UNDISCOVERED PARADISE

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Volume 1, Issue 2

May—June 2013

During our stay we had al carte meals. Because we went in low season they don’t do buffet. The food was very fresh, delicious and very beautifully displayed. On the last night we had some delicious goat meat. The goats are breed in the farm next to the camp. The first night we went on a game drive. Ziwani is a sanctuary (privately owned) meaning that we could do a game drive at night. At National Parks (owned by KWS) and Reserves (owned by the community) you can’t do game drives past 6 pm. We had a guide from the camp called Chameleon who told us about the animals. On Saturday we went to the farm. At the farm they grow passion fruits, oranges,

tangerines, and bananas. They also grow maize commer-cially for seed. The farm is called Gicheha Farm. We went round the farm. They have some a fantastic irri-gation system. We had never seen any-thing like it. We bonded with the farm manager. On Sunday

as we left we each got a goodie bag of tangerines which were very delicious. Ziwani Voyager is beautiful. Looking at the pictures you can get a feel of it but you must go there to experience it. It is a tented camp on one side with a river on the other side. The river would sooth us to sleep at night. The river has hippos and crocodiles. We managed to see both during our three days. Continued on page 3

In May Uniglobe Northline Travel co-sponsored some categories of the BAKE (Bloggers Association of Kenya) awards with the Heritage Hotels of Kenya. Uniglobe Northline was interested in the travel cate-gory in the awards because we do tours and travel we thought that travel blog best represents the essence of travel, the adventure, the pitfalls, the drama and the fun. We teamed up with Heritage Hotels of Kenya to co-sponsor several awards. We rewarded the best travel blogger Emily Nderitu with two nights for 2 at Voyager Ziwani Camp. We also rewarded the best envi-ronmental/agricultural blogger Peter Wachira, the best food blogger Rajan Solanki, and the best photography blogger Mutua Matheka. The diversity was because the Voyager Ziwani Camp has both leisure and agricultural activities. This would be a good way for bloggers to come and see how the two can be done to-gether. For more in-formation on the BAKE awards and pictures read celebrating the best bloggers in Kenya. On the weekend of 7th to 9th June we went to Ziwani Voyager in Tsavo. We had breakfast at Capital Center then had to face the Mombasa road traffic jam which was a nightmare. Some of the bloggers knew each other well but some were just acquaintances. But after sharing food and a long journey (including a traffic jam) together by the time we reached Ziwani people had bonded.

“The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa, for he has so much to look forward to.'" – Richard Mullin

Sunset at Ziwani - Picture by Mutua Matheka

Every day we read in the news-paper about the increase in cases of life-style diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and certain types of cancers. Nowadays even young people are getting strokes or heart attacks which before were thought to be a disease of the aged. It is therefore important for each and every one of us to have regular medi-cal check ups to discover if there is a prob-lem that could be taken care of early. As children we were told prevention is better than cure and that is true. We need to have healthy lifestyles which include good nutrition and exercise. But it is also important to know that some diseases are generic and some people have a higher risk of getting these dis-eases. By going for annual check ups or getting one when your doctor advises it, makes it possible to diagnose a problem early. Medical checkups in Kenya are expensive. Sometimes also doctors advise for a medical procedure and you are not sure if that medical procedure is war-ranted. So a second option is needed. So where do you go? For each of us we place premium value on our health. But at the same time we do not want to spend all our

Page 2

Medical checkups in India are a better option!

"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles." – Tim Cahill

hard-earned money to pay hospital bills. Advantages of medical check ups. Medical checkups are great be-cause they act as a primary prevention of diseases, they identify risk factors for ill-nesses, they help detect diseases that don’t have symptoms like high blood pressure, they also help to update clinical records, and they also give an individual peace of mind about whats going on inside the body

and reassure the patient that they are healthy.

Some more detailed informa-tion of the benefits of medical check-ups can be found at this link.

So what is the solution to expensive medical checkups? Uniglobe Northline Travel has been taking groups for medical check-ups in India. 2 months ago we had a successful trip where one of our local companies took some of their staff for checkups. It is possible to go for check-ups as an individual, as a group or even as a corporate or a chamaa. Medical checkups in India are

much cheaper than having them done in Kenya and the quality of the hospitals that one would get in India is high. It is possible also to go to have surgeries there as well or get cancer treatment. The great thing is that you can also get to experience the Indian culture while there. It’s also possible to get great deals while shopping.

Don’t do a check-up only when you are unwell. Do one regularly to check if everything is alright with your body. That check up could save your life and even save you a lot of money that you would have spent if you got ill.

Picture from the internet

Winners - Best Kenyan Bloggers Awards co-sponsored by Uniglobe Northline Travel

Our communications officer Rayhab Gachango with the Winning Travel Blogger Emily Nderitu and Ndeithi Kariuki of Heritage Hotels Kenya.

Best photography Blog Winner Mutua Matheka with Ndeithi Kariuki Kenya, Rayhab Gachango and a representative from Samsung.

Interacting with the winners at the Michael Joseph Center where prizes were given out 2 days after the main event.

Lake Chala - Picture by Mutua Matheka

Sniper Tree - Picture by Rayhab Gachango

Page 3

PARADISE UNDISCOVERED (continued from page 1)

In the afternoon we went for a picnic and swim at Lake Chala. That was the highlight of our trip. The Lake Chala is on the boundary of Tanzania and Kenya. It is a beautiful, clean lake – unpolluted. Whether you were watching or swimming the lake was a great experience. The view of the lake is beautiful. Its abit challenging to get down to the lake but it was worth it. It was an interesting trip to say the least. The lunch was very filling and we even had some left over to give some boys fishing at the lake. After that we went to visit the Sniper Tree. This baobab tree which has been hollowed out is where a German female soldier, whose husband was killed in the British – German war, revenged the death of her husband. She lay in wait in ambush with a few soldiers and when the British were passing they killed some of them. Sadly when they were discovered she was killed. It is said the locals loved her and used to bring her supplies of food. We didn’t manage to go to Grogan Castle because we were run-ning behind of time but we saw it from a distance.

In the evening we had mbuzi and had drinks around the fire. Some of the guys went to discuss recipes with the chef and to see him cooking. We had a very late dinner but we really enjoyed it.The next day we had to say goodbye to this beautiful place called Ziwani. But before we did we went on a nature walk. We saw crocodiles basking by the river. We got a lot of information on hippos. We saw different kinds of birds. We found out about a famine that killed almost all the animals a couple of years back. We got new natural toothbrushes.

It was with sadness that after breakfast we said goodbye to Ziwani. We had such a fantastic time there. It was better than we expected and we had bonded. We had left Nairobi strangers but left Ziwani as friends. On the way back we went through the Tsavo West National Park. We visited Mzima Natural springs. This water is the real minerals water not the fake ones we are sometimes bottled for here in Nairobi. We got to see a natural aquarium. The water is so clear you can see the fish swimming. There is a viewing point where you can actually watch the fish swimming. We had such a great time. Thank you to Heritage Hotels and Uniglobe Northline Travel for sponsoring this trip. Hope-fully this is one of many to come. Thank to all our fellow travelers and bloggers. We had a fantastic time. For more pictures go to our blog post Jewel in Tsavo – Voyager Ziwani.

Uniglobe Northline Travel organizes group trips to different destinations for both corporates and also individuals who would want to travel as a group. If you would be interested in going to Ziwani for a holiday please contact Uniglobe Northline Travel at holdays@uniglobenorthlinetravel.co.ke or Call us on +254 20 3742397/3742398/3742399.

The writer Rayhab Gachango is the Communications Executive.

"Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter." – Izaak Walton

At the farm - Picture by Rayhab Gachango The river - Picture by Rayhab Gachango Boys fishing - Picture by Mutua Matheka

V OLU ME 1, ISS UE 2

Our contacts Head Office: Reliable Towers, 7th Floor, Mogotio Road, Off Chiromo Lane, Parklands. Phone: + 254 20 3742397/3742398/3742399 Cell Phone: +254 728 979 984 Fax: + 254 20 3742400 Branch Office: 20th Century Plaza, 3rd Floor, Mama Ngina Street, City Centre Phone: +254 20 2228400/ 2250700/ 2228400/ 2228403 Postal Address: P.O. Box 55889 - 00200, Nairobi, KENYA. Website: www.uniglobenorthlinetravel.co.ke Facebook : www.facebook.com/UniglobeNorthline.Travel. Twitter : www.twitter.com/UniglobeNTravel

for various unexpected disasters that may occur during your travel. This may include medical, loss of documents and luggage, trip cancellations and delays just to mention a few. We highlight the various factors that one needs to consider as one purchases travel insurance in Kenya. How long is your vacation? The amount of time that you intend to embark on your vacation should be considered? This will enable one determine if to purchase insurance for a short while that only covers the amount of time you will be away. Most insurance companies will have several packages that will suit various needs. Existing Insurance Cover: Find out what your existing cover entails and to what extend? Some covers may include various aspects of your travel cover especially if one is traveling within the country. This is especially important for locals who may have various insurance covers like medical cover. Insurer reputation: Whilst there are very many insurance companies, not all companies will keep their word as far as

One of the most important things to keep in mind as one plans for a vacation to Kenya, is the travel insurance in Kenya. Having an insurance cover, will cover one on various unexpected disas-ters that may occur during your travel. This may include medical, loss of docu-ments and luggage, trip cancellations and delays just to mention a few. We highlight the various factors that one needs to consider as one purchases travel insurance in Kenya. How long is your vacation? The amount of time that you intend to embark on your vacation should be considered? This will enable one determine if to purchase insurance for a short while that only covers the amount of time you will be away. Most insurance companies will have several packages that will suit various needs. One of the most important things to keep in mind as one plans for a vacation to Kenya, is the travel insurance in Kenya. Having an insurance cover, will cover one

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAVEL INSURANCE—EMILY NDERITU

compensation is concerned. Research on the insurance company’s reputation. Find out on the insurers response to claims. Companies that have been in business for a while will have clients that one can enquire from, get in-touch with previous clients who will inform you on the insurers’ reputation. What’s the cost Implication: Most insurance policies vary from company to company. Find out the insurance premium cost? Can you afford it? What are the payment modes available? Depending on the ultimate cost, plan to pay your annual premiums before you embark on your holiday. Whilst this list is not compre-hensive, ensure that while you undertake your holiday plans, that Travel Insurance in Kenya to considered and secured before you can travel.

Uniglobe Northline Travel sells Travel Insurance. If you are inter-ested in purchasing a cover for

MUTHAIGA CLUB NIGHT

Uniglobe Northline Travel sponsored a Club Night at Muthaiga Golf Club. It was a great day and the golfers really enjoyed themselves.

Our MD, Njeri Mugo (left) with fellow golfers.

Our MD, Njeri Mugo (left) gives out an award.