,018 in 2005.

Lamu expects more Tourists for the Cultural Fete. The Lamu Cultural Festival will take place from 17. until 19. November 2006. Sponsors are the American, French and German Embassies. Last year about 10,000 people attended the event which featured a variety of local and international artists, traditional dancers and sporting events. The organizers expecting this year an even higher turnout then last year.


Related Tags: mountain bike, uganda, kenya, tanzania, shompole, udzungwa, elephants, wildebeests masai mara, lamu

Karl Heinz Straus Born on 25th March 1948 in Duisburg, Germany Degree Dipl. Betriebswirt

Working in Tourism sind 1974 in different positions:

14 years Investment Manager and Supervisor of associated companies of TUI, Touristik Union International (TUI), Hanover/Germany

7 years Managing Director Pollman's Tours and Safaris Ltd., Mombasa/Kenya, Now Managing Director and Shareholder of Kenya One Tours Ltd., Mombasa, a Kenyan Tour Operator specialized in individual tours. http://www.kenyaonetours.com http://www.kenyaonetours.de

Memberships and honorary assignments: Founder Chairman of Kenya Association of Tour Operators Coast Province (KATO) Beach Operator Task Force, Mombasa Cruise ship facilitation committee, Port of Mombasa, Kenya Mombasa Marine Park Beach Management Committee Member of the Kenyan Presidential delegation to Cologne Germany, Investment Seminar 1995. Member of Skal Club

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