What determines a perfect holiday getaway?

Every-time you think of going on holiday, alot needs to be considered, however the one things that should never miss on that list, should be FUN! The thought of going on holiday is always a thrill considering you will be visiting somewhere different however the planning and nitty-gritty details...not so much!

Tips on choosing the perfect getaway

1. What's your fancy?
You want to go on holiday but to where? Beach or Safari? Mountain climbing  or gorilla trekking? This is one of the main things to think about when planning a holiday. You need to pick a destination that you fancy, activities that you will enjoy as this will hold your key to your main  agenda, FUN!

2. Who are you traveling with?
Even though this question is mostly overlooked, it is important to understand who you are traveling with and what their enjoy! If you are going on holiday as a family with kids and you all love the beach, then you may want to consider resorts at the beach which have children facilities and programmes such as Watamu beach's Turtle Bay Beach club or Diani beach's, Leopard beach or if you plan on going on a safari, there are certain lodges that do not carter for young kids below 8 years!

3. How much time do you have and when do you wish to travel?
To get a good deal on your  travel you need to know how much time you have for traveling so that you can ride on offers hotels have with common ones such as pay for 3 nights and get 4th night for free? You also need to get the seasons right! What do i mean by getting "the season right"? Most off-peak season periods are almost an assured guarantee that you will get your accommodation/ flight ticket at a much lower price, it also means you can visit the normally "very expensive" destinations at a much better price.

4. What is your budget?
I think this is very straight forward. There is nothing as bad as visiting a place where you spend all your money on accommodation and are left with none to use on activities or a place where you will spend what you had not planned for and after the vacation your left battling with your other bills because you spent all your money while on the trip! It is nice to visit a place within your budget, as this will ensure a comfortable stay, that which will not cause you any ulcers later.

5. What’s the purpose of your trip?
Are you looking into learning something new, like skiing or scuba diving or wildlife conservation? Are you looking for some alone time, bonding time with your partner or family? It is important that when your trip comes to an end, you are left feeling that you achieved your goal. There is nothing worse than a trip coming to a halt and instead of wanting it to last another month....you instead can't wait to get home.

A trip is supposed to create a memorable time, one that made you relax, enjoy, have fun doing the NOT ordinary routine of your everyday life. It is thus why I say; when you plan a trip...give it your all! Make sure it will be a moment in your life that you will treasure forever!

The Migration is on!

So very typical, any safari enthusiast or consultant will tell you that this is it! The Wildebeest migration is on!
Reports indicate as from late last week, the sighting of these amazing and unique creatures have been seen both from the Loita Plains and the Serengeti.

About the Migration: 
Each year, round about the same time, thousands of Wildebeest, some Topis and Zebras move across from the Serengeti in Tanzania, across the Mara river into the Masai Mara reserve. The migration is accredited to change of weather patterns across the Serengeti and Masai Mara Eco-system, these animals are said to move in search of their "survival" looking for fresh grazing areas.
 

Even though this is considered one of the most expensive periods to travel to the Masai Mara, it is very possible to get a good travel deal to witness the Migration. Also, you could always consider camping if you are a group or join one of the many camping groups that have set departures across the migration season (July - end October) and be assured to have an adventure of your life time!

For bookings or enquirers to experience the Masai Mara, email me.

Images courtesy of Google.

Budget Travel Tips

 In Kenya, it's currently the low season period, which means the hotel/lodge rates are mostly cheaper than they usually are! It also means that if you have been planning for a trip and are tight on budget, this is the best time for you to pack up and head for that much awaited getaway!Although we are half way off the season, here are some tips that can guide you while planning for a budget trip.

1. Travel off- season.
Unlike most countries who base their travel seasons on their weather seasons, In Kenya our travel seasons are built around periods where we receive high numbers of tourists, due to the attractions such as the Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration or Public holidays. 2nd January - 31st March is termed as green season, 1st April - 30th June termed as Low season, 1st July - 31st October is High season, 1st November - 20th December is Green season and 21st December -1st January is High season. This would therefore serve as a guide as to which travel dates would be most suitable to fit your budget.

2. Travel on double occupancy.
This basically means, sharing a room with someone is generally bound to be cheaper.

3. When flying to the destination, plan well in advance.
This is how it works with a majority of the airlines, if you book and have your ticket issued as early as possible, you are more likely to buy it way cheaper than the person who buys it one week to the travel date. With airlines it's the earlier you buy, the cheaper it will be.

4. Buy package deals.
Package deals usually consist of everything including transport, and most times, they are negotiated rates meaning if you buy each part of your travel separate, it will probably cost much more!

5. Brown bag healthy snacks and meals to avoid pricey airport or train food. Book a hotel room with a kitchenette, to save on meals.

6. Consult with your travel agent to preplan trips; surf the Internet for immediate deals. Basically, do a bit of research to make sure that you are getting the best out of you money's worth!

7. Ask your travel agent where to change your money to get the best exchange rate, if you are a non resident.

8. Be flexible with your travel dates. At time weekdays are much cheaper than the weekend rates.

9. When going by car, use the most fuel-efficient model on hand (subcompact, compact and hybrids are best). To save even more gas, use cruise control, keep to the speed limit, run the air conditioning as little as possible and pack the trunk before loading down the roof.

Untapped Destinations and Unique Attractions

Recently a place known as Terra Encantada, An Abandoned Theme Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil made news after a feature from untappedcities.com. The thing that caught my eye about this abandoned theme park is the fact that it sits only a short distance to where in 2016 the Olympics will be held; Rio de Janeiro. The thought of an attraction like this, after being opened in 1998, it was abandoned due to a bad accident of a 61-year old woman being killed after being thrown from a ride and an investigation uncovering multiple engineering and maintenance failures led to it being shut down and abandoned....

Courtesy of Untappedcities.com

Courtesy of untappedcities.com

This led me to thinking of which places in Kenya do we have that could turn into fortune makers but somehow we are blind to that fact either because of a past negative event or simply because we choose not to think of the potential of that destination, we could be missing out! Think of it, Kenya has 47 counties as of now, and out of those 47, only about 10 of these can say they are maximizing on the attractions they have to bring in a good amount of income?

Previously I did a post on most talked about attractions inAfrica and this same question seemed to pop up? Have we explored our areas to the maximum? What can we do to bring them to life? What life can is there to bring more to that life?

I am not only talking to the people in Kenya and Africa, as you read this article...there ought to be that one fine outstanding thing about your area that is striking and makes you different from other areas? Are you using it to show the world your home? Even if it is not for an economical gain, just for the sake of appreciating where you come from... 

Nairobi National Park - The only Nationl Park in the world within a City!

What uniqueness can be found in your home town area that you feel makes it outstanding and the rest of the world should know? It could be a special cocktail, a unique dancing move or how people enjoy riding bicycles, or maybe it could be the way you great (salute) each other when you meet in the market place / town? Or maybe it just could be......tell us!

A Reason To Tour Turkana... and it is not because of the Oil deposits.

If you are in East Africa, especially in Kenya, then of course this does not come as news that Turkana County is now said to have Oil deposits. This came as a shock to many because Turkana county is one of the places in Kenya where it is always characterised in the media as a poverty and drought stricken area. The news we have always received from Turkana is nothing really but sad news until now... However, I choose not to dwell on the oil issue as my interest solely lies on a different attraction in this now popular county....The touristic approach.

How many of us have ever thought of touring Turkana ? Sincerely I never did....until now (just kidding). Turkana is a place widely known for the Lake Turkana, the World's largest permanent desert lake and the world's largest alkaline lake. 

Turkana people have a very rich culture which I believe is something worth learning and witnessing first hand, and if we were to go by the last country census, the Turkana people are even a bigger margin  of the Kenyan people than the world known Masai People. 

I am sure your next question is, so what else would you do while in Turukana? A visit to the Central Island National Park, Fishing at Lake Turkana,Sundowner by the lake while sipping on chilled wine or a cold beer, visit the local market and get to interact with the local people and the list is endless....

So now that you have sorted what to do, comes the obvious question, where would you stay? And the answer to that is Eliye Springs Camp and Lodge. The first time I heard of Eliye Springs, I must say I thought they were crazy to have put up a lodge in Turkana, but now the more I think of it, the less the idea seems crazy!

Eliye Springs includes 6 luxury and unique Turkana bomas,a well stocked bar with cold drinks,an open dining room, the Palm tree bar,the massage corner,a swimming pool, motor boats and fishing equipment.

A boma contains a main house (the biggest ever built Turkana hut) with double bed and some furniture, a veranda facing the Lake, a tiled bathroom and a space for relaxing, sunbath and pleasure. The Lodge also has a camping site, if you prefer pitching tents.

So... next time you are thinking of a holiday, try and step out of the normal Masai Mara, Mombasa or Nakuru.....Try Turkana!

I am back.....!

Where did i disapperar to? ALOT has been happening and as a result I was forced to take a blog leave without notice. I can promise you that it is all good news and I would tell you what it is, only I am a bit (alot) supersticious thus do not want to shout it out as of yet.

This week I came along great Kenya safari images courtesy of Lets Go Travel Blog which I thought to share with you.