Msafiri Issue 192 - August-September 2025

DEAR READER Welcome aboard Kenya Airways, the Pride of Africa. As you journey with us today, I'm pleased to share some exciting developments shaping the future of our airline and our region. We're proud to be piloting the Integrated Sustainability Programme (ISP) with IATA. As one of Africa's leading airlines, our commitment to environmental responsibility and social impact is unwavering. Through the ISP, we're embedding sustainable procurement, social responsibility, and performance monitoring into our daily operations -strengthening our industry leadership and our planet's future. Free to TAKE HOME We're also thrilled to announce a new partnership between Kenya Airfreight Handling Limited (KAHL) and Lift Cargo Limited. This alliance is set to transform how fresh produce moves from Kenya to the world. With KAHL's world-class cool chain infrastructure and Lift Cargo's…

Backed by a network of Safari Partners and Conservation Partners, The Greatest Wildlife Photographer of the Year – Kenya is independently run and aims to unite photographers through storytelling and environmental impact. Each entry fee directly supports six leading conservation organisations, while monthly shortlists lead to a final selection of 100 images. The competition's winners have the chance to win up to US$2,500 and a nine night safari for two. For more information, visit www.thegreatestwildlifephotographerkenya.com…

This domestic tourist visited Nairobi National Park one sunny Friday this May and I didn't just see the same old animals. I witnessed something new: undocumented power plays. Which made me conclude that baboons should be higher up in the hierarchy structure. I couldn't have chosen a better day to visit this national gem. The park was bustling with eager school kids and unwary handbag-carrying teachers – the perfect recipe for baboon-orchestrated dramas. RULES The cardinal law in every game park is read and observe every rule. However, I couldn't wrap my mind around this: “Warthogs and children have the right of way”. This rule means that, in Nairobi National Park, children and warthogs belong to the same species, right? A VISITOR'S PHONE FELL ONTO THE BANKS OF THE MOKOYET…

There's something so approachable about Sir Richard Branson, it almost doesn't add up. Despite an amassed fortune of £2.3 billion — that's the same as the GDP of The Gambia — he remains an entrepreneur who brings with him values, modesty and respect. Add in discovery and a wealth of ideas, and it's easy to see why his Ulusaba Game Reserve, located in South Africa's Sabi Sand has been such a resounding success; something he is now looking to replicate with the reopening of the Mahali Mzuri camp in Kenya. Q WHAT IS THE SECRET TO A GOOD SAFARI? Attention to detail. It's really important in every aspect of our lives, and I've always lived by the detail… it's who I am! Yet to counter the great expanses with an…

ELEWANA LOISABA TENTED CAMP LAIKIPIA Perched on the escarpment of Kenya's Loisaba Conservancy, where elephants roam below and stars shimmer above, lies a spa experience unlike any other. At Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp, wellness is a journey of restoration rooted in the wild and inspired by tradition. The Loisaba Spa treatments draw from Africa's ancient healing rituals. Every element, from oils to ceremonies, is designed to reconnect body, mind and spirit to the rhythms of the land. The Samburu Celebration Journey is a 90-minute signature treatment inspired by the cultural heritage of the Samburu people. It begins with a cleansing foot ritual using salt crystals and native plant extracts to clear away negative energy. A body polish follows, made with coffee, cinnamon and Tanga-Orange blend, infused with indigenous oils to…

JACKSON MUTUKU ANDBEYOND BATELEUR CAMP Sous Chef and father of three, Jackson has been at Bateleur Camp since 2015, following a posting in eastern Kenya. His day begins at 6am, preparing breakfast with his team before moving on to lunch service. Like many chefs in the Mara, he sources vegetables and most herbs from a local organic garden. “These are organically grown to keep the local environment intact,” he says. Jackson emphasises the value of knowing each guest's preferences. “We have a mix of guests from different parts of the world whose tastes are influenced by many factors, including religion. They should all feel at home here.” UTTAM DAS JW MARRIOTT MAASAI MARA Chef Uttam Das, Executive Chef at JW Marriott Maasai Mara, is a culinary innovator with over 18…