Sarova Shaba Game Lodge

On Safari in Kenya

by nimmos

We spent about a week in Kenya, visiting four different Safari Camps: the Ark in the Aberdares, Sarova Shaba Lodge in Samburu, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge in Lake Nakuru Park, and Mara Sarova Tented Camp in the Masai Mara Reserve. For more details of the safari, read my travelogue.

"The Roads in Kenya"

One thing that cannot be described are the roads in Kenya. Near Nairobi many of them are paved and can be traveled and reasonable speeds.

As one gets further from Nairobi the roads deteriorate to the point of unbelievability - if there is such a word. Potholes are huge and larger - perhaps 3-4 metres wide and up to 1 metre deep.

I recall driving in the ditch on the "wrong" side of the road while pedestrians walked on what remained of the pavement.

And if it rains, then you're driving through gumbo - this photo shows a trail rather than the main road, but this was better than some of the main roads we drove on!!!!

Enchanting Samburu

by kzakama

"Conference at the Saravo Shaba Lodge"

I attended the Africa Regional Conference on Early Childhood care and Development (ECCD) among Pastoralists and Hunter-Gatherers in Kenya from 22 -26 September 2003. The conference took place in a spectacular setting, the natural and enchanting Sarova Shaba Lodge in the Samburu National Park! The conference had participants from Uganda, Namibia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Botswana, Tanzania, Malaysia, USA and the Netherlands. It was organised by the Christian Children Fund (Kenya) and supported by Bernard van Leer Foundation (The Netherlands).

The Lodge is built on local architecture using local materials but it was very comfortable and relaxing. The staff there were very welcoming and met our needs promptly. The food was varied and excellent. Monkeys were on hand to provide us with company. Elephants could be seen around the Lodge (the Lodge also arranges game drives).

On our last night at the Lodge, the staff arranged a cultural night. My, was it excellent! Representatives of each participating country carried a burning torch to a clearing in the area and we sang, danced and supped. It was great!

We visited the Samburu ECD centres and had the thrill of sampling Samburu culture.

Are you planning on a holiday in Kenya? You must visit the Samburu National Park, and of course, stay in the Sarova Shaba Lodge, to have visited Kenya!

"At Wamba and Ngaruni ECD Centres"

Visits to the Samburu ECD Centres at Wamba and Ngaruni exposed me to the efficient use of local materials that conform to traditional values and customs. The atmosphere was excellent for early childhood care and development. It was quite helpful to us as we try to introduce early childhood care and development among the Fulbe (Fulani) pastoralists in Nigeria

"Cultural Mix"

The cultural night was held on the last but one day. We had participants from different parts of Africa in their traditional/cultural wears (a few from Asia and Europe too). We dined, sang and dined. It was simply glorious!

Who Are The Kenya People?

by greekcypriot

Kenyans on the whole are friendly and relaxed people, who enjoy everyday life. They are never too busy to make time for you, and little crowds gather in no time if something extraordinary is happening.

The Kenya people are very diverse and include most linguistic and ethnic groups in Africa. About 98% of them are Africans. Because of the tribes, national identity is rather weak, although most governments have tried to create a ‘Kenyan identity’. Impressed of how religious these people are!

Sundays

by croisbeauty

Most of the Kenyans, those who have job in a big companies or government institutions, work six days in a week. Sunday is day off, time for the chuch in the mornings and family walkings in the parks after lunch time. Uhuru Park is the place where most of the locals like to spend their free time, either in walkings, attending mass in open or listening gospel songs performed by numerous groups around.

Good photo equipment

by K.Knight

Comfortable shoes for walking, hat, sunglasses, a jacket or fleece are all essential. Sunscreen, mosquito repellent and toilet paper are all a must. Having said this, I feel that headache tablets are a must when travelling in Africa. Remember that Nairobi is called the "rooftop of africa" and some travellers do suffer from mild altitude sickness in the form of a nagging headache for the first day or two. I always travel with my Minolta SLR camera with 2 lenses (1x 35/80 and 1x 75/300 zoom), a two times converter, a polariser for both lenses, a spare battery and 10 spare rolls of 400 asa film (36) with 1 loaded into the camera.