Nomad 35 | Trailblazers

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

Trailblazers

5

T OP

6

S H O T

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

EDITOR'S

N O TE

Letter from the Editor Travel is good for the soul. Nothing has

the road or simply hiking in a nearby

There is a taste of local fare, adventure

cemented this truth more deeply than a

forest reserve.

and much about intentional travelling.

Properties and places have really

Our subjects for the trailblazers section

We have each had our learnings from

stepped up to the plate when it comes

are truly amazing individuals, who are

lockdowns, losses both personal and

to domestic travel. Though our global

expanding our way of living, enjoying,

collective, and the general disruption

friends and travellers are most welcome

doing business and interacting with

to our lifestyles. A major thing that

and were much missed, the importance

the environment. We bring back

Covid-19 has taught us is that we have

of local visitors has shifted perceptions

Top Shots, stunning images from

an innate need to get out, explore,

irreversibly among hotels, and this can

homegrown photographers. There

interact safely, appreciate nature,

only be for the good of all.

are snippets of upcoming events and

worldwide pandemic.

spend time with loved ones and create

noteworthy happenings in the recent

memories. After all, human societies

My soul has been enriched by a return

evolved around the land, in open

to the lovely islands of Lamu, a maiden

spaces and unconfined habitation. It is

visit to Goma city in the Congo, the

Whether journeying to old or new

only in modern times that people are

never-fails-to-impress Masai Mara and

places, may there always be something

increasingly living in urban areas and

rediscovering the great Tsavo National

special happening in your travels.

not the countryside.

Park.

The pandemic has taken away any

In this edition the Nomad team takes

excuses we might have had for not

you to Diani in Kenya’s southern

exploring our own countries, and

coastal region, into the most charming

Kari Mutu

the marvellous destinations therein.

places and exclusive getaways on

Kari Mutu

Nothing like cabin fever to get you on

quintessentially sandy white beaches.

Editor

past.

7

T OP

S H O T

Contents 10. News & Events 12. Top Shots Black & White photos from Kenya's finest

21. Nomad Travel Club Secluded beach houses and boutique properties in Diani

28. Green Travel Diani Excursions for the conscious traveller to Diani

29. Ocean Adventures Diani Thrilling experiences while in Diani

30. Wellness Tina Thyaka talks mind and body wellness

32. Sea Safaris Julie Church on why she started a sea safari company

34. Nomad Top Interview Patricia Kihoro on music, art and life

36. Baby on Board Sound advice for travelling in East Africa with a baby

38. Solutions in Africa’s rainforests Supporting farmers, forests and elephants in Gabon

40. Best stories come full circle Stitching new cloaks from old curtains

44. Raptors and Intentional Travel Doing our bit to protect birds of prey

46. Food & Drinks What’s to eat around Diani

47.

What to Pack Beach Edition

8

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

Cover photo: The Sands at Nomad sandsatnomad Contents photo: Kinondo Kwetu Hotel kinondokwetu

TOP

SH O T

NOMAD Issue 35 · July 2022 · PUBLISHED BY PURPLE ELEPHANT VENTURES, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. DIRECTORS Ben Peterson, Jan Van der Does de Willebois, Mikul Shah, NOMAD LEAD Lizzie Wright.

PURPLE ELEPHANT VENTURES Eva Kigo, Evans Gatoye, Doris Mutungi EDITOR Kari Mutu DESIGN Karan Khalsa HEAD OF SALES Rachael Ndeti CREATIVE & EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Bami Malaika HEAD OF OPERATIONS OF NTC Nawal Hassan BOOKINGS MANAGER Carol Soi FINANCE Caroline Rubiro.

SALES ENQUIRIES sales@nomad.africa NomadAfricaTravel

@NomadAfricaTravel

@NomadAfrica_

9

The Affordable Art Show The largest juried arts exhibition and sale in East Africa. Now in its 13th edition, the Show attracts a range of upcoming and established Kenyan visual artists, with participation by creatives from Uganda, Tanzania and Sudan.

Children’s art class, live painting and guided art tours as well. At the Nairobi National Museum, 28-30 October 2022.

Lamu Yoga Festival Hosted by Lamu Yoga, it takes place at various locations and historical houses in Lamu islands. There will be yoga workshops, pranayama classes, meditation, satsang and sound healing sessions. Enjoy more of Lamu through a mangroves tour, cooking classes, swimming, sunset dhow rides and a beach bonfire. 5-9 October, 2022

Beer Brewer Protecting Elephants East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has committed KES 100 million for elephant conservation in Kenya, to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Co-founder George Hurst was killed by an elephant during a hunting trip in 1923, and Tusker lager beer was named in his memory.. Elephant numbers have increased in recent years but human-wildlife conflict remains a challenge.

10

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

NEWS

&

EVE N TS

Obama Spotlights Tsavo Park Tsavo National Park, Kenya is one of only five parks worldwide to feature in the Netflix TV Series, Our Great National Parks, narrated by former US president, Barack Obama. Experience Mzima Springs, Shetani Lava flow, Chyulu Hills and other amazing sites in Tsavo, backdropped by the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro.

Nyege Nyege Fest Returns The world’s ‘best electronics music festival’ returns to Uganda after a 2-year hiatus. It is the best place to hear new sounds from across Africa, with 200 virtual and in-person events, visual arts installations and tourism activities. At the beautiful Itanda Falls, Jinja, 15-18 September, 2022

T OP

S H O T

Interviewed by Bami Malaika Aditya is a corporate / commercial lawyer based in Nairobi. He loves exploring the outdoors with his black, fluffy and four legged sidekick, Bageera, who is probably better known and deserves his own Instagram page!

Aditya Shah: lawyer who loves the outdoors What inspired you to go into photography and particularly B&W Photography?

It started at an early age being blessed with outgoing parents who took my brother and I to national parks all over Kenya in our Mitsubishi Lancer Saloon Car KYS 168 (I still remember the number plate). My mum would religiously get us video cassettes of nature documentaries, like Alan Root films of hornbills nesting and hippos underwater at Mzima Springs in Tsavo.

Older readers may remember these. We watched them over and over again as there was not much choice or variety of TV entertainment in those days.

Perhaps this laid the seeds for me picking up a camera and taking photos as I grew older.

I am Indian-Kenyan but I never visited India for the first twenty-five years of

12

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

my life. One day, I decided to work (as opposed to travel) in India, to live and experience life there fully. I ended up working in Mumbai and travelling all over India for several months. I borrowed my Dad’s Konica Minolta Digital camera for the adventure and took photos everywhere I went. From local train rides to and from work, where everyone is packed close together in one big blob of perspiration, to the colourful and vibrant everyday street scenes of Mumbai and the hiking trails of Ladakh.

India is an incredible country for a photographer. It takes hold of your every sense, from sight and sound, to smell, taste and touch. Capturing its vibrancy, contrasts and craziness inspired me to continue travelling and street photography. I found black-andwhite a perfect medium to experiment

with, especially for architectural, travel and street photography..

How is shooting in black and white different from colour and what makes a good piece?

There is an element of art and storytelling in B&W photography.

It captures emotion, stillness and simplicity.

A great B&W photo talks to the photographer and to the viewer. The

TOP

eye visits it again and again. The first B&W photo exhibition I attended was at the Imperial War Museum in London, featuring photos taken by war and conflict photographers over the years. The images were haunting and difficult to take my eyes off because of the depth of emotion captured and the rawness of the story portrayed.

How did you find out about the Monochrome Awards?

Apart from the Karura Photo Competition 2021, where I won first prize and an honourable mention, I have not had much success with local photography competitions. I researched international competitions and came across the Monochrome Awards.

The more I read about it, the more excited I was to enter. It has a history of over eight years, a balanced and professional jury, and several entry categories, including architecture and

fine art. The quality of images from past competitions were just incredible so I felt comfortable, inspired and challenged to enter.

Any tips for photographers interested in the B&W route?

I believe photography is an individual journey and I steer away from advising fellow photographers on tips and techniques. That said, what has helped me is: Planning ahead for what I want to shoot and achieve. This keeps me focused on the end result.

Going light on the editing. This encourages me to carefully compose my photos and think about lighting, shadows, lines and angles. I pretend I am shooting in a film medium and will not be able to adjust anything after.

This makes me super thoughtful of the camera settings.

SH O T

Shooting in B&W mode instead of converting colour into B&W with photo editing software. This helps me to pre-visualize contrasting objects, lines, shapes, shadows and textures. Also, I can immediately see what my B&W photo looks like on the screen and make adjustments to my position and settings.

Overall, I’d say just switch off from the noise of people and social media.

They say, “comparison is the thief of joy” and it is true. Try to cut out what everyone else is doing, steer away from the replication of what is popular and develop your own passion and style. I am currently going through a phase of taking macro photos of insects and flowers and loving every moment of it, regardless of whether my photos will be popular or not.

13

T OP

S H O T

Pranav Chadha @p_chadha Roho It’s said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Roho is the Swahili word for soul /spirit and was a befitting name for this young leopard.

Though Lorian, mother of Roho, passed on during Roho’s tender years, he had the spirit and will to fight and fend for himself.

This picture was taken in Masai Mara some months before Lorian passed on. She was on a tree feeding on a wildebeest kill with Roho below, hidden in the dense thicket. The image has since grown on me and has become one of my favourite photos.

Nikon D850 200 - 500 mm f/5.6 1/100 s, f5.6, 200mm ISO 800

15

TOP

SH O T

Dulla Fardy @dullafardy Curiosity Aided by the black marking that runs from their eyes to the edge of their lips, cheetahs have the longest eyesight of all cats. While on a game drive through the Serengeti plains, I encountered a male cheetah sitting on top of a termite mount scanning the plains.

Through his eyes, it’s clear that something in the distance must have drawn his attention.

His body language depicted an attentive cat on a mission, completely undistracted by our presence. A truly amazing sighting.

Nikon D7500 Sigma 18 - 300 mm f/6.3 1/640 s, f6.3, 450mm ISO 250

17

T OP

S H O T

Talisa Lanoe @talisalanoe www.talisalanoe.com A Keyhole Perspective A Swahili widow sits with her child in the doorway of a traditional market in Lamu's Old Town selling her fruits and vegetables. This provides her with income to keep her from turning to prostitution or living on the streets.

Canon 5D Mark 4 24 - 70 mm f/2.8 1/125 s, f5.6 ISO 1600

18

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

TOP

SH O T

19

NOMAD

T R AV E L

CL U B

Nomad Travel Club: Luxury Diani Offering a collection of private beach houses and boutique coastal retreats. Our properties are located in secluded places of Kenya’s top beach destination and idyllic seaside escape. Featuring unique places with character, ambience and personalised services that cater to the discerning traveller. We strive to personally inspect all our properties as we grow our portfolio & offer great discounts & content for our Club Members. Nomad Travel Club will handle your bookings, help you plan your trip and make recommendations tailored to your travel needs.

21

N O M AD

T R AV E L

CL UB

Lantana Galu Beach Located on Diani’s beautiful, worldrenowned beach, Lantana’s combination of suites, villas and bungalows makes it ideal for families, friends on holiday or couples looking for a smaller resort.

Spacious two and three-bedroom units with verandah views to the lush gardens and sea. Interiors of coral rag walls, brass fixtures and elegantly carved furniture inspired by Swahili traditions.

Amazing views from the top floor Penthouse Suites with bar, jacuzzi and rooftop terrace.

Le Cafe restaurant by the poolside is open all day, with the option of room service. Well-appointed kitchens for selfcatering stays. The in-house gym is open all day for residents and a massage and beauty studio is situated next door.

Inshallah Diani Beach Possibly Diani’s best kept secret for romantic getaways, honeymooners or solo retreats. Ishallah (God willing) has three lovely cottages on beachfront gardens. Each takes only 2 people, has a kitchen for selfcatering, outdoor shower, private pool and direct access to the beach. Rooms lovingly outfitted with hand-picked decor and luxurious amenities.

Recently refurbished, the Beach Cottage feels like a second home with a living area, work space, verandah dining, and cascading waterfall in the wrap-around pool. The classy Melia Suite inspires with arched walls, antique decor and hardwood floors.

The romantic Azhari Beach Suite, booked on half or full board, is infused with historical context. Discreet and excellent service from the well-trained staff.

22

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

Searenity Beach Villa Located on the beachfront of a private gated community, the boutique Searenity has a true ‘home-away-from-home’ feeling. Just seven double rooms or you can rent the entire villa for 14 people.

Clean, minimalist décor in the contemporary style bedrooms facing the ocean, enhanced by colours of sunny yellow, sky blue or rosy red. Ground floor bungalows with patios. The elegant, silver grey bathrooms have oversize tubs and walk-in showers.

The swimming pool is surrounded by baobab and palm trees. Canopy nest seating on the beachside. The outdoor, partly shaded Anchor Restaurant has a classy ambience with terrace seating, overlooking the gardens and ocean. It serves a delectable mix of Swahili, Indian and Italian cuisine.

The Zubeida 7 modern beach-side villas in a peaceful garden setting. Highly comfortable, spacious interiors in beige, coral and aquamarine blues colours and ocean-inspired decor. The two-bedroom (one double and one twin room) villas are air conditioned and each have balconies facing a private garden. Kitchenette, TV and WiFi, daily housekeeping, swimming pool and on-premises restaurant.

Bookings on half-board basis.

The Executive Villa is a doublestorey, four bedroom beachfront unit that is perfect for families or small groups. An enviably huge kitchen, dining table for eight, and living room terrace with a huge lounge bed looking out to the ocean. Impressive master bedroom with Arabic-style carved wall niche.

23

N O M AD

T R AV E L

CL UB

Sands at Nomad Uniquely designed beach resort set in lush tropical gardens with pathways winding through shrubbery and shade trees. Different room types, cottages and family suites, and all 37 rooms have individually designed interiors.

Riva’s Grill and the Teppanyaki restaurants are reserved for residents only. A great selection of meals are offered at the oceanfacing Nomad Restaurant. Or splurge at Indulge, Diani’s only fine dining restaurant with over 200 types of wines and champagnes.

Take courses in watersports, go on leisurely ocean excursions, or refresh your scuba skills at ‘Dive the Crab’ dive centre.

One of the best rated hotels in sustainability and eco-practices, with a five-acre organic farm, a marine education centre and the Diani Turtle Watch conservation organisation.

Marula House on the Beach Now under new management, Marula House on the Beach is the definition of causal luxury by the sea. The two-level main house accommodates six people in three rooms, two with individual terraces, and the possibility for extra children’s beds. Uncomplicated, coastal design themes, semi-open lounge, day beds for relaxing, a dining area facing the swimming pool, and self-catering kitchen.

The two-bedroom bungalow sleeps four people, has a kitchen, large oceanfacing windows, a private plunge pool and the beach just metres away. Family groups and friends will love this quiet, secluded spot with lovely sea views.

Housekeeper and chef provided, and bookings include breakfast.

24

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

Dzumbe Dzumbe means ‘homestead’ in the local Digo language. Managed by the owner, this is truly a home by the sea. Set in an unspoilt location of Diani, Dzumbe is tastefully decorated with Swahili-style furniture, original paintings and cultural pieces. The four bedrooms - two doubles, two twins - can accommodate 10 people and are all ensuite. An indoor dining room and living room with a veranda facing the ocean that is just a short distance away. Self-contained kitchen with chef and housekeeping services are provided.

Elewana Afrochic An intimate villa-style hotel situated along the beach and styled in African designs. Afrochic has 10 ensuite rooms and suites, all air conditioned and facing the garden or the sea.

Modern amenities are provided and include a minibar, flatscreen TV and DVD player, and iPod sound docks. Relax in the balcony on the sun-loungers looking out at the ocean. A free-from swimming pool, spa services and meals served in the restaurant or landscaped gardens. Afrochic is a great choice for discerning travellers and families looking for a special holiday spot.

25

N O M AD

T R AV E L

CL UB

Shamba la Salama A six-bedroom, double-storey house along the Indian Ocean. Contemporary interiors, spacious air conditioned bedrooms, a fullystocked kitchen, and comfortable indoor and verandah seating.

Daily housekeeping. Bookings on a selfcatering basis with recommendations for a cook. Oversize pool and wide lawns stretching down to the beach. Private beach access allows for exclusive seaside enjoyment.Shamba la Salama is ideal for extended family groups of up to 12 people or a vacation with friends.

Kualuka

Chikore

Kualuka means ‘welcome’ in the local Digo language.

Kualuka is a welcome retreat in a beautiful corner of Diani Beach. Set in a naturally private, beachside property the 3-bedroom Kualuka House can sleep 6 people comfortably. Interiors have traditional style carved furniture and coastal concepts. One double room, two twin rooms and two bathrooms. Kitchen, sitting room and veranda seating facing the gardens and ocean that is just steps away. Housekeeping staff, laundry area, self-catering and with a chef available on site to prepare meals. Appropriate for a family holiday or a weekend getaway.

The 2-bedroom Chikore beach house is hidden in a tropical garden area of a private, beachfront estate. Swahili carved furniture, coastal fabrics and original artworks adorn the light, airy rooms of this charming cottage. Front veranda facing the beach and a private plunge pool. Self contained kitchen with a chef on site, laundry facilities and housekeeping daily. Bedrooms have air conditioning and fans. Chikore is a peaceful retreat for those looking for a laid-back vacation on a lovely stretch of beach, yet close enough to Diani attractions.

GR E E N

T R AV E L

D IA N I

Monkey Business

Helping Turtles in Trouble The Marine Centre in the Sands at Nomads hotel is a terrific place to learn about local turtle conservation, under the auspices of the Diani Turtle Watch.

Hawksbill and green turtles are the main species in Kenya. One initiative of turtle conservation is relocating turtle eggs to new and safer nesting sites, to increase the chances of hatchlings' survival.

Diani Turtle Watch members scour the beaches for new nests and monitor them until the eggs hatch. The rehabilitation centre also takes care of injured turtles, nursing them back to health before returning them to the sea.

Educating local communities and tourists about turtle conservation is another key focus with opportunities available for volunteering with the organisation.

Since 1997 the Colobus Trust has been a safe haven for Diani’s indignous monkeys including Colobus, vervet, baboons, and Sykes.

Injured and abandoned primates are treated, rehabilitated and released into the local woods or Shimba Hills National Park. The monkeys are victims of car accidents or kept illegally as pets. Visitors come away well informed about the plight of monkey populations and efforts to help them, with a guided nature walk in the coral forest on the property. The centre also has a tree nursery where they grow indigenous trees for sale and to support replanting exercises as deforestation is negatively impacting monkeys.

28

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

Farm to Fork to Upcycling The Sands at Nomad’s organic farm is a successful model of sustainable hotel practices. Guests can tour the 5-acre farm to learn how food can be grown more sustainably, hotel waste managed better and farming methods that can be adopted by local communities. Kitchen waste from Nomad and other hotels is converted into compost for farming. Old toilets and disused jacuzzi tubs have been repurposed into vegetable planters.

Neem trees on the property make safe, effective pesticide for use on the vegetable beds. The hotel receives trays of organic eggs from the farm’s chickens that also produce manure for the estate.

OCEAN

ADVENTUR ES

DI AN I

Dive into Diani Dive into the Deep Blue Sea Polish up your scuba skills at Diving the Crab, a diving centre at the Sands at Nomad hotel. PADI courses are offered for beginners by qualified PADI instructors, activities for experienced divers and scuba diving for children. Diani is one of Kenya's best diving spots with at least half a dozen sites to experience. Explore the rich marine life or visit the Alpha Funguo Wreck, an intentionally sunk shipwreck. Thousands of fish species live in the wreck and an artificial coral reef has sprung up. Certification offered in underwater photography, fish ID and open-water diver accreditation. Besides diving, stay afloat with some windsurfing, kitesurfing and kayaking. Equipment available to rent from the Crab.

Ultimate Thrills at Skydive Swahili Not much else beats the thrill of a freefall jump from the sky. Skydive Swahili in Diani is one of the few skydiving centres in the world that offers beach landings. Located at the Blue Marlin Beach Resort, Skydive Swahili offers tandem jumps while you are harnessed to an instructor.

The centre is operated by trained, certified skydiving instructors. Guests will glide 10,000ft over the beautiful blue waters of the Indian Ocean, getting a bird’s eye view of the coastline beneath before landing by parachute.

Advance booking required. Prior experience is not needed. Skydiving is open to people of different ages, subject to meeting the health requirements.

29

Tina Thyaka brings mind and body wellness

By Kari Mutu Yoga is sometimes misunderstood as a lazy form of exercise or only suitable for highly flexible people.

Quite the contrary, it is a very versatile workout that can be gentle and slow or intense and heatinducing. Beginners, children, the elderly, pregnant women, those recovering - just about anybody can benefit from this age-old practice.

Nairobi-based Yoga instructor Tina Thyaka walks us through the discipline, explains the philosophy behind it, how she handles her classes and the ways in which yoga improves our physical and mental wellbeing 30

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

WELLN E SS

Yoga instructor Tina Thyaka loves how she feels after a yoga session, more centred and much calmer. She started on her yoga journey about 12 years ago while living in Mombasa. Following a random invitation to attend a yoga class, Tina discovered that she was familiar with some of the postures from her childhood, when her mother would exercise in their living room.

“At the time I didn’t know it was yoga, but when I attended the classes I completely fell in love with the practice,” said Tina, who was born in Kenya and is of Indian and Ukrainian descent.

When the yoga instructor left Kenya Tina did not want to give up the practice and decided to train as a yoga teacher. In 2012 she took a week-long training course in India and began teaching yoga soon after “I’ve done about 3 teacher training sessions since then and I keep learning,” said Tina, who now lives and works in Nairobi.

Since 2017 she conducts yoga retreats three times a year at the Lantana Galu Beach hotel in Diani, on Kenya's south coast. Her May 2022 retreat had a diverse group of people of different experience levels, from beginners to advanced yogis. At 6.30 a.m. each day was a ‘sunrise intensive class’ of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga which, Tina says, “is best done on an empty stomach because it is a heat-building practice and this is the ideal time at the coast.”

At 10am she led a gentle beginner’s class and in the late afternoon was a Pranayama Meditation session. The latter combines breathing techniques with a guided Yoga Nidra meditation that puts one in a “relaxed state of awareness between wakefulness and sleep,” says Tina.

Her class was a mix of ladies and men, and even one child. Tina is trained to teach children yoga but confesses it is much harder working with youngsters.

“It is a lot of games, colouring and songs without them realising you are doing yoga” she said. “It’s much more

challenging for me but it is fun.”

Prenatal yoga is her other specialisation, designed to give the benefits of yoga to expectant mums while avoiding poses that are not recommended for their condition.

I found Tina particularly attentive to her students, suggesting alternative ways to do a pose depending on individual conditions. “I always ask my clients if they have medical issues or an injury as there are certain things I will not make you do, things that might aggravate a particular condition.”

Sometimes people injure themselves on

session like ashtanga vinyasa is like a full gym workout. “All the twisting, inverting and breathing techniques are quite unlike any other workout.”

Other benefits she points out include better balance, increased flexibility and improved sleep.

At the beginning of her classes Tina asks people to focus on things that help them to disconnect from thinking and to be in a calm, peaceful state.

“Modern lifestyles and constant stress go against the natural well-being of your internal systems and lead to chronic diseases,” says Tina.

Her sessions start with an ‘Om’ sound,

the mat from pushing too hard. Tina says that improving at yoga is about listening to yourself and only going as far as your body will allow. Patience is important and Tina says, “Commit to at least 6 classes because initially you will not understand half of what is going on.” Eventually, she adds, your body knows what it feels like to be centred and calm.”

Some people say yoga is a lazy form of exercise but Tina says that yoga can be gentle and slow as you want.

It is also a heat-building and strength building practice. For her, an intense

a soothing, vibratory practice that she says helps to quiet the thoughts. “We have so much stress, we are constantly in our thoughts and worrying. We are never in the present moment.”

For Tina, the most important benefits of yoga are invisible, happening on the inside, such as increased blood circulation when you perform upside down moves. Breathing and meditation techniques relieve stress and improve one’s mental health. Says Tina, “I think that everybody needs yoga but they just don’t know it.”

31

T R A I L B L AZ ER

Why Book a Sea Safari Instead of a Beach Holiday

Seas4Life is revamping the beach holiday experience by taking people out of beach chairs and big resorts and into the sea, literally. This is mobile camping on the sea.

“You’re in a moving hotel, with snorkelling equipment and kayaks, going to different places and getting to know the sea,” says Julie Church.

Born and raised in Kenya, Julie comes from a safari business family, is an avid deep sea diver and knows the East African coast intimately. “There is so much to see, to explore, learn and do,” says Julie, who worked as a marine consultant for many years.

Instead of 4x4 safari vehicles, Seas4Life takes guests onto specially

32

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

optimised boats fitted with sleeping quarters, meal areas, relaxation decks and watersports gear. The goal is to nurture in local and international visitors a deeper appreciation for the sea and marine diversity which cannot be achieved by just lounging by the beach. Says Julie, “The analogy is like going to Masai Mara and just sitting at the swimming pool, and you don’t go into the wilderness.”

A multi-day sail aboard the Tusitiri dhow, a refurbished traditional trading boat, goes beyond the touristy spots of Lamu to the secluded northern island of Kiwayu. Along the way they find good places to anchor and get people experiencing shoreline activities.

By Kari Mutu Marine conservationist and founder of Seas4Life safaris, Julie Church,is redefining coastal holidays with curated itineraries and sustainable activities.

“You can tour the mangroves, catch mangrove crabs with the local fisherman and do some bird watching,” said Julie who also guides some of the trips. “Or you can stay back and do nothing that day.”

The Fossils, Lakes and Turtles safari starts in the Lake Turkana basin of northern Kenya and here guests spend a few days learning about fossil dinosaurs, turtles and humans. Next comes a stay in Naivasha exploring the biodiversity and outdoor activities around a freshwater lake. The trip ends in Lamu, with snorkelling, dolphin watching, turtle nesting and cultural explorations of the old town.

In Zanzibar, after the excitement of

“You’re in a moving hotel, with snorkelling equipment and kayaks, going to different places and getting to know the sea,” Stone Town with its historical and cultural attractions, guests take an 82-foot motorboat and sail north to the less-visited Unguja region and Pemba Island. The area has amazing marine life and is ideal for scuba diving or snorkelling. Along the way you can hop off for the Spice Tour.

Further afield is the Jacque Cousteau Safari that explores the Red Sea region off the coast of Sudan. Another ocean adventure is the Sardine Run safari in South Africa, organised around the annual migration of sardines into the eastern coast.

Besides set itineraries, Seas4Life creates tailored itineraries for clients, combining stays at exclusive beach

homes with sailing boat safaris, incorporating various attractions in Diani, Watamu or Lamu. “We make the trips fun, guests get to know the sea and it is curated around the seasons, the winds and the tides,” said Julie.

Having worked in marine conservation for many years she is familiar with the challenges facing East Africa’s oceans and coastlines and remains committed to their preservation. “Our oceans have become a dump ground,” she says.

“There is ocean desertification because it’s being overfished and corals are being killed. People don’t know the difference don’t know the difference between a healthy or unhealthy reef or understand the importance of

mangroves.”

Julie is also the founder of Ocean Sole, a social and conservation enterprise where local communities in Lamu collect discarded flip flops sandals from beaches and recycle them into artistic and functional products for sale.

“If you don’t understand or know the ocean, you’re not going to have a connection with it,” she says. “Our trips are about connecting people to our blue planet - we are 70% ocean - through personalised holiday experiences.”

33

T OP

I N T E R VIEW

What does the term 'Nomad' bring to mind for you?

‘Nomad' brings to mind freedom.

Freedom to learn, move, connect, grow, and experience all you want and desire.

Getting to Know Patricia Interviewed by Bami Malaika Patricia Kihoro is a Kenyan singer, songwriter, actress, creator and radio and reality television personality, passionate about art, life and the African continent

Who is Patricia in 5 words?

Patricia is a curious, inquisitive, open and a constantly evolving storyteller.

Talk about your experience of Spotify’s Sounds of Africa in Johannesburg This was my first international trip since the pandemic started and it was more than I could have imagined.

Something special happens every time I travel to South Africa, especially on a spiritual level. I feel as though something divinely inspired happens there so I was ready for something amazing, and that’s what I got.

I experienced beautiful moments with amazing people and felt everything so deeply. It reminded me how it feels to really be alive. The event affirmed my deep love for music and African artists.

It had me thinking about how else I can contribute to creative arts on the continent. It was wonderful.

You are a musician, actress, performer, entrepreneur and mentor.

How do you stay balanced?

I would not say I have found balance.

What I’ve learned is to lean into whatever each season brings and prioritise that. Sometimes I’m acting in a project so everything else moves aside. When I’m participating in content creation campaigns, I am not acting or hosting or working on anything musical. There is overlap, more often than not, and when that happens, it is like a beautiful alchemy of the things I love. Instead of balance, it’s about giving everything its time and season, allowing things to prioritise themselves and use me as their conduit.

Describe the current creative scene in East Africa?

34

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

to solidify our reading habits and work towards actualizing our joint literary dreams. The book club has been there since 2016, but we made it official in 2020. We’ve had many good reads, but the stand outs for me are The Havoc of Choice

by Wanjiru Koinange, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, and, currently, Children Of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi.

East Africa’s creative scene is pretty amazing and teeming with very talented people. It’s also evolving and expanding. It feels like creators in different spheres are taking up more space, carving out their own spaces, voices and identities for themselves.

There are more collaborations happening and that is really beautiful to see.

Do you carry books while travelling?

Yes, definitely. I must have a book with me, a physical book with pages I can turn. Whether or not I read it is a story for another day (pun intended)!

You co-founded Chasing Paper Book Club. Tell us about it and your most interesting reads?

My friend, Sharon Mundia, and I started the book club in August 2020.

It was borne out of our desire to foster an online community of fellow book lovers, to read books and chat about them every month. We wanted

What fictional world would you travel to and why?

There is a film called ‘Another Earth’ premised on an exact replica of planet Earth, where a parallel of yourself exists. So there’s another Patricia experiencing life there but not quite like me. I’d like to visit that other Earth, meet parallel versions of people I know, and meet myself as well, see what my life is like.

Your three best 3 destinations in East Africa?

In the broader East Africa region I have travelled to Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Djibouti. But my three favourite destinations are still in Kenya. First, Lamu ,especially Shela, Kizingoni and Kipungani. The beaches there are stunning. Next is The Cliff tented camp in Nakuru. The view of the lake, the sunrise, the tranquillity and food. Everything was exquisite and I didn’t want to leave. Also, my shags (ancestral home) of Othaya in Nyeri County. Only now in my adulthood have I begun to appreciate how beautiful it is. The views are magnificent and I hope to build a cabin on a hill there someday.

Favourite activities when travelling?

I like visiting local supermarkets and shops, and small hole-in-the-wall restaurants, pretending I’m a local doing regular things as if I lived there.

I like getting lost and exploring but taking precautions to stay safe, of course. I enjoy sleeping.

Do you travel light or overpack?

I am a light traveller and I rarely check in any baggage. Most times I just have a carry-on suitcase and a leather duffel bag. I can pack for an international 2 week trip with just that.

Live out of your suitcase or unpack?

Unpack immediately!

Why is local travel important to you?

We have amazing destinations in Kenya that rival some of the most popular ones globally. These shouldn’t be accessible only to foreign tourists.

Every Kenyan citizen should have access to see and enjoy their home country, and without breaking the bank.

Your bucket list of places to visit around the world?

I don’t have any bucket list. I just want to visit as many places as I get the chance to, to go with the flow, if you will.

Share with our Nomad community: A quote you love What you seek is seeking you - by Rumi A place they should visit.

The Cliff in Nakuru.

A book you recommend A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.

A song to listen to You by Wanja Wohoro.

A dish or restaurant they must try Chapo beans and chilli mangoes.

35

T OP

S H O T

Baby on Board: Tips and tricks for your East African family road trip 36

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

Words and images by Katy Fentress During a recent family trip to Uganda, seasoned traveller and new mom, Katy Fentress, discovers that adventuring with baby is not the same as travelling footloose and fancy-free, and shares some essential tips she picked up along the way.

FA M I LY

A loud crashing wrenches me out of my reverie. I look up to see a family of red tailed monkeys careening at breakneck speed through the treetops. Before the interruption, I was busy counting shades of green, my sleep-deprived brain unable to formulate even the most modest of thoughts.

Baby, oblivious to the visitors, is feeding himself bananas and pancakes with the help of his dad.

It’s 7:35am, and none of the other hotel guests are up yet. The dining area is bathed in a weak morning light, lacklustre rays pierce through the clouds, gradually drying the rain off the lawn, a rare clearing of grass in between the thick forest that encircles the lodge. The downpour this morning was the climactic end to a night in which Baby and hyraxes competed as to who could scream the loudest. Baby won. Throughout the night he woke up constantly, loudly proclaiming that the only thing to get him back to sleep was a bottle of warm milk. Except there was no way to warm the milk.

1. Pack an electric kettle Surprisingly, not all hotel rooms come equipped with an electric kettle, an amazing contraption for warming up milk in its bottle in the dead of night.

Also, I wouldn’t have minded a cuppa either when it became apparent I was not getting back to sleep.

We get up from breakfast and prepare for the forest walk but things take longer than expected. But by the time we are strolling underneath the canopy, with Wilfred, our guide, pointing out different tree barks and their medicinal use, it is 10am and the baby has passed out strapped to his dad. Why did I agree to do the walk during prime baby nap time? In my eagerness to get on

with our activities, I overlooked this crucial detail.

2. Try to maintain your regular schedule Previously, a quick breakfast would have sufficed for a day jam-packed with activities, now you have to program around the baby. Limit the number of activities, plan around regular nap times and don’t beat yourself up if things fall through. Nothing is more serene than a well-rested baby.

Later, back in our wooden cottage on stilts wedged deep in the thick of the forest, Dad and I take our own well deserved nap. It’s not only the baby that needs to recharge. Sleep deprived parents make for cantankerous travellers.

3. Bring a third wheel Driving from Kenya to Uganda was a proper trip. A long border crossing, impossible snarl ups and some minor car trouble, meant that Kisumu to Kampala took us close to 13 hours.

Had the baby been stuck alone in his car seat he would probably have gone crazy and so would we. That is why we brought a child-friendly companion along.

Even the most amazing of caregivers, however, cannot, keep a strapped baby entertained all day. Arriving at our Kampala hotel at almost midnight, we were on our last leg but the baby was bouncing off the walls.

4. Limit drives to maximum seven hours

T R AV E L

an overtired baby ready to rip out electric sockets, trash the bathroom, shred the mosquito nets and smash lampshades.

5. Stock up from the breakfast buffet Before leaving Kisumu we filled our Thermos flask with a selection of matooke, spinach and chapati. Baby can’t live on rice crackers and fruit snacks alone, and stopping for roadside meals extends the journey. A small container with hearty local food was just the trick.

6. Eat local In our seven-day road trip, exploring the trendiest eateries was not really an option. Hotel food can quickly become unpalatable. Consecutive days of under/ overcooked fried eggs over stale toast can really take their toll. Food cooked in little kiosks on the side of the road tends to be healthy, nourishing, quick and, above all, spice free. It’s perfect for babies and grownups, pocketfriendly and you can always carry your choice of chilli. And note to self: one chapati egg Rolex will suffice per day, no matter how desperately Baby pleads for more.

While in Uganda we stayed at: Cassia Lodge cassialodge.com info@cassialodge.com +256-755-777-002 Mabira Rainforest Lodge geolodgesafrica.com/the-rainforestlodge/ reservations@geolodgesafrica.com +256-728-574-271 / +256-701-563-437

Any more and you find yourself with

37

C O N S E R VA T I O N

Searching for Solutions in Africa’s Rainforests

By Maurice Schutgens Gabon is covered in tropical rainforests as far as the eye can see. This central African country is the last stronghold for Africa’s critically endangered forest elephants, and home to some of the most spectacular biodiversity and landscapes on the continent. But it is facing a national crisis, at the heart of which is the fragile relationship between people and the elephants that share the same forest.

Maurice Schutgens, director of conservation at international conservation organisation Space for Giants, describes an innovative approach to solving this conservation challenge.

Wherever people and wildlife share space there is the potential for conflict.

This is no truer than for elephants.

Human elephant conflict/coexistence (HEC in conservation circles) is undeniably complex. Opinions differ based on values, personal wealth, and one's background where you live.

Ultimately there are no winners, only losers. Finding cost-effective, sustainable solutions to HEC has been part of my journey and the mission of the organisation I work for.

Space for Giants has over a decade of experience working to address HEC. East Africa, specifically the Laikipia Plateau in northern Kenya, has been an extremely valuable learning ground for us and our partners - an innovation hub of trial and error and hard work in the face of setbacks.

Elephants came into the Laikipia plateau driven by poaching pressure in Samburu to the north, and forcing people to coexist with them. Humandominated landscapes, like in parts of Laikipia, are increasingly characterised by hard boundaries of smallholder cultivation against elephant-compatible

38

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

lands. The situation requires problemsolving and innovation.

From our experience, HEC must be viewed and carefully contextualised through socio-economic, political and environmental lenses, accepting that underlying drivers and corresponding interventions may differ dramatically.

In East Africa, electric fences have emerged as the leading strategy to protect farmers from crop-raiding elephants on a landscape scale. But fences are not without their problems.

Over the years Space for Giants, its partner practitioners and ranchers have been amazed by the ingenuity and determination of elephants.

Electric fences are designed to keep risk-taking bull elephants at bay.

Once an individual learns to overcome the fence it teaches others and new fences must be designed, a fast-tracked evolution of sorts.

Gabon in West Africa is a great contrast to Laikipia but the lessons learned in Kenya are incredibly valuable, offering hope to those who most need it. In Gabon, HEC has been catapulted into the national spotlight

in recent years. While data is scarce and of poor quality, the relationship with elephants has stimulated rural depopulation, food insecurity and influenced politics.

In 2016 Space for Giants, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests (Eaux Foret) and the National Parks Agency (ANPN) initially rolled out high specification electric fences based on designs currently used in Kenya. The impact was immediate. Farms were protected from elephants, gorillas and buffalos. Though the solution was effective it was not completely suited to the agricultural context or its village demographics.

Like much of central and west Africa, Gabon’s farmers practise slash and burn agriculture. A farmer clears a small patch of forest and cultivates it intensively for a year or two before moving elsewhere due to reduced soil fertility, only returning after a number of years. Building an expensive permanent fence structure for small villages with low agricultural outputs simply didn’t match up well. A

bespoke solution was needed.

Based on the Laikipia experience, Space for Giants hypothesised that the forest elephants, a distinct species,

would be “naive” in their interaction with electric fences, having never been exposed to them before. With support from technical partners,

a mobile fence was conceptualised.

Simple in design, affordable to scale and moveable, we hoped it would be effective enough to improve the status

quo.

In late 2021, our team headed deep into Gabon's equatorial forests with a shipment from South Africa. The

fence is small, about 310 metres in circumference and encircling a farm of about 0.5 hectares. The singlestrand fences are made of polytape and polywire coupled with a small solarpowered energiser. 53 fences out of a pilot of 80 units have been deployed across the country.

Our aim is to provide immediate relief for subsistence forest farmers who can no longer tolerate elephant impacts on their livelihoods. After several months of intensive trials, elephants have interacted 44 times with the single strand fences and been repelled each time, with reports of elephants disappearing while trumpeting into the night.

It's a start, but we are under no illusions about solutions that are 100% effective. Forest elephants will ultimately learn to overcome this design and we will be forced to increase complexity over time. We are playing a game for now, except we are talking about people’s livelihoods and futures.

39

T R A I L B L AZ ER

The Best Stories Come Full Circle

By Sydney Nwakanma Sydney Nwakanma is the founder of Emeka Suits, a niche fashion brand in Berlin that specializes in unique suits, hats and handbags made from discarded, upcycled fabrics and tailored by African craftsmen. Emeka Suits is an example of circular trade in an industry which is notoriously wasteful.

By building a bridge between Western byproducts and African re-invention, Nwakanma is showing how clothing can be fashionable, holistically manufactured and supportive of small enterprises.

When I was a child I remember visiting the Nigerian side of my family for the first time. In the midst of the crazy traffic, I noticed a man wearing a T-Shirt which said “Jens Hagenbau - Meisterbetrieb.” I asked my mother how a Nigerian man could be wearing a T-shirt with a German name on it.

She could not answer me.

Many years later, in 2020, I was invited to participate in an artist-inresidence programme in Kenya, at the Olepangi Farm. The farm is in Timau, just north of Mt Kenya, a place that I have come to love because of the natural environment and the peaceful, quiet setting.

I met many interesting people on the farm, including a man who told me about the second-hand market in the nearby town of Nanyuki. The next day I visited the ‘Mitumba’ market and was struck by the amount of used old clothing stacked in tall piles. Marketsellers were shouting, “Customer! T-Shirt! Good quality!

From Europe, from America, come and see!” But I was more interested in the story behind the clothes, so I did

40

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

some research.

When old or unsold clothes are donated in the global north, they are not always given to others. First, they are sorted into different grades. The good quality items stay in the global north and are resold. The poorer quality ones are pressed into big bundles (mitumba means ‘bundles’ in Swahili) and shipped to Africa. There they are sold to large suppliers, who resell them to smaller retailers and market sellers.

The second-hand industry is creating work opportunities, especially for women, but it has had several negative effects. People now tend to buy mitumba rather than locally-made clothes, because they are affordable.

Meantime the local textile industry has virtually died out over the years, for different reasons, which means many tailors have lost their jobs and a lot of artisans have gone out of work. In addition, much of the clothing that arrives in Africa is in

such bad condition that it cannot be resold. These fabrics end up in landfills, polluting the water, air and soil. Western countries are basically dumping their discarded fabrics into countries less equipped to deal with such waste.

I was shocked, especially because this side of the European-fashion industry is barely known. I thought, this has to change! Luckily, I was introduced to a very talented tailor collective in Nanyuki, made up of mostly women, who told me that they could make anything from all sorts of materials. I brought them a curtain that I found at the mitumba market and asked them to make me a suit from it. The suit was fabulous and I ended up packing my whole suitcase with curtain suits to sell to my friends in Europe.

This was the start of my clothing brand called Emeka Suits. Emeka is my Nigerian name, which means ‘God has done great’ in the Igbo language. We

employ Kenyan tailors to create unique suits, jackets, hats and bags from upcycled materials. Currently we are working on our fourth collection, all from second-hand curtains. We were recently featured in GQ and ELLE magazines, and presented at the Berlin Fashion Week. Most importantly, Emeka is creating awareness about circular fashion, textile waste, the effects of discarded clothing on the environment and artistic talent in Africa.

We are not a large-scale operation but we have shown that it is possible to make something out of trash. Through the story of our brand I hope that more people will be educated and value not just where our clothing comes from, but also where it ends up.

Find out more at www.emeka-suits.com IG: @emeka_suits

41

42

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

Kenyan conquers Mt Everest at last James Kagambi is a retired Kenyan teacher and a senior mountaineer instructor, who has led numerous climbing trips in East Africa, the USA, South America and India.

At 6am on May 12, 2022, James Kagambi became the first Kenya to climb Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain at 8,850 meters (29,035 feet).

Kagambi, 62, was part of the first allblack team to attempt Everest. Before this, only 8 other black people have reached the summit. Initially Kagambi, the only Kenyan in the group, refused to even consider climbing Everest because of his age. But members of Full Circle Everest Expedition from the USA convinced him to join them because of his expertise in mountain climbing and excellent ability to motivate team members.

Kagambi was born in Naro Moru, a small town in the highlands of Mt Kenya. He first tried to climb Mt

Kenya when he was 23 years-old and though he and his friend did not reach the top, Kagambi says that was the moment when he fell in love with mountain climbing.

Like his father, Kagambi trained and taught as a primary school teacher.

But hiking was always his true passion and he would take every opportunity to hike and spend time outdoors. In 1986 he trained as an instructor with NOLS (National Outdoors Leadership School), an American wilderness school. From then on his career as an outdoors and mountaineering professional kicked off.

In the last 35 years he has summited the major peaks of East Africa including Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori - been to Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua which is the highest point in South

America, and was the first African to summit Mt Denali, America’s tallest mountain.

Besides the high altitude, Kagambi says the most uncomfortable aspect of the 40-day Everest trek was getting burned by sun rays reflecting intensely against the snow in the thin atmosphere. “I would not want to go through that again,’ said Kagambi.

Upon reaching the top of Everest in the early morning Kagambi said a prayer for Kenya and took photos before heading back down soon after.

He did not feel particularly excited until a couple of days later. “That’s when followers and other people started calling me to say ‘congratulations’” said Kagambi.

I N T E N T I ON A L

T R AV E L

Hollie M'gog Talks Raptors and Intentional Travel

By Hollie M'gog Hollie is a nomadic wanderer whose interests stretch across all the wild places of Africa. Her work focuses on the knowledge that the future of Africa's wildlife lies with the urban youth and the intentional traveller.

44

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

Tourist, traveller, backpacker … whatever differences you see between you, you still return with vivid photos of dusty roads, waving palms, white sand beaches, elephants, giraffes and crocodiles.

One group you may not realise the future of is birds of prey: eagles and hawks, vultures and kites, falcons and harriers, the truth is that these birds need the intentional traveller to make a change in their ever shrinking world.

Are you up to the task?

Set aside for a moment your identity as a tourist, backpacker, even a local, and think of joining the club of Intentional Travellers. This club travels with eyeswide-open and with plenty of questions to prompt change across the service industry.

When was the last time you asked for a back-of-house tour of a lodge charging over $500 dollars a night? Do you know how they dispose of their rubbish or where they get their water from? Do they compost? Most importantly, how do they power their lodge or restaurant, or, as a provider of service, deal with the power service companies?

An Intentional Traveller does their research, sets aside holiday time to become an investigative soul, and pushes for change in an industry that employs people across the field.

During a holiday, hunger will draw us back to lodges or picnic sites for lunch.

Birds of prey – well, they hunt for prey. But as the gabar goshawk, a bird of habit, dives down once more it finds an ill-placed washing line, or a line of wire above a security wall, strung across a gap that was always open.

The impact is catastrophic. Its wounds mean it will never fly again, never hunt on the wing. If found, it will be cared for in a rehabilitation facility for the rest of his 23 years.

The intentional traveller knows that tight strands of wire or lines should be lower than a surrounding fence, never be between two trees, and be wide and obvious.

The long-crested eagle knows the

slowest rodent is the tastiest meal.

But it may not know that a rodent scurrying across a manicured lawn has eaten ‘the poisoned apple’. That is, the lodge, flower farm or horticulture greenhouse has used rodenticide, a blood thinner that does not kill on site but can take days. A long-crested eagle, which can live for 30 years, is snuffed out in a few days.

The intentional traveller would ask how rubbish and food scraps are disposed of. They would know that when rodenticide is used on glue boards, both the board and rodent should be incinerated.

As you lie on your four-poster bed appreciating the vista, you may hear a thump on the window. A kingfisher, a tambourine dove, a sunbird has seen its reflection and flown straight into the glass. The intentional traveller would ask why visible patterns have not been applied to the outside of the glass or netting placed some distance from the window.

We all enjoy the benefits that come from electricity which powers our laptops, electric toothbrushes, camera chargers and so on. The threat of electrocution to birds is very real and widespread. Power lines cause fatal incidents when there is no SIR - separation, insulation and redirection. The space separating the top of the post and outer line should be wider than a large eagle’s wingspan.

The insulating conductor covers should be no less that 21cm and perch discouragers really do help to redirect raptors elsewhere.

If SIR is not in place, point this out to the lodge management. Ask them to fill out an Avian Unsafe Form that is downloadable from the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust’s website, then scan and email it to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company. Take photos, post them (with geolocator codes) onto the

social media pages of national power companies. Ring back and ask the lodge or other accommodation if they have pressed this problem.

Finally, as the sun dips below the horizon ask your hosts where they collect the dead wood for that roaring campfire. Birds of prey love to perch on dead trees. Hole nesters lose their homes to the log fires that burn for safari travellers. I have seen a family

of hornbills cooked to their end in a large wooden log chopped down and placed carelessly on your fire.

If the intentional traveller does not press hot button topics, ‘they’ won’t. If we don’t act now, our raptor heritage will be electrocuted, lose their homes and die-off slowly until their feathers and flights are but memories.

45

F OO D

&

D RIN KS

Food and Drinks: Diani Anchor Bar and Restaurant A trendy place in the exclusive Searenity Villas. Patio seating facing the gardens and beach. Anchor serves a mix of delicious Swahili, Indian and Italian food with a good selection of vegetarian. The Sharing Plates allows you to sample several main courses or desserts, the brunch menu is well liked and the fresh juices are truly fresh. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Walk-in guests are welcome and advance reservations are recommended.

Nomad Restaurant Situated on Diani’s famous white beaches, Nomad Beach Bar and Restaurant has atmosphere, views and good food. International cuisine of seafood, sushi rolls, tacos, pizzas, burgers, and coastal dishes as well as homemade ice creams and sorbets.

Fresh produce from the hotel’s organic farm. Live band and a lively ambience

46

DISCOVER

EXPLORE

EXPERIENCE

during the extended Sunday lunch.

Non-hotel guests are welcome. An excellent place for families or casual dining with friends.

Shan E Punjab The only Indian specialty restaurant in Diani. Shan E Punjab is a nofrills eatery in downtown Diani, with both indoor and outdoor seating. As the name indicates, it serves North Indian (Punjabi) cuisine. A serving of free crispy deep-fried poppadoms with dipping sauces to whet your appetite.

The biryani rice and vegetarian dishes are well liked, as is the Murgh Makhani and Tikka. Main courses are served in earthenware pots kept hot over charcoal burners. Sauces cooked to your choice of spiciness.

Havana Bar Located in a shopping strip, Havana is a casual dining restaurant with an indoor lounge, covered outdoor seating and barside dining. A feeling

of Cuba in Kenya with pictures of Che Guevarra and other Cuban memorabilia. The Fish Fingers are popular and a quick meal option.

Delicious pizzas with a smoky flavour, cooked in a wood fired oven as you watch. Burgers, tacos, Swahili stews, salads, steaks and more. Quiet place for evening drinks and snacks.

Indulge for fine dining A true fine dining restaurant, Indulge is an intimate experience for a maximum of 12 guests. Located in Sands at Nomad Hotel, inside a private room with glass windows and over 200 types of wines and spirits.

Chef Gabriele prepares the menu daily depending on your preferences seafood and meat. Fresh produce harvested from their organic farm. Each five or six course meal comes with different wine pairings. Reservations necessary, only one booking a day and guests have exclusive use.

WH AT

The Beach Edition

TO

PACK :

TH E

BEAC H

Kikoi The ultimate multipurpose beach accessory. Use them as beach mats, towels, cover ups or even headwraps.

Sunscreen

Coral-friendly, no white cast and light on the skin, La Roche Posay’s Anthelios Sunscreen is definitely a top pick for beach days

Children of Blood & Bone

by Tomi Adeyemi Cut down on your screen time and catch up on that book you’ve been meaning to read. Patricia recommends

Sandstorm Bag

this acclaimed novel by an awardwinning author.

The square leather end panels and reinforced base give this beautiful

iPhone 13 Pro Max

duffle a solid structure so you can pack it easily, and pack it full

A refined camera for those picture perfect moments and great sound for all your favourite holiday playlists.

Swimsuit Beach holidays mean lots of time by the water, so a swimsuit in a cut and colour you feel most confident in is essential

47

www.nomad.africa.com nomadafrica_ nomadafricatravel

Photo: Msambweni Beach House By Lyra Aoko Photography

lyraoko

bookings@nomad.africa +254 (0) 708 238 738 (phone & WhatsApp)