Khakif

Africana,

I've always believed that the next generation holds the key when it comes to protecting their wildlife heritage in Kenya. Attitudes are formed during childhood. I would like to see a program for Primary and Secondary school students that address the science and ecological importance of the Parks, so that biodiversity becomes more valued in Kenyan society. It is my understanding the Parks are too expensive for most to visit during their lifetime. I’ve spent a lot of time supporting school programs in Kenya and Tanzania. Their happy, eager faces have meant as much to me as any of my wildlife experiences. I sure would like to find a way to get those students into the Parks learning first hand about the ecosystem. Maybe this could become a secondary benefit of your future “cultural” program.

afrigalah

"I sure would like to find a way to get those students into the Parks learning first hand about the ecosystem."

Khakif,
Not sure if this is relevant (different country and circumstances for a start-- private concession v. national park), but this is one of the things the previous owners of the Selinda Reserve concession in Botswana did. Small groups of students were taken to the reserve every year for field trips with the guides. I don't know if the new owners are continuing this program--the old website mentioned it and other initiatives regularly but I don't recall seeing references to it on the new site.

John

africana

Dear all, Thanks for your amazing ideas . I will keep you informed of what I come up with.

Nyamira. Yes am kiyuyu????????

Nyamera

Africana, I was wondering because I have a problem with the letter D. I’ve been told “diadia” means both “gazelle” and “get out of the way” in Kikuyu, but then I got a small dictionary and there was no letter D. The only similar word I can find is “thiia” which means “duiker”. Why don’t you have the letter D in Kikuyu? How exactly do you say “gazelle” and “get out of the way”?

Nyamera

Another business idea is to do game drives in Nairobi NP. As a solo traveller any safari company will charge a very high price for a private game drive. The only option seems to be Big Safari that pick up guest from different hotels, but I don’t like the way they’re doing it, or the way they were doing it in 2005; I went to Kenya this year as well, but for various reasons I didn’t go to Nairobi NP. A minibus picks you up around 2 pm, you leave the NP around 5.45pm, visit a curio shop and then you’re returned to your hotel. I’d very much prefer an open-sided vehicle, not leaving the park until 7pm and no curio shop, except maybe the KWS shop were there’re some books and maps, I believe. Another idea is to provide rental cars at the gate for tourists who are too scared to drive in Nairobi and on the wrong side of the road.

africana

Nyamera: How are you, kikuyu is easy to speak but more difficult to write and read. Most words in kikuyu start with the letter t. Thiia means "gazelle" ,thia thia means "move away".

I would not really be interested to promote NP since there is not much to see.Its right in the middle of the city and a lot of human settlement near NP. I would rather promote Kakamega forest and turkana ( could visit local medicinemen in turkana) haaaaaa.

What else would yu like to do in Kenya apart from going for safaris that would promote tourism in Kenya?

Regards
africana

sandi

africana -

How would you suggest visitors getting to Turkana? Flight (expensive); heli (even more expensive) or a few days road trip... mini-bus, 4WD safari vehicle (you might need more than 1 if carrying provisions). At camping accommodations? What level camping? For camel trekking? Nature walks? Local tribal group meetings? The Pokot? Visiting the croc islands?

The area up that way is beautiful, but definitely for those seeking something very different. Certainly not a traditional "safari" destination. Besides the heat!

Khakif

Africana,

If you want to start your own business, I think it would be best to tailor our input around YOUR strengths, background, and passion versus tourism in general. If you would like to share your thoughts, I would be willing to give the project serious study and it would be fun. You can reach me by e-mail at khakif AT gmail DOT com if you would prefer.

Nyamera

Africana, I’m OK, I think. How are you? Thanks for the Kikuyu words. How impolite is it to say “thia thia”?

You’re right that the NP probably isn’t that interesting for the average tourist who has a day in Nairobi after having been to Samburu and the Mara, but I appreciate it after a couple of days in Nairobi. There are lots of rhinos that are very good at hiding, but there’s still a good chance of seeing one – at a distance at least. And, it’s easy to get the classic city giraffe photo.

I’d definitely like to go to Kakamega and Turkana, but I don’t like group trips. Some easily reachable accommodation with good guides in Kakamega would be nice. Turkana sounds more difficult. Medicine men? I’m sceptical, but ready to try anything, as long as the medicine is vegetarian.

Khakif sounds like a wise Fodorite, but I’d like to see your thoughts here on this thread.

twoteachers

I would like to find a more natural way to interact with the local people. Maybe you could have a clearinghouse of people willing to be host families, or find ways for people to be included in town meetings (not to vote)or celebrations or discussions. Maybe women could help out in a daycare or school, and all the while get a great cultural education. I always just wanted to be able to sit down on the ground with them and just have a good conversation. I did initiate some conversations, but between my awkwardness and their shyness amd my fear of doing something inappropriate, I did not converse as I wish I had now.

Nyamera

Did Dennis post on this thread, or was it just something I dreamt? I was going to comment, but now it’s gone!

matnikstym

yes Nyamera, I did post last night after a few g & t's and when I awoke this morning felt it was inappropriate so I deleted it.

Nyamera

The only thing inappropriate was that it was Swahili and not Kikuyu. The camel toe in the apostrophe thread is a lot worse. But, worst of all is your worrying g & t consumption. I haven’t counted the g & t’s in your report yet. I’ll have to do it this Christmas.

Patty

How do you delete a post?

Nyamera

Good question, Patty. I just supposed he emailed the editor.

matnikstym

To delete a post: when posting hit preview my reply (this saves it to your history) then post. To delete go to your history, find the "approve reply" link, click, click on edit then on delete.
Nyamera, my friend is 100% Kikuyu born and raised in Kenya, thought what he taught me was Kikuyu, will have to ask him next time we speak. I was best man at his wedding. He's never been on a game drive or seen lions etc. in the wild. He thinks I'm nuts for doing it. He's in Nairobi now, his father is a chief and wants me to go with him to Nairobi sometime. Maybe I will.
It was Halloween last night, hence the g & t! (Today is National Day in Algeria, so I might toast to that later in the evening), please don't worry about me

Kavey

Oh my GOD, I had NO idea I could do that! I just posted to test Dennis' delete method and it worked. Wow! I've been here at Fodors for about 8 years, if not more. I NEVER knew one could do that!!!!!

matnikstym

Patty-if you have I.E. click View, then history, go to day you posted, find "Fodors", look for the "approve reply" and click. Or you can get their through your URl browser bar. Type in fo..until you see all the fodors posts, find the right one you want to delete and click then do the previously mentioned steps.

Nyamera

It works!

Patty

Cool! Is there a limit to how far you can go back? Apparently the deleted post remains part of the post count.