540 Inflight Magazine – Issue 34

ISSUE 34 / AUG – OCT 2019

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

COMPETITION

WIN A NIGHT AWAY FOR TWO WITH IBIS STYLES

SUPPER CLUB

THE MOORINGS SLEEP OVER

LONNO LODGE

Olivia Sang THE MODEL TACKLING COLOURISM ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ENTERTAINMENT • NEWS • GADGETS • REVIEWS & MORE

CONTENTS

contents issue 34 REGULAR FEATURES 3 IN THIS ISSUE 6 FIVE OF THE BEST

Hiking spots in East Africa

26

26 SLEEP OVER

The Charming Lonno Lodge

29 DRIVE TIME

Volkswagen T-Cross

32 SUPPER CLUB COVER STORY 8 Olivia Sang Image courtesy of Buse Tirman / @busetirmann

is published by Land & Marine Publications Ltd 1 Kings Court, Newcomen Way Severalls Business Park Colchester, Essex, UK, CO4 9RA Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Email: publishing@landmarine.com www.landmarine.com Advertising: Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Cell: +44 (0)7769 110343 (WhatsApp) Email: 540@landmarine.org

29

The Moorings

34 GADGETS

Top picks: the laptop

35 ENTERTAINMENT

Watch. Read. Listen.

32

40 KIDS' CORNER

SPECIAL FEATURES

on behalf of

12 Skateboarding in East Africa Fly540 Aviation Baycourt Upper Floor, Suite 3&4, The Watermark Business Park Ndege Rd, Karen PO Box 10293-00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (0)20 388 3060-2 Fax: +254 (0)20 3883063 Email: info@fly540.com www.fly540.com The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, or any other organisation associated with this publication.

No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions. ©2019 Land & Marine Publications Ltd

View this issue online:

www.fly540.com/onboard

Connect with Fly540 @fly540aviation

Get the wheels beneath your wings

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16 Loisaba lions

Rangers use IT gadgetry to keep lions safe

19 Vipingo Ridge

Whether you’re playing or staying…

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22 Camel derby

You’re in for a bumpy ride…

25 Interior trends

New Nordic

USEFUL INFORMATION 36 Fly540 Network 37 Fly540 Contacts 38 Travel Information 39 Fly540 Fleet

www.facebook.com/fly540aviation

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IN THIS ISSUE

In this issue

Issue 34

LOOK OUT FOR 

Welcome aboard!

Welcome to the latest issue of Fly540’s in-flight magazine, 540.

Sleep Over: The Charming Lonno Lodge page 26 Watch. Read. Listen:

On page 35 we review the latest blockbuster movies, ‘must read’ books and music releases Gadgets: We checkout the Apple MacBook Air and more on page 34

This issue of 540 should appeal to the adventurous among us. Our first article gives a run-down of the five best spots to go hiking in East Africa, for both first-timers and experienced hikers.

Next, we get the low-down on all things skateboarding from Daniel Gluche, of the Africa Skateboarding Community, who gives us his top tips and answers some frequently asked questions about the sport.

At the Loisaba Conservancy, we discover how the Lion Landscapes Rangers use modern technology to keep lions safe; then we visit Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi for a spot of golf; and we give readers an insight into the annual camel derby, held each year in Maralal.

the ibis Styles Hotel Westlands Nairobi.

Read how you can be in with a chance of winning on Page 5.

In our regular Drive Time feature, we’re focusing on the Volkswagen T-Cross. As always, we check out the latest gadgets; in this issue we look at the best laptops on the market. We also review the latest movies, albums and books to see you through the next few months.

I hope you enjoy this issue. If you have any comments, please feel free to contact me by email at: amylaubach@landmarine.org.

Amy Laubach Editor

In this issue, a top prize is up for grabs.

The lucky winner will receive a threecourse meal including a bottle of wine and a bed-and-breakfast stay for two at

www.fly540.com

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Images courtesy of ibis Styes hotel

Issue 34

COMPETITION

AND THE WINNER IS… Congratulations to Daniel Stiles, who won the same stylish experience in our Issue 33 competition. Well done, Daniel!

Win a stylish experience: bed and breakfast for two, plus a three-course dinner with a bottle of wine We know that Fly540 passengers love a selfie, so we’re asking you to send us your best 540 face with a copy of this magazine to be in with a chance of winning bed and breakfast for two at the ibis Styles Hotel in Nairobi including a three-course dinner with a bottle of wine.

Competition terms and conditions - Closing date is 20 October 2019 - Prize valid for redemption until 30 March 2020 - One entry per person - Entrants must be aged 18 or over - Prize is issued as a voucher - The organiser’s decision will be final - This competition is not open to employees or their relatives of the ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands Hotel, Fly540, Fly-EA or Land & Marine Publications Ltd.

The ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands Hotel is the first economy brand property to be opened in East Africa by the economy brand AccorHotels, taking its place alongside luxury brands such as Fairmont, Mövenpick and Pullman, which is set to open by the end of 2019.

Located in the Westlands business district, the hotel guarantees business and leisure travellers and families a good night’s sleep at affordable rates.

The hotel features a unique and creative design along with a first-rate team of staff members who are ready to provide guests with a memorable experience.

With 277 bedrooms, the ibis Styles is one of the largest-capacity hotels in Nairobi.

On the ground floor there are business facilities such as conference rooms and co-working spaces as well as a casual

dining restaurant and a coffee shop.

Crowning the building are the Sky Bar and a roast house called Kilele Nyama, both offering epic views of the city and a glimpse of the countryside. As its name suggests, the hotel has a stylish, ‘feel good’ vibe: a magical experience awaits.

For the lucky winner, ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands is offering a fabulous dinner for two people, including a bottle of wine, plus bed and breakfast. To be in with a chance, grab your camera or smartphone and take a selfie with this copy of 540 magazine, either on the plane or at a location of your choice, and email the image, along with your full name and booking reference, to: competition@ landmarine.org.

The winner will be picked at random after the competition closes on 20 October 2019 and the winning image will be featured in Issue 35 of 540 and Fly-EA magazines.

Tel: +254 20 514 7500 / +254 713 120 539 / +254 20 775 7000 Email: HB065-RE@accor.com Web: www.ibisstylesnairobi.com/rooms

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Five of the best

FIVE OF THE BEST:

Hiking spots in East Africa H

Martin Mwaura / Shutterstock.com

ere in East Africa we are blessed with breathtaking views of mountains and volcanoes. Be sure to make the most of the great outdoors with our top five hiking spots in the area, from challenging trails designed for experienced hikers to easy trails suitable for all.

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MOUNT KENYA, KENYA Best for: Experts who enjoy the wilderness Mount Kenya is Africa’s second-highest mountain, so it’s no surprise that climbing it should be taken seriously, with training and the right hiking gear. Many people choose Mount Kenya over Kilimanjaro as they prefer the wilderness, wildlife and splendid views of mountain lakes. Located in the former eastern and central provinces of Kenya, the mountain has a choice of trekking paths to reach the peak. The most popular is the Sirimon Route, by which hikers can reach the top in as little as two days, whereas the Burguret Route takes a minimum of three. With its highest peak reaching 5,199 metres in height, Mount Kenya offers breathtaking views of volcanic peaks and the wide valley below.

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Africa’s low cost airline

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NGORONGORO HIGHLANDS AND CONSERVATION AREA, TANZANIA Best for: Campers Often referred to as the Crater Highlands, the Ngorongoro Highlands range from a montane forest near the Olmoti Volcano across to the north of the Ngorongoro Crater. This part of the world, along the East African Rift in the Arusha and Manyara regions of Tanzania, is best discovered on foot, with opportunities to see the famous crater and to visit local villages. Trekking here tends to be more expensive than in other places in East Africa – a minimum of around US$ 300 per person for an overnight trip taking account of the various fees. Hikers can opt for one of various kinds of trek, from short walks to longer trips lasting two weeks or more. It is strongly advised that trekkers be accompanied at all times by a knowledgeable guide. One of the tour companies in Arusha will help guide you to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. If you’re looking for a quick trip, the Crater Rim Walk will take the average person two to three hours and offers a chance to see the fantastic fauna. Alternatively. for a more challenging experience, you can hike to Mount Oldeani from Eyasi Viewpoint – a stiff climb of around 900 metres lasting about two hours. From the top there are wonderful views in all directions, with the Ngorongoro Crater to the north, Lake Manyara to the south, the Crater Highlands to the east and the Serengeti and Lake Eyasi to the west.

MOUNT KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA Best for: Hiking experts As Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro is perhaps the best and most obvious choice for those wanting to reach memorable heights. With views that are just as picture-perfect as you can imagine, this hike is full of rocky terrain and snowy landscapes.

There is a wide choice of trails to reach the impressive 5,895 metre peak, ranging from the Marangu Route, one of the easiest, taking at least six days, to the extremely difficult Umbwe Route, which takes a minimum of five days and is not usually recommended unless you’re a highly experienced hiker. However, with the proper level of training and preparation, all different types of trekkers can safely conquer the ‘Roof of Africa’.

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USAMBARA MOUNTAINS, TANZANIA Best for: All levels of fitness The Usambara Mountains, in north-eastern Tanzania, are known for their breathtaking views of tea plantations and mountainous landscapes. Situated in the Lushoto District of the Tanga Region, the mountain range is about 90 km long and 45 km wide. Popular ‘must see’ spots include the Irente Viewpoint, offering a spectacular panorama of the Masai Plains almost 1,000 metres below; trekking through the Magamba Rainforest, full of lush greenery and black-and-white colobus monkeys; and visiting the Bangala River, a tributary of the Mkuzu River, fed by the Soni Falls. Those planning a hike in these mountains can visit the Friends of Usambara Society website for useful information about routes and tours. www.usambaratravels.com

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Five of the best

REMEMBER…

5 KARURA FOREST, KENYA Best for: Families / quick city escape Karura Forest, an upland forest on the outskirts of Nairobi, was officially opened in 1932 and is managed by the Kenya Forest Service in cooperation with the Friends of Karura Forest Community Forest Association. There are 50 km of trails leading you – either walking, running or cycling – to various caves and a waterfall. The forest is an ideal hiking area for those wanting to get away from the bustling city to enjoy the fresh air and leafy green respite. Karura has a wealth of tree species, marshland and birdlife, while its caves are thought to have been used by Mau Mau fighters as a hideout in the days before independence. The forest is open from 6 am to 6 pm seven days a week. The entry fee for adults is KES 100 for a Kenyan citizen and KES 600 for a non-resident. Karura is also an ideal spot to share a picnic with loved ones, hire bikes to ride on designated forest trails and even to hold special events ranging from workout classes to weddings.

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Africa’s low cost airline

Keep hydrated during your hike to ward off altitude sickness by using an accessible water pack and taking hydration salts. In addition, be sure to pack the right gear including quality thermals and walking boots and be sure to train in advance for more difficult hikes.

Olivia Sang Credit: Iulia David / @iulia_david_photography

Olivia Sang

The model empowering all skin types Olivia Sang’s top tips, experience and on tackling colourism within the modelling community

www.fly540.com

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Title Sang Olivia

K

enyan-born model Olivia Sang, 27, has taken the world by storm, recently speaking out about colourism within the model industry and becoming a role model for young black males and females aspiring to become models. She speaks to 540 about growing up, her favourite products and how she got where she is today.

Q. Tell me a little about yourself and where you grew up.

A. I was born and raised in a small town called Kapsabet in the Rift Valley, Nandi County. I am the oldest out of two and I am very passionate about my job.

Q. At what age did you realise you wanted to be a model? Was it always in the cards for you?

A. I recently just got to London in April 2019 and I really like the people I work with as well as the city itself. It is amazing with a lot of history. I have to say, though, it is a long, long way off from my village [laughs]. What I miss most about Kenya is my family and friends; I see them twice every year. I also miss the familiarity of things, the landscape of my beautiful country as well as speaking Swahili.

I aim to keep rising and to continue on this path that my life has taken up being a junior accountant in a SACCO at Broadcasting Corporation while I was studying part-time for my degree course for two years and finally in early 2017 Boss Models invited me to South Africa.

Q. You recently did an interview with the BBC responding to questions on colourism and discrimination. What kind of response did you receive to this interview and how does it feel knowing you are helping contribute to excluding discrimination from the industry?

Q. Did you have help from anyone to get where you are today? If so who?

A. I get asked very often how I was discovered, but this was not the case. It actually took me two years to sign with an agency in South Africa. Once I realised that this was something I really wanted to do, I started sending applications to at least three agencies a week, all over the world. Since I was still studying, this was marred with having to live and support myself in Nairobi.

I got part-time jobs and started freelance modelling and that’s when my journey began. I ended



Make-up: Meral Kaftanci, Designer: ŞİYAR AKBOĞA Credit: Cansın Soyer / @cansinsoyer

A. I have received very good feedback from many people. So many black young girls and boys who aspire to do great things in their respective fields have expressed to me that their confidence levels have risen and it is truly my life’s purpose to inspire young people to follow their dreams.

Andrea Klarin / @andrea_klarin

A. It was never really in the cards for me because where I grew up, fashion is not exactly a priority. Cows, goats, chickens and the farm is. So I only found out and got interested in modelling when I was in my second year in college in the city at age 19.

Q. How do you find living in London and what do you miss about Kenya?

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Africa’s low cost airline

Q. What has been the highlight of your career so far?

A. I have had quite a few amazing moments in my career, but last year working with Dark and Lovely for their new hair care products, this was the best time so far. I aim to keep rising and to continue on this path that my life has taken.

Q. When you aren’t posing for magazine covers and fashion shoots for ‘Cosmopolitan’, how do you spend your time?

A. I enjoy reading books, travelling, meeting new people and dancing as well as visiting historical places.

Q. What is your favourite thing to do to unwind and have some ‘me time’?

A. I love cooking with a glass of wine or a cold beer while watching a comedy movie/series.

Q. What has been your personal experience of the modelling industry? Have you faced much colourism in the industry?

A. I have had and continue to have a very fruitful experience in the industry thanks to my agencies, Boss Models Johannesburg and Cape Town. I have not had any discriminatory acts particularly aimed at me, but obviously there’s always the industry standards that discriminate against models of colour which we are fighting day by day. There’s always room for improvement in this industry.

Buse Tirman / @busetirmann

Q. What are your secrets to staying in shape and having amazing skin?

A. Drink a lot of water, eat fruit and veggies, don’t stress and laugh A LOT. Happiness and joy is the best way to go through life.

Q. What has been your favourite modelling job so far?

The Dark and Lovely commercial, features in ‘Vogue’ (Italian, Spanish and British) among many others.

Q. How would you describe your style?

Q. What are the top hair, skin and beauty products that you cannot go without?

A. My style is classic, simple and comfortable, featuring a lot of sneakers.

A. For my hair, Dark and Lovely products are a must-have and for my skin I always just follow one rule: remove any and all makeup before bed and after every shoot.

Q. Do you have any future goals?

A. I am a firm believer in seeing results rather than talking, so we all just have to watch this space.



Make-up: Meral Kaftanci, Designer: ŞİYAR AKBOĞA Photographer credit: Cansın Soyer / @cansinsoyer

Q. Do you have any final words for aspiring models in East Africa?

A. That thing that you dislike about yourself is what sets you apart from everybody else. Work on it and don’t stop until you are proud of yourself. www.fly540.com

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James Wakibia Title Skateboarding

Skateboarding in East Africa

By Daniel Gluche

Get the wheels beneath your wings and soar away

S

kateboarding began in West Coast America in the 1960s. At times of the year when the surf wasn’t up, pioneers attached roller skates to the underside of their surfboards, allowing them to cruise the beach promenades and streets instead.

Before long this idea turned into a movement that inspired thrill-seekers to drop in on empty pools and sidewalks.

While several trends swept parts of Europe, North and South America and Asia about four decades ago, it took longer to reach East Africa, where one of the skateboarding pioneers is Jackson Mubiru from Kampala. With friends, he built his first concrete halfpipe in 2004 in the Kitintale suburb of Kampala. At this time,

UGANDA SKATEBOARD UNION  Organising workshops for the youth

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Africa’s low cost airline

skateboarding hadn’t yet become popular in Africa and nobody could have predicted that this young man and his passion would inspire youngsters all over Uganda and in neighbouring Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda.

Skateboarders are like one big global family, sharing the lessons of life on their skateboards. At a time when people around the world may seem to be getting more selfish and lacking in empathy, skaters have a different connection. “On a board, everyone is equal and skin colour doesn’t matter any more,” explains Jackson. “Skateboarding brings people together from different tribes, backgrounds and economic statuses. Some people thought we were crazy and actually laughed at us for bringing skateboards to children who have more urgent

DOUGLAS FOR USU 

UGANDA

Flying in East Africa's first skatepark

What began in 2004 as the passion of an individual and his friends is today an established project named the Uganda Skateboard Union, raising its third generation of children to young adults. East African park skating (as opposed to street skating) began in Uganda in 2004 when South African student Shael Swart teamed up with Jackson Mubiru to build a miniramp in Kitintale. The venture was entirely self-built and self-funded.

They persuaded a local department store to donate a couple of skateboards to the park so the kids could join in. From the outset, the Uganda Skateboard Union involved the participation of kids living nearby. Once built, it served the dual purpose of being a spot where the older boys could skate as well as providing an opportunity for those less fortunate to get started.

This year, with the help of international partners, the project includes a world-class skatepark with an office, workshop and solar lights. It’s mainly the central place for self-empowerment in Kitintale and also one of the safest places to hang out, train, practise and chat after dark. East Africa’s first skatepark is free for everyone to have a good time.

Jackson Mubiru / UgandaSkateboardUnion.org

needs like food and clothing. But the action and impact speaks louder than words.

2013. At 1,200 square metres, it’s East Africa’s largest skatepark, boasting a bowl, a mini-ramp and a street section with boxes and rails as well as a basketball court and viewing platform. The park is located on the property of the Shangilia School of Performing Arts. Since most of the visitors attend the Shangilia Children’s Home orphanage, the park acts rather as a playground than a skate spot. It’s a place for the children to experience something new, to

THE CREW Competitions organised by the Africa Skateboarding Movement Africa Skateboarding / wwwafricaskateboarding. com/league

Until the last 10 years Nairobi’s urban infrastructure, with its potholes, bumpy roads and few sidewalks, wasn’t exactly a smooth ride. Today, roads and pavements are in better shape and after several months of intense do-it-yourself construction work funded by the German NGO Skate-Aid with the enthusiastic help of local skateboarders, the dream of Kenya’s first skatepark became a reality as Shangilia Skatepark opened in October

CasperHaugegaard / @casperhaugegaard

Uganda Skateboard Union / ugandaskateboardunion.org

KENYA

SKATEBOARDERS  From street kids to stars

overcome their doubts and most importantly to enjoy their time.

Nowadays you can find local skateboarders mainly at Uhuru Park, at the Shangilia Skatepark and, for beginners, at the upcoming skate facilities at shopping malls in the capital.

There are more skateboarders in other cities, too, and there’s even a ‘secret skatepark’ at the amazing Kinondo Kwetu Beach Hotel near Diani Beach. The Skateboarding Society of Kenya is organising the Kenyan skateboarding scene in order to lobby on behalf of its members. Many local initiatives and start-ups like Sidekick Magazine, the Wanderer Skateshop and Nairobi´s first Extreme Sports School are also creating a small income and hopefully future job www.fly540.com

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Title Wakibia James Skateboarding

and business opportunities for the skaters.

RWANDA Kigali, the city with the thousand hills, is a paradise for longboarding and cruising with your skateboard. In 2016 Skate-Aid built the country’s first skatepark at the SOS Children’s Village in Kigali.

TANZANIA There are quite a few skateboarders across Tanzania and there’s a skatepark in the capital, Dodoma; but the local skateboarding scene doesn’t seem quite as big as in Kenya or Uganda.

There are local initiatives and skateboarding blogs and if you visit Dar es Salam you’ll meet skateboarders in the suburbs.

THE AFRICA SKATEBOARDING MOVEMENT The independent and open source platform www.africaskateboarding.com aims to connect and support skateboarders and skateboarding culture in

East Africa, supporting the benefits of skateboarding and self-empowerment.

The Africa Skateboarding Initiative was founded by the International Collaboration Society (ICS) and is run by international supporters, using the worldwide web and mobile connectivity to inspire & connect skateboarders in East Africa. International and local

SUPPORT THE AFRICA SKATEBOARDING MOVEMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION SOCIETY (ICS) www.AfricaGermany.com Every shilling donated to the International Collaboration Society goes directly to their projects.

Separating themselves from other organisations the costs for bank accounts and money transfers are covered by separate budgets (e.g. sponsors and special fundraising activities for this costs). ICS volunteers finance their regular trips to Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda by themselves. ICS donations are not used for all costs such as airline tickets, hotels, meals or salaries.

Direct donations: International Collaboration Society (ICS) IBAN:DE35 5905 0101 0067 1295 02 Sparkasse Saarbrücken, Germany Further information & online fundraising portal: www.AfricaGermany.com

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Africa’s low cost airline

DANIEL GLUCHE  Chairman Africa (International Collaboration Society – ICS) Christian Koch / africagermany.com

skateboarders want to develop this portal into an inspiring DIY resource combined with practical workshops and events to initiate local skateboarding companies and empower local organizations.

In times of adversity, skateboarding brings unity, equality and a stable social environment as well as fostering self-confidence and self-worth and, most importantly,

Upcoming skateboarding events Organised by ICS with local initiatives 25 July to 9 August: ICS Camp 2019 Kampala with seminars and workshops at the Uganda Skateboard Union 10 August: Street Art Festival with Uganda Skateboard Union and Streetcan in Kampala 11 August: East African Skateboarding League, Nairobi 14 September: Fundraising Music Festival with Punk for Help in Neunkirchen, Germany

17 September: East African Skateboarding Leagure, Nairobi 16-17 November: Cheza Expo with East African Skateboarding League mini-ramp competition in Nairobi 15 December: East African Skateboarding League Finals in Nairobi

WHAT YOU CAN DO? Make sure your kids, your neighbours, your community and your city have or build open spaces for kids, teenagers and even adults to explore their creativity in an open, secure and happy environment. Activities like skateboarding are just an example of topics and arts that can inspire and empower especially young people.

EAST AFRICA'S BIGGEST SKATEPARK  Nairobi, Kenya

Daniel Gluche / africagermany.com

Frequently asked questions

allowing kids of all ages to have a good time.

What began in 2008 as a commitment by individuals in Kenya has continued with projects for organisations in other East African countries. At the beginning of this year ICS became an independent, non-profit, registered society based in Saarbrücken, Germany. With its four pillars of education, self-empowerment, sustainable projects and consulting, ICS aims to make the world a little bit better by building global and intercultural competences, organising inspiring events and implementing transparent projects in order to encourage self-help in cooperation with reliable local partner organisations.

Q. Is skateboarding safe for me and my kids?

Q. What do I need to start skateboarding?

A. Yes, with proper lessons at the beginning on how to get off the board and how to fall or roll, skateboarding is much safer, more fun and probably not more risky than soccer.

A. As a beginner you can start with a complete setup. But for adults and better skaters, professional skateboards consisting of deck, grip tape, trucks, truck bolts, bearings and wheels are necessary together with durable shoes.

Q. Am I too old to start skateboarding?

A. It’s certainly easier to start when you’re young, but you’re never too old to start cruising around. Just make sure you get an introduction from an experienced friend or a skate school nearby.

Jackson Mubiru / @jackson.mubiru.589

Q. How does skateboarding empower children and teenagers in Africa?

A. Skateboarding brings a new sense of joy, excitement, physical challenge and mental release to those who practise it. It keeps youngsters busy in their free time, combats negative habits and brings a new form of entertainment to community members who are free to come and watch the sport. Skateboarding brings a new development to East Africa, which has the potential to raise future skateboarding stars who can participate in international competitions. This will bring attention to East Africa’s skaters and to the continent as a whole.

Q. Where can I get skateboarding equipment?

A. At your local skate or sport shop, such as the Wanderer Skateshop in Kenya. If you don’t know of an outlet near you, Google is your friend.

Q. What’s the difference between ramp and street skating?

A. Ramp skating happens on ramps, while street skating happens just about everywhere else except pools, concrete parks, slalom courses, roller rinks, contest freestyle areas, etc. Street skating, despite its name, rarely happens on streets.

The street skaters like to skate stairs, benches and other public places.

Did you know that skateboarding will be part of the Olympics in 2020? www.fly540.com

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Title Wakibia James Loisaba lions

By Harriet James

Rangers use IT gadgetry to keep lions safe Modern technology has been harnessed by the Lion Landscapes Rangers in Laikipia in a bid to persuade livestock owners to avoid human-carnivore conflict by giving prior warning of the presence of lions in their neighbourhood.

“V

ictoria ndio yule.

Akona collar kwa shingo – There is Victoria with a collar on her neck,” said ranger Jackson Lopeyok, pointing at a pride of lions sitting under a tree.

Jackson is a member of the Lion Landscapes Rangers organisation. I was with Jackson and fellow rangers Peterson Yiangere and Peter Lokadeli and our driver. After a twohour drive in the 76 hectare Loisaba Conservancy, we had finally found Victoria the lioness with her three six-month-old sons. The harshest of all females, she’s 10 years old and her pride is the largest, consisting of 17 cubs – her own cubs plus her sisters’ cubs.

In the strong heat of the sun, she was seated under a tree with her three cubs. They are lucky to have avoided being killed by a male lion (males are known to kill cubs not closely related to them). In the dynamics of the pride, it’s the job of the male to guard and protect the cubs and do whatever it takes to ensure the survival of the lineage.

The work of the lioness is to hunt for food. This is why the male kills the new cubs of the previous leader, to take over his own new pride.

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Africa’s low cost airline

He certainly doesn’t have time to take care of another male’s cubs; and the sooner they’re out of the picture, the sooner the lioness is ready to bear his own seed.

We’re in Laikipia, home to the third-largest population of lions in Kenya. Lions are a key aspect of the ecology and their loss disturbs the food chain. The world’s lion population is on the decline. Currently, we have only 20,000 lions left and their survival depends on the ability of humans to live side by side with them. In most instances they are killed because livestock owners face the loss of thousands of shillings when a lion, leopard or hyena gets into a cattle pen.

Lion Landscape Rangers The Lion Landscapes Rangers was created two years ago to promote human-carnivore coexistence in Laikipia. Its founder and director, Dr Alayne Cotterill, has worked in the area for 18 years on various projects and understands how to protect the lions using the rangers.

It’s one of the conservation projects to benefit from the Safaricom Marathon, an initiative of Tusk Trust and the Lewa Conservancy. The first Lion Rangers were drawn from

All images courtesy of Harriet James

the National Police Reserves of the Loisaba Conservancy. They were taught how to coexist with the large carnivores and how to help prevent human-carnivore conflict in their regions. In addition, by working with livestock owners and by closely studying the lions’ movements each day, the rangers aim to minimise conflict by warning livestock owners of the lions’ whereabouts and shadowing the lions when they move into areas with a high risk of conflict.

Laikipia consists of large, privately owned ranches as well as cattle-based bomas. Seventy per cent of the wildlife lives outside government-protected areas and organisations such as the Lion Rangers are there to help solve the problem. Coexistence with humans is possible only if the number of cattle killed by these lions is kept low. The loss of livestock is the main reason why the lions are killed as owners act to safeguard their livelihood.

Game drive

RANGER A member of the Lion Landscape Rangers

Before we found Victoria, our game drive was punctuated by various stops. Thomas Mojong, the conflict manager, would stop the Land Cruiser to check where the lions were by means of the signals. The lions have a tracking collar that shows the rangers where they are and alerts the bomas whenever lions pose a danger. The rangers work closely with the Kenya Wildlife Service and rely on it for a collaring permit and a vet. Collaring, which is quite an event, usually takes place in the evening when it’s safer and cooler. A speaker phone is set up along with pieces of meat, such as camel or whatever is available. Sounds of a female calling for a mate or a dying animal are played on the speaker phone to attract the lion. The lion is then sedated by a vet and its teeth and tail measurements are taken

for scientific research. The GPS battery is activated and a signal is sent to the satellite, giving access to the lion’s information. The vet administers reverse drugs to the lion, which is chased away from the meat as the rangers don’t want the lion to think it’s ‘easy meat’.

The GPS collar normally has a life of up to two years, allowing the rangers to continue to monitor the lion’s whereabouts.

Rangers The information they collect is stored in a huge database that will assist in decision-making or planning in regard to mitigation.

The rangers also act as a rapid response team. They train herders on how to protect and save their cattle whenever they encounter a lion. The rangers are trained to give advice to bomas and herders on the best way of preventing these conflicts. This they call ‘boma advice’.

Antonia Leckie, project manager at Lion Landscapes Rangers, says: “They point out situations that can be rectified in order to prevent large carnivores from killing the livestock.

For instance, if the boma has a huge hole in the fence, the rangers advise the families to cover the hole so that the lions don’t get in, which

prevents the conflicts.”

If a collared lion crosses the boundaries, the rangers are notified by text that a lion is coming.

Thomas gets the notification and individuals can sign up to be notified and to handle the situations.

Says Antonia: “If they hear of an incident, the rangers head over to the location and collect the data and assess the situation – for instance, whether the herdsmen was present during the attack, whether he’s doing his job properly – and analyse the data. Also, if a boma relocates, they try and track where they are at all times.”

When the project began, the rangers found it difficult to convince the community about the need to protect the lions.

The community “You had to go there politely otherwise they can attack you,” says Thomas. “They feel as if the organisation has a right to pay them for their loss, for not allowing them to kill the lions when they attack their cattle.”

However, with more and more of their children being sponsored to school and the community benefiting from the lions, they are slowly but surely heeding to the call to preserve the lions.

THE TEAM Protecting lions in Laikipia

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Vipingo Ridge

By Gary Gimson

Whether you’re playing or staying…it’s pure magic

W

hen I first visited Vipingo Ridge back in 2009 the golf course had been more or less laid out but was not yet open to the playing public.

The makeshift ‘clubhouse’ was an opensided makuti-roofed shack.

How times have changed. Today, what was once a 2,500 hectare sisal-and-mango estate is now the PGA-accredited Baobab Course – widely regarded as the finest golf development of its kind in East Africa.

There are, of course, rivals who could also make a claim to this accolade. There is Naivasha’s now well-established and excellent Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort and over the border in Tanzania, we have the delightful and slightly different Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate project.

But none, I would argue, quite matches the magical Vipingo Ridge in terms of location, development quality and the overall setting of the course itself.

‘Challenging’ is an overused word when describing golf courses. Sometimes it means impossibly tough and 18 holes of misery for high handicap players like me.

But the Baobab Course manages quite

All images courtesy of Vipingo Ridge

brilliantly to combine a mix of difficulty and fun – tough enough, but not too tough.

The quality of course is widely acknowledged. Vipingo Ridge has been voted Kenya’s number one by Top100Courses. com for three years running and received the World Golf Award for the nation’s best course in 2017. But as general manager Andrew Kuiyaki told 540: “Premier golf courses such as ours are works in progress and we will never stop making improvements, so expect it to get better and better.”

Tournaments What’s more, Vipingo is gaining a wider reputation as a top tournament venue.

Says Andrew: “We host several golf tournaments on an annual basis including, this year, two legs of the Ladies Coast Open on 2 and 3 August. And after a spectacular Pro-Am that saw 13 professionals from the Ladies European Tour partner Kenyan amateurs in February this year, we are hoping to host the very first official LET tournament in sub-Saharan Africa at the end of October.”

Perhaps understandably, golf course

membership is restricted to homeowners.

Every Vipingo Ridge homeowner pays an obligatory annual membership fee. This covers not only golf membership but also free use of all amenities (gym, tennis courts, horse-riding, beach club, etc). The annual subscription includes membership for two adults and two children aged up to 18.

This is not some snooty, membersonly club, however. As Andrew points out: “Everyone is welcome on a pay by play basis. We also offer concessionary packages for regular players and people living locally.”

And Vipingo Ridge is more than just a pretty golf course. There are properties to rent or buy, fine dining to be sampled and, to top it all, an exclusive members’ beach club just a few minutes away through the sisal.

After a decade of steady and largely sympathetic property development, it’s fair to say the prime golf course-fronting plots have been snapped up long since and are now adorned with a variety of architectural creations. Most are strictly in keeping with the Swahili-style

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Title Vipingo Ridge

construction guidelines laid down at the outset by the developers.

Here and there a few vacant spots are left for sale and from time to time a resale comes to market and then quickly disappears again – a sure sign of Vipingo Ridge’s continued desirability.

Andrew says: “We have serviced plots available to buy and the average cost per acre is approximately KES 20 million.

Locations vary from easterlyfacing sites benefiting from a sea view, a golf course view or westerly facing with sunset view across the impressive Chodari Hills.”

Investment Over time, these have proved a solid investment. As Andrew explains: “This has been quite remarkable as Vipingo Ridge is ranked among the highest and most preferred investment destinations for trophy properties in terms of value appreciation.

This has been experienced over the years, with the buy-and-build option being the most popular – and despite slow economic growth since the project's inception. Initial investors at Vipingo Ridge have seen staggering returns of up to 400 per cent.”

Aside from capital appreciation, there’s a healthy rental income for those non-permanent residents.

Andrew adds: “There is a homestay rental pool for homeowners managed by the hospitality manager at Vipingo Ridge. When you sign up to this, your home is marketed to let – for a commission – on a short-term basis and client bookings are managed dependent on property availability.

All homestays are vetted to ensure the properties are up to the high standard.”

And if a stand-alone property is beyond your budget, it may be worth taking a look at the development’s residencies. Nestling on 20

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The various ‘stands’ enjoy differing views overlooking the course and the Chodari Hills the edge of the Baobab Course within Vipingo Ridge is The Links, a gated villa community of 14 units. The various ‘stands’ enjoy differing views overlooking the course and the Chodari Hills.

You can choose a 456 square meter stand for KES 10 million and then decide on one of three existing designs; or you can engage contractors and consultants to build your dream home; or you can go for the four-bedroom villa, already built and ready to buy for KES 45 million. This unit comes with a swimming pool, DSQ, roof terrace and top-of-the-range kitchen. Only four stands remain unsold.

Vipingo Ridge’s restaurants are not just for hungry golfers but are also open to the general public.

CLASSIC DISHES  Fresh seafood

Expect to adhere to a smart-casual dress code, but be prepared to sample some of the tastiest food – from a simple post-round snack to genuine haute cuisine – on this stretch of the north coast.

Andrew details the dining options: “The food is quite different at each outlet. The Sundowner on The Ridge has a wood-fired oven in which delicious homemade pizzas are cooked. The clubhouse has a more traditional menu: classic breakfast dishes, soups, salads, steaks, curries and more. At the Beach Club, seafood is the main event with whole lobsters, crabs and prawns served next to a pile of hand-cut chips on wooden boards. It’s a more relaxed affair here as you dine with your feet in

18TH GREEN  Perfect conditions

the sand. Various burgers, masala dishes and an incredible selection of starters are also all on offer.”

Membership Property owners get automatic membership of the Beach Club, which is open to the public during hours of operation (Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm) and everyone is welcome. The Beach Club is a short 10-minute drive from the Ridge and transport can be arranged for guests who don’t have their own transport.

There is free access to the Beach Club, but in order to enter the gates on The Ridge guests are required to pay KES 1,000 which is fully redeemable against all food and drink in the restaurants and against towel hire at the pool.

CADDIES Vipingo Ridge has a long and proud record of working to improve the lives of underprivileged young people on the north coast.

Director of Golf, Saleem Haji, explains: “We have partnered with an NGO called Glad’s House (www.gladshouse.com) who help street children pick up their lives by offering them skills training and opportunities. Over the years, Vipingo Ridge has taken on different employees from its Caddy Programme. We arrange transport in the mornings and evenings for all our staff and the caddies are free to use this service. They have access to

staff showers and are provided with a hot lunch during their working day. Caddies are encouraged to play the course on Tuesdays and they can also use the practice facilities if they wish. We even have a monthly caddies’ competition sponsored by our members.

“There are 53 caddies on our books, but some are part-time. It’s one of our club rules that each player has a caddy, even those players that choose to hire golf carts. We believe they are an integral part of the golf culture at Vipingo Ridge and in Kenya as a whole.” and in Kenya as a whole.”

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21

Title Derby Camel

Maralal Camel Derby

Hold on tight! You’re in for a bumpy ride…

I

t’s hard to keep track of all the exciting events and festivals that take place in Kenya each year – and, while doing some research myself, I stumbled across an annual event that you probably haven’t heard of.

The Maralal Camel Derby is an exciting competition held every August in the small hillside market town of Maralal in Samburu County.

This highly competitive event has been around for over 25 years.

Full of passion, colour and excitement, it’s a major draw for racers and spectators alike, bringing contestants from all over the world and hugely popular with the local people.

For those who haven’t heard of the camel derby, it is essentially a three-day event with a variety of 22

Africa’s low cost airline

races to suit all abilities. The most difficult is the Elite Camel, a 42 km marathon through Maralal Township and the surrounding desert areas – perhaps one best left to the more experienced riders.

Other races In addition, there are smaller racers aimed at novices and tourists. In these races, participants are provided with a guide to help them steer their camels in the right direction. If camel racing isn’t your forte, in recent years the event has embraced a mountain bike race as well as a 10 km running race, held concurrently with the camel derby.

Local people regard the Maralal Camel Derby as a reconciliatory event, uniting pastoralist communities in northern Kenya. This is

reflected in the additional events that are part of the derby. They include cultural dances in celebration of the rich culture of Samburu and neighbouring communities such as Turkana and Borana.

If you’re looking for something fun to do this coming August, I strongly advise you to pack your bags and head north to Maralal and witness the camel derby for yourself. The tour and safari company Adventure 360 is on hand to help your trip run seamlessly and to help with transport, accommodation and dining options. Just make sure you pack some padded shorts to avoid bruises!

This year’s event This year, the event will be held on 30 August to 1 September 2019.

RACES  The competition has been around over 25 years Credit: Adventure 360 / adventure360africa.com

SAMBURU Cultural dances are performed

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25

SLEEP OVER

Lonno Lodge

A charming blend of Italian and Swahili cultures

P

erhaps describing Lonno Lodge as a quaint holiday getaway would do this gem an injustice.

Tucked away in Watamu, one of Kenya’s favourite holiday spots, Lonno Lodge has managed to create a space that looks and feels intimate and cosy, but with the utmost luxury served with warm African hospitality.

What’s immediately clear when you enter the lobby of the lodge is that this family-owned beachfront spot is more like a friendly household than anything else. The owners, with their strong Italian roots, have taken on board the local Swahili culture, which is reflected in every detail including the decor, the food and even the personal welcome on arrival. Indeed, Lonno Lodge has won awards and accolades for just this.

Accommodation Accommodation consists of eight suites that have been built for extra comfort and with impeccable style and personality. The ambience to the suites is enhanced by large doorways, white coral walls and floors and signature Swahili carvings. All rooms have roof terraces with views of the vast blue ocean from the master room. Bathrooms come with all modern amenities, offering natural Kenyan-made bath products and a well-thought-out, well-lit bathroom. The spacious living area feeds into an open space carved out to put all your cool drinks and snacks.

Public spaces throughout the lodge accentuate the serenity 26

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that the owners have successfully created here. A beautifully designed pool in the centre of the property is not only an idyllic cooling spot but also helps to tone down the heat in the nearby dining area, serving the freshest meals made from locally sourced produce. Home-made bread, cereals, yoghurt and pasta make the culinary experience even more enjoyable.

Beachfront walks Because of where Lonno is located, walks on the beachfront are possible only at very low tide.

Be sure to take a camera so you can capture the magic of the surrounding caves and amazing coral rock formations.

If you’re into adventure, the staff can arrange for activities like snorkelling, diving and kite surfing. Romantic boat rides are available, too.

If you’re a history and cultural enthusiast, the Gede Ruins, about

SUITES  Stylish and spacious

10 km from the lodge, are a ‘must visit’. Run by the National Museums of Kenya, the ruins date back to the 12th century, evoking memories of the unforgettable journey of emigrants down the ages who have influenced the culture of the region.

Watamu is known for spearheading various environmental conservation initiatives and Lonno Lodge encourages guests to take part. The proceeds of a visit to Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve will go into its development and sustainability. The region also has three important bays: Watamu Bay, Blue Lagoon and Turtle Bay, where efforts are being made to increase the population of the endangered sea turtle.

From the start, the charming Lonno Lodge has sought to create a guest experience in which the Italian and Swahili cultures meet – and the owners have made this work in the best possible way.

By Joan Wandegi All images courtesy of The Charming Lonno Lodge

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Next Issue

Next Issue Look out for the next issue of 540 where we will take a look inside Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp in Nakuru, Kenya.

Issue 35

28

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DRIVE TIME

Volkswagen T-Cross

All images courtesy of Volkswagen By Gary Gimson

Plenty of tone, not much style

W

ho would have thought it?

Volkswagen is an automaker renowned for its conservative styling, its evolutionary design strategy, its absence of frippery, its ‘less is more’ corporate philosophy and its muchapplauded commitment to understatement.

And then out of the blue (or should that be orange?) VW comes up with its new supermini-based T-Cross SUV; and with it, VW’s carefully crafted reputation for classy restraint seems to have flown out of the window.

It seems that most manufacturers have chosen to create a compact SUV from their supermini offering. Few have made a success of it. And VW, in turning a longadmired existing product into the T-Cross, appears to be no different.

Funky rival In theory, and as VW would see it, the T-Cross is a funky rival for the Mazda’s recently facelifted CX-3, the now ageing but still popular Nissan Juke, the nicely sculptured Toyota C-HR and the Seat Arona (with which the T-Cross shares the same VAG Group platform).

But instead of building a stylish

ONLY THREE COLOURS  Polo-based

competitor in this market sector, VW has somewhat bafflingly decided to head in the opposite direction.

The toy-town appearance of the T-Cross, with its matching body colour and (yuk!) wheels, seems totally out of character for VW. What’s more, there are just three body/wheels colour combinations

The T-Cross is based on the excellent Polo and in essence is just a taller and chunkier version www.fly540.com

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DRIVE TIME

Volkswagen T-Cross from which to choose: orange, green and black. The latter might be acceptable, but in-your-face orange and bright bottle green are not, in my view.

It’s a pity about the odd styling and distinctly weird colour choices because, underneath, the T-Cross is based on the excellent Polo and in essence is just a taller and chunkier version of VW’s popular small car. On the plus side, the T-Cross handles and rides like a Polo.

Practical The T-Cross is slightly more practical than a Polo, though, due to its increased overall length and to features such as its handy sliding rear bench seat and its optional

REAR VIEW  Far from stylish

30

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folding-front passenger seat. It’s front-wheel-drive only, so don’t expect to drive on anything other than tarmac.

In terms of engine options, there are just two – a 1.0 litre petrol unit that produces either 95 or 115 hp. Disappointingly – and also, perhaps, surprisingly – the 95 hp version only comes with a fivespeed box. There’s a six-speed to go with the 115 hp variant or, more likely in our part of the world, a DSG auto.

The cabin is neatly presented and unfussy, as buyers would expect from Volkswagen, but it’s spoiled by some cheap-looking highlights and by the same exterior colour scheme being imported to the interior. So choose garish

orange or outrageous green outside and you get garish orange or outrageous green inside. Sadly, all very un-VW-like.

Unadventurous In short, the T-Cross is well built on a proven platform, but badly let down by unadventurous styling and a truly hideous choice of paint jobs. If you want a compact SUV and like VW as a badge, then you’re better to opt for a more sober-suited sister such as the Seat Arona.

All images courtesy of Volkswagen

By Gary Gimson

SPACIOUS INTERIOR ď ˇ Solidly built

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SUPPER CLUB

The Moorings

Welcome aboard – the seafood’s lovely

D

CLASSIC DISHES  Fresh seafood

own a scruffy, ill-lit track in Mtwapa, you’ll find a restaurant. The eatery is so impressive, it more than compensates for the unappealing journey you have to make to get there from the highway. Down a steep path and some equally steep steps and there it is in front of you – the first floating restaurant in East Africa.

The Moorings makes an evocative first impression as it floats, shimmering and resplendent, on the moonlit waters of Mtwapa Creek. Decked in coloured lights, the restaurant barely bobs up and down in this calm natural harbour.

The floating restaurant offers the freshest of seafood – especially popular with the regular foreign visitors to the coast, who seem to love the place. To start, I order prawns coated in a crispy batter and dipped in honey, finished with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds for added crunch. This is

followed by the Moorings Sea Food Pot, a rustic fish stew with plenty of squid, prawns, crab and white fish; and finished with pineapple slices braised in a spicy rum syrup and served with vanilla ice cream. Each dish is equally as tasty as the other.

More than seafood The Moorings offers much more than just seafood, however. It has an excellent selection of pizzas, pastas and beef dishes such as Mustard Fillet Steak and beef fillet stuffed with cream cheese, mushrooms, onions and sweet peppers.

Every Saturday evening, from 7 pm until midnight, the restaurant offers karaoke for guests to enjoy after their dinner. This may not be the coast’s greatest culinary experience, but it does combine a fabulous location with a congenial atmosphere and prices are quite reasonable.

FLOATING RESTAURANT  Dinner with a view

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Africa’s low cost airline

The moorings / themoorings.co.ke

The moorings / themoorings.co.ke

The moorings / themoorings.co.ke

Images courtesy of: Luc van Haute | The Moorings

HOW ABOUT A CRUISE? If you want to go one step further, The Moorings offers a rather splendid glass boat cruise for up to 10 guests. All this takes place in the ‘calm as a millpond’ confines of the creek.

For more information, visit www.themoorings.co.ke

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GADGETS

TOP PICKS: THE LAPTOP APPLE MACBOOK AIR

ACER ASPIRE 5

The latest MacBook Air, from American technology giant Apple, is the first Mac made with 100 per cent recycled aluminium and has a resolution of 2560x1600 for over 4 million pixels resulting in a stunningly sharp picture display with razor-sharp text clarity. The laptop features a 13.3 inch screen with retina display and has over 48 per cent more colours than the previous generation of the MacBook Air. Advanced security features include the convenience of Touch ID so that the user’s fingerprint is the password for immediate access to locked documents, notes and system settings without the need to key in multiple passwords. The laptop also features Apple Pay to make online shopping even easier. The MacBook Air has upgraded security features, an eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor battery life of up to 12 hours and up to 16 GB of memory to store all your documents, photos and videos. The latest Apple MacBook Air comes in Space Grey, Silver and Gold.

This is the fifth generation of Acer’s Aspire laptop, designed for every user with a new level of performance options. The laptop is slim – just 17.95 mm thick – and light, with a sandblasted aluminium top cover to ensure easy and safe travel. The battery lasts up to 11 hours, while the narrow-bezel design offers the user an amazingly crisp picture quality on either a 15.6 inch or 14 inch FHD IPS display screen with Acer Color Intelligence. The built-in Acer Bluelight Shield prevents eye strain, so that users can watch or work for long periods of time. With an eighth-generation Intel Core processor, apps load faster and graphics perform better, while Wi-Fi 5 and 2x2 MU-MIMO technology combines so the laptop can maintain a powerful wireless signal. The Acer Aspire 5 is the perfect choice for music lovers, too, as the laptop features a deeper bass and more volume through its innovative speakers.

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Price: US$ 199

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Africa’s low cost airline

ENTERTAINMENT

Watch. Read. Listen.

MOVIES THE LION KING

BRIAN BANKS

Director: Jon Favreau Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Beyoncé Genre: Animation

Director: Tom Shadyac Starring: Aldis Hodge, Morgan Freeman, Melanie Liburd Genre: Drama

Simba’s father and idol, King Mufasa, tells him of his own royal destiny on the plains of Africa. However, not all members of the kingdom are happy about the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s evil brother and former heir to the throne, betrays his family, resulting in Simba’s exile. With the help of his friends, Simba must grow up quickly and take back what is rightfully his. The Lion King marks the 25th anniversary of the release of the original film.

The inspirational story of Brian Banks, an American high school football star who finds himself wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. Despite the lack of evidence, Banks is sentenced to a decade of prison and probation. Years later, with the support of California’s Innocence Project and Justin Brooks, Banks fights to clear his name and pursue his dreams of playing in the National Football League.

STARS: 3.5/5

STARS: 4/5

BOOKS VALENCIA AND VALENTINE

DEAD AT FIRST SIGHT

BY PETER JAMES

While a man in London waits for the love of his life at the airport, across the pond a retired New York cop waits at a bar for his first date with a lady who is apparently his soulmate.

The two men are about to discover they have been scammed out of every penny they own – and neither woman even exists. In Munich, Germany, a wealthy divorcée falls from an apartment block. In the same week, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is called to investigate the suicide of a woman in Brighton, England, but all is not what it seems. A motivational speaker in the city comes forward and claims that his identity is being used to scam different women online. The first he knew of it was when one woman called him and said: “You don’t know me, but I thought I knew you.” She is now dead. Grace realises this is a global empire built on evil individuals who will murder anyone who threatens to expose them.

BY SUZY KRAUSE

Valencia is a timid debt collector with a terrible case of OCD and is afraid of many things.

The two that scare her most are flying and turning 35. To confront her fears, Valencia’s therapist suggests she should fly anywhere in the world before her birthday. She begins an over-the-phone romance with a man in New York and suddenly has a destination in mind. However, there’s one problem – this man might not actually exist. Mrs Valentine is an eccentric old woman desperate for company. She sparks up a friendship with the new cleaning girl, who provides an ear for her life story, an incredible around-the-world tale that resulted in her husband’s sudden disappearance. The stories of Mrs Valentine and Valentina appear to have nothing in common; but then nothing is as straightforward as it may seem..

STARS: 3.5/5

STARS: 4/5

MUSIC LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS

REAL LIFE

BY EMELI SANDÉ ‘Real Life’ is the third studio album by British singer Emeli Sandé. She co-wrote all 11 songs on the album, produced by Troy Miller. The lead song, ‘Sparrow’, is a power ballad with gospel influences and features lyrics that Sandé said were inspired

by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. Other tracks include ‘Human’, featuring Priscilla Jones-Campbell and Troy Miller, ‘Love To Help’, ‘Honest’ and ‘Extraordinary Being’. The singer hopes her new album will give listeners hope and confidence, especially those who feel marginalised and kicked down by society.

STARS: 4.5/5

BY LIONEL RICHIE In March this year, in conjunction with announcing his plans for a new tour of North America dubbed the ‘Hello Tour’, American singer Lionel Richie told of a new album he would be releasing later in the year. ‘Live from Las Vegas’ will showcase the singer’s recent residency in the Nevada resort. Tracks include mixes of his solo hits such as ‘Hello’ and ‘All Night Long’ and mixes with music made from his days in The Commodores. The album is Richie’s first release on Capitol Records and was recorded at the Zappos Theatre at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

STARS: 3/5 www.fly540.com

35

Network Map

The Fly540 Network

SOUTH SUDAN

Kisumu

LINE AIR

Lodwar

S LOW COS A IC

T

AF R

Juba

BO

wwwOK ONLINE .fly54 AT: 0.co m

Eldoret

KENYA Nairobi

Lamu Malindi

Mombasa

Zanzibar

TANZANIA

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Africa’s low cost airline

Contacts

Contact Information

Fly540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS NAIROBI OFFICES

WILSON AIRPORT

MALINDI

540 SAFARI CIRCUIT SALES

HEAD OFFICE

Ground Floor, Langata House Tel: +254 (0)20 254 0206 Tel: +254 (0)729 540 540 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 540 Email: 540.safaris@fly540.com

540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

Baycourt Upper Floor, Suite 3&4 The Watermark Business Park Ndege Rd, Karen PO Box 10293-00100,Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)20 388 3060-2 Fax: +254 (0)20 388 3063

WESTERN HEIGHTS 540/SAX Ground Floor, Western Heights, Karuna Road PO Box 10293 Tel: +254 (0)722 540 540; 733 540 540; 710 540 540

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OFFICE

KENYA OFFICES ELDORET 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

1st Floor, Metro Towers Building Next to Safaricom Customer Care Oginga Odinga Street Eldoret Sales: +254 (0)736 540 540 Tel: +254 (0)53 203 3570/80; +254 (0)735 540 547

Ground Floor, International Life House, Mama Ngina Street Next to Hilton Hotel Tel: +254 (0)702 540 540

ELDORET INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Tel: +254 (0)53 203 0814 Tel: +254 (0)53 206 3823 ext 658

540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE

Unit 3 (Domestic Departures) Tel: +254 (0)20 827 523; +254 (0)20 827 366 Cell: +254 (0)727 532 273 Unit 1 (International Departures) Tel: +254 (0)20 827 521

LAICO REGENCY HOTEL 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

Mezz. Floor, Shopping Arcade Tel: +254 (0)20 224 3211/3/4 Cell: +254 727 540 540; (0)737 540 540 Fax: +254 (0)20 224 3219

NAIROBI CBD OFFICE Ground Floor International House, Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)712 540 540; 0735 540 555; 0717 305 305; 0703 305 305 Email: bookings@fly540.com or bookings@fly-sax.com

NEW MUTHAIGA OFFICE 1st Floor, Thigiri Mall, New Muthaiga Tel: +254 (0)703 540 540

540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE

KISUMU 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

Kisumu International Airport Tel: +254 (0)254 707 540 560 Tel: +254 (0)737 540 546 1st Floor, West End Mall Next to Uchumi Supermarket Achieng Aneko Road Tel: +254 (0)704 540 540; +254 (0)724 563 009; +254 (0)734 540 550

KITALE 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

Terminal Building, Kitale Airstrip Tel: +254 (0)770 639 429 Tel: +254 (0)724 457 374 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 547

Oasis Mall, Next to Mario's Restaurant, Lamu Road, Malindi Tel: +254 (0)422 120 370

MOMBASA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE

Ground Floor, Mombasa Trade Centre, Nkrumah Road Tel: +254 (0)41 231 9078/9 Cell: +254 (0)728 540 540; (0)710 540 540

MOI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MOMBASA Tel: +254 (0)41 343 4821 Tel: +254 (0)32 540 540; (0)722 555 730

UKUNDA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

SOUTH SUDAN JUBA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE Juba International Airport

Tel: +211 959 540540 Tel: +211 999 540540 Email: Sales.juba@fly540.com

REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES GERMANY AVIAREPS AG Kaiserstrasse 77 60329 Frankfurt am Main RESERVATIONS

Tel: +49 (0)69 770 673 076 Fax: +49 (0)69 770 673 028 Email: Res540.FRA@aviareps.com SALES

Ground Floor, Bazaar Building Tel: +254 (0)732 540 559

Tel: +49 (0) 69 770 673 077 Fax: +49 (0)69 770 673 235 Email: sales540.FRA@aviareps.com

TANZANIA

SOUTH AFRICA

DAR ES SALAAM

AVIAREPS (PTY) LTD

IT Plaza, Mezzanine Floor Ohio Street/Garden Avenue PO Box 8606 Tel: +255 (0)222 110 601; +255 (0)759 306 306; +255 (0)765 306 306

38 Wierda Road West Wierda Valley Sandton, Johannesburg

ZANZIBAR AIRPORT

SALES

540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE

Tel: +255 762 540 540

RESERVATIONS

Tel: +27 (0) 11 722 0229 Fax: +27 (0) 11 783 8135 Email: Res540.JNB@aviareps.com Tel: +27 (0) 722 0229 Tel: +27 74 177 1596 Fax: +27 (0) 783 8135 Email: Sales540.JNB@aviareps.com

LAMU 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

Seafront House Kenyatta Road Next to KPLC Tel: +254 (0)742 540 540; +254 (0)742 305 305

www.fly540.com

37

Travel Info

Travel Information VISA INFORMATION  Most nationals require visas to enter East Africa. Citizens from the five East African states require no visas while those from the Common Market of East and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states have relaxed entry requirements into East Africa.

However, East African member states have their own visa requirements for various nationals.

HEALTH  Vaccination requirements for international travellers: • Only valid yellow fever vaccination certificates are required of all travellers over one year old, arriving from yellow fever infected countries.

• Vaccinations for international travellers are obtainable from all international air and sea ports, city and major municipal councils.

INSPIRING CAPTIVATING INFORMATIVE Multi-platform publishing and design services

For further information please contact:

Land & Marine Publications Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Email: info@landmarine.org

www.landmarine.org 38

Africa’s low cost airline

KENYAN VISAS  Under new rules, all foreigners requiring a visa for entry into Kenya must apply for one in advance via www.ecitizen.go.ke.

A visa is required by all visitors travelling to Kenya with the exception of those who are nationals of a number of countries, including – but not exclusive to – East African Community Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda).

• Multiple entry: US$100 • East Africa Visa: US$100 (for travel between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda) • Single entry: US$50 • Transit Visa: US$20 Persons aged 16 years and below will require a visa to enter Kenya. Diplomatic, Official, Service and Courtesy visas will continue to be issued Gratis. For more information, please visit your relevant Kenya High Commission website.

SOUTH SUDAN VISAS  Any visitor going to South Sudan requires a valid visa. Citizens of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Botswana can get visas upon arrival. Diplomats and officials with special passports are also given visas on arrival, and UN staff are given visas on arrival providing that they have an approval letter from the South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other nationalities must acquire referred visas or process for an entry permit in order to enter South Sudan.

Fees: • American Nationals: US$ 160 • African and Asian Nationals: US$ 50 • European Nationals: US$ 100 • All other passports assessed accordingly

TANZANIAN VISAS  All foreigners from non-Commonwealth countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have agreements with Tanzania under which the visa requirement is waived Exemptions: Citizens of Commonwealth countries are not required to obtain visas unless they are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand or Australia.

Tanzanian visas are issued at entry points to Tanzania, including ports and airports, and any other gazetted entry point, from the Tanzanian High Commissions or embassies abroad, from the office of the Director of Immigration services in Dar es Salaam and the office of the Principal Immigration Officer, Zanzibar.

For more information visit: www.tanzania.go.tz/tanzaniaembassiesabroad.htm

Fleet

The Fly540 Aircraft Fleet

BOMBARDIER DASH 8 102 SERIES  Type: Twin-engined, medium-range, turboprop airliner Number in service: Two Fly540 operates modern aircraft and is constantly updating and modernising its fleet.

The company uses aircraft such as the ATR 72-500, which burns only half as much fuel as some other aircraft and also emits less carbon into the atmosphere.

Capacity per aircraft: 37 passengers

CANADAIR CL-600-2B19 REGIONAL JET  Type: Twin-engine regional jet Number in service: Three

This underlines the fact that Fly540 is a ‘green airline’ that cares for the environment.

Capacity per aircraft: 50 passengers

The crew and engineering team are professionally trained and certified to ICAO standards.

CESSNA CARAVAN C208  Type: Single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner Number in service: Two Capacity per aircraft: 10 passengers

FOKKER F28  Type: Twin engined medium range jet airliner Number in service: One Capacity per aircraft: 67 passengers

www.fly540.com

39

Kids’ Corner

Kids’

CORNER FOOD

JOKES Q: What do you call cheese that is sad?

FOOD SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Can you find the 5 differences?

A: Blue cheese.

Q: What do you call blueberries playing the guitar?

A: A jam session.

Q: What do you call a fake noodle?

Q: What's an elephant's favourite vegetable?

A: Squash!

Q: What is a math teacher's favourite dessert?

A: PI.

Q: What's the worst vegetable to serve on a boat?

A: Leeks!

Q: Waiter, will my pizza be long?

A: No sir, it will be round!

40

Africa’s low cost airline

FOOD

ANAGRAMS

Unscramble the letters to reveal the food.

1. TAROS

7. PAST EIGHT

2. BOLSTER

8. LTEBANL

3. FIRES

9. ARC CIEME

4. CRUISER 5. TEAM 6. TSPAA Answers: 1. Roast, 2. Lobster, 3. Fries, 4. Curries, 5. Meat, 6. Pasta, 7. Spaghetti, 8. Tomato 9. Ice cream

A: An impasta.

540 MAGAZINE / ISSUE 34 / AUG – OCT 2019