PEOPLE & PLACESMAASAI REMAIN TRUE TO THEIR CULTURE

ICONSDAVID RUDISHA

OUT&ABOUTCOUNCOURS D’ELEGANCE

MARCH 2011-JUNE 2011

DID GOD CREATE KENYA FOR LOVERS?

http://www.fidelitysecurityke.com

Jambo! It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our second edition of the Sarova Spotlight. We cherish your

immense support and encouragement on the inaugural issue and we now aspire to shine the spotlight on Destination Kenya.

As a brand icon in the regional hospitality industry,

the Sarova Group of Hotels continually seeks ways

to enrich the guest experience through enhanced

customer service and high quality products. With

this in mind, we open our doors to welcome you

to an all new Sarova that is continuously under-

going product improvement to ensure the highest

standards of service delivery and comfort for you

– our distinguished guest.

GIvInG BacK

One of the main objectives of Sarova Hotels’

Corporate Social Responsibilities is to support

the learning experience of students across the

country through various initiatives and partner-

ships. Sekenani Primary School is one of the

projects we support. The students will benefit

from the services of a team of teachers from the

UK who, through ETC (Educate the Children),

will volunteer three months of their time to teach

at the school. Sarova Mara Game Camp strongly

supports this initiative by offering complimentary

full board accommodation and transport to the

teachers for the entire duration of their stay.

Africana peaks in its inherent beauty and a genu-

inely heartfelt welcome in the gem that the Sarova

Panafric is transforming into. As we write, we are

putting the final touches on a brand new lobby

and front façade to which a renowned Kenyan

artist brings rustic, earthy, aesthetic African mural

art to tantalise the eye.

The Sarova Stanley; our 109 year old heritage

city hotel in the heart of Nairobi’s CBD will

boast a brand new porte-cochère that is set

for completion by end-March 2011. Our lodges

too, are continually in the search of the ultimate,

enriching safari experience.

The Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge in Lake Nakuru

National Park offers relaxing massage therapy at

its brand new Tulia Wellness tent. We are proud

to announce that the second tent at Sarova Mara

Game Camp – with its attendant luxurious thera-

pies – is now in place.

The Sarova Mara Game Camp proudly launched

its newly refurbished, spacious 185-cover restau-

rant in December last year. The Mara Isokon

restaurant offers a niche destination experience

1SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

FOREWORD

in its own right and is possibly the first of its kind

of restaurant - in a lodge setting – in Kenya. The

Isokon’s refurbishment brings the culinary safari

to a journey befitting the pride of Kenya’s most

famous game reserve. Isokon Restaurant’s refur-

bishment incorporates the highest standards of

hygiene, with temperature-controlled display

counters, covered food stations and an intelligent

German cooking system sans pareil.

Honeymoon anD WeDDInG experIence

Continuing the celebrations post-Christmas…

we raise a toast to the wedding season romance

that Cupid brings at this time of the year. We

highlight some truly Kenyan wedding experi-

ences; be they at the coast, upcountry or in the

city. As we share pointers from our 37 years’

experience, we show you why Kenya ranks so

highly among the world’s leading wedding and

honeymoon destinations.

Let Sarova take care of all your needs, to enable

you to spend quality time with your loved ones.

Our collection of hotels, lodges, camps and

resorts in the most exotic locales in the country,

await your cherished patronage.

On behalf of everybody at the Sarova Group of

Hotels, I wish to thank you for choosing to stay

with us.

Jaideep S. vohraManaging Director, Sarova Group of Hotels

WELCOME

ContentsSarova SpoTLIGHT // marcH 2011-June 2011

a publication of Sarova Hotels and designed by

LanD & marIne puBLIcaTIonS (Kenya) LTDSuite a6, 1st floor, ojijo plaza plums Lane, off ojijo road, parklands

po Box 2022, village market 00621, nairobi, Kenya

Tel: +254 (0)20 232 4343 cell: +254 (0)722 731 003

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

contributing editor: Denis Gathanju Sales & marketing manager: Sheila njiru Sales manager: minaywa Laboso

photo credits: Denis Gathanju

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.

©2011 Land & marine publications (Kenya) Ltd

4

3SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

CONTENTS

32 Sarova weddings Exchanging vows at Sarova

38 OUT&ABOUT Golden oldies grace Nairobi

42 GivingBack Community partnership provides

enhanced education for Sekenani children

46 BeyOndBorDerS Good food and a sparkling nightlife

50 ICOnS Run, Rudisha, Run

54 Sarova Hotels & Lodges Index

64 What’s cooking

10 news

12 easter holidays Easter is family time

14 Sarova colours New hotel uniforms inspired by nature and local culture

16 romantic getaways Love......makes the world go round

22 marriage on the rocks

26 Growing for love Say it with flowers

28 PeOPLe&PLACeS Maasai remain true to their culture

16 32 42

26

28

cover STory

4 DID GoD creaTe Kenya For LoverS?

4 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

The world will freeze on 29 april 2011 – not because of an extended winter, but because it will be bitten by the

love bug. on that day in spring, all eyes will be fixed on Westminster abbey in London, where prince William will be married to his fiancée, catherine, better known as Kate middleton.

And as the world marvels, it will be remembered

that this day exists because the love bug struck

thousands of miles away in the remote moun-

tains of central Kenya.

HIKInG For Love

It was on a hiking expedition in this picturesque

corner of the world that Prince William, second

5SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

LOVE mADE IN KENyA

in line to the British throne, proposed to Kate.

He had been carrying the late Princes Diana’s

engagement ring in his backpack for some

time, and the solitude of a mountain landscape

provided him with the perfect location to pop

the question. Now the news has spread to the

four corners of the earth and the whole world

can celebrate a royal love that blossomed in the

mountains of Kenya.

Kenya, THe romanTIc GeTaWay

The royal engagement has certainly turned the

spotlight on Kenya as one of the most romantic

getaways in the world, whether for an engage-

ment, a wedding or a honeymoon vacation.

Couples are spoilt for choice when it comes to

splendid locations. The list includes the jungles

Did God create

K e n yafor lovers?

6 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

of the Masai Mara, the wide-open spaces of

the Shaba National Reserve, the plains of the

Amboseli, the white sandy beaches of the coast,

and the breathtaking hills and peaks of Mount

Kenya, the Aberdares and Mount Elgon.

It is often said that when God was creating

heaven, he first created Kenya as a guide. This

begs the question – did God create Kenya for

lovers?

The royal engagement aside, many couples are

choosing Kenya for their romantic getaway. With

its wide diversity of locations, activities and things

to see and do, Kenya is probably the world’s top

destination for loving couples.

As the undisputed home of the African safari,

Kenya offers couples a unique chance to expe-

rience many of the natural wonders of the

continent in a relatively short time as well as

getting to know more about its cultural heritage.

This special vacation will be something they can

share and enjoy, thus strengthening the bond

between them.

FavourITe DeSTInaTIon

A favourite destination for loving couples is the

world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve,

which has played host to countless wedding cere-

monies as well as providing an exclusive location

for honeymoons. With its picture-perfect loca-

tions of wide-open grasslands, dotted with

wildlife, the Masai Mara is a perfect backdrop for

that romantic occasion. But the real crowd-puller

in the Masai Mara is the great annual migration

7SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

of wild animals involving huge numbers of wilde-

beest, gazelle and zebra in a trek across the Mara

River to the Serengeti Game Reserve.

The sights and sounds of this spectacular event

will provide a memorable backdrop when

couples exchange their wedding vows by the

river bank.

An attractive feature of this type of vacation is

the programme of entertainment provided in the

evenings by members of the local tribal commu-

nities. In the Masai Mara, a mock-up of a Maasai

wedding ceremony can be arranged. The same

is replicated in northern Kenya in the Samburu,

Buffalo Springs and Shaba National Game

Reserves, where the morans (warriors) perform

traditional Samburu wedding songs around a

bonfire. Dressed in tribal regalia, the couple take

LOVE mADE IN KENyA

IT IS OfTEN SAID THAT WHEN GOD

WAS CREATING HEAvEN, HE fIRST

CREATED KENyA AS A GUIDE

http://www.brookhouse.ac.ke

part in a traditional ceremony that is blessed by

the community elders. Traditional meat and beer

can also be served.

Love on THe SanDS

Meanwhile, away from the parks and reserves,

the Kenyan coast offers lovers a totally different

backdrop for that perfect wedding ceremony.

Stretching from Lamu in the north to Chale in the

south, Kenya’s white sandy beaches have been

9SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

voted some of the best in the world. The ambience

is no less exhilarating than in the national parks.

A sunrise or sunset wedding ceremony offers a

perfect backdrop of golden beaches against the

dark-blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

Here at the coast, the evening will most likely be

spiced up by the melodious sounds of Taarabu,

the traditional dance of the coastal people. Most

wedding themes are taken from the rich Swahili

culture that is unique to the Kenyan coast. The

décor is deeply Swahili and the theme is under-

lined by the traditional cuisine, ranging from rice

cooked in coconut oil to delicious snacks that

include mahamri (Swahili doughnuts), samosas

and mnazi (coconut wine).

royaL romance In Kenya

With the world’s attention glued to the colourful

ceremony at Westminster Abbey on 29 April

2011, it will be remembered that the love bug

first struck on a sunny day in November 2010.

No-one could capture the magic of that day

better than Kate Middleton herself. Hours after

Prince William had asked her to marry him, she

wrote in the visitors’ book: “Thank-you for such

a wonderful 24 hours. I love the warm fires and

candle lights – so romantic!”

So did God create Kenya for lovers? Come

and discover.

AWAy fROM THE PARKS AND RESERvES, THE KENyAN COAST OffERS LOvERS A TOTALLy DIffERENT BACKDROP fOR THAT PERfECT WEDDING CEREMONy

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SAROvA NEWS

10 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

SAROvA HOSTS ANNUAL GOLf CHALLENGESarova Group of Hotels played host to business partners, clients and suppliers at an annual golf challenge. The event at the Royal Golf Club in Nairobi in October 2010 was also a social gathering for Sarova to engage with its business partners at an evening cocktail party at the same venue.

At the party, Sarova not only thanked its clients and business partners, but unveiled a number of new products designed to enhance its brand in the market.

Among the new products was the revamped ‘Sarova Spotlight’, the in-house magazine that is available in all Sarova properties. The magazine is produced by contract publisher Land & Marine Publications (Kenya) Ltd.

The guests were also treated to a fashion show when Sarova unveiled a set of new staff uniforms designed by leading fashion house Kiko Romeo.

HOTEL GROUP EMBRACES MOBILE PAyMENT SySTEMSarova Hotels, resorts & Game Lodges, in partnership with Kenya’s leading telecom company, Safaricom, will now offer guests the option of settling their bills through the globally acclaimed m-pesa service.

This follows the signing of an agreement between Safaricom and Sarova Hotels.

Initially, the m-pesa payment option will be available to guests making accommodation payments and will be available only in Kenya.

The m-pesa payment system allows Sarova Hotels to engage fully in mobile commerce, with customers able to book and pay for their holidays at any time, from anywhere, via their mobile devices. This will save customers the trouble of driving to Sarova’s reservations office to make payment.

“This agreement between Sarova Hotels and Safaricom provides both a reliable and convenient avenue for guests to settle their bills,” said mr J.S. vohra, managing director

of the Sarova Hotels Group. He said it was a valuable addition to Sarova’s easy pay plan option, launched in 2002, which gives guests the option of paying for their holidays in easy instalments. “We are proud to be the first hospitality group to engage in m-commerce through Safaricom’s m-pesa,” said mr vohra.

SAROvA HOTELS PARTNERS WITH fAfASarova Hotels was the official hospitality partner at the Festival for African Fashion & Arts (FAFA 2010), an annual event that brings designers from all over Africa to showcase their designs and celebrate unity in diversity.

Kitchens of Sarova, the group’s outside catering arm, complemented the creative designs on the catwalk with exquisite food during a high-end fashion show and gala dinner at Nairobi National Park.

Sarova’s link with FAFA 2010 was significant, coming at a time when Sarova Hotels had commissioned Kiko Romeo – the design house whose founder came up with the idea of FAFA – to design and make its uniforms.

SAROvA STANLEy BRINGS HOSPITALITy ‘OSCARS’ HOMESarova Stanley recently won two awards:

• Kenya’s Leading Hotel at the 17th World Travel Awards in South africa on 12 July 2010

• Luxury Business Hotel at the World Luxury Hotel Awards held in Bangkok on 8 october 2010.

These awards are regarded as the oscars of the hospitality industry.

The World Travel Awards event was launched 17 years ago with the aim of encouraging the international travel and tourism industry to pursue excellence. Companies nominated for the World Travel Awards are voted online by travel agents globally and then vetted and inspected by a group of industry experts. Issues such as customer relations, creativity, quality of service, standards, guest satisfaction, product innovation and business acumen are considered.

The World Luxury Hotel Award is a pinnacle of achievement for hotels worldwide. It was established in 2006 by founder and CEO of the World Luxury Hotel Awards Brandon Lourens as a celebration of ultimate achievement in the luxury hotel sector. The awards are about congratulating hotels that have taken the extra step and become ‘exceptional’ rather than just ‘good’ hotels.

Sarova Stanley is a part of Summit Hotel & Resorts, a prestigious selection of first-rate, privately owned and managed hotels worldwide. Summit has carefully selected over 140 hotels in more than 100 key destinations. Each individual property offers its guests an exceptional experience. Summit-selected hotels are unique, internationally renowned and culturally elegant, offering a level of service that is both outstanding and personal.

ANOTHER DELIGHTfUL EASTER AT SAROvAThis Easter holiday Sarova Hotels Resort & Game Lodges wants you to relax, unwind, and experience truly Refreshing African Hospitality. Take advantage of the special Sarova Holidays packages to Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, Sarova Mara Game Camp, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge and Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge. All packages are filled with “value ads” including complimentary airport transfers, discounts on F&B, Tulia Wellness treatments and so much more. You can take advantage of Sarova’s Easy Pay Plan and start paying for your holiday in advance

http://www.barclays.com/africa/kenya/index.php

Unit Easter Rates (ksh)

Sarova Whitesands Beach resort & SpaStandard Room 22,000Sea front room 24,500Palm Room 25,000

Sarova mara Game campStandard Tent 17,999Club Tent 22,999family Tent 40,999

Sarova Lion Hill Game LodgeStandard room 17,9991 bedroom suite 23,4992 bedroom suite 40,999Ziwa Suite 43,000

Sarova Shaba Game LodgeStandard room 12,999Executive Suite 15,999Born free Suite 18,000

Sarova Taita Hills Game LodgeStandard Room 12,999

Sarova Salt Lick Game LodgeStandard Room 14,999

eaSTer raTeS22nd April - 25th April 2011

When I was growing up, I vividly remember the easter holidays as the time for ‘Safo’ – the

name my friends and I gave to one of the biggest sporting events at this time of year, the Safari rally, then part of the World rally championships.

I recall toiling hard in my ‘garage’ crafting the

latest new road machine from household tins. My

friends and I would copy the designs of the latest

rally cars and we would try to create our own to

look like the real thing. They didn’t, of course.

aTTenTIon

At this time, global attention would shift to Kenya

as it hosted the Rally. But our attention would be

focused on the sleek tin-made cars we had just

assembled in our ‘garages’. We would turn our

estate into something akin to a village market with

our screams and imitations of rally cars hitting a

crescendo as we raced through the streets.

The heavy rains during this period came in handy.

They made our rallying experience closer to what

actual rallying was all about. The muddy conditions

and the burning desire to be crowned champion

were a common denominator between the street

rallying we did and the actual rallying, graced by

top names like Patrick Njiru and Colin McRae.

Today, Easter remains the most successful of

Christian celebrations in that it has retained

its strong sense of holiness. Unlike Christmas,

whose theme has been diluted over the years

into a giving holiday, Easter embodies the Chris-

tian values and has essentially become more real

than any other Christian holiday.

a True FamILy HoLIDay

But, aside from that, Easter has metamorphosed

into a true family holiday, especially here in Kenya.

Christmas is known for meeting up with family,

but in these cases it is the extended family of

distant cousins, uncles and aunts.

Many have known Christmas for its partying

mood, but with the solemnity of

Easter, families tend to spend more

time together. As at Christmas,

Kenyans will gather in churches

for prayers and mass over Easter,

but unlike Christmas, the partying

mood is conspicuously missing.

connecTInG

And this is the time to travel.

A new and welcome trend is

developing here. Now, more

EASTER IS

EASTER HOLIDAyS

12 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

FAmILy TImEBy DenIS GaTHanJu than ever, friends and families are connecting

and bonding more thanks to the Easter travels.

But unlike Christmas, when the coastal beaches

are crowded, many families opt to visit other

locations across Kenya. The game reserves are

the usual destinations, but, with group tours,

there is a trend towards heading further a field.

While change has been a constant in life, Easter

has remained true to its Christian and family

connections. But, you would agree with me, that

it is no longer the same without the Safari Rally.

New hotel uNiforms iNspired by

nature and local culture

14 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

its product offering and service delivery and intro-

duced bold new colours for each of its eight hotels

and lodges across the country; it also brought

out dazzling new staff uniforms to underline the

theme of the individual hotel or lodge.

As a leader in the local hospitality industry, Sarova

turned to Kiko Romeo, a leading fashion house

renowned for its high quality and unique designs.

Anna McCreath, proprietor and founder of Kiko

Romeo, spoke to ‘Sarova Spotlight’ Contributing

Editor Denis Gathanju.

WonDerFuL opporTunITy; cHaLLenGInG aSSIGnmenT

When Sarova approached us to come up with

creative designs for its staff, we saw this as a

wonderful opportunity. Of course, it is a chal-

lenging assignment, but different jobs pose

different challenges. We were happy that Sarova

trusted us with such a critical job that embodies

their brand identity. We therefore worked closely

with them over the past few months to produce

rebranding is a conscious exercise undertaken by a corporation with a view to enhancing its brand in the

market while at the same time providing its clientele with a new corporate face that distinguishes it from the competition.

When the Sarova Group of Hotels was undergoing

a rebranding programme, it not only improved on

AS A LEADER IN THE LOCAL HOSPITALITy INDUSTRy, SAROvA TURNED TO KIKO ROMEO, A LEADING fASHION HOUSE RENOWNED fOR ITS HIGH qUALITy AND UNIqUE DESIGNS

thematic staff uniforms that are not only comfort-

able to wear but enhance the brand identity of

the individual property.

At Kiko Romeo, we did extensive research and

consulted a lot with Sarova to ensure that the

designs, colours and fabrics we used were in line

with Sarova’s high standards.

The staff are in direct contact with Sarova clients

and they have to look presentable. The framing

had to be perfect and the cut had to be right. This

would, in turn, make the staff wearing them look

interesting and approachable to the guests.

Each individual property boasts of its own unique

uniform – unique in the sense that it underlines

the location and history of the property.

aFrIcan LeaDerS

The uniforms for the Sarova Panafric, for instance,

borrow heavily from pre- and post-independence

Africa. They highlight the dressing styles of various

African leaders at the time. The Sarova Panafric

hosted many African independence leaders and

this is the place where Pan Africanism took root.

The doorman at the Sarova Panafric has his

dressing borrowed from that of the late Mzee

15SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

SAROVA COLOuRS

Jomo Kenyatta. The huge red robe depicts Keny-

atta’s unique dress code, while the unmistakable

fly whisk was Kenyatta’s trademark.

This is further extended to the waiters, who

don clothing inspired by the Kaunda suits that

were made popular by former Zambian leader

Kenneth Kaunda. The waitresses, on the other

hand, don uniforms inspired by the dressing

styles of former African first ladies Mama Ngina

Kenyatta and Graça Machel, then Mozambican

first lady.

The housekeeping staff wear West African

designs that boast cream golden colours that

go splendidly with the black fabric. The colours

are inspired by the dressing of the late Kwame

Nkurumah of Ghana.

naTure-InSpIreD

The uniforms worn at the Sarova Lion Hill Game

Lodge are inspired by nature. The food and

beverage staff uniforms reflect the yellow acacia

trees that are plentiful within the park.

Nature also inspired the uniform colours worn

in the Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, where the

dry, dusty environment of the Kenyan northern

frontier district is reflected in the mixture of

orange and brown colours in the uniforms. The

orange represents the setting sun while the

brown reflects the colour of the soil.

cuLTuraL InSpIraTIon

The uniforms at Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge

and the Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge borrow

from the rich Taita culture. They come complete

with a beaded neckline and belts for the men.

The staff uniforms at Sarova Mara Game Camp

are inspired by the local Maasai community. The

Maasai traditional way of dressing has a lot of red

colours and has inspired many fashion designers

across the world. We designed with this in mind,

especially since the Game Camp is located in the

heart of the Masai Mara and works closely with

the Maasai community.

vIcTorIan InSpIraTIon

It is only at Sarova Stanley that one can experi-

ence the victorian heritage. We did not want to

lose this in the staff presentation. The uniform

designs for the men were inspired by the dressing

of Prince Edward, while those for the women

were inspired by the Duchess of Windsor.

The fabrics are high quality and are a mixture of

Kashmir prints and imported poly-wools. This

makes them durable. They also have a soft f inish.

It was challenging designing the uniforms for

Sarova Stanley. It was like designing for the

theatre. However, the uniforms are conserva-

tive, but chic, especially for the ladies.

ROmANTIC GETAWAyS

16 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

Love...

17SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

In the words of a popular song, love makes the world go round. The strength of love can make grown men

cry like babies and strong men fall like a pack of cards. The love bug can transform the most steely-hearted of men into a loving gentleman.

In the name of romance, I offer a challenge to

our good ladies: turn things around on your man

this love season and help transform a magical

...makes thew rldgo round

moment into a glorious one that will remain

forever in his mind. Like babies, men are easy to

please when you know how. I promise you will

occupy a special chamber in his heart when you:

1. Eat out

Nothing underlines a romantic day better than

a candle-lit dinner. After a fun-filled day, a quiet

dinner in a fine restaurant is the perfect way to

start a truly romantic evening.

With many quality restaurants to choose from

in Nairobi and Mombasa and within the national

game parks and reserves, the loving couple will

be spoilt for choice.

HIgHly recommended

There is a wide range of popular dining options,

especially in Nairobi and Mombasa, including

Indian and Italian; but why not treat him to some-

thing quite novel? You could be celebrating your

honeymoon or your wedding anniversary or you

just want to give your man a special treat.

We recommend the Thai-Chi Restaurant. The

food here is excellent, the ambience and décor

are impressive and the dining experience is very

romantic.

Dinner is served in the traditional Chiang Mai

style, in which you and your dinner date will

dine in a private section of the restaurant while

seated on padded cushions. The food is served

by kneeling waiters and waitresses with a good

knowledge of Thai cuisine.

2. NIght out

Mombasa ya papasa (Mombasa charms) is the

popular Swahili expression that truly describes

this coastal city, where fun and pleasure go hand

in hand. And the city has lived up to its billing as

THE place to be while celebrating your love.

Unlike any other town or city in Kenya, the fun in

Mombasa seems to start as day turns into night.

With so many entertainment venues to choose

from, especially in the north coast area, the city

lights up under the dark skies and

music booms from almost every

corner. It’s time to party.

HIgHly recommended

There is something for anyone

and everyone in Mombasa. As day

turns into night, take a trip further

north into Mtwapa, arguably

the entertainment capital of the

Kenyan north coast. This enter-

tainment district is dotted with new

and exciting night-clubs.

ROMANTIC GETAWAYS

18 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

NoTHINg UNDERLINES A

RoMANTIC DAY bETTER THAN

A CANDLE-LIT DINNER. THE

pERfECT WAY To START A TRULY

RoMANTIC EvENINg.

19SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

watching, hiking, rock climbing and trout fishing.

The physically demanding outdoors will no doubt

enhance the bond between the couple.

HIgHly recommended

A visit north can be a welcome break from

the traditional getaways close to Nairobi. for

example, the Shaba National Reserve offers

a range of fun activities such as rock climbing,

hiking and cookouts. free your mind and spirit

by enjoying bush lunches and dinners in this

huge reserve, popularly known as the born free

Country.

4. thE spa

After a day of fun activities – whether it be a game

drive, a stroll in the park or a day sunbathing on

the beach – nothing could be as relaxing and

invigorating as a visit to the spa.

While your man may want to work out in the

gym, it’s time to pamper him differently. Arrange

a facial treatment for him. or enjoy a close-up

moment as you both get a massage lying side-by-

side and looking into each other’s eyes.

If this is not tempting enough for him, then I do

not know what is. I promise you, ladies, your

man will see your face with his eyes shut and will

sing your name forever.

HIgHly recommended

If you are taking your date to the coast for the

weekend, we recommend the Tulia Spa. This is

one of the best spas on the north coast, with

excellent packages tailor-made for couples cele-

brating love. Highly trained therapists are on

hand to create the perfect spa treatment for you

and your partner. go on – spoil him.

5. hIt thE bEach

Nothing is as rewarding or romantic as a trip to

the coast. Lazing by the poolside just soaking up

the morning sun, while sipping a cold fruit juice

and lying next to your partner, is the ultimate

romantic getaway.

play a round of pool polo at the hotel in the

morning and go scuba diving or snorkelling during

the day. Show some skin and play contact games

such as beach football, or volleyball in the late

afternoon. Men love healthy competition while

having fun at it.

HIgHly recommended

No-one can deny that the Kenyan coast is a

winner at any time of the year. fun and entertain-

ment are guaranteed, wherever and whenever

you go. A leisurely walk or jog on the beach in

the early mornings and late afternoons is most

welcome.

for an even more memorable trip to the Kenyan

coast, f ly to Lamu, the ancient Swahili coastal city,

which charms the mind and the heart in equal

measure. The beaches are less crowded than

those in the north coast, thus ensuring plenty of

your time with your partner.

Sweat it out with your man on the dance floor. It

will help loosen you up and energise you while

the night is still young. You will f ind music and

entertainment aplenty on the golden Stretch,

the highway that runs from the Nyali bridge

through bamburi into Mtwapa.

There is a reason they say music is food for the soul.

3. outDooR LoVE

The outdoors are some of the best and most

interactive ways that present you with not only

intimate moments, but presents quality bonding

time with your sweetheart.

There are numerous sites within and without

Nairobi while many more are located in secluded

spots that guarantee utmost privacy.

The outdoors ensures that you get the undi-

vided attention of your man. It takes his mind off

football and beer with the boys and ensures that

he sees only you and spends quality time with

you. While you are there, you can undertake

a series of exciting activities depending on the

location of your campsite. These include bird-

ROMANTIC GETAWAYS

20 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

21SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

ENjoY A CLoSE-Up

MoMENT AS YoU

boTH gET A MASSAgE

LYINg SIDE-bY-SIDE,

LooKINg INTo EACH

oTHER’S EYES

22 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

23SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

THere Are THree most signifi-cant days in the life of any human being: the day they are born, the

day they get married and the day they die. While nothing can be done about birth and death, surely a lot can be done to make your wedding day memorable.

because of its significance, a lot goes into planning,

organising and hosting the big ceremony. The

occasion must be special – and most couples

spare no expense or effort to achieve this.

MARRIAGE

ROCKSON THE

over the years, the experiential nature of

humans has drastically changed the wedding day

as we traditionally know it. Couples have devised

all kinds of ‘wild wedding’ ideas, some of which

can seem baffling to their friends and family.

In the rangelands of Shaba National Reserve,

deep in the northern frontier district of Kenya,

you can find not only the area where george

and joy Adamson reared lions and released them

into the wild, but also some of the most beau-

tiful scenery in Kenya. With contrasting flat plains

and rocky hills in the background, the Msilima

gorges and the sandy beaches of the Ewaso Nyiro

River provide a mystical and romantic setting for a

wedding.

Sarova Shaba game Lodge has an exclusive

location in this vast park and offers in Kenya

the best outside catering services north of

the equator. The lodge has been doing this

for decades and its staff pride themselves on

providing the best service for your wedding.

A rocky WeddIng

once the legal formalities are complete, every-

thing else can be left in the capable hands of the

lodge. Its staff have a proud history of doing things

differently, so that no wedding function is quite like

any other. james Muchemi, assistant manager of

the lodge, says the first step is to choose the site.

“We are spoilt for choice as far as site selection

is concerned,” he says. “We have many venues

where we can host the wedding ceremony, and

many more to host the reception.”

Among the many venues available is the spectac-

ular Msilima gorges, close to the lodge, but deep

in the Shaba National game Reserve. The vast

gorges are divided by the Ewaso Nyiro River.

The rocks glitter in the tropical sun – hence the

name Shaba, which means ‘shining rock’ in the

Samburu language.

Couples can exchange their vows on a giant

rock with a spectacular background of small hills

behind and the sound of small rapids below.

Samburu morans (warriors) and nditos (young

women) in traditional wedding garb are on hand

to sing Samburu songs to congratulate the couple

on their wedding. A mid-morning ceremony here

is particularly beautiful because of the effect of

sunlight on the massive rock formations. The tall

dry grass in the background is bathed in a golden

light that blends with the green of the short acacia

trees and the giant doum palms that line the river.

luncH In THe rIver

After the ceremony, the couple is whisked away to

a secret location for lunch while the wedding party

is ferried downstream for lunch under a giant

acacia tree overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River.

for the newlyweds, lunch is served on the other

side of the Msilima gorge. Here, the river is wide

and shallow and the well nourished vegetation is

deep green. This is an important watering hole

for zebra, giraffe and buffalo, providing a spec-

tacular scene for the newlyweds.

When lunch is ready, the newlyweds must kick

off their shoes and wade into the shallow waters

of the Ewaso Nyiro, because their lunch table is

in the middle of the river.

Muchemi, says this location gives the couple

privacy under open skies and surrounded by

green spaces and a vast gorge upstream, while

the running water feels very soothing to their feet.

After lunch, the newlyweds can take a walk by

the river before leaving for a quiet afternoon at

the lodge. At sunset, they are whisked away to a

MARRIAGE ON THE ROCKS

24 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

sundowner cocktail party. Here, they can mingle

with friends and family and watch the sunset over

the Ewaso Nyiro before being ferried to another

location for dinner.

on arrival, they are met by the lodge manager,

who leads them down a high clif f surrounded by

rocks and tall grass. All is quiet save for a few

noisy crickets. The skies are dark as the bridal

party makes its way down to the sands at the

bottom. They can hear the river and the sound

of water gushing against the rocks.

SARovA SHAbA gAME

LoDgE HAS AN

ExCLUSIvE LoCATIoN

AND offERS THE bEST

oUTSIDE CATERINg

SERvICES NoRTH of

THE EqUAToR

25SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

Suddenly, the night is brought to life by the sound

of drums as Samburu morans leap from the

bushes, armed with spears, bows and arrows,

dancing to the drum music to welcome the bridal

party to The beach. The morans escort the

newlyweds to their table at The beach, where

a large bonfire provides warmth and light. It all

adds up to a genuine ‘wild wedding’ experience

for the couple and their guests.

This event is also available to honeymooning

couples and to other couples who want to get

away from everyday life. Romantic couples are

attracted to this beautiful venue by its quiet

natural surroundings.

eXcluSIvITy

Most couples prefer to stay in the born free

Suite, which offers exclusivity and privacy. The

suite has a spacious private lounge and dining

area for private meals away from the restaurant.

facilities include a king-sized bed and a private

jacuzzi.

Sarova Shaba game Lodge has four other exec-

utive suites with private lounge, suitable for

couples on a retreat. This is in addition to 80

standard rooms housed in two-storey blocks.

Every room and suite enjoys a river frontage with

magnificent views of the Ewaso Nyiro.

This underlines the romantic nature of the lodge

– a perfect location for a ‘wild’ getaway.

If you live in europe and you receive a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers from your boyfriend, husband or colleague

to celebrate love or a special occasion such as mother’s day or a wedding anniversary, there's a good chance those flowers origi-nated in kenya.

In Kenya, a whole industry has bloomed and

flourished, outperforming some of the country's

other key industries by a wide margin. Demand

is forever on the rise and is driven by a magical

feeling that has no respect for physical boundaries

and transforms normal beings into affectionate

creatures – the feeling of love.

europeAn love – kenyAn floWerS

As the largest producer of fresh-cut flowers in

Africa, Kenya supplies millions of people, espe-

cially in Europe. And what better way to express

your love and appreciation than with a bouquet

of fresh roses?

KENYA’S gRoWERS ARE ExpoRTINg LovE To THE WoRLD

GROWING fOR LOVE

26 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

f lowersThe European Union is the largest destination for

Kenyan flowers. The EU consumes over 50 per

cent of the world's f lowers and receives more

than 65 per cent of Kenya's f lower exports.

Statistics from the Kenya flower Council (KfC)

show that, of every three flowers sold in Europe,

one is from Kenya. on the japanese market –

second only to Europe – one out of every five

flowers sold is from Kenya, according to the KfC.

flowers exported by Kenya to the EU and japan

include roses, carnations (spray and standard),

statice, alstroemeria, lilies and hypericum.

on THe Home fronT

Kenyans also buy Kenyan flowers to share with

their loved ones. All year round, weddings,

engagements and honeymoons are an important

catalyst for the flower-growing industry.

And even although prices will more than double

on the most romantic occasion of the year –

valentine's Day – the uptake is still high, says the

Say it with

KfC. The same goes for major occasions such as

Mother’s Day and father’s Day.

The domestic market is very open, says the KfC,

and prices are determined by supply and demand.

Some cut flowers are sold in urban centres by

street vendors and floricultural shops in high and

medium class shopping centres such as The Mall,

Westgate and Sarit Centre in Westlands and Yaya

Centre in Kilimani. The produce is distributed

either through the wholesale markets, directly

to the retailers or through middlemen. Hawkers

and street vendors play a key role in the distribu-

tion and sale of f lowers.

BloomIng InduSTry

from a modest start in the 1980s, the Kenyan

flower industry blossomed in the 1990s before

reaching maturity in the 21st century. Its meteoric

rise as one of the largest employers in Kenya’s

agricultural sector and the third-largest foreign

exchange earner after tourism and tea has been

described by many as Kenya’s fairy tale.

Kenya is famous for its uniqueness, and the

flower industry is unique in the sense that Kenya

is helping to spread the message of love and

affection through the beauty and colour of its

plants. And with Kenya being voted a destina-

tion of choice for honeymoons and weddings, it

further underlines Kenya's role in spreading love

across the world.

27SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

AS THE LARgEST pRoDUCER of

fRESH-CUT fLoWERS IN AfRICA,

KENYA SUppLIES MILLIoNS of

pEopLE, ESpECIALLY IN EURopE

PEOPLE&PLACES

28 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

Maasai

29SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

The maasai are the most photographed community in the world. elsewhere, cultures have come and gone, but the

maasai have held dear to their cherished way of life even when faced with modern tradi-tions and technology.

Their bravery has never been questioned, their

beauty is yet to be challenged and their culture

has been admired by millions. Their faces have

graced Tv screens, newspapers and magazines

across the world, and their humility and warmth

has been felt and appreciated by all.

TrAdITIonAl

over the years, they have come to epitomise

Kenyan culture. Talk of Kenya without talking

about the Maasai and you are probably discussing

a different country altogether.

REMAIN TRUE To THEIR CULTURE

Maasai

Their traditional clothes, beads and necklaces are

globally identif iable while their dances, especially

the moran jumps, have been widely admired. but

while everyone has a fascination with the Maasai,

few appreciate their culture.

mAASAI vIllAge

In a remote setting, just outside the Masai Mara

National Reserve, ‘Sarova Spotlight’ was recently

the guest of a traditional Maasai homestead,

known in the local language as the manyatta.

A herd of cattle outside the manyatta is testa-

ment to the ample supply of pasture. The rains

have not failed this time round and the Maasai

people are grateful to Enkai (god) for providing

their livestock with enough pasture.

We are met by elders from the community

dressed in shukas – the loose clothing that has

become synonymous with the Maasai commu-

nity. In the distance are young boys tending the

cattle while young girls play around the perim-

eter fence.

We are with james ole Tira, a Maasai elder,

who introduces us to the men and women of his

village. An old woman serves us a gourd of fresh

milk while another provides us with pieces of

dried meat – a traditional sign of welcome.

Women’S role

james tells us that the manyatta is home to

about 20 families. It is early morning and the

young boys are finishing their breakfast before

heading off to the rangelands with the cattle.

The warriors or morans, james tells us, do not

hang around the homesteads but are usually out

in the bush hunting. They rarely mix with young

women. However, they return to the manyatta

as the sun goes down to protect the families and

their prized cattle from rustlers and wild animals

such as lions, leopards and cheetahs.

30 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

THEIR TRADITIoNAL CLoTHES,

bEADS AND NECKLACES ARE

gLobALLY IDENTIfIAbLE WHILE

THEIR DANCES, ESpECIALLY

THE MoRAN jUMpS, HAvE bEEN

WIDELY ADMIRED

Circumcision takes

place on the dawn of

the eighth day. The

boys are given a cold

bath to cleanse them and numb their bodies.

The operation takes place before sunrise and is

conducted by an experienced circumciser. It is

a painful operation without pain-relieving drugs

or anaesthetic. The boys have to prove their

bravery as the entire community watches. They

must not move their bodies or flinch their eyes as

the sharp knife slices through the skin.

Healing takes three to four months. The boys are

clad in black robes during this period, after which

they are considered new beings and receive the

status of a moran or warrior.

31SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

PEOPLE&PLACES

people from other cultures are invited to come

and watch the last critical ceremony, the eunoto,

when the young circumcised warriors make

the transition to senior warriors. This normally

happens 10 years after the boys are circumcised.

other Maasai ceremonies include the meat-

eating ceremony, known as enkang oo nkiri. This

involves warriors of the same age group (those

who were circumcised together) fighting for

the sweetest meat in the emanyatta. The last

man standing has the honour of eating the

roasted meat.

While men generally play a ceremonial role

within the Maasai community, it is the women

who tend to do the work. As well as cooking

for the family, Maasai women are tasked with

building and repairing the traditional houses.

The houses, known as enkagi, are built mainly

from wooden poles and sticks collected from the

wild and plastered in emodiai or cow dung. The

houses are built low, so that one has to stoop

to enter. They are normally built this low, james

informs us, to make them stable and long-lasting.

Within the large compound, fenced with dried

thornwood, we find a woman on top of one of

the enkagi working on a leaking roof. This task,

we are told, is called emora and is normally

done several times a year, especially in the rainy

season when the emodiai plastered on the roof

is washed off.

InITIATIon ceremony

While new technologies and modernity are

knocking at the door, the Maasai have remained

true to their cultural practices. Key among these is

the enkipaata ceremony, which takes place before

young men undergo circumcision or emukatare,

after which they are considered morans, the

protectors of the Maasai community and culture.

In the Maasai culture, this is a physical stage that

marks the entry of a boy into adulthood. It is such

an important stage in life, especially for the boys

and their families, that no-one wants to miss it. It

normally happens once every six years, with the

festivities taking place over several days.

for a boy to undergo the initiation, he must

display signs and assume the responsibilities of

a grown man. for instance, he has to carry a

huge spear, hunt, herd and protect many cattle

and sometimes kill a lion. The lads are secluded

in their own compound, the emanyatta, and for

seven consecutive days they must herd the cattle.

WHILE NEW TECHNoLogIES AND

MoDERNITY ARE KNoCKINg AT

THE DooR, THE MAASAI HAvE

REMAINED TRUE To THEIR

CULTURAL pRACTICES

32 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

Kenya is fast becoming the destination of choice for that perfect wedding or honeymoon. With wonderful

beaches, spectacular landscapes and an unmatched diversity of wildlife, Kenya offers an unrivalled location for this memorable day in any couple’s life. When you add the Kenyan people, with their rich cultural heritage and traditions, you have a recipe for a unique and unforgettable wedding or honeymoon experience.

The wedding and honeymoon scene in Kenya

has become more lively as a growing middle class

33SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

SAROVA weddInGS

has pushed the stakes higher. Today, couples

have their own ideas and demand nothing but

the best. For these guests, cost is not a factor.

This is what they have been saving for – the most

important day of their lives.

But it is not only young Kenyans who have been

quick to identify this unique product. More

and more European and American couples are

choosing Kenya for their weddings and honey-

moons because of the wide range of services on

offer. They want a unique experience that will

further cement their love as well as bringing joy

and happiness to their friends and family.

VAriEd ExpEriEncEs BordEring on ThE wild And ThE culTurAl

More than 30,000 couples have chosen Kenya

for their wedding and honeymoon. Many of these

couples opt for two to three different settings for

the various stages of their wedding.

The sarova hotels group has a lot of experi-

ence in the hospitality sector and this includes

planning, hosting and catering for bridal parties.

The service record and product line of sarova

hotels is unmatched in the region. The group has

some of the best properties, at scenic locations

across the country, as well as hugely experienced

personnel with the ability to plan, organise, host

and cater for some of the most memorable

weddings and honeymoons in Kenya.

Beach Weddings

Many couples opt for a beach wedding on the

justly renowned Kenyan coast. A morning

ceremony is the most popular, so that everyone

can savour the golden moment when the sun

rises over the indian ocean – the dawn of a new

chapter in their lives.

sarova whitesands Beach resort and spa, on

the popular north coast, about 20 km from

Mombasa, offers first-rate venues for weddings

and receptions.

The property has hosted numerous beach

weddings within its grounds. here, couples are

spoilt for choice. They can have their wedding by

the pool with the beach as a perfect backdrop.

Alternatively, the hotel’s secluded coco Beach

Bar, shaded by tall palm trees, provides yet

another perfect location.

For a large bridal party, the well-kept lawns over-

looking the beach are a perfect venue.

The property’s Baraza conference hall – one of

the largest on the north coast – offers yet another

fine location for weddings and receptions.

Wild Weddings

The diverse wildlife of Kenya continues to attract

visitors from across the world, and many couples

have chosen this exotic setting for the most

important day of their lives.

Today, Kenya hosts more ‘wild weddings’ than

any other nation in the region. The sarova group

has a diverse portfolio of products and services.

For weddings, it can offer couples a choice of at

least f ive uniquely themed properties.

nestling in the foothills of the Taita hills, in

the coast province, the sarova Taita hills

game lodge and sarova salt lick lodge offer a

unique wedding venue. couples can hold their

ceremony in the Taita hills wildlife sanctuary,

a private conservancy managed by the sarova

group. The sanctuary lies between the Tsavo

East and west game reserves and within the

migratory corridor that links the reserves.

The sanctuary is rich in wildlife, including

elephant, buffalo and lion. spotting wild game

is easy because the park is comparatively small

(about 28,000 acres). This allows the bridal party

to enjoy a game drive as they are ferried to and

from the wedding location.

willie Mwadilo, lodge manager of the two prop-

erties, says there are various suitable locations

for ‘wild weddings’ within the sanctuary. Many

couples choose Kudu point, the highest point in

SAROVA weddInGS

34 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

35SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

KEnyA hosTs MorE

‘wild wEddings’ ThAn

Any oThEr nATion in

ThE rEgion

the sanctuary, where guests can enjoy a cocktail

and watch the magnificent sunset over the plains

below. Kudu point also commands a splendid

view of Mount Kilimanjaro.

“on a clear day, Mount Kilimanjaro is visible from

this location,” says Mwadilo. “The sight is truly

out of this world – and what a moment it would

be for the bridal party and the couple. when the

images of the couple exchanging their marriage

vows are captured on film with the mountain in

the background and the flat plains in the middle

ground, it is an image out of this world.”

For those wishing to have their special moment

captured on film or tape with wild animals in the

background, Acacia point and Breakfast point

provide the ideal location.

located in the middle of the vast plains, Acacia

point features a giant acacia tree that towers

above the other trees. The plains beyond are

popular feeding grounds for antelope, zebra and

giraffe. Acacia point can double as both a wedding

venue and a lunch or dinner site. dinner under

the moon and stars is a romantic experience.

According to Mwadilo, the newlyweds are

treated to a bush breakfast on the morning after

their wedding. This is held at Breakfast point, a

hilly location overlooking the sarova salt lick

game lodge. As they enjoy the cool morning air,

the newlyweds can watch a huge herd of buffalo

drink from the water pan under the lodge.

The vast plains of the famous Masai Mara

national reserve offer yet another perfect venue

for a ‘wild wedding’. The Masai Mara has one of

the largest wildlife densities in the region and the

setting is simply out of this world. it is here that

the annual migration takes place, when over a

million wildebeest, half a million zebra and more

than 300,000 antelope head south, crossing the

Mara river, in one of the world’s largest wildlife

movements.

when a couple decides to tie the knot on the

banks of the Mara river, with the wildebeest

crossing the Mara river in the background, there

can be no more exotic setting.

The sarova Mara game camp, a luxurious

property within the Masai Mara, is a unique

venue for a ‘wild wedding’.

Another ‘wild wedding’ venue within the sarova

group is the sarova shaba game lodge, also

known as the Jewel of the north. with its

romantic air of tranquillity and exclusivity, this

property is widely regarded as the perfect

hideaway where secrecy is guaranteed.

At shaba, wedding couples are spoilt for choice.

The lodge enjoys almost exclusive use of the

shaba national game

reserve, which offers a

range of ideal locations for

ceremonies, receptions and

dinners.

within the spacious grounds

of the lodge, the bridal party

can dine in The Boma,

an area of open ground

surrounded by thick vegeta-

tion. The bridal party is

welcomed at the dome-

SAROVA weddInGS

36 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

shaped entrance, which is covered in grass

thatch. The sense of occasion is heightened by

the canopy of tall trees lining the footpath as the

bridal party makes its way to the well-lit, open

grounds.

The nights are themed according to the tastes of

the bridal party. one of the most popular is the

samburu theme night, when chefs, waiters and

waitresses are dressed in traditional samburu

garb while samburu morans (warriors) and

nditos (young ladies) entertain the guests with

traditional wedding dances and jigs.

sarova lion hill game lodge offers wedding

services from atop the popular Baboon clif f, with

scenic views of lake nakuru, nakuru city and, in

the background, Menengai crater.

cultural theme Weddings

Kenya has a diverse population speaking more

than 40 tribal languages and dialects, with each

community boasting a unique cultural heritage

and tradition. For wedding couples, this is a

unique opportunity to interact with the commu-

nities and to learn more about their language,

cuisine and culture. The sarova properties

are located close to the various communities,

allowing the couple to experience a traditional

wedding ceremony presided over by local elders.

The rich swahili culture in Mombasa will make

a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of

every couple, while the spicy cuisine makes for a

special experience on the big day. To this must

be added the seductive beat of Taarabu music,

one of the hallmarks of a truly swahili wedding.

Further inland, in the jungles of the Mara and

shaba, a rich cultural experience awaits the

bridal party. here, Maasai and samburu morans

are on hand to accompany the bridal party to a

traditional wedding ceremony in the manyatta

(Maasai or samburu homestead). A bull is killed

and the couple blessed by Maasai or samburu

elders, who spit and spray blood on them as a

traditional cleansing and blessing ceremony.

The sarova group has two properties in

nairobi. These are principally business hotels,

but they also cater for leisure travellers and have

something unique for couples in transit to other

properties across the country.

The sarova panafric, located outside the nairobi

central Business district (cBd), has perfected

the art of African theme nights. couples can

choose from a variety of Kenyan and African

cuisine while enjoying the traditional music.

citY Weddings

sarova stanley, f lagship of the sarova group, is

the oldest hotel in nairobi, dating back more

than a century. This high-end hotel caters mainly

for business travellers and heads of local, regional

and international corporations as well as hosting

presidential delegations.

in addition, the hotel caters for leisure

travellers, including the wives or husbands of

business guests. According to the hotel’s execu-

tive chef, godfrey ouda, the chef’s Table has

become a signature service for couples staying at

The sarova stanley.

“The chef’s Table is set in the kitchen where

the couple can have a private meal and a private

time together. The couple have an opportunity

to watch the chef prepare their meal for them. it

is something special,” he says with a huge smile.

while every couple wants their wedding and

honeymoon to be special, sarova proper-

ties have the ability to tailor each wedding and

honeymoon to the exact wishes of their guests.

The aim is to allow each couple to experience

Kenya in a unique way, while at the same time

enjoying its truly refreshing hospitality.

sAroVA propErTiEs hAVE

ThE ABiliTy To TAilor

EAch wEdding And

honEyMoon To ThE

ExAcT wishEs oF ThEir

guEsTs

37SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

g r A c E n A i r o B i

Goldenoldies

concours d’ElEgAncE

38 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

Golden

39SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

OUT&ABOUT

Old is gold, so goes the saying. But at a time when the new seems to carry the day, especially where

cars and motorcycles are concerned, does this saying have any relevance in the 21st century? read on, my friends.

glittering rare machines

it is one of the biggest and grandest auto shows

in Africa; and each year the show gets bigger and

the cars get older. Although much of the conti-

nent’s attention was diverted to the FiFA world

cup in south Africa, motor enthusiasts kept their

diaries closed for september. This is the time of

the Access Kenya concours d’Elegance, when

rare machines are dusted and polished and make

a grand entrance through the busy streets of

nairobi, effortlessly eclipsing newer models.

The 2010 event was held at its traditional venue

at ngong race course, where rare machines,

both large and small, glittered in the morning sun

and paraded before an enthusiastic crowd.

And judging from the large number of unique

entries, both organisers and classic car enthu-

siasts agreed it was bigger and better than last

year’s. The 2010 edition also marked the 40th

anniversary of this annual show.

Kampala BiKers

As expected, competition was stif f, and there

was an even wider selection of rare models

on display. Kenyan entries dominated, but new

entries came from as far away as india and the

uK. The south Africans were also present, and

there was a strong entry from members of the

uganda Bikers’ Association (uBA), who rode 11

motorcycles across the border from Kampala to

make a grand entrance into nairobi.

Milton Aineruhanga, patron of the uBA, said they

were entering the biggest collection of street

bikes at the competition. Milton entered a 1989

O

honda that was purpose-built to compete in the

gruelling paris-dakar rally. The bike is in prime

condition and, according to Milton, is a ‘mean

machine’ on the road thanks to its supercharged

engine. Milton has had a passion for motorcy-

cles since he was young and has been collecting

them for several years. he acquired the honda

in 2006.

sam Tushabe, another member of the uBA,

entered a 1985 honda goldwing gl in the large

street bikes category. The rest of the motor-

cycles from uBA were entered in the trail and

enduro motorcycles category. The uBA scooped

all three top places in the trail and enduro

category at the 2009 show. Milton took home

the top honour in the category and was hoping

for a repeat performance in 2010.

most elegant machines

Among the many fine machine on display, there

was huge interest in a custom chopper motor-

cycle exhibited by Andy de Mare. Awestruck

enthusiasts were seen milling around the giant

but sleek machine. According to Andy, he built

the motorcycle while he was living in the Emirate

of dubai and completed it when he moved to

his current base in Malindi. his machine has a

powerful 1800 cc engine, resting low on an elon-

gated metal frame, and is also distinguished by its

high and wide handlebars. This fine machine won

the hearts and minds of the judges, earning Andy

the most elegant motorcycle award.

however, the top honour in the motorcycles

category went to phillip gordon, from south

Africa, who entered a rare 1915 indian.

shoW-stopper

while the motorcycles impressed the crowds,

the vintage cars on display were simply dazzling.

in this category, top of the range was a sleek 1952

rolls-royce limousine entered by roger Tanner.

The show-stopper, however, was a magnificent

1928 Ford Tudor entered by phoenix Aviation.

The vintage car clinched the coveted top prize

for the second year in a row.

Judging at the concours d’Elegance is subject

to the rules of the Kenya Motor sports Federa-

tion (KMsF). The event has full continental status

for the vintage cars and motorcycles entered

and is recognised and sanctioned by FiM Africa

(formerly the African Motorcycle union).

41SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

OUT&ABOUT

But while the concours d’Elegance is mainly a

vintage car show, it attracts a wider audience and

has become a fun event where families can enjoy

a weekend outing together. Food is readily avail-

able from the food courts and there is a ‘fun zone’

in the grounds to keep the young entertained.

with the promise of a bigger and better vintage

car show every year, i dare you to keep your

diaries closed for 25 september 2011.

iT is onE oF ThE BiggEsT And grAndEsT AuTo shows in AFricA; And EAch yEAr ThE show gETs BiggEr And ThE cArs gET oldEr

42 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

sEKEnAni priMAry school

oFFErs MAAsAi childrEn An

opporTuniTy To gET An

EducATion As MosT oThEr

schools ArE MilEs AwAy

sekenani, on the edge of the masai mara, was an unknown corner of the republic. this changed when high-flying British

businessman sir richard Branson, founder of airline Virgin atlantic, paid a courtesy visit to the remote location.

Known for his business acumen, sir richard was

moved to action when he heard of this tiny commu-

nity, especially when he saw at first hand what the

locals had managed to achieve with the help of the

staff of the sarova Masai Mara game camp.

generous contriBution

“sekenani is sarova’s baby,” says lodge manager

Francis Msengeti. “we play an active role, espe-

cially in the community school, where our staff

have personally contributed towards the construc-

tion of two dormitories for the needy students.”

sekenani primary school is the nearest school

available for Maasai children from neighbouring

communitY partnership proVidEs EnhAncEd EducATion For

43SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

givingBack

villages. it offers them an opportunity to get an

education as most other schools are miles away.

Being at the entrance of the Masai Mara national

reserve, the school has benefited over the years

from the generous contribution of sarova staff

working at the game lodge and from the sarova

group of hotels, which receives donations and

contributions on behalf of the school from well-

wishers and guests visiting the Masai Mara.

having seen the contribution made by the sarova

staff, sir richard was so moved by the plight of

the children at the school that he offered to build

two more dormitories: one for boys and another

for girls. The sarova staff donated mattresses

and bedding while a guest at sarova gave money

for the beds.

“it was tough for the children in the formative

stages because they had to use the classrooms for

study during the day and sleep in them at night,”

Marcos Mugo, clinical officer at the sarova Mara

Sekenani children

game camp, tells me as he guides me round the

school compound.

improVed learning conditions

The world Bank funded the construction of the

first two classrooms at the school, while the

sarova group of hotels helped construct an

additional six blocks of classrooms.

“over the years, we have witnessed not only

an improvement in the learning conditions at

the school; we have also witnessed a marked

improvement in the performance of the

students,” says Francis.

FestiVals

“The school was able to participate in the

national music festivals in Mombasa and at sarova

we are proud to have taken an active role in the

uplifting of standards at the school. we are most

grateful to other supporters, such as sir richard

and guests staying at the game lodge, who have

visited the school and have donated stationery

and other material donations that have impacted

positively on the lives of these poor students.

“For us, we see this as a partnership between

sekenani primary school, the community around

sekenani and sarova Masai Mara game camp.

This is a partnership that is mutually benefi-

cial and we are proud of the progress and the

achievements we have realised thus far.”

get-togethers

To demonstrate and enhance their strong part-

nership, the sarova staff members engage the

students in healthy get-togethers that are geared

not only to assessing the progress made at the

institution but also to creating bonding sessions

for staff and students through joint activities that

demand teamwork and co-operation.

on a quarterly basis, the staff and students are

divided into six groups named after legendary

Maasai tribal chiefs: ole sonkoine, ole shampei,

senteu, lenana, Mpatiany and ol Tatuani. The

teams are a mixture of sarova staff and sekenani

students and they engage in activities such as

givingBack

44 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

clean-ups and tree-planting exercises in the

school grounds.

The school has over 750 students. According

to Francis, the support given to the school by

sarova and guests has not only been instrumental

in enhancing education levels at the school, but

has gone a long way towards discouraging female

genital mutilation, early forced marriages for girls

and cattle herding for boys.

last year, sarova brought in three teachers from

the uK under the Educate the children initia-

tive to teach at the school for three months.

This year, they hope to bring up to five teachers

who will help the students and teachers through

better teaching methods.

reVenue sharing

As well as helping improve learning conditions

at the school, sarova invites the children to the

lodge to perform songs and dances for guests,

especially at christmas. Maasai men perform

dances for the guests while the women are

invited to sell Maasai beadwork to the guests.

The sarova Mara game camp also runs the

isokon Mara cultural Village, a museum devoted

to Maasai culture. The lodge shares the revenues

on a 50-50 basis to help the local community.

“For us, this is more than a partnership with the

sekenani people, we are family,” says Francis.

45SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

lAsT yEAr, sAroVA BroughT

in ThrEE TEAchErs FroM

ThE uK undEr ThE EducATE

ThE childrEn iniTiATiVE To

TEAch AT ThE school For

ThrEE MonThs

46 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

AS MOMBASA WARMS YOUR DAYS AND CHARMS YOUR NIGHTS

LOSE YOURSELF

MOMBASA

LOSE YOURSELFmombasa raha (‘mombasa, the

fun place’). Whoever coined that phrase must have been charmed

by the delights and pleasures offered by this ancient swahili city, so much so that he forgot everything he knew. many from home and abroad have come and seen; but in the process they have been charmed beyond comprehension. and as they lose them-selves in the delights of this coastal getaway, many who have visited its shores agree that whatever happens in mombasa, stays in mombasa.

it is an indubitable fact that Mombasa is not only

the preferred holiday destination in Kenya, but

also the nation’s entertainment capital. And

when you zero in on the destination, Kenya’s

north coast holds its head high as far as enter-

tainment is concerned.

simply put, there is anything and everything for

the pleasure seeker in Mombasa. hard as i try

to imagine the city without its many entertain-

ment joints and recreation facilities, i seem lost

in my thoughts and i am not sure what city i am

thinking of.

the golden stretch

For the average nairobian, a weekend getaway

to Mombasa is just what the doctor ordered.

when i sit in the terminal building at Jomo

Kenyatta international Airport in nairobi, i don’t

see many long faces. The passengers are keen to

be on their way to the Kenyan coast. They just

47SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

want to be there and doing all the fun things for

which the city is renowned.

The picture is rather more grim on the other

side, at the terminal building at Moi international

Airport in Mombasa, where the faces of returning

passengers are long and everyone seems lost in

their own thoughts as they recall their wonderful

stay in Mombasa.

golden stretch

in their mind’s eye, they are still night clubbing on

the golden stretch, which runs for 20 km from

the nyali crossing to the emerging entertainment

district of Mtwapa. it is lined not only with some

of the best hotels and resorts in the north coast,

but also some of the best entertainment places.

while each entertainment spot comes with its

own strengths and tries to attract as many merry-

makers as possible, the fact is that the north coast

was created with night owls in mind.

This part of town never sleeps. Taxis, tuks

tuks (three-wheeled motorcycles) and matatus

(public minivan taxis) operate all night long. From

the brightly lit streets to the dark estate alleys,

merrymakers seem to have a never-ending party.

dance to the Beats

step into any of the local pubs and night clubs and

you will see young, middle-aged and old people

dancing to the beats. And they come in all forms,

from local Benga beats to reggae tunes from

MOMBASA

48 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

For me and everyone else in attendance, the world,

as we knew it, ceased to exist. The music and the

entertainment swept us off our feet and carried us

to a new planet where fun was everything.

Flight

Those who were lucky enough not to miss their

f light to nairobi on sunday morning could hardly

keep their eyes open at the terminal building.

And once they got on the plane, they feel

asleep immediately they got to their seats only

to be woken up by the air hostesses and to find

themselves in nairobi. The expression on their

faces said it all: they still thought they were in

Mombasa and it was wake-up time for another

round of fun.

next time you are in Mombasa, make sure you ride

on the charm and marvel under its tender caress.

Then and only then will you truly understand

what it means to be in Mombasa and why they say

Mombasa Mji wa raha (‘Mombasa, the city of fun’).

ThE FAcT oF ThE

MATTEr is ThE norTh

coAsT wAs crEATEd

wiTh ThE nighT owls

in Mind

Jamaica to the latest r&B lyrics. And when the

Bongo and ohangla beats rend the air, the dance

floor is converted into a hugging venue as blacks

hug blacks, whites hug whites and blacks and

whites hug each other. it is a mixture of shades

and colours that is incredibly captivating.

The last time i was in Mombasa, i was attending

a four-day business conference. it lasted all the

way to Friday and we had the whole of saturday

to ourselves, taking the flight back to nairobi on

sunday morning. your bet is as good as mine

what happened.

energY

dressed for the office minus the blazer and tie,

we walked into one of the popular night clubs

in Bamburi. Though everyone was reserved and

held back at the initial stages, caution was thrown

to the wind after a few rounds and the energy

that came from the resident disc jockey and the

dancing crowd was simply contagious.

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tel: +254 (0)20 232 4343 e-mail: kenya@landmarine.com

land&MARINE

www.landmarine.com

50 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

runA young man from the Rift Valley

town of Kilgoris has smashed a long-standing 800 metres record in Berlin

and charmed the world.

His surname, Rudisha, means ‘bring back’ in

Swahili. And he has certainly lived up to his

name. For 13 long years, the record had stood

unchallenged and eluded the crème de la crème

in the 800 metres event; but Rudisha has brought

the title back to its motherland.

Although Rudisha is soft-spoken and shy-looking,

these traits disappear the moment this astonish-

ingly fast chap steps onto his ‘playground’ – the

all-weather synthetic running track. In African

51SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

ICONS: DAVID RuDIshA

sporting circles, 2010 was one of the best years:

Kenya’s McDonald Mariga became the first East

African, and one of only a handful of African

soccer players, to win the UEFA Champions

League; South Africa successfully hosted soccer’s

FIFA World Cup; Jason Dunford won Kenya its

f irst swimming gold medal at the Commonwealth

Games in New Delhi; and TP Mazembe, of the

Democratic Republic of Congo, became the first

soccer club outside Europe and Latin America to

reach the finals of the FIFA Club World Champi-

onships in Abu Dhabi.

Of course, there were many sporting milestones

in between; but it was David Rudisha’s clock-

stopping performance on the track that capped

RIFT VALLEy ‘WUNDERKIND’ bEATS HIS OWN WORLD RECORD

run,rudisha,

NO SOONER HAD HE bROKEN THE RECORD

THAN HE PREDICTED HE COULD bEAT HIS

OWN RECORD. TRUE TO HIS WORD, THE

21-yEAR-OLD RUNNER FROM MAASAILAND

WAS SO FIRED UP THAT HE ACHIEVED THIS

LESS THAN A WEEK LATER IN RIETI, ITALy

ICONS: DAVID RuDIshA

52 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

has produced the world’s best pedigree in the

two-lap race – which is why Rudisha is sitting on

top of the world.

RuDIshA’s cRownIng moment

With two world records under his belt, it was just

a matter of time before David Rudisha ventured

into new territories. His crowning moment came

in November 2010 when he was voted World

Athlete of the year 2010 by the International

Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

This is by far the highest award that an athlete can

achieve. Rudisha became the first Kenyan and

the fourth African to win it. When he accepted

the award in Monaco, he became the youngest

athlete to claim the prize at just under 22 years

of age.

As the world of athletics gave him a standing

ovation and marvelled at his meteoric rise in only

his second season, it knows it has not seen the

last of this lad from Oltanki.

For now, Rudisha has withdrawn to his training

base in Iten, where he hopes to train even harder

as he focuses on the World Championships and

then the 2012 Olympics in London. His mission

is to lower the mark in the 800 metres to an

impossible time that will stand for the longest

time possible.

40 days. In fact, the world did not have to wait

that long to crown a new athletics king.

LIKe fAtheR, LIKe son

born and raised in the sleepy neighbourhood of

Oltanki, in Kilgoris, David Rudisha did not have

to run 10 km to get to school every morning,

like many Kenyan world-beating athletes. but the

fact that his father, Daniel Rudisha, represented

Kenya at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics was

motivation enough for young David to follow in

his footsteps. The senior Rudisha was a silver

medallist in the 4 x 400 metres relay at the 1968

summer games.

Apart from being motivated by his father, David

Rudisha needed to look no further than his own

neighbourhood, the greater Kilgoris region, to

find even more inspiration.

While the North Rift region has produced some

of the best middle and long distance athletes ever

seen, the lower reaches of the South Rift, close

to the plains of the Masai Mara, has produced

some of the world’s best 800 metres athletes.

This region is home to many great athletes

including former world champion billy Konchellah,

his brother Patrick and his son Gregory. When

you include the likes of William yampoy and

Stephen Marai, you can see that Oltanki Village

a fantastic 2010 in African sport when he first

broke the world 800 metres record in berlin

and then went on to break his own record in the

space of a week.

RecoRD tIme

Set by Kenya-born Dane Wilson Kipketer 13

years ago in Cologne, Germany, the world

record time of 1 minute 41.11 seconds has been

one of the longest-standing in recent history.

but the record books were rewritten in no time

as David Lekuta Rudisha attacked Kipketer’s

record on his f irst attempt. Rudisha powered

through the competition at the Olympiastadion

in berlin to shave two-hundredths of a second off

Kipketer’s record and stop the clock at 1 minute

41.09 seconds.

No sooner had he broken the record than he

predicted he could beat his own record. True to

his word, the 21-year-old runner from Maasai-

land was so fired up that he achieved this less

than a week later in Rieti, Italy. Cheered on by an

expectant crowd, Rudisha obliterated the compe-

tition to lower his own mark and stop the clock

at 1 minute 41.01 seconds – a new world record.

wRItIng on the wALL

before he set these new times, however, the

writing had already been on the wall and it was

just a matter of when, not if, Rudisha would break

the record. The early signs were there when he

was crowned African champion after clocking an

amazing 1 minute 42.84 seconds at high altitude

in Nairobi at the African Athletics Champions. If

he could run that fast at high altitude and come

within touching distance of the world record, he

would surely break it at some point.

After the impressive win in Nairobi, Rudisha’s

manager, James Templeton, was so confident

of his athlete that he said the world would be

celebrating a new 800 metres record in less than

53SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

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: +254 728 608 765 Fax: +254 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

Henry Kartagener Kartagener Associates Inc 631 Commack Road, Suite 1A Commack, Ny 11725 Tel: +1 631 858-1270 or Toll-Free Number: (800) 524-7979 Fax: +1 631 585-1279 Email: henry@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

Harald Alber Herzog HC GmbH Friesstrasse 3 60388 Frankfurt Germany Tel: +49 69 420890 22 (direct) Fax.:+49 69 420890 27 Email: harald.alber@herzog-hc.de

fRAnce

Fanny Van Lierde Interface Tourism 11 bis rue blanche - 75009 Paris, France Tel: +33 (0)1 53251111 Fax:+33 (0)1 53251112 Email: sarovahotels@interfacetourism.com

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 & LODGES INDEX

MOMBASA

NAIROBI

KENYA

1

6

2

7 8

3

5

4

Pemba I.

Ungama Bay

ChalbiDesert

LakeTurkana

Mt. Kenya

Kilimanjaro

Mt. Meru

LakeVictoria

Mt. Elgon

Kisumu

Lodwar

Eldoret

KitaleBaringo

Kakamega

Moyale

Garissa

Malindi

Kipini

Witu

Wajir

Nakuru

Isiolo

Watamu

Tsavo EastNational Park

Tsavo WestNational Park

ChyuluNational Park

MarsabitNational Park

SibiloiNational Park

South TurkanaNational Reserve

Mount KenyaNational Park

Buffalo SpringsNational Reserve

SamburuNational Reserve

ShabaNational Park

RaholeNational Reserve

RaholeNational Reserve

BisinadiNational Reserve

MeruNational

Park

NairobiNational

Park

MasaiMara National

Reserve

Shimba HillsNational Reserve

ArawaleNational Reserve

Tana RiverPrimate

National Reserve

BoniNational ReserveDodori

National Reserve

Malka MariNational Reserve

Lake NakuruNational

Park

Lamu

Kilifi

AberdareNational

Park

Nyeri

AmboseliNational Park

INDIANOCEAN

Jinja

Kapchorwa

ETHIOPIA

SOUTHERNSUDAN

UGANDA

SOMALIA

TANZANIA

Marsabit

MarsabitNational Reserve

LosaiNational Reserve

55SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

1. sARoVA stAnLey, nAIRoBI

2. sARoVA PAnAfRIc, nAIRoBI

3. sARoVA whItesAnDs BeAch ResoRt & sPA, momBAsA

4. sARoVA LIon hILL gAme LoDge

5. sARoVA mARA gAme cAmP

6. sARoVA shABA gAme LoDge

7. sARoVA tAItA hILLs gAme LoDge

8. sARoVA sALt LIcK gAme LoDge

Close your eyes and imagine walking into a world of Victorian elegance; a world where the ancient and modern world blend seamlessly; where excellence has been the hallmark, a tradition that has been passed on for over 100 years. Now open your eyes, because you are at Sarova Stanley.

Since it opened its doors to the world in 1902, at a time when Nairobi was just a small railway outpost, Sarova Stanley has witnessed the progressive development of the city and has been tried and tested over its long history as the best hotel in Kenya. While remaining true to its rich Victorian heritage, Sarova Stanley has continued to set standards with a strong emphasis on excel-lence in customer service; towering head and shoulders in terms of product development and innovation while remaining true to its African heritage.

Located in the heart of Nairobi, Sarova Stanley has evolved over the years from being the only luxury hotel in the 20th century to being the best hotel in Kenya in the 21st century. Choosing to stay at this landmark hotel, one joins a long list of respected leaders and icons of the past and present who have enjoyed African hospitality. These include the novelist Ernest Hemingway, who penned some of his masterpieces from his hotel bedroom. The hotel has also hosted presidents, fi lm stars and also the Nobel

Peace Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai. Everyone fi nds a special place at Sarova Stanley. The hotel enjoys a prime location within walking distance of major government ministries and busi-nesses including the Nairobi Stock Exchange as well as tourist attractions in the city.

AmenItIes

The Exchange bar is regarded as the home of the Nairobi Stock Exchange. This spacious bar has a giant screen where data from the NSE is streamed live. The NSE is housed at Nation Centre, a stone’s throw from Sarova Stanley.

The fi fth-fl oor health club is open to guests and outsiders. It comes with a fully equipped gym, sauna and steam bath and massage beds. The pool is also located on this fl oor.

The open-to-the-street Thorn Tree Restaurant is an historic Nairobi landmark where friends and family still post notes and ‘letters’ under the thorn tree. The al fresco deck restaurant on the fi fth fl oor serves buffets and salads and Tandoori specialities. The new Thai-Chi Restaurant on the fi rst fl oor is regarded as Nairobi’s best fi ne dining restaurant for Thai cuisine. It is the only authentic Thai restaurant of its kind in East and Central Africa.

WHERE VICTORIAN ELEGANCE MEETS AFRICAN HOSPITALITy

56 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

The hotel has nine meeting and conference halls including a 227 square metre ballroom and provides free Wi-Fi internet access to hotel guests.

AccommoDAtIon

sarova stanley has 217 individually air conditioned rooms on eight fl oors. these 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

SAROVA PANAFRIC IS PAN-AFRICAN

Perched on a small hill overlooking the city of Nairobi is the Sarova Panafric, a four-star city property that towers high above similar hotels in the city. Its location in a quiet neighbourhood, a short walk from central Nairobi, is a big plus for leisure tourists making a stop-over to or from the safari circuit. Its tranquillity is also enjoyed by 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 day.

The hotel is named in honour of the Pan African movement, which was championed by African independence heroes such as the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya and the late Kwame Nkurumah of Ghana. It was offi cially opened by then Kenyan President Jomo Kenyatta in 1965 at the height of the Pan African movement.

57SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

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.

stAte-of-the-ARt

Sarova Panafric offers state-of-the-art banqueting and confer-encing 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. the 164 spacious rooms are arranged on six storeys and include:

5 suites

13 club (three twins and 10 double)

65 superior (14 twins and 51 double)

46 deluxe

36 standard 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 & SPAboasting the longest beach front and being one of the largest and most luxurious hotels on the Kenyan coast 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.

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.

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.

AttRActIons

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 eco system, 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

• Both lodges feature large restaurants and bars.

• Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge has a large pool and two confer-ence halls.

63SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

EXPERIENCE THE JEWEL OF THE NORTH AT SHAbA

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.

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.

PRePARAtIon:

Season the lamb chops and leave for about

5 minutes.

Chop onion and put a little bit of corn oil (lamb

is oily, so very little oil) in the pan, let it heat up

and add chopped onion.

Add sliced new potatoes and sweat for

5 minutes, then add rosemary and demi-

glaze, bring to boil, then simmer covered until

potatoes are completely cooked.

When the potatoes are cooking, seal your lamb

chops and put in the oven to roast (done medium).

Meanwhile sauté (fry) your spinach, seasoned,

until wilted and add a pinch of nutmeg. The idea

of tearing up the spinach is basically to preserve

the vitamins, because when you chop the leafy

vegetables, you lose some of the vitamins.

64 SAROVA SPOTLIGHT

Prepare the carrots, blanch and sauté with

onions and serve the meal.

The chops are naturally done so that one can

enjoy the true flavour of the lamb, which is

complemented by the potatoes.

yIeLD: 2 seRVIngs

IngReDIents:250 g Lamb chops

200 g Rosemary

120 g new potatoes

50 g carrots peeled and cut into buttonet

50 g cleaned and roughly torn spinach

400 ml Demi glaze

50 g onion

salt to taste

50 ml corn oil

EASTER SPECIAL MENURoAsteD LAmB choPs, BRAIseD RosemARy PotAtoes, wILteD sPInAch AnD cARRots wIth gRAVy

WHAT’S cOOkInG

http://www.mtnbusiness.co.ke

http://www.sarova.com/