Table of contents for Issue 192 - August-September 2025 in Msafiri

DEAR READER Welcome aboard Kenya Airways, the Pride of Africa. As you journey with us today, I'm pleased to share some exciting developments shaping the future of our airline and our region. We're proud to be piloting the Integrated Sustainability Programme (ISP) with IATA. As one of Africa's leading airlines, our commitment to environmental responsibility and social impact is unwavering. Through the ISP, we're embedding sustainable procurement, social responsibility, and performance monitoring into our daily operations -strengthening our industry leadership and our planet's future. Free to TAKE HOME We're also thrilled to announce a new partnership between Kenya Airfreight Handling Limited (KAHL) and Lift Cargo Limited. This alliance is set to transform how fresh produce moves from Kenya to the world. With KAHL's world-class cool chain infrastructure and Lift Cargo's…

There's something so approachable about Sir Richard Branson, it almost doesn't add up. Despite an amassed fortune of £2.3 billion — that's the same as the GDP of The Gambia — he remains an entrepreneur who brings with him values, modesty and respect. Add in discovery and a wealth of ideas, and it's easy to see why his Ulusaba Game Reserve, located in South Africa's Sabi Sand has been such a resounding success; something he is now looking to replicate with the reopening of the Mahali Mzuri camp in Kenya. Q WHAT IS THE SECRET TO A GOOD SAFARI? Attention to detail. It's really important in every aspect of our lives, and I've always lived by the detail… it's who I am! Yet to counter the great expanses with an…

GARMIN INREACH EXPLORER+ Getting lost in the wilderness is only romantic in movies. The Garmin inReach Explorer+ combines GPS navigation with two-way satellite messaging, ensuring you can call for help even when you're completely off-grid. Send ‘Just spotted a leopard!’ texts to jealous friends back home, or more importantly, share your coordinates with guides if you wander too far from camp. $450 • GARMIN.COM THROUGH THE LENS CANON RF 100-500MM LENS If you're using a Canon mirrorless camera, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is the perfect zoom lens for safari shooting. Why? Well, it gives you serious reach without the serious weight, delivering professional telephoto performance that captures everything from intimate portraits to dramatic wide shots of migrating herds. $2,699 • CANON.COM SWAROVSKI OPTIK AX VISIO 10X32 BINOCULARS Meet…

The chimpanzee (Pan trogolodytes) occurs in 21 African countries over a range of 2.6 million sq km, with a population estimated at 160,000–300,000. Nonetheless, chimps are hard to see, inhabiting dense forest and avoiding people. Reliable viewing is confined to troops that have been habituated to humans through years of research and tourism. Tracking habituated chimpanzees takes place on foot. You will travel in a small group of 6-10 with a guide and rangers, typically following radio directions from scouts in the forest. The hike may be brief or last hours, depending on the animals' whereabouts. A degree of fitness helps, as trails can be steep and/or muddy — the dry season generally offers optimum conditions. Once the chimps are located, you will spend an hour with them (though some…

Kenya Airways and Visa have announced a strategic co-brand agreement aimed at enhancing the travel experience for customers and promoting the adoption of digital payments in the aviation industry. Under the agreement, KQ and Visa will provide a variety of exclusive benefits and incentives to travellers, including the launch of co-branded credit and debit cards. These cards will offer customers benefits such as: ENHANCED REWARDS PROGRAMME: cardholders will earn points for every purchase made with the co-branded cards, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades and other travel-related services. TRAVEL BENEFITS: exclusive access to airport lounges, priority boarding and additional baggage allowances. DIGITAL PAYMENT SOLUTIONS: secure and convenient payment options for booking flights, in-flight purchases and more. PROMOTIONAL OFFERS: special discounts and promotions on Kenya Airways flights and services for Visa cardholders. Julius Thairu,…

GUESS AMORE VENEZIA Eau de Toilette 100ml Experience the allure of Venezia – a fragrance whispering tales of romance, mystery and timeless beauty. FRAGRANCE NOTES: Oriental – Floral $35 $125 VERSACE EROS NAJIM Eau de Parfum Vapo 100ml Derived from the Arabic word for ‘star’, Eros Najim is a beautiful star. Warm, enveloping caramel tones, a seductive embrace full of strong, intense elements such as cardamom, oud wood, patchouli and vetiver, as well as incense, brightened by the light and vibrant energy of yellow Italian mandarin. FRAGRANCE NOTES: Fruity – Spicy BUY BEFORE YOU FLY You can now pre-order your duty free online three days before your flight and get your shopping delivered directly to your seat on board. Quick, easy and convenient shopping! VISIT WWW.KQDUTYFREE.COM SEE OUR FULL RANGE…

Africa's e-commerce sector is booming, fuelled by a tech-driven generation and unprecedented digital adoption. With more than 60% of the continent's population under 25, Gen Z is reshaping retail, embracing the convenience of online shopping. Mobile penetration is soaring, unlocking vast opportunities for digital commerce. Industry projections show Africa's e-commerce market is set to reach US$75bn in a few years. At Kenya Airways Cargo, we are not just witnessing this transformation – we are driving it. Our mission is to “propel Africa's prosperity by connecting its people, cultures and markets,” and nowhere is this more evident than in our role as a key enabler of cross-border e-commerce logistics. Africa's e-commerce explosion is a game changer, and Kenya Airways Cargo is proud to be the backbone of this digital trade KQ…

ELEWANA LOISABA TENTED CAMP LAIKIPIA Perched on the escarpment of Kenya's Loisaba Conservancy, where elephants roam below and stars shimmer above, lies a spa experience unlike any other. At Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp, wellness is a journey of restoration rooted in the wild and inspired by tradition. The Loisaba Spa treatments draw from Africa's ancient healing rituals. Every element, from oils to ceremonies, is designed to reconnect body, mind and spirit to the rhythms of the land. The Samburu Celebration Journey is a 90-minute signature treatment inspired by the cultural heritage of the Samburu people. It begins with a cleansing foot ritual using salt crystals and native plant extracts to clear away negative energy. A body polish follows, made with coffee, cinnamon and Tanga-Orange blend, infused with indigenous oils to…

Kenya continues to adopt renewable energy and conservation, blending tradition with innovation to protect its breathtaking wilderness. In the heart of the Maasai Mara, where lions roar and elephants tread softly, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Emboo River Camp, a pioneer in sustainable tourism, has introduced solar-powered electric safari vehicles, offering a game-changing way to experience wildlife – without the rumble of engines or the scent of diesel. These silent vehicles glide through the savannah, allowing guests to witness animals in their most natural state – undisturbed and unhurried. By merging solar technology with luxury eco-lodging, Emboo River Camp proves that sustainability and sophistication can go hand in hand. We spoke with camp co-founder Valery Joanne Super… Q WHAT INSPIRED EMBOO RIVER CAMP TO INTRODUCE SOLAR-POWERED ELECTRIC SAFARI VEHICLES? It all…

To book your flight, go to www.kenya-airways.com Kenya Airways has marked a significant milestone in its expansion strategy with the official launch of direct flights from Nairobi to London's Gatwick Airport. The highly anticipated inaugural flight, KQ108, departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on 2 July at 23:45 EAT, signifying a new era of enhanced connectivity between Kenya and the UK. The new service will operate three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with flights departing Nairobi at night. It increases the airline's London frequency to 10 weekly flights, complementing the existing service to Heathrow Airport. Speaking at the launch event, Allan Kilavuka, KQ's group MD and CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the new route: “This inaugural flight to Gatwick is not just about adding a new destination, it's…

Have you ever wondered what it takes to fly sustainably? Well, Kenya Airways' landmark 2024 Sustainability Report has pulled back the curtains on how it has embedded sustainability into the very heart of its being. KQ's first-ever standalone sustainability report highlights its robust progress across environmental, social and economic pillars. To the carrier, sustainability isn't a separate department – it permeates every aspect of the business and governs how it treats its employees and customers, and how it flies. This report is a testament to KQ's vision of becoming Africa's preferred and sustainable aviation group, driving innovation, fostering partnerships and reimagining African aviation through a sustainable lens. The airline's record profit of Ksh5.4bn (US$41.8m), after tax for the financial year ending 31 December 2024 demonstrates that sustainable business is indeed…

HOLLYWOOD NEW RELEASES THUNDERBOLTS They're not your typical heroes. When a covert mission calls for a team that plays by its own rules, the Thunderbolts step in. Made up of former foes and morally grey allies – including Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes and Red Guardian – this unlikely crew is brought together for a job no one else can take on. Gritty, fast-paced and packed with attitude, Thunderbolts dives into the darker corners of the Marvel universe. CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD A new era begins. Sam Wilson takes up the shield as the new Captain America in this high-stakes Marvel adventure. As global tensions rise and powerful enemies emerge, Sam must define what Captain America stands for in a changed world. With explosive action, political twist and the return…

Kenya Airfreight Handling Limited (KAHL), a subsidiary of Kenya Airways, has announced a partnership with Lift Cargo that aims to revolutionise the global distribution of perishable goods and ensure that fresh produce reaches consumers in optimal condition. Peter Musola, acting general manager at KAHL, said: “The partnership will leverage KAHL's state-of-the-art cool chain facilities alongside Lift Cargo's extensive client base. Together, we will create a seamless cool chain that minimises spoilage, reduces waste and enhances the overall quality of perishable goods, elevating product freshness for our customers.” The horticulture sector is one of the largest contributors to Kenya's economy, generating approximately Ksh157bn (US$1.29bn) in annual export earnings, according to the Agriculture and Food Authority. Flowers alone account for more than 70% of these exports, with Europe serving as the primary…

This domestic tourist visited Nairobi National Park one sunny Friday this May and I didn't just see the same old animals. I witnessed something new: undocumented power plays. Which made me conclude that baboons should be higher up in the hierarchy structure. I couldn't have chosen a better day to visit this national gem. The park was bustling with eager school kids and unwary handbag-carrying teachers – the perfect recipe for baboon-orchestrated dramas. RULES The cardinal law in every game park is read and observe every rule. However, I couldn't wrap my mind around this: “Warthogs and children have the right of way”. This rule means that, in Nairobi National Park, children and warthogs belong to the same species, right? A VISITOR'S PHONE FELL ONTO THE BANKS OF THE MOKOYET…

JACKSON MUTUKU ANDBEYOND BATELEUR CAMP Sous Chef and father of three, Jackson has been at Bateleur Camp since 2015, following a posting in eastern Kenya. His day begins at 6am, preparing breakfast with his team before moving on to lunch service. Like many chefs in the Mara, he sources vegetables and most herbs from a local organic garden. “These are organically grown to keep the local environment intact,” he says. Jackson emphasises the value of knowing each guest's preferences. “We have a mix of guests from different parts of the world whose tastes are influenced by many factors, including religion. They should all feel at home here.” UTTAM DAS JW MARRIOTT MAASAI MARA Chef Uttam Das, Executive Chef at JW Marriott Maasai Mara, is a culinary innovator with over 18…

I recently went on an early morning game drive in Nairobi National Park. It is the only national park within a capital city, making it easily accessible for a safari experience, allowing visitors to appreciate the diverse wildlife and beautiful landscape. As I feasted on the breathtaking ecosystem, listening to the melodious songs by the birds and watching lions on the hunt in the beautiful savannah grasslands, I realised that. Here, I share a few learnings I carried home from bush wisdom. 01 SOMETIMES, YOU ARE EITHER THE PREDATOR OR THE PREY You have probably heard the saying: ‘Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it…

I've seen lions sprawl across sun-warmed clearings, yawning wide as if bored by their own majesty. I've watched cheetahs lie low in the grass, eyes locked on passing prey, every muscle tensed. And I've searched for leopards the way gamblers watch the wheel – hopeful, half-convinced that this spin, this drive, might be the one. There's an electricity to big cat sightings. Even when nothing happens, anything could happen. I remember once spending five or six hours watching a cheetah and her three nearly grown cubs in the southern Serengeti. She never launched into a chase or made a kill, but it didn't matter. Just being near them – seeing them twitch at every gazelle, share quiet licks and playful nips – was a privilege. And then there are the…

Alongside serving as the host airline for the 37th IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) in Nairobi, Kenya Airways has worked to enhance its commitment to sustainability by actively contributing to the development and testing of an integrated sustainability programme. (ISP). Over the course of the pilot, KQ worked closely with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to provide critical insights, operational context and feedback to help ensure the ISP is practical, impactful and tailored to the real-world challenges and opportunities facing airlines today. As a result, Kenya Airways has embedded programme standards into its operational practices and is now progressing toward full ISP certification. The project has introduced three new programmes to address the most pressing aviation sustainability priorities: SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT: supporting responsible sourcing strategies that consider environmental and social impacts…