Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 185 - June-July 2024 i Msafiri

01 BELKIN BOOST CHARGE PRO 3-IN-1 WIRELESS CHARGER WITH MAGSAFE Fed up with having to borrow other peoples’ chargers? This sleek, stylish all-in-one charging station keeps all your Apple devices topped up and ready to go. The built-in MagSafe tech juices up an iPhone 12 or later, while the Apple Watch charger ensures that your watch is ready to go when you wake up. There's even a separate charging spot for your AirPods. A great addition to any nightstand and (potentially) the end of dreaded ‘low battery’ warnings. US$130 ∙ AMAZON.COM 02 TRIPIT TripIt is a travel app that helps travellers stay stress-free while on the go. Simply forward all of your travel confirmation emails to TripIt and the app magically creates a master itinerary for your trip, including flight,…

Nestled in the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya, The Aga Khan Academy Mombasa stands as a beacon of educational excellence. Established by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and inaugurated by His Highness the Aga Khan 20 years ago, the Academy offers a comprehensive International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, nurturing students from diverse backgrounds to be leaders of tomorrow. THE ACADEMY FOSTERS AN ENVIRONMENT OF INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY AND CULTURAL APPRECIATION With a multicultural student body drawn from across the region and further, the Academy fosters an environment of intellectual curiosity and cultural appreciation. State-ofthe-art facilities, purpose-built spaces and top-notch sports amenities, provide students with an enriching learning environment. Diversity and inclusion are at the core of the Academy's ethos, welcoming students regardless of faith, origin, or gender. Through meaningful interactions and…

Eldoret at a glance POPULATION: Around 400,000. GETTING AROUND: Before the construction of the bypass from Kapseret to Cheplasgei and Maili Tisa, Eldoret experienced huge traffic jams along the main Uganda Road. However, today there is very little traffic congestion in the city. Getting around is now easier and safer thanks to bodabodas, bicycles taxis and the main online taxi hailing company Wasili Cabs. WHERE TO EAT The Klique Hotel along Kisumu Road is known for its globally inspired menu and serves dishes ranging from Italian pasta and pizzas to Indian curries and Chinese stir-fries. Its contemporary deco and friendly service make it a popular choice among expatriates and locals. If you are in the mood for Middle Eastern cuisine, Café Arabika along Kisumu Road is the place to go…

Read on for 10 key steps to a successful launch: IDENTIFY YOUR NICHE Before diving into the entrepreneurial world, it's crucial to identify your niche market. Conduct thorough market research to understand the demand for your product or service. Analyse your target audience, competitors and industry trends. By pinpointing your niche, you can tailor your offerings to meet the specific needs of your target market. SECURE ADEQUATE FUNDING Launching a business requires financial resources to cover startup costs, operational expenses and initial investments. Explore various funding options, such as personal savings, loans, venture capital, crowdfunding or angel investors. Determine how much capital you need and develop a realistic financial plan to ensure your business's financial stability. DEVELOP A MARKETING STRATEGY A robust marketing strategy is essential for attracting customers and…

Guess where… This idyllic beach is a mere 25km from the country's busy capital, which shares its border with the Atlantic Ocean. Named after the river that splits it in two, the white-sand beach became famous thanks to it being the setting for a Bounty chocolate bar commercial. The city itself was first settled by 400 freed slaves in 1787, which gave rise to its name. But in which Kenya Airways destination is it? TURN TO PAGE 80 FOR THE ANSWER SECOND B737-800 FREIGHTER LANDS LATEST ADDITION TO FLEET TO FURTHER EXPAND KQ CARGO SERVICE Kenya Airways took delivery of a second Boeing 737-800 freighter in April, taking its total cargo fleet to four. The new arrival will allow KQ Cargo to offer more capacity on its global network, especially…

FRAGRANCES AJMAL SIGNATURE MINIATURE COLLECTION 3 × 30ml miniatures Three signature fragrances encapsulating the rich aromas of the Middle East. A collectable set for connoisseurs of fine fragrances. Features the top-selling Violet Musc, Amber Wood and Amber Musc, two distinct directions in terms of olfactive flavour, with one representation of purity, sophistication and class. $175 $125 YVES SAINT LAURENT MYSLF Eau de Parfum 100ml MYSLF, the new masculine refillable fragrance by Yves Saint Laurent. The expression of the man you are, with all your nuances. The first YSL Beauty woody floral fragrance with a unique, long-lasting trail of modernity. A statement of modern masculinity to celebrate your true self. Unapologetically. Proudly. A fragrance that seamlessly fuses with your skin, revealing a distinct signature for each individual. My scent, MYSLF. FRAGRANCE…

ADVENTURE Offen overlooked as a tourism destination, Malawi truly has everything and more – wildlife, hiking, beaches, feiendly people and, with cichlids in the afternoon, walking on plateaus or just chilling on the lakeshore, not to mention foshing, kayaking, tea estates, river safaris, cycling, playing golf… 01 LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK 02 LIKOMA ISLAND 03 NKHOTAKOTA WILDLIFE RESERVE 04 NYIKA NATIONAL PARK 05 MT MULANJE 01 CALL OF THE WILD: LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK Float down the majestic Shire River on a boat safari, manoeuvring between hippo and crocs. Marvel at elephant, waterbuck, birds aplenty – including cormorants, storks and kingfishers – vervet monkey, and even hyena, sharing the same patch of grassy bank. Head out in a safari vehicle past enormous termite mounds and through the thick undergrowth where you will…

CONSERVATION: PART 2 There's a folklore in Kenya, that African elephants are scared of bees. The buzz of these tiny insects is enough to send the world's largest land mammals fleeing for their lives. In 2007, zoologists and elephant experts, Dr Lucy King, Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton and Professor Fritz Vollrath of Save the Elephants (STE), decided to test this theory by playing recordings of angry buzzing bees to groups of elephants. The research, supported fully by the Kenya Wildlife Service, revealed that not only do elephants flee but they also headshake, dust and rumble to each other to stay away. This unique research led the team to develop one of the most effective solutions to Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) – the Beehive Fence. This ingenious yet straightforward device comprises yellow beehives…

PARIS 24 ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET, GO! This year's opening ceremony will differ from the tradition of athletes entering the main stadium displaying their national flag. Instead, organisers are planning to stage ‘an open ceremony’. In a unique twist, athletes will be seen on a 6km procession of boats along the River Seine, passing many of Paris's most famous landmarks such as the Louvre and Notre-Dame. Not only will it be the first time a modern Summer Olympics opening ceremony has been held outside a stadium, but it is also claimed that it will be the largest opening ceremony in Olympic history. The occasion will see each boat equipped with cameras to allow television and online audiences to see some of the world's best athletes up close. Those fortunate…

Kenya Airways’ ongoing recovery and turnaround initiatives have resulted in the airline recording an operating profit of Ksh10.5bn (US$79m) for the year ended 31 December 2023. This represents a 287% growth compared to the previous year, which saw an operating loss of Ksh5.6bn. The group's total revenue rose by 53% to Ksh178bn, which was mainly attributable to a 43% growth in passenger numbers year on year and to only 2% below pre-pandemic levels. KQ also reported a 37% increment in total operating costs –despite a 44% increase in capacity deployed – because of increased operations as it continued to bounce back from the pandemic. Direct operating costs increased by 48% in line with the increase in capacity, while fleet costs fell by 47.5% due to fleet rationalisation. Overheads increased by…

connectionsK Kenya Airways celebrated International Women's Day with a powerful series of initiatives showcasing its commitment to empowering women and fostering strong community ties. On 6 March, a team of KQ women, led by chief financial officer Hellen Mwariri, visited the Wamama Wetu artisans in Kibera, Nairobi. These talented craftswomen are the magic behind KQ's iconic cabin crew headwear. The day buzzed with engaging conversations, a tour of Kibera and mentorship sessions for young women in the community. The momentum continued the following day with a thoughtprovoking summit at the Pride Centre. The event, themed ‘Executive presence from a man's perspective’, featured insightful discussions led by a panel of KQ male leaders. The day itself, 8 March, culminated in a grand celebration of International Women's Day, featuring an all-women-operated flight…

“THROUGH MARKETING CAMPAIGNS, WE AIM TO HIGHLIGHT EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES, LUXURY EXPERIENCES, CUL TURAL IMMERSION AND FAMIL Y-FRIENDL Y OFFERINGS” WHAT MADE THE MMWCA AND THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF NAROK DEVELOP THE ONE MARA BRAND INTEGRATED MARKETING STRATEGY? We noticed several challenges hindering the Greater Maasai Mara ecosystem from realising its full potential as a world tourism destination, especially the lack of a unified marketing strategy, poor synergy among stakeholders, overcrowding during peak season and negative publicity. These issues undermined the long-term sustainability of conservation and visitor experience of the ecosystem. Recognising the need for a cohesive approach, our new framework seeks to streamline messaging, harmonise marketing efforts, enhance collaboration, set standards and present a unified front to showcase the unique offerings of the ecosystem. HOW WILL THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE…

DISPATCHES My wife and I have two millennial sons who, like all adolescents, went through a phase of thinking they knew better than their parents. With one big difference compared to my generation's adolescents, our kids really did know (some) things better than we did when it comes to climate change and sustainability. They created an undeniable consciousness. When an ambassador arrives in a posting (like I did in August 2021), there are a couple of circles of contacts that they insert themselves into to start building the network that will be the centre of their universe, a most important tool for the job. One of those is the compatriots, the diaspora. That is how I met Loïc and Valery – an amazing Belgian couple who had a most impactful…

PHOTOGRAPHY TRAVEL AND LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER FRANCESCO IACOMINO HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS MAGAZINES. HERE, WE SHOWCASE SOME OF HIS FAVOURITE IMAGES OF NEW YORK What is it about New York that appeals to you as a photographer? Immortalised in countless films and books, New York feels like a real-life movie set – it's a photographer's dream. This backdrop offers both a challenge and a thrill, making even the unfamiliar seem oddly familiar. The city's unique atmosphere allows me to focus on crafting evocative images that capture the essence of past, present and future, enabling powerful storytelling through my lens. How do you decide what to shoot? I initially pinpoint iconic views or locations to capture at specific times, like a skyline from a certain rooftop. After setting…

MOZAMBIQUE CITY GUIDE African, Portuguese and Arab influences have created a colourful tapestry of culture, history and cuisine in Mozambique's vibrant capital. Overlooking Maputo Bay, the city has stunning Indian Ocean beaches, hot frenetic markets and avenues lined with acacia and jacaranda trees. Whatever your defining experience might be – from sunbathing with a book on the white sands of Praia de Macaneta beach to tucking into grilled prawns at a street stall – you'll need our 48-hour guide to the best of Maputo… DAY 1: MARKETS AND MUSEUMS MORNING Head to one of the city's local pastelarias for a cinnamondusted Portuguese-style custard tart, known as Pastel de Nata – the perfect way to start your day, particularly when washed down with a strong Mozambican coffee. Strolling down Avenida Julius…

connectionsK KQ and Virgin Atlantic, both members of the SkyTeam Airline Alliance, have agreed a strategic codeshare partnership. As part of the deal, Kenya Airways will place its code on Virgin flights to its Caribbean destinations, including the Bahamas, Barbados and Grenada. Virgin will place its code on KQ's London flights, providing passengers with seamless access to its extensive network of destinations in Africa and beyond. “We are thrilled to kickstart this transformative partnership with Virgin Atlantic,” said Julius Thairu, chief commercial and customer officer at KQ. “Through the synergy of our respective strengths and networks, our goal is to enhance the travel experience for our esteemed customers, providing them with expanded choices, enhanced convenience and seamless connectivity to vital destinations worldwide.” In addition to enhanced connectivity, the codeshare will…

skyteam k At SkyTeam we're in the business of bringing people together. Taking customers to destinations near and far is something we've been doing every day for 24 years. We know the importance of connections, so to keep you connected with what's happening at SkyTeam, our various pages on social media are full of the latest news from our alliance. Need a little adventure inspiration? Check out our Instagram for stunning destination shots or indulge your #avgeek with amazing photos of our members’ aircraft. Want to share photos from your latest SkyTeam trip? Tag us using #MySkyTeam and we'll feature them on our page. Head over to Facebook and you'll find the latest news and information on our services, as well as updates and sneak peeks on our member airlines’…