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Iringa joins the Precision network
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you aboard your Precision Air flight today and to our in-flight magazine, Paa Tanzania. This latest edition of Paa marks a special milestone as we celebrate the launch of our new flights to Iringa.
Starting in March, Precision Air has introduced three weekly flights to Iringa via Dodoma, connecting this vibrant town in the Southern Highlands to our hub in Dar es Salaam, our network as well as connections to our International Airlines partners. Operating every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, these flights will serve a region filled with untapped potential for growth and development.
With Iringa now becoming the 14th destination in our domestic network, this expansion underscores Precision Air’s unwavering commitment to delivering fast, reliable, and affordable air travel in Tanzania and beyond. This new route is a testament to our dedication to connecting communities and fostering the country’s economic and social progress.
We are proud to support the government’s efforts to promote tourism in the southern circuit, offering seamless connections for travellers to explore the breathtaking Ruaha National Park and other attractions in the region as well as nearby regions. These flights will not only benefit local residents but also enhance tourism and business opportunities in Iringa, a region celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and agricultural importance.
Tickets for the new Iringa flights are now available for booking on our website, www.precisionairtz.com, or via our WhatsApp chatbot, Bwana Swala, at 0620 888888.
Once again, thank you for choosing Precision Air. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight!
You Are Why We Fly
Patrick Mwanri Managing Director and CEO Precision Air Services Plc
Iringa, here we come!
Precision Air is launching direct flights from Dar to Iringa via Dodoma. The new flights will begin on March 3 with three weekly flights – every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – connecting Iringa with the
capital and Tanzania’s commercial hub. The new triangular route is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance regional connectivity, support economic growth, and provide reliable air transport services to communities across Tanzania. The
Precision Air and IoDT team up to grow together
At the start of the year Precision Air and the Institute of Directors in Tanzania (IoDT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that establishes the foundation for a future partnership and mutual growth.
Precision Air aligns with the IoDT’s commitment to empowering excellence in corporate governance and indeed its Group Managing Director and CEO
Patrick Mwanri was a speaker at the institute’s Strategic Mastery for Leaders Course in Dar es Salaam last December.
It is hoped the MoU will build on those bonds. There will be a focus on resource exchange, with Precision Air receiving specialised training while providing travel services to IoDT.
This is an exciting collaboration and a great step forward in partnership and mutual growth.
introduction of flights to Iringa will significantly reduce travel time and provide affordable air travel options for passengers.
Precision Air CEO Patrick Mwanri says: “We are proud to launch flights to Iringa, a region with immense potential for growth and development. Precision Air is committed to providing quick, reliable, and affordable air transport services to all Tanzanians. This new route reflects our dedication to connecting communities and supporting the country’s economic and social development.”
The new flights will not only benefit residents, but also boost tourism and business activities in Iringa, a region known for its rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and agricultural significance. Mwanri adds: “Our flights will conveniently connect tourists to Ruaha National Park and other attractions.”
To book tickets, visit www.precisionairtz.com, call +255746984100/ +255784108800, or message our WhatsApp ticketing bot Bwana Swala on +255 0620 888888.
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Isimila Stone Age Site near Iringa
Biting back: the Arusha snake clinic saving lives
The Meserani Snake Clinic has saved hundreds of lives and treated thousands more by administering antivenom injections and expert care to snake bite victims. It’s the only clinic of its kind in Tanzania, a country that is home to many of the world’s deadliest snakes. Owner Lynn ‘Ma’ Bale reveals its 32-year story.
If you are bitten by a black mamba, you don’t have much time. The long, slender snake is widely considered the deadliest and most poisonous reptile in the world. Just two drops of its venom from a bite can kill a human.
Your one chance is to get a dose of antivenom – which boosts the body’s immune system against the bite – as fast as possible. The only place that stocks the treatment in Tanzania – a country that is not only home to black mamba, but also venomous snakes such as spitting cobras, boomslangs and puffadders – is the Meserani Snake Clinic located just outside the city of Arusha in the north of the country.
The clinic was set up by the Bale family in 1993 after they purchased an eight-acre patch of deserted scrubland in the Meserani region
and moved there from their home in Durban, South Africa. “We decided on an adventure,” says Lynn Bale.
Free care
O ver the next 30 years she and her husband, Beresford, set up the clinic, a reptile park, a workshop for vehicle repairs, a campsite for overlander tourists, a Maasai craft centre and a bar and restaurant.
With the site conveniently situated off the A 104 Dodoma road that connects Arusha with Tanzania’s wealth of wildlife adventures such as Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro further west, it soon established itself as a popular tourist stop-off.
Beresford died in 2020. The loss hit Lynn hard, but she has continued to keep the site running. The couple first arrived in Meserani with son Wade, who now works abroad, but Lynn is known by everyone in the community as ‘Ma’.
“I treat everyone like they are my children,” she says.
T hat caring nature is at the heart of the clinic, which dispenses free, potentially life-saving treatment to locals. The idea for the clinic came from Wade, who from a young age was obsessed with snakes. “He and his
The deadly black mamba
A young boy is treated for a snake bite at Meserani Snake Clinic
“From the moment we opened, when people were bitten, they would come to us for treatment”
friend used to find and capture them in the wild and keep them as pets in the house,” Lynn says.
The collection of found snakes formed the beginnings of the menagerie of reptiles at the Meserani Snake Park, an animal centre that has become a favourite on the Arusha tourist trails and now houses over 70 species of snakes – some of which can be handled by visitors – as well as crocodiles, monitor lizards and tortoises.
Dependent on donations
Wade’s other passion is healthcare. He now lives in Oregon in the US where he works as a paramedic. “He and his friends raised money to build the clinic here,” says Lynn. Donations have continued to come in over the years from visitors to the snake park and campsite who
are moved to support the vital work carried out here.
The clinic could not survive without the donations. “Antivenom is very expensive,” Lynn says. “Even in 1993 it cost a lot to get a supply. We now source it from India because South Africa is not making it anymore. We also get donations and antivenom from Jonas Nickel [the head of NGO Pflaster für Tansania e.V that supports medical projects in East Africa].”
Despite the expense of the antivenom, the clinic does not charge for its services. The majority of its patients come from the surrounding rural community where money is tight and access to healthcare is limited. “From the moment we opened, when people were bitten, they would come to us for treatment,” Lynn says. “They could not pay, and we could not
refuse them so we did it for free. It has continued that way ever since.”
While most people make their own way to the clinic for treatment, Lynn has had instances of patients bitten by black mambas – where every second counts – that were flown into the Meserani site.
The impact of the service for the community is huge. Lynn can’t put a figure on the number of patients the clinic has healed since its launch, but when pushed approximates that it runs into the thousands with hundreds owing their lives to its treatments.
I get to see some of those patients on a speculative visit to Meserani. It’s a dark evening in early December – low season in Tanzania tourism terms – and the campsite is empty. Everyone appears to have turned in for the night. However, a mechanic
The entrance to the clinic
tinkering with a 4x4 in the workshop greets us and heads to the house to notify Lynn of our presence.
Lynn soon arrives and opens up the bar for us to chat. It’s quite a place. Sawdust is spread on the floor and the walls and ceiling are adorned with banknotes from all over the world – an indication of the international crowd that passes through here.
The bar has obviously hosted some raucous nights over the years, but this evening it’s just the three of us. Lynn shares the site’s three-decade story and then walks us to the clinic.
It is basic, but clean with two rooms each holding three beds for patients and two treatment rooms. There is a nurse on duty. “We have a team of two nurses and doctors on call,” Lynn says.
Each bed in the treatment rooms is occupied. All but one of the six patients are children with a couple that look to be aged under five.
This is normal, Lynn tells me. Young children have not yet built a fear factor around snakes so will often get closer than they should and unwittingly provoke an attack.
Here to stay
Nearly everyone should survive a snakebite if they have the right antidote and care. The patients in the clinic all appear to be recovering well and all look content despite their frightening ordeal. “For some snakes there is no antivenom,” Lynn says. In these cases, the team cleans and tries to remove as much of the infected tissue from the wound as possible to contain its spread. “We care for patients until the snake bite is healed,” Lynn says. “We do general doctoring as well.”
Lynn turns 76 this year but has no intention of moving on. “I’m very happy here. This is my home now,” she says. The site continues to develop. A series of huts built by Beresford are now occupied by a
“Nearly everyone should survive a snakebite if they have the right antidote and care”
group of Maasai women artisans who create and sell their work there.
The clinic is very much part of future plans here, but funding continues to be a challenge. Recently Tanzania Association of Tour Operators was moved to make an appeal for donors towards the running of the clinic. Lynn says visitors continue to be a much-appreciated source of financial support, but she is also working with Nickel to secure NGO status for the clinic to open up other funding channels such as government grants.
The donations support an invaluable and selfless service that continues to ensure black mamba bites are not a death sentence in Tanzania.
To donate towards the running of the clinic or to get more information, visit www.pflasterfuertansania.com
Lynn ‘Ma’ Bale (left) visits patients at the clinic
My career with Precision Air has been ‘a dream come true’
Captain Specioza Rweyemamu is a pioneering pilot. Her glittering, near two-decade career with Precision Air has included being part of the first all-female crew on a commercial flight in Tanzania. Now as the airline’s Head of Flight Operations and one of its chief pilots she continues to be an advocate for diversity in the aviation industry. She talks to Paa Tanzania about inspiring the next generation and the joy of ‘greaser landings’.
Q: How did your passion for aviation begin?
I grew up Bukoba. We lived near the airport and from time to time I would see aircraft taking off and landing. It always intrigued me how that was possible.
Studying in Mwanza in a boarding school our main means of transport was by water. However, after the MV Bukoba ferry accident (may their souls rest in eternal peace) I had the privilege of flying. I remember my first flight with my father and my young sister. My father, knowing my interest, took me to see the pilot in the cockpit.
Q: How important was being awarded a Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) pilot scholarship in initiating your career in aviation and how did you secure it?
I was one of the privileged few who got the TCAA scholarship back in 2004. I can say it was very instrumental and probably my only option in attaining my dream. The aviation flight school fees were and still are very and my family
was not able to cover the cost. The scholarship made my pilot dream a reality. I am forever grateful.
Q: Can you describe the experience of taking over the controls in an aircraft for the first time? Was it during your training for commercial pilot licence in South Africa?
Yes, my first experience at the controls was during training for my commercial pilot licence in South Africa. After reporting at school, we found some Tanzanian cadets who had completed their training and were finalising their preparation to return home. One of them was Hilda. She invited me to join her on her last flight. That was my first experience at the controls. The experience was amazing as Hilda made me feel at ease. It was very enjoyable until I got airsick as it was a turbulent afternoon flight.
Q: You joined Precision Air in 2006 as a first officer. How
important to you was it to join a Tanzanian airline?
Getting an opportunity to join Precision Air fresh from school with no work experience was very important to kick-start my career as a pilot. The aircraft had a fleet of [twin-turboprop] ATR-300 so it was a dream come true compared to the small planes we
Captain Specioza Rweyemamu is Head of Flight Operations at Precision Air
had flown at school. Precision Air covered the cost of our ATR training in France. Starting off my career in a proper airline with good standards made me who I am today.
Q: You have been with Precision Air ever since and have worked your way up to Captain and Chief Pilot with more than 10,500 flight hours. How supportive has the airline been to your career progression? Through Precision Air’s training and operations standards, I have seen myself grow in terms of flying experience, aviation knowledge and leadership. As a woman, Precision Air gave me a good platform to embrace my femininity at the same time grow my career. Being a Captain is a challenge and I am grateful that I had an opportunity of gaining my leadership experience within Precision Air’s safety-oriented culture. It has prepared me and gave me the experience needed for my career progression.
Q: You fly both domestic and international routes. Among the Precision Air destinations, which is your favourite airport to touchdown at and why?
My all-time favourite is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport [in Nairobi] mainly because the approach is so well controlled by radar sequencing. You always get what we call ‘greaser landings [smooth, controlled touchdowns] here. My other favourite is Kahama as the visual approach to the unpaved runway focuses me. The end result is always satisfying.
Q: You are a high-achieving woman in the aviation industry.
Do you feel the historic male dominance of the industry is changing and that Precision Air is an airline that promotes equality?
I feel there is good progress towards gender equality in the aviation industry. As we speak Precision Air has six women pilots and our Commercial department and Flight Operations department – both critical in an airline – are headed by women. Lilian Massawe is the head of Commercial department while I am privileged to be the head of Flight Operations. This shows Precision Air’s commitment to gender equality and its trust in our capabilities.
Q: How important is it for you to share your experiences and mentor the next generation of women pilots?
I mentor female pilots and aspiring pilots. I am always happy to share my experiences, and my door is
“My all-time favourite is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport [in Nairobi] because the approach is so well controlled by radar sequencing”
always open for those who need my assistance and guidance.
Q: You were part of Precision Air’s first all-female crew flight in 2009. How did it feel to be part of such a momentous event?
Yes, in fact it was the first all-female crew flight in Tanzania. I was a second in command by then, the Captain was Lydia Bakri Mulokozi and the flight dispatcher was Jemima Lauwo. Cabin crew were Della Moses and Elizabeth Kizingo. The route was from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza via – Shinyanga. It felt great to be part of the history and to pave the way for many more young women.
It is now common to find all-female crews not only at Precision, but also at other airlines. Despite this we still get passengers (both local and international) being taken by surprise when they learn that the pilots or Captain is female. We will get there eventually.
Q: What advice would you give to young Tanzanian women interested in a career in the aviation industry?
Aviation is an ever-evolving industry driven by policies and standards. It requires dedication and women are innately safety conscious. This makes us ideally suitable to the industry.
Yes, it is still a male-dominated industry, but we have shown the way. Nothing is impossible, but there is still a lot to conquer. Opportunities come to those who are prepared. So, my advice to young women out there is even if you don’t see how your dreams are going to be met, your number one task is to be prepared!
24 hours in Iringa
To help you make the most of a short stay in Iringa, Paa has sought the guidance of Ben Ray and Liz Deleyser of the award-winning Neema Crafts Centre, which, with its workshop, restaurant and guest house, has become an integral part of the community here.
Morning
If you’ve just flown into Nduli airport, your day should start with a full breakfast and some locally grown coffee at the famous Neema Crafts Café, which is open from 7.30am until 6.30pm. Everyone passes through here and as the town’s social hub it is the place to find out about the latest events. The café staff here are all deaf and so you will be greeted with a friendly smile and asked to write down your order from the menu which includes delicious cakes, smoothies and local and international cuisine. You can also try out your Tanzanian sign
language with the ever-cheery waiters.
After breakfast, you could ask for a free guided tour of the workshops at the centre where people with various disabilities create beautiful products that are available to buy in the crafts shop. There are seven workshop areas in all, including weaving, tailoring, carpentry and screen printing.
Just over the road from Neema Crafts is the Iringa Boma Museum. It is a beautiful stone building dating back to the German Colonial period and was originally the first hospital in Iringa.
During British rule it became the Government offices for the area. A few years ago the building was renovated with funds from the EU and opened as a museum specialising in the history of the Iringa area.
A walk through the rooms is rewarded by glimpses into the past, particularly the story of Chief Mkwawa, the Chief of the Wahehe tribe, who is famous for being the man who defied the German colonial powers advancing into his territory. One of his most famous victories took place at Lugalo some 20 kms from Iringa on the road to Dar es Salaam. Here he ambushed
Woven bags at Neema Crafts
24 hours in Iringa
a German force marching from the coast. There is a memorial to the German soldiers killed at Lugalo.
Inside the museum you’ll also finding a shop selling baskets made by women from the Vikapu Bomba initiative, which seeks to preserve Iringa’s weaving traditions. You’ll find a variety of beautiful baskets –handwoven from milulu, a reed-like grass that grows locally.
Right in front of the museum is Uhuru Park, which is now home to the Maasai Market, a collection of mabanzi kiosks selling traditional Maasai carvings, jewellery and other traditional gifts. It is well worth a visit. If there’s time before lunch, continue your walk through the park and out towards the vibrant covered market. Here you’ll discover the great range of locally grown vegetables that Iringa is famous for.
Afternoon
Iringa boasts a range of buffet style fast-food restaurants just a short bajaj ride from the market and centred around the clock tower roundabout. There’s the aptly named Clock Tower Café, Hasty Tasty, the Koffee Shop and (for the vegans) RLabs Café. Whilst you’re in the area, check out the delights on offer at the new Italian Bakery, which sells a range of fresh pasta, bread and pastries. If you have children with you, they are sure to enjoy a soft-serve ice cream at Sweet Treats restaurant. Further from the town centre but easily accessible if you have your own transport or are happy to hop on a bajaj is Sai Villa, a lovely hotel with views over the escarpment down to the Little Ruaha River, which has an
excellent restaurant.
With the afternoon to explore further, you could drive out or hire transport to take you to Kalenga village 12 km from town towards Ruaha National Park. The village was the original headquarters of Chief Mkwawa and at one time was fortified by a four-metre-high stone wall that ran 5 km around the village. However, in 1894 the wall was destroyed by the Germans in their fight against the Wahehe.
Chief Mkwawa was eventually
defeated, and his skull is housed in a mausoleum in the village, which is open to visitors.
An alternative destination could be a drive out to the Isimila Gorge and Stone Age site, about 16 kms from the bridge over the Little Ruaha river on the Mbeya road. The site was once the bed of a lake, and very many Stone age tools, bones and skeletons of prehistoric animals have been found there. There is a small museum and picnic site. An interesting addition to one’s visit is a walk through the nearby gorge, where eroded cliffs and columns of earth tower overhead. It’s like a miniature Grand Canyon. Allow about an hour for the walk. Rather closer to town and along the Dodoma Road to the north is the recently discovered examples
Iringa is filled with friendly people, spectacular wildlife and natural beauty
A baobab tree in the Iringa region
of pre-historic rock art. Take the road towards the airport, then turn off not far after the small dam at Kihesa Kilolo on a road that leads to the village of Igeleke. A couple of kilometres along this road will bring you to a huge rock overhang on which there are drawings of animals believed to have been made 5,000 years ago. The area around the rock has been fenced off. To gain access, call the mobile number displayed on the fence. A small charge is made to open the site.
Evening
After all the activities of the day where better to spend the evening than Sunset Lodge? The charming hotel is situated in the Gangilonga area of the town, not far from the looming Gangilonga
"A couple of kilometres along this road will bring you to a huge rock overhang on which there are drawings of animals believed to have been made 5,000 years ago"
Rock – which means ‘talking rock’ in Kihehe, the local language, and is where Chief Mkwawa is said to have meditated and heard of the German’s attack plans. Sunset Lodge makes the most of its views with a terrace offering views that are especially magical at sunset. There is a bar and restaurant. On some evenings buffet meals are
served, otherwise there is an à la carte menu.
Alternatively, a 10-minute drive from the centre of town will get you to the very popular Italian restaurant, Mama Iringa. A quiet, romantic venue, the restaurant is built round a grassy courtyard and serves delicious pizzas and pasta dishes with plenty of fine Italian and other wines and drinks to accompany your meal.
We hope we see you in Iringa soon. 24 hours is barely enough time to get started in Iringa. You’ll find a friendly climate, hassle-free marketplace and Ruaha National Park is just a short drive down the road. Many visitors to Iringa end up staying much longer than they originally anticipated, so beware!
Iringa Cemetery contains the graves of fallen soldiers in the two World Wars
10 reasons to visit Ruaha National Park
Among its many attractions, new Precision Air destination Iringa is the gateway to Ruaha National Park. Paa Tanzania reveals why this stronghold of lion and elephant populations should be on every wildlife enthusiast’s travel list
1 Elephants
Among all the Tanzanian national parks, Ruaha has the largest elephant population. Some 12,000 elephants migrate through the greater Ruaha ecosystem each year. They come for the water source of the Ruaha River and even when that dries out during the arid conditions of June to October, they dig down with their tusks to find groundwater. Just 15 years ago elephant numbers in the park exceeded 30,000, but poaching cut that number in half. Now the population has stabilised thanks to the efforts of the Southern Tanzania Elephant Program (STEP) that runs ranger patrols, aerial surveillance and long-term monitoring programmes. Park fees at Ruaha support conservation efforts such as these.
2 Bountiful bird life
Over 570 species, including some endemics, can be found in Ruaha. Bird life is at its most plentiful here in the wet season when birds native to region such as the yellow-collared lovebird, ashy starling, and crested barbet
– the last with a trill that can last up to two minutes unbroken and which is a familiar sound in the southern bush – are joined by a host of migratory species such as ground scrapers, thrushes and brown-necked parrots. The park has recently grown southwards encompass the Usangu flats, a very large wetland area that is home to a vast array of waterbirds from March to May.
3 A remote wilderness
At 20,226 sq km, Ruaha National Park is about thirteen times the size of the Maasai Mara and the largest protected wildlife area in Tanzania. Despite its awesome dimensions, the park is little known to tourists to Tanzania, meaning those on safari can feel they have this untamed wilderness to themselves. Wildlife spotting amid this massive park is not the lottery you might think. The hot, dry climate for most of the year means large mammals such as lions, elephants, buffalo, and kudu are dependably to be seen around major water holes.
4 Lions
Serengeti might have the largest population of lions in the world but there is nowhere that has larger prides than Ruaha. The park is home to around 10 per cent of the world’s lions and the big cats here like to collect in groups of more than 20. That gang mentality seems to make these hunters even more daring in their attacks here with large
prey including buffalo, giraffe, and sometimes elephants. The Ruaha male lions also distinguish themselves with their absence of a mane – an evolutionary quirk thought to help them cope with the intense Ruaha heat.
5 Biodiversity
Ruaha lies in the sweet spot where northern and southern hemisphere birds and mammal species overlap. This results in a spectacular diversity of flora and fauna. The scope of wildlife in Ruaha is extraordinary, with 80 animal species calling the area home. The national park also has around 1,650 plant species with its woodlands are home to fig, acacia, tamarind, baobab, and doum palm trees.
6 The Great Ruaha River
The name Ruaha comes from the Hehe word Luhava meaning ‘great river’. This Great Ruaha River has its source in the Kipengere Range of mountains and stretches around 84,000 kilometres through the Usangu wetlands and the Ruaha National Park before Ruaha National
emptying into the Rufiji river. It is the lifeblood of these landscapes supplying water for agricultural and livestock farmers in southeastern Tanzania while in the park it attracts great quantities of game during the dry season including lions, leopard, hunting or wild dog, impala, waterbuck, warthog, giraffe, and elands. Some of the most stunning stretches of the river now have tourist lodges where guest can see game throughout the day from the comfort of their terraces.
7 Cheetahs
The western part of the park and the Rungwa South Open Area are home to the world’s fastest land animal. Ruaha is one of only four big cheetah populations in East Africa. Cheetahs are most active in the early morning and late afternoon in the park’s open savannahs and rocky hills. The dry season is the best time to spot these elusive cats when there is less vegetation cover and they are drawn to water sources.
8 Antelope
Ruaha National Park is home to a remarkable array of antelope species. It has the largest population of greater kudu in East
Africa and is also home to rare species such as lesser kudu, roan antelope and sable antelope. The graceful impala also can be found in large numbers across the open woodlands and savannah.
9 Wild dogs
Ruaha is one of the best places to see wild dogs in Tanzania, especially during the dry season. As one of Africa’s last remaining wildernesses, the park provides the space wild dogs need to roam as well as a ready supply of prey such as antelope, warthog, baboons and birds.
10 The pangolin
More difficult to spot but certainly worth the search, is the endangered pangolin. These ant-eating animals are covered in overlapping scales – a protective armour believed in certain cultures to have medicinal
The sought after pangolin
powers and which makes them the most trafficked species in Africa. Reserves like Ruaha offer a sanctuary for them. Here conservation efforts include education, law enforcement, and community outreach projects. To spot these nocturnal creatures you’ll need to go on a night game drive.
Five Kenyan artists to look out for in 2025
Kenya’s music scene is fast-evolving with fresh voices propelling the scene in new directions. Media and PR personality Anyiko Owoko selects five homegrown artists you need on your radar. “Keep an eye on them, and thank me later,” she says.
Bien Aime (Bien)
Bien-Aimé Baraza, popularly known as Bien, has already made his mark as a member of Sauti Sol, one of Africa’s most celebrated music groups. However, 2024 saw him further solidify his solo career with the successful release of his debut album ‘Alusa, Why Are You Topless?’. The album featured high profile collaborations with Ms Banks and DJ Edu from the UK, Congolese star Fally Ipupa, Nigerian A-listers Adekunle Gold and Ayra Starr, among others. Not only did it cement his place as Kenya’s most-streamed artist on Spotify in 2024, but it also marked a bold new direction for Bien as a solo artist. This shift came after Sauti Sol’s decision for individual members to produce their own music and run solo projects under the ‘alone-together’ project. Bien’s versatility as a vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and pianist allows him to seamlessly blend global sounds with his Kenyan roots. His songwriting stretches from sensual R&B to socially conscious ballads, showcasing his rich musicality and deep personal reflections.
Xenia Manasseh
Known for her unique vocal tone and the purity of her lyrics, Xenia Manasseh stands out in the alternative R&B scene. The Kenyan-Ugandan artist divides her time between Nairobi and LA and has built a global fanbase. She has shown she is ready for the next level after two linked but very different hit albyms in 2024, ‘Love/Hate Pt. 1’ and ‘Love/ Hate Pt. 2’ in 2024. Xenia has firmly established herself as one of Africa’s most exciting new voices and songwriters in R&B. Her raw, vulnerable lyrics and soulful melodies delve into the complexities of love and selfreflection, making her music deeply relatable to a global audience. Xenia has grown into a confident artist and an in-demand artist and writer. She has collaborated with stars like Sauti Sol, Mr. Eazi, Ukweli and Idahams, and written songs for American R&B artist Teyana Taylor’s ‘The Album’. With her ability to captivate audiences with heartfelt, honest music, Xenia Manasseh is set to take the world by storm in 2025
Nikita Kering
Nikita, who turned 23 in February 2025, is already considered one of Kenya’s brightest stars. Two successful EPs, ’A Side of Me’ (2021) and ‘The Other Side’ (2022), highlighted her vocal prowess, distinctive writing style and seamless blend of R&B, Afrobeats, and hip-hop. Her music covers issues around self-love, relationships, trauma and personal growth – themes that sometimes seem complex for an artist her age but those that resonate deeply with her audience. I guess we can call her an old soul. Nikita’s accolades include winning Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa and Best Artiste in African R&B/Soul at the 2021 AFRIMA awards. Her profile continues to rise, with highlights including her first US Tour in 2024, a performance at BBC 1 Xtra’s Afrobeats Concerto and being included in Spotify’s EQUAL Africa program. Expect to hear more from this young power vocalist as she continues to evolve both artistically and commercially.
Labdi Ommes
Labdi Ommes is half of the musical duo Unganisha, a collaboration in which she couples her traditional African sounds with experimental electronic music by Norwegian collaborator Bernt Isak Wærstad. Labdi is a pioneer and one of the few professional female orutu [a one-stringed vertical fiddle originated in the pre-colonial societies of Western Kenya] players in East Africa. She is redefining African music by blending traditional taarab, ohangla and benga with modern rhythms. In 2023, Unganisha released their debut album ‘Mbili Mbili’.
Groovy Jo
Labdi’s work as a cultural ambassador is helping reintroduce African musical heritage to the global stage. Her inclusion in OneBeat, an incubator for music-based social entrepreneurship, as well as her work on a collaborative project between Nature, Environment, and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) and the National Geographic Society, demonstrates her commitment to reshaping Africa’s music narrative. With her international presence growing and a new EP ‘Pakruok’ released in December of 2024, she is poised to lead a cultural renaissance in 2025, elevating African traditional music worldwide. It’s no wonder Pakruok in her tribal language of Luo means self-praise.
About Anyiko
Anyiko Owoko is a Kenyan media and PR personality who set up the Nairobi-based artists and culture PR agency Anyiko Public Relations. Between 2015 and 2019 she worked as Coke Studio Africa’s Entertainment and Music Publicist and was credited with raising the profile of Sauti Sol from an unknown quartet to Kenya’s biggest music export and one of Africa’s biggest music
Groovy Jo is becoming one of the most exciting rappers in Kenya’s hip-hop scene. Known for her bold, unapologetic lyrics and commanding stage presence, Groovy Jo has carved a space for herself as a fierce, empowering voice for women in music. Her mixtapes: ‘The Groovy Way’ (2021), its deluxe edition (2022), ‘Pressure’ (2023), and ‘A Groovy Affair’ (2024) showcase her unique blend of trap, drill, Afrobeats and hip-hop, all paired with her signature messages of empowerment and self-expression. She started rapping at just 11 years old and was already making waves in the Kenyan rap scene by 2018. Her collaborations with top producers like Lemario, Boutross and Asum Garvey have helped her refine her sound. As one of the few prominent female voices in the local rap scene, Groovy Jo has the potential to redefine the narrative around women in hip-hop, both in Kenya and across Africa. In her own words, she’s here to change the game with intelligent rap.
groups. She is also the creator of VIP ACCESS Culture & Culture podcast, dedicated to promoting African talent and creatives. The show has been broadcast in Kenya and Ghana and has featured interviews with more than 100 African music stars.
‘An hour with the Bwindi gorillas is a blessed lifetime’
Precision Air flights to Entebbe allow passengers to touchdown in Uganda ahead of a trip to the south-west extremes of the country for unforgettable wildlife adventures.
Jonnie Bayfield treks through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a mindful moment with a clan of mountain gorillas.
By Jonnie
On the drive from Entebbe to the Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest, the home of most of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorillas, storm clouds gather overhead. It’s November, in the short rainy season. Our Ugandan guide and driver Paul Ochan, of Great Lakes Safaris (one of the country’s best tour operators) throws back a wry smile. He knows what awaits us in the sodden jungle, “Let’s hope you reach the gorillas before the rain does!”
At 7.30am the next morning there’s around 50 of us packed into Bwindi’s tourist hub. The forest hosts 20 habituated gorilla families, spread across four sectors, and ranging in size and temperament. A stern, uniformed tracker tells us: “Bwindi is called the impenetrable rainforest for a reason.”
My companion and I realised that this tourist trek was not to be the walk in the park we’d imagined. We were told we would be trekking for a minimum of two hours through dense vegetation, up steep slopes, and across muddy trails.
The gorillas cannot simply be stumbled upon, we are told. The human-gorilla connection in Bwindi is a process of careful habituation that began in 1991 and is key to the thriving primate population here.
Clearly, for the endangered mountain gorilla then, it pays to stick close to their human cousin –we share around 98 per cent of our DNA. With the climate crisis in full swing, their problems are now our problems too. By the time a family has been successfully habituated,
we’re told, via daily visits from the expert tracking teams, us tourist trekkers are, in essence, considered nothing less than members of the extended family.
Split into intimate groups of no bigger than eight, we’re soon assigned a set. We are en route to the Rushegura clan. They are the largest, numbering 16, and supposedly the ‘nicest’, though I’m not entirely sure what a ‘nice’ gorilla looks like. “If the gorillas don’t charge or throw excrement,” I’m told, half-jokingly by one of our two armed guards, “then you mzungu (Swahili for foreigner) are basically family.”
Challenging trek
However, before we get into the nitty gritty of excrement etiquette, we’ve still got to find them. Bwindi covers 331 sq km, and crosses borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Luckily, the team of expert trackers have been up since dawn on reconnaissance and located the Rushegura gorillas. We pile into the Land Cruisers and scale up and
through sheets of white fog that lingers over verdant tea plantations and on corrugated iron roofs so rusted by the season that they perfectly match the bright, churned up, terracotta dirt roads that slice across the face of the hills here. At the top, we’re handed over to the trackers and armed guards. Our guide smirks at my companion’s choice of footwear – a pair of beaten up Skechers trainers –incongruous against the rest of the group’s elite hiking boots.
For two hours we tackle challenging, yet stunning terrain; thick paths winding up steep
“We stand and stare in awed silence. The silverback – utterly indifferent to our presence –rolls down onto all fours.”
ridges, and down into overgrown valleys. It’s humid at this height, and the threat of rain is ever present. After passing a large, bowl-shaped depression in a patch of hedgerow, our armed guard says: “Bush elephant, this is where it sleeps”. There’s no sign of the gigantic animal itself but heaps of elephant dung lead us into the thick foliage of the rainforest basin towards the ever-shifting home of the Rusheguru gorillas. After just over two hours on foot, our tracker placing a finger over his lips, “The family”, he tells us, “are just beyond this clearing.”
All I can make out is a rustling
in the trees. Bags are dropped, cameras primed. One by one, we slowly enter the clearing, not entirely sure what we will find within. A branch snaps in the distance. About 10 metres away, sitting upright within a forest of long, thin tree trunks, is a calm, still silverback. It’s the dominant male known as Kabukojo and he is massive.
Silverback sighting
We stand and stare in awed silence. The silverback – utterly indifferent to our presence – rolls down onto all fours. Another snapping branch, this time behind
us. A mother, her belly swollen by the fermenting greens inside, duly walks towards us on all fours. There is a small, jet-black infant dangling from her neck. The next hour feels like a blessed lifetime. We stand in communion with the gorillas as more emerge from the surrounding forest, some even brushing our knees to get by, or gently baring their teeth to encourage us to clear the way.
A young mountain
Having gorged on leaves and shoots, the Rushegura clan laze around us in a circle, like discarded soft toys. All are within touching distance. Clearly curious, it’s the eyes of the few infants that are forever fixed on us human onlookers, though when they do try to tempt us to play, our stern guides step in, to ensure distance is maintained. What’s clear is that there is a curious, moving tranquillity to the whole thing, to the pilgrimage of one species wanting only to observe another. And with that, our peaceful, meditative hour or more in gorilla world is up, and we begin the long walk back to civilization, though noticeably quieter, still somewhat shocked by the grace, and relative ease of the encounter. The privilege is lost on no one - tourists, guards, or guides alike.
Jonnie was a guest of Great Lakes Safaris (www.greatlakessafaris.com) who operate expert tours across East Africa. Accommodation was provided by Mahogany Springs Lodge (www.mahoganysprings. com) and Clouds Lodge, by Wild Places Africa (www.wildplacesafrica.com/cloudsmountain-gorilla-lodge)
gorilla
A speedy safari in Arusha National Park
A short break in Arusha still allows time for a wildlife adventure. Arusha National Park is just 30-minutes’ drive from the city centre yet offers an escape into an untamed landscape. Mark Edwards squeezes in a speedy safari and is rewarded with some unforgettable animal encounters.
It’s my last day in Arusha and I am scheduled to fly back to Dar es Salaam in the midafternoon. According to my guide and Arusha expert, Faysal Alao, this is just enough time to squeeze in a safari in Arusha National Park.
That means an early start. We jump in the 4x4 and head east to the park before the roads congeal with the city’s notorious rush-hour traffic. Still in his 20s, Faysal is the CEO and founder of all-Tanzanian tour company All Day in Africa. He’s secured the company’s 10-seater safari Land Cruiser for the trip and with me as the sole tourist there’s room onboard for his whole team to
join us with his drivers, guides and social media team all enjoying a break from the office.
They are a fun, clued-up bunch that delight in sharing the attractions of their country. Conversation becomes more difficult when we leave the smooth tarmac of the main road for a dirt trail leading to the park’s main gate with all of us silenced by the vehicle’s sudden chiropractic juddering.
Entering the park
Entry passes to the park must be arranged and paid for online ahead of your visit. As a non-resident I am charged US$ 50 while Tanzanian visitors pay US$ 25. In the low
season months of April and May the entrance fee is reduced by US$ 5 for all visitors.
The two-tier pricing system for entry is designed to encourage more domestic tourism. It seems to be working. On the day of my visit most of the other safari vehicles are filled with locals. It’s good to see Tanzanians enjoying their country’s wealth of natural splendours.
Passes approved, we drive into the park. The thrill is immediate. While Arusha is an attractive city,
Mark travelled with All Day in Africa offering tailor-made experiences
nestled in verdant highlands, the dynamic topography of its national park is on another level. Rolling woodland unfolds ahead framed by the volcanic amphitheater of the Meru mountain range with Mount Meru – Tanzania’s second-highest peak – dominating the horizon.
The wealth of wildlife is also striking. Arusha National Park has just three of the Big Five – plenty of elephant and buffalo as well as the occasional leopard – but the relative absence of predators beyond a few hyenas and wild dogs means the park’s herbivores are not shy.
Herds of herbivores
We approach a basin of scrubland where herds of buffalo and zebra graze along the banks of a stream. It’s early December – the wet season here runs from November to May – so the park is a lush landscape.
The cruiser’s pop-up roof is raised to enable better animalviewing. It is a source of much amusement among the team that at approaching two metres in height I don’t have to stand on the passenger seats to see out like everyone else.
We take in the scene with binoculars and the diversity of the
gathering is revealed. Warthogs also scurry around the fringes and there are clutches of bushbuck, waterbuck and impala. Suddenly, a group of giraffe totter out of the bushes. This is nature in harmony and it is beautiful.
A little further on and our driver stops by a stretch of dense woodland. Some of the trees’ high branches are bending and shaking and we catch sight of the culprits. A troop of colobus monkeys are scurrying about searching for the most succulent leaves to feed on.
Safari options
We stop again barely 200 metres later. A troop of more than 30 baboons – including super-cute infants clinging onto their mother’s backs – is crossing the track unconcerned by our presence. They are heading in the direction of the colobus monkeys. Our guide reveals that this will provoke the monkeys to move on. Baboons and colobus monkeys are, respectively, the extroverts and introverts of the primate world and consequently do not get on. It doesn’t aid relations that the boisterous baboon is known to hunt smaller monkeys for food.
The team point out the gate that marks the start point for hikes to the top of Mount Meru. It takes between three to four days to reach the summit and many hikers use it as preparation for an ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro 70 km to the east, even though many experts consider it the more challenging climb. There is the option for a day hike (around 20 km in total) that can be booked at the park’s main gate.
Walking safaris in the park are another booking option. We pass a group on the side of the road accompanied by their armed ranger – the park may be almost predator-free, but buffalo and elephant can be aggressive when they feel threatened.
The forests give way to undulating grassland punctuated by stretches of water. The Momella Lakes are seven shallow lakes
Warthogs are commonly found in Arusha National Park
Crossing paths with an elephant
located within the park. We head to Small Momela where there is a covered wooden viewing deck with picnic tables. Here Fayala unveils lunch – prepared by his mother –from a series of freezer bags. It’s delicious. The lake is a serenely sight. Hamerkops fashion gigantic nests on the shoreline while African fish eagles perch, primed to snatch fish from the water surface. There are also three canoeists crossing the lake. It is another safari option available at the main gate and seems a great way to take in the breathtaking beauty here.
Giraffes galore
After lunch, I stand by the lake and look to the surrounding hills where giraffe stand starkly like living aerials. It seems incredible to see them so high up. Surely those long legs weren’t built for climbing.
The park has one of the highest
"The park has one of the highest concentrations of giraffe in Tanzania and we see more on the circle back to the park gate"
magnificent creatures so close is an unforgettable moment. They seem possessed by a zen-like calm, gazing at us without judgement. Being around them is like a meditation.
The reverie with these ruminants has to end and I am reminded I have a flight to catch. However, the park has one more memorable animal encounter to bestow before we leave. As the trail threads through forest once again our driver stops and urges us to look to our right. There among the dense vegetation we seen an elephant with its vast ears flapping. Blundering through the bushes come five more, a calf among them. They seem calm, but hungry – shoveling down leaves and branches without pause. However, there is a larger male that doesn’t eat, but stops to block the road behind us. As the bull keeps his eyes on the elephants in his herd, our driver watches him for any signs that it might be wise to drive away. As it is, the elephants munch their way through the vegetation where they are and then amble across the road in search of more.
We watch in awe.
concentrations of giraffe in Tanzania and we see more – this time in close-up – on the circle back to the park gate. We find three indolently munching on shrubs by the roadside. They look at us, fluttering their long lashes, but do not move on. In fact, they are soon joined by three more and now the gigantic animals are on all sides of the vehicle.
Giraffes have always appealed to me – maybe it’s our shared lankiness – and to have these
Buoyed by another up-close encounter with nature’s giants we leave the park. I catch my flight without a hitch and am soon back in Dar, but, wherever I am, I know my Arusha National Park experience will stay with me.
Mark travelled with All Day in Africa. The homegrown company offers trips to Arusha National Park among its tailor-made experiences across Tanzania that include safaris, mountain climbing or beach holidays. For more details or to book, visit alldayinafrica.com
Paa Food / Make it with Monalisa
Chinese steamed eggs with zingy chilli oil
SPaa cookery columnist Monalisa Rwechungura seeks inspiration from the orient with her recipe for silky, yet spicy steamed eggs.
mooth, silky, and irresistibly soft, Chinese steamed eggs are a delicate dish that requires minimal ingredients yet delivers maximum flavour. Also known as water egg or egg custard, this comforting staple has earned a permanent spot in my kitchen. While traditionally made with
water, today we’re taking it up a notch by using a combination of milk and chicken stock, resulting in a richer, more luxurious texture. To finish, we’ll drizzle our eggs with a vibrant, tangy chilli oil that’s guaranteed to awaken your taste buds.
Let’s get cooking!
INSTRUCTIONS
Steaming the eggs:
• In a clean bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, and chicken stock until well combined.
• Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove any lumps.
• Divide the mixture evenly into three small heatproof bowls.
• Use a spoon to skim off any foam from the surface – this helps achieve a flawless, silky finish.
• Over each bowl tightly with cling film to prevent water from dripping into the eggs.
• Poke a small hole in the cling film with a toothpick to allow steam to escape.
• Place the bowls in a steamer over medium heat and steam for 18 to 20 minutes until set but still slightly wobbly in the centre.
• Once done, remove the steamer from the heat but leave the bowls inside to keep warm.
Making the chilli oil
• Heat a pan over medium heat and add the neutral oil.
• Stir in the butter and let it melt completely.
• Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and golden brown.
• Add the garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant and slightly caramelised.
• Stir in the chilli flakes and paprika, toasting them briefly to release their flavours.
• Add the soy sauce and lemon juice, stirring well to combine.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
INGREDIENTS
For the steamed eggs:
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk (room temperature)
• 1 cup chicken stock (room temperature)
For the chilli oil:
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ginger, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola)
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Juice of 1 lemon
Assembling the dish:
• Remove the bowls from the steamer and carefully take off the cling film.
• Using a small knife, lightly score the surface of the eggs to allow the sauce to seep in.
• Drizzle the warm chilli oil generously over the eggs.
• Garnish with freshly sliced spring onions.
Serve and enjoy!
Mona’s tips
For an ultra-smooth texture, whisk gently to avoid too many air bubbles in the egg mixture. Adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer chilli flakes, depending on your preference. For an extra umami boost, try adding a splash of toasted sesame oil to the chilli oil.
This is a city where the walls speak
Street art is everywhere in Nairobi. Whether it’s on decked-out matatus, shop signs or bridges, this colourful graffiti is an integral part of the Kenyan capital’s vibrant culture. Harriet James speaks to some of the city’s most exciting exponents of this public art form.
Q: What inspired your passion in graffiti?
Curiosity. I’m a 90s kid and during that time we didn’t have social media to distract us. We used to make and play outdoors with handmade toys and that inspired my creativity. Hip hop music too was a major contributor and an inspiration. I believe the spray can chose me.
Q: What are you proud of the most about your work? The adventures that have come along with it. I’ve managed to travel, experience and paint across the world, made lifelong friends, worked on award winning projects, learnt
from and taught over 500 youths on how to use graffiti as a tool for expression and advocacy.
What are the pros and cons of doing this?
Being a graffiti artist in Nairobi is both fun and challenging at the same time. The good, there’s less competition. The bad, limited access to proper materials/tools. In addition, our work is risky as we have to sometimes climb to high places, work in dangerous neighbourhoods or even streets.
Q: You have been recognised and awarded for your work and have had the chance to travel the
world, is there any of your works that’s special to you?
I’m proud of all my graffiti artworks spread across the globe.
Q: What advice can you give to any young person thinking of becoming a graffiti artist? Practice, practice, practice. Also, conquer your fear of heights.
Swift9 (real name Wycliffe Elegwa)
Q: You’ve been on the street art scene for 24 years and are still going strong. What inspired you to first venture into this art form?
A: I grew up in Fort Jesus in Kibera [Nairobi’s largest slum and one of the largest of its kind in Africa]. The great thing about this place is the fact that there are many people which always inspires your creativity. I didn’t have toys, which forced me to make my own. I created my own cars out of wires and this kind of initiated me into sculpture and multimedia arts. Also, there were some murals that had been done by other older artists which I used to see and try to emulate. I picked up graffiti at around the age of 14, and throughout those years, graffiti was a unique form of art.
It wasn’t the same as contemporary art, which I later studied at Buruburu Institute of Fine Arts. To me, it represented a cool art form that lived on walls, reflecting the character of a city. It inspired me to want to create large-scale works on massive walls. As a side hustle, I would do graffiti work for music artists, studios, and events. I created a mural that people really liked, which led to new contacts and clients.
At my regular job, I was earning just KES 2,000, while the graffiti work was
paying me KES 5,000 per painting, which I could finish in two days. That difference in pay motivated me to quit my job and fully pursue painting.
Q: Graffiti has had connotations with rebellion and vandalism. How have you seen it evolve?
The thing about graffiti is that it’s public. For people who paint walls without permission, building owners often get angry when they see them. If a wall is private, you sometimes have to ask for permission if it inspires you to paint on it. At times, I’ve felt inspired just by the texture of a wall, or how it speaks to me. In those cases, I might end up painting illegally. (laughs)
Are painters and graffiti artists more appreciated in Africa today?
I have been to at least 12 countries, and the appreciation for graffiti is vast. Here, I would say it’s still growing. Although it is often labelled as illegal in Africa, this doesn’t mean it is inherently wrong. Graffiti is a new form of art, and we see it in our matatus. For me, bringing it into the world and using it as a medium for social change – a by creating murals of well-known, inspiring figures like Barack Obama (former US president), Wangari Maathai (Kenyan political activist), and Lupita Nyong’o (Kenyan actress) makes me happy.
Q: What challenges have you encountered
in your journey as a graffiti artist? The cost of paint has always been an issue, which makes it difficult to complete large pieces of work. Another challenge is I’ve been around for a long time, and when I give clients a quote, they sometimes complain about the cost, not fully understanding that it took me 24 years to reach this level of skill. Occasionally, clients get cheeky and ask for a sketch, only to take it to another designer. Recently, I started charging KES 10,000 for sketches, but clients still complain about the price. In addition, I’ve had people use my work without permission, but I don’t really see it as a major issue.
Q: You are known as being the “godfather” of graffiti. What responsibilities does this title bear? It’s a heavy title and it adds pressure to stand out, to be a leader, and to act as a guiding force for those who are coming up in the art world. I don’t take it lightly, as I strive every day to embody the kind of person who deserves that name. I’m also leaving a legacy by mentoring children in Uganda and Kenya who have the passion for arts within them. Practice and mentorship makes them sharper.
Bankslave (real name Kevin Asendi)
Chelwek Chela
Q: What inspired you to first venture into this art form, and how has your journey evolved over time?
A: My journey into the world of graffiti began unexpectedly while I was studying at the University of Nairobi. I initially focused on design and illustration, until I was introduced into the world of graffiti while exploring the creative space at PAWA 254 [non-profit youth organisation in Kenya]. It was there that I met influential graffiti artists like Swift Elegwa and Uhuru B Brown, whose passion for street art ignited something in me.
In addition, there was a strong desire in me to make art not just be consumed in galleries or paid spaces but everywhere.
Q: What inspires your artwork?
I’m mostly inspired by the people specifically African women and their interaction with nature and how everything is connected by the life essence that flow through all of us. I call it the African essence.
Q: Has the number of women doing graffiti increased?
Yes, there has been a noticeable increase in female graffiti artists in the country in recent years. Many women are now feeling more empowered to express themselves in a space that was once predominantly male-dominated.
The rise of social media and the digital space means that more artists can share their work, find communities, buyers and gain recognition regardless of their gender. I use social media and it has impacted my work greatly.
Q: What do you love about Nairobi and its street art scene?
Nairobi has really embraced art and creative and I can confidently say that I have been ‘made’ in Nairobi.
For graffiti artists, Nairobi offers both a sense of freedom and a platform
for their work to be seen by large audiences, from busy streets and public spaces to cultural venues.
What I love about Nairobi is its raw energy and the way it embraces creativity in unexpected places. More galleries, events, and festivals are now dedicated to street art, providing platforms for artists to gain visibility. It’s a city where the walls truly speak, and as an artist, that’s inspiring.
Q: What advice would you give someone thinking of pursuing street art as a career?
“Follow your dreams, msee asikushow any” [Let no one hinder your path]. It’s okay to fail. As long as you can still create always try and never give up.
Mr Detail Seven (real name Allan Mwangi)
Q: What inspired you to be a graffiti artist?
I saw the designs on matatus from a young age and fell in love with it. I studied graphic design in college, but I taught myself traditional art.
Q: What is your style?
I love creating and adding colour to blank spaces.
Q: What inspired your name?
I pay attention to details in a lot of my work and seven is also the number of
completion in the Bible in my faith.
Q: How is Nairobi for you as a graffiti artist?
Nairobi is opening up to the idea of adding murals/graffiti to their corporate and private spaces. I love the fact that more galleries, events and festivals are now dedicated to offering platforms for artists like us and this has increased our visibility. In addition, there is a growing community of artists who have been supportive. Another factor is that Nairobi has a youthful vibe and that makes it easier for me as a graffiti artist to both create and showcase my work. However, even as these are the positives, more needs to be done to make people value art.
Q: You have many art pieces but one that stood out was your work on the late George Floyd. What drove you to create this piece?
George Floyd’s death sparked global protests and became a symbol of the fight against racial prejudice and police brutality. It was a great feeling watching my work being recognised all over the world and being interviewed in international media houses. We have seen police brutality here in Kenya during our recent protests and hence I wanted to use my art to make a statement and advocate for change.
Q: What challenges have you faced as a graffiti artist?
The public’s false perception that it is associated with vandalism and rebellion makes it hard to gain respect and recognition as a serious artist. Also finding spaces to do this can be a challenge as many cities have strict regulations and sometimes you work can be quickly cleaned or painted over. In addition, financial challenges especially when it comes to accessing materials like the high-quality spray paints and other supplies.
Q: What advice do you have to anyone seeking to become a graffiti artist?
Follow your passion and never stop.
The Sultans of Zanzibar
How the legacy of centuries of Omani rule has left an indelible mark of the on the life and landscape of the Zanzibar archipelago.
For over a century, the dominion of the sultanate of Zanzibar extended along the East African coast from Somalia in the north to Mozambique in the south and stretched as far inland as Lake Malawi. At its heart was Zanzibar Island and its capital Stone Town, which became one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the region. This trading empire formed the roots of the cosmopolitan commerce and culture of the Swahili people of the Indian Ocean coastline, but it came at a terrible human cost with hundreds of thousands of Africans enslaved to work in brutal conditions for the ruling Arab elite.
Stone Town today is a living museum that reveals in architectural remnants its former
wealth and influence as well as the infamous practices that fuelled it. You’ll find lavish merchant homes with brass-studded doors, former Sultans’ palaces, bath houses, and grand mosques and minarets. Just footsteps away you’ll also come upon the remains of one of the world’s last open slave markets.
The division and harsh treatment of those times were not forgotten and would spur the uprisings that led to the Zanzibar Revolution in 1964 and the formation of Tanzania as a sovereign state that same year when Tanganyika and Zanzibar united.
But let’s go back to the beginnings of the sultanate of Zanzibar and look more closely at some of the stand-out sultans who ruled over this crucial part of East African history.
Trading hub
Zanzibar has attracted international visitors since the early centuries with its large, sheltered harbour at what would become Stone Town offering refuge for sailors on Indian Ocean voyages from China, Persia and Arabia.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a presence in Zanzibar – and the first to introduce slavery here. They arrived in the late 15th century and retained the archipelago as part of their East African empire for the next near two hundred years. Garrisoned forts in Chake, Chake on Pemba, Stone Town on Unguja, Zanzibar’s main island, and in Mombasa in present day Kenya were built to guard against potential invasion by English naval fleets and suppress any domestic insurrections.
(Above) Sultan Barghash Bin Said Image: Boris15 / Shutterstock.com
Omani Arabs – who were building a thriving sea-going commercial empire – ousted the Portuguese from the resourcesrich islands in the late 17th century with victorious battles in Mombasa and Unguja. Omani rule was established over Zanzibar in 1698 and the archipelago became part of a thriving Omani Empire that at the time included parts of modern-day Oman as well as coastal regions of Iran and Pakistan.
Under Omani rule, the most fertile land was handed over to Omani aristocrats with slaves doing the farming. An international commercial empire was created along the East African coast. Each year, fleets of dhows would bring in iron, cloth, sugar and dates from Arabia, Persia and India powered by the northwest monsoon winds. When the winds shifted to the southwest, the vessels would be laden with copal tree resin for incense, cloves, coconuts, rice, ivory, and slaves for the return journey.
Oman’s strategic location and maritime history made it a powerful trading power in the region, however it was not until the mid-19 th century when Sultan Said bin Sultan moved his capital to Zanzibar that the island became a major centre of Omani trade and commerce.
Said bin Sultan
Said bin Sultan was the ruler of Muscat and Oman and of Zanzibar from 1806 to 56 However, defending Oman against its many would-be conquerors meant he did not set foot on Zanzibar soil until the year 1828 It was love at first sight. In
contrast to the arid landscape of Oman, Zanzibar was verdant and had many fresh water sources. Even more attractive was its strategic advantages – it was easily defended and closer to the African mainland that was the source of his wealth.
In 1840 Said bin Sultan moved his royal household to Zanzibar and declared it the new capital of his empire. His extended familybuilt palaces, bath houses and country manors on Zanzibar, and introduced the commercial farming of crops. The Sultan’s Palace, which still stands on the Stone Town seafront was constructed between 1827 and 1834 for Said bin Sultan and was home to all subsequent sultans until the Revolution.
The Sultanate of Zanzibar reached the peak of its wealth under Said bin Sultan. Lucrative income avenues included the trading with interior communities for ivory and slaves. Captured men, women and children from Bantu tribes were marched in chains from the regions of the great lakes and beyond to be sold in the great slave market in the middle of Stone Town. From here they were shipped to the Persian Gulf or set to work (often to death) as household servants or plantation labourers on the islands.
Despite Said bin Sultan signing treaties in 1822 and 1845 to restrict the slave trade, the export of slaves in the Sultanate of Zanzibar continued into the 20th century.
Said had 36 children. On his death in 1856, his third son, Thuwaini bin Said, became Sultan of the Omani Empire, based in Zanzibar. However, the succession
caused a family rift that resulted, in 1861 , two separate sultanates being created. Thuwaini became the Sultan of Muscat and Oman while sixth son Majid bin Said became the Sultan of Zanzibar.
Majid bin Said
The first Sultan of Zanzibar never expected to be ruler. He had two older brothers, but they died before their father. The fair-skinned Majid – his mother was a concubine from Circassia, now part of the Russian Federation – came to power aged 22. The sultanate continued to soar under his rule despite his reputation for hedonism – a trait that is rumoured to have led to his untimely death in 1870 at the age of just 36
Barghash bin Said
Majid’s marriage produced only one daughter so he was succeeded as Sultan by his half-brother. Barghash believed he had a claim to the throne when Said died – a
The House of Wonders in Stone Town
Princess Sayyida Salme
story exits that the Sultan died in Barghash’s arms onboard a ship from Oman to Zanzibar.
The family feuding led to Barghash being exiled in Bombay, but he eventually returned upon Majid’s death to become the Sultan of Zanzibar. Barghash took responsibility for modernising Stone Town with prominent buildings erected during his reign including Beit-El-Ajaib (House of Wonders), Zanzibar’s first building with electricity. He is also credited with the building of new roads, public baths, parks, government buildings and hospitals. Britain had started to develop a relationship with the sultans during Majid’s rule as its imperial interest in Africa grew. Those ties tightened with Barghash. The second Sultan, who ruled from 1870 to 1888, was instrumental in the abolition of the slave trade in Zanzibar, signing two agreements with Britain.
However, Britain and Germany went on to divide most of
Zanzibar’s territory on the African mainland between them and took economic control over the remaining coastal strip. In 1890 Zanzibar became a British protectorate with the sultan’s authority trimmed down.
Under the protectorate, the British administered the island on behalf of the sultan, who remained the sovereign. However, after the death of the sultan Hamad ibn Thuwayn on August 25, 1896, his nephew, Khālid ibn Barghash, seized the throne.
As the only son of the late Sultan Barghash, Khalid saw himself as the rightful successor. His reign lasted three days before it was cut short by the Anglo-Zanzibar War – a 38-minute skirmish concluded by a British bombardment of the Sultan’s palace that is on record as the shortest war in history.
After Khālid’s defeat, the
British-supported candidate, Hamud ibn Mohammed , assumed the throne. Zanzibar’s longestserving sultan, Khalīfa ibn Harūb, assumed the throne on December 9, 1911 , and served until his death on October 9, 1960. He was a wellrespected leader and a moderating influence in the region during times of political crisis.
In 1963 the sultanate regained its independence, becoming a member of the British Commonwealth. In January 1964 the Zanzibar Revolution overthrew the sultanate and established a republic. In April the presidents of Zanzibar and mainland Tanganyika signed an act of union of their two countries to be named Tanzania later that year. The age of the Sultanate of Zanzibar was over, but the Omani influence along the Swahili coast remains deeply ingrained.
The rebel princess of Zanzibar
Sayyida Salme was the youngest of the 36 children of Said bin Sultan. While her brothers were groomed for power, she lived a cloistered existence within the palace walls. It was not the life she wanted. Secretly she would copy the Arabic alphabet onto the bleached shoulder blade of a camel to teach herself to write. Isolated from her family as her oldest brothers Majid and Barghash contested the throne she struck up a friendship with a young German merchant called Rudolph Heinrich Ruete. They became lovers and Salme fell pregnant. Fearing for her life, Salme escaped by ship to Yemen, where Rudolph joined her before the pair settled in Germany. Here, Salme changed her name to Emily Ruete and
began a new life. During this time, she wrote Memoirs of an Arabian Princess. The book is thought to be the first known autobiography of an Arab woman and provides unique insight into her privileged early life in Zanzibar. There is a museum dedicated to her extraordinary life inside the Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel in Stone Town.
The Old Fort of Zanzibar
How to keep fit for (almost) free
You don’t need to splash out on personal trainers and gym memberships to get fit. Here are six tips on how to exercise while economising in East Africa.
Walk
Walking is a simple, free, and effective way to improve your health and fitness. It can help you burn calories, build stamina, and strengthen your bones and muscles. Work up to a goal of 10,000 steps each day, depending on your starting fitness level. That will take most people around an hour and a half to cover so you may want to split it into shorter throughout the day. Try to take one of those walks early in the morning so the natural sunlight energises you for the day. Walk in nature when possible. If you live in a city, head for the nearest park. The air quality will be better, and the serene setting will encourage a dip in stress levels and a sense of rejuvenation. Walking with friends can help you be accountable in reaching your step goals or you could join group walks. The Walk With A Doc programme organises monthly weekend walks in Dar es Salaam. The hour-long sessions begin with a short talk on a
current health topic from a healthcare provider before a group walk. To find out the date of the next walk, email walkwithadoctz6432@gmail.com or call +255 659 580499.
What you’ll need: Just your usual outdoor clothes, unless you favour hiking over rough terrain when you’ll need some sturdy shoes.
Run
Regular runs can significantly improve your cardiovascular fitness and self-confidence as well influencing healthy ageing, and quality of life. Start slow if this is your first time. If you are a beginner looking for encouragement, nervous about running alone or want to test yourself against others, run clubs are a great idea. You’ll find clubs across Tanzania. The country’s biggest is The Runner’s Club with branches in all major cities. They organise weekend runs for all levels and members often go on to compete in races from 5km up to marathons. For more information, visit @runnerstanzania on Instagram.
What you’ll need: A pair of wellfitting trainers with enough support to keep you racking up the kilometres. A
moisture-wicking top will make running in the Tanzania heat more comfortable.
Yoga
This full-body workout can improve flexibility, strength, balance, and cardiovascular health. A yoga session, with its emphasis on being mindful of your breath, can also reduce anxiety and help you relax. The internet is filled with yogis sharing their skills through free, follow-along videos. Among them is African American vinyasa yogacertified Nico Marie who has yoga and meditation videos targeted at all levels. Visit www.youtube.com/@YogaWithNico.
What you’ll need: A non-slip mat to protect your knees and back from hard floors when doing yoga at home is a good idea. If you’re practising in a park, you may not need a mat. A loose-fitting T-shirt and shorts is effective attire for public sessions, but if you are training at home the clothing choice is yours. Who’s to judge?
Bodyweight
Gyms may be kitted out with barbells, kettlebells and dumbbells, but your own body can
“A yoga session, with its emphasis on being mindful of your breath, can also reduce anxiety and help you relax. The internet is filled with yogis sharing their skills through free, follow-along videos.”
provide the resistance, and you’ll get a host of functional benefits for your posture and balance as well. Bodyweight push-ups, squats, sit-ups and lunges will target most major muscle groups. All you need is a flat surface at home. If you are in a park that has benches, use them to elevate your feet for more challenging exercises such as decline push-ups and Bulgarian split squats. If you are unfamiliar with these exercises, the internet is filled with step-by-step demonstrations.
What you’ll need: As the name suggests, as long as you have a body you are golden. These exercises can be done anywhere. Tag them on to the beginning or end of your run/walk for an extra challenge.
Crank up the radio or your favourite streaming playlist and start dancing along. Not only will your mood immediately improve, but you’ll also be elevating your heart rate, burning calories and improving cardiovascular fitness. Whether you are at a public event, the park or at home, start dancing like no-one’s watching. You can throw in some moves such as running on the spot, skips, and star jumps to create your own aerobic workout. Try to do ten minutes to start with and gradually increase the duration and intensity. For accessible irresistible dance workouts that are sure to put a smile on your face and teach you dance moves from across Africa,
check out the Kukuwa Fitness classes on YouTube. Visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=q7ytBN8eaiM.
What you’ll need: Headphones or an outdoor speaker could be useful if you are dancing outdoors. Make sure to clear some space if you are going to cut loose at home so neither you or your possessions are damaged.
Dance
We need more investors in Africa’s tourism tech space
Recently, Nairobi hosted The Africa Tech Summit, an annual event that brought together entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and industry leaders to explore the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in Africa’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem. The summit proved an electrifying journey into the heart of Africa's innovation ecosystem attracting a blend of talent from across the continent as well as Silicon Valley, Europe, and Asia. The diverse crowd is a testament to Africa’s growing importance in the global tech ecosystem.
However, while fintech, agritech, and healthtech dominate funding in Africa, the tourism tech sector is still slow when it comes to gaining traction. I know most countries in Africa are presently looking to diversify their economies and capitalise on the potential of the tourism industry but the growth and number of investors in this space is still low compared to other sectors.
This could be down to infrastructural challenges like internet connectivity and power supply along with political instability. Regulations, taxes and policies
here may also disrupt tech operations. However, these are challenges all investors face regardless of the sector they opt to get into.
When it comes to the tourism, the underdevelopment of the industry compared to other regions like Asia or Europe and the slow adoption of technology by key stakeholders like hotels, tour operators, transportation services are still an obstacle. Moreover, while there is a growing venture capital scene in Africa, the funding ecosystem for tourism tech specifically is still in its nascent stages. I believe many investors do not fully understand the potential of the African tourism tech market or may underestimate the long-term profitability of investing in tourism-related technology.
There is also competition from global players like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia who already dominate the digital tourism. Investors may perceive local competition with these giants as too difficult or resource-intensive to overcome.
Even with these perceived challenges, the tourism tech space still offers a wealth of investment opportunities, driven by the continent's growing middle
Harriet James
Paa columnist Harriet James is a Nairobi-based travel journalist who loves to promote African destinations, meet new people and inspire change and positivity wherever she goes. Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn @HarrietOwalla.
class, rising internet penetration, and increasing global interest in African destinations.
Solutions like mobile-based platforms for booking, digital payment systems, and online travel agencies are gaining traction. There is a space for local online travel agencies that cater specifically to African travelers. There is also opportunity in the mobile payment solutions with tourists, especially from abroad, looking for seamless, secure payment options for bookings, travel, and other services.
Another area to look at is immersive technologies such as virtual reality as more people seek out alternative ways to experience travel.
Sustainable tech is also expanding as eco-conscious tourists seek green travel options. As tourism becomes more data-driven, there’s also a growing need for platforms that provide insights and analytics on tourism trends, customer preferences, and the economic impact of tourism.
The future of tourism in Africa is techdriven and there is plenty of room for innovation to thrive.
Paa Royal Benefits
Benefits that will make you feel like royalty
Precision Air is always looking to give its customers an exclusive and memorable service experience; and the Paa Royal benefits programme is part of that mission. The membership categories* are as follows:
Jade Member benefits
Upon enrolment, members will be given their unique Paa Royal number, which they must always show whenever they buy tickets as well as during check-in at the airport. After flying three times or more, members will be given a Jade membership card. With the card, they will be recognised as members of the Paa Royal Programme.
Other benefits of Jade membership:
• Priority membership baggage tags to ensure tagged bags will be handled with special care and delivered first on the conveyor belt at the passenger’s arrival destination
• An opportunity to get a free ticket within the Precision Air’s network after accumulating enough points in their account.
*Please note that, in each membership category, if a member is unable to maintain the required number of flights in a year, he or she will be downgraded to their tier level achieved in that current year.
Silver Member benefits
After attaining Silver membership level, the member will be issued with a Silver membership card which he (or she) must show at all Precision Air point of sales in order to receive the recognition that he deserves. Should a member book online by logging into Paa Royal Pages, he will automatically receive points earned to his account. Members will be entitled to special treatment and priority treatment whenever they travel.
Other benefits of Silver membership:
• Free 5 kg baggage every time member travels on a PW operated flight
• Priority membership baggage tags to ensure tagged bags will be handled with special care and delivered first on the conveyor belt at member’s arrival destination
• Opportunity to obtain a free ticket within the Precision Air network after accumulating enough points in your account
• Priority telephone reservation in those times when you want to make your reservation and cannot visit our office or travel agent. Booking is a call away through our Paa Royal helpdesk line.
Gold Member benefits
After attaining the Gold membership, members will begin to experience royal and exclusive treatment whenever they fly. Members will be opened up to a new world of opportunities and experiences and, of course, receive more rewards. Should a member book online by logging into Paa Royal Pages, he (or she) would automatically receive points earned to his account.
Other benefits of Gold:
• Free 10 kg baggage every time member travels on a PW operated flight
• Priority membership baggage tags to ensure tagged bags will be handled with special care and delivered first on the conveyor belt at member’s arrival destination
• Opportunity to obtain a free ticket within the Precision Air network after accumulating enough points in your account
• Priority telephone reservation at times when you want to make your reservation and cannot visit our office or travel agent. Booking is a call away through our Paa Royal helpdesk line
• Priority waitlist/airport standby each time you want to travel and your selected flight is full.
Tanzanite Member benefits
When members reach Tanzanite member they attain ultimate royalty. We will always strive to give these royal members an exclusive and memorable flight experience. At this level, members will already be used to royal treatment; royalty will be their way of life.
Other benefits of Tanzanite:
• Free 15 kg excess baggage every time the member travels on a PW-operated flight
• Opportunity to obtain a free ticket within the Precision Air network after accumulating enough points in your account
• Confirmation on any flight if a member is prepared to pay Y class fare, regardless of the flight booking status
• Priority waitlist/airport standby whenever you want to travel and your selected flight is full
• Priority telephone reservation at times when you want to make your reservation and cannot visit our office or travel agent. Booking is a call away through our Paa Royal helpdesk line.
• Priority membership baggage tags to ensure tagged bags will be handled with special care and delivered first on the conveyor belt at member’s destination.
• Silver, Gold and Tanzanite members also get discounts of up to 20 per cent when visiting GSM shopping malls Msasani and Pugu, Southern Sun Hotel, Akemi restaurant, East Point Restaurant and the Colosseum hotel and sports club - all in Dar es Salaam.
Paa Contacts
Your nearest Precision Air office anywhere in the world
TANZANIA
Dar es Salaam Head Office
Diamond Plaza, 1st Floor, Plot no 162 / 38, Mirambo Street/ Samora Ave, Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255 (0)22 219 1000
Contact Centre:
+255 (0)787 888 409/408/417
Email: pwreservations@precisionairtz.com
Dar es Salaam Sales Office
NIC HDQ BUILDING,
Samora Ave/Pamba Road
PO Box 70770, Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255 (0)22 213 0800 / 212 1718
Fax: +255 (0)22 211 3036
Email: salesdar@precisionairtz.com
E-COMMERCE
(For users of VISA and MasterCard)
Diamond Plaza, 1st Floor
Plot no 162/38
Mirambo Street/Samora Ave
Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255 (0)686 177 458/ (0)689 669 446
Fax: +255 (0)22 211 3036
Email: pwreservations@precisionairtz.com
ARUSHA
Ngorongoro Tourism Center
First Floor
Goliondoi & Makongoro Road
PO Box 1636, Arusha
Tel: +255 27 254 5489 / 254 5503
Email: pw-arksales@precisionairtz.com
BUKOBA
Bukoba Office-GSA, Bukoba Machinery, Bukoba Centre
Highbridge House, 581 Bath Road Longford, West Drayton
Middlesex, UB7 0EW
Reservations: +44 (0)844 482 2313
Email: precisionair@apg-ga.co.uk
MASTER
GSA OF ASIA PACIFIC (excluding Japan and China)
Elite Holiday Travel Service
Taipei, Taiwan
FAX: 8
Tel: 886-2-2541 3366
Fax: 886-2-2536 1824
Email: sales@eliteholiday.com.tw
PRECISION AIR OFFLINE TEAM
Diamond Plaza, 1st Floor
Plot no 162/38, Mirambo Street
Samora Ave, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 772 823 / +255 786 447 411
Email: pw-offline@precisionairtz.com
Welcome Aboard
Safety and well-being on board
PASSENGER SAFETY
Precision Air takes passenger safety very seriously. Aviation safety isn’t just the pilot’s or the cabin crew’s job – it takes all of us.
It is easy for our natural sense of caution to be dulled in our modern environment, where things don’t go wrong very often. Whether in the air or on the ground, your life and the lives of your family members could some day be saved if you make it a point, in every situation, to create a mental plan of action in case of emergency. Here are some important tips to help you enjoy your travel experience with Precision Air – in flight and around the airport.
EXIT ROW SEAT
A passenger who is allocated an emergency exit seat:
A. Must be both willing and physically able to open the exit doors in an emergency
B. Must completely understand the printed emergency evacuation techniques
C. Must be 16 years old and above.
PAY ATTENTION TO PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING
Although the information seems repetitious, the locations of the closest emergency exits may be different depending on the aircraft that you fly on and the seat you are in.
CARRY ON BAGGAGE
There are strict rules about what you can bring on board an aircraft. Because:
A. Not all aircraft have space to store your carry-on baggage.
B. In an accident, baggage in the aisles makes it harder to get out of the aircraft quickly.
Carry-on bags must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Please confirm with Precision Air rules before your travel to avoid delays.
*Remember: All carry-on baggage must be left behind in an evacuation.
SAFETY ONBOARD
Boarding and leaving an aircraft requires your full attention. As you move to and from the aircraft, you may be in a busy area with many other passengers and cargo, moving vehicles, other aircraft, slippery walkways and/or stairs.
RESPECT YOUR CREW AND FELLOW PASSENGERS
Everyone has the right to safe and secure travel. That is why Precision Air employees and the aviation authority will not tolerate any behaviour that interferes with the flight or puts the safety of passengers and crew at risk.
SEATBELTS
Seatbelts must be fastened during take-off, landing, during turbulence and any time the crew deem it necessary. Keeping the belt on when you are seated provides that extra protection you might need in case of emergency. If you are responsible for an infant or a child, you must first ensure that your own seatbelt is properly fastened, then secure the child and, if it is an infant, secure the child’s or the infant’s restraints.
Important note: There are a number of events involving air turbulence that highlight the importance of keeping seatbelts fastened throughout the flight.
Though rare, in-flight turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to both passengers and crew.
Fly with a face mask
For the your own safety and the safety of your fellow passengers and crew, we ask you to wear a face mask during the entirety of your flight today. Thank you!
You Are Why We Fly
It’s a good idea to keep your seatbelt fastened even when the seatbelt signs are not on.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND PREGNANCIES
If you have a medical condition and may need assistance during your travel, kindly ask the Precision Air offices or agents about procedures before your flight. If you are pregnant, you will need to fill a Precision Air medical form, to be signed by your doctor, to confirm that you are OK for travel. For further details, kindly ask while booking your ticket from our sales offices and/or customer services.
PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Use of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, MP4 players, iPads, etc are not allowed during take-off, landing, taxiing, descent and climb.
Precision Air prohibits the use of some electronic devices during flight because they emit signals that can interfere with the aircraft's instrumentation. Some of the items prohibited include cellphones, radios, remote-controlled games/toys, laser pointers, iPads or tablets that transmits frequencies, portable printers, walkie-talkies, scanners and laptops. These items need to be stowed away for these phases of the flight to avoid injuries in case of an emergency.
