October - November 2022 - Magazine 38

WelcometoCoastalGuide

Coastal Guide is a bi-monthly magazine publication that is available at various outlets along Kenya’s

It is designed as a guide book, providing useful information and services to enhance your stay and make it easier for you find the things you need. Each issue of Coastal guide also reports on social

Any support you can offer these initiatives will go along way towards retaining the beauty and unique charm that makes Kenya one of the best destinations

PleaserememberwhenvisitingKenya,takenothingbut pictures,leavenothingbutfootprints,killnothingbuttime.

coastline and Nairobi. in the world.

Contact us on : +254768468255

Visit our Website : www.coastalguidekenya.com

Email : info@coastalguidekenya.com

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C O N T E N T S F E A T U R E S R E G U L A R S Accommodation 02. Real Estate 03. Restaurants06. Services14. News15. Listings16. Cover Photo: Barry Koenecke

What’s better than a vacation? A longer vacation. So we’re spreading some love by prolonging your holiday by extension, your happiness.

Book a room for 3 nights and stay for 4! Send an email to rsv@dianireef.com or call +254709481000

Plastic Polution,

What’s The Solution?

WrittenbyKelly-Marie Martin

At first glance, most of Kenya's beaches look pristine and clean, which is why hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the coast each year. It is hard to see the trash when casually walking along the beach, leaving visitors oblivious to the true extent of trash both on our beaches and in our oceans. There are a variety of reasons for this, firstly, many hotels will send out teams to clean the beach early, just in time for their guests to wake and visit the beach, another being that much of the trash is brought in from the ocean and ends up at the highest point of the beach, so much o f t h e t r a s h g e t s h i d d e n i n vegetation. The other reason is that a lot of the trash is microplastics, this is plastic that has over time broken down into tiny pieces making it had to notice unless you are looking very closely. This is also one of the worse types of trash, as can be consumed by all species. Kenya has done a lot to combat plastic, from banning plastic bags, to reducing single use plastics in parks and reserves, plus many businesses and communities, who rely on the be ach for income help by actively cleaning the beach! However, due to the dire situation the world finds itself in when it comes to ocean trash, more needs to be done.

This is why, the Conservation Education Society (CES), a NGO based in Diani, dedicates much of their educational activities on teaching about the impact of ocean trash as well as organising beach clean ups along Diani Beach Between July and August 2022, CES conducted over 15 beach clean ups with UK students, through their p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h C a m p s International. Many of the students expressed both shock and surprise at how much trash they collected, falling into the trap of only seeing the white sandy beaches.

Over 300 individuals participated in cleaning the beach, removing nearly 36,000 Items of trash. With 91% of this trash being, you guessed it, plastic! A whopping 55% of the plastic removed was just microplastics. The second biggest plastic item was bottle caps and this was followed by Wrigley's chewing gum wrappers, most likely left behind by beach visitors. Other common items included baby diapers, pieces of fishing rope, polystyrene, lighters, flip flops, to name a few As part of CES's programmes, they also teach about the impact this has on our oceans and how long these items can remain there. Participants are always shocked to learn that diapers and fishing rope can remain in our oceans for an estimated 450 to 600 years, while items such as polystyrene will never degrade.

CES works with multiple groups and initiatives in the combat against plastic, such as the Kwale Recycling Centre CES also take part in the annual International Coastal Cleanup, which occurs every year in September, this year landing on the 17th! This event is organised by Ocean Conservancy and helps create awareness as well as helps clean beaches globally. If you are able, why not join a cleanup near you! If you don't live near a beach, fear not, you can still help by simply cleaning your environment, as most trash that ends up in the ocean comes from inland, either via rivers or carried by the wind. And remember, although the coastal cleanup only occurs once a year, it doesn't mean we can't clean between. CES often advises participants to help by making a habit of just collecting 5 items of trash on beach walks; to choose more sustainable options such as reusable water bottles and bags; to refuse single plastics such as straws and; to spread the message!

For further information on the Conservation Education Society and their activities, including how you can get involved, please contact them on info@ceskenya.org

or call +254740767127

ften, we get asked about how music impacts our lives but we forget to question how music has an effect

Oon social change. This is a complex one. Addressing this question may have important benefits for advancing our society and for revealing the important aspects of the human connection to music.

Such is the mission and vision of the remarkable Pakistani Hyper Folk Music band, Khumariyaan, who play four instruments seamlessly and engage the audience with their charm and harmonious melodies.

Khumariyaan strongly believe that music is the best sublimated form of art and its best left to the audience to experience the intoxication and the magical goosebumps.

We, at The Creatives Bhaag are proud to host Khumariyaan for an extraordinary multi-cultural music affair, live in Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani and Arusha in October.

more details, please

Farhan Bogra who plays the majestic ethnic Rubab, Shiraz Khan who plays the adorned Zeer Baghali, Muhammad Aamer who plays the semi acoustic rhythm guitar, and Sparlay Rawail who is the guitar master.

Connecting Students With Nature

enya is known for its wildlife, especially its safari tourism!

KOften tourists will combine a beach getaway with a safari at one of the many famous parks in Kenya. Kenya is home to the big five (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino) as well as many other species. It is a real treat to see these magnificent animals in their natural environment but sadly this is not a luxury all can afford. Many local students along the coast have never visited a park, only seeing the big 5 in pictures or on TV This is even more shocking when compared to the 2 million international tourists that visit Kenya each year, getting to experience more of Kenya's wildlife than many of the students living here.

This is why, organisations such as Valor to Virtue (V2V), a conservation focused NGO, working in Kilifi and Vipingo fund a 3-night safari for students from Future Hope Montessori School (FHMS) in Vipingo each year. School trips are a vital part of learning, giving students the opportunity to connect what they learn in the classroom to the real world Each of these experiences contributes to their understanding of how the world works. It also provides students with experiences they may not get at home.

To add, wildlife is incredibly important part of the Kenyan culture and if we have any chance of protecting it from the multiple threats they face, such as illegal hunting, habitat encroachment and degradation, and human/wildlife conflict, then we need the younger generation to experience wildlife firsthand. Without exposure or understanding to these animals, habitats and associated threats, how can we expect Kenyan youths to engage in their protection?

WrittenbyKelly-Marie Martin

connecting students with nature and work with students and teachers in both Kwale and Kilifi County to achieve this.

V2V has funded two successful safaris so far, sending students to Kivuli Camp in Rukinga Conservancy. The 3-night safari is jam-packed with activities from several safari drives, hikes and nature walks, visits to the Wildlife Works Headquarters and community group workshops. The students get to learn firsthand from dedicated and passionate Wildlife Work rangers, who guide them throughout their stay and teach them about conservation, threats and local wildlife. The trips have been a powerful tool in not only imparting knowledge, but in empowering students to think about their future, allowing them to dream big. Students return to the coast with a newly founded confidence and passion, which they in turn share with their family and friends. V2V will continue to fund safari trips for FHMS but more needs to be done. CES also fund nature field trips to the beach, mangroves and coastal forests for schools in Kwale and are working towards running safaris for Kwale students.

If you are interested in helping support these important initiatives or would like to learn more about these both organisations programmes, you can visit www.valor2virtue.org and www.ceskenya.org. You can also contact them on info@valor2virtue.org and CES on info@ceskenya.org.

Organisations such as V2V and the Conservation Education Society (CES)

u n d e r s t a n d t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f

KIVULI CAMP HOST SOUTH COAST RUGBY TEAM IN CONSERVATION EDUCATION SAFARI

Students from Marungu Secondary school in Taita Taveta County were treated to a rugby training session by South Coast Pirates, a rugby club based in Ukunda in coastal Kenya. The training was facilitated through a CSR partnership between Rukinga Wildlife Conservancy and Diani Holidays & Safaris, a transportation and accommodation services company.

The students, who have never tried rugby before, engaged in a practical rugby drill and skills exercise. The training is part of the Pirate’s community outreach program, which initiates rugby development in the coastal region through networking and active coaching programs in local schools, focusing on special programs such as boy/girl child empowerment through rugby and life skills.

The training session with the students was part of the rugby club’s conservation education safari, hosted by Kivuli Camp, a serene eco-lodge situated at the heart of Rukinga in Tsavo. During their 2-night safari, as well as carrying out their own training sessions for their upcoming season, the team were treated to conservation talks and game drives, witnessing different species of wildlife in the conservancy.

TIDE FOR THE

OCTOBER

KENYAN COAST

NOVEMBER

Lamu residents struggle against coal powered-plant to be screened in a documentary

For several years, Lamu residents have beenfightingthegovernmenttoscrapthe proposedSh200billioncoal-poweredplant onhealthgrounds.

Theplantwasprojectedtogenerate1,050 megawattsofpoweruponcompletion.

The project however received fierce opposition from environmental bodies whichargueditwasahealthhazard.

The Lamu residents are set to document theireffortsthroughadocumentarytitled ‘deCOALonizeJourney.’

Thedocumentarywilldetailthesmallwins bythecommunityandtotellthestoryof the movement's journey thus far as we continuethepushforafossil-freeKenya.

Recent studies however show that in the pasttwodecadesinKenyaandUganda,the populationoftheGreyCrownedCranehas droppedby80percentwiththeirnesting sites most affected by human-wildlife conflict.

Cranes,likemanyotheraquaticspecies,are indicatorsofthestateoftheenvironment Whenwestopseeingcranes,itwillmean that there are no more wetlands, an ecosystem crucial to the survival of the birdsandtosomeextenthumans,too,asan importantsourceoffreshwater

UgandahasthelargestpopulationofGrey CrownedCranes,alsoknownastheCrested Crane.

Source: www.thecoast.co.ke

KTB taps regional golf clubs to promote domestic tourism

Source: www.the-star.co.ke

Kizingo dam to end Kinango's water scarcity

KTBhaslinedupgolftourtournamentsin ten golf clubs distributed across key tourism attractions in the country to popularizethesix-monthlongcampaign.

Through the Magical Kenya Golf Tour, partners and operators will have an opportunity to interact and sell travel packages with golf players and wider publics through mall and corporate visit activations.

According to the Tourism Research Institute (TRI), domestic tourism has steppedintocushionthesectorduringthe peakofcovid-19pandemic

Thedomestictravelersrecordedimproved performance with bed occupancy for 2021/22 financial year estimated at 40 million

Source: www.thecoast.com

Kenya Airways to resume daily direct flights to US

Kenya is banking on the World Travel Awards(WTA)eventinNairobinextmonth tofurtherdriveitsmarketingcampaignsas a top leisure and business tourist destinationinAfrica.

WTAwillhostitsAfricaandIndianOcean Gala Ceremony 2022 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) whereleadingtravelindustryfigureheads and decision makers are expected to attend.

This gives an opportunity to showcase Kenya’s hospitality and culture, as the tourism ministry continues with its marketing campaigns with projected full industryrecoveryof2024

PerennialwatershortageinpartsofKwale Countywillsoonendafterthecompletion oftheKizingodam.

Thedamwithacapacityof5.1millionlitres. Thedamwillenableresidentstopractice agriculture and help in domestic use and turn around the economy of the region throughirrigation.

With the area’s population rising, the projected demand for water is also increasing.

Othermegawaterprojectsongoinginthe county include the Sh20 billion Mwache Dam and Sh1.2 billion Makamini Dam launchedlastyear.

Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke

Source: www.nation.african

KenyaAirways(KQ)willresumedailyflights on the New York route starting in December.

Thenationalcarriercitedaspikeinforward bookingsforthefestivemonthprompting itsdecisionforthedailyflightsfrom Jomo KenyattaInternationalAirport(JKIA).

Theairlinehadcuttheflightfrequencyon the route to three per week from five in Februaryafterdemandsubsidedfollowing lastyear’sfestiveseason.

Thehighdemandisapositivesignalforthe tourism sector, for which the US remains the largest overseas source market accountingfor16percentofthe870,465 arrivalsintothecountrylastyear.

Source: www.capital.co.ke

Boost for Kenya’s tourism, as world travel awards come to Nairobi

Lamu residents struggle against coal powered-plant to be screened in a documentary