A short guide to Nakuru and the neighbourhood

As the fourth biggest Kenyan city, Nakuru has a lot to offer especially for tourists and weekend travellers. Located only 160 km from Nairobi, it is a great weekend getaway spot for those running away from hustle and bustle. Travel experts from Jovago.com - Africa’s leading hotel-booking website - advise where and what to do while in Nakuru.

Lake Nakuru, source: emiratesholiday.com

While in Nakuru, you obviously can’t miss Nakuru National Park which houses the lake. It is well known for pink flamingoes and picturesque rides. If you are looking for something less known and not so crowded with a historical touch, go for Lord Egerton Castle located in the city of Nakuru. For nature lovers, the area has one more attraction which is the Menengai Crater - a massive caldera located in the Great Rift Valley. For those who fancy archeology, it is recommended to visit Kariandusi Museum where you can watch the early man’s tools.

After the whole day of activities and sightseeing, you might get hungry. There are several restaurants worth visiting in Nakuru and its neighourhood. You might want to visit Sisima Coffee - good food at reasonable prices and free wifi. Moca Loca Coffee & Lounge is also a nice place to eat. Although a bit more expensive, it is cozy and serves a delicious food.

Ziwa Bush Lodge offers affordable and cozy rooms with a swimming pool and free wifi to those who want to take a rest. For budget travelers, it is recommended to stay at Avenue Suites Hotel. It is located close to Nakuru Railway station and within a walking distance to the city center. If you are looking for a luxurious stay, the Pelican Lodge should be a perfect place for you. With a marvellous lake view, beautifully decorated rooms, a swimming pool and a nice lounge, it is a perfect place for a weekend getaway.

Fun spots to visit with family this Easter

The Easter weekend is almost here. It is normally time for families to come together. For some it is usually the time of the year to go on holiday. This can be upcountry or sandy beaches.

There is a cadre of people who like spending these days doing recreational spots. The advantage of these spots are they are cheap and accessible to many. These places are spread out within the country. They are usually affordable and can accommodate large number of people at a go.

Uhuru Park Nairobi

The Uhuru Park, source: nathaliedurili.com

A view of Nairobi City from Uhuru Park

It is close to the central business district. There are several attractions, the artificial lake where you can go on a boat ride and national monuments. The place also has good restaurants where one can have a bite. Face painting, camel rides are some of the common activities here.

Jevanjee Gardens

This too is one of Nairobi’s prime spots for family gatherings, picnics or just relaxing. The garden is open to the public and you don’t have to pay any entry fee.

Bomas of Kenya

It is a tourist village displaying several Kenyan community homesteads. You can experience folk dances, gyrate to the pulsating beats of Kenya’s folk music. For anyone who wants to experience Kenya’s heritage and culture this is a place to be.

Nairobi Safari Walk

For nature and wildlife lovers, taking a walk through here is an exciting experience. The boardwalks allows you to see the wildlife and close to 150 indigenous species of trees.

Mamba Village Mombasa

The crocodile farm is located in Nyali, Mombasa. It is one of the largest crocodile farms in East Africa.

Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa

The recreational park is close to the ocean giving a magnificent view of the ocean, the relaxing cool breeze is something to die for. Enjoy some madafu (coconut fresh juice) an array of Swahili delicacies. For the young ones there are swings, face painting.

The park is open 24 hours with adequate security.

Jomo Kenyatta Grounds Kisumu

It is located in the CBD. The ground has restaurants popular among residents and amusement parks for the kids. It is open to the public and the entry is absolutely free.

Destination of the week: Meru and its neighborhood

270 km north-west from Nairobi, one can find a city that is a gate to attractions like Mount Kenya, Samburu National Reserve or Buffalo Springs National Reserves. That city is Meru. Located in a heart of Kenya, with its 250,000 residents, is very often omitted when it comes to domestic tourism.

Elephant Bedroom Samburu, source: jovago.com

Mombasa, Kisumu, Nairobi and the national parks. Everyone knows Kenya for those places, but where in this mass-tourism craziness is a space for small, lovely getaway spots? Very often underestimated, Meru is a real Kenyan jewel.

The city itself is home to the majestic Mount Kenya - the highest mount in Kenya and second highest on the African continent. Together with Mount Kenya National Park, the area was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Driving a little north, one can spend amazing time in a Samburu National Reserve watching wildlife and relaxing in one of the local hotels. Elephant Bedroom Samburu is a great place for those looking for a little bit o f luxury. Located in the reserve, along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, provides its guests with an unforgettable and unique experience. One can also try Samburu Sopa Lodge built atop of a high ground with a majestic view to the land and hills beyond. Both hotels can be booked, for instance, on Jovago.com.

Jovago partners with AccorHotels in Africa

Jovago and AccorHotels announced today the signing of an innovative partnership to incorporate all AccorHotels established on the African continent on the Jovago platform - Africa’s n°1 online hotel booking website.

The partnership would firstly involve the incorporation of 30 AccorHotels hotels located in 13 countries on the Jovago platform and then, the overall hotels of the Group in Africa.

"AccorHotels is one of the largest players in the hotel industry in Africa. As Africa’s leading hotel booking platform, we are proud to incorporate AccorHotels into our platform in order to provide our African customers with high quality hotels in the key cities of the continent" said Paul Midy CEO Jovago. "This strategic partnership confirms our passion for hospitality and hotel development in Africa."

The AccorHotels’ portfolio will become a part of Jovago’s catalog of 25,000 hotels in Africa, further enabling customers to book a room directly through the jovago.com website and benefit from a personalized, locally based customer service available  24/7 in several languages.

“The partnership with Jovago highly contributes to establish our distribution strategy in Africa, says Souleymane Khol, VP Sales Marketing Distribution & Revenue Management for Africa & Indian Ocean. AccorHotels is in a continuous  process of dynamic innovation aiming to always mix more efficiently the digital experience with our hospitality know-how "

Kalahari Desert Facts

On this page of Interesting Africa Facts we list facts about the Kalahari Desert which is one of the many interesting Africa landforms. The Kalahari is not really a desert it is a large semi-arid sandy savannah. Many parts of the Kalahari receive significant rainfall (over 9.8 inches / 250 millimeters annually) and have quite a bit of vegetation.

Kalahari Desert Facts - General

• The Kalahari Desert came into existence approximately sixty million years ago along with the formation of the African continent.
• The desert covers approximately 350,000 square miles (900,000 square kilometers) encompassing most of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa.
• The desert gets its name from the Tswana word Kgala ("the great thirst"), or Kgalagadi, Khalagari, or Kalagare, meaning "a waterless place".
• The Kalahari Desert actually has huge areas that are good for grazing and support more animals than are found in a true desert.
• The Kalahari has several game reserves and other conservation areas. The reserves include the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (The second largest protected area in the world), Khutse Game Reserve, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
• The Kalahari gets very hot; it can reach temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer. In winter the desert has a dry, cold climate where the temperature can reach 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
• The Okavango River is the only permanent river that flows through the desert. During the rainy season (October through April) temporary rivers such as the Nata and several tributaries which flow into the Limpopo River are formed.

Kalahari Desert Facts - People

• Even though survival in the Kalahari Desert can be challenging there are several tribes that make it their home. These tribes include the San (San Bushmen), Kung, Khomani, Khios (Hottentots people), Nama (or Namaqua) and Griqua people.
• A small number of Europeans also live in the Kalahari.
• The San Bushmen have lived in the Kalahari for approximately twenty thousand years and are considered to be the oldest culture in the world. A small group of these people still follow the traditional lifestyle as hunters-gatherers, as their tribe has done for thousands of years.
• The Kung (!Kung) people, like the San people, were traditionally hunters and gatherers. To pronounce "Kung" correctly you must make a clicking sound before the 'k' sound, this sound is usually expressed in writing with an exclamation mark.

Kalahari Desert Facts - Animals

• Survival in the Kalahari is difficult, animals need to be able to withstand extreme climates (both hot and cold). Evolution has produced some amazing animals native to this region who are well adapted for survival. Here we list some facts about these animals.
• One of the most common Kalahari animals is the Gemsbok/Oryx (Oryx gazelle). This animal is well equipped for survival in the extremely rough conditions of the desert.
• Many of the world's most dangerous cats can be found in parts of the Kalahari. These include lions, leopards, cheetahs, and caracals.
• Another animal found in this region is the eland (Taurotragus Oryx). It is the largest of all the African antelope. They can weigh up to 1985 pounds (900 kg).
• The desert is actually the home to some amphibious animals. These include the bushveldt rain frog and the tremolo sand frog that live in the southern Kalahari where there is a long rainy season.

Kalahari Desert Facts - Plants

• Over four hundred species of plants have been identified in the Kalahari Desert.
• The Kalahari's sand is better than most deserts at retaining water, and therefore allows for more plant life than most deserts.
• The vegetation in the arid southern regions consist mostly of grasses including Eragrostis (lovegrass), Aristida, and Stipagrostis, as well as scattered trees and shrubs including Acacia, Colophospermum, Commiphora, and Terminalia.
• As you head north in the desert the arid lands give way to areas of greater and more diverse plant life characterized by a denser population of Acacia trees and shrub thickets. In the north east part of the Desert there are actually woodlands.

Booking your hotel online. How does it work?

Online booking is the new front in the hospitality industry. Gone are the days when travel agencies were the main players in the tourism sector. The far reaching changes by online booking portal like Jovago.com and similar, has become a game changer in the business of travel. Not to mention, the hassle the customer had to go  through has distinctively been reduced.

You may ask what is the advantage for both, a customer and a hotelier, in using online hotel booking websites?

The answer to the very question is simple. With 24 hours a day presence of hotels online a customer does not have to restrict themselves to “opening and closing hours”. They have access all hotels 24/7 and can choose the specifications that suits their needs as well as their finance.

Secondly, the innovative aspect of online and mobile payments makes the transaction between customer and hotel faster. At the touch of the button they certainly will have a room. There are added features which in turn assist the customer.

Online payments are easily transacted. Automated pay systems make it easy to transfer funds. As a consequence, they will not need to spend lots of time processing your booking, and will enjoy not only quick, but also safe payment solutions

Online booking gives the advantage of scouting for new customers whilst maintaining customer loyalty with special discounts and promotions. Jovago, for instance, gives customers a chance to use special discount short codes during the booking process.

Thanks to technology, customers’ booking experience goes beyond regular hotel booking. The interactivity of the website plays a key role. Booking companies provide a live chat, email correspondence with the customer and a constant communication through social media channels. Customers can communicate anomalies or, in case they need assistance, travel advisors are always on call.

Alluring Arusha: A Gateway for the Free Spirited!

Alluring Arusha: A Gateway for the Free Spirited!

    

Arusha, the fourth biggest town in Tanzania offers more than a conducive, almost predictable climate; it is the safari capital of northern Tanzania, and acts as the gateway to Mt Meru and Kilimambogo, expeditions to Arusha and Tarangire National Parks, wild safaris in Serengeti as well as experiencing Lake Manyara and the enchanting Maasai culture. The town, originally built in the 1900s as a German garrison has since grown to catch up with other popular Tanzanian cities, and now hosts the East Africa Community Headquarters as well as the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Jovago’s Top 3

Apart from serving as a gateway to most of northern Tanzania’s tourism circuit, Arusha in itself is a multi-faceted city with every contradiction that comes with a rising urban center. The architecture depicts a somehow balanced mélange of colonial, western and local that seem to have long reached a non-written consensus on co-existence. The people are warm and friendly, and whatever the town lacks in infrastructure, it does compensate in its camaraderie and welcoming weather.

Hiking Mount Meru

Mount Meru is Africa’s fifth highest mountain at 4,565 meters and renown for charming views and postcard photography for those bold enough to scale the volcanic rocks to the summit. Geography explains the mystique of the intriguing horseshoe shape as stemming from a massive eruption thousands of years ago, leaving a crater in the middle of the once Kilimanjaro-sized giant. This hike can take 3-4 days depending on one’s fitness and ability to acclimatize.

Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is one of the smaller parks in Tanzania, good or bad thing? I’d say it’s an advantage for the Safari enthusiast with limited time and big heart for game! The one-day trip makes for a hustle-free rendezvous with buffaloes, elephants, primates, and many more. Bird watchers will be entertained as well. The topography is just as rewarding with a thick tropical forest, ice-cold turquoise lakes and the popular Ngurdoto crater, all making beautiful picnic sites.

Shanga Shangaa – Africa House

This is the ultimate, stop, shop and snack hot spot in Arusha. The name is a fair translation to mean ‘amazing necklace’ an item no shopper will leave Shanga Shangaa without. This fantastic place was set up to help people with special abilities earn a living as well as morally support each other. Every product is made of recycled materials, glass, beads and stones giving birth to an authentic and exquisite collection. There’s a café that serves delicious local and Swahili cuisine, you can also wine and dine on the lovely lawns forming a perfect way for a leisurely spent afternoon.

Restaurants

From Chinese dumplings to Swahili mahamri and Italian Pizzas, Arusha does not disappoint. Most of the restaurants are centrally located in the business district with just a few locations in the residential. Njiro road as well as Moshono area are popular for night clubs, but as an experienced club hopper, the locals know best; make friends, and test the cues!

Shopping

The Tanzanite Experience is a must-go zone for best cut stones and some extensive crash-course on the precious pebble. The shop by Maasai Women Development Organization (MWEDO) is great for high quality beadwork. Kase on Boma road has good maps and books on National Parks and Heritage, for the self-caterer, Soko Kuu will do great favors to your kitchen!

Hotels

Whether on a budget-conscious trip, or seeking luxury on the slopes of Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha has great considerations for your ledger books! Log on to Jovago-Arusha-Hotels for all your accommodation needs.

                                                                                 Fun Fact

Arusha’s clock tower is believed to mark the midpoint between Cairo and Cape Town-there is a huge deal of disputing bar talk as well as Geographical evidence. Not to worry though, this vibe keeps the locals going, and the region happy to take directions from one of Africa’s most popular clock tower!

Safety: Whether in London, Libreville, Amsterdam or Arusha, being street smart is critical for every newbie. Walk confidently, avoid unnecessary crowds, negotiate like a native and don’t display expensive jewelry, cameras and accessories downtown. You’ll be fine.

Money: Tanzanian Shilling, All International Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard) are accepted in the ATM.

Exchange Rate:  http://www.xe.com/currency/tzs-tanzanian-shilling

Country Code: +255

Main Airport: Arusha is served by two main airports; Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha Municipal Airport. The former has a good number of international flights, while the latter is mostly domestic.

Visa Requirement:

http://tanzaniaembassy-us.org/?page_id=76

Jovago.com is an online hotel booking service with offices in Nairobi (Kenya), Lagos (Nigeria), Dakar (Senegal), Doula (Cameroon) and Abidjan (Ivory Coast). The company is founded by Africa Internet Holding and has MTN as one of the investors. Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 booking portal, facilitates the booking process for its users to provide them with the best hotel booking experience with fast, transparent and easy-to-use services. Jovago.com has over 25,000 local hotel listings across Africa and over 200,000 hotels around the world.