Table of contents for Issue 184 - April-May 2024 in Msafiri

Q WHAT MOTIVATES YOU IN YOUR WORK? Every day, the weighty responsibility of safeguarding our priceless wildlife heritage serves as a profound source of inspiration. For me, leading the dedicated team at KWS is not just a matter of pride and honour, but a great privilege. That's what drives me. Q WITH SLIGHTLY MORE THAN A YEAR IN OFFICE, WHAT MILESTONES HAVE YOU ACHIEVED? Upon assuming office, my primary focus was to motivate the diverse team at KWS and re-establish the chain of command. This effort has borne fruit, with the team now fully committed to our shared goal of wildlife protection and providing exceptional service to valued customers, communities and stakeholders. Additionally, efforts to enhance revenue collection and eliminate corruption in the Service have positioned us well. In fact,…

CONSERVATION Tucked away in a secluded corner of Sam burn National Reserve - one of Kenya's most spectacular protected parks a group of dedicated Kenyan and international researchers is working tirelessly to give wild African elephants a voice. For nearly three decades, Save the Elephants (STE), founded by the world's foremost expert on pachyderms lain Douglas-Hamilton, has been at the forefront of ground-breaking research on Samburu's elephant population. Their research not only sheds tight on the intricacies of elephants' lives, but also formulates strategies to safeguard the world's largest land mammals. The Samburu elephant population is one of the best-studied in the world. Researchers can identify up to 700 individual elephants by sight, utilising distinctive features such as ear nicks and tusk patterns. These elephants are also given individual and…

In April 2023, the National Football League (NFL), through the NFL Africa flagship, arrived at Kenya's Moi Sports Centre Kasarani Stadium with several renowned players in a bid to popularise American football not only in Kenya but throughout Africa. West African countries, in particular, have become hotbeds of emerging talent in the sport, with Ghana and Nigeria producing some of the finest players in the NFL. Kenya was next on the list… The biggest Kenyan prospect to play in the NFL is Daniel Adongo, a former rugby player at Strathmore University, who moved to the USA where he played for the Indianapolis Colts as an outside linebacker until 2015. The three-day camp in Kenya brought together 29 prospects aged 16-21, from African nations including Cameroon, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and Senegal,…

The 21st edition of the Sauti za Busara Music Festival, recently held at the historic Old Fort in Zanzibar, left an indelible mark on both attendees and participants alike. Under the stewardship of festival director Journey Ramadhan, managing director Lorenz Herrmann and the team at Busara Promotions, this year's festival showcased the vibrancy and diversity of African music and cultural heritage, setting the stage for an even more spectacular event in 2025. This year's lineup featured 25 bands from across Africa, including renowned artists such as Mádé Kuti, Selrnor Mtukudzi, Zoë Modiga, Sholo Mwamba, Stewart Sukuma & Banda Nkhuvu, Siti & the Band and many more, whose performances captivated the audience. Beyond the music, the festival offered panel discussions and networking opportunities via its Movers & Shakers platform, providing a…

skyteam Sustainability is a top priority for Sky Team and its members. That's why we launched the SkyTeam Sustainable Flight Challenge (TSFC) in 2022 to help drive changes across aviation. Now in its third year, here's how this industry-first sustainability challenge is helping chart a path to a more responsible future for air travel. INSPIRED BY HISTORY TSFC was inspired by the London to Melbourne air race of 1934. This revolutionised air travel and TSFC aims to transform it further by driving the changes needed to reduce its impact on the environment. A FRIENDLY COMPETITION… Later this year, participating airlines will operate flights in their existing networks, using ideas, technology and innovations to make them as sustainable as possible. Results are measured against baselines for the same flights on the…

Fly direct from Nairobi to Maputo on our new flights starting in June. The capital of Mozambique is your springboard to everything from national parks to glorious coastline… From 14 June2024. Kenya flirways will operate three flights per week to the vibrant capital of Mozambique. Taking off from Nairobi on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, the new route will take you straight to the heart of one of Africa's most fascinating cities. Once you've booked your tickets, here are four things to add to your must-see list while you're there: 1 IMMERSE YOURSELF… …in Maputo's culture by visiting the bustling Central Market-a covered space in an old Portuguese colonial building dating from 1901 - where stalls are laden with everything from tropical fruits and cashew nuts to handmade batiks and wood carvings.…

At grassroots level across Africa, women are uniquely positioned to witness the pervasive environmental and conservation pressures caused by climate change, poaching and human encroachment. It is estimated that women constitute 70% of Africa's agricultural workforce and cultivate 90% of its food; they are usually the water carriers, seed sowers, land tillers and crop growers, encountering wildlife daily. Yet their voices are seldom heard. With the exception of a handful of well-known pioneers, including Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Wangari Maathai, conservation has hitherto been almost exclusively a male domain. That is slowly changing. More women are finally making their mark in the spheres of policy-making and management, in community leadership and conservation projects, blazing a trail for others to follow. Here's a selection of our women making a mark.…

01 RODE VIDEOMICRO ULTRACOMPACT ON-CAMERA MICROPHONE With most photographers mixing stilts and video, a lightweight mini microphone is a must. This model not only records sound, it actually improves audio quality. Its directional design reduces background noise, capturing clear and crisp sound, whether used with a proper camera or a smartphone. US$59 • RODE.COM 02 LUME CUBE 2.0 PORTABLE LED LIGHT The Lume Cube 2.0 is a small yet extremely powerful LED light that enhances your photographs and videos in low-light conditions. With adjustable brightness levels and wireless control, it provides customisable lighting solutions on the go. it's even waterproof, so you can take it to the beach. US$89 • LUMECUBE.COM 03 DJI OSMO MOBILE 4 SMARTPHONE GIMBAL The DJI Osmo Mobile 4 Smartphone Gimbal is the best-value 3-way camera gimbal…

NAIROBI ESCAPES Lutawo Ouma recommends: TAKAWIRI ISLAND Why: Mind, body and soul are instantly detoxified by the beauty and tranquillity of the palm-lined beaches overlooking the great lake. How: Takawiri Island is one of 19 habitable islands in Nam Lolwe (Lake Victoria). A hidden gem, this private property is tucked away from the noise and pollution of the world, yet still brimming with fun activities. Takawiri is an ideal getaway for long weekends. Get there by flight, or drive to Homa Bay or Kisumu before connecting to Mbita where a 30 to 45-minute boat ride will take you to Mfangano, then Takawiri. You can also reach the island by taking a 60-minute boat ride from Rusinga Island. Accommodation is available on Takawiri, but be sure to book in advance. Once…

Guess where… At 1.36km long with a mammoth 90m-high pylon in the middle, this cable-stayed bridge - the first of its kind in this region - connects two districts of one of Africa's most populous cities. Built in 2013 at the cost of US$190m, the bridge is one of the most photographed landmarks in the city, while its wide walkways make it popular with joggers, But in which Kenya Airways destination is it? TURN TO PAGE 80 FOR THE ANSWER…

connections As of 25 March, Kenya Airways now flies fives time a week - on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - to Eldoret in west Kenya. From 14 June, KQ will commence flying to Maputo, Mozambique. The service will operate three times a week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Starting on 15 June, KQ's New York service will increase from seven flights per week to nine. The new flights will operate on Thursday and Saturday. From 5 July, the number of weekly flights to Paris will also increase by two to nine, to cater for the expected extra demand during the Olympics. The additional frequencies will run on Friday and Sunday. On the Africa front, Lagos, Nigeria, wilt receive an additional weekly flight (on Saturday) starting 1 April, with…

network This issue: City parks 1 NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK Billed as 'the world's wildlife capital'. this 117sq km park is the perfect escape from the bustling city. Take a guided game drive to discover lion, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and more, with Nairobi's skyline providing the backdrop. If you fancy a more relaxed view, head for a sundowner in the rooftop bar at Ole Sereni Hotel. 2 BANCO NATIONAL PARK, ABIDJAN Known as the city's 'green lung', Banco teems with a diversity of flora. Spread over 34sq km, it is home to some 800 species of plant, as well as antelope, giant catfish, birds and chimps. There's several walking trails, boat rides and waterfalls to enjoy. 3 CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY The park measures 3.4sq km, or 16 billion New York apartments.…

WATERFALL TRAIL TSITSIKAMMA, GARDEN ROUTE NATIONAL PARK \ 6KM,3 HOURS | EASY | TSITSIKAMMA.INFO The five-day Otter Trail along the rugged coast of Tsitsikamma sells out a year in advance, but hiking the first section to the Twee Riviere waterfall gives you a taste of the drama, Boulder-hop along orange, lichen-covered rocks, keeping watch for dolphins and whales, then coo! off in the waterfall's deep pool as you take in the sounds and smells of the sea. The Tsitsikamma Trail, which starts at Nature's Valley (where the Otter Trail ends], traverses the magnificent indigenous forests and fynbos-covered mountains to Storms River and is a great alternative to the Otter Trail, The vast Cederberg Wilderness Area has few marked trails, but its rugged mountains, bizarrely sculpted rock formations, rock art sites…

PHOTOGRAPHY How long have you lived in London? I was born and raised in Paddington, West London. It's very multicultural and full of interesting characters. What's your favourite part of the city? Each area of the city has a different feel and look, so depending on what I want to photograph, this is where I will go. If I had to choose, I wouLd say central London, as it is full of life. There is always something to photograph. Famous spots, such as Piccadilly and Soho, are all walkable and I enjoy taking the quieter back streets and finding new places, Like quaint Little alleyways that are off the beaten track. How did you become interested in street photography? I didn't take up photography seriously until 2009 when, while working…

THIS IS THE FIRST IN OUR NEW SERIES OF CONCISE BUSINESS SCHOOL FEATURES, TAKING YOU THROUGH EVERY STEP OF CREATING AND MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS. THERE WILL BE MORE ESSENTIAL ADVICE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF MSAFIRI. 01 DEFINE YOUR BUSINESS CONCEPT The first step in creating a business plan is to clearly define your business concept. This involves identifying your target market, understanding their needs, and determining how your product or service fulfils those needs. You should also define your unique selling proposition (USP) - what sets your business apart from the competition. 02 CONDUCT MARKET RESEARCH Market research is crucial for understanding the competitive landscape, identifying market trends and validating your business concept. Gather data on your target market's demographics, preferences and buying behaviour. Analyse your competitors' strengths and…

connections AIRLINE LAUNCHES FREIGHTER SERVICE BETWEEN NAIROBI, UAE AND SOMALIA KO Cargo has launched direct flights between Nairobi and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. The four-times-a-week service is designed to strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Africa, tapping into the significant demand for cargo services within the region. Allan Kilaviika, group managing director and CEO of KQ, said: “The United Arab Emirates is ranked among the top exports and imports trading partner for Kenya and other African countries. This trade constitutes around 10 per cent of UAE's total trade. “The launch of KQ Cargo flights from Sharjah to African cities is therefore significant in tapping into this growing demand that will catalyse business growth within the Middle East and Africa.” To commemorate the route expansion, Sharjah Airport Authority…