NAIROBI’S PICNIC SPOTS

August 7^th Memorial Park

Located at the former American Embassy, the park exists for both historical and educational reasons. The visitors’ center has information about the deadly bomb blast that happened on August 7^th 1998. This is a beautiful setting for small groups that want to meet; in addition it also offers conference facilities

      Opening Hours: 8.30 am- 6pm

      Entrance fees: Ksh.20 Educational tours Ksh. 200

      Location: Haile Selassie Avenue

City Park

City Park is located in the Parklands area of Nairobi and is home to the Sykes Monkeys. The friends of City Park have worked hard to restore it. There is a small cemetery at the corner of the park where two famous Kenyans have been buried: Pio Gama Pinto a journalist and politician and Kenya’s second vice president Joseph Murumbi and his wife are buried here.

Opening times: 6am-6pm

Fees: Entrance free

Location: Parklands opposite Aga Khan Primary School, Limuru 

Nairobi Arboretum

Established in 1907 the place is a peaceful haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The area has grown to include a diverse range of trees, indigenous exotic plants and birds. The trees provide much needed shade that is perfect for picnics. You have an opportunity to learn more about the trees here every last Monday and 2^nd Saturday of the month. Nature Kenya also arranges for bird watching.

Opening times: 6am-6pm daily

Arboretum offices: 8.30am-4.30pm, Saturdays 9.30am- 1pm, Sundays closed

Fees: Entrance free

Corporate event hire: Ksh. 50,000

Wedding Hire: Ksh. 30,000

Location: State House Road

Central Park

The central park is easily identifiable by the Nyayo Monument. The park attracts those who want to relax and unwind

Opening times: 6am- 6pm

Fees: entrance free

Location: Uhuru Highway

Ngong Hills

The Ngong Hills have a beautiful view overlooking the great Rift Valley. The hills have 4 main suits that sand out the horizon like knuckles. This is a great place for picnics and training for mountain climbing. You have the opportunity get a guided walk by KWS at the entrance for Ksh 1500 for 4 hours

Opening hours: 8.30am-6pm

Fees: Entrance free

Location: Ngong      

Nairobi National Park

This gives Nairobi the distinctiveness of being the only Metropolitan City in the world with a National Park. You have the chance to see 4 of the big five here. Located 15 minutes from the city center, the park is the place to unwind over sundowners. There are a number of areas where one can relax and unwind within the park.  The Impala point 5km from the entrance has a gazebo that overlooks the park and has fantastic views of the sunset.

The Kingfisher is also another fantastic location within the park with grilling facilities for barbecues, other spots include; The Ivory Burning site and Baboon cliff. One needs to be careful at the Baboon cliff as Baboons come in large numbers and tend to snatch food from people.

There is the option of the Nairobi Safari Walk, get a chance to learn about the animal species and plants that live here. One can then settle down and have a meal at the restaurant or have a picnic.

Opening times: Park 8am-6.30pm daily and restaurant 8.30am-5.30pm

Fees: National Park Adults Ksh.200, children Ksh.100

Location: Langata Road

Jeevanjee Gardens

A bazaar used to be located at the current Jevanjee Gardens. The bazaar burnt down and one of Nairobi’s first business men AM Jevanjee donated the place. A major landmark a statue of Queen Victoria was unveiled here in 1906. This area is famous for those who want to air their religious, political and social views.

Opening Hours: 6am-6pm daily

Fees: Entrance free

Location: Moi Avenue

Giraffe Center

This is a place to enjoy a kiss from the resident Giraffes in addition a 1km nature trail. There are 178 bird species and clearly labeled trees line up the trail.  You have the option of having a meal at the tea house or have a picnic halfway along the trail.

Opening hours: 9.30am-5.30pm

Fees: Residents Ksh. 100 children ksh. 20 non residents Ksh. 700 children: Ksh.250

Location: Langata

Uhuru Park

This is the highlight of most family weekend outings. It crowns itself with a manmade lake where people can have boat rides. Young visitors enjoy the open space in the park and it is centrally located within the city.

Opening hours: 6am-6pm daily

Entrance: Free

Location: Uhuru Highway

Uhuru Gardens

These gardens are a memorial to Kenya’s struggle for independence. There is plenty of space for families and picnickers. Informal football games are popular here, in addition camel rides and face paintings for children are also on offer. Visitors can have picnics, barbecues. There is a snack shop at the entrance although most people prefer to come with their own food.

Opening hours: 9am- 8pm daily

Fees: Cars Ksh.100 pedestrians free

Location: Langata Road 

KASUBI TOMBS

The tombs have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. It is a 10minutes drive from Kampala and a perfect location to take a day trip to. A walk towards the tombs takes an hour. The entrance fees include a guide.

Female visitors at the tombs are required to carry a lesso/Khanga for covering up if you are wearing trousers or shorts. This shows a sign of respect, in addition hats should also be taken off at the entrance to the main structure.

The guides normally ask for voluntary donation while inside the tomb, so visitors need to carry extra cash. Artifacts, souvenirs and literature on the Buganda Kingdom are sold at the entrance.

Entry fees:

Ugandan citizens- Ush 1000

East African residents- Ush 5000

Getting here

If you are driving, the tombs are located on the Kasumbi Hill which is 5km from the Kampala City centre along the Kampala Hoima Road. Taxis are available from the taxi park in down town Kampala a ride costs Ush. 1000 or hire a boda boda for a negotiable fee of Ush. 3000
Check out : http://www.kenyahoneymoonfestival.com/ for more travel information

GETAWAY TO DAKAR

There are good wave catching beaches to be found in Dakar. The Senegalese coast has become a popular destination for international visitors. Ever thought of taking a romantic holiday here? You may want to consider doing so. Saly is a little resort town an hour from the capital city Dakar. Saly offers many swim friendly sandy white beaches.

There is a lot to do including deep sea fishing which is a popular activity among holiday goers. If this is not your thing you may opt to rent a jet ski or a kayak for on the water entertainment.

Another interesting escape is Saint Louis which is about 4hours drive from Dakar.

The best times to visit Senegal is December to February which has pleasant temperatures avoid the hot and rainy seasons from June to October. The national language is French and Wolof a local dialect. Knowing at least basic French is important in finding your way around, ordering food and buying souvenirs. Carry anti malarial medication before and during your visit.  Buy only bottled water from restaurants.

Up on God's Mountain

      Take a slow hike up Mt Kenya to enjoy the scenery and adventure

Mt. Kenya, Kenya’s highest mountain and Africa’s second highest mountain after Mt. Kilimanjaro, it is estimated to be about 2.5 million years old. Its awe inspiring spectacle that dominates the central highlands of Kenya and is located 180 KM north of Nairobi within the Mt. Kenya National Park. 

Mt. Kenya National Park is a World Heritage site and an international biosphere reserve.

It’s difficult to see wild animals located at the lower forest zone of the mountain but if lucky and at the right time you get to see, the buffalo, elephant, Sykes monkey and the bushbuck. Further up the hyena, leopard and civet cats can be sighted.

For a climbing adventure any fit person can reach point Lenana also called the trekkers peak. The Batian and Nelion are accessible only to those with technical mountaineering and rock climbing experience. Mt. Kenya lies on the equator and you will find snow, ice and even glaciers on it. Although the number of glaciers has dropped from 18 to only 7 today

Mount Kenya can be reached through 3 routes: Naro Moru, Sirimon and Chogoria. The fastest way to access the peaks is through Naro Moru which is well serviced with rest huts. It is however the steepest. A hike to Mt. Kenya takes 4 days with an option of an additional day at the summit.

Naro Moru Hike

A 4 day trek using the Naro Moru route starts with a 5 hour walk from the park gate to the Met Station (3,050m). The first night is spent here and climbers get to acclimatize to the thinning mountain air.

The 2^nd day normally the longest with a walk between 8 to 10hrs, the night is spent at Mackinders camp (4,200m) in the peak area’s vicinity.

The 3^rd day begins at 2 am with an attempt to reach point Lenana. Some climbers get

Altitude related illnesses while here. To reach point Lenana normally takes 5 hours and descending normally takes 3hours to Mackinders camp for breakfast, then ascending back to Teleki Valley via Caeil rocks to the Met Station. A night rest at the Met Station and on the 4^th day begins with the final descent to the Park Gate.

 Sirimon Hike

This route has its base at Nanyuki to the north of the mountain. This route offers a much easier climb with more scenic views. It normally takes 5 days up and down the mountain

The 1^st day starts with a 3-4 hr walk through the forest and spend the night at Old Moses camp (3,300)

The 2^nd day, a hike through the moorland and the Liki and Makinder Valley and after a 6-7 hour hike to Shipton’s camp (4,200m)

The 3^rd day takes you up to attempt point Lenana. Ascending takes another 2 days.

Chogoria Hike

The hike begins at the Chogoria town west of the mountain. This is the most beautiful course and scenic of the three.  Hikers enjoy scenic views of waterfalls, valleys and ragged rock formations.  However the trail is unpopular because it is the longest and the toughest. It takes 6 days to ascend and descend the mountain. There are no usable service huts along the way and climbers must carry a tent when using this route.

Days through these routes can be prolonged by enjoying an extra day to climb the Summit Circuit Path.

Keeping fit will hiking

It’s important to drink 4-6 litres of water on a daily basis to keep you hydrated during the climb.  Dehydration exposes hikers to altitude sickness and hypothermia.

At heights above 3,000m oxygen levels reduce. It is advisable not to do a fast climb as one has no opportunity to acclimatize. If a trekker feels the symptoms of mountain sickness, it is advisable to descend to a lower altitude

Spending an extra night near the park gate or at the mountain huts above 4,000m to acclimatize helps to reduce the chances of mountain sickness

Porters and Guides

 Porters and guides are needed so that a trekker can fully concentrate on their climb. A good porter is worth his weight in the event of sickness and other contingencies.

They shoulder heavy equipment while the climber carries their day pack which contains essentials such as warm clothes, matches, flashlight, first aid box and food and drinks

Other important gear climbers should carry include: boots should be water proof in addition have rain suits, sleeping bags, sunglasses and hand gloves.

Alternatively a climber can buy a Mt. Kenya Climbing Package which is all inclusive. This package includes transport, accommodation in the mountain huts; meals while climbing, park entry fees, an experienced mountain guide, porters and cooks,

The most comfortable climb is achieved in the dry season which is during the months of January and February and from July to October. Relaxation in some of the hotels around the mountain can be done after the climb.