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Our
close ties with Magical Kenya are becoming even
closer
by Jerry
W. Bird
Jambo! As we prepare for a celebration that starts
as early as this summer, with our magazine's first
Advance Edition (left), plus bookings for Fam Trips
and Tours to Kenya, before, during and following
the ATA Jubilee Congress in May 2005, we have many
friends to thank. A longtime ATA member who has
helped our cause over many of the thirty years is
Peter Muiruri (below) of Hotel and Adventure Travel
in Nairobi. Peter helped organize the Best of
Africa Tour that preceded ASTA's 2001 World
Congress in Las Vegas. At my suggestion they held
the launch in Vancouver, BC , Canada, where we live
most of the year. That's
when I had the opportunity of hosting the Ministry
of Tourism and an enthusiastic group of
 30
Kenya Safari operators. Our "Kenya Safari Night" at
Vancouver's Library Square, included a presentation
to Travel Agents, an audio visual show, Masai
Cultural Displays, prizes and a Safari Tour
Package. The Kenya High Commissioner from Ottawa
flew in the the occasion. The same format was
repeated in Seattle, Portland and Los
Angeles.
We're ready for an
encore, not only in Vancouver, but across Canada,
winding up at the 15th Salon International de
Voyage in Montreal this September. How about it?
Well this is the time to make up for it.
Kenya
Advance Edition (above) for ATA 30th Jubilee
Celebrations
Jubilee
Countdown starts in Summer 2004 and continues
through to the Congress in Nairobi, Kenya,
May 2005. Book early, as this issue will grow
in size and scope as we get closer to the Congress
date. Added distribution via national tourist
offices, airlines, airports and embassies.
(see
two for one offer).
Looking back. My
personal ties to Kenya go back even further, to my
debut in the advertising agency business. Myself
and other young people in the agency couldn't
understand why our production manager "Bwana" Bob
Johnson, always headed off to Nairobi once a year.
The palne fares alone must have cost a month's
salary or more. After all, it was a difficult
flight all the way from from Western Canada, and
the aircraft were much less comfortable than
today's jumbo jetliners. But what did we know; our
idea of a holiday in those days was a secluded
beach in Hawaii, a drive to Helena, Montana, or
down the coast to Disneyland. Perhaps a camping
trip on the Alaska or Yellowhead
Highway.
 Fast
Forward. It took my first visit to East Africa
as Africa Travel Magazine's editor in the 90s for
me to understand why our older, somewhat wiser
friend, was light years ahead of us in terms of a
real vacation experience. I can now share the
feeling of excitement that ignited Bob and the
Johnson family for a full twelve months. Then, as
always, he would once again board a jet at
Calgary's McCall Field, headed for the faraway
hills of Africa in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.
I am sure he spent some quality time on the Indian
Ocean coast as well. So, you ask, why did it take
me so long to catch on? When I did, my conversion
from onlooker to a dedicated East Africa booster
was literally overnight!.
Kenya's
Big "Four"
When people think of Kenya,
often times they thing of the Big Five - the top
prize game trophy's hunters used to go after on
safari; lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo.
But recently, Kenya has gaining fame for it's Big
"Four" from golfing enthusiasts around the world.
Surprising? Not really. Kenya has been growing its
golf community since the early 1900's, expanding
into locales that provide some of the most unique
golf experiences in the world. Kenya is host to
some of the best golf courses in Africa with
incredible scenery, live hazards (not to mention
sometimes dangerous) and some of the toughest
courses in Africa. We've chosen four of the top
courses in Kenya that shouldn't be missed while on
safari.
MUTHAIGA GOLF CLUB - 6676
yards - par 71
Muthaiga is easily known as
THE Championship Course in Kenya. Host to the
annual Kenya Open (European PGA), the course boasts
challenging holes, beautifully manicured greens and
incredible flowering bushes that line almost every
hole. With a spectacular course layout you are sure
to be caught off guard by the fast greens and the
many bunkers ready to gulp up your ball.
WINDSOR GOLF &
COUNTRY CLUB - 6751 yards - par 72
The Windsor is one of the
most prestigious golf resorts in Kenya. Built on
200 acres of lush Victorian-style landscape, the
club provides vacationers with excellent golfing
and spectacular scenery. The course itself provides
a gorgeous view of Mt. Kenya's snow capped peak;
and is bordered by a coffee plantation and
indigenous forest, which attracts hundreds of Sykes
monkeys. The course claims the longest hole in
Africa at 640 yards.
NYALI GOLF & COUNTRY
CLUB - 6510 yards - par 71
The winds of Nyali are said
to be the most treacherous hazard on the course.
Located on Kenya's coast (not directly on the
ocean), the winds off the Indian Ocean can cut
strokes off your game or add several, so be
prepared for a challenge. You will find it is worth
it, with the course's gently rolling hills
surrounded by the radiant Flame tree, it a course
not to be missed.
LIMURU COUNTRY CLUB -
6519 yards - par 71
Golfers rave about how
enjoyable golfing Limuru can be. The setting on tea
plantations is lush and relaxing. The course is set
at and elevation of 7000 feet, which provides for
fresh air and soft green carpets of turf. Stay out
of the sand traps; they are painfully
deep.
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