Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Located in Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in Samburu County, northern Kenya, Reteti is the first indigenous owned and run elephant sanctuary.

Reteti was established in 2016 to help these young orphaned elephants – a representation of the local Samburu communities standing up united for wildlife, in recognition of their cultural and economic value.

The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is a unique project bringing communities together through a shared respect and concern for wildlife. It lies within a 975,000-acre swath of thorny scrubland in Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust – part of the ancestral homeland of the Samburu people. Namunyak is supported and advised by the Northern Rangelands Trust, a local organization that works with 33 community conservancies to boost security, sustainable development, and wildlife conservation.

The Naumunyak wildlife conservation includes the Turkana, Rendille, Borana, and Somali, as well as the Samburu – ethnic groups that have fought to the death over the land and its resources. Now they’re working together to strengthen their communities and protect the elephant population.

In spite of the fact that elephant poaching, has fallen significantly in the conservancies around Reteti, elephant calves are still sometimes orphaned or abandoned due to poaching, falling into wells, drought (potentially causing mothers to stop lactating), human-wildlife conflict and natural mortality. Around five to ten calves are saved in northern Kenya every year, from a populace of more than 8,000. Within the sanctuary, young animals are treated and cared for by the dedicated keeper team, recruited from the local communities. A mobile elephant rescue unit, with exceptionally trained staff, returns lost calves directly to their family whenever it can, and also works with surrounding communities to raise awareness and mitigate human/wildlife conflict.

This oasis where orphans grow up, learning to be wild so that one day they can rejoin their herds, is as much about the people as it is about elephants. Reteti is also empowering Samburu women to be the first-ever women elephant keepers in all of Africa. At first, the community didn’t think there was a place for women in the workplace. Now, the success of these women elephant keepers is unlocking new possibilities and setting a powerful example for girls hoping to pursue their dreams. It’s also changing how the community relates to elephants. Schoolchildren who have never seen an elephant before or who were afraid of elephants visit Reteti and experience these elephants up close. They then realize they can grow up to be a veterinarian or an elephant keeper.

Feeding elephants at Reteti

Visiting hours are between 8.30 a.m. and10 a.m. and between 11.30 a.m. and 1p.m. It is important that you arrive promptly at 8.30 a.m. or 11.30 a.m. for the full experience. Visiting the Sanctuary is not only an incredible addition to your safari but one of the best ways to safeguard the wildlife in the area, as well as supporting the local community dedicated to protecting them. Guests get an exclusive opportunity to witness feeding and playtime at the Sanctuary, as well as an in-depth look behind the scenes.

Nairobi’s Top Eateries

Unarguably a famous safari destination in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya is a fascinating city to visit which boasts of an enchanting tourism scene and a rich cultural heritage. It is famous for being the only city with a national park within it, in the world. Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, is a multicultural city full of expatriates from across Africa and the rest of the world.

Nairobi’s culinary scene has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, with most cuisines represented by its ever-growing roster of restaurants, cafés, and bars. This bustling city has a diverse restaurant culture. Nairobi’s best dining experiences range from roadside food stalls to five-star fine dining establishments. Don’t miss local specialties such as Nyama Choma (grilled goat meat), Mahindi choma (roasted corn), Mutura (African blood sausage) and Ugali just to mention a few. Whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it in Nairobi.

Here is our pick of the city’s top restaurants and eateries to fulfill your taste buds:

Nyama Mama

Nyama Mama Nairobi

Adorned with colorful Kenyan fabrics and hand-painted murals, Nyama Mama is an unpretentious, fun, modern day African roadside diner. Nyama Mama has three outlets: on Capital centre, Mombasa Road, Village market, Limuru road and the other in Delta towers, Westlands. All serve classic local dishes, including chapati wraps and ugali chips, flame-grilled meats, and stew pots (think goat curry, or chicken in cassava and coconut). International options like burgers and quesadillas are on offer, and vegetarians are well-catered for, too. The inspiration for Nairobi’s Nyama Mama phenomenon comes from Mama herself, a one-time exclusive Safari lodge chef in East & West Africa who left the safari circuit to open up a modern take on a traditional roadside dinner.

Inti – A Nikkei Experience

Located on the 21st Floor, One Africa Place, next to Delta Towers, Waiyaki Way, INTI is the first Nikkei restaurant in Africa.

The INTI experience centers around the finest Nikkei cuisine. The restaurant celebrates the marriage of Japanese & Peruvian fare in a unique contemporary urban environment in the heart of Nairobi.

Nikkei cuisine was born in 1889 when Japanese farmers moved to Peru to work in sugar cane fields. Lacking many of their traditional ingredients, they began using Japanese cooking techniques with Peruvian ingredients they could find locally. This gave birth to an inspiring and unique cuisine known as Nikkei.

Amidst INTI’s contemporary urban décor, feast on Japanese classics like sashimi, sushi, and robata, all prepared with uniquely Peruvian ingredients and served with artistic flair on coal black plates. Playful takes on the Peruvian pisco sour and chilcano cocktails take center stage on the drink’s menu, with a supporting cast of imported wines from all over the world.

Mawimbi Sea Food Restaurant

v & Cafe is a fine dining restaurant located on the corner of Harry Thuku Road and Kijabe Street, Nairobi.

With a modern interior aesthetic designed to simulate a tropical vacation, every moment and feeling is curated to guarantee total relaxation. Mawimbi sea food restaurant is famous for its fresh and inventive seafood and the quality of its cuisine. With a Crudo Bar for fans of raw dishes like oysters and ceviche, this fine dining restaurant also offers up tempura lobster and panko king prawns, seafood tagliolini, and salmon Thai curry.

Honey and Dough

Honey and Dough is situated in the One Africa building (same as INTI) with far-reaching views across the city. Honey & Dough provides a modern gourmet café experience with delicious healthy, multi-cuisine food. The menu is extensive with Indian, Asian, Italian, Mexican and western influences, there is plenty on offer for vegetarians and some vegan dishes.

Mercado Mexican Kitchen and Bar

Mercado has won a huge number of awards for both its cocktails and its food. With a curated menu helmed by gourmet experts from Mexico, who use home-grown and organic ingredients to revive ancient cooking techniques with a lively modern twist, Mercado is undoubtedly one of the best Mexican restaurants in Africa. The menu includes all the classics, ceviche, little taco cones filled with veggies, tostadas, quesadillas, burritos, mole, tacos and fajitas. The ingredients are local and Mercado switches up some of the classic Mexican dishes with crunchy veggies, and shrimp: think tortilla cones filled with aubergine and corn, tacos pilled high with mushrooms, chilli and cheese, and tamales stuffed with Mayan chicken. It’s located in Kenrail Towers, Terrace (T) Floor, South Wing, next to 9 West Building, Westlands, Nairobi.

Fogo Gaucho

Fogo Gaucho is an authentic Brazilian Steakhouse that offers the most delectable selection of charcoal grilled meats that go along with a full buffet to choose from all for a set price per person, all you can eat. This concept in Brazil is referred to as Rodizio.

The full buffet offers different cuts of meat ranging from chicken and beef, to crocodile meat. The meat is accompanied by over 20 different salads, sides, and desserts, all of which are yours to enjoy for an affordable set price.

There are two branches to choose from: One in Viking House, Westlands and the other in Galana Plaza, Kilimani.

Carnivore

Located in the Langata suburb of Nairobi, Kenya, the Carnivore Restaurant is a meat-lovers paradise. Serving Kenya’s famous Nyama Choma (barbecued meat), it has twice held the honor of being named “one of the best restaurants in the world”. It is must stop on your African safari.

The Carnivore has been an icon for tourists, expats and locals for decades. At the entrance is a huge barbecue pit laden with real swords of beef, pork, lamb, chicken and farmed game meats such as crocodile and ostrich. It’s a memorable night out.

Carnivore’s specialty is meat, and features an all-you-can-eat meat buffet. The all you can eat meat buffet is called The Beast of a Feast. This includes four courses: soup, salad, meats, and dessert. The barbecued meats are the main attraction. Served are various cuts of beef, chicken, pork, and lamb as well as farm-raised ostrich and crocodile. One can choose instead to order off a menu with dishes such as chicken pot pie, beef and pork ribs, burgers, and sandwiches.

UK magazine Restaurant named Carnivore one of the 50 best restaurants in the world in 2002 and 2003, when you could dine here on exotic game meats. Its legend seemed assured. In recent years, however, strict new hunting laws mean that zebra, hartebeest, kudu and the like are now off the menu, and you have to be content with camel, ostrich and crocodile in addition to more standard offerings.

There is also a signature cocktail called dawa. Dawa means medicine in Kiswahili but it tastes much better than any medicine. It is composed of a healthy shot of vodka, lime, sugar, and crushed ice.

From street food to fine dining, Nairobi’s food scene is outstanding – in both quality and variety.

You can also top up your experience over a cup of Gold Coffee at the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel in Westlands, Nairobi.

Expertly made using Kenyan coffee beans and formed milk that is blended with 24-carat edible gold, the drink is served on a golden china set. Unlike anything you’ve ever tasted in Nairobi, this cappuccino will make you feel like a real royalty.

Served in a gold cup and adorned with Italian edible rose petals, this Gold Coffee is the epitome of luxury and an inspiration of wealth and health.

Dubai

Dubai is one of the most visited cities in the world for having endless adventures and experiences for its travelers. From soaring skyscrapers to spectacular tourist spots., the desert city has grown in stature and is now considered a bucket-list trip in its own right.

Here are some of the best reasons to visit Dubai:

Incredible Desert Safaris

Dubai gives you an outstanding experience of desert activities. Desert Safari in Dubai is the most thrilling activity here. You can enjoy a glamourous desert safari at night. Dune bashing and star gazing are exciting things to do in your night safari. Also, there is an option for a day safari. Watching the sunrise and the sunset over the Arabian desert gives an awestruck experience.

Driving a Range Rover in the desert truly makes you feel like a king. Moreover, the jeep safari is more thrilling on the sandy land. Camel safari also adds the same thrill to your trip. Besides, sand-skiing is a famous activity in Dubai. You enjoy the adventure of gliding down the desert. If you are a biker, then you must go quad biking. Dubai also offers a magical nightlife in the desert. You can book your stay in luxury tents and enjoy some entertainment shows. Fire eating, belly dancing, swirling are famous.

Shopper’s Paradise

In case you are a shopaholic, you can get the best experience in Dubai. The tax-free feature provides a satisfying experience for shoppers. The place also offers special sales and discounts from time to time. Thus, you can find thousands of tourists flocking to this place during shopping seasons. You can find many shopping places in Dubai. Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world. You can buy fashionable apparel and jewelry from here. Also, you can get traditional Arab outfits.

The Mall of the Emirates is a unique shopping destination. It is known as a shopping resort. If you are looking for some good bargains on gold, then you must visit The Deira Gold Souk. You can find here more than 300 retail shops. You can also shop for pashminas, silk clothes, and carpets at Bur Dubai Souk.

Fine Dining

Dubai lets you explore different types of dishes. Kebabs are very famous in Dubai. Some famous foods here are Khuzi, Stuffed Camel, Alinazik Kebap, Hummus, Al Machboos, and Shawarma. Moreover, there are some superb fine dining restaurants in Dubai. Teatro is a theatre-theme restaurant. The excellent ambiance and great hospitality of this restaurant attract many tourists here. You can try their sushi rolls and mashed potatoes. Also, you can enjoy Mexican food in Loca. Tomo is a Japanese restaurant. Nobu is another famous Japanese restaurant in Dubai. The aristocratic ambiance with posh interiors will give you a world-class feeling.

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa which stands over 2716 feet might be the first thing that comes to your mind about Dubai. The elevator moves as fast as one floor a second to make it a scintillating experience to get to the top. You can catch some spectacular views from the observations desk here. You can find the great Armani Hotel Dubai in this building. This is the first hotel designed by the world-famous Italian designer Georgio Armani. With the mesmerizing interiors and world-class services, this hotel gives you a unique experience. Also, there is a sky-scraper restaurant in the building named At.Mosphere on Level 122. Besides, there are almost 900 residential apartments in this tower. Moreover, you can find a health club, a luxurious spa, and 4 swimming pools here. Overall, the architectural excellence and artistic approach of this place overwhelm you.

Palm Islands

Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and Deira Island are 3 artificial islands. They are known as the Palm Islands. The Palm Islands are the best places in Dubai. These islands attract thousands of tourists every year. Palm Jumeirah is the most popular out of the 3 islands. It has many famous luxury resorts. These are One & Only the Palm, Atlantis, and The Palm, etc. You get many fine-dining restaurants at this place.

It has more than 60 restaurants on the island. You can do speed boating in Dubai Marina and snorkeling at the Lost Chambers Aquarium or you can simply explore the island by going for kayaking at the surrounding water of the island.

Unique Dhow Cruise Dining

Take dinner on the dhow as you enjoy some of the best traditional middle eastern music.

Unlimited adventures

For adrenaline junkies, Dubai has a flurry of adventures that will make zip lining look like child’s play. From thrilling water sports, sand and indoor skiing to skydiving, there’s an adventure for everyone. Breath-taking Sky-diving will be an experience of a lifetime. You jump out of a plane and dive into the sir to witness the stunning landscape of Dubai. Palm Islands, Burj Khalifa, and the desert look mesmerizing at a height of 4,000 meters.

Chimpanzees of Olpejeta Conservancy -Kenya by Bison Safaris.

This are omnivorous animals that live in troops. They have arms that are longer than legs. In trees they climb with their long, powerful arms and on the ground they knuckle-walk (walk on all fours) clenching their fists and supporting themselves on knuckle. Their feet have broader soles and shorter toes suited for walking. They can stand and walk upright. Chimpanzees are tailless and its body is covered with black hair. The face, fingers, palms of hands, ears and sole of feet are hairless. Exposed skin of face, ears, hands and feet varies from pink to very dark although its lighter in younger individuals and darkens with maturity. They can move in trees by swinging from one tree to another. Chimpanzees are arboreal and terrestrial. They mostly search for food during the day.the males are aggressive and highly terrestrial to an extent of killing each other. They communicate non verbally using hand gestures and facial expression.
They construct new nests daily by lacing together branches from one or more trees ensuring the nest is comfortable and safe to sleep on. They use tools such as trees to dig into termite mound, stones as hammers to break nuts and insert leaves into termite mound where termite crawl into the leaf and the chimpanzee lick them off. They also use chewed leaves as sponge to soak up water and then drink water from the soaked leaf.
Females have estrus cycle of 34-35 days and while on heat, bare skin on her bottom becomes pink and swollen. The females give their young ones great attention and help each other with babysitting chores. The young ones learn survival techniques by watching their mother. Adult chimpanzee have special companion with which it spends most of its time with. They hold hands and groom each other.

Warthog -Kenya -By Bison Safaris

These are mammals mostly known to be grazers feeding on grasses, berries, barks of trees and also roots. They occasionally feed on dead flesh whenever there’s no food to eat. They have bumps on the head which is a thick patch of skin used for protection during fights. They have a thick mane on their back. They often look for already abandoned dens to make homes. Mostly they live in dens made by aardvarks. Warthogs can go for months without drinking water.
Female warthogs are social animals and they live in groups of about 40 members. They group each other and crowd together at night for warmth. On the other hand, adult males are not social and can be territorial. They search for food during the day. When threatened, the warthog can be quite fast at a speed of about 30 miles per hour. They ran with their tail up in the air heading direct into their dens sticking their tusks at the entrance for security. At times they face the attacker with their tusks and bite them with their sharp teeth.
The ox peckers and other birds ride on warthog’s body to eat insects off their bodies. Warthogs wallow in mud to get rid of insects and cool down on a hot day since they don’t have sweat glands to cool themselves. They kneel on front knees to feed since they have short neck and long legs.

Bongo Antelope.

This is an antelope that is characterized by a striking reddish – brown coat, black and white markings, white yellow stripes and long slightly spiraled horns. Bongo is a herbivorous animal and well known to be nocturnal though occasionally it becomes diurnal ungulate. Both males and females have horns. It is the 3rd largest forest antelope. It has a long prehensile tongue that it uses to grasp grasses and leaves. In Kenya it can be mostly seen in Mt Kenya national park. They have large ears used for sharp hearing. Their distinctive coloration helps them identify one another in their dark forest habitat. Theit lips are white topped with a black muzzle.

Tana River Primate National Reserve.

It is located in the south eastern part of Kenya. It was established to protect lower tana river forest and the two endangered species of monkey which are crested mangbey and the red colobus monkey. The river forest cuts through the dry woodland and the open savannah. This national reserve has rare species of birds such as white wingled apalis, open bill stork, martial eagle, bat hawk, pygmy falcon, and barred owlet. Mammals, amphibians and reptiles are also within the reserve.

Zebras -Kenya -Maasai Mara

Zebras are single hoofed animals that have white coat with black stripes on their body. Each zebra has a different pattern of stripes. The stripes helps in camouflage of the animal in long grasses as well as distract the predators. There are three species of zebras;
1. grevy zebra they have thin stripes
2. plain zebra have brownish shadow stripes between black stripes
3. mountain zebra have vertical stripes on the neck and torso, and horizontal stripes on its haunches.
Zebras are fast moving animals that move in large herds for protection from the predators. They are herbivorous animals that feed on grass, shrubs, twigs and leaves. They sleep while standing.

Differences between an Antelope and a Deer

• Antelopes belong to family Bovidae while the deer belong to family Cervida
• Antelopes have permanent horns while male deers have antlers which they shed and grow annually.
• The antelope horns aren’t branched while the antlers of a deer are branched
The antelope and deer are even toed ungulates

Turkana Tourist attractions -Kenya

Turkana is a hot,dry and desert area with thorn trees all over. The roads are rough hence being advised to use a 4WD car when travelling. The distance from Nairobi is around 700KM by road and around 500km by air. the various tourist attractions in turkana are;
1. Lake turkana this is the world’s largest permanent alkaline desert lake with the largest world population of Nile crocodiles.
2. Central island national park this is a volcanic island located in the middle of Lake Turkana. it is made up of 3 crater lakes which are flamingo lake, crocodile lake and tilapia lake with each lake providing breeding grounds of the animal its name stands for.
3. Loiyangalani desert museum it is located on a hill providing information about the 8 communities living within lake turkana which are; El-molo, Rendille, Samburu, Gabbra, Boran, Watta, dassanash.
4. Koobi fora this is an anthropological and archaeological site found on the eastern shore of lake turkana.
5. Sibiloi national park it is on the eastern shore of lake turkana and was established to protect the petrified cedar forest, wildlife and the unique prehistoric and archeological sites linked to origin of man. The park is waterless except for the alkaline lake.
6. Eliye springs resort it is on the western shore of the lake. It is a fishing destination among other activities such as boat riding.

Category: Destinations