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540 Magazine, the new in-flight magazine for 540 Magazine is published by Land & Marine Publications (Kenya) Ltd. on behalf of Fly540. Fly540 - Africa's low cost airline.
Citation preview
WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF FLY540 - AFRICA’S LOW COST AIRLINE
Children in Malindi welcome a special visitor
ISSUE 02 // AUGUST - OCTOBER 2011
A NATIONA NATIONIS BORN
SOUTH SUDAN
Imani Children:
Conferencing is BIG business
Ride OutRide OutEat Out
SUNDAY LUNCH AT MOUNT KENYA SAFARI CLUB
540 magazine
Africa’s low cost airline
// 540 Issue 02 // August - October 2011
contents
1
16
32 46
is published by
LAND & MARINE PUBLICATIONS (KENYA) LTDSuite A6, 1st Floor, Ojijo Plaza Plums Lane, off Ojijo Road, ParklandsPO Box 2022, Village Market 00621, Nairobi, KenyaTel: +254 (0)20 374 1934Email: [email protected]
Editor: Denis GathanjuSales Manager: Linda Gakuru
on behalf of
FLY540Riverside Green Suites, Palm Suite, Riverside DrivePO Box 10293-00100, Nairobi, KenyaTel: +254 (0)20 445 2391/2/3/4/5Email info@fl y540.comwww.fl y540.com
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
3 foreword4 dar es salaam Visitors enjoy Dar es Salaam’s famous hospitality
8 east african community12 news16 south sudan A nation is born
The long road to statehood
Key facts about the new republic
New republic presents a prime time to invest
Former child soldier sings a new song
24 the 540 network Location and fl ight maps
26 tusker all stars Tusker All Stars set to entertain East Africa
27 Vipingo ridge Premier golf location is a sporting wonder
28 imani children Orphanage kids welcome a special visitor
30 fly540 fleet32 sunday lunch Ride out, eat out
36 conferencing Conference tourism is big business
40 travel information for east africa42 getting around in east africa45 Kids’ corner46 Kenyan lakes Unesco recognises key status of Rift Valley lake system
48 contact information
BOOK ONLINE AT:
www.fly540.com
AF
AARFF
ICA
CCS
LOWO
COST AIAA RLRRINEE
The timing of this magazine coincides with some exciting new developments at Fly540.
Two new Bombardier CRJ 50-seat aircraft
have joined our fleet, allowing us to
strengthen the airline’s key internal serv-
ices in Kenya and Tanzania.
Our six-times-a-week flights between
Nairobi and the South Sudan capital, Juba,
are now fully operational. We view Juba as
a vitally important new destination for our
rapidly expanding international network.
This service began in May, just ahead of
the new nation’s birth in July.
Juba follows the domestic introduction
of our three-times-a-week Vipingo route,
which operates from Nairobi Wilson
Airport and continues on to Malindi.
Vipingo opens up a new market for those
living travelling to and from Kilifi and
Mombasa’s north coast.
Other improvements to our service
include a VIP lounge at Nairobi’s Wilson
Airport. Passengers in the lounge can
relax and read the day’s newspapers or
work on their laptops while waiting for a
flight. We believe this service will create a
better experience for both business and
seasoned travellers.
Objectives
Our key objectives have always been
to provide top-quality service and value
for money to all our customers. We
also want to make their flying experi-
ence with us as hassle-free as possible.
Fly540 has recently joined forces with
M-Pesa to allow passengers to pay for
their tickets using a mobile phone based
money transfer system. Now individu-
als can conveniently book flights in the
same way many already use M-Pesa to
pay for other services like buying goods
in supermarkets, school fees and paying
electricity and water bills.
As a responsible airline, we believe we
must make a concerted effort to offset
our carbon emissions; and I am delighted
Africa’s low cost airline
// foreword
Welcomeaboard!
3
with the work we have done in terms of
planting 10,000 saplings in the Ngong
Hills, near Nairobi, and a further 1,000
saplings in Kenya’s Mau Forest. We were
also one of the sponsors of the recent ‘10
to 4’ event, a bike ride down the slopes
of Mount Kenya, in aid of the Mount
Kenya Trust.
After a period of rapid development and in
view of high aviation fuel prices, I believe
that second quarter 2011 will be a time of
consolidation for Fly540. Nevertheless, our
medium-terms plans are unchanged as we
look to exciting new markets in Zambia,
Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Sudan and Egypt.
So I very much hope you enjoy reading
our magazine and that you have a pleas-
ant flight with us today. We look forward
to welcoming you on board again soon.
Don E. SmithChief Executive Officer
East Africa
WelcOme tO Our secOnd editiOn Of ‘540’ – Our in-flight magazine
4 www.fl y540.com
Dar es Salaam //
VISITORS ENJOYDAR ES SALAAM’S FAMOUSHOSPITALITY
‘540’ contributor James maina takes a tour of this bustling city, where the ancient world blends with the modern
dar es Salaam, the bustling commercial capital of Tanza-nia and the main gateway
to this vast East African nation, is a dynamic and colourful destination full of life and culture.
The name Dar es Salaam is believed to
originate from the Persian-Arabic phrase
‘Bandar-ul-Salaam’ meaning ‘haven
of peace’. While no longer the administra-
tive capital of Tanzania – following the
decision to make Dodoma the national
capital – Dar es Salaam still contains
government ministries and agencies, while
both local and international businesses
have their head offi ces in the city.
rich history
Dar es Salaam began life as a fi shing
village on the Indian Ocean. Then known
as Mzizima, it was located at what is
now the Ocean Road Hospital. The
village expanded into the Magogoni area
(present-day Kivukoni) and was inhabited
mainly by native Wazaramo people and
Arab traders from the Gulf.
The city, also fondly known as Dar, was
founded in 1862 when the Sultan of
Zanzibar, Seyyid Majid, moved his political
base from Zanzibar Island to mainland
Tanganyika. The sultan purchased land
from the Wazaramo people to build his
house. He changed the name of the
fi shing outpost to Dari Salaam (‘Dari’
meaning ‘upper roof’ or ‘terrace’ and
‘Salaam’ meaning ‘haven’).
The scramble for Africa after the Berlin
Conference of 1884 saw the German
colonial masters occupy Tanganyika, then
known as German East Africa. Initially, the
Germans focused their trading activities on
Bagamoyo, further north, but switched to
Dar es Salaam in 1887 to take advantage
of the superior harbour there.
Dar es Salaam began to expand after
the fi rst German governor arrived there
in 1891 and ordered the construction
of buildings and other infrastructure.
Thus began the transformation of Dar es
Salaam from a one-time fi shing village to
the great city it is today. This period also
witnessed the construction of a railway
from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, deep in
the interior.
getting around
A city full of history, Dar es Salaam has
plenty to offer the leisure and business
traveller. Although not principally a tourist
city, compared with Arusha and Zanzibar,
Dar es Salaam is a major transit point for
leisure tourists from all over the world.
The city has the largest and most modern
airport in Tanzania, while its seaport
handles cruise ship visits. The famous
Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA),
linking Dar es Salaam with Kapiri Mposhi
in Zambia is another key mode of trans-
port that offers visitors a great way to see
and appreciate Tanzania.
The ferry service to the spice island of
Zanzibar provides an inexpensive form of
transport between the commercial capital
of Tanzania and its tourist capital. There
are also regular domestic fl ights from
Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA)
to major destinations such as Zanzi-
bar, Arusha, Mwanza, Tabora and the
safari circuits that include Serengeti and
Ngorongoro.
Dar es Salaam has a comprehensive road
network and getting around the city is
easy, although the roads are narrow in
places and traffi c snarl-ups can occur.
The city has a large number of taxicabs.
Make sure you negotiate the price with
the driver before you set off, as taxis are
not metered. It is cheaper to get around
if you are accompanied by a local person,
because fares are lower for Tanzanians.
Taxis are required by law to have a yellow
or green stripe along their sides.
A well known feature of Dar es Salaam’s
transport network is the public minibuses
and minivans popularly known as dala
dala. They are a cheap form of transport,
with fares ranging from TSH 100 to 350.
Travelling by dala dala is also a great way
‘KariBu dar’ (‘WelcOme tO dar’)
5Africa’s low cost airline
a city full of history, dar es salaam has plenty to offer the leisure and business traveller
to learn more about the people of Dar
es Salaam. The helpful drivers and ‘touts’
will direct you to the right bus and even
tell you where to disembark. There are
many bus stops, known as stendi, along
the routes and the touts will always shout
the name of the stendi. The dala dalas
can get very crowded in the morning and
evening rush hours.
tourist attractions
Dar es Salaam has a lot of interesting
places to see and visit. One is the Askari
Monument in the city centre, a few blocks
from Posta, in the central business district.
Originally, the Germans put up a statue
in honour of Major Herman Von Weiss-
man, who quelled the Arab revolution in
1888; but that was removed in 1927 by
the British, who replaced it with an Askari
bronze statue in memory of native men
who fought and died in the service of the
British Army in the First World War.
Also worth a visit is the Uhuru Torch in
Mnazi Mmoja, in the central business
district, which commemorates Tanganyi-
ka’s independence on 9 December 1961.
Meanwhile, the National Museum, in
Shaaban Bin Robert Street, is home
to fascinating historical, cultural and
archaeological exhibitions, rock paint-
ings and musical instruments that tell the
history of Tanzania and its people.
The Nyumba ya Makumbusho or Village
Museum on Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road is
yet another key attraction. Here, visitors
can sample the rich cultural heritage of
Tanzania’s tribal communities including
examples of traditional huts. Visitors can
also see cultural dances performed. A
visit to the museum is like visiting the
whole of Tanzania in a few hours.
Another good place to visit is the Nyerere
Cultural Centre, also known as Nyumba
ya Sanaa, in Ohio Street. Here, visitors
can see local artists at work. The centre
also hosts live traditional dances every
Friday performed by artists such as the
Simba Theatre Arts International, Super
Kamambe and Sisi Tambala dance troupes.
shopping
Shopaholics are spoilt for choice in Dar
es Salaam, which has a range of large
and small shopping malls with prices to
suit every pocket. One of the city’s most
popular shopping centres is the Mlimani
City complex on Sam Nujoma Road near
the suburb of Mwenge and the University
of Dar es Salaam. Here, visitors will find
something for everyone, all under one
roof. The complex has a huge car park
and is well lit at night.
Yet another major shopping outlet in
the heart of Dar es Salaam is the famous
Kariakoo Market, a landmark in its own
right. Formerly used as an Askari Carrier
Corps Camp in colonial times, the market
derives its name from its colonial function
– Karia (Carrier) and Koo (Corps). Today,
this market is the focus of all buying and
selling in the city. Here, commotion is the
order of the day as the vendors shout
about their latest wares and do their best
to win customers with their low prices.
For those looking for carvings and other
souvenirs, the Mwenge Crafts Market is
the place to go. Here, local artists and
wood carvers display their wares to tour-
ists eager to purchase quality watercolour
and oil paintings and some of the best
wood carvings in Tanzania. The mpingo
(ebony) wood carvings are a favourite.
Beautiful locations and relaxation
Dar es Salaam //
6 www.fly540.com
shopaholics are spoilt for choice in dar es salaam, which has a range of large and small shopping malls with prices to suit every pocket
Tanzanian nationals and travellers benefit from the low-cost fares offered by Fly540. The airline operates an exten-sive domestic route network throughout the country, particularly in Tanzania’s northern tourist circuit.
Scheduled flights operate to and from:
• Arusha to Grumeti, Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara and Zanzibar
• Dar es Salaam to Kilimanjaro, Mwanza and Zanzibar
• Kilimanjaro to Mwanza and Zanzibar
• Mwanza and Zanzibar.
8 www.fly540.com
since we fly to more than six countries in east africa, fly540 would like to celebrate the people and cultures of this region. With over 300 tribes living in the region, we seek to profile some of these cultures and people.
achOli set the pace fOr
Tribal dancing
9Africa’s low cost airline
// Acholi Tribe
© A
bbie
-Tra
yler
Sm
ith
Male dancer performing a traditional war dance
Acholi Tribe //
The Acholi people of north-ern Uganda are said to be a product of intermarriage
between the Luo and the Madi of South Sudan. Their language and culture are similar to those of the Luo and they are closely related to the Alur of West Nile, the Jaluos of Kenya and the Japadhola of eastern Uganda.
The Acholi are found mainly in Uganda,
where they number over 1.5 million. There
are also about 500,000 Acholi in South
Sudan. Like other Luo sub-tribes, the
Acholi trace their origins to Rumbek, in
South Sudan.
acholiland
Today, the Acholi inhabit the districts of
Agago, Amuru, Guru, Kitgum, Nwoya,
Lamwo and Pader in northern Uganda.
This region is also commonly known as
Acholiland. The Acholi are also found in
Magwe County in South Sudan.
The Acholi speak a language of the same
name that is closely related to Luo. The
Song of Lawino, a famous work of African
literature, was written in Acholi by Okot
p’Bitek and later translated into English.
The traditional dwelling of the Acholi
people was a circular hut with a high
peak. These huts were furnished with
a mud sleeping platform, jars of grain
and a sunken fireplace. The walls were
decorated with geometrical or conven-
tional designs in red, white or grey. The
Acholi were skilled hunters, using nets
and spears to hunt wild game. They also
kept goats, sheep and cattle. When they
went to war with other communities,
they used spears and long, narrow shields
made of giraffe or ox hide.
The Acholi practised various types of
hunting. One, known as dwar arum, took
place in the dry season when there was
no grass. This involved a lot of hunters.
Another type of hunting, dwar obwo,
involved the use of spears and nets. Yet
another, kirange, was practised early in
the rainy season when the rivers were
slightly flooded. The Acholi would drive
the game into the river and go for the kill
in the water.
It was difficult for the Acholi to hunt
during the rainy season because organ-
ised hunting could not take place in such
cold and wet conditions. During these
today, the acholi inhabit the districts of agago, amuru, guru, Kitgum, nwoya, lamwo and pader in northern uganda
© J
oel M
usaa
sizi
, Wild
life
Clu
bs o
f U
gand
a
Young Acholi Dancers in Lamwo
The otiti dance involved all the male dancers
carrying shields and spears. The dancers
would encircle drums that were attached to
a post in the middle of the arena.
The bwola was the most important
dance of the Acholi. It was also known as
the chief’s dance, because it could only
be performed on his orders. The men
formed a large circle and each carried a
drum. The girls danced separately inside
the circle.
The otiti dance had a definite leader
who would move within and without
the circle. He would also set the time
and lead the singing. The leader of the
otiti dance was considered an important
person in the community and by tradition
was among the few who were allowed to
wear a leopard skin.
The myel awal was a funeral dance. The
women wailed around the grave while
the men, armed with spears and shields,
danced lalobaloba.
Apiti was a women-only dance in which
the girls danced in a line and sang. It was
usually held in the middle of the year
when the rains were good.
Ladongo was performed after a success-
ful hunt when the hunters were still away
from home. In this dance, men and women
faced each other in two lines and jumped
up and down clapping their hands.
celebrations
In the myel wanga, the men sat and
played on harps called nanga while
in front of them the women danced
apiti. This dance was usually held after
marriages or at beer parties.
Then there was atira dance, now obso-
lete, which was held on the eve of a
battle. All the dancers were armed and
they went through the motions of spear
fighting and thrusting.
11Africa’s low cost airline
seasons, only the okai (trappers) could
go out after the animals. The task of the
okai was extremely difficult because they
worked alone. They would use various
kinds of traps according to the type of
animal they were hunting:
• Okol: featuring a noose attached to a
log of wood
• Tekke: a circular foot trap
• Twok: a falling spear trap used to kill
elephant and other big game. The trap
was passed under the tree from which
the spear would be suspended
• Bur: featuring a pit dug in the
game’s path.
The Acholi believed in a supreme being
called jok. They erected a shrine known
as abila at which all sacrifices, private and
public, were offered. The Acholi believed
the spirits of their ancestors would
appear near the abila. They worshipped
the spirits of the dead so they could assist
the bereaved or exercise their power to
make hunting successful or scare away
evil spirits from the village. To appease
the spirits of the dead, the Acholi would
offer meat sacrifices. They also offered
simsim and beer at appropriate times
during sacrifices at the abila.
As in any African cultures, dance was
a central feature of the Acholi way of
life. They often sang about day-to-day
incidents, while other songs referred to
past occurrences in their community. The
Acholi had eight types of dance: laloba-
loba, otiti, bwola, myel awal (winyela),
apiti, ladongo, myel wanga and atira.
performances
The lalobaloba was performed without
drum beats. The people danced in circles,
with the men forming an outer ring and
each holding a woman’s hand high above
their heads. There was no special occa-
sion for this dance, which was performed
using sticks.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) supplied the photos used in this story. WCS manages several programmes to support wildlife conservation across the world and is currently working on a tourism promotion project in northern Uganda. Recent research shows that 91 per cent of visitors to northern Uganda would recommend the area to a friend, family member or colleague.
For more information please visit:
northernugandatourism.blogspot.com
as in any african cultures, dance was a central feature of the acholi way of life
© J
uraj
Ujh
azy,
Wild
life
Con
serv
atio
n So
ciet
y
flY540 neWs
New VIP louNge at wIlsoN aIrPort
www.fly540.com
news //
Passengers taking a Fly540 flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport now have access to a
VIP lounge next to the airline’s check-in area at Langata House.
The new lounge is a feature of the
airline’s Safari Circuit services. It consists
of a large waiting area furnished with
comfortable leather seats, coffee tables
and a TV set connected to DSTV and local
stations. It also has conference rooms,
each with a capacity of 15 people, for
pre-flight meetings.
stress-free
Passengers in the VIP lounge can relax
and read the day’s newspapers or work
on their laptops while waiting for a flight.
They can order refreshments from the
Fly540 cafeteria or even take a shower
before boarding.
Jeni Stow, the airline’s Safari Circuit
co-ordinator, said: “The VIP lounge
is primarily for specific passengers
including diplomats, dignitaries, senior
government officials and custom-
ers who have chartered the airline’s
aircraft. These passengers often require
additional security, which is more easily
provided using a separate waiting area.”
privacy
She said the new facility would give
these travellers a restful environment and
privacy before taking a Fly540 scheduled
flight from Wilson Airport to Masai Mara,
Amboseli, Nanyuki, Samburu, Meru,
Vipingo Ridge, Malindi and Kilimanjaro.
The Safari Circuit is a division of Fly540
which runs scheduled tourism routes and
offers charter services for customers who
select their own destinations.
Last year, Fly540 opened a purpose-built
check-in facility in Langata House at
Wilson Airport. There is a comfortable
lounge for passengers with a cafeteria
and washrooms, as well as a baggage
holding area; operational and engineering
offices; and a radio control room.
Tickets for Fly540 destinations are avail-
able from travel agents and the airline’s
own offices at Wilson Airport and at
Nairobi’s ABC Place and the Laico Regency.
Full information on fares and services can
be obtained from the Fly540 website (see
below) and passengers can book their
flights online. www.fly540.com
the new facility will give travellers a restful environment and privacy before taking a fly540 scheduled flight from Wilson airport
12
Passengers taking Fly540 flights from Wilson Airport now have access to a VIP lounge next to the airline’s check-in area at Langata House. Here, Jeni Stow, the airline’s Safari Circuit co-ordinator, discusses the airline’s scheduled flights from Wilson Airport with passenger James Boorman
Nina Musili, a Fly540 reservations agent, hands a complimentary newspaper to James Boorman in the airline’s new VIP lounge at Wilson Airport
Vip lOunge
Africa’s low cost airline
this year we added
Vipingo Ridge to our
route network to serve
this important golfing
and residential facility
together with Kilifi.”
growth
Fly540 began operations in November
2006 with a daily flight between Nairobi
and Mombasa for local and overseas
business and holiday travellers. Its value-
for-money flights won instant popularity
and the airline now has 17 destinations in
Kenya with regional services to Bujum-
bura, Entebbe, Dar es Salaam, Juba,
Mwanza, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro.
future
Meanwhile, Fly540 is becoming a pan-
African airline group. In January this year
it was licensed by the authorities
in Angola to operate scheduled domestic
and international flights. Internal services
are operated from bases in Luanda
and Cabinda.
The next venture to be launched under
the 540 brand will be an airline operating
in Ghana.
in response to customer demand, we have introduced direct flights between Wilson airport and ukunda
13
two more 50-seaters joIN aIrlINe’s jet fleet
Fly540 has expanded its passen-ger jet fleet with two addi-tional Bombardier CRJ 50-seat
aircraft. One of these popular twin-jet aircraft will be based in Nairobi and the other in Dar es Salaam. They will strengthen the airline’s key internal services in Kenya and Tanzania and its regional flights to Burundi, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
The CRJ for Kenya will be used on the
Mombasa and Kisumu routes. In Tanzania
the aircraft has been deployed on the
Dar es Salaam to Mwanza sector and the
recently introduced service to Mtwara in
the south of the country.
improvements
Turning to other developments, Nixon
Ooko, operations director of Fly 540,
said: “We have added a lounge to our
passenger check-in facility at Wilson
Airport and we also have special rooms
to enable passengers to hold pre-flight
business meetings.
“In response to customer demand, we
have introduced direct flights between
Wilson Airport and Ukunda. Earlier
Bombardier CRJ
flY540 neWs
New scheduled serVIce to south sudaN
www.fly540.com
news //
F ly540 has introduced sched-uled flights between Nairobi and the South Sudan capital,
Juba, from 4 May. Initially, there will be six services a week, with daily depar-tures (Saturdays excepted) from Unit 1 of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Announcing the addition of this new route
to the Fly540 network, the airline’s opera-
tions director, Nixon Ooko, said: “Entrepre-
neurs and investors are turning to the South-
ern Sudan and there are growing trade
links with Kenya which are driving demand
for more flights between Nairobi and Juba.
Although we are launching this route with
six services each week, we anticipate intro-
ducing a daily schedule in the near future.”
He said Fly540 would be deploying
Bombardier CRJ aircraft on the Juba
route. “These 50-seater twin jet aircraft
14
have proved very popular with our
passengers on services to destinations in
Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda,” he said.
holiday network
Turning to internal services in Kenya,
Nixon Ooko said: “We recently added
flights to Vipingo to our holiday network.
This is served from our facility in Langata
House at Wilson Airport.
“Our flights to the Mara, Nanyuki, Meru
and Samburu have gained a strong follow-
ing from Kenyans and tourists who appre-
ciate the reduced time needed to drive to
and from Wilson Airport and our stream-
lined check-in and departure processes.”
Fly540 is continuing to develop as a
pan-African carrier. The airline introduced
operations in Angola earlier this year and
plans to do the same in Ghana.
entrepreneurs and investors are turning to the southern sudan and there are growing trade links with Kenya which are driving demand for more flights between nairobi and Juba
Africa’s low cost airline
F ly540 passengers can now pay for their tickets using the mobile phone based money transfer service M-Pesa. They can buy their Fly540 tickets from
anywhere at any time as long as they are M-Pesa registered and have money in their M-Pesa account.
Fly540 joins M-Pesa corporate Pay Bill partners using the service in
Kenya. They include educational and financial institutions, NGOs and
religious organisations, transport providers, insurance agencies, the
hospitality industry, health management providers and hospitals.
The airline’s operations director, Nixon Ooko, said: “M-Pesa will ease
the procedure of buying tickets for our customers, many of whom
are already familiar with using M-Pesa to pay for other services like
buying goods in supermarkets, school fees, and paying bills for
electricity and water.
“The process is simple. Call Fly540 and make a reservation to any
of our 23 destinations. You will receive a reference number. Go to
the M-Pesa Pay Bill option and key in the number 540540. You will
be asked for your reference number, upon which you will receive a
confirmation and thereafter a ticket.”
convenient
Fly540 operates scheduled flights to 17 destina-
tions in Kenya, with regional services to Entebbe,
Dar es Salaam, Juba, Mwanza, Zanzibar and Kiliman-
jaro. The airline operates from both Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport and Wilson Airport.
M-Pesa was launched in 2007 by Safaricom. This SMS money trans-
fer system allows individuals to deposit, send and withdraw funds
using their cell phones. M-Pesa has grown rapidly and
now reaches over 65 per cent of Kenya’s adult popula-
tion. It is seen as the most successful mobile phone
based financial service in the developing world.
The M-Pesa Pay Bill service enables corporate organisa-
tions to receive funds from their customers or subscribers for
goods and services rendered. It is aimed at organisations which
have many transactions with customers and need a convenient and
timely method of payment.
cell PhoNe tIcket system makes lIfe easIer for fly540 customers
15
Freedom is here! The struggle for freedom has been long and bitter, but it tastes good.
On 9 July 2011 a new nation was born. It is the 193rd nation in the world and the 54th African state: the Republic of South Sudan.
In the streets of the capital, Juba, the
mood was ecstatic as almost every South
Sudanese was draped in the national
colours of the new republic. The city’s
streets had been swept clean in prepara-
tion for the momentous day when the
South Sudanese national anthem would
be played and the national flag would
be hoisted.
Across the capital and in other major
towns such as Rumbek, the mood has
been celebratory. The streets were littered
with billboards of all shapes and sizes,
each carrying a unique message to mark
what the South Sudanese call ‘Declaration
Day’, the day their new nation was born.
In Juba, one billboard read: ‘Thank you,
Dr John Garang de Mabior’ with a huge
portrait of one of the heroes of the South
Sudanese struggle for independence and
nationhood. Another read: ‘Celebrat-
ing the birth of a new nation’. Another
billboard next to the University of Juba
depicted soldiers of the Sudan People’s
Liberation Army (SPLA) and boldly
declared: “We fought, suffered, survived
and won the freedom together from
the oppressor.”
peace agreement
At the John Garang Memorial Park,
where the Declaration Day celebrations
took place, a huge billboard declared:
‘The Final walk to Freedom. Our Martyrs,
Our Freedom’. It surely captured the long
walk to statehood for Southern Sudan
after more than two decades of civil war
with the north that claimed over 1.5
million lives and displaced millions of
southerners.
Kenya has played a critical role in the
signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agree-
ment between the government of Sudan
and the Sudan People’s Liberation Move-
ment (SPLM), which was led by the late
John Garang; and the Kenyan govern-
ment has continued to play a critical role
in the preparations for independence.
freedom
The Kenyan military helped take the
South Sudanese forces through march-
past drills and other military protocol for
the big day.
As Declaration Day drew closer, radio
stations in South Sudan played the new
three-stanza national anthem, which
was officially launched at the celebrations
in Juba. The new government unveiled a
coat of arms bearing an image of
the African fish eagle, thus underlining
the new nation’s statehood and inde-
pendence from the oppressive
northern regime.
unite
Some 2,000 dignitaries, including heads
of state and government, had come to
Juba to join in the celebrations. Among
the guests was the United Nations
Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, while
Kenya sent one of the largest delega-
tions, led by President Mwai Kibaki
and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
17Africa’s low cost airline
In the streets of the capital, juba, the mood was ecstatic as almost every south sudanese was draped in the national colours of the new republic
sOuth sudan:
a naTion is born
// South Sudan
www.fly540.com
South Sudan //
The long road To sTaTehood
18
The road to statehood for South Sudan has been long and treacherous. Many souls
have lost their lives, innocent blood has been shed and millions of south-erners were scattered across the world as a result of protracted civil war between north and south.
After numerous efforts to secure a lasting
peace in Sudan, the tipping point finally
came that resulted in a succession of
peace initiatives and signing of accords.
This began with the signing of a Compre-
hensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between
north and south. The guns fell silent for
the first time in 20 years and the elusive
peace was finally a reality.
Negotiation
The CPA was negotiated by Ali Osman
Mohammed Taha, vice president of
Sudan, and Dr John Garang de Mabior,
chairman of the Sudan People’s Libera-
tion Movement/Army (SPLM/A). Under
the supervision of the regional Inter-
Governmental Authority on Development
(IGAD), the agreement was signed at a
colourful ceremony in the Kenyan capital,
Nairobi, on 9 January 2005. Among the
witnesses were President Mwai Kibaki of
Kenya, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
of Uganda, United States Secretary of
State Colin Powell, Ahmed Aboul Gheit
from Egypt, Senator Alfredo Mantica from
Italy, Fred Racke from the Netherlands,
Hilary Benn from the United Kingdom,
Hilde Johnson from Norway, Alpha Oumar
Konare from the African Union, Jan Prink
from the United Nations, Charles Goerens
from the European Union and Amre
Moussa from the Arab League.
The CPA was unique in being drafted for
one nation with two systems of govern-
ance whereby the government of the
north would operate under Sharia law
while the government of the south would
be secular. The CPA allowed the two
governments to operate their own armed
forces in addition to a third military organi-
sation known as the Joint Integrated Units
(JIUs). These consisted of equal numbers
of personnel from the Sudan Armed
Forces (SAF) from the north and the Sudan
People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) from the
south. The security protocol was signed by
the two parties in September 2003.
Prior to the signing of the security proto-
col, a self-determination protocol was
signed in July 2002 in Machakos, Kenya.
The protocol stipulated that Southern
Sudan would hold an internationally
monitored referendum at the end of the
six-year interim period. It also exempted
the south from Sharia law.
In January 2004 the two sides signed
a wealth-sharing protocol that set up
mechanisms to manage the oil finds in
the country, manage land and natural
resources. The protocol also made provi-
sions for a dual banking system whereby
the north would operate an Islamic
system while the south adopted the
conventional system.
In May 2004 a power-sharing protocol
made provisions for the Sudan People’s
After numerous efforts to secure a lasting peace in Sudan, the tipping point finally came that resulted in a succession of peace initiatives and signing of accords
Liberation Movement (SPLM) from the
south and the National Congress Party
(NCP) from the north to form a Govern-
ment of National Unity (GoNU) using a
decentralised administrative system. Under
the agreement, the SPLM also set up a
separate semi-autonomous administra-
tion in South Sudan. This resulted in John
Garang, leader of the SPLM, becoming the
first vice president of the GoNU and the
first president of the semi-autonomous
Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS).
Referendum
In the same month, the Abyei Protocol
was signed. This gave the oil-rich Abyei
region special status under the presi-
dency. An administration of a local execu-
tive council elected by the Abyei residents
would also be formed. The residents of
Abyei include citizens of Southern Kordo-
fan and Warrap states in the north and
south respectively. The protocol dictated
that the residents of Abyei would hold a
referendum to determine if the oil-rich
region would maintain its special admin-
istrative status in the north or become
part of the new Republic of South Sudan
by joining Warrap State in the south.
On 9 January 2011, after the lapse of
the six-year window agreed under the
CPA, the southerners held a referendum
to determine if the South Sudan would
remain under a united Sudan or secede
to form a new independent republic.
The referendum was organised by the
Southern Sudan Referendum Commission
(SSRC) based in Khartoum in collabora-
tion with the Southern Sudan Referen-
dum Bureau (SSRB) based in Juba.
For the referendum results to be valid,
a 60 per cent turn-out of voters was
required. This was met when a record
turn-out of 97 per cent was recorded.
The people voted by an overwhelming
98.83 per cent to secede and form a new
independent Republic of South Sudan.
The new republic was to be formed six
months after the January plebiscite and
on 9 July 2011 the Republic of South
Sudan was born.
The Republic of South Sudan was born on 9 July 2011 after its citizens overwhelm-
ingly voted to separate from the north in a referendum on 9 January 2011. Here are some key facts about the new republic:
Official name: Republic of South Sudan
Surface area: 619,745 sq km
Boundaries: Sudan to the north, Ethio-pia to the east, Kenya to the south-east, Uganda to the south, the Demo-cratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the south-west and the Central African Republic (CAR) to the west.
Independence day: 9 July 2011
Capital: Juba
Official language: English
Currency: South Sudan pound (SSP)
Population: 8,260,490 (2008 census)
Religion: Christianity. Other religions include traditional African religions and Islam.
Constitution: The Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011.
States: The new republic has 10 states.
State State capitalCentral Equatorial Juba Western Equatorial YambioEastern Equatorial Torit Jonglei BorUnity Bentiu Upper Nile MalakalLakes Rumbek Warrap KuajokWestern Bahr el Ghazal Wau Northern Bahr el Ghazal Aweil
Political parties: The ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM); the National Congress Party (NCP); the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Democratic Change
(SPLM-DC); the Sudan African National Union (SANU); the Union of Sudan African Parties (USAP); the South Sudan Democratic Front (SSDF); the United Democratic Front (UDF); and the United Democratic Salvation Front (UDSF).
National flag: This flag was initially used by the SPLA/SPLM during the freedom struggle. It was adopted as the national flag with the support of all political parties, the South Sudan cabinet and the national assembly. The colours symbolise the following:
Black: African skin (the people of South Sudan)
White: Peace
Red: Blood shed during the civil war
Green: The country’s natural resources and wealth
Blue: The waters of the Nile River
Yellow: The star that guides the country and its people.
Coat of arms: The coat of arms of the new republic depicts the African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), found in most parts of South Sudan. It symbolises clear vision, resilience, strength and majesty. The coat of arms also shows a traditional shield and a crossed spear and spade, symbolising the people’s resolve to protect their sovereignty and work to build a new republic.
National anthem: This was composed in August 2010 by students at the University of Juba and is titled: ‘South Sudan Oyee [Hurray]’. The anthem has three stanzas. The first expresses gratitude for the abun-dant natural resources that the new nation enjoys; the second celebrates its new-found freedom; and the third epitomises the struggle for nationhood
Key facTs abouT The new republic
www.fl y540.com20
The birth of the Republic of South Sudan presents many commercial opportunities
both for regional economies and for the new nation.
In addition to oil, which continues to attract
investors from the region and from across
the world, South Sudan has other natural
resources, virgin lands and numerous busi-
ness and investment opportunities, all of
which are set to spur the economic growth
of Africa’s newest country.
transport
After more than two decades of civil
strife, the lack of a proper infrastructure
is a key issue that needs urgent attention.
The challenge for both the government
and the business community of South
Sudan is to rehabilitate and rebuild the
nation’s crumbling infrastructure. The
country’s road system is almost non-exist-
ent. Apart from a few hundred kilometres
of tarmacked roads in the capital, getting
to other major towns in the south can be
By denis gathanju
a nightmare. The earth roads are awful to
drive on, while some areas have no roads
at all. So far, only a few urban centres,
such as Juba, Yambio, Wau, Malakal and
Yei, have had their roads mended. Roads
in most other parts of the country are
being built from scratch.
In addition to the road network, there
are plans to extend the railway that links
the north to the south. Currently, the line
reaches as far as Wau. Now there are
plans to extend the line to Juba and to
provide rail links to neighbouring coun-
tries, especially Kenya.
Today, the most widely used mode of
transport within South Sudan is air, with
over 15 carriers providing local and inter-
national services. The largest airport iis
Juba International, which is undergoing
a major reconstruction including a new
passenger terminal. There are also plans
to extend the runway and install ground
lighting to allow aircraft to take off and
land at night.
With the River Nile fl owing through
South Sudan, the new country has three
ports: Mangala in the Central Equatorial
State, Diam Diam in Jonglei State and
Shambe in Lakes State. The three ports
have been upgraded recently and the
Ministry of Roads & Transport plans to
carry out dredging work to allow vessels
to navigate the White Nile more easily.
The port of Juba is to be expanded, and
navigation facilities are to be installed at
the challenge for both the government and the business community of South Sudan is to rehabilitate and rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure
By denis gathanju
neW rePuBlic PresenTs a
PriMe TiMe To inVesT
south to Malakal in the north. During the
rainy season, the Sudd doubles in size to
cover an area larger than England.
In addition to its birdlife, the Sudd
attracts game such as the endangered
Nile lechwe, tiang, reedbuck, and the
world’s largest population of white-eared
kob, estimated at 1.2 million.
But it is the little-known Badingilo
National Park that could be a signifi cant
crowd puller and dollar earner for South
Sudan, because this is the scene of a
huge annual migration of wildlife that
is considered to be even greater than
the wildebeest migration in the Masai
Mara. It is an epic migration of millions of
antelope through some of Africa’s most
pristine wilderness. Covering more than
10,000 sq km, the Badingilo wilderness is
the largest area of intact savanna ecosys-
tem in East Africa.
The new republic’s Ministry of Wildlife
& Tourism plans to develop and review
its policies and laws in order to regulate
wildlife conservation as well as devel-
oping wildlife management plans for
protected areas while at the same time
educating the public on conservation.
opportunities
The birth of the new republic presents
huge opportunities for investment in
sectors such as infrastructural develop-
ment, telecommunications, mass media,
housing, manufacturing, agriculture,
pharmaceuticals, mining, education,
tourism, power generation and fi sheries.
In order to create a favourable environ-
ment for investors, the government has
set up the South Sudan Investment Serv-
ices under the Ministry of Investment to
aid in the enactment of new investment
laws. These laws provide attractive fi scal
regimes and tax holidays for companies
setting up in South Sudan. They also
offer protection for industrial and intellec-
tual property.
According to an International Finance
Corporation (IFC) and World Bank report,
it takes less than 15 days to register
and start a business operation in South
Sudan. This compares with about 13 days
in countries wih developed economies.
Prosperity
With independence, more businesses and
companies will start up in South Sudan.
The Kenyan government has played a key
role in the peace processes, and Kenyan
companies were the fi rst to set up shop
even before the south gained its inde-
pendence.
Kenya Commercial Bank, Equity Bank
and UAP Insurance were among the fi rst
companies from Kenya to start operations
in the south. The Co-operative Bank of
Kenya is looking to set up in South Sudan,
while Bidco Oil Refi neries, which has a deal-
ership in the south, is expected to establish
a physical presence in South Sudan.
kenya airways
Other Kenyan companies operating in
South Sudan include the national carrier,
Kenya Airways, and the regional budget
carrier Fly540. This is in addition to the
thousands of small and medium enter-
prises run by Kenyans in Juba.
And, with South Sudan having joined
the community of nations, it is believed
that the new republic will be the sixth
nation to join the East African Commu-
nity (EAC), a move that will enhance
trade and co-operation between member
countries. Other members of the EAC are
Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda,
Tanzania and Burundi.
// South Sudan
21
the Bor-Shambe Sudds. South Sudan is
also sending some of its personnel for
further training at Bandari College in
Mombasa.
tourism
South Sudan has the potential to become
a leading tourism destination once the
relevant wildlife and tourism policies are
implemented. The country has seven
national parks and 12 game reserves. A
recent survey by the Wildlife Conserva-
tion Society in collaboration with the
Government of South Sudan revealed
a great diversity of wildlife in the game
parks and national reserves.
Owing to the long civil war, most of these
parks and reserves have been inaccessible
to visitors and today they are teeming
with wild animals such as kob, harte-
beest, bongo, topi, giant and red river
hog, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, chimpan-
zee, hippo, hyena, gazelle, lion, zebra,
ostrich and mountain monkey.
South Sudan is also a birdwatcher’s para-
dise. Over 400 bird species can be found
in the area known as the Sudd. Located
in the heart of South Sudan, the Sudd is
the world’s largest swamp. It measures
about 500 km in length and 200 km in
width and stretches from Mongalla in the
South Sudan has the potential to become a leading tourism destination once the relevant wildlife and tourism policies are implemented
Africa’s low cost airline
FoRmeR child soldieR siNgs
a new songBy denis gathanju
©G
eoff
Pug
h
The protracted war between north and south in Sudan created heartless, trigger-
happy humans who found pleasure in killing and feeding on their fellow men. It was a ruthless war that claimed many lives. At the centre of it all were child soldiers who witnessed violence and human atrocities at their worst. While many perished in the war, some were lucky enough to escape with their lives and now tell their story as they join millions of southerners to celebrate the birth of the Republic of South Sudan.
Emmanuel Jal is perhaps the best known
former child soldier from the south. Now
an internationally renowned hip-hop
artiste, he has achieved worldwide
acclaim for his unique style of message
of peace and reconciliation born out of
his personal experiences. His latest single,
We Want Peace, from his upcoming
album, See Me Mama is heavily influ-
enced by this background.
Emmanuel is the same age as me. He
was recruited at the age of seven in the
early 1980s after the Second Sudanese
War broke out. While I carried pencils
and erasers to school and learned to
read and write, Emmanuel carried a gun
and magazine to the bush and learned
to shoot and kill. In the wild bushland of
the south, Emmanuel joined the ranks
of thousands of other child soldiers who
had been abducted in the villages of the
south and forced to carry guns and to
maim and kill innocent people.
early years
While many did not live to see their
next birthday, Emmanuel Jal was one of
the few who survived the violence and
nightmare of war to tell his story. As a
child soldier, he lived through the horror
of the Sudanese war. He trekked for miles
through bush, valley and desert towards
Ethiopia. On the way, he passed human
skeletons and stepped over the decom-
posing bodies of children who had died
of starvation. He witnessed the killing of
friends and family members and starved
to the point of near-cannibalism. He
even contemplated suicide. For young
Emmanuel, the horrors were real.
He was rescued and adopted by Emma
McCune and, with time, the former child
soldier found solace in music. He found
his voice in hip-hop, through which he
told the compelling story of his life, and
in 2005 he shot to international stardom
with the hit single ‘Gua’.
inspirational
His music can also be heard alongside
Coldplay, Gorillaz, and Radiohead on
the fundraising ‘Warchild – Help: A Day
in the Life’ album, and in the feature
film ‘Blood Diamond’ starring Leonardo
DiCaprio. Emmanuel’s live appear-
ances have included Live 8 and Nelson
Mandela’s 90th Birthday Concert. He has
performed with acts such as Faithless,
Razorlight, Supergrass and Fat Boy Slim
in Europe and more recently, with Alicia
Keys at her Black Ball in New York.
Emmanuel is in demand as a speaker
and has addressed the United Nations,
the US Congress and the highest tiers
of several governments. In 2010 he was
involved with the British Council, the
Clinton Global Initiative, the Adolescent
Girls Initiative, the Child Soldiers Initia-
tive and the launch of Ericsson’s Refu-
gees Reunited Software. He was one
of the faces of Amnesty International’s
2010 World Refugee Day Campaign
and this year alone he has taken part in
the Oxfam Climate Change Campaign
and the CNN Freedom Project and has
spoken alongside Kofi Annan and Martti
Ahtisaari for CMI in Finland and Matt
Dillon for Refugees International in Wash-
ington DC.
Emmanuel’s story is the inspiration
behind the book ‘War Child’, the
memoirs of a former child soldier. He
has also featured in a documentary film
of the same title that follows him from
a school lecture in Washington DC to
a performance in London to a moving
family reunion in Southern Sudan after
18 long years. Despite his accomplish-
ments in music and film, one of Jal’s
biggest passions is Gua Africa, the charity
he has founded to work with individuals,
families and communities to help them
overcome the effects of war and poverty.
In December 2010, Jal released ‘We Want
Peace’ as part of the wider campaign of
the same name calling for peace, protec-
tion and justice for all in Sudan ahead of
the January 2011 referendum, but also
calling for an end to all conflicts affecting
innocent people around the world.
For more information visit:
www.emmanueljal.com
Africa’s low cost airline
// Emmanuel Jal
23
he was rescued and adopted by emma mccune and, with time, the former child soldier found solace in music
FutuRe tRacks Emmanuel is currently recording a new track against ‘Tribalism’ with Juliani Julius, one of Kenya’s biggest hip-hop artists, and this collaboration is destined to be a future hit.
Emmanuel Jal witnesses the birth of a new nation, his homeland: the Republic of South Sudan
TANZANIA
KENYA
UGANDA
DAR ES SALAAM
NAIROBI
MTWARA
ZANZIBAR
UKUNDA
MOMBASA
VIPINGO
MALINDIARUSHA
MANYARA
BUJUMBURA
MWANZA LAMUGRUMETI
MASAI MARA
KISUMUENTEBBE
KAKAMEGA
LODWAR
JUBA
SAMBURU
MERU
AMBOSELI
NANYUKIELDORET
KITALE
SOUTH SUDAN
BURUNDI � KILIMANJARO
24 www.fl y540.com
Network //
The flY540
neTWork oVeR 30 destiNatioNs thRoughout east aFRica
With moRe comiNg VeRY sooN
aFRica
BOOK ONLINE AT:
www.fly540.com
AF
AARFF
ICA
CCS
LOWO
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INEE
TANZANIA
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UGANDA
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NAIROBI
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ZANZIBAR
UKUNDA
MOMBASA
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MALINDIARUSHA
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BUJUMBURA
MWANZA LAMUGRUMETI
MASAI MARA
KISUMUENTEBBE
KAKAMEGA
LODWAR
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SAMBURU
MERU
AMBOSELI
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KITALE
SOUTH SUDAN
BURUNDI � KILIMANJARO
25Africa’s low cost airline
www.fly540.com
Tusker All Stars //
Tusker all sTars seT To enTerTain easT africa
26
east Africa’s highest rated reality TV show is back with a bang. The Tusker All Stars show brings together top-rated music stars from previous
editions of Tusker Project Fame.
The Tusker All Stars show dares to bring more fame to
the already famous East African music artists, because
the winner of the competition will have a dream oppor-
tunity to perform with top-rated R&B music artists
Usher Raymonds and Keri Hilson on 20 August at the
Tusker All Stars concert.
tusker Project Fame
Tusker All Stars contestants were selected according to their
popularity and music career path during and after their stints in
Tusker Project Fame. The eight contestants include Tanzanian
‘heartbreak kid’ Hemedi Suleiman from Tusker Project Fame,
Season II; the energetic vocalist Peter Msechu from Tanzania,
best remembered for his stellar performance in Tusker Project
Fame IV; the hard-working Davis Ntare from Uganda, winner
of Tusker Project Fame IV; and dance-diva Caroline Nabulime
from Tusker Project Fame III; From Kenya comes the ever-smiling
dance queen Amileena Mwenesi from Tusker Project Fame IV,
and Bernard Ng’ang’a, popularly known as Ng’ang’alito, from
Tusker Project Fame III. Completing the Tusker All Stars line-up
are Patricia Kihoro from Kenya and Rwanda’s Alpha Rwirangira,
both from Tusker Project Fame III.
The Tusker All Stars started on 26 June and will run until
the finale on 14 August. The show is hosted by Kenya’s Eve
D’Souza and Uganda’s Gaetano Kagwa. In the Tusker Pub is
the straight-talking, no-nonsense Ian Mbugua, who was loved
and frowned upon in equal measure by both contestants and
viewers of the Tusker Project Fame series.
The show is sponsored by Tusker, flagship brand of East African
Breweries Ltd, and is watched across the East African region.Amileena Mwenesi performs
at Tusker All Stars
V ipingo Ridge, with its perfect hilltop position overlooking the Indian Ocean to the east
and the Chonyi Hills to the west, is one of the new wonders of golf in East and Central Africa.
This huge estate, enclosed within a 27
km stone wall, is Kenya’s premier golf
location. The estate is modelled on similar
golf properties in Florida. Those who
have had an opportunity to visit Vipingo
Ridge will agree that this is the conti-
nent’s most prestigious golf resort outside
South Africa.
The 2,500 acre estate also contains
luxurious holiday homes aimed at
high-end customers from both Kenya
and elsewhere. Plots range in price
from US$130,000 to US$265,000 and
are linked by an elaborate network of
paved roads that also give access to the
ultra-modern clubhouse, situated at the
highest point of the estate.
luxury villas
The clubhouse is in the middle of what
will be a 36-hole golf course. At the
moment, the 18-hole Baobab Golf
Course has been completed, while a
second 18-hole course, the Palms Golf
Course, is to be constructed.
Some homes overlooking the golf course
have been purchased and others are
under construction. Building work has
begun on 42 exclusive villas. These fully
furnished villas will range in size from
two bedrooms to four and will feature a
rooftop swimming pool.
Fine cuisine
Owners of these exclusive villas will also
have the option of renting them out to
holidaymakers at the coast or golfers
who wish to play the two local courses.
A five-star à la carte restaurant will be
built close to the villas so that holiday-
makers and villa owners can enjoy fine
cuisine within walking distance of their
residences.
While Vipingo Ridge is heavily themed on
golf, the estate developers are aware that
some property owners and holidaymakers
will be looking to other outdoor activities
apart from golf. To meet this demand,
they are developing a new country club
on the estate which will feature tennis
and squash courts, a cricket pitch, a
bowling alley and an Olympic-sized swim-
ming pool.
premier golf locaTion is a sporTing wonder
Africa’s low cost airline
// Vipingo Ridge
27
this huge estate, enclosed within a 27 km stone wall, is kenya’s premier golf location
orphAnAge kidS welcome A SpeciAl viSitor
www.fly540.com28
imani Rehabilitation Agency is a non-profit making organisation situated in Malindi, Kajiando and
Nairobi. The organisation‘s objectives are to provide care and protection, rehabilitate, educate, provide primary health care and to reintegrate the orphans and vulnerable children in the community.
The project’s founder, Mama Imani, is
based in Nairobi and, owing to health
problems, finds travelling by vehicle
difficult. Fly540 allows Mama Imani free
flights between Malindi and Nairobi.
This enables her to pay regular visits to
the children there as well as to carry sick
babies to and fro if they need medical
help in Nairobi.
The Imani project began in 1992 as a
rehabilitation program for the street chil-
dren. At that time, Nairobi city had more
than 60,000 children who were living on
the streets. The organisation has now
grown, from a home of 20 children, to an
institution catering for an average of 350
children per year.
At Imani, children are rescued almost on
a daily basis, from dustbins, sewage sites
and from hospitals where, especially young
mothers, abandon new-borns. Police desks
are equally busy with children found, lost or
left on their own without care or protec-
tion. All these children of aged five years or
Bring some joy to these childrenOver 350 vulnerable Kenyan children are now cared for in the four homes run by the Imani Rehabilitation Agency in Nairobi, Ngong and Malindi. If you would like to support this worthwhile project by sending a donation, please contact us:
Imani Rehabilitation Agency for Abandoned Children
PO Box 71589-00610, Eastleigh, Nairobi
Tel: 020-2357433
Cell: 0733 620587
Email: [email protected]
www.imanikids.org
The project founder Mama Imani and other members of the Imani family
// Imani Children
below are brought to Imani children’s home
for care and protection.
The Imani vision is to rehabilitate these
children back into a society where they
are able to live a dignifi ed existence with
equal access to opportunities in life.
The rescue centre at Malindi cares for
orphans and vulnerable children along
the coast of Kenya. Far away from the
rest of the Imani family and from the main
medical centres in Nairobi, the project is
also not a permanent home for the chil-
dren, but a rescue centre for a period of
time after which the children rescued are
re-integrated into the community.
Fresh vegetables
Malindi is also notoriously dry and as a
result, locally grown vegetables are in
high demand. To ensure the children
based at the coast have a healthy and
varied diet, Fly540 transports fresh
vegetables to Malindi each week.
Some of the children housed at Malindi
have sent letters and drawn pictures
thanking Fly540 for their support.
30 www.fly540.com
Type: Twin-engine turboprop airplane
Number in service: One
Capacity per aircraft: 19 passengers
The flY540 aircrafT fleeT
hawker Beechcraftairliner B1900c
Type: Twin-turboprop, short-haul regional airliner
Number in service: Two
Capacity per aircraft: 47 passengers
atR 42-320Type: Twin-engine regional jet
Number in service: Three
Capacity per aircraft: 50 passengers
canadair cl-600-2B19 Regional Jet
31Africa’s low cost airline
// Fleet
Type: Twin-engine turboprop short-haul regional airliner
Number in service: Two
Capacity per aircraft: 78 passengers
atR 72-500
Type: Turboprop cargo airliner
Number in service: One
Capacity per aircraft: 1336 x 210 x 190 cargo hold
Fokker F27
Type: Short range jet airliner
Number in service: One
Capacity per aircraft: 67 passengers
Fokker F28
Type: Twin-engined, medium range, turboprop airliner
Number in service: 3
Capacity per aircraft: 37 passengers
Bombardier dash 8 102 series
Type: Single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner
Number in service: One
Capacity per aircraft: 10 passengers
cessna caravan c208
www.fl y540.com32
ride ouT eaT ouT
By gary gimson
An experience the whole family can enjoy
i had planned what I had hoped would be a rather agreeable and leisurely Sunday lunch in what I
was sure would be a spectacular setting.
But at that point I had not spoken to Niall
Cowan, the general manager at Fairmount
Mount Kenya Safari Club, and he had other,
more ambitious ideas. “Don’t just come
for lunch,” he said persuasively. “Why
not combine dining with some horse-riding
and try something a bit different?”
For me, the chance to visit the iconic
Mount Kenya Safari Club, a property
created by the legendary Hollywood
movie star William Holden, was suffi cient.
heading off
But the thought of getting on a horse
and heading off into Mount Kenya
National Park just to eat lunch was a bit
beyond my comprehension. What’s more,
I had not really ridden since I was a boy
and after a couple of falls I had quickly
given up any aspiration of becoming a
jockey or showjumper. So I was naturally
apprehensive.
On arrival, I was greeted by a smiling
Charles Gichuhi, the Club’s F&B service
manager. After a brief chat about
Fairmont’s charmingly discreet and
surprisingly sympathetic refurbishment
of the property, he pointed over to what
appeared to be a huddle of reassuringly
docile-looking nags. “There is your horse
and my colleagues, John and John, will
now take you into the national park for
lunch,” he said.
He provided a helping hand as I inel-
egantly clambered on to my mount,
and then we were off and walking,
my horse obediently following the one
in front and heading out through the
Club’s exquisitely manicured grounds.
We soon encountered a broad stream
and my horse easily picked its way over
the pebbly river bottom and up the steep
bank on the other side.
We were now on a narrow track with
recent evidence that elephant had also
used this route. “What do we do if we
meet an elephant coming in the opposite
direction?” I asked. But I didn’t really get
a satisfactory answer from the two Johns.
We were soon through the gorge and
into the forest proper and then into an
open area that was once the Club’s own
airstrip but is now abandoned.
The game viewing was not exactly spec-
tacular, just impressively close-up sight-
ings of waterbuck, bushbuck and a troop
of grumpy baboons. But, on a better
suNdaY luNch at mouNt keNYa saFaRi cluB
Africa’s low cost airline 33
For me, the chance to visit the iconic mount kenya safari club, a property created by the legendary hollywood movie star William holden, was sufficient
// Sunday lunch
day, guests would hope to spot elephant
and buffalo and, if they were especially
fortunate, leopard.
After about 45 minutes of riding, we
suddenly encountered a table, a parasol,
chairs and a couple of the Club’s impec-
cably dressed staff. The table was angled
to capture the best view of what proved
to be a disappointingly cloud-enshrouded
Mount Kenya.
As someone who greatly enjoys eating in
the bush, I always marvel at the way staff
manage to conjure up the most exquisite
of dishes with only the barest of facilities.
The staff at Mount Kenya Safari Club
were no exception, effortlessly serving a
prawn and salmon starter followed by a
delicious mushroom soup with a dollop
of chive cream.
Fresh
As if that wasn’t enough, the main course,
comprising both barbecued beef and local
Meru chicken accompanied by wonder-
fully fresh vegetables from the Club’s own
garden, then made an appearance.
For dessert, I had the Club’s Mount
Kenya forest tasting of wild cherries, dark
chocolate and vanilla bean cream with
fresh fruit.
A choice of red or white wine was
offered throughout the meal as well as a
selection of fruit juices (I chose mango)
and both sparkling and still water.
The meal was completed with either tea
or coffee. (The Club has a selection of
menus and is happy to discuss any dietary
requirements or preferences with guests.)
As dark clouds gathered and the rumble
of thunder moved ever closer, it was time
to be helped back on to my trusty steed
for the ride back to the Club on a full
(and I do mean full) stomach. The return
route is different, but no less attractive.
I became more confident as I honed my
rusty horsemanship, with one of the
Johns reminding me of the skills I had
learnt as a boy but long since forgotten.
magnificent
The rain began to catch up with us, but
we didn’t care. This was a magnificent
afternoon and a few drops of rain were
not going to spoil things.
As we began to feel damp, the Club
hove into view and there was a beaming
Charles, ready to hear about my experi-
ences and invite me for a coffee as we
looked out once more on Mount Kenya.
A couple of tips for anyone looking to
book this superb lunch event, which is
priced at KES 4,800 for non-residents of
the Club:
• First, and as I proved, you don’t
you need to be an expert to ride in the
national park
• Visit the bathroom before you leave
the Club as there are no comfort stops en
route or suitable facilities at the lunch site
• Portion sizes are more than ample, so
don’t have a big breakfast or a mid-
morning snack beforehand
• Riding a horse on a full stomach is not
to everyone’s taste, so there is the option
of returning to the Club by car.
One final thought – and this is aimed at
the magazine’s male readers – if you are
looking to impress a lady friend, or even
looking to pop the question, then you are
probably on to a winner with this lunch in
this romantic location. What’s more, you
can always return to the Club some day to
marry under its sacred mugumo tree.
Note: Fly540 operates daily flights
between Nairobi and Nanyuki.
Africa’s low cost airline
// Sunday lunch
35
as someone who greatly enjoys eating in the bush, i always marvel at the way staff manage to conjure up the most exquisite of dishes from only the barest of facilities
Spectacular scenery makes the perfect backdrop
www.fl y540.com
Conferencing //
CONFERENCE TOURISM IS
36
BIG BUSINESS
A well presented meeting room at the Lenana Conference Centre in Nairobi
Africa’s low cost airline 37
To ensure the success of each event, The
Plenary is equipped with the very latest
in conference technology. This includes
observer galleries; an advanced sound
amplifi cation and recording system; and
booths for wireless simultaneous interpre-
tation equipment, able to translate into
seven languages.
In addition to The Plenary, the KICC has
an amphitheatre, designed in the style of
a traditional African hut, which is used
mainly for seminars and symposiums.
With seating for about 800 people in
three tiers overlooking the auditorium,
the amphitheatre has a state-of-the-art
public address system, full logic recording
systems and sound proofi ng.
The KICC is also a renowned exhibition
centre, hosting expos and trade shows
almost monthly throughout the year. The
open grounds, overlooking the Kenyan
parliament building, have been used for
many trade shows, including the largest
in the region, the COMESA International
Trade Exhibition.
In addition to the KICC, many hotels in
Nairobi have been keen to take advan-
tage of this expanding sector. The Nairobi
Serena Hotel, for example, has recently
launched a TelePresence service. This new
facility comes in addition to the video
conferencing service already established
at the Serena.
Mombasa
Away from the Kenyan capital, the
coastal holiday resort of Mombasa is
another well-known conference venue.
Many of the city’s hotels offer conference
facilities and accommodation.
The Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort has
some of the fi nest meeting and confer-
Conference tourism in East Africa has shown tremen-dous growth in the past
decade. Buoyed by the increase in regional and international meetings, the sector has gone from strength to strength.
This has not only created competition
within the sector, but has helped encour-
age innovation, service delivery and
product upgrades.
Nairobi
The Kenyan capital is also a regional
capital for East and Central Africa. The
city is home to the largest conference
venue in the area, the Kenyatta Interna-
tional Conference Centre (KICC). Built in
the 1970s, the KICC has made a name
for itself by hosting some of the most
important business and diplomatic meet-
ings in the region.
Among the KICC’s many meeting rooms
is The Plenary, the largest conference
chamber of its kind in East and Central
Africa. Constructed in soundproof grey
stone, with natural wood and lofty ceilings,
The Plenary has a capacity of 5,000 people
and caters mainly for large international
meetings, exhibitions and grand balls.
Well-equipped boardroom at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club
www.fly540.com38
ence services on Kenya’s north coast,
with state-of-the-art equipment and
facilities to meet every requirement, from
large meetings to executive off-sites and
board meetings.
The resort has nine meeting rooms
ranging in size from small boardrooms
and meeting rooms to the spacious
Makutano Hall.
Kampala, Uganda
Across the region, the Ugandan capital,
Kampala, has also been raising its game.
One of the biggest and best known
Africa’s low cost airline
// Conferencing
39
conference centres here is the recently
opened Munyonyo Commonwealth
Retreat, near Kampala, which was origi-
nally built to host the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting in 2007.
At the heart of the Ugandan capital is the
imposing Kampala Serena Hotel, home to
the city’s premier meeting and conference
venue, the Kampala Serena International
Conference Centre. This two-storey,
hexagonal complex features the Victoria
Auditorium, a state-of-the-art conference
facility for up to 1,500 delegates, and the
Nile Gallery, which also functions as an
exhibition area.
Another important meeting venue in this
area is the Jinja Nile Resort at Entebbe.
Spread over 75 acres near the River Nile,
the resort has three conference halls,
three meeting rooms and a boardroom.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital
of Tanzania, has recently become a
major conference and meeting place
in the region. The city recently hosted
the World Economic Forum, one of the
biggest conferences to take place in Dar
es Salaam.
The opening of the Mlimani City
Complex, able to accommodate up to
2,000 people, has underlined the status
of Dar es Salaam as a favourable confer-
ence venue.
The Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort has some of the finest meeting and conference services on Kenya’s north coast, with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to meet every requirement
The Makutano Hall at the
Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort
FLY540
TRavel infoRmaTion foR eaST afRica
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Information //
Tanzanian visas
Ugandan visas
South Sudan visas
Visa information
40
Most nationals require visas to enter East Africa. Citizens from the five East African states require no visas while those from the Common Market of East and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states have relaxed entry requirements into East Africa.
However, East African member states have their own visa requirements for various nationals.
All foreigners from non-Commonwealth countries are
required to have a valid visa unless their countries have
agreements with Tanzania under which the visa require-
ment is waived.
Exemptions: Citizens of Commonwealth countries are
not required to obtain visas unless they are citizens of the
United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, South
Africa, New Zealand or Australia.
Visa-issuing Stations and Authorities
Tanzanian visas are issued by the following:
• The office of the Director of Immigration Services, Dar
es Salaam, and the office of the Principal Immigration
Officer, Zanzibar.
• Entry points to the United Republic of Tanzania: principally
Namanga, Tunduma, Sirari, Horohoro, Kigoma Port, Dar
es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International
Airport, Zanzibar Harbour and Zanzibar Airport.
• Any other gazetted entry point.
• From Tanzania High Commissions or embassies abroad. For
more information on Tanzanian diplomatic missions visit:
www.tanzania.go.tz/tanzaniaembassiesabroad.htm
The easiest way of getting a visa to Uganda is by purchasing it
at the entry point, Entebbe Airport or any border station. This
is very possible for tourists coming into Uganda. All you need
to do is pay USD 50, fill in the application form with passport
dates and information. The visa issued is valid for 90 days.
You can also get a visa by applying online if you a citizen of
the following countries, USA, UK, South Africa, Russia, Japan,
Italy, India, Germany, France, Denmark, China, Canada, and
Belgium. All you need to do is to download the application
from the embassy website of your country of origin.
The only authority in South Sudan is the Government of
South Sudan, based in Juba. Any visitor going to Sudan
through Khartoum requires a valid visa.
Immigration regulations stipulate that anyone going to
South Sudan needs a travel permit from the Govern-
ment of South Sudan Ministry of Regional Co-operation
Mission Offices abroad, supervised by the Ministry of
Internal Affairs.
Visas are issued through the South Sudan Embassy. The
Republic of South Sudan has missions in Kenya, Egypt,
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia,
Norway, Belgium, the UK, Canada and the USA.
Foreign missions in Juba include Kenya, the UK, the USA,
the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, France, Ethiopia,
South Africa, Libya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Norway,
Nigeria, China, Egypt, Eritrea, India and Italy.
FL FFYLL
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ASS
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Health
41
Kenyan visasVisas are required for most nationals and cost US$50. A visa
can be obtained on entry, however we recommended one be
obtained before arrival to avoid airport lengthy queues. Visa
Application Forms are available online.
A visa is required by all visitors travelling to Kenya with the
exception of those holding a re-entry pass to Kenya and
citizens of Ethiopia, San Marino, Turkey and Uruguay.
Note that the reciprocal visa abolition agreements with
Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Spain,
and Republic of Ireland no longer apply and nationals of
these countries now require a Visa.
KENYA VISA REQUIREMENTS
• Valid passport with suffi cient number of unused pages for
endorsements abroad. Passport must be signed and valid
for at least six months.
• Visa application form duly completed and signed by the
applicant.
• Two recent passport size photographs attached to the
application form.
• Valid round trip ticket or a letter from your travel agent
certifying that the applicant holds prepaid arrangements.
• A self-addressed stamped envelope for express mail,
courier, registered mail, etc., if the visa is urgently
required. Metered stamps are not acceptable.
• Home and work telephone numbers.
Please fi ll out the form correctly and enclose the photographs
and payment to avoid delay and disappointment.
Standard Visa fees payable by cash to the Embassy of Kenya.
VISA FEES CHARGES:
Multiple entry: $100
Single entry: $50
Transit Visa: $20
1. Please note that all children below 16 yrs are not charged visa fees
2. The reduced visa fees were effected on 1st march 2009, as directive from
ministry of tourism on attracting more tourists in to the country.
3. Passengers can pay in US dollar, British pounds, Euro or Swiss franc.
For more information and to download a Kenya visa application form visit:
http://www.immigration.go.ke/index.php
Vaccination requirements for international travellers
• No cholera vaccination certifi cates are required of travellers coming from all over the world.
• Only valid yellow fever vaccination certifi cates are required of all travellers over one year old, arriving from yellow fever infected
countries mainly in central and West Africa, South and Central America South East Asia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh.
• Vaccination for international travellers are obtainable from all international air and sea ports, city and major municipal councils
NB: Make sure you get your yellow fever shot in good time since the yellow fever certifi cate is valid for travel use 10 days after vaccination.
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FLLFFYYLLLL
5440VV
AVV
CACINANN TA ION INFNN
ORMRR
AAMM
TA
IOON
FLY540
GeTTinG aRound in eaST afRica
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Information //
By bus
By 4x4 and hire car By train
42
Kenya has a network of long-distance bus services on which speed is limited to 80 kph. Within Nairobi, buses are run by private companies such as Citi Hoppa, whose green-and-yellow buses offer cheap transport (usually about US$0.66) and provide regular serv-ices between the city centre and the suburbs. With seating for 20 to 35 passengers (no standing passengers allowed by law), they are a cleaner and less hectic mode of transport than matatus, but they serve many of the same routes.
You can hire a 4x4 and drive through Kenya, although you need to be proficient at handling such a vehicle.
Most international rental agencies have offices in Nairobi and Mombasa. They offer affordable and reliable cars with a full back-up network. Visitors can also rent cheaper cars from local distributors who are mostly reliable. In addition, there are car rental agencies in Kampala and Dar es Salaam.
The Kenya-Uganda railway starts in Mombasa and goes via Nairobi to Kampala, Uganda. This train service is the famous ‘Lunatic Express’ that featured in the Michael Douglas film ‘The Ghost and the Darkness’.
FLFFYLL
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Hand luggage
43
By matatuMatatus are privately run minibuses, typically for 14 or 25 passengers and operating over short and medium distances. Previously, the matatus were usually packed to well over capacity – with up to 25 people in a 14-seater vehicle – but in recent years there has been more government regulation and policing of matatus, especially in the larger cities, and now most of them have seatbelts and care is taken not to exceed the vehicle’s stated capacity.
Matatus offer a cheap and quick means of transport in all the major towns and many rural areas. The name matatu hails from the Kiswahili word for the number three – tatu – because some time ago the standard fare was three 10 cent coins.
Matatus have a yellow strip running around the vehicle with the route number on display
In Tanzania, public minibuses are known as daladala. Unlike in Nairobi, the minibuses in Dar es Salaam are packed and normally exceed their carrying capacity, especially in the morning and afternoon rush hours. The daladala have the fares displayed on their sides, however, making it easier for visitors to the city to avoid being overcharged.
Also popular in Dar es Salaam are three-wheel motorcycles known as bajaji. In Kenya, they are known as tuk tuks and are popular in the resort cities of Mombasa and Malindi.
In Kampala, the motorcycle taxis, known as boda boda, are the most popular mode of transport. They are not only cheap, but handy when you want to beat the heavy traffi c in Kampala during the rush hour.
The following may be carried in your hand luggage only if they are stored in containers up to 100 ml in size and placed in a transparent resealable plastic bag and thereafter screened separately from other items carried in the hand luggage. The capacity of the transparent plastic bag must not be greater than 1 litre.
Liquids, gels and aerosols include:
• Water and other drinks
• Syrups
• Creams, lotions and oils
• Perfumes and sprays
• Gels including hair and shower gels
• Pastes including Vaseline and eye shadow
FLFFYLL
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• Pressurised containers such as shaving foam and deodorants
• Other items with similar consistency.
The following items are allowed in hand luggage:
• Medicine needed during the fl ight
• Baby food needed during the fl ight.
You may buy any liquids beyond the security check points including duty free or in-fl ight items. Items purchased must be packed in security tamper evident bags and accompanied by proof of purchase when presenting them at the security checkpoint.
NOTE: Kenya Airports Authority implements all ICAO standards and
recommended practices on liquids, aerosols and gels.
FFLFFYLL
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GGAGA E INFNN
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// Kids’ corner
CORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERQ: What do you get if you cross
a fi sh with an elephant?
a: Swimming trunks!
How many words can you make using all
or some of the letters in the word
The words have to be at least THREE letters long. And you can’t use
the letter twice in the same word, unless the letter appears twice
in the word. So, for example, you can’t make the word ‘motto’
because there is only one T in astronomical but you can make the
word ‘moon’ because there are two Os. Ready, steady, go! 45Africa’s low cost airline
CORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERKids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’Kids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’CORNERCORNERCORNERKids’Kids’Kids’
SpOt The SpOt The SpOt The SpOt The SpOt The SpOt The differencedifferencedifferenceSpOt The differenceSpOt The SpOt The SpOt The differenceSpOt The differenceSpOt The differenceSpOt The SpOt The SpOt The differenceSpOt The
We’ve made fi ve changes, can you spot them?
cccOOOcOcccOcOcOcccOc LLLOOOLOLLLOLOLOLLLOL UUUR R R MMMEEE IIINNN
JOke time!JOke time!JOke time!
Q: Which big cat should you
never play cards with?
a: A cheetah!
Q: Why are football players
never asked for dinner?
a: Because they’re always
dribbling!
mOre Jokes...mOre Jokes...mOre Jokes...
“astROnOmical”?“astROnOmical”?“astROnOmical”?“astROnOmical”?“astROnOmical”?“astROnOmical”?“astROnOmical”?“astROnOmical”?“astROnOmical”?“astROnOmical”?“astROnOmical”?“astROnOmical”?
UNESCO RECOGNISES KEY STATUS OF
RIFT VALLEY LAKE SYSTEM
Lake BogoriaLake Bogoria is famous for its hot springs
and geysers, which erupt as high as three
metres into the air and have a pungent
sulphuric smell. Watching them erupt is a
marvel and it is no wonder that the geol-
ogist and explorer J.W. Gregory described
Lake Bogoria as ‘the most beautiful view
in Africa’.
Lake NakuruFamed for its pink-rimmed shores, Lake
Nakuru is home to the world’s largest
fl amingo population. The lesser fl amingos
are attracted to the lake by an abundance
of blue-green algae.
The lake is a major attraction in the Rift
Valley tourism circuit. It is part of the Lake
Nakuru National Park, which is also home
to black rhino and white rhino. The lake
is also visited by hundreds of migratory
birds – a sight that has been described
as the greatest ornithological spectacle
on earth.
Lake Elementaita
Located midway between Nairobi and
Nakuru, the ‘bread basket’ of Kenya,
Lake Elementaita plays a key role in the
wider lakes ecosystem because it is a
breeding ground for fl amingos.
Africa’s low cost airline
// Kenyan lakes
47
Three lakes in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley have been recog-nised as a World Heritage Site
by Unesco. With conservation now a ‘hot button’ issue the world over, Unesco has this year welcomed 25 new entrants to its World Heritage List including the Kenyan lakes, which form a vital ecosystem.
The system on the fl oor of the Great Rift
Valley consists of three relatively shallow
lakes – Bogoria, Nakuru and Elementaita
– which are interlinked. Covering just
over 32,000 hectares, the lake system
is home to 13 globally threatened bird
species and some of the highest bird
diversities in the world.
As well as playing host to hundreds of
resident and migratory birds, the lake
system is the world’s most important
foraging site for the lesser fl amingo and
is a major nesting and breeding ground
for the great white pelican.
The lakes system is also home to
signifi cant populations of wild animals
including black rhino, white rhino,
Rothschild’s giraffe, greater kudu, lion,
cheetah and wild dog.
The lake system is the world’s most important foraging site for the lesser flamingo
48 www.fl y540.com
Contact us //
FIVE FORTY AFRICA - HEAD OFFICERiverside Green Suites, Palm SuiteRiverside DrivePO Box 10293-00100Nairobi, KenyaTel: +254 (0)20 445 2391/5Fax/Tel: +254 (0)20 445 2396Sales: Tel: +254 (0)737 540 540Email: info@fl y540.com
FIVE FORTY CALL CENTREABC Place, off Waiyaki WayTel: +254 (0)20 445 3252/6Cell: +254 (0)722 540 540; (0)733 540 540Fax: +254 (0)20 445 3257
LAICO REGENCY - 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Mezz. fl oor, Shopping ArcadeTel: +254 (0)20 224 3211/3/4Cell: +254 727 540 540; (0)737 540 540Fax: +254 (0)20 224 3219
JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICEUnit 3 (Domestic Departures)Tel: +254 (0)20 827 523Tel: +254 20 827 366Cell: +254 727 532 273
Unit 1 (International Departures)Tel: +254 (0)20 827 521
MOMBASA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICEGround Floor, Mombasa Trade Centre Nkrumah RoadTel: +254 (0)41 231 9078/9Mob: +254 (0)728 540 540; (0)710 540 540
Moi International Airport, MombasaTel: +254 (0)41 343 4821Tel: +254 (0)32 540 540; (0)722 555 730
540 TANZANIADAR ES SALAAM 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICEPlot no. 767/39, Samora AvenueTel: +255 (0)22 212 5912/3Sales: Tel: +255 752 540 540; (0)788 540 540Cell: +255 754 292 675; (0)784 292 675
ARUSHA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICEBlue Plaza Building, Indian StreetTel: +255 (0)27 254 5211Tel: +255 (0)784 410 233
KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTTel:+255 (0)756 540 540Tel: +255 (0)27 255 4282
ZANZIBAR 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICECine Afrique Building, Stone TownTel: +255 (0)24 223 5110Tel: +255 (0)762 540 540
UGANDA 540 (U) LTDKAMPALA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE1st Floor, Oasis Mall Tel: +256 (0)414 346 915/999Tel: +256 (0)312 540 540Sales: Tel: +256 (0)712 540 540; (0)776 540 540
ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICETel: +256 (0)314 540 540Tel: +256 (0)315 540 540Sales: Tel: +256 (0)713 540 540
UKUNDA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS Barclays Centre, Diani RoadTel: +254 (0)20 354 6532 Tel: +254 (0)726 453 246 LAMU - NORTH COAST TRAVEL SERVICETel: +254 (0)42 213 0312Tel: +254 (0)42 463 2054Tel: +254 (0)725 942 444Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] KITALE TICKETING & RESERVATIONSTerminal Building, Kitale AirstripTel: +254 (0)770 639 429Tel: +254 (0)724 457 374Tel: +254 (0)735 540 547 ELDORET 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONSTel: +254 (0)53 203 3570/80 ELDORET INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 540 Ticketing & Reservations Offi ceTel: +254 (0)53 203 0814Tel: +254 (0)53 206 3823 ext 658 KAKAMEGA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONSHolden Mall - above Nakumatt SupermarketTel: +254 (0)734 540 550Tel: +254 (0)711 908 330 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS WILSON AIRPORT : 540 SAFARI CIRCUIT SALESGround Floor, Langata House Tel: +254 (0)20 254 0206Tel: +254 (0)729 540 540Tel: +254 (0)735 540 540
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