HEADLINES
DECEMBER 2010:
|Roots Travel & Tours – Kibo Slopes Safaris Partner in Ethiopia|
|New Website Features|
|Kibo Slopes Tanzania shifts to New Offices|
|Tanzania held Presidential and Parliamentary Elections|
|The latest Kenyan Athletic Celebrity|
|Kenyan Runners again on Top|
|President Kibaki promulgating the new constitution|
|The first Grader – Kenya’s Free Primary Education|
|Getting Youth involed in Conservation|
|On Tarmac to Loitokitok|
|Lets Us Reason – Stop the Serengeti Highway !|
|Kibo Slopes Safaris partners with the Intensive Care Air Ambulance|
|Increase in Park fees in Kenya’s National Parks|
|Nairobi Greenline embarks on a Tree Planting exercise|
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Roots Travel & Tours – Kibo Slopes Safaris Partner in Ethiopia
After several successful joint tours from Addis Ababa to Nairobi via South Ethiopia and Northern Kenya along Lake Turkana, the Directors of Kibo Slopes Safaris Anton Tschank and Abdi Shakur Jama explored with Habte Lakew the Director of Roots Tours &Travel the South Ethiopian cultural and ethnic tourism sites with a view of launching a new joint product from Addis to Nairobi and vice versa. Several possibilities were discussed. Both countries have a lot to offer. While the clients will be introduced to different ethnic groups in Ethiopia and learn to appreciate the different cultures and their rich history, they will find in Sibiloi the excavations of the Leakey Family which give us more information of the origins of mankind. The tour will end with Kenya’s prime tourist attraction – the wildlife in Samburu and Nakuru where all the “Big Five” can be seen. We also intend to introduce a one week tour for East African Residents and Citizen to Ethiopia. This trip at an attractive price will give East African an opportunity to explore the neighboring country and appreciate the rich cultural and historical heritage
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Kibo Slopes Safaris
Toni Tschank
sales@kiboslopessafaris.com
http://www.kiboslopessafaris.com
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New Website Features
Kibo Slopes Safaris has revised its website and included many new features to meet the customer demands. You can now make free calls to inquire or get clarifications from anywhere in the world through our Partnership with Kenya Postel Directories. We also have partnered with Safaricom and you can use our Paybill No. 515600 to make payments for your reservation of hotels, transport services, flights and safaris. A special section presents resident packages, tailored for East African Residents, which have limited time. Particular attention is drawn to our “Weekend Get Aways’’ There is also a variety of hotels and lodges for self drive local customer which can be reserved through us and paid for conveniently via M-Pesa. We are also working with Google maps to enable you to find the key locations of facilities and properties on your itineraries with ease. Our featured adventures are focused on our homegrown conservation efforts. Book this safari and learn more about successful approaches to conservation. Nobel Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai, Collin Church and Dr. Mwangi Mukuria may have different approaches but one thing is common: They are all successful in conserving Kenya’s unique habitat for generations to come.
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Kibo Slopes Safaris
Toni Tschank
toni@kiboslopessafaris.com
http://www.kiboslopessafaris.com
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Kibo Slopes Tanzania shifts to New Offices
We are pleased to announce that we have shifted to new offices on the 3rd floor of the Arusha City Complex. This is another milestone in our ever increasing bid to serve our customers better. The new offices have better communication facilities and can act as a sales office for walk in clients where all the expertise of our staff is ready at hand. The offices recently hosted a meeting for all our driver and mountain guides in Kenya and Tanzania, on the 24th of November 2010. The gathering was also addressed by the Product Manager of Hauser Excursion, Mrs. Gabriele Krombach. Many issues were discussed and the participants expressed their wishes to have such meetings at least every end of the season to have an opportunity to share experiences and reflect on the season. After lunch and a photo session the driver guides received jackets and caps from Hauser Exkursionen and pledged to work hard to ensure that the customer experience is at par with the Hauser Slogan: “Die Welt und sich selbst erleben
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Kibo Slopes (T) Ltd
Mohammed Chembera
arusha@kiboslopessafaris.com
http://www.kiboslopessafaris.com
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Tanzania held Presidential and Parliamentary Elections
On 31st October 2010, President Jakaya Kikwete of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), ran for his second term with Wilbrod Slaa of the Chama cha Demokrasia Na Maendeleo as the main opposition contender. The elections were generally peaceful and international observers termed them as free and fair, but voiced concern about the transparency of the vote tabulation. The opposition too complained of some irregularities, the main being a rigged poll. The said elections have increased the number of opposition parliamentarians in Tanzania considerably to 92 seats in the 343 member parliament. The elections also saw the unopposed election to parliament of former Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka who retired from the UN in August this year after heading up the Human Settlements Programme, and previously the Commission for Human Settlements, for ten years. Kikwete was sworn in to office on the 6th of November 2010.
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Kibo Slopes (T) ltd
Mohammed Chembera
arusha@kiboslopessafaris.com
http://www.nec.go.tz
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The latest Kenyan Athletic Celebrity
David Rudisha broke the 800m world record for the second time in eight days at a meeting in Rieti, Italy. The 21-year-old, coached by Irishman Colm O’Connel, ran 1 minute 41.01 seconds to better the time he recorded in Germany, Berlin, by eight hundredths of a second. The previous best of 1:41.11, set by Denmark's Kenyan-born Wilson Kipketer's had stood since 1997. Rudisha was confident he could break the record and believes he can still lower the world record. David Rudisha’s father, David won an Olympic silver medal in the 4x 400m at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, who he cites as a huge inspiration to his current success. At 21 years, David Rudisha becomes the youngest athlete to win the prestigious ATHLETE of YEAR Award for 2010 in Monaco, succeeding Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. It was pomp and color as thousands of people including Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka thronged Kilgoris stadium to welcome the new 800 m World Record Holder.
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Athletics Kenya
info@athleticskenya.or.ke
http://www.athleticskenya.or.ke/
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Kenyan Runners again on Top
Kenya was among the teams that participated in the Commonwealth games in India which is the 3rd largest multi-sport event in the world. Kenya managed to emerge with 32 medals of which 12 were gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze. President Kibaki and the First lady were impressed and commended the team for its exceptional performance in the International competition. The first Gold in the Commonwealth games by Kenya in Swimming was won in the 19th Commonwealth games thanks to Jason Dunford.
Determined Irene Jelagat also did Kenya proud by getting away with Kenya’s first Commonwealth women’s marathon gold medal while John Kelai claimed the men’s gold as the games ended. Kenya dominated the middle and long distance events, winning 14 out of the possible 18 medals in the mens middle and long distance events, while their women’s team won 12 out of 18 medals in the same events.
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Athletics Kenya
info@athleticskenya.or.ke
http://www.athleticskenya.or.ke/
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President Kibaki promulgating the new constitution
At a historic ceremony held on the 4th August 2010, thousands of Kenyan's gathered at Nairobi's Uhuru Park to take part in the much anticipated Promulgation Day festivities to witness the establishment of a new constitution. The historic ceremony took place just three weeks after Kenya approved the new constitution through an August 4th referendum. The day was billed as a celebration of national unity and diversity. The colorful event was representative of a collective pride in finally establishing a new set of laws for the nation. With the thousands in attendance looking on, President Mwai Kibaki signed the Instruments of Promulgation and declared Kenya's new constitution. The new constitution marks the birth of the second Kenyan Republic. The former constitution, in place since independence from Britain 1963, was seen by many as a relic of the colonial era.
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The Clerk Kenya National Assembly
clerk@parliament.go.ke
http://www.bunge.go.ke
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The first Grader – Kenya’s Free Primary Education
"The First Grader" is a film set in Kenya and recounts the true story of an 84-year-old farmer and former Mau Mau veteran who decided to go to school when the country introduced free universal education. Screenwriter Ann Peacock introduces Maruge (Oliver Litondo), an old man with a walking stick, as he approaches the new school in his village and asks to enroll. The school authorities are reluctant to admit an octogenarian alongside 6-year-olds. Teacher Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris) is equally skeptical, but when she observes Maruge's unyielding determination to learn to read, she becomes his ally, even as she alienates her husband and government authorities who are just as bureaucratically rigid.
The First Grader has consistently been a hit with audiences since its screening at the Telluride, Toronto and London Film Festivals in September and was the Audience Prize runner-up at the Toronto Film Festival.
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Goldcrest Films International
sales@goldcrestfilms.com
http://www.thefirstgrader-themovie.com/news/
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Getting Youth involed in Conservation
The ministries of Environment and Mineral Resources and Education launched the green schools initiative in Nyandarua High School, in Nyandarua County. The initiative will be rolled out country wide soon.
The initiative according to officials of the two ministries will strengthen and improve the quality of education towards sustainable environmental conservation. The conservation efforts are aimed at increasing water conservation through roof catchments in schools, increased tree cover, hence carbon sequestration, and mainstreaming of environmental education in the curricula as well as active engagement of community members including politicians in the promotion of environmental stewardship.
Schools provide an excellent opportunity for children to learn key issues about the environment, inculcating positive attitudes, skills, knowledge and behavior change in caring for the environment. It is expected that this will extend to families and the communities at large.
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Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources
The Permanent Secretary
psoffice@environment.go.ke
http://www.environment.go.ke
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On Tarmac to Loitokitok
For years we were struggling to drive the 230 km from Nairobi to Loitokitok. It could take anything from 4 to 6 hours, on dusty murram roads. During the rainy season one had to be prepared to spend a night on the road. Farmers were stuck with their produce and had to sell to middleman at throw away prices.
After years of promises it finally happened, a 3 hour joyride takes you to the Slopes of the African Giant – Mt. Kilimanjaro. And that’s not all, the Tanzanian Government is busy tarmaking a scenic road all around the mountain. Most of the Rombo part has already been completed while the work in West Kilimanjaro and Moshi Districts are still going on. This is another milestone for East Africa and East African Cooperation as it cuts down on the traveling time between Nairobi and Dar es salaam substantially. Take a break for a weekend, drive to Loitokitok and visit Amboseli, whether in a saloon car or a 4x4.
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Kibo Slopes Cottages
kibocot@nbnet.co.ke
http://www.kiboslopescottages.com
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Lets Us Reason – Stop the Serengeti Highway !
The elections in Tanzania are over. No more politicking is required. We have to protect Julius Nyerere’s legacy. “The Serengeti shall not die! “ We must listen to words of conservationists all over the world. A highway like planned through the Northern Serengeti will definitely destroy the eco-system and the spectacle of the yearly migration termed as the latest wonder of the world. As much as the people in Loliondo and Natron area have a right to good roads and development as much it is our duty to conserve our environment and protect it for future generations. To achieve both objectives we do not need a through highway, but simply a tarmac road ending in Waso and the proposed alternative with the southern bypass which will take the bulk of the Musoma and Mwanza traffic to Da re salaam.
Serengeti Watch is building a strong coalition of support, advocacy, and funding for the Serengeti ecosystem, for the people living around it, and adjacent reserves and protected areas. The campaign to stop the Serengeti highway has made it clear - the Serengeti can survive only if the world helps it survive. The Serengeti needs a permanent broad-based coalition of support into the future. So far 12 137 people have signed up a petition besides numerous other international activities to save the Serengeti and stop the planned highway. Sign the petition and join Save the Serengeti to keep yourself informed about the developments.
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Earth Island Institute
Berry Blanton
info@savetheserengeti.org
http://www.savetheserengeti.org/issues/stop-the-serengeti-highway
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Kibo Slopes Safaris partners with the Intensive Care Air Ambulance
In our efforts to provide maximum safety and security for our clients we signed up with the Intensive Care Air Ambulance for all clients traveling with us. The ICAA has a wealth of knowledge in Air Rescues all over East Africa. The cover extends to a radius of 1000 km from Nairobi. Although high altitude evacuations above 3500m are still difficult by air because of suitable helicopters for such a mission, the response time to an emergency has been reduced and the transport on stretchers shortened.
The program starts on 1st of January 2011, and covers only evacuation to the nearest suitable hospital. It’s important to note that all Hospital and treatment costs have to be borne by the client or his /her travel and health insurance.
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Kibo Slopes Safaris Ltd
Abdi Shakur Jama - Director (Operations)
operations@kiboslopessafaris.com
http://www.kiboslopessafaris.com
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Increase in Park fees in Kenya’s National Parks
Conservation is a costly enterprise. The Kenya Wildlife Service is mandated to protect the wildlife and its environment. The budget is mainly made of government allocations, donations and of course of the park fees the visitors are paying. Tourism is one key foreign exchange earners for Kenya. The Kenya Wildlife Service plays an essential role by protecting our flora and fauna to attract visitors from all over the world.
In order to finance the ambitious plans which include construction of roads and facilities, translocation of wildlife to avoid overcrowding and improve the visitor experience in under stocked parks, solving wildlife and community conflicts, maintaining of essential park fences, controlling of poaching, securing of wildlife corridors and dispersals areas, leveraging science in Wildlife health Management amongst others, the Kenya Wildlife Service decided to increase the park fees for the Premium Parks Nakuru, Amboseli to US$ 75/- and Tsavo to US$ 60/- during the peak season month of Jan to March and June to December.
Samburu and Maasai Mara National Reserve managed by the respective county councils have indicated to follow suit. The Kenya Wildlife Service prides itself to be one of best Conservation Organizations in the world. We hope that the increased income will result in many improvements which in turn will be appreciated by our visitors.
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Kenya Wildlife Service
customerservice@kws.go.ke
http://www.kws.org
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Nairobi Greenline embarks on a Tree Planting exercise
The Kenya Wildlife Service in partnership with Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) conducted on Saturday June 5, 2010 a tree planting exercise at the Nairobi National Park to start of the Nairobi Greenline project. The Sh35 million initiative aims at planting 250,000 trees from the park’s Cheetah Gate in Athi River to Carnivore Restaurant on Lang’ata Road and a 30-km long, 50-metre wide forest of indigenous trees shielding it from the fast-growing metropolis. In addition to the tree planting exercise, a 25,000-strong Human Greenline chain was formed inside the Park starting from the Carnivore Restaurant to the Athi-River Cheetah Gate. Kibo Slopes Safaris was party to this exercise. The initiative will go a long way in protecting the 64-year-old park against various environmental risks due to human encroachment, pollution and human wildlife conflict.
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Kenya Wildlife Service
customerservice@kws.go.ke
http://www.kws.org
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