WEEKEND AWAY
THE PERFECT ESCAPE Anthony Wanjiru Kuria rounds up five activities perfect for thrill-seeking couples this season of love. MAGICAL DHOW CRUISE IN LAMU Lamu has a lot to offer: tropical climate, excellent accommodation, unspoilt beaches, car-free streets, fresh seafood, intriguing culture and the warmest of residents. For couples, a cruise along the Indian Ocean is the way to go. If you are keen to follow the ancient tradition of sailing between the islands on the trade winds and you fancy exploring the archipelago from the deck of a boat, a full or half day dhow/yacht safari will offer a truly special experience. Stop for a picnic on a remote island after a morning of snorkelling and wave hello to inhabitants of the fishing villages. Sailing from Manda or Shela to Kiwayu and back is arguably the best way to experience the archipelago. For a shorter trip,
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book one of the popular sunset dhow cruises. Watch the sun go down from the sea over drinks, Swahili snacks and traditional music. SCENIC CHOPPER RIDE AROUND MT KENYA’S PEAKS Pick your air charter company of choice and the flying excursion begins from the Nanyuki Airfield. Guests can be picked up from hotels in Laikipia. From there you’ll fly around the peaks of Mt Kenya’s Nelion and Point Lenana peaks. Mount Kenya is vast and desolate with a towering summit, sheer cliffs and glaciers. The flight unveils great views of the many tarns and rivers found on its upper slopes. You’ll then touch down for a picnic breakfast at the alpine Lake Michaelson and enjoy breathtaking views
and unique mountain flora. An extraordinary landscape awaits to the western and northern foothills of the mountain. From mountain bamboo, luxuriant evergreen forest and the stunning savannah plains of northern Kenya, there is no better way to appreciate this contrast than by helicopter. MEMORABLE BUSH BREAKFAST IN NAKURU Several camps and lodges can set up a romantic bush breakfast or camel ride for you two. One option to consider is Mbweha Camp set within the vast Soysambu Conservancy on the southern boundary of Lake Nakuru National Park. The conservancy hosts aardvarks, zebras, buffalos, leopards, various antelope species and is said to have