Preserving Kenya’s Magnificent Elephants

There’s nothing quite like that first glimpse of an African elephant in the wild. You might hear it before you see it, the distinctive trumpet, and then follow the sound to notice the massive grey creature feasting on the leaves of a tree. You notice the size and the playful trunk and the striking eyes that hold such a deep emotional intelligence. It’s a beautiful experience seeing an elephant in the wild—one we’re committed to preserving for generations to come.

Over the past year, Goway has recommitted itself to animal conservation and the preservation of the African elephant in Kenya and beyond. Goway has supported elephant conservation and human-wildlife coexistence through a series of fundraising efforts, contests, and awareness campaigns. Key to these efforts has been a conservation campaign spearheaded by Save the Tembo (tembo being the Swahili word for “elephant”) and award-winning actor Edward Norton. Partnering with Magical Kenya, Goway ran an awareness campaign for Save the Tembo

By Moira Smith

throughout fall 2022, which encouraged globetrotters to sponsor Kenyan elephants and work towards their conservation.

“I challenge anyone to spend even a few hours sitting still and watching elephants up close and not then feel appalled and furious that anyone would hunt these animals or trade in their ivory. Contributing in any small way to their protection really is a very worthy cause,” Edward Norton said of the urgency behind conserving African elephants.

In conjunction with this campaign, Goway also gave away an unforgettable Kenya Odyssey safari for two lucky globetrotters. This contest offered travellers a chance to experience the magic of these mammals in the wild and inspired them to live a life of conservation. Goway also sponsored a baby elephant in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Services and ran a contest with travel professionals to determine its name. In the end, the elephant was named Tumaini, meaning “hope” in Swahili.

We are hopeful of a long and happy future

3PM

You head to the resort spa for a couples massage. You lay down on parallel tables and listen to the calm music and smell the sweet scent of coconut and vanilla. You relax and close your eyes. The expert massage therapists work vanilla and coconut oil into your skin, loosening your muscles. They start gently and then work harder, focusing on the knot in your shoulder blade, the ache in your knee, the sore spot on the sole of your right foot. You feel like you’re melting. You could get used to this.

6PM

You’re aboard a cruise vessel to watch the sunset on the water—a daily ritual in The Islands of Tahiti. As the sun dips towards the horizon, you start to understand why the locals never miss a sunset. The colour explodes across the sky, bold pinks and reds and oranges blanketing the dark blue waters. You’re handed a champagne flute and sip on sparkling wine while you snuggle up to your partner. Together, you watch the sun touch the water and eventually pass beneath the waves.

11PM

You walk across the sands of the beach. The air is cool. The noise of the resort is a distant murmur in the background. You’ve come far enough and your partner taps you on the shoulder and points up. You follow their hand and gaze into the sky to see the billions of lights of the Milky Way. The entire sky is alive. A meteor zooms past. You hear the waves hit the shore. You watch the universe come to life and take in this symphony of light.

You’ll never forget this day and the magic of The Islands of Tahiti.

INSIDER’s Guide to Bogota

By Maria Torres

DESTINATION SPECIALIST

DARLENE STEVENSON recently celebrated a milestone anniversary in The Islands of Tahiti so I can tell you that Tahiti will leave a permanent impression on your soul and capture all your senses.

The beating heart of modern Colombia, Bogota is a vast city, rapidly moving over a rich history and one of the best food and nightlife scenes in South America. Where do the locals catch their breath? Bogota native Maria Torres shares insider tips for visiting her home city.

One Perfect Day in Bogota

Plaza de Bolivar and La Candelaria are part of Bogota’s historical centre, so they’re a great place to start. Most of the houses and buildings are from colonial times, and there are amazing museums here, including the famous Gold Museum with its pre-Columbian for African elephants and encourage others to join the movement to protect these precious animals and their habitats.

Where the Locals Find Entertainment Day & Night

Usaquen is Bogota’s prettier entertainment district. People of all ages gather here, enjoying traditional restaurants, malls, and cafés in the colonial buildings. I used to go there with my friends to have lunch, dessert, and a coffee to warm up (super important on a damp Bogota day!). There are themed cafes that offer several kind of coffee so it’s a complete experience, and, of course, Colombian coffee is the best you’ll taste anywhere, not that I’m biased.

Still, Zona Rosa was my place! Also known as “Zona T” for the T-shaped area at its heart, cafés, bars, restaurants, and clubs can all be found there. The architecture is more modern, but the party goes all night!

artifacts, and Museo Botero, honouring one of our most beloved artists. For lunch, I suggest trying ajiaco, a soup made with different kinds of potatoes, chicken, corn, and herbs, then served with white rice, capers, and avocado. Ajiaco is my favourite Colombian comfort food.

Monserrate is a church located on one of the highest mountains in Bogota. You’ll find many tourists there, but also locals who enjoy hiking. I highly recommend taking the cable car though to see an amazing panorama of the whole city. There are also coffee shops, a souvenir store, and restaurants at the top.