Bethany Garden House Nairobi welcomes visitors and tourists from all over the world whether on business or adventure the sample the marvels of Kenya virgin attractions. Guests can relax in the compound or common room with a satelite TV and internet or listen to pipe music. There is a small library to keep you fully entertained.
We have an experienced chef to prepare samptous continental meals or even sample local delicacies.
Accommodation Information
Bethany Garden House tastefully designed and decorated 8 rooms accomodating 16 guests ranging from singles, doubles, twins and family rooms. There is a master ensuite room adding romantic luxury touch to your holiday.
All the rooms have hot shower and some with bathtubs complementing cosy relaxation.
Location Information
Bethany Garden House
Mukuyu Road, Ist Ushindi West Avanue, Garden Estate, Ridgeways
Bethany Garden House is 7km in the northern outskirts from Nairobi CBD and only 30 minutes drive from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport an excellent place for overnight stay to major attractions like Mara.
The area is surrounded by Karura forest, a quiet, leafy residential area offering a cool original natural atmosphere.The area still has a rural feel, with a quiet natural environment for comfort and relaxation with several water masses, including the Kigwa Dam, many exotic birds, monkeys, guinea fowls, hares and other wildlife that still live in the forested ecosystem.
The area neighbours Gigiri just a few kilometres away with its many embassies from Europe and North America, and the United Nations complex. It is the home to Windsor Golf Club a modern resort complex and championship 18-hole golf course built to Colonial design with breathtaking views.
Bathany Garden House is located in an easily accessible route to Naivasha the hotbed of paranomic view of the Rift Valley, Longonot National Park, Hells Gate an hours drive. Nairobi is the only City with a National Park a 30 mins drive. Nairobi Aboretum is less than 20mins drive. The area neighbours Gigiri just a few kilometres away with its many embassies from Europe and North America, and the United Nations complex.
Bethany Garden House Nairobi
Emeli Hotel
Emeli Hotel is located on Kipande Road just below the National Museum of Kenya. Overlooking the John Michuki Memorial Park it is strategically located five minutes’ walk from Nairobi’s central business district.
The name, Emeli is derived from the Maasai word for sea vessel which is the inspiration behind the architectural design of Nairobi’s latest boutique hotel offering the comforts of home in a serene and quiet environment away from the hustle and bustle of a city, yet within the city.
Featuring 52 rooms, conference rooms, ample parking, a business center, free wi-fi internet access in all rooms and public areas, a heated swimming pool and roof top lounge amongst other facilities, Emeli ensures your stay will be to your satisfaction.
Facilities
Conferencing
Emeli Hotel offers sun-filled meeting spaces with state of the art technology. We host Boardroom style meetings, Conferences, Corporate events and Training workshops. Our comfortable, flexible and well equipped meeting rooms and a boardroom ensure our customers and delegates are inspired. Rooms have a capacity of up to 100 people boast the following facilities: air conditioning, are fitted with latest conference audio visual equipment including projector, screens, in-built speakers and internet enabled TVs.
Video conferencing is also available on request.
Other hotel facilities available
Airport transfers
24 hour business centre
Swimming pool
Gymnasium
Lift
Laundry service
Ample parking space
Infra-red security systems, CCTV and 24 hour security
Lekki Conservation Centre
What I love the most about traveling within Africa is noticing the many similarities from one country to another, while having a sort of culture shock when I experience the specificities that make a city, region or country unique. My stay in Lagos was an outstandingly memorable experience, without exaggeration. Beside the excitement we all have when traveling to a new country, I totally fell in love with the energy, people and places I had the chance to explore. One of the highlights of my trip was the Lekki Conservation Centre, a nature reserve and eco-tourism site located on the Lekki Peninsula. It’s one those places that leaves you speechless, amazed and peaceful.
The nature lover that I am was beyond excited when my friend suggested to take me there on my first day in Lagos. We arrived in late afternoon and were lucky enough to make it before the last tour of the day at 5PM. I highly recommend coming early, preferably in the morning. It gives you more time to enjoy the park and wildlife. Our tour guide Kingsley, a very enthusiast and insightful man, took us on a hour-long tour through the reserve along with a group of approximately 20 other visitors from all age groups. At the entrance of the resort, a boulevard of coconut will lead you to a cone-shaped building which serves as the auditorium for lectures, conferences, and seminars. It is also where visitors pay the entrance fees: N1000 per adult. Group rates are available on demand.
The first thing to expect when visiting Lekki Conservation Centre is to walk. The site, established by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in 1990 as an initiative to protect the wildlife and mangrove on Nigeria’s South-West coastline from the threat of urban development, covers a land area of 78 hectares. We walked for at least 2km on a trail boardwalk, in the middle of savannah, with old and giant trees surrounding us. It is so calm and peaceful that you could hardly believe that you are at the heart of a busy city. Perfect to escape the hustle and bustle of Lagos’ every day life.
Several monkeys and birds species can be spotted in the trees. Crocodiles and snakes can also be found here, but I haven’t seen any. The main attraction of the reserve (and my favorite so far) is the Canopy Walkway, which is 401 meters long and 22.5 meters high above the ground. It can be really fun until you look down. It’s reputed to be the longest walkway in Africa and the second largest in the world. Once you reach the top, you will enjoy a stunning and panoramic view of the park. Adventure lovers will love it. Those afraid of heights should give it a try too. What is life without challenge?
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Because walking through the forest can be exhausting for children and adults, there is a picnic area and a children’s playground. My only regret is that this huge land is not used at its full potential. I believe so much more could be done in terms of activities and facilities to make the reserve more attractive. Also, I would have expected to see more animals.
In the family park, there are two ponds: one for tilapias and one for exotic fishes. It is extremely beautiful! I would recommend any nature and adventure lovers to pay a visit. It’s also a wonderful place to spend time with your kids and/or lover. So if you ever go to Lagos, make sure you stop by. If you have already been there, please share your experience with me!
The pros:
Calm and serenity
Beautiful rainforest
Amazing tour guide
Location is pretty easy to access
The canopy walkway: a must-try
Picnic areas and family games
The cons:
Apart from monkeys, not many animals can be seen
The park could be better maintained
Lack of signage in the park
Just a few activities available
Kakamega Forest National Reserve
Kakamega Forest National Reserve
The Kakamega Forest National Reserve also known as Canopy of Natural Beauty is a tropical rainforest located in the Lake Victoria basin, approximately 50km north of Kisumu city in Western Kenya, Kakamega County. The forest is also said to be Kenya’s remaining of the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest that a long time ago covered the continent.
The rainforest has a network of walking or hiking trails, that will offer you the beauty of nature as you walk under whispering trees, the melody of singing birds, monkeys jumping from one tree to another, the color of butterflies making the forests more beautiful, croaking of frogs and the gurgling streams nearby. Walking can be done by day and night.
The forest is one of the best tourist destinations in Kenya and East Africa as a whole where one can discover on foot while enjoying the wildlife in their natural habitat while enjoying the fresh air of the rain forest.
For the lovers on nature and Nature photographers, the park offers unique wildlife and scenic beauty to its visitors. Wildlife that can be spotted in the park include Duikers, Bush Pig, Bushbuck, Mongoose, Giant African Water Shrew, African Clawless Otter, Squirrels, Porcupine, Tree Pangolin, Bats and many others. The forest is also home to 7 primate species including the endangered blue monkey, DeBrazza monkey, black and white colobus monkey, baboon, redtail monkey, and vervet monkey.
Birds and butterfly watchers will fall in love with this forest as it offers over 400 species of butterflies, approximately 300 bird species such as the Black and white casqued Hornbill and West African Great Blue Turaco which has been recorded here, some of which can only be found in this forest. Bird watching is best between 0630hrs and 0830hrs in the morning and 1630hrs and 1830hrs in the evening. 27 species of snakes have also been recorded in the forest.
It also supports more than 350 species of trees, Africa’s greatest hard and soft woods such as red and white stinkwood, Elgon teak and several varieties of Croton and Aniageria Altisima can be found here.
Accessibility
The forest can be accessed either road or air. The reserve is approximately 415km from Nairobi through Nakuru and Kapsabet towns which takes 5 to 6 hours drive.
By Air one can fly to Kisumu or Eldoret and then connect to Kakamega by road or fly to Kakamega airstip then connect by road.
Climate
Temperature in the forest ranges between 20c – 30c throughout the year. The Forest is very wet, with an average rainfall of 1200 mm to 1700 mm per year. It is heaviest on the long rains which fall between March and May. It is low between September to December when there is short rains.
Where to Stay
The forest does not have any lodge, but there is KWS self catering accommodation; Udo Bandas can sleep upto fourteen people. There is also the Isukuti Guest House and Various Campsites situated in the Park. Other lodges and hotels are located within the County that can accommodate visitors to the region
Activities that can be done:
• Camping
• Forest Walking
• Self guided nature walks
• Primate Watching
• Bird and Butterfly Watching
• Game watching
• Hiking
• Village walks
What to bring
• Drinking water
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Guidebooks
• Hat
• Binoculars
by: Southern Valley Safaris
The Adventure Travel Show London 17th -18th January 2015
The Adventure Travel Show – Uncover Your Journey of a Lifetime. 17-18 January 2015, Olympia, London
The Adventure Travel Show is a world of extraordinary discoveries, all under one roof. It is the UK’s foremost event for people who like to travel outside the mainstream – whether it be on small-group adventures, exclusive expeditions or epic journeys.
The Adventure Travel Show is packed with inspirational travel advice, travel photography, writing, travel writing, blogging and filming seminars, and over 100 talks from experts, explorers and tour leaders who will help you uncover your perfect adventure. Plus, the biggest collection of specialist travel operators will be on hand to offer guidance on everything from walking and trekking to exploratory journeys, safaris, overland trips, life-changing volunteering projects and much, much more
The Adventure Travel Show – it’s where your adventure begins! www.adventureshow.com
Ticket Offer: Safari on the Blog readers can get reduced price tickets to The Adventure Travel Show for only £6 (saving £4 off the door price)! Just quote ‘SAFARI’ when booking tickets online at www.adventureshow.com or when calling 0871 230 7159. (Calls cost 10p per minute plus network charges. Tickets must be booked in advance by 1pm Friday 16th January 2015 to take advantage of the offer)
Discover Malawi ‘The Warm Heart of Africa’
Malawi, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Malawi is over 118,000 km2 (45,560 sq mi) with an estimated population of 16,777,547 (July 2013 est.). Its capital is Lilongwe, which is also Malawi’s largest city; the second largest is Blantyre and the third is Mzuzu. The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area. The country is also nicknamed “The Warm Heart of Africa“.
Soni Methu of CNN’s Inside Africa explores the beautiful country, Malawi. A country known for its friendly people.
Check it out the best safari experiences that you can enjoy while on safari in Africa.
Tips On How To Beat And Avoid Jet Lag
When traveling to a new time zone, our circadian rhythms are slow to adjust and remain on their original biological schedule for several days. This results in our bodies telling us it is time to sleep, when it’s actually the middle of the afternoon, or it makes us want to stay awake when it is late at night. This experience is known as jet lag.
Some simple behavioral adjustments before, during and after arrival at your destination can help minimise some of the side effects of jet lag.
TREATMENT
- Select a flight that allows early evening arrival and stay up until 10 p.m. local time. (If you must sleep during the day, take a short nap in the early afternoon, but no longer than two hours. Set an alarm to be sure not to over sleep.)
- Anticipate the time change for trips by getting up and going to bed earlier several days prior to an eastward trip and later for a westward trip.
- Upon boarding the plane, change your watch to the destination time zone.
- Avoid alcohol or caffeine at least three to four hours before bedtime. Both act as “stimulants” and prevent sleep.
- Upon arrival at a destination, avoid heavy meals (a snack—not chocolate—is okay).
- Avoid napping as soon as you arrive at your destination. Even if you are tired after a long flight, try to stay active until the correct time to sleep; this will help your body adjust more quickly.
- Avoid any heavy exercise close to bedtime. (Light exercise earlier in the day is fine.)
- Bring earplugs and blindfolds to help dampen noise and block out unwanted light while sleeping.
- Try to get outside in the sunlight whenever possible. Daylight is a powerful stimulant for regulating the biological clock. (Staying indoors worsens jet lag.)
- If you take medication at specific times of the day, such as oral contraceptives or insulin, consult your GP or pharmacist before travelling. They will advise you when to take your medication after you arrive at your destination
Source: National Sleep Foundation
Kenya Wildlife National Park Rules
Kenya Wildlife National Parks Rules
Below are some of the Check out Kenya Wildlife National Park Rules that need to be followed
Wildlife Code
• Respect the privacy of the wildlife, this is their habitat.
• Beware of the animals, they are wild and can be unpredictable.
• Don’t crowd the animals or make sudden noises or movements.
• Don’t feed the animals, it upsets their diet and leads to human dependence.
• Keep quiet, noise disturbs the wildlife and may antagonize your fellow visitors.
• Stay in your vehicle at all times, except at designated picnic or walking areas.
• Keep below the maximum speed limit (40 kph/25 mph).
• Never drive off-road, this severely damages the habitat.
• When viewing wildlife keep to a minimum distance of 20 meters and pull to the side of the road so as to allow others to pass.
• Leave no litter and never leave fires unattended or discard burning objects.
• Respect the cultural heritage of Kenya, never take pictures of the local people or their habitat without asking their permission, respect the cultural traditions of Kenya and always dress with decorum.
• Stay over or leave before dusk, visitors must vacate the Park between 6.00 p.m. – 6.00a.m. unless they are camping overnight. Night game driving is not allowed.
Marine Wildlife Code
• Check local weather and sea conditions before entering the marine park.
•Some marine life is dangerous; do not touch anything under water.
• Do not damage or remove corals. It is a living organism which takes many years to form and is host to many rare and endangered species.
•Do not remove shells, starfish or any other sea – flora or fauna. Removal is illegal, seriously disrupts the eco system and some marine life is dangerous. The areas outside the parks and reserves is threatened by excessive shell collection. Empty shells provide homes for hermit crabs and some fish.
•Do not buy shells and other marine animal products as souvenirs as this encourages further plundering of the reefs and beaches.
• Never dispose of litter on the beach or in the sea. It is illegal and environmentally unfriendly. Marine turtles can confuse clear plastic waste with jelly fish and will die if they eat it.
• Hand – feeding of fish is discouraged. It disrupts normal feeding patterns.
• Hook and line fishing is allowed in the Marine Reserves but prohibited in Marine Parks. Spear guns are not permitted for use in either.
• Environmentally friendly activities such as snorkelling and diving are encouraged, under the supervision of the Kenya Wildlife Service wardens, who work closely with tour operators and hoteliers to ensure strict adherence to this code of practice.
• Avoid restaurants that serve undersized crabs and lobsters as this contributes to their rapid demise.
•Support traditional coastal livelihoods and do not give money to children on the beach, as this can encourage them to stay away from school.
Burundi Culture
The culture of Burundi and history blend together. The oral literature of Burundi is incorporated into part of the culture of Burundi. The proverbs, tales, riddles and poetry disclose the life of the Burundi people.
The instruments, weapons and a diverse of other things that are kept in the museum offer a detail understanding of the Burundi Culture.
Burundi is among the smallest nations of central Africa, it is relatively densely populated. The first occupants of the country are the Twa Pygmies who make only one percent of the population currently. The Hutus arrived at the country in the 11th century then the Tutsis in the 14th century. Culture in Burundi comprises rich dance and music
Burundi Ethnic Groups
Burundi Ethnic Tribes comprise of various indigenous tribes like the Bantus, the Tutsis and the Twa. Hutus or Bantus constitute the biggest part of ethnic groups in Burundi. About eighty five percent of the tribal population in Burundi is the Bantu then followed by the Tutsis that constitute fourteen percent of the population and remaining one percent of the population belong to the Twa group. Hutu, the biggest ethnic group in are mainly farmers. The Tutsis constitute the largest number in the military of Burundi as they are referred to as warriors due to the nature of their heights. Twa is the oldest of all the tribes of the region.
There are other international expatriate communities which comprise of Pakistanis, Arabs, Greeks and Indians
More about Burundi
Burundi Flag
Burundi Flag
The national flag of Burundi features a white saltire which splits the field into changing red and green areas. The heart of the saltire merges into a white disk, where you have 3 red solid six-pointed stars outlined in green.
The green colour signifies hope, the white symbolises peace, and red those that fell in the struggle for independence. The 3 stars symbolize the 3 main ethnic groups of Burundi: the Hutu, the Twa and the Tutsi. The 3 stars additionally represent the 3 components of the national motto: Unité, Travail, Progrès (“Unity, Work, Progress”), which is identified on the Coat of arms of Burundi.
Read more about Burundi
Facts about Burundi
