LET’S PLAYKEEPING ACTIVE

WHILE ON HOLIDAY

MARCH - JUNE 2012

OURHERITAGEMOMBASA OLD TOWN

ICONSABBAS GULLET

OUT&ABOUTHELL’S GATE

WHAT’S COOKINGTHYME AND GINGER CHICKEN

http://www.kqholidays.com

J ambo and Karibu to the fifth issue of ‘Sarova Spotlight’. The tourism sector is once again celebrating news of an increase

in tourist arrivals. Making the announce-ment, Tourism Minister Najib Balala said the results indicated that the period January to October 2011 had marked a 16 per cent increase in growth.

After a rewarding 2011, Sarova Hotels, Resort

& Game Lodges is geared up for an even more

exciting year in 2012. Last year saw the completion

of various property upgrade projects, key among

these being the major refurbishment of Sarova

Panafric. The hotel gives a whole new meaning

to the term Afro-chic without taking away from its

glorious 46-year legacy of pan-African splendour. It

gives us great pleasure to receive positive feedback

from our distinguished patrons on the Panafric’s

enhanced ‘Refreshing African Hospitality’ experi-

ence. Our focus in continually improving the guest

experience across the group, through the adoption

of new and innovative services and products, was

recognised through the numerous international

and regional awards we brought home last year.

We shall continue to reinvest in our portfolio in a

bid to ensure our guest experience resonates to

world-class standards. To this end, major room

refurbishment at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort &

Spa in Mombasa has commenced. We are also in the

process of enhancing internet data connectivity across

the group’s entire portfolio, which will see our guests

access stable and speedy internet services.

Our commitment to giving back to the commu-

nities we work with is well enshrined in our

Company Mission. We are grateful to various

partners that have come on board to work

with us in uplifting the living standards of the

communities around us. One of the communi-

ties that has benefited from such a partnership

is the Daaba community in Shaba, where Sarova

Shaba Game Lodge joined hands with Well

Aware and Nobility Project in the rehabilitation

of a borehole as well as the construction of class-

rooms at Daaba Primary School.

ECOTOURISM

Sarova Shaba Lodge has been awarded Silver

Certif ication under Eco Tourism Kenya’s Eco-

Rating Scheme. This is a great achievement, as Eco

Tourism Kenya commends the lodge’s commit-

ment to promoting responsible and sustainable

tourism through ecotourism best practices. The

criteria for certif ication cover environmental and

socio-economic issues. Emphasis has been given

to sustainable use of resources, protection of the

environment and support to local economies

through linkages and building of capacity of local

communities and employees.

The Sarova Cares Initiative, launched in partner-

ship with the Kenya Red Cross Society last year,

continues to enable our esteemed guests to

become important partners in Sarova’s community

uplifting projects, centred on the areas of health,

education and environmental conservation.

On the lighter side of life, a major factor in

making a holiday or break truly memorable is

in the joy-filled memories that stay with us long

after we return home. In this edition of ‘Spot-

1SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

FOREWORD

light’, we highlight some of the fun activities that you

can engage in at Sarova. Our entertainment and

animation squads are always on hand to ensure a

captivating break for our leisure and business guests.

We have also put together incisive features on

‘Destination Kenya’, allowing one to appreciate

Kenya’s rich cultural heritage as we quench the

wanderlust for places to visit and things to do

during your valuable time as our guest.

Easter offers a tempting escape for much-needed

body, mind and soul rejuvenation. As you plan your

holiday this Easter, we have lined up irresistible

offers for the entire family. Please visit www.sarova-

hotels.com for details on what is on offer at each of

the Sarova Hotels, Resort & Game Lodges.

As we look forward to your continued patronage,

I would like to sincerely thank you, on behalf of the

entire Sarova family, for choosing to stay with us.

Jaideep S. VohraManaging director

Sarova Hotels, Resort & Game Lodges

WELCOME

ContentsSAROVA SPOTLIGHT // MARCH - JUNE 2012

A publication of Sarova Hotels and designed by

LANd & MARINE PUBLICATIONS (KENYA) LTdSuite A5, 1st floor, Ojijo Plaza Plums Lane, off Ojijo Road, Parklands

PO Box 2022, Village Market 00621, Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: +254 (0)20 374 1934 Cell: +254 (0)722 731 003

E-mail: kenya@landmarine.com www.landmarine.com

Contributing Editor: denis Gathanju Sales Manager: Linda Gakuru

Photo credits: denis Gathanju, Sarova Hotels, Shutterstock

The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, or any other organisation associated with this publication. No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions.

©2012 Land & Marine Publications (Kenya) Ltd

16

3SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

CONTENTS

36 PEOPLE&PLACES A cultural homogeneity?

42 Faces of Sarova Dzombo Mwadzombo and Jayne Mbaya

46 GivingBack Pupils enjoy a normal school life thanks

to well-wishers

50 Menengai Crater Could this be the devil’s mountain?

54 Sarova Hotels & Lodges Index

64 What’s cooking

4 OUT&ABOUT Hell’s Gate

10 Sarova News

12 OurHeritage Fort Jesus

24 Nakurro Where nature, fun and adventure meet

history and culture

28 OurHeritage Mombasa Old Town

30 ICONS Abbas Gullet

35 Easter at Sarova Special offers during the holidays

30 4 34

24

12

COVER STORY

16 LET’S PLAY KEEPING ACTIvE WHILE ON HOLIDAy

4 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

RIFT VALLEY TOWN IS THE PERFECT GETAWAY

OUT&ABOUT

ExPErIENCE THE NEW

‘COAST’IN NAIvASHA

5SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

The small town of Naivasha, on the floor of the Rift Valley, is now regarded as ‘the other coastal town’

after Mombasa. But with an obvious lack of white sandy beaches and an open ocean, why is this so?

For many Nairobians seeking a quick holiday away

from the city, yet close enough to dash back on a

Sunday afternoon and be in the office on Monday

morning, Naivasha offers the best option.

Situated about 90 km north-east of the capital,

Naivasha is quickly gaining a reputation as a

favourite holiday destination.

UNIqUE NATIONAL PARK

Another notable feature that attracts both local

and foreign tourists to the town is its park. Hell’s

Gate National Park is unlike any other national

park in Kenya because of the range of options

for getting around that include driving, walking,

hiking, rock climbing, cycling and horseback.

Thanks to its rich biodiversity, the park is a favourite

spot for nature lovers. And when you add in the

OUT&ABOUT

spectacular views of cliffs, rock towers, deep gorges,

scrub-covered volcanoes along with plumes of

geothermal steam, then you have a dream destina-

tion for an exciting weekend getaway.

Whether you are alone or with friends, family or

colleagues from the office, there is plenty to see

and do at Hell’s Gate. The park is dotted with

picnic sites and viewpoints from which to see the

various spectacular features of the park.

If you enter the park via the Elsa Gate and drive

further down the road, you will reach one of the

park’s major attractions, Fischer’s Tower. This 25

metre high rock tower is a perfect place for lovers

of action sports, notably rock climbing. Novices,

amateurs and experienced rock climbers are all

welcome and there is an experienced crew on

hand to give assistance to visitors.

FISCHER’S TOWER

Fischer’s Tower, named after the German

explorer Gustav Fischer, is a giant volcanic plug,

the remnant of an ancient eruption. Fischer was

the first white man to set eyes on the rock plug in

1883 after being commissioned by the Hamburg

Geographical Society. He was met with Maasai

hostility, however, and forced to turn back.

Maasai folklore has it that the volcanic rock is the

petrif ied figure of the daughter of a tribal chief.

According to legend, the young girl was on her

way to get married and was warned not to look

back until she arrived at her future husband’s

manyatta (traditional abode).

As she reached the spot, however, she decided

to take one last look at her village, and at once

turned into the rock plug that stands in the middle

of the park.

Today, Fischer’s Rock is a favourite venue for

climber, while the rocks around it provide a habitat

for rock hyraxes and other small animals. The open

plains around the rock tower have excellent trails

WHETHER yOu ARE

ALONE OR WITH

FRIENDS, THERE IS

PLENTy TO SEE AND

DO AT HELL’S GATE

6 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

FISCHER’S TOWER, NAMED AFTER THE

GERMAN ExPLORER GuSTAv FISCHER,

IS A GIANT vOLCANIC PLuG, THE

REMNANT OF AN ANCIENT ERuPTION

where visitors can walk or cycle within view of wild

game such as gazelle, giraffe and zebra.

In addition to Fischer’s Tower, the park contains the

Central Tower or Ol Basta. Like Fischer’s Tower,

this began life as semi-molten rock that was forced

through a fissure and later cooled and solidified to

form a tall rock plug amid the grasslands.

NATURE-LOVER’S PARAdISE

The park has two nature trails: Ol Basta Rock

Tower and Hobley’s volcano. The park has many

picnic sites where visitors can take a break and

enjoy the magnificent views. Picnic sites are

provided with benches, water taps and shower

blocks, rubbish bins and pit latrines.

7SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

For campers, Hell’s Gate National Park offers

some of the best sites in Kenya – secure, scenic

and easily accessible. However, campers are

advised to bring their own water and other

essential items such as walking boots, sun screen

and electric torches. The park contains at least

f ive campsites.

BIRdWATCHERS

The park is also a paradise for birdwatchers,

providing a habitat for over 100 species. Here,

visitors can catch a rare glimpse of the endan-

gered Lammergeyer vulture (gypaetus barbatus)

which was reintroduced into the park in a bid to

save it from extinction.

A drive deeper into the park will take the visitor

to the lower gorges, with an opportunity to

explore the long and winding deep caves that

OUT&ABOUT

or leaving the park via the Ol Karia Gate, visitors

will pass by the Olkaria Geothermal Power

Station, where the main road is lined with giant

pipes from the sunken geothermal wells.

While the park’s spectacular views are a magnet

for nature lovers, the spectacular scenery of

8 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

Hell’s Gate has brought film crews knocking on

its gates for the past 50 years. Among the notable

films containing scenes that have been shot within

the park are ‘Born Free’, ‘King Solomon’s Mines’,

‘Tomb Raider’ and ‘Where No vultures Fly’.

KENyA IS THE ONLy COuNTRy IN

AFRICA TO HAvE A FuLLy TAPPED

GEOTHERMAL ELECTRICITy SOuRCEare the Ol Njorowa Gorge. The gorge has hot

water springs which, according to the Maasai,

have medicinal value, especially for treating skin

diseases and infections. The hot springs are the

result of volcanic activity deep inside the earth.

From within the park, plumes of white steam

are visible. These are some of the geothermal

wells that are scattered across the park. Kenya is

the only country in Africa to have a fully tapped

geothermal source of electricity. When entering

Sarova’s Group Marketing Manager Peter Waweru scales Fischer’s Tower at Hell’s Gate

http://www.nambrew.com/

SAROvA NEWSINvESTMENT IN ICT INFRASTRuCTuRE REWARDEDSarova Hotels, Resort & Game Lodges continually seeks to enhance the guest experience by adopting new and innovative services and products. Over the past few years, this has included harnessing the power of information and communication technology (ICT) with a view to enhancing the overall guest experience at Sarova.

Every year, the CIO 100 Awards honour 100 companies that demonstrate excellence and achievement in ICT. The 2011 awards gave recognition to Sarova Hotels, Resort & Game Lodges for using ICT in an innovative way to deliver value to customers.

Sarova Hotels, Resort & Game Lodges scooped the following awards:

• Special Award – Security: this award recognised the security enhancements put in place by Sarova in regard to e-commerce transactions, specifi cally online bookings.

• PlusOne Award – Hospitality: Sarova was given the award for leadership in the use of ICT in the hospitality industry.

• Group IT Manager: John Muthiora, of Sarova Hotels, received the Top 100 award for achieving excellence in enterprise ICT deployment and was admitted as a ‘CIO 100 Honoree’.

In a fi eld of over 600 companies from across the East African region, Sarova Hotels, Resort & Game Lodges emerged in 40th position, thus securing a place in the CIO Top 100 Club.

SAROvA STANLEy PROvIDES CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR CHILDREN IN HOSPITALChristmas is a time for sharing. Sarova Stanley associates took time off during the festive season to visit the pediatric ward at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where they spent time with recuperating children. All members of the Sarova Stanley family made a personal contribution and the money was used to buy items on the pediatric ward’s Christmas wish list. The donation of room heaters, stationery, plastic chairs, diapers, a water dispenser, rechargeable lanterns and tea urns was well received by the hospital community.

Nyekundu means red in Swahili. This is a bold yet easy-drinking wine packed with rich fruit fl avours, especially raspberries.

The wine is made from a blend of at least fi ve distinctive grapes. Cabernet

Sauvignon and Merlot stand out.

Mara Nyekundu is a dry red wine with an invitingly strong

taste that goes hand-in-hand with a range of Kenyan cuisines,

especially beef, to further heighten the dining experience.

The bottle of the Mara Nyekundu – like that of the Mara Nyeupe – is adorned

with a colourful Kenyan bead amulet made by rural women.

In this way, tourists can support rural enterprises by buying the amulets and thus providing the women with a

regular income to support themselves and their families.

Nyeupe means white in Swahili. This is a lovely white wine with a rich tropical fruit fl avour and a distinctive passion-fruit fl avour that really stands out. The wine has a splendid feel on the tongue, with underlying hints of lemon. This is a relatively new wine that goes particularly well with seafood.

Like the Mara Nyekundu bottle, the Mara Nyeupe bottle comes adorned with a bead amulet made by rural Kenyan women.

Supplied by MIA Wines and Spirits International Email: sales@miainternational.co.ke

WINE REVIEW

MARA NYEKUNDU (Red)

MARA NYEUPE (White)

Nyekundu means red in Swahili. This is a bold yet easy-drinking wine packed with rich fruit fl avours, especially raspberries.

MARA NYEKUNDU

SILvER ECO-RATING FOR SAROvA SHABA GAME LODGESarova Shaba Game Lodge has been awarded Silver Certifi cation under Eco Tourism Kenya’s Eco-rating Scheme. Eco Tourism Kenya praised Sarova Shaba Game Lodge for attaining this level of certifi cation and commended its commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable tourism through ecotourism best practices.

The criteria for certifi cation cover environmental and socio-economic issues. Emphasis has been placed on sustainable use of resources, protection of the environment and support for local economies through linkages and building of capacity of local communities and employees.

SAROvA MARA GAME CAMP DISPLAyS MASTERy IN HOSTING INCENTIvE GROuPSIn January, Sarova Mara Game Camp exclusively hosted the Africa, Middle East and Asia diagnostics sales team from Abbott, a leading pharmaceutical company with branches worldwide. Over 170 participants attended the special conference and the Sarova Mara Game Camp team was on hand to provide the signature African hospitality.

From spectacular Maasai welcome dances to exquisite dining in the champagne-coloured plains of Mara, the guests had the time of their lives in this majestic setting. Each day had a different theme that was complemented by fi rst-rate cuisine. Activities included visits to Maasai cultural villages and hot air balloon rides.

The crowning event was a gala dinner at which guests, dressed in their national costumes, were treated to an array of delicacies, after which they danced the night away at a ‘disco in the wild’.

CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR SAROvA WHITESANDS BEACH RESORT & SPASarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa won the Corporate Leadership Award at the inaugural National Ability Awards in Nairobi in December. The award recognises a business that demonstrates leadership and commitment to enhancing accessibility, inclusion, universality and the elimination of barriers that may impede the full participation of persons with any type of disability in community life.

Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa was nominated by Sweet Waves Band, which performs at the resort, for its keen support of the disabled, among other Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Sweet Waves is a talented group of Kenyan musicians who play a wide selection of African and contemporary music. They share more than a musical bond, however, as they are all visually impaired. But this does not stop them producing some of the fi nest live music in Kenya.

SAROVA NEWS

11SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

SILVER ECO-RATED

12 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

OuRHErITAgE: FORT JESuS

An enduring symbol of the great struggle to control Mombasa

Kisiwa cha Vita (‘Island of War’) was the name given to Mombasa in its formative years. The title underlines

the violent and turbulent times witnessed by this ancient city as it constantly changed hands between various occupiers.

There is no doubt that Mombasa was an object of

desire; and the legal tender to own this strategic

island was blood, sweat and tears. Thousands of

lives were lost, and every time a ship appeared

on the horizon, the occupiers of the island braced

themselves for battle. you never owned the island;

you were merely a tenant until another occupier

arrived with bigger guns and more firepower.

For Mombasa, this was the case for many years.

Then came the Portuguese, who were deter-

mined to hold on to the island. In order to do so,

they built what at the time was an almost impen-

etrable garrison that would afford them security

from enemy fire while offering a clear view of the

harbour and ocean beyond. The new building

was named Fort Jesus.

CONSTRUCTION OF FORT

The fort was built in 1593 on the orders of King

Philip I of Portugal, who also ruled over Spain.

The aim was to protect the Portuguese from

Turkish invasion and to protect Mombasa, an

important stop on the trade route to India. The

fort was designed by an Italian architect and built

by African labourers. Seldom had so many nation-

alities come together to construct one building.

During the ground-breaking ceremony on 11

April 1593 the fortress was named Fortaleza de

Jesus de Mombaca by the Portuguese resident

captain, Mateus de Mendes de vasconcelos. Built

in the shape of a man, the fort was completed

in 1596 with four bastions named S. Felipe, S.

Mathias, S. Alberto and S. Mateus.

The fort was provided with a double gate

system as a barrier against enemy forces. Today,

13SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

this houses the ticket booth for the Fort Jesus

Museum. There is also a curved antechamber

with an alcove at the top – a reminder that the

men who built the fort were Catholics.

The fort is said to have at least three secret

passages including the Passage of Steps and the

Passage of the Arch. The latter has a tiny side-

room that was used to store ammunition. The

entrances to these secret passages, one of which

was used by enemies in 1631 to sneak into the

fort, are closed off by iron grates.

Bearing witness to the turbulent years of the

past are four canons, called carronades, after the

Scottish company Carron which made them. Any

enemy vessel sailing into the old harbour was

within range of these powerful guns.

A BLOOdY PAST

Fort Jesus witnessed a long series of battles for

control and possession of Mombasa Island, which

changed hands no fewer than nine times between

1631 and 1875. The Omani Arabs attacked the fort

many times, most notably between 1696 and 1698.

The Portuguese managed to hold on to the fort partly

because of their superior military skills and deadly

firepower and partly thanks to the cordial relations

they had established with the Sultan of Mombasa.

However, this relationship began to deterio-

rate after the departure of Captain Mateus de

Mendes de vasconcelos. In 1626 Muhammad

yusif returned to Mombasa from Goa in India.

He was baptised as Dom Jeronimo Chingulia and

made Sultan of Mombasa. On 16 August 1631 he

surprised the Portuguese when he entered Fort

Jesus and killed Pedro Leitao de Gamboa, the

Portuguese captain.

Sultan Chingulia went on to massacre the entire

Portuguese population of Mombasa – 45 men,

35 women and 70 children.

There was a fast and furious response from the

Portuguese, who sent in a military force from

OuRHErITAgE: FORT JESuS

14 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

Goa to retake the fort. The battle lasted two

months between 10 January 1632 and 19 March

1632 when the Portuguese abandoned the siege.

However, the Sultan abandoned the fort two

months later to become a pirate and the Portu-

guese retook Mombasa and its fort on 5 August

1632 under the command of Captain Pedro

Rodrigues Botelho.

FIRST FORT OF ITS KINd

The fort was designed by Giovanni Battista

Cairati, of Milan, who was chief architect of all

Portuguese installations on the east coast of

Africa. The earliest known plans for construc-

tion of the fort are in a manuscript dated 1610 by

Manuel Godinho de Herédia.

Fort Jesus was the first European-style fort to be

built outside Europe and was designed to resist

canon fire. Today, the fort is testament to the

FORT JESuS WAS THE FIRST EuROPEAN-STyLE

FORT TO BE BuILT OuTSIDE EuROPE

15SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

quality of 16th century Portuguese military archi-

tecture. The building has also been modified by

Omani Arabs and by the British, who captured

the fort at one stage.

For military commanders who wanted to

control Mombasa and the regional trade routes,

capturing Fort Jesus was paramount. When

the British colonised Kenya and proclaimed it a

protectorate in 1895, they captured Fort Jesus

and turned it into a prison.

Fort Jesus ceased to be a prison on 24 October

1958 when the British declared it a national park

and placed it in the custody of the trustees of the

Kenya National Parks.

Excavation was carried out by James Kirkman

and Fort Jesus became a museum in 1962. The

Fort Jesus Museum was built with a grant from

the Gulbenkian Foundation. Within, the exhibits

include finds from archaeological excavations at

Fort Jesus as well as archaeological f inds from

other ancient Swahili city states such as Gede,

Manda and ungwana.

Today, the fort is an important historical landmark

in East Africa and was recently added to the

World Heritage list by unesco.

Over the years, a variety of banners have flown

from the citadel on one section of the fort to

identify the occupiers of the fort and rulers of

Mombasa. Today, Fort Jesus is a place of calm

and tranquillity as the modern metropolis buzzes

with life further up the road. And on the citadel

is a banner that everyone hopes will dance to the

tune of the ocean breeze forever – the Kenyan flag.

THE FORT WAS RECENTLy

ADDED TO THE WORLD

HERITAGE LIST By uNESCO

Excursions to Fort Jesus Museum and Mombasa Old Town can be

arranged from Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa

ANIMATION

16 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

17SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

FuN AND GAMES FOR FAMILIES

AND BuSINESS GuESTS

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and the old saying could not be more true than in today’s

fast-paced world.

We can all benefit from some time off for recrea-

tion – and the Kenyan coast is the ideal place.

Everyone who has visited the coast will agree

that the pace tends to slow down, allowing

visitors to ease up a little. Some say it is because

of the balmy climate, while others point to the

fact that Mombasa is a resort city.

Enter the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort &

Spa and the equation changes. Here, business,

holiday and play go hand in hand. While everyone

is rushing to beat business deadlines and taking a

quick holiday before returning to work, Sarova

Hotels has a unique programme aimed at making

your stay, especially at the Sarova Whitesands

Beach Resort & Spa, even more relaxing and

enjoyable. Whether you are here on business

or holiday, the resort has a great animation

programme that could be your formula for a

perfect stay.

According to Nicholas Ladu, the Entertainment

Manager at Sarova Whitesands, the programmes

are arranged and developed according to the

taste and achievement needs of its customers.

CUSTOM-MAdE

“Our programmes are aimed at providing our

guests with a deeply relaxing holiday or business

trip that further complements the excellent facili-

ties and services at the resort,” he says. “They

are therefore custom-made to suit the needs of

our guests. The duration of such programmes is

dictated by the desired end-result for the guests.”

The animation programmes are not discriminative

since they suit all age groups and all the various guests

staying at the resort, where on holiday or on business.

18 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

To cater for these age groups and offer them

physically and mentally engaging programmes,

the animation team has come up with four main

groupings:

• Ozone Kids Club

• Team Building

• Evening Entertainment

• Daytime Sporting Activities.

The Ozone Kids Club is one of the most popular

animation programmes at the resort and across

the entire Sarova Hotels group, offering a

unique programme for children and making the

Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa the

ultimate family destination on the Kenyan coast.

Programmes are designed to ensure that children

on holiday at the resort are kept busy and spend

quality time away from their parents, allowing

them to relax.

PREMIER CLUB

“The Ozone Kids Club is the premier club for

young children at Sarova Hotels,” says Nicholas.

“The club is most active at the Sarova Whitesands

Beach Resort & Spa for a number of reasons, key

among them being the huge space we have at

the resort. This gives us enough playing space –

and kids love space and they love coming here

because they can be themselves away from their

parents. The parents also love coming here with

‘OuR AIM IS TO

PROvIDE GuESTS

WITH A DEEPLy

RELAxING HOLIDAy

OR BuSINESS TRIP’

ANIMATION

Members of the Team A animation team perform at Cocos Beach Bar

19SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

their kids because they need not worry about the

kids. They can have a wonderful time together.

This makes Sarova Whitesands the ideal resort

for that family vacation.”

According to Nicholas, the Federation of Tour

Operators has identif ied Sarova Whitesands as

the ultimate resort for parents travelling with

young children.

“The federation has high compliance standards and

we have passed this test many times and continue

to do even better,” he says. “Moreover, the

positive feedback we always get on various travel

websites such as TripAdvisor has gone a long way

to positioning us as the best of the best and we are

continually doing more in that area to ensure guest

satisfaction that cannot be matched by anyone else.

This has made us a magnet for families.”

Activities at the Ozone Kids Club are divided into

various categories. They include Ozone Kids for

members of the Kids Club, Ozone Tree House,

Ozone Playground and Ozone Swimming Pool.

MEMBERSHIP

The Ozone Kids Club is a membership

programme for children aged four to 12 who are

enrolled in a one-year renewable membership.

The children normally meet every first Sunday of

the month for fun and games, commencing at 10

am and concluding at 5 pm. Sarova Hotels also

helps Kids Club members to celebrate their birth-

days at the resort. They normally receive a free

birthday cake from Sarova Whitesands.

“We have watched these young kids grow, not

only in age and height, but in every facet of their

21SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

ANIMATION

lives,” says Nicholas. “We have watched the kids

develop into more responsible people and we

have watched others discover their God-given

talents that they would otherwise have not

discovered had it not been for such informative

yet engaging programmes that we have devel-

oped under the Ozone Kids Club.

“One such kid is an eight-year-old boy called

Samir. We have watched this child develop his

singing talent since he joined the club four years

ago. Samir will soon be recording his f irst song in

a professional studio and we are happy that we

have played a role in helping identify the hidden

talent in the young lad at such a tender age. We

THIS IS A FAvOuRITE

D E S T I N A T I O N

THANKS MAINLy TO

THE ANIMATION

PROGRAMMES FOR

CHILDREN

22 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

A mini golf course at the Sarova Mara Game Camp

“Over the Easter holidays, we have a five-day

programme that is equally as exciting as the

Christmas programme. The activities run from

6 am to midnight depending on the tasks to

be undertaken and the number of children and

adults participating.”

CRAzY OLYMPICS

As well as animation programmes, the team

conducts daytime sports that have been nick-

named the Crazy Olympics – physically engaging

programmes targeted mainly at adults staying

at the resort on business and/or on holiday.

Programmes include tennis and basketball.

Sarova Whitesands has four well-kept lawn tennis

courts and one basketball court. These have

proved popular with teenagers and adults staying

at the resort. Courts are floodlit, allowing guests

to go on playing after dark.

Another action sport covered by the Crazy

Olympics is archery. The resort has basic archery

equipment and is in the process of acquiring

professional-level equipment.

Darts is a popular activity that can be enjoyed

over a beer or a soft drink at the popular Cocos

Beach Bar. Also at the Cocos Beach Bar, adults

and children can jointly participate in brain

teasers and puzzle-solving activities, especially

over afternoon coffee or during a tea break.

Table tennis is another sport that can be enjoyed

near the pool deck, with two tables available.

WATER SPORTS

Water sports can also be enjoyed across the other

Sarova properties, especially at the game lodges.

A host of other engaging fun and games are also

available at the lodges. These include table tennis,

badminton, darts, pool and board games. For those

staying at the Sarova Mara Game Lodge, you can

23SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

ANIMATION

try your hand at traditional archery courtesy of the

rich Maasai culture at the lodge. While here, you

can also take to boat rides in the massive pond

within the property or engage your family, friends

or workmates to a game of golf at the lodge’s mini

golf course. you can also engage in a sport fishing

competition in a race to catch and release the catfish

in the pond within the Sarova Mara Game Camp.

If staying at the Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, a camel

safari would be an added activity that would take

you and your friends and family through the wild

trails of a Samburu settlement and into the wide

open bushlands of the north. The camel safari is

not only a great way to experience the beauty of

the north, but an incredible way of learning the

Samburu culture. While at it, you can compete

against each other in a lighting fire competition

using the age-old tested traditions of the Samburu

and the Maasai communities.

No matter where your travels take you, it is by

now an open secret that engaging the mind in a

playful mode helps our minds and bodies relax

and reinvigorate better.

So, go on and explore, experience and play.

‘THE PROGRAMMES

ARE WELL THOuGHT

THROuGH AND EvERy

DAy WE OFFER THE KIDS

AND THEIR PARENTS

DIFFERENT TASKS’

wish him all the very best like we do for all the

children that come here.”

CHRISTMAS ANd EASTER

Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa has proved

a favourite destination for both local and foreign

tourists staying at the coast thanks mainly to the

animation programmes it provides for children.

Other animation programmes at the resort are

timed and tied to the two main holiday seasons

and are targeted mainly at families, especially

during the Christmas and Easter holidays, when

most families travel to the Kenyan coast to spend

time together in a relaxing atmosphere.

“We normally have dynamic programmes over

these two main holiday seasons,” says Nicholas.

“The Christmas programme is mainly a 12-day

affair that is deeply engaging for both the children

and their parents. It is mainly spread out for that

duration because most families are on a long

holiday and they stay here longer.

“The programmes are well thought through and

every day we offer the kids and their parents

different tasks. We never repeat the programmes

to avoid boredom and so as to bring out the best

in everyone at the end of their stay.

Archery at the Sarova Mara Game Camp

NAKUrro

24 SAroVA SPoTLIGHT

WhERE NATuRE, fuN ANd AdvENTuRE MEET hISTORY ANd CulTuRE

NAKUrro

25SAroVA SPoTLIGHT

26 SAroVA SPoTLIGHT

Nakuru County, home to one of Africa’s fastest growing cities, is a land of bountiful harvests and

amazing contrasts. A natural crossroads for traffic and trade, Nakuru is in the agricul-tural heartland of the nation, thus earning the nickname of ‘Kenya’s bread basket’.

Known to the Maasai people as Nakurro or

a place of whirlwind dusty winds, Nakuru is

today Kenya's fourth-largest city. The city offers

residents and visitors alike a host of interesting

outdoor activities that can be sampled within a

driving distance of only 30 minutes in all direc-

tions. To start with, the city lies between the

world’s second-largest volcanic crater to the

north and the alkaline lake that is home to one of

the world’s largest f lamingo populations.

The majestic Menengai Crater is the second-

largest of its kind after the better known

Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania.

located on the northern outskirts of Nakuru,

the Menengai Crater covers an area of 90 sq km

– only 10 sq km less than Ngorongoro Crater.

GETTING THERE

Access to the crater is off the main Nairobi-

Nakuru highway via the leafy residential area

of Milimani and then a dirt road. Kenya forest

Service charges an entrance fee to see the

crater. The road is very narrow in parts and you

must give way to oncoming vehicles. Owing to

constant rain showers, the road is lined by deep

and narrow trenches.

for those keen to have a proper work-out, you can

leave your car at the entrance and trek all the way to

the pinnacle of this magnificent crater. The stunning

views from the summit will crown the day for you.

woRld-fAmous

To the south of the city is the world-famous lake

Nakuru National Park. Owing to the small size of

the park, which covers 188 sq km, it is easy to spot

game. The lake’s greatest attraction is the more than

2 million greater and lesser flamingos that feed there.

Another big attraction is the park’s huge population of

endangered black rhino and white rhino.

Today, lake Nakuru National Park provides one

of the safest locations in Africa for endangered

rhino as well as the best conservation sites for

endangered species.

Just across the Nairobi-Nakuru highway is

another important place of interest, the Karian-

dusi Prehistoric Site. The national museum here

has a display of artefacts excavated from the site

in 1928 by archaeologist louis leakey.

The stone tools displayed at the museum are

believed to have been made by Middle Stone

Age inhabitants between 700,000 and 1 million

years ago.

Closer to Nakuru you will f ind the hyrax hill

Museum, just 5 km from the Central Business

district. This museum has a display of cultural

NAKUrro

ThE ClOSE PROxIMITY Of lAKE NAIvAShA

TO NAKuRu ANd NAIROBI hAS TuRNEd ThIS

ONCE SlEEPY TOWN INTO A hIvE Of ACTIvITY,

ESPECIAllY AT WEEKENdS

27SAroVA SPoTLIGHT

artefacts from the Sirikwa people, a sub-tribe of

the larger Kalenjin community who inhabited the

area. The Sirikwa people lived in the Iron Age

and iron tools have been found at the site.

driving out of this bustling city towards the

western escarpment of the Rift valley, you will

f ind the lord Egerton Castle just a few kilome-

tres outside Nakuru. The castle is a monument

to what a man in love can do. It was built by lord

Egerton for the woman he loved and wanted

to spend the rest of his life with. however, she

declined to give her hand in marriage and a bitter

lord Egerton swore he would never marry.

Today, the 52-room castle stands in its grandeur

and plays host to numerous tourists and even

wedding parties.

There is no doubt that a trip to Nakuru County will

be deeply rewarding in all respects, whether you’re

a birdwatcher, a nature lover, a rock climber, a cyclist,

a horse rider or just about anyone who wants an

exciting, educational and rewarding getaway.

Whether travelling alone, with friends and

family or with office colleagues, Nakuru County

beckons. Why not come and visit?

28 SAroVA SPoTLIGHT

Mombasa’s

Old Town has a special charm

OuRHeritage: MOMBASA Old TOWN

The Kenyan coast is rich in historical and archaeological sites that bear witness to the formative centuries of

swahili culture. Across the coastal strip there are remnants of mosques and other buildings that show the various styles of Islamic archi-tecture using lime, coral stone and timber.

like other medieval Swahili city states on the east

coast, Mombasa retains some remnants of its

ancient past. A stone’s throw from the majestic

fort Jesus is Mombasa’s Old Town.

CulTuRAl

While the Old Town lacks the medieval charm

of lamu or Zanzibar, it still offers a rich cultural

and historical outing that will transport the visitor

several centuries back. The houses in the Old

Town are characteristic of the ancient coastal

Swahili architecture, which was heavily influ-

enced by the Omani Arabs. It consists of ornately

carved doors and window frames and fretwork

balconies that were designed to protect the

modesty of female inhabitants.

In tandem with Muslim-influenced architecture,

the Old Town has traces of its Indian and British

colonial past. Many houses in the Old Town are

modelled on ancient Swahili designs in which the

defining feature was the intricately carved designs

on their doors.

Today, you will f ind some of these designs on the

furniture of upmarket hotels in Mombasa, Malindi

and lamu. A walk through the Old Town will

reward the visitor with some fascinating insights

29SAroVA SPoTLIGHT

into the traditional Swahili culture as well as clear

signs of the Muslim influence on the town and its

inhabitants.

The only downside to this is that many of the

ancient houses are starting to disappear. Many

are literally falling apart through years of neglect,

while others have been modernised. All is not

lost, however. There is now a preservation order

on the remaining doors, balconies and houses in

order to help preserve this historical heritage.

The National Museums of Kenya organisation

has been working closely with the Mombasa

Old Town Conservation Society to preserve and

restore this ancient city state.

vIbRANT

The best times to tour this part of the city are

early morning and late afternoon when the streets

are more vibrant and colourful and the sun is less

harsh and draining than at midday. The narrow

winding streets lead into residential quarters away

from the bustle of the modern metropolis with

its skyscrapers. A tour of the Old Town takes

between 30 minutes and an hour depending on

how many stops you make along the way.

In addition to the Old Town and the fort Jesus

Museum and historical site, Mombasa contains

many more interesting sites and monuments.

They include fort St Joseph, the Mbaraki Pillar,

the Mazrui Cemetery, the ruins at Allidina

visram School and other minor remains of great

interest to tourists.

hOuSES ChARACTERISTIC

Of ThE ANCIENT COASTAl

SWAhIlI ARChITECTuRE

30 SAroVA SPoTLIGHT

MAN WhO hAS MOvEd KENYANS TO ShOW MORE

care and compassion

31SAroVA SPoTLIGHT

At the headquarters of one of Kenya’s most active aid organisations, sarova spotlight Contributing Editor denis

Gathanju met the man who has changed the humanitarian landscape of the country. He is Abbas Gullet, secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross society (KRCs).

Whenever and wherever there is a crisis, the staff

and volunteers of the KRCS are at the forefront.

But even amid such dedication to the relief of

human suffering, Abbas Gullet stands out. Born

52 years ago in a small town in Garissa County,

he is driven by a quest to bring hope to those

who face disaster.

“We are the first ones in and the last ones

out whenever there is a natural or man-made

calamity,” he says. “The Kenya Red Cross is today

not only the best-known humanitarian organisa-

tion, but the most dedicated to helping alleviate

human suffering in Kenya. We work tirelessly

icons: ABBAS GullET

to see that our people are able to cope with

whatever disaster they are faced with.”

CAll To ACTIoN

Abbas Gullet and the wider KRCS are well

known for calling Kenyans from all walks of life

into action during the famine situation in 2011.

They helped bring together corporate giants and

persuaded Kenyans to donate selflessly to the

famine-stricken communities of northern Kenya

under the Kenyans4Kenya initiative.

Abbas opened our eyes to what was happening

right in front of us.

Orphaned at a young age, Abbas Gullet grew up

in Mombasa, where his adopted family lived.

“I was adopted at a very tender age and I never

lacked or missed anything in my life while growing

up – maybe my biological parents, but nothing

else. I grew up a happy child and I was loved by

my adopted parents as if I was their own,” he says.

“And for that I am most grateful to God Almighty.

“The ethnic background of my adopted parents

was different from mine, but they loved me as

if I was their own,” he says. “This is what that

made me harbour great respect for human life

and dignity. It made me tolerant of other people

who were culturally and ethnically different.”

Abbas first came into contact with the Kenya Red

Cross while a high school pupil in 1973 when he

participated in the President’s Award Scheme.

icons: ABBAS GullET

32 SAroVA SPoTLIGHT

As part of this scheme, he was required to learn

volunteer skills such as basic first aid – and this

actuated his volunteering spirit.

voluNTEEREd

he volunteered to work with the Kenya Red

Cross in Mombasa every evening and at

weekends between 1973 and 1975. This led to

many training opportunities and the chance to

travel extensively.

'ThIS IS A GREAT COuNTRY ANd CAN BE

EvEN GREATER, BuT WE NEEd TO hAvE

TOlERANCE fOR EACh OThER'

fired with the volunteering spirit, the young

Abbas devoted his spare time to visiting the

sick and weak in hospitals across Mombasa. he

worked with community-based organisations in

the city on many programmes.

fulfIlmENT

“This was a critical time for me because it opened

up my eyes and I was able to better appreciate

human life and share the little that I had with the

less fortunate in the society. When I devoted my

time, I felt a new level of achievement and fulf il-

ment. I was happy helping others.”

And so, for a man who has witnessed human

suffering at its worst, what has been the most

moving incident in your life, I ask.

“Well, there have been numerous incidents,” he

says. “I will forever remember the post-election

violence in Kenya since it was unlike anything I had

ever witnessed in Kenya in my life. In the region,

the events that happened in western Tanzania after

the genocide in Rwanda are etched in my mind.

This was when the Tanzanian government force-

fully sent back the more than 700,000 Rwandese

refugees across the border into Rwanda.

“I will never forget the utter hopelessness I saw in

the faces of the many men, women and children

who were being sent back home by gun-toting

military personnel, knowing all too well that

they would be ‘welcomed’ across the border by

armed militia that was hell-bent on killing them.

It was a sad moment for me and all the humani-

tarian personnel that witnessed this.”

33SAroVA SPoTLIGHT

' I WAS AdOPTEd AT

A vERY TENdER AGE

ANd I NEvER lACKEd

ANYThING IN MY lIfE'

Abbas Gullet is credited with reviving the once

run-down organisation. he came in when the

KRCS had lost credibility with the Kenyan people

and the donor community. Moreover, the organ-

isation was up to its neck in debt.

After working for the International federation

of the Red Cross in Geneva, he was concerned

about what was happening back home and

offered his services to the KRCS. Employing

near-military precision and discipline, Abbas

has succeeded in transforming the organisation,

which has gone from a uS$500,000 debt to a

surplus of uS$50 million in just over 10 years.

“Today, the Kenya Red Cross is one of the most

respected humanitarian organisations in Kenya

and around the world,” he says proudly. “The

Kenya Red Cross is tops in Africa in terms of

good governance, management of resources,

credibility and a positive image.

“But I did not do this alone, I pay tribute to all

the men and women who have served and

continue to serve the organisation selflessly. I am

very proud of the entire team that we have here.

These are men and women who have dedicated

their lives to help the less fortunate in society.

They are the kind of people who would lay down

their lives for the sake of another.”

Today, he says, the KRCS has an 800-strong

workforce and more than 70,000 volunteers

across the country, and has, in that respect,

continued to play a critical humanitarian role in

the interest of the Kenyan people.

fAmIly mAN

As a busy man, only a phone call away from

responding to a disaster, Abbas values the time

he spends with his family. he is married with four

children, two boys and two girls.

“I am forever grateful that I have such a loving and

understanding family,” he says. “They give me all

the support they can and I am very proud of them.”

An ardent sports fan, Abbas tells me he loves

watching almost all sports. But with football being

one of the best followed sports across the world,

he could not hesitate to inform me that he loves and

supports Arsenal football Club of london. Being a

die-hard Manchester united fan myself, I fail miser-

ably to convert him to join the winning team.

“I follow Arsenal, not because of the titles they win,

but because of the attractive soccer they play,” he

says with a big grin on his face.

however, I feel that I have to ask him one last

question. This being an election year, why can he

not run for President?

My question is met with a deep laughter. he is flat-

tered, I can tell.

“I believe that you can achieve more and make an

impact in people’s lives without being a politician.

What I am doing here is public service and I am

helping transform the lives of many Kenyans out

there through my work. No thanks,” he sums it up.

34 SAroVA SPoTLIGHT

' I AM fOREvER GRATEful

ThAT I hAvE SuCh A

lOvING ANd

uNdERSTANdING fAMIlY'

icons: ABBAS GullET

easter comes as a well deserved break after a busy fi rst quarter of the year. At Sarova hotels, resort & game lodges,

the easter holiday is a family affair. it’s a time for your family to meet our family and savour the delights we have prepared to complement this long-awaited season. from our signature Best of Kenya culinary offers to a wide array of cultural and contemporary entertainment, we have left nothing to chance in ensuring a memorable stay for you and your loved ones.

what’s more, in keeping with tradition, our easter

egg hunt will provide fun for the whole family.

eASter in the city

a quiet city in the sun is what nairobi will be this

easter – the perfect setting for a well deserved

city break at one of the two sarova hotels: sarova

stanley and sarova Panafric.

experience a traditional easter in nairobi’s

heritage hotel, sarova stanley, taking you back to

the edwardian era but with trappings of modern

luxury. The hotel offers a selection of dining

options; from the legendary Thorn Tree restau-

rant to the Thai chi restaurant.

you can enjoy easter with a neo african touch

at sarova Panafric, where drumbeats and the

strumming of strings will serenade your party as

you savour our chef’s creative delights.

eASter By the BeAch

at sarova whitesands beach resort & spa the

fun never ends. This easter, bring along your

friends and family for a memorable break at east

africa’s most fun-filled venue. you can enjoy the

culinary mastery of our talented chef and have a

great time with the whole family, courtesy of the

fun a animation team. meanwhile, we also have

the clues to an exciting easter egg hunt.

To crown your easter break, why not relax and

rejuvenate at our Tulia spa, where the signature

Tulia treatment is simply heavenly.

eASter At SArovA gAme loDgeS AnD cAmP

Thinking of taking a classic safari? easter is a

perfect time to explore the wild and unique

surroundings of sarova game lodges and camp.

brace yourself for a range of unique adventures,

from getting to know exotic communities, their

35SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

EASTER AT SAROVA

culture and their co-existence with the wild,

to splendid wilderness safaris. you can sample

our renowned cuisine, whether in the wild

masai mara, in the heart of Kenya’s ‘born free’

country, by the banks of the crocodile-infested

uaso nyiro river or in the land of maneless

lions at Taita wildlife sanctuary. each of our game

lodges and camps provides the perfect backdrop

for an exciting easter for you and your family.

enjoy special treats ranging from legendary game

drives to energetic cultural dances – or just relax

by the swimming pool with a tall cocktail. be

sure to take part in the easter egg hunt with a

safari touch.

tree PlAnting

during your stay at any of the sarova game

lodges and camps, you will have a chance to plant

a commemorative tree and thus help to conserve

our environmental heritage. To enjoy all these,

contact our central reservations office or book

and pay online at:

www.sarovahotels.com

EASTER BRingS A RAngE OF BLESSingS AT SAROVA

36 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

The great ocean to the east, the great lake to the west, the great desert to the north and the great mountain to the south: these are the physical boundaries that mark the great nation in the middle, Kenya.

Kenya is known for its wonderful landscapes. It is a land teeming with wildlife like no other nation on earth and, most of all, a land of contrasting peoples and cultures.

A culturAl homogeneity? PeoPle from The norTh borrow culTural TradITIons from each oTher

Sarova Spotlight contributing editor Denis gathanju has been writing the People & Places column with a view

to demystifying these unique and fascinating cultures. in this edition, Denis goes north to investigate how cultural diversity has influ-enced the way people live and relate to each other. Although they speak different dialects and come from various tribal groups – cushites, river lake nilotes, Plain nilotes and Bantus – these communities have much in common.

The northern frontier district, which starts

from the future resort city of Isiolo, is one of the

least explored regions of our country. while the

area has little in the way of historical heritage,

it has one of the largest diversities of wildlife in

the country.

37SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

In addition, this large region contains a wide

range of communities that are rich in culture and

tradition. while most of these communities are

nomadic, others, such as the meru, are agrarian.

They have managed to co-exist for many years

and share limited natural resources such as water

and pasture.

To many of these communities, the town of

Isiolo, with its wide range of services, is a natural

meeting point.

for instance, the trading outpost will soon help

transform the livelihoods of the meru people,

who live on the slopes of mount Kenya and to

the east of Isiolo town.

The Kenyan government is in the process of

establishing a resort city in Isiolo. This city will

PEOPLE&PLACES

be at the crossroads of two major trading routes

which the government is seeking to open up

to enhance commerce with its northern

neighbour, ethiopia, and the new republic of

southern sudan.

for the meru community, that will go a long

way towards enhancing exports of the miraa

(khat) which they produce from their farms. The

Kenyan government is building an international

airport in Isiolo town.

culture of the meru

The meru community live in the upper mid

eastern region of the country, north of mount

Kenya, in a rich agricultural region.

PEOPLE&PLACES

38 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

merians (meru people) are a bantu-speaking

group who are mainly agrarian and keep some

domestic livestock. The word meru is used to

refer to the people as well as their location, since

the main trading and commercial capital of the

meru people is called meru.

The meru have a detailed yet confusing and

intriguing history and mythology. legend has it that

the meru were once enslaved by the ‘red people’.

however, they managed to escape from their

masters and, in their exodus, came across a large

water body that they called mbwaa. legend has it

that they managed to cross these waters magically.

once across the water, they followed a route

that took them to the hills of marsabit. They

continued their travels further down and eventu-

ally reaching the Indian ocean. They stayed there

for a while but, owing to the poor climatic condi-

tions and constant threats from the arabs, the

community was forced to travel inland through

the Tana river basin until they finally reached

the mount Kenya area, where they settled and

remain to this day.

PASSAge into ADulthooD

as in most african cultures, male and female

circumcision is an important rite of passage into

adulthood for the meru. however, it must be

noted that this rite of passage was embraced by

the meru only after they had settled into their

current location, perhaps owing to the influence

of other neighbouring communities such as the

Kikuyu to the south, the Turkana, the samburu

and the borana to the north.

nonetheless, male and female circumcision has

since been deeply engrained in the meru culture

and has become a mandatory path to adulthood.

circumcision was preceded by two prepara-

tory ceremonies, namely, the igiita ria kugerua

matu (the ritual for marking the spots where ear

merus are a banTu-

sPeaKIng grouP and

are maInly agrarIan

and KeeP some

domesTIc lIvesTocK

The meru have a somewhaT

deTaIled, yeT confusIng

and InTrIguIng hIsTory

and myThology

perforation would be performed) and the igiita

ria guturwa matu (the ritual of the actual ear

perforation). after these rituals came the actual

circumcision, following the same customs as

performed by the Kikuyus.

council of elDerS

apart from circumcision, the age-set system

among the meru, which is known as mwerega,

was heavily influenced by its neighbours, mainly

the borana, the Turkana and the samburu. under

the system, young circumcised boys and girls would

enter a particular age group, dictated largely by the

actual time or season they were circumcised.

The meru council of elders, known as the njuuri

ncheke, is perhaps the most august institution

among the meru people. The decisions made

by the njuuri ncheke were largely binding. The

council of elders mainly ruled and continue to

rule on matters that touch on the meru culture.

colourful SAmBuru

The samburu, to the north-west of the meru

community, are a community that has influenced

meru culture in one way or another.

The samburu were given this name by their

neighbours because of their colourful traditional

garb. The name samburu means ‘butterflies’.

before they acquired this name, the samburu

were known as the loikop. like their maasai

39SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

cousins, the samburu have an intricate and fasci-

nating culture. however, the samburu have a

deeper appreciation of beauty and this is shown

by the amount of attention and detail they

put into physical appearance and personal

adornment.

This delicacy and beauty is in deceptive contrast

to their fearsome reputation for hunting and

fighting prowess. warriorhood and initiation

are the backbone of the samburu community.

age-sets of youths initiated together maintain

lifelong bonds. The meru community has

borrowed this age-set system from the samburu.

The samburu pass cultural traditions from one

age-set to the next through a custom known

as olpiroi (f ire stick). Thus a fire stick is liter-

ally handed down through the ages, setting up a

system of age hierarchy and respect for tradition

that bolsters the whole society.

intermArriAge

and, just like the meru people who have

borrowed some cultural attributes, the samburu

have borrowed cultural practices from the

rendille, a community that lives further north.

most recently, the samburu have taken to

keeping camels. over the years, the samburu

have formed a close relationship with the Turkana

and the rendille communities from the north.

however, one of the common denominators

that have successfully brought these communi-

ties closer together has been intermarriage. The

PEOPLE&PLACES

40 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

samburu people, for instance, have always advo-

cated marrying people outside their clans and

even from other communities. They do not mind

marrying people from different communities

such as those of the Turkana, rendille, borana

and maasai.

communitieS

such marriages are not treated as special by the

respective communities. for the Turkana, for

instance, if one of their girls is being married off to

a person from a different community, then they

(the community of the man) would have to follow

the dowry negotiations and marriage customs of

the Turkana people. This stance is adopted by all

the communities, including the samburu, borana

and meru.

41SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

The samburu were gIven ThIs

name by TheIr neIghbours

because of TheIr colourful

TradITIonal garb

42 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

THE FACES OF SAROVARashid dzombo mwadzombo

RESidEnT ARTiST, SAROVA WHiTESAndS BEACH RESORT & SpA

he dropped out of school for lack of school fees, but armed with a deep determination and a positive

outlook on life, he has managed to overcome the odds and a poor background to stand tall.

Today, his works evoke a sense of awe and

amazement at the same time. he has achieved

this through sheer hard work and a strong sense

of self-belief. This soft-spoken fellow is humble

and, when you couple that to the high team spirit

he has in him, you have a winner.

meet rashid dzombo mwadzombo. while not

many people have had the pleasure of meeting

this ever-smiling young man, many have been

impressed by his work. Take a walk at the sarova

whitesands beach resort & spa and you will see

many examples of his work.

rashid and his team are the brains behind these

inspiring works, from the well decorated ozone

Kids club hall on top of the pavilions to the

awesome giant works that are displayed at the

entrance of this beach resort.

If you are attending a business conference at the

sarova whitesands beach resort & spa and you

notice the giant conference logo of your company

and other insignia strategically positioned in the

conference hall, you can be sure that rashid is the

man behind that creation.

rashid’s story is one of hard work, determina-

tion and a passion to excel in his field. The young

rashid did not let his lack of completing school tie

him down. Instead, he decided to acquire technical

skills as a motor vehicle mechanic in mombasa. It

was while he was working in a garage that he acci-

dentally discovered his hidden talent. The young lad

would chew on coconut sticks which turned into a

brush and he did some signwriting.

PAinting

soon, he started making money from his sign-

writing as the owners and drivers of matatus – the

local minibuses – kept asking him to paint designs

on their vehicles to make them attractive. having

discovered a trade thanks to his hidden talent,

rashid decided that the sky was his limit and he

never looked back.

“my big break came when I did a painting at the

sarova whitesands beach resort & spa staff

canteen,” says rashid. “a friend of mine who had

been working at the hotel asked me to work on

the painting. The painting was loved by everyone

and soon I started getting small jobs from sarova

and other hotels at the coast.”

with time, rashid was able to buy professional

brushes that allowed him to do the job with more

precision and achieve better results.

In order to improve his skills and ensure he was

at the top of his game, rashid enrolled for a tech-

nical course in signwriting at the christian Industrial

Training centre in 2003. he also did a course in 2005

at the mombasa Industrial Training college, where he

sat for his Trade Test III in Painting and decoration.

“I started working with sarova soon after I did the

staff canteen painting in 1998,” says rashid. “first

I worked with sarova whitesands beach resort &

spa as a casual before I was given a work contract

with sarova in 2002. however, the work here

continued to increase and I became a full-time

employee in 2007.”

Today, rashid heads the creation team at sarova

whitesands. he has learned a lot from the whole

team at sarova whitesands and this has improved

his interpersonal skills both as an individual and as

a professional.

“one of my proudest moments was when I did a

portrait of a repeat guest at sarova whitesands,”

he says. “I never knew that someone would be

moved to tears by a painting I had created. but

the most important thing was that I had made

someone feel appreciated through my works.”

rashid is married with two boys, aged 14 and four,

and says he is proud to be part of the sarova family.

FACES OF SAROVA

rashId and hIs Team

are The braIns behInd

These InsPIrIng worKs

43SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

‘I never Knew ThaT someone

would be moved To Tears by

a PaInTIng I had creaTed’

44 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

THE FACES OF SAROVAJane mbaya

ASSiSTAnT EnginEER AT SAROVA pAnAFRiC

i am Jane mbaya, the unit assistant engineer at Sarova Panafric hotel. i was very articulate and loved debate when i was

young and my parents encouraged me to be a lawyer. But, in actual fact, i did not know what i wanted to become.

This changed one school holiday while I was

upcountry. I had pretty nothing much to do and I

just wanted to keep myself busy. It was then that

I noticed a spoilt radio in the house. out of sheer

curiosity, I opened it up and investigated.

curiouS

I knew nothing about radios and how they

operated and I was curious to see if I could

make it work. It was all purely trial and error. of

course, my father wasn’t happy about this, but he

said nothing. after struggling with the radio for a

while, I was able to make it work.

The excitement that came with this achieve-

ment was immense for me. and I would say that

that opened a new door in my life that no-one

could shut. my next encounter with things tech-

nical also happened at our rural home when

we were installing a solar lighting system. I was

so engrossed in what the solar engineers were

doing and I followed all the wiring and connec-

tions that they did. and it was then that I realised

that I had a liking for making things work and I

thought to myself, why not be an engineer?

Degree

The thought fascinated me so much that I shared

it with my parents. They did not discourage me,

but I remember my dad asking me to take time

and think it through.

but I already had made up my mind when I

was called to moi university to do my degree

programme in production and mechanical

engineering. The programme was tough and

challenging, but I enjoyed it all along.

I joined sarova hotels almost immediately after I

graduated and, admittedly, I was thrust right into

the deep end. however, the favourable work

environment that I encountered here helped me

a great deal.

overhAul

sarova Panafric was in the process of undergoing

a major refurbishment programme that would

overhaul the lobby and some of the rooms. I

had to oversee this, and when you throw into

the works a new administration block that was

simultaneously being erected at the head office,

you have at your hands a huge challenge. and to

cap it all, I was eight months pregnant. The entire

process was energy-sapping as it involved a lot of

walking around to supervise the works.

but the joy of it all is that I managed to pull it

through and I delivered my first baby a month

after the completion of the refurbishment of

the lobby.

FACES OF SAROVA

‘afTer sTrugglIng wITh

The radIo for a whIle, I

was able To maKe IT worK.

The excITemenT was

Immense’

It is often said that machines and women never mix. But one determined lady was willing to go the extra mile and prove the critics wrong. The funny thing is, she had no clue in the world that she wanted to be an engineer

‘I joIned sarova hoTels

almosT ImmedIaTely

afTer I graduaTed and

I was ThrusT rIghT

InTo The deeP end’

45SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

I have come across. for these children, going to

school is fun and affords them a better chance to

achieve a bright future in spite of hardship.

It was not always so rosy for the youngsters,

however. just a few years ago, learning was not

much fun at this outpost. a few years ago, the big

tree that stands in the middle of the compound

was the main classroom for the young minds.

here, they were at the mercy of the elements.

The scorching sun would make it almost unbear-

able, the strong morning and afternoon winds

would blow away their books, and the occasional

rains would make the bare ground, where they

sat and wrote, muddy and uncomfortable.

PuPils enjoy a normal

school lifethanks to well-wishers

46 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

givingBack

education, it is often said, is the key to a better and brighter future. this could not be truer than in a fast-paced world

that has been changing by the day, thanks to the advancement of technology.

In a remote corner of Isiolo county, on the

western edge of the shaba game reserve, the

midday sun seems to roast everything in the

open. a cloud of dust swirls through the dry, open

rangelands. The peace and quiet is interrupted by

the noisy cheers of young minds at work.

This is daaba Primary school, a remote institu-

tion in the middle of nowhere. however, the

pupils are as enthusiastic about learning as any

Children at Daaba Primary School play football in the school’s dusty playground

47SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

fast forward to today, and the children at this

school can boast of superior classrooms that

have been provided through donations from

well-wishers.

some of these well-wishers include the staff of

sarova shaba game lodge, who have gener-

ously contributed to the building of two new

classrooms. furthermore, the staff have donated

desks for the children, and this has gone a long

way towards enhancing education standards at

the institution.

charles lokosio, the head teacher at daaba

Primary school, says the institution has made

giant strides from what it was just f ive years ago.

“we are most grateful to the sarova shaba game

lodge for facilitating the construction of this

new block of classrooms in our school,” he says.

“Their support means a lot for us as a school and

community and we will remain forever grateful

for their continued support.

“five years ago, we did not have a single class-

room, our students attended their classes under

the cover of trees and learning was very diff icult,

very unpleasant. sarova hotels and other well-

wishers are helping change and shape the future

of these young children though the construction

of these classrooms and donation of books.”

with the completion of these two new class-

rooms, the school now has permanent

classrooms for all the children from class 1 to

class 8.

SolAr-PowereD

adding further to their fortunes, sarova shaba

game lodge has teamed with nobility Inter-

national to provide a new solar water pumping

system at a borehole located only a stone’s

throw from the school.

“This means that the school and the entire

community can now gain access to clean and

safe drinking water and most of the kids can now

devote more time to their studies,” says charles.

before that, he says, the youngsters would break

from school early to fetch water from an open

48 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

borehole. This proved a dangerous undertaking

because the wells are deep.

“we lost a six-year-old girl in 2009 when she fell

into one of the open wells while trying to draw

water from the well,” says charles. “another boy

was serious injured when he fell into another well

while fetching water. The new solar-powered

water pumping system comes as a relief to the

school and the entire community at daaba.”

with this new development, charles hopes the

school will one day benefit from a solar lighting

system that will enable it to hold evening classes.

“we currently have only four teachers, including

myself, catering for about 228 children from class

one to eight,” he says. “with the installation of

a solar lighting system at the school, we would

be in a better position to have evening classes

so that we can teach in shifts. and since this is

the only school within this area, we expect to

have a larger number of children enrolling at the

school.”

for now, however, the sky’s the limit for these

children because they can have their lessons in a

better, cleaner and more secure environment –

thanks to sarova shaba game lodge and other

well-wishers.

givingBack

49SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

‘The new solar-

Powered waTer

PumPIng sysTem

comes as a relIef

To The school

and To The enTIre

communITy’

50 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

51SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

MenenGAI CRATeR

COULD THIS BE

THE DEVIL'S MOUNTAIN?Menengai cRaTeR insPiRes aWe and adMiRaTiOn in eQUal MeasURe

52 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

To some, this is the most beautiful landscape on earth; to others, it is a place occasionally visited by the gods,

and where prayers are quickly answered. To other people, however, these ‘mountains’ are shrouded in mystery and provide a place for demons to roam freely.

Whatever your views or beliefs, one thing is certain:

the Menengai Crater is breathtakingly beautiful. But if

you put its sheer beauty aside and question the local

people about the mysteries that surround the crater,

you may be surprised by the responses you get.

The devil’s kiTchen?

I recall on two occasions, while still in primary

school, when I overheard one of our Swahili

teachers mention that this crater was full of evil

spirits. He said that every time he had gone to the

crater, there were spots down there that were

always emitting smoke, even on rainy days.

“That is the devil’s kitchen,” a frightened me

would say. And to be honest, the mere thought

of superhuman creatures and ghosts roaming the

very grounds I stood on would scare the living

daylights out of me.

FOlklORe

According to the local people, these theories are

true. For them, this is not a holy place. They speak

of various unexplained and often incomprehensible

occurrences to justify their claims.

Other people, say the locals, have come to

explore the crater, but have become confused

while looking around and have got lost for hours

before finally resurfacing, without having any clue

about what transpired during their disappear-

ance. Their memory is hazy. This unexplained

confusion, say the locals, is the work of the devil

and the evil spirits that roam the crater.

Other mystery theories put forward by the locals

including sightings of the devil riding a motor-

cycle in the early morning and evening. There is

also the widespread allegation of an unexplained

‘f lying umbrella’ which, according to the locals,

appears across the crater whenever it rains.

They say the umbrella belongs to the devil as he

shelters himself from the pouring rain.

It is such legends and mysterious stories that

have earned the crater the title ‘Kirima kia ngoma’,

meaning ‘the mountain of the devils’. It is said that in

the late 1950s and early 1960s ghosts used to farm

on a fertile strip of land on the floor of the crater.

viOlenT baTTles

Mysteries aside, historians say the area around

the crater was a scene of violent battles between

the Laikipia Maasai, who did not recognise the

authority of the Laibon, the spiritual leader of

the Maasai, and the Ilpurko Maasai. In one of the

defining battles, the Laikipia Maasai morans are

said to have been thrown into the caldera by the

Ilpurko Maasai morans.

THe THOugHT OF SuperHuMAn CreATureS

And gHOSTS rOAMIng THe grOundS WOuLd

SCAre THe LIvIng dAyLIgHTS OuT OF Me

53SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

MenenGAI CRATeR

The Menengai Crater is described as a collapse

caldera, which means it was formed as a result of

volcanic eruption. Little research or available data

is available about the crater, but it is believed to

have been formed over 3 million years ago and to

have first erupted about 20,000 years ago. The

last eruption is said to have occurred about 1,400

years ago.

vOlcanic

geologists regard a collapse crater as an important

volcanic structure because it has a huge geothermal

potential and could have rich mineral deposits.

even though it is classified as a dormant volcano,

the crater has signs of deep volcanic activity. The

Kenya electricity generating Company (Kengen)

has identified new geothermal wells to generate

power, while new wells are constantly being

explored.

The main viewpoint at the peak of the crater gives

visitors an astonishing panorama of the caldera

and the rift valley. Lake Baringo lies north of the

crater and to the south is Lake nakuru. At the

peak, 2,300 metres above sea level, is a signpost

giving distances to world capitals such as new

york, London and new delhi.

While the crater is the subject of numerous

theories, it has a rich biodiversity that it supports

within the greater Menengai Forest ecosystem.

However, no comprehensive research has been

conducted on the resident flora and fauna within

and around the crater.

Among the animals found in and around the

Menengai Crater are rock and tree hyraxes, olive

baboons, black-faced vervet monkeys, reedbucks,

bush squirrels, tortoises, porcupines and dik diks.

It was this battle of the Maasai that gave the crater its

name. ‘Menengai’ is a Maasai word meaning ‘corpse’

in reference to the Maasai morans who died when

they were throw off the cliff into the crater. Histo-

rians believe this battle took place in 1854.

It is said that if you stand still by the rim of the

crater, you will hear the moaning spirits of the

dead Maasai cry out in the wind.

Mysteries aside, the Menengai Crater is a

wonderful place to explore. For many, hiking up

to the crater’s peak offers a unique opportunity of

seeing this gem in nakuru while at the same time

offering quality bonding time for families, friends

or workmates on a weekend getaway.

WORld’s secOnd-laRgesT cRaTeR

In geological circles, the Menengai Crater is the

world’s second-largest crater in size. It covers an

area of about 90 sq km – only 10 sq km less than

the world’s largest crater, the ngorongoro Crater

in northern Tanzania. The crater has a diameter

of about 12 km and a depth of 485 metres.

excursions to Menengai crater can be organised from sarova lion hill game lodge

cenTRal ReseRvaTiOns

Tel: +254 (0)20 276 7000; 271 4444 Fax: +254 (0)20 271 5566 email: centralreservations@sarovahotels.com

saROva sTanley, naiRObi

Tel: +254 (0)20 275 7000; 316 377 Fax: +254 (0)20 222 9388; 224 9757 email: thestanley@sarovahotels.com

saROva PanaFRic, naiRObi

Tel: +254 (0)20 271 4444; 272 0802 Fax: +254 (0)20 272 6356 email: panafric@sarovahotels.com

saROva WhiTesands beach ResORT & sPa, MOMbasa

Tel: +254 (0)41 212 8000 Fax: +254 (0)41 548 5652; 548 6536 email: reservation@sarovahotels.com

saROva liOn hill gaMe lOdge

Tel: +254 (0)51 852 288; 850 238 Fax: +254 (0)51 221 0836

saROva MaRa gaMe caMP

Tel: +254 (0)50 22 386; 22 194 Mobile: +254 (0)773 610 405 Fax: +254 (0)50 22 371

saROva shaba gaMe lOdge

Tel: +254 (0)64 32 030; 30 638 Mobile: +254 (0)728 603 590 Fax: +254 (0)20 271 5566

saROva TaiTa hills gaMe lOdge

Tel: +254 (0)43 30 540; 31 271 Mobile: +254 (0)728 608 765 Fax: +254 (0)43 30 007

saROva salT lick gaMe lOdge

Tel: +254 (0)43 30 270; 30 243 Fax: +254 (0)43 30 007

54 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

saROva lOyalTy PROgRaM - saROva ZaWadi

Tel: +254 (0)20 276 7440/276 7421 Fax: +254 (0)20 271 5566 email: sarovazawadi@sarovahotels.com

OveRseas geneRal sales agenTs

Usa

Kartagener Associates Inc 14 penn plaza, Suite 2223 new york, ny 10122 Toll Free: (800) 524-7979 Tel: 212 239 7979 Fax: 212 239 7479 e-mail: henry@kainyc.com Skype: Kai-nicole www.kainyc.com

Uk

dendy Walwyn Market places 12 pummery Square, poundbury dorchester, dorset dT1 3gW Tel: +44 (0)1305 751510 Fax: +44 (0)1305 751511 email: sales@marketplaces.co.uk

sOUTh aFRica

Anita vernes Southern Spoor Marketing pO Box 691 Witkoppen 2068 South Africa Tel: +27 (0)11 4695082/3 Fax: +27 (0)11 4695086 email: anita@southernspoor.co.za

geRMany, aUsTRia, sWiTZeRland

Harald Alber A T M S Stresemannstrasse 17 63477 Maintal germany Tel.: +49 6181 4244 229 Fax: +49 6181 4244 205 email: gh.alber@t-online.de

india

Ankush nijhawan nijahawan group of Companies e77, South extension new delhi 110 049 Tel: +91 11 4134 9448 email: ankush@nijhawangroup.org

SArOvA HOTeLS, reSOrT & gAMe LOdgeS IndeX

55SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

From the day in 1902 when it f irst opened its doors, Sarova Stanley, a f ive-star hotel in nairobi, has been making history by hosting royal safaris and a long line of living legends. The moment you pass through the century-old revolving doors, you enter another world. The heat and bustle of modern nairobi are left behind as you adjust to the cool victorian elegance of Sarova Stanley. The spacious foyer, with its patterned marble f loors, chesterfields, antique clocks and ancient photographs, will take you back in time.

Sarova Stanley is more than a hotel. It is the home of great events, wonderful memories, legendary characters and an enduring legacy. Indeed, the history of nairobi and Sarova Stanley Hotel are inextricably linked. As Kenya’s f irst luxury hotel, it has always occupied a special place in nairobi’s heart.

Kenya’s f irst locally brewed beer was served at the hotel’s long bar in 1923. ewart grogan, who walked from the Cape to Cairo to prove his love for a woman, slaked his considerable thirst here. So, too, did ernest Hemingway, denys Finch Hatton and edward, prince of Wales. At Sarova Stanley, the stars came out at night. Cinema legends such as Ava gardner, Clark gable and Stewart granger have all stayed here.

Today, Sarova Stanley has preserved its heritage character while offering modern hotel services and amenities to create nairobi’s most special city hotel experience. This is under-lined by the accolades that the hotel has continued to receive. They include Kenya’s Leading Hotel at World Travel Awards 2010 and 2011; Kenya’s Luxury Business Hotel at World Luxury Hotel Awards 2010 and 2011; and Kenya’s best City Hotel at Kenya Tourism Awards 2011.

aUThenTic

Sarova Stanley has 217 guest rooms on eight fl oors in various categories including Heritage Suites, executive Suites and Club rooms. dining facilities include the legendary Thorn Tree Café, the Thai Chi restaurant (voted the most authentic Thai restaurant in east Africa), the exchange Bar (former venue for nairobi’s fi rst stock exchange), the pool deck restaurant and 24-hour in-room dining. Business facilities include wireless internet, a fully equipped business centre, meeting rooms of various sizes and secretarial services. The heated pool on the fi fth fl oor adjoins a fully equipped health club with gym, steam, sauna and massage facilities. Sarova Stanley’s mini shopping arcade houses gift shops, a newspaper stand, a beauty salon, a bookshop, a boutique, a curio shop, a chemist’s, an optician’s,

LuXury HOTeL WITH A dASH OF edWArdIAn SpLendOur

56 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

a locksmith, an art gallery and car rental outlets. guests can ask for a historical tour of the hotel to view old photographs and heritage suites.

Sarova Stanley, part of Sarova Hotels, resort & game Lodges, is a member of the preferred Hotels group (pHg), a prestigious selection of privately owned and managed hotels worldwide.

accOMMOdaTiOn

sarova stanley has 217 individually air conditioned rooms on eight fl oors. They include:

1 Presidential suite

1 Penthouse

2 courier single beds

16 executive suites, 3 junior suites and 2 state suites

32 club rooms

160 deluxe rooms.

A nAMe InSpIred By KenyA’S MOveMenT FOr peACe And HArMOnyAs many nations across Africa achieved independence and the pan African Movement began to gain traction among African leaders at the time, it has to be remembered that one hotel, perched on a small hill overlooking nairobi, opened its doors and welcomed African leaders who were inspired by the dream of a harmonious continent.

Sarova panafric has lived up to its billing. Inspired by the pan African Movement, the Sarova panafric has remained true to its calling. Today, the hotel features a unique blend of colours and shades inspired by various African leaders and nations who embraced the movement. It was offi cially opened by the then Kenyan president, Jomo Kenyatta, in 1965 at the height of the pan African Movement, which was championed by African inde-pendence heroes such as the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya and the late Kwame nkrumah of ghana.

Towering above other hotels in the city, this four-star property benefi ts from a unique location in a quiet neighbourhood, only a short walk from central nairobi. This makes it ideal for leisure tourists stopping over on their way to or from the safari circuit. Its tranquil atmosphere is equally well suited to business travellers staying in nairobi who would like a quiet evening as they work from their hotel or relax in the evening after a hectic business schedule.

57SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

guests at Sarova panafric can now experience a redefi nition of refreshing African hospitality. The hotel has a brand-new entrance foyer, lobby and reception area, all themed in neo-African decor and tone. The comfortable and spacious lobby offers a pleasant working environment for business executives and other guests staying at the hotel. The lobby’s architectural theme is comple-mented by newly commissioned uniforms for all staff, designed as a blend of African prints and contemporary fashion trends. To further enhance the arrival experience for guests, the hotel has installed a state-of-the-art security feature and a new gatehouse that will ensure minimum inconvenience and a smooth fl ow of guest vehicles into the hotel.

Leisurely meals can be enjoyed at the warm and lively Flame Tree restaurant, once a watering hole for freedom fi ghters, spies and foreign correspondents and named after the fl ame tree that holds pride of place in the gardens.

cOnFeRence

Sarova panafric offers state-of-the-art banqueting and conferencing facilities with a range of meeting and function rooms equipped with the latest audio-visual and Wi-Fi equipment. To wind up the day, guests can take a dip in the pool or go for a leisurely massage – or simply enjoy a cool drink to the soothing sounds of Africa’s rhythm.

accOMMOdaTiOn

The sarova Panafric has newly refurbished rooms and suites with separate air conditioning in every room.

There are 164 spacious bedrooms, well spread on six storeys:

5 suites

13 club rooms

65 superior – 14 twin and 51 double

81 executive rooms

sarova Panafric also has fully serviced apartments including 30 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom apartments.

58 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

reLAX, yOu’re AT SArOvA WHITeSAndS BeACH reSOrT & SpAOne of the largest and most luxurious hotels on the Kenyan coast, with one of the longest beach fronts, is the popular Sarova Whitesands Beach resort & Spa, located in the popular north coast resort area, less than 20 km from Mombasa.

Sarova Whitesands Beach resort & Spa is the epitome of luxury on the Kenyan coast. As well as providing a host of deeply relaxing activities for leisure travellers, it caters for business trav-ellers during the day and helps them relax and unwind in the evening. The hotel has one of the most developed health spas on the Kenyan coast, guaranteeing the ultimate in relaxation for both leisure and business travellers.

The Sarova Whitesands Beach resort & Spa has created a unique niche for itself as a location for beach weddings, honeymoons and wedding receptions at the coast. Its long beach frontage, beautifully manicured green lawns, spacious ballroom and large pool play into the bigger picture of a truly successful wedding and honeymoon location.

This beach resort has some of the best conference facilities on the north coast and has hosted various high-level meetings and conferences. These have included an international conference by the Swedish-based cosmetic maker Orifl ame which brought

together more than 3,000 participants. The conference rooms include the Makutano, Fahari and Baraza halls, all of which are equipped with the latest audio visual equipment and LCd projec-tors. The resort has a wide range of restaurants and bars. These include the pavilion I and II restaurants, accommodating up to 680 people at a sitting. Buffet breakfasts, lunches and themed dinners are served here. The Minazi Café is open 24 hours a day and serves mouth-watering snacks and a children’s menu.

The Lido Seafood grill, overlooking the ocean, is the resort’s fi ne dining restaurant. With a capacity of up to 45 people, the restau-rant serves some of the fi nest seafood menus on Bamburi Beach and is open every day except Mondays. Cocos Beach Bar is a favourite with guests. This open-air bar is sandwiched between palm trees overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The Tulia Health Bar serves health meals, fresh juices and salads. The Tulia Spa, arguably one of the best health spas on the north coast, offers the leisure and business traveller a wide range of therapies to relax the mind, body and soul. Among the therapies on offer are Ayurvedic, Western and Oriental. Therapists can also tailor a spa experience to suit the individual needs of the guest or couple staying at the resort on their honeymoon.

accOMMOdaTiOn

sarova Whitesands beach Resort & spa is arguably one of the largest beach resorts on the kenyan coast. The resort has a total of 338 rooms, spread over three storeys, including:

2 Presidential suites

3 Rooms for the physically handicapped

6 executive suites

66 Palm rooms

128 seafront rooms

133 standard rooms.

all rooms have a complimentary coffee and tea making facility. They also have a private balcony opening to the sea or with a pool view.

59SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

eXperIenCe THe MIgrATIOn In THe MArA

As one of the seven wonders of the natural world, where the largest wildlife migration is recorded annually, the famous Masai Mara national reserve captures the imagination of every nature lover. Boasting a wildlife density and diversity like no other game reserve in Kenya, the Masai Mara is the epitome of a bush safari in Africa.

When you combine the true spirit of an African safari with the refreshingly African hospitality enjoyed at the Sarova Mara game Camp, you have a winner; because the Sarova Mara game Camp offers not only wild safari excitement, but also front-row seats to the greatest show of all – the wildebeest migration. And what a spectacle that is.

The camp is located deep inside the Masai Mara national reserve, about fi ve hours from nairobi by road and a short 40-minute hop by plane. The camp is set on an elevation surrounded by two streams and is uniquely laid out over the sprawling grounds, which include rolling, manicured greens, a virtual mini forest of indigenous shrubs and exotic trees, a large pond stocked with fi sh, a bird sanctuary and an authentic Maasai village adjoining the camp, all guaranteed to enhance the overall guest experience of

Africa. The biggest attraction, of course, is the wildebeest migra-tion, which takes place every year between August and October. The commotion that occurs as the wildebeest and large herds of zebra and gazelle cross the treacherous waters of the Mara river, to the delight of the hungry crocodiles in the earth-coloured waters, is an impressive experience, to say the least.

acTiviTies

The camp offers morning and afternoon safaris in the game reserve, where wild animals can be seen in their natural habitat. The camp has an excellent fl eet of safari vehicles and deeply knowledgeable guides.

The camp also provides delightful bush dinners, breakfasts and lunches at numerous spots across the game reserve. It is a preferred destination for bush weddings and honeymoons.

accOMMOdaTiOn

The camp has 20 club tents, 51 standard tents, two family tents, a main restaurant, a bar and many bush dining options. The free-form swimming pool has its own pool bar.

60 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

WATCH THe FLAMIngO dAnCe In nAKuru

Sitting on an isolated hill in the scenic Lake nakuru national park, the Sarova Lion Hill game Lodge offers the ultimate weekend and holiday getaway. Its location just a few kilometres from nakuru and about two hours’ drive from nairobi makes it an ideal family getaway location guaranteeing ultimate relaxation.

Thanks to its position, The Sarova Lion Hill game Lodge enjoys a spectacular view of the pink-ringed, alkaline waters of Lake nakuru. guests have an unobstructed view of the lake from the balconies of their chalets, arranged on four levels up the hill. The Sarova Lion Hill game Lodge is one of only two game lodges inside the Lake nakuru national park.

Lake nakuru national park is a birdwatchers’ paradise. The park is home to over 450 bird species and it is possible to spot up to 100 different bird species within one hour. Sarova Lion Hill game Lodge employs the services of david ole naso, a Maasai with deep knowledge of the resident and migratory birds within the park. david is a talented guide who takes guests on informa-tive nature walks around the lodge.

Lake nakuru national park is home to the world’s largest fl amingo population. The fl amingos come to feed on the lake’s algae-rich alkaline waters. every year, immediately after the long

rains, the famous mating dance, a well orchestrated routine conducted by the lesser fl amingos, is worth watching.

As well as a birding haven, Lake nakuru national park is a successful rhino breeding sanctuary with large numbers of endangered white and black rhinos. Owing to the park’s small size, it is easy to spot game.

acTiviTies

Sarova Lion Hill game Lodge organises a range of activities within the grounds of the lodge and in the park. These include:

• Cultural dances each evening round a bonfi re

• Morning and afternoon game drives

• Animation programmes for children

• Nature and birdwatching walks in the lodge grounds

• Tree planting programmes as part of conservation efforts by the property in collaboration with various agencies including the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)

• Bush weddings and honeymoons

• Bush breakfasts and off-site sundowner cocktails.

aMeniTies

• Two conference halls with overhead and LCD projector

• Flamingo Restaurant serving breakfasts, lunches and dinners

• Rift Valley Bar

• Massage tent overlooking the lake.

accOMMOdaTiOn

67 ground-fl oor chalets spread across four levels on the gently sloping lion hill.

46 superior rooms

18 deluxe rooms

3 suites

Sarova Salt Lick game Lodge, 7 km from the Sarova Taita Hills game Lodge, features a unique architectural design and style. The entire property is built above ground, yet it conforms to the traditional homesteads of the local Taita tribe who inhabit the region. The rondavels, built on stilts, are an imaginative repro-duction of the local ancestral abodes.

The lodge has 96 oval rooms, all overlooking a waterhole. prac-tically every day, this attracts a large array of wildlife, including elephants, especially in the evenings, when they come to drink water and lick the salt.

The underground tunnel at Sarova Salt Lick game reserve is a wonderful spot for viewing wild game such as elephants and buffalos that come to drink from the water pan near the lodge.

61SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

A unIQue deSIgn In A MAgICAL SeTTIng

The sanctuary has a large dam and small ponds where young crocodiles are bred. young hippos are to be introduced to the sanctuary, as well as rhinos.

As part of its conservation efforts, the property is keen to make local communities and guests more aware of conservation matters through an elaborate tree-planting programme within the sanctuary.

accOMMOdaTiOn

sarova salt lick game lodge has 96 rooms built over two fl oors.

55 Twin-bed rooms

41 double-bed rooms

62 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

geT CLOSer TO WILd gAMe In TAITA

Sarova Taita Hills game Lodge offers luxury accommodation and is the ultimate base from which to explore Africa’s largest game park. The creeper-covered stone buildings bring english country charm to the African plains and guests have the opportunity to enjoy fi rst-class service and facilities in an unforgettable setting.

This magnifi cent property offers a wide range of business and entertainment options, with two conference rooms capable of accommodating up to 100 participants.

sPaciOUs

The lodge has 62 rooms with two suites, a swimming pool, a spacious lobby, a boutique, a restaurant, meeting rooms and a conference hall and is located next to a well maintained air strip.

The Sarova Taita Hills game Lodge is located within the privately owned Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area consisting of 28,000 acres of semi-permeable terrain. This in turn forms part of the greater Tsavo ecosystem, which covers about 40,000 sq km.

The sanctuary is home to huge animal populations that include large herds of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and resident lions. In addition, the sanctuary is home to more than 350 bird species.

The sanctuary nestles in the lower zones of the surrounding Taita Hills. These form part of the eastern Arc Mountains range, which is recognised by the International union for the Conservation of nature (IuCn) and World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) as conservation area of global signifi cance. Moreover, the overall game viewing experience is enhanced, because the sanctuary is located within the wildlife migratory corridors that link Tsavo east and Tsavo West game reserves.

aMeniTies

• The lodge features a large restaurant and bar

• Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge has a large pool and two conference halls.

accOMMOdaTiOn

sarova Taita hills game lodge has 62 rooms spread over three storeys.

2 suites

20 Twin-bed rooms

31 double-bed rooms

9 Triple-bed rooms

63SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

eXperIenCe THe SAMBuru SpeCIAL FIve

accOMMOdaTiOn

There are 85 rooms spread over the one-storey chalets, with each block having four rooms. These include:

1 Presidential suite with a private lounge and Jacuzzi. Private breakfasts, lunches and dinners can be served here.

4 executive suites with private lounge

70 standard rooms – 40 twin, 15 double and 15 triple

10 deluxe rooms – 5 double and 5 twin.

On the banks of the ewaso nyiro river, in the northern frontier county of Isiolo, sits the jewel of the north – Sarova Shaba game Lodge – arguably Kenya’s best-kept secret. The lodge is located in the Shaba national reserve, about 8 km from the great north road that links Cape Town in the south with Cairo in the north via nairobi. Thanks to the newly constructed tarmac road from Isiolo to Moyale on the Kenya-ethiopia border, access to the lodge from nairobi is now easy.

It is in this location that guests can see and experience the Samburu Special Five. These include: gerenuk, Samburu ostrich, grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and Oryx.

A natural spring lies within the grounds of the lodge and waters trickle down in small streams and fountains under footbridges and along footpaths in front of the single-storey chalets lining the river frontage. The well manicured lawns and the doum palms around the chalets provide the guest with peace and tranquillity. This is Born Free World.

Sarova Shaba game Lodge is the only game lodge within Shaba national reserve. It stands on the picturesque banks of the ewaso nyiro river. guests can watch the crocodiles at night and early in the morning as they feed on the banks. The crocodiles can also be seen basking on the giant rocks that line the river.

Known as ‘The Lover’s nest’, the lodge has been synonymous with bush weddings and honeymoons, romantic bush dinners, breakfasts and lunches. There are many places where such romantic getaways can be arranged, including The Beach, a large, sand-covered dry river bed at the bottom of a cliff where sundowners and dinners are served. The Boma, within the grounds of the lodge, is a spot where themed dinners are served.

Morning and afternoon game drives from the lodge to Buffalo Springs & Shaba national reserve and Samburu national reserve can be organised. Because the lodge works closely with the local Samburu, Turkana and Borana communities, visits to their traditional homesteads and villages are also organised.

The lodge is also a wonderful team-building and conference venue for corporates. The Sarova Shaba Survivor challenge is a set of challenging activities that require individual and team spirit to complete successfully. It includes a range of activities such as mountaineering, rock climbing, clue solving and cook-outs at various venues including the magnifi cent Msilima gorges within the reserve. All this makes for a highly engaging team experience.

The lodge has a conference room accommodating up to 150 people. The room comes with audio-visual equipment and secretarial services are available.

Buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners are served at the Surpelei restaurant, a large, tree-level restaurant. A pool and a lounge bar are also provided.

MeThOd: Blend the garlic, ginger, onion, paprika,

salt and corn oil together to create a smooth paste.

put the mixture in a bowl.

place the whole chicken into an insert and add

the paste until the whole chicken is covered in it.

Leave the chicken covered in the paste overnight

in a refrigerator. This will ensure that it absorbs all

the flavours from the paste. remove the chicken

from the paste and braise in the oven at 180°C for

between 30 to 45 minutes.

64 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

Boil the potatoes and drain immediately. Mash them

to a smooth paste. To infuse the peanut flavour, add

the peanuts to the mixture and cook over a low

heat. Add salt to taste.

Serve the main dish with the cold herb salad on the side.

Bon appetit!

seRves: 4

ingRedienTsgarlic – 4 cloves

ginger – 2 pieces (grated)

Onion – 1 piece (whole)

Paprika – 1 tablespoon

salt – 1 tablespoon

corn oil – 400 ml

Thyme – 5 sprigs

herb salad

Rocket leaves (shredded)

chives – cut into 3 to 4 pieces

dill leaves

basil leaves

Peanut mash potato

Mashed potatoes – 6 medium-sized

ground peanuts – 100 ml

salt – a pinch

sauce

Thyme and ginger

WhOle Oven bRaised ThyMe and gingeRchicken WITH peAnuT MASH

pOTATO And HerB SALAd

WHAT’S COOkInG

http://www.sarovahotels.com/