540 Inflight Magazine – Issue 29, May 2018

ISSUE 29 / MAY–JULY 2018

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

WHALE WATCHING

SEE KENYA’S ‘OCEAN KINGS’

KENYAN RIDERS

PEDAL TO THE MEDAL SUSHI

CHOPSTICKS AT THE READY

MICHELLE NTALAMI

SOARING WITH THE EAGLES

GADGETS

TECH TO IMPRESS ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ENTERTAINMENT • NEWS • REVIEWS & MORE

CONTENTS

contents issue 29 REGULAR FEATURES 3 In this issue 5 540 news 28 SUPPER CLUB

28

Le Rustique

30 DRIVE TIME

Toyota Proace Verso

32 SLEEP OVER

Tamarind Tree Hotel Nairobi

COVER STORY 6 MICHELLE NTALAMI

34 GADGETS

Cover image courtesy of Marini Naturals

35 ENTERTAINMENT

is published by Land & Marine Publications Ltd 1 Kings Court, Newcomen Way Severalls Business Park Colchester, Essex, UK, CO4 9RA Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Email: publishing@landmarine.com www.landmarine.com Advertising: Catherine O’Callaghan, Sales Manager Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Cell: +44 (0)7769 110343 (WhatsApp) Email: 540@landmarine.org

on behalf of

30

Tech to impress

Watch. Read. Listen.

40 Kids’ Corner

32

SPECIAL FEATURES 6 Michelle Ntalami

Soaring with the eagles…

10 Sudan

14

Sad death of Sudan – last of a line

11 Five of the best Fly540 Aviation Baycourt Upper Floor, Suite 3&4, The Watermark Business Park Ndege Rd, Karen PO Box 10293-00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (0)20 388 3060-2 Fax: +254 (0)20 3883063 Email: info@fly540.com www.fly540.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. ©2018 Land & Marine Publications Ltd

View this issue online:

www.fly540.com/onboard

Connect with Fly540 @fly540aviation www.facebook.com/pages/Fly-540

Sushi spots in Nairobi

14 Kenyan Riders

Pedal to the medal 26

18 Coffee

Coffee is too small a word for it

20 Samburu culture

Day of the dancing ‘butterflies’

22 Building boom

Hurtling upwards into tomorrow

24 Days out in Dar

Get a taste of the good life…

26 Whale watching

Kenya’s ‘ocean kings’ go on parade

USEFUL INFORMATION 36 Fly540 Network 37 Fly540 Contacts 38 Travel Information 39 Fly540 Fleet

www.fly540.com

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IN THIS ISSUE

In this issue

Issue 29

LOOK OUT FOR 

Great hair, great food, great places to go Welcome to the latest issue of Fly540’s inflight magazine, 540.

Sleep Over: Tamarind Tree Hotel Nairobi, Page 32 Watch. Read. Listen:

On Page 35 we review the latest blockbuster movies, ‘must read’ books and music releases Gadgets: We checkout Nest's sensor and more on page 34

To kick off this new issue, we chat to award-winning entrepreneur Michelle Ntalami, founder of organic haircare line Marini Naturals, about how her father inspired her to start this groundbreaking company and the range’s new and improved collection to maintain and care for beautiful natural hair.

Speaking of new, we take a look at the real estate boom in Nairobi, where new buildings are springing up all over the city, including what will be the tallest building in Africa on completion. One of the newest buildings in the city, the Tamarind Tree Hotel, certainly seems to have got off to a great start after opening its doors earlier this year. Check out our feature on Pages 32 and 33 for a look inside this beautifully designed hotel from the company behind the awesome Carnivore restaurant.

Over in Iten, the home of champions, we chat to the Kenyan Riders, a group of talented young cyclists who are taking the cycling scene by storm – both locally and internationally – and aiming one day to be the first black African team to enter the Tour de France.

We also take a trip to the coast to enjoy a spot of whale and dolphin watching, head over to Samburu land to explore cultural tourism and find out why we should take the time to learn more about our hugely diverse heritage, and also fly over to Dar and explore some fun days out.

Back in Nairobi, we get a taste of Japan and test out some of the city’s best sushi-serving restaurants, where we dine on sashimi, spicy crab rolls and much more. Trust us, you’ll want one of everything!

As part of our regular features, we test drive the Toyota Proace Verso, an MPV that offers lots of space with up to nine seats, and we dine at the fabulous Le Rustique restaurant in Nanyuki, serving up sumptuous Mediterranean cuisine in a cosy setting.

I hope you enjoy this issue. If you have any comments, please feel free to contact me at the email address below.

Kirsten Alexander Editor kirstenalexander@landmarine.org

www.fly540.com

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Issue 29

FLY540 AND FLY-SAX SPONSOR 2018 KENYAN NATIONAL RALLY RAID CHAMPIONSHIP Fly540 and sister airline Fly-SAX were announced as title sponsors of the 2018 Kenyan National Rally Raid Championship, offering support with logistics, marketing and medical cover throughout the year. Rally Raid

AND THE WINNER IS… Congratulations to Caroline Kibii, who won a KES 3,000 voucher to spend at Mambo Italia in the last issue’s competition. Well done, Caroline!

Kenya is a multi-round motorsport championship based on the Dakar Rally, which covers a variety of terrain on two-day events through the year.

in Nanyuki, with many of Kenya’s best drivers taking part including Classic Safari Rally Winner Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo and Kenya National Rally Champion Ian Duncan.

The opening round of the event took place on 24 and 25 February

The second leg is scheduled for 28 and 29 April in Naivasha.

FLY540 TRANSPORTS RESCUED CHIMPS FROM JUBA In March this year, Fly540 assisted with the relocation of six chimps from Juba, South Sudan, to Zambia. Three chimps were found in Yambio, South Sudan and the other three found in the Central African Republic, all in need of urgent care and assistance. Working alongside zoologist and conservationist Annie Olivecrona, Fly540 flew over crates and equipment from Nairobi to Juba, before flying the chimpanzees safely to Nairobi.

From here, the chimps were then transported to the Chimfunshi Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Zambia, where they are now settling in and being looked after by the staff at the sanctuary.

The chimps were found… all in need of urgent care and assistance

Keep a look out for more competitions coming soon in 540 magazine.

www.fly540.com

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Michelle Ntalami

Soaring with the eagles…

‘My Dad used to say: ‘Why flutter with the chickens when you can soar with the eagles?’

6

Africa’s low cost airline

QUICK-FIRE Q&A Q. Favourite destination in Kenya?

A. South coast Diani any day!

Q. Dream destination?

A. I have so many! But my top three are Maui Island in Hawaii, Bali [Indonesia] and Santorini [Greece].

Q. Perfect travel partner?

A. Definitely my best friend and Marini co-founder, Nyati Patel.

Q. Travel essentials?

A. Top three are my sunglasses; selfie stick, because I love capturing memories; and my backpack, which will have water and a guide to the destination.

T

he natural hair movement has been around for years but has been gaining traction recently, with more people – including celebrities such as Lupita, Solange and Viola Davis – opting for natural looks that celebrate the beauty and individuality of afro-textured hair. Michelle Ntalami is not only celebrating her own natural hair, but also helping women and men across East Africa to cherish and maintain their locks with her groundbreaking organic haircare line, Marini Naturals. She told Kirsten Alexander about the company’s origins, her entrepreneurial spirit and Marini’s new and improved collection.

Images courtesy of Marini Naturals

MICHELLE  Entrepreneur extraordinaire

Q. Tell me about yourself.

A. I was born and bred in Nairobi. I grew up in Riara with my family before moving to Lavington. I come from a family of six – four children and two parents. I’m the last born and we all grew up as a very strong and close-knit family. I did my undergrad at the University of Nairobi where I studied for a Bachelor of Arts in Design and Communication, where I was really humbled and proud to achieve a firstclass honours, making me the 14th student nationwide in my course. Then I went to do a Master of Arts in Interior Design in Florence, Italy, finishing in 2014, which is when I came back home and started Marini Naturals.

Q. How did that come about?

A. I first had the idea for Marini Naturals in 2013. At the time, my father was diagnosed with cancer, so my family and I embarked on a healthier lifestyle to walk the healing journey with him, including switching up our diet and doing more exercise. Around the same time, many of my friends were going natural, too, so what I did was I cut my hair and grew it out natural. The eureka moment for Marini Naturals came one night when I was trying to do my hair for an important function the next day, following a YouTube tutorial at 3 am, but I got frustrated trying to make it look like the tutorial. I didn’t have all of the products I needed and that was the moment I decided to www.fly540.com

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Michelle Ntalami

Q. How involved are you in the day-to-day running of the company?

A. I am extremely involved. I’m not the boss sitting in a high chair watching from up above. I’m fully involved and integrated in the company, overseeing everything from what is posted on our social media all the way to what ingredients go into our curling butter. I oversee the whole process, frontend and back-end. However, I do have a very competent team who help take off the work load from me. Also, my partner Nyati Patel is very key in the business. She’s also my co-founder and managing director of the business as well as being my right-hand woman.

AWARD-WINNER 

Q. Your favourite product from the range?

Michelle was voted one of Africa's Top 100 Women by OkayAfrica

make my own natural products that work for me and for other women maintaining natural hair. This was in 2013 and in 2015 the company was registered and then first products hit the market in November the same year.

Q. What was your biggest challenge at start-up?

A. Definitely capital. At the time, we were going through quite a lot as a family as Dad was receiving treatment and I was going to study abroad, so funds were tight.

Luckily my parents did support me and I used savings from my branding agency. Another difficult part was that, at the time, going natural wasn’t as rampant as it currently is, so we had to convince people that natural hair could look beautiful and professional. That was a challenge, but we managed to overcome this by rolling out a six-month campaign called the ‘Get Marini-fied Campaign’, which educated women on maintaining natural hair.

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Africa’s low cost airline

Q. What haircare products were available before Marini Naturals?

A. To be frank and honest, there was no haircare line dedicated to women with natural hair. I don’t mean just pure oils and butters that are blended, as these existed. I’m talking about sulphate-free shampoos, curling gels, curling butters, co-washes. There was no actual haircare line.

Q. How has the Marini line evolved?

A. We just began with our sulphatefree shampoo, which was the first in East Africa. Then we had a leave-in conditioner, curling butter and curling gel. In due time people demanded a moisturiser, so we rolled out our spritz. We noticed that many women who had gone natural had lost a lot of hair volume, so we formulated a fantastic potent hair growth oil, which has gone out of stock and sold out completely but will be back with a bang soon and be even more improved.

A. [laughs] I always get asked this question! Yes – from the old Marini range: the leave-in conditioner, curling butter and potent hair growth oil. Now, with the new and improved Marini, all are part of my regimen. The sulphate-free shampoo is amazing and leaves my hair soft. I’ve proudly used the co-wash for the last four to five months as well as the curling butter, leave-in conditioner and hair oil.

Everything is currently my favourite.

Q. Which new products are you excited about?

A. First and foremost, I am excited about the all-new and improved Marini with our new packaging, branding and quality formulations; but I’m specifically excited about our sulphate-free shampoo, which I think will be a darling for everybody. It’s a great for all: men, women, people with dreadlocks, kids – you name it. I’m also excited about our co-wash and a curling jelly for loose curls – the Curl Bounce Curling Gel.

Q. What inspired the brand ambassadors campaign?

A. The main reason was to stretch

out the brand beyond me – Michelle. I wanted the brand to have its own feet, as for a long time the brand has been associated with me. Some people actually call me Marini! This is a local brand with an international vision, so the brand needs to find its own path and have other faces, other curl types and textures represented.

I want someone from Ghana, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Somalia, etc to see a familiar face and we have brand ambassadors from all these countries. Another reason is my hair texture. Marini is a brand from Africa to Africans with love; and my hair texture, 4B/4C, only represents a quarter of hair textures across Africa; so I wanted to represent the whole spectrum of natural hair. I also think that the brand ambassadors give a fresh new feel to the company. Their personalities, looks and vibe will help Marini tap into their own networks and markets.

Q. Your proudest moment so far?

A. I can’t even start to tell you how many I’ve had! From being named a Top 40 Under 40 woman in Kenya to winning brand and product of the year three times since we began – no other brand has managed to achieve that – to being listed as the Most Influential Woman in the Digital Space and also being named Entrepreneur of the Year last year. Lately, my biggest achievement is being listed as one of the Top 100 Women in Africa!

That was just amazing; but, to be honest, my proudest moment of Marini is when I hear from my customers saying how Marini has changed their life. That really makes feel me so proud and reminds me why I started the business. Also, when I receive messages from would-be entrepreneurs thanking me for starting Marini Naturals as they have started their own skincare business, fashion line, IT company or travel company. Nothing makes me feel more proud than that.

Q. Your advice for budding entrepreneurs?

A. My late Dad used to say: “Why flutter with the chickens when you can soar with the eagles?”. That is such a profound statement and I live to that even today. Why settle for mediocrity? Believe in yourself – that’s the best gift you can give to yourself. Let no one put you down.

I was put down in the beginning by a lot of people and I lost friendships because people were trying to drag me down to their level when I was trying to fly. Forget that. Fly, soar and fulfil your dreams.

Q. Which personal attributes have been key to your success?

Q. Which of your awards means the most to you?

A. One of them, to be honest, is that I am a perfectionist. I do have a mild case of OCD and although perfection is not good for business, I can’t stress how far it’s gotten me to where I am with my products, with my quality, packaging and design. In the beauty industry you need to look the part and there is an element of perfection in the brand. I’m also a very resilient person; I do not give up easily. Finally, I’m a very creative person; I’m a graphic designer, interior designer and brand strategist. I conceptualised everything about the campaign: the logo, the packaging, the brand ambassadors, etc. By being a creative, I’ve saved the company so much money yet taken it to the next level.

A. Being named in Africa’s Top 100 Women [by OkayAfrica] was the biggest deal ever. This essentially means that if 100 women were to be picked from Africa to represent the continent in a global summit, I’d be one of them! At only 33, I think that’s really admirable. It’s no mean feat and I’m extremely proud.

Q. What inspired you to go into mentorship and coaching?

A. It was receiving all these requests and messages about how much I’m inspiring people. I have all this knowledge in my head and it just felt right for me to do this and start sharing my knowledge.

I want to build people and make people better and leave this world a better place. I already do it with my staff, my team and my friends.

It’s right that I add value as I’m such a positive person and always look on the bright side of life.

MARINI  Organic products for beautiful hair

Q. Plans for the rest of 2018?

A. We are expanding our range to include some amazing products.

Marini is no longer just femaleorientated. We’re now thinking of something for men, for people with dreadlocks, children, etc.

We’re seeing what we can do in 2018. We also want to expand to different parts of the continent, moving into South Africa, West Africa and North Africa. www.fly540.com

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Sudan

Sad death of

Sudan – last of a line

O

n 19 March this year the world mourned the death of Sudan, the last male northern white rhinoceros, who was sadly put down due to age-related complications that left him suffering and in very poor health.

For many, the death of any ailing animal is sad news; but Sudan’s death was one that highlighted the damage and destruction caused by humans, specifically poachers, and reignited an international conversation about what must be done to protect the world’s vulnerable species.

As the last remaining male, hopes were pinned on Sudan to reproduce before he died; but he is survived only by his daughter and granddaughter. Attempts were made to encourage breeding at the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic, but no calves had been 10

Africa’s low cost airline

born since 2000. In 2009 the decision was made to transport Sudan, along with his son Suni, daughter Najin and granddaughter Fatu, to Ol Pejeta Conservancy to embark on a final breeding programme.

This programme, too, was unsuccessful; and after Suni’s death in 2014 hopes were fading fast.

Ol Pejeta For the final four years of his life, Sudan lived with Najin and Fatu at Ol Pejeta, where he was cared for and protected around the clock by a team of dedicated staff. Efforts were made to raise money towards IVF, including a campaign by Ol Pejeta and Tinder, the popular dating app, to encourage users to ‘swipe right’ to donate money to help create a future for this ailing species.

Sudan’s health began to decline towards the end of last year and the decision was finally

SUDAN  Armed guards helped to protect the rhino

made by Ol Pejeta, Kenya Wildlife Service and Dvůr Králové Zoo to euthanise him as they could see he was suffering greatly. He was put to sleep aged 45.

Although Sudan was unable to produce any offspring in his final years, all is not necessarily lost as efforts are under way to use in vitro fertilisation to create an embryo that will be carried by a surrogate southern white rhino.

Five of the best

FIVE OF THE BEST: Sushi spots in Nairobi

By Kirsten Alexander

CHOPSTICKS AT THE

A

READY

common misconception about sushi is that it’s just raw fish. But there’s so much more to it than that, with a whole world of delicious flavours to be discovered, from simple avocado maki to vibrant rainbow rolls packed with tuna and vegetables. Let 540 take you on a sushi safari through Nairobi and explore the best places to experience the finest Japanese cuisine in the city.



SUSHI

Tuck in!

Picture courtesy of Haru Sushi Bar

www.fly540.com

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2 1

OCEAN BASKET With branches from South Africa to Saudi Arabia and from Kenya to Kuwait, the Ocean Basket chain seems to be taking over the world one seafood platter at a time. From humble beginnings in Pretoria, the company has built a reputation for great seafood dishes using fresh, local ingredients, with a whole menu dedicated to sushi.

Diners at The Oval or The Hub branches of Ocean Basket can enjoy a sumptuous and affordable array of classic sushi including maki (a single ingredient surrounded by rice and wrapped in seaweed), nigiri (a thin slice of fish or vegetable on rice) and California rolls (crab, cucumber and avocado wrapped in seaweed and covered in rice). The flower gunkans – tuna or salmon wrapped around rice to form a flower-like delicacy – are a ‘must try’ for fish lovers. Sharing platters are the perfect way to try a bit of everything. There is a dedicated vegetarian option for those who want to enjoy sushi without fish.

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SUSHI ROLLS  Haru caters for vegetarians and meat-eaters

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TOKYO

Opened in 2001, Tokyo has years of experience serving up sushi to Nairobi’s residents and visitors.

The restaurant is set in a quiet, leafy area in Lavington and offers the perfect setting for a memorable dinner with friends or family.

Head chef and owner Mr Shin hails from Korea but is a master of Japanese cuisine, which is clear in the restaurant’s superb sushi selection and its stellar reputation amid the city’s bustling dining scene.

Serving both Japanese and Korean dishes, the restaurant offers a variety of main meals including chicken teriyaki and bibimbap, maki rolls including unagi (eel), dynamite (prawn or veg), spicy crab and avocado, sashimi and more, with a choice of platters to sample the best that Tokyo has to offer.

HARU A staple of the Nairobi dining scene for several years with a number of awards to its name, Haru Sushi Bar in Karen is a consistently good choice for delicious Japanese cuisine. The passion of head chef and owner J.H. Park is evident in the fresh dishes crafted by him and his team using quality ingredients to create a memorable dining experience.

The restaurant covers two floors and also has an outside terrace, perfect for lunchtime dining or a romantic evening dinner. The interior is quite simple, but don’t let that put you off as the food is anything but basic.

The skilled chefs are masters at slicing sashimi and assembling sushi rolls that suit both vegetarians and meat-eaters.

Haru is located at the Karen Professional Centre but also offers takeaway and local delivery for when you crave a taste of Japan in your own home.

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CHEKA

It’s always a good sign when an international eatery is run by staff from the same country as the cuisine. Cheka is owned by two Japanese friends and chefs, Yuki Kashiwagi and Kyohei Fukui, who serve delicious and authentic Japanese food from ramen to tempura to sashimi.

Located on Manyani East Road, just off Waiyaki Way, Cheka opened in 2015 and soon earned a reputation as one of Nairobi’s best-loved restaurants. Cheka serves an array of traditional Japanese cuisine, including curries, pan-fried dishes and sushi as well as various starters and salads. Both meat-eaters and vegetarians can enjoy a wide range of sushi, including the popular salmon, avocado and egg rolls, squid, cucumber and egg rolls, fermented bean and egg rolls and vegetable rolls. Fresh sashimi is available, too, using only the finest fresh tuna, red snapper, octopus and salmon for an authentic and sumptuous taste.

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MISONO

Located in Greenhouse Mall on Ngong Road, Misono oozes Japanese flair as soon as you enter the restaurant. The Asian-inspired decor sets the mood for a sensory feast of Japanese and Korean dishes.

Diners can choose between the à la carte menu and teppanyaki – a style of Japanese cuisine using a hot iron griddle to cook food. While the teppanyaki is a great experience, the star of Misono is its à la carte menu, with a huge selection of dishes including everything you could want from an authentic Japanese eatery. The tempura prawns are some of the best in town while the sushi rolls are delicate yet expertly crafted.

If you’re dining as a group, the sushi boats are a great way to sample a colourful collection of sushi rolls and sashimi, all made using fresh, quality ingredients to ensure a great meal every visit. www.fly540.com

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Kenyan Riders

Pedal to the medal The Kenyan team hoping for success in the Images courtesy Tour de France of Mathilde La Zou

T

he town of Iten is synonymous with sport thanks to the plethora of worldclass long-distance athletes hailing from the town or training in the area, including Olympic champion David Rudisha and London Marathon winner Mary Keitany.

Recently, though, the town has become popular with a different

type of athlete – cyclists – who are giving Iten another reason to be known as ‘the home of champions’.

The Kenyan Riders, founded in 2007 by Nicholas Leong, are a cycling team with a mission to find and develop world-class cyclists from across Kenya with the ultimate goal of entering the first black African team in the Tour de

Slowly but surely, the team started to grow as Nicholas discovered true cycling talent both locally and in the wider region

SALIM  Stage 3 winner at the 2018 Sharjah Tour

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Africa’s low cost airline

France. One might have assumed that Nicholas was an avid cyclist himself, but at the time he was actually a commercial photographer with an inquisitive mind, which led him to wonder if the skills needed by distance runners could be applied to cycling. To test this theory, Nicholas booked a flight from his native Singapore to Nairobi and ended up in Iten – and

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS To date, several Kenyan Riders have placed highly in international races including: • Suleiman Kangangi: Third overall after eight days of racing in the 2017 Tour du Rwanda • Charles Kagimu: Yellow Jersey, first overall after a week of racing in the 2017 Tour du Burundi • Salim Kipkemboi: Stage 3 winner, fourth overall in the 2018 Sharjah Tour, Emirates (UCI 2.1) The team have also achieved stage wins in Haute Route, the world’s biggest and hardest ‘cyclosportive’ event; an overall victory in the Tour du Burundi; and dominance in many races across the country.

the Kenyan Riders were born.

Nicholas set out to convert runners into riders. Although there are only a few thousand people living in Iten, many of them are medal-winning athletes, so it was a good place to start. His first prodigy was Zakayo Nderi, a shoeshiner in Eldoret, who travelled to work each morning on a Black Mamba and showed promise as a competitive cyclist.

Talent Slowly but surely, the team started to grow as Nicholas discovered true cycling talent both locally and in the wider region. Simon Blake, assistant sports director of the Kenyan Riders, said: “Originally, interest was slow, which was part

RIDERS  A talented team of cyclists

of the reason Nicholas felt he had to incentivise the original cyclists to join the team.” Simon says the team are still working to find a balance between not enough support and too much support to ensure that people are getting involved in the sport for all the right reasons.

Sponsored by Safaricom, the Kenyan Riders currently consist of 15 male cyclists; but they are always on the look-out for promising new talent that might help the team reach their Tour de France goal. When is this likely to happen? “Within the next five years is the aim, but it is not a linear progression,” says Simon. “At times, the team has taken big leaps in

progress as we refine our methods.

It’s looking positive for the future, but there is still a lot of work to be done.”

The Kenyan Riders launched a development programme to scout for talented individuals with the

SUPPORT FROM FLY540 Fly540 has been actively involved in assisting the team and helping to get them to races across Kenya and the wider East Africa region by providing air transport for cyclists, staff and equipment. By flying to these events instead of travelling by road, the team arrive feeling fresh, giving them a boost when competing.

www.fly540.com

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Kenyan Riders

PEDAL POWER  The team take to the road

FOLLOW THE TEAM Email: contact@kenyanriders.com Web: www.kenyanriderssafaricom.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenyanriders Twitter: @KR_Cycling Instagram: @kenyan_riders If you are aged between 15 and 20 and interested in joining the team, contact Simon Blake at: simon@kenyanriders.com

It’s not just the professional side of cycling that’s taking off here in Kenya. The Kenyan Riders report that recreational cycling, too, is becoming more popular potential to become professional cyclists. By visiting schools across the country, the team identify talented students and those interested in taking up cycling, inviting them to develop further at training camps in the school holidays. This can lead to top students being offered a place in the U23 team, which can in turn mean a spot in the BIKE AID Continental Cycling Team based in Germany.

The team works closely with BIKE AID, a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) continental team, who are committed to improving

and promoting cycling in Africa.

BIKE AID is also the largest cycling club in Germany and has led members of the Kenyan Riders team to glory, including Salim Kipkemboi, who joined BIKE AID and rode to victory in the 2018 Sharjah Tour, becoming the first Kenyan to win a professional cycling race.

Recreational It’s not just the professional side of cycling that’s taking off here in Kenya. The Kenyan Riders report that recreational cycling, too, is

POTENTIAL  Aiming for Tour de France glory

becoming more popular, with various rides being organised most weekends as more people take to the saddle. This is surely good news for the Kenyan Riders and the local cycling community in general as it brings them even closer to their dream of entering an African cycling team in the Tour de France. www.fly540.com

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Coffee

F E F E is too small a O C

word for it…

From cold brew to Indian tea flavour, there’s a lot of choice out there

E

veryone knows that Kenya produces some of the world’s best coffee, but do you know your mocha from your macchiato? Or your caffè latte from your cappuccino?

There are so many great ways to enjoy a hot (or cold) cup of coffee; so if you’re looking to try something new, or you’ve ever wondered what all the different names mean, 540 has got you covered with our guide to coffee.

ESPRESSO

AMERICANO

CAFFÈ LATTE

CAPPUCCINO

The basis of many other coffee drinks, but an excellent choice in its own right, the espresso is a short, strong coffee that packs a punch. Brewed with a small amount of almost-boiling water and finely ground coffee beans, espressos are served black but can be sweetened to taste.

One of the most popular ways to drink coffee, an Americano – or Caffè Americano – is an espresso topped with hot water. The ratio of espresso to water varies according to the establishment – or to personal preference if brewing at home – but a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:2 is common. Milk and sugar can be added to taste.

This long drink adds steamed milk to espresso – usually one part espresso and three parts milk. Variants of a traditional latte include iced latte, which is served with chilled milk instead of steamed milk, and chai latte, where coffee is replaced with masala chai, a spiced Indian tea.

This frothy favourite dates back to the early 1900s and is a staple addition to menus around the world.

Steamed milk is added to espresso, before a final layer of foamed milk. A cappuccino is often finished with a dusting of chocolate powder, too.

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Africa’s low cost airline

COFFEE GUIDE

Espresso

Foamed Milk

Hot Water

Milk

Instant Coffee

Steamed Milk

Chocolate

Cold Water

Ground Coffee

COFFEE FACTS  Kenya is one of

FLAT WHITE

LATTE MACCHIATO

COLD BREW

Similar to a caffè latte, a flat white is smaller in size and has a higher ratio of coffee to steamed milk. A flat white tends to come in just one size, unlike a latte or Americano, which are often available as a single/double or small/ medium/large.

A combination of the two drinks that give latte macchiato its name, this drink has the strength of macchiato and the milkiness of latte, with espresso added to steamed milk to create a ‘layered’ effect.

Gaining in popularity across America, Europe and even here in Kenya, the cold brew is produced by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for several hours. The coffee is served cold with the grounds filtered out.

the world’s top 20 coffee-producing nations by volume.  Important

coffee-growing areas include the Aberdares, Nakuru, Kiambu and around Mount Kenya.  Coffee beans

are graded by size, with Kenyan beans often classed as AA. This means they are larger than other varieties, indicating a bean with good flavour.  Brazil is the

world’s top coffee producer, followed

by Vietnam.

MOCHA

FRAPPÉ

MACCHIATO

Mocha, or caffè mocha, is essentially a caffè latte with the addition of chocolate. Typically, the chocolate is added in the form of powder or syrup to create a tasty combination rather like a cross between a coffee and a hot chocolate.

Another type of cold coffee – very different from cold brew – is the frappé, originally from Greece and traditionally made with instant coffee, water and sugar.

The coffee and a small amount of water are mixed or shaken to create a foam before more cold water, milk and sugar are added.

Taking its name from the Italian word for ‘stained’ or ‘spotted’, a macchiato is an espresso ‘stained’ with a very small amount of steamed milk. Like espresso, the macchiato can be served as either a single or double.

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Samburu culture

Day of the dancing ‘butterflies’ How a village tour can bring Samburu culture vividly to life

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or a long time, many of us have identified the beaches and national parks of Kenya as the best places to visit. But cultural tourism, too, can be greatly enjoyed in this land of 42 ethnic groups, each with its rich heritage of culture.

Cultural tourism has been taken for granted and limited to entertainment for special groups at airports or a daily evening animation programme in hotels and resorts. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation defines cultural tourism as

the movement of people from one place to another for the purpose of culture. It includes such forms of tourism as going to cultural festivals and performing arts events, taking part in nature studies, going on pilgrimages and even the study of folklore.

The benefits of cultural tourism are immense. It creates as well as reinforces identity, helps to preserve cultural and historical heritage and fosters unity and understanding among people. In addition, travel teaches children about new cultures and languages and helps us learn more about life

By Harriet James

simply by observing how things are in different places.

My recent trip to Samburu land, courtesy of the Kenya Tourism Board, opened my eyes to how refreshing and educational cultural tourism can be. We left the bustle of Nairobi and took a 50-minute flight to Samburu Intrepids, a luxury tented camp in Samburu, which offers a cultural trip to its guests.

Captivating Famous for its dry and rugged landscape, Samburu is a captivating destination with its iconic

LUXURY  Samburu Intrepids

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Images courtesy of Harriet James and Sambru Intrepids Luxury Camp

loaf-shaped Lolokowe Mountain and hills spreading to the horizon.

The River Uaso Nyiro is a lifeline in a land where water is scarce.

During my visit it was dry but the tough Samburu people were digging trenches in pursuit of water to quench their thirst and look after their livestock. The Samburu live in a sparsely human-populated part

cultural visit to the Samburu village.

It was an eye-opening experience to see the Samburu villages and actually participate in their day-to-day activities. Villages in Kenya offer a perfect introduction to the local culture and lifestyle of a community and this camp organises such tours for travellers who appreciate culture.

Their beautiful clothes have earned these people the nickname of ‘butterflies’.

Samburu men also dye their hair with red ochre of Kenya with abundant wildlife.

Much of the land is now protected and community development initiatives have extended to ecofriendly African lodges jointly run by the Samburu.

As a visitor, the best way to get to know the Samburu is to stay at a community-run lodge or go on a walking or camel safari with Samburu guides. In addition, there are nomadic pastoralists living in the northern part of Kenya who move from one place to another with their herds of cattle, goats, sheep and camels. For a long time, their relationship with their livestock and the environment has resulted in a biocultural landscape that advances both the Samburu culture and biodiversity.

Village This was my second visit to this amazing destination. On my first visit, we went on a memorable

We were welcomed by a traditional dance that involved jumping and clapping. The Samburus dance without accompaniment. Dancing is a vital part of their culture. The men and women alike are dressed in brightly coloured traditional shukas, wrapped loosely around their bodies. Their beautiful clothes have earned these people the nickname of ‘butterflies’. Samburu men also dye their hair with red ochre, while the women adorn themselves in multi-beaded necklaces and other traditional jewellery to create a colourful spectacle.

Their morans are differentiated from the crowd as they keep their long hair in braids and dress in more colourful attire than other members of the tribe.

After the engaging dance, we were taken round the village to see how the Samburus live. This nomadic tribe lives in groups of families in what might be called

makeshift villages. They are cousins of the Maasais and their huts resemble the Maasai manyattas.

The women are responsible for constructing these mud and dung structures, which are supported by tree branches. The huts are safeguarded by thorny fences made from acacia and other types of tree.

Just like the Maasai, the Samburu people are under pressure from the government to settle into more permanent villages.

However, they have resisted this proposal, as such an action would mean an end to their whole way of life. The Samburus believe in the division of labour. While the women gather firewood, make the huts, fetch water, milk the cows and generally maintain the homestead, their men take care of the cattle. We were taught how to light a fire the Samburu way, using dry elephant dung and dry grass rubbed between two sticks and blowing continuously.

An evening game drive is a perfect opportunity to explore this arid land that bears so much history and culture. The camp organises pre-dinner talks on the Samburu culture for those interested. The naturalist Chris Leletur described the history of the Samburu and related his experience to us.

Rich history “The Samburu are a regal people who are closely related to the Maasai,” he said. “They have a rich history and it is said that they came down the Nile many centuries ago, separating them from the Maasai.

Despite the fact that they are a pastoral people in search of water and grazing land for their cattle, the Samburu are also adapting to life in the 21st century.”

Lodges such as Samburu Intrepids help this tribe to embrace modernity and obtain the employment required to change their lives. www.fly540.com

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Building boom

HURTLING UPWARDS INTO TOMORROW

Skyscrapers Ever since the late 1960s the city’s landscape has been changing dramatically, with an influx of skyscrapers taking Nairobi literally to new heights. The city’s original skyscraper is the 105 metre high Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), completed in 1974, which towered above the city on its own for many years before being dwarfed by newcomers such as the 163 metre Old Mutual Tower and – rising to an impressive 200 metres – the Britam Tower, finished last year.

Work is now under way on what will be the tallest building not only in Nairobi but in the whole of Africa. The Pinnacle, when finished, will be 300 metres tall, with a whopping 70 floors, while its facilities will include a Hilton Hotel, a restaurant, offices, a mall, a viewing deck and a helipad. For the time being, Johannesburg is home to Africa’s tallest building, the 223 metre high Carlton Centre, which

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once contained the Carlton Hotel, a popular choice of the rich and famous when visiting the city. The Pinnacle will be almost three times the height of the KICC and over 100 metres taller than the Britam Tower.

Expansion Sitting alongside these skyscrapers are dozens of other new buildings and, although these can’t be seen from miles away, they signal that the city’s expansion is going outwards as well as upwards. In fact, pretty much every part of the city has seen some kind of development. For example, there are now some 50 malls in the city and its surrounding areas, from Ngong to Thika to Gigiri, including Kenya’s biggest mall, Two Rivers, which opened last year. With other malls under construction, far outnumbering any other East Africa capital, Nairobi is very much a continental hub for retail.

The city’s original skyscraper is the 105 metre high Kenyatta International Convention Centre CONSTRUCTION  Taking Nairobi to new heights

Jordi C / Shutterstock.com

W

hen was the last time you drove through Nairobi and didn’t see a billboard for an upcoming real estate project or construction sites already under way?

It’s clear that the city has been going through a period of rapid expansion, both upwards and outwards, over the past few years, with new apartment blocks, office complexes, hotels and malls springing up on every corner.

NAIROBI 

SamaraHeisz5 / Shutterstock.com

An iconic cityscape

Office blocks, too, are taking over the city, proving that Nairobi is a top choice in Africa for business and investment and enticing both regional and international companies to see its potential.

International brands and companies have flocked to the city to set up regional head offices, including global mega-companies Google and Coca-Cola as well as worldrenowned hotel brands and retail companies.

Hotels For example, the Swiss hotel chain Mövenpick opened its highly anticipated Nairobi hotel in April this year, alongside new openings

by Hilton and Sheraton. There are several more hotels slated for opening over the next few years, adding hundreds of new rooms to the already huge hospitality

industry. The Austrian retail giant Swarovski opened its first Kenyan store at Two Rivers Mall, as did the Turkish clothing company LC Waikiki and F&F from the UK. While all of these new developments have many positives, including creating new jobs and boosting the economy, it seems that for every new office, shop or apartment block built, other units across the city are sitting empty as many areas of Nairobi’s real estate market suffer from an oversupply.

HIGH UP  Skyscrapers have transformed the city

Last year’s extended election period had a negative effect on the country’s economy, with the shilling hitting an all-time low against the dollar and many areas of industry slowing down, including the hospitality and tourism sectors.

This no doubt had an effect on all these empty units across the city; but hopefully 2018 will see a return to normal and Nairobi’s building boom will continue.

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Days out in Dar

Get a taste of the good life…

DAYS OUT IN DAR Dar es Salaam is bright, busy and full of things to do, although many visitors to Tanzania bypass the city in favour of onward exploration to the country’s national parks or to the spice island of Zanzibar. Let 540 inspire you with some great things to do without leaving Dar.

EAT SHOP EAT

SHOP

Is it just us or does everyone get excited about what they’re going to eat when visiting a new city? If it’s your first time in Dar, or even if you’re a resident, there’s always something new to try, from fine dining to street food snacks.

Dar’s cultural diversity is reflected in the wide range of international eateries that sit alongside local cuisine to create a pot-pourri of flavours that will please any foodie. For fine European cuisine, try Ristorante Bella Napoli, Veranda Tapas Bar or Two O’Six, while Cape Town Fish Market, Samaki Samaki and The Waterfront are renowned for their seafood and fish dishes. For a taste of Asia, visit Thai Kani, Ashibe or Osaka Sushi and Teppanyaki Restaurant.

For a quick, informal bite, Mamboz Corner BBQ serves mouthwatering barbecue food that has given the eatery a stellar reputation across the city. Fine dining this is not, but the food is too good to miss, with succulent barbecued meat, fish and vegetarian dishes cooked to perfection.

Another good option for a quick, fussfree meal is Burger53, serving simple, classic burgers and chips that really hit the spot. Located at Dar Free Market, Burger53 has the best burgers in town, with perfectly seasoned patties or chicken breasts cooked on the grill and served in a bun with salad.

From malls to markets, Dar has some great places to shop, whether you’re searching for souvenirs or looking to splash the cash.

Dar isn’t quite on a par with Nairobi when it comes to malls, but there’s a handful of indoor shopping complexes with clothing stores, food outlets, telecom shops and supermarkets. Among the city’s most popular malls are Quality Centre, Pugu Mall and Msasani Mall.

The Slipway Shopping Centre is another popular place for shopping or a bite to eat. This shopping and leisure area is the only one of its kind in Dar, located right on the waterfront with excellent sunset views. The Slipway has several boutiques selling gifts, souvenirs, art, clothes and accessories, as well as

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eateries, a spa and more. So you can spend a whole day here shopping, eating, drinking and relaxing.

From relaxing to bustling, Dar’s Kariakoo Market is the largest in the city, selling everything from food to clothes to household products. Hugely popular with local people, this crowded market may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but the experience is a ‘must’ if you want pick up bargains and get a taste of what daily life is like for many of the city’s residents.

Also worth a visit is Mwenge Woodcarvers Market, which sells fine examples of woodcraft as well as fabrics, clothes, jewellery and more. Dozens of artisans sell their wares at this craft market, so be sure to haggle with them to get a bargain.

Magdalena Paluchowska / Shutterstock.com

LEARN Dar isn’t exactly full of museums, but there are a couple of sites worth visiting to learn more about the nation’s history, whether you’re a local or a tourist. The National Museum & House of Culture, on Shaaban Robert Street, is relatively small, but has exhibitions on various aspects of Tanzania’s history, including the slave trade; German occupation; a collection of cars once owned by Julius Nyerere; and a replica of the famous ‘Nutcracker Man’ skull discovered in Olduvai Gorge.

Further north, on Bagamoyo Road, is the open-air Village Museum, which demonstrates rural Tanzanian life through a series of authentic dwellings representing the traditional homes of many of the nation’s ethnic groups.

Visitors can learn about the ways of life of Tanzania’s rural communities in an interactive setting. Each dwelling contains items and information to give visitors a feel of what it’s like to live in such homes. Often, in the afternoon, there are performances of traditional music and dance.

Make time to relax in Dar

RELAX

In a city as bustling as Dar, it’s a wonder there’s anywhere to switch off and relax.

In the city’s Oyster Bay area is Coco Beach, one of the best beaches in the region and a popular place for locals to relax at the weekend. Don’t be put off by its popularity, however, as the beachside vibe is a world away from the traffic jams of the city centre; and if you visit during the week, the beach is likely to be less crowded, meaning more relaxation time for you.

If you really want to switch off, though, why not take a trip to Mbudya Island or Bongoyo Island, both lying off the coast of Dar and offering untouched simplicity, where the best things to do are to take a dip in the ocean, relax on the sand and enjoy the freshest fish you’ve ever tasted. Mbudya can be reached by boat from Kunduchi and Bongoyo from the Slipway Shopping Centre.

These islands are technically

part of Dar and only a boat ride away from the city.

If you’re not a fan of the beach or want guaranteed relaxation, Dar has some very good spas across the city where you can treat yourself to a massage, manicure or facial and leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Our top picks are: The Spa at Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro; Ocean Spa on Slipway Road; and Lemon Spa on Haile Selassie Road.

Magdalena Paluchowska / Shutterstock.com

LEARN

RELAX

SPA 

From malls to markets, Dar has some great places to shop, whether you’re searching for souvenirs or looking to splash the cash www.fly540.com

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Whale watching

Kenya’s

‘OCEAN KINGS’ go on parade

K

enya is known the world over for its exceptional national parks and magnificent wildlife; and while most of our wildlife-related tourism is found inland, down at the coast there are opportunities to view other kinds of fascinating creatures in the form of whales and dolphins.

Whale watching may not be at the top on your list if you’re heading to the coast – and you may not even have known it was possible to do so. Between July and October each year, however, Watamu National Marine Park becomes a temporary home for many whales as they flock to the warm waters to give birth and breed before heading back to colder climes such as Antarctica to feed for the rest of the year.

These dates coincide roughly with the great wildebeest migration, giving visitors a chance to experience two completely different but equally fascinating

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mammal migrations during July and August. While the whales and dolphins are much fewer in number than the wildebeest, the sheer size and grace of these aquatic creatures is a stunning sight. They can often be viewed from shore as well as on a dedicated whale watching excursion in the Watamu area.

Whales Humpback whales are the most common visitors to Watamu in the breeding season, although other species such as killer whales and sperm whales have been spotted.

Humpbacks are easily identified by their stocky bodies, the many tubercles (knobs) around their heads and their huge tail fins, which they are known to crash against the water repeatedly, suggesting a form of communication with other whales.

Humpbacks are very vocal, too, and are known for their songs, consisting of a series of complex noises, which sometimes last for hours on end.

Whale and dolphin watching excursions are available through the Watamu Marine Association, which works closely with KWS to ensure our marine mammals are well protected, and is also supported by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. As with safaris in our national parks, it is vital for these creatures to be treated carefully and considerately

to avoid causing them distress or harm; and WMA encourages visitors to be respectful when on an excursion. Visitors can get close to these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat, but with a minimal impact on the environment.

Opportunity At times, these humpback whales can also be seen from the shore, so if you’re not keen on boats or can’t spare the time for an excursion, you won’t necessarily have to miss out on this wonderful opportunity.

Further south, towards the Tanzania border, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park is another great place for whale and dolphin watching, with dozens of resident dolphins as well as humpback whales stopping here throughout the year as part of their migration route. Kisite-Mpunguti is one

HUMPBACK  Time it right to see them in Watamu

of the best marine parks in East Africa, with picturesque coral gardens and a diverse marine life that offers a perfect setting for diving or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Various companies offer tours and trips to spot whales and dolphins or to snorkel in the marine park, while also maintaining sustainable and ethical procedures to help protect this wonderful area. In contrast with Watamu, where the whales are present for only a few months, Kisite-Mpunguti has resident dolphins which can be seen during most of the year.

DOLPHINS  Commonly seen in Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park

Humpbacks are very vocal, too, and are known for their songs, consisting of a series of complex noises, which sometimes last for hours

INFORMATION For more information about these animals and how to see them in Kenya, contact: Jane Spilsbury: janespilsbury@watamu.biz Mike Mwango’mbe: michael.mwangombe@watamumarine.co.ke

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SUPPER CLUB

Le Rustique

Mediterranean magic in shadow of Mount Kenya

I

n a quiet suburb of Nanyuki lies Le Rustique, a hotel and restaurant that brings a touch of Moroccan and Mediterranean glamour to central Kenya.

Having been a staple of the Westlands food scene for 11 years, Le Rustique relocated to Nanyuki in 2015. This charming hotel and restaurant is now located in the foothills of Mount Kenya, surrounded by lush, well-kept gardens that offer a peaceful retreat in bustling Nanyuki, with spacious bedrooms and a delightful restaurant serving fine cuisine.

Mediterranean Le Rustique’s restaurant is one of the best eateries in town, if not the best, serving up consistently fine dishes that evoke the Mediterranean, with some other international delights thrown in for good measure.

Diners can choose from a generous main menu or weekly chef’s specials that change regularly to offer guests new and exciting dishes for a limited time only. The chefs use only the best organic ingredients, with a focus on simple but 28

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flavoursome food that always hits the spot. The main menu covers breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner, so whatever the time of day, you’ll find something to enjoy.

Breakfast is served until midday during the week and until 3 pm at weekends, so you don’t have to rise at the crack of dawn to enjoy a sumptuous start to the day.

Choices include lighter options such as muesli and fruit salad as well as French omelette, English breakfast, eggs Benedict and Indian masala scrambled eggs on toast which, although not strictly Mediterranean, are absolutely delicious.

For lunch, guests can choose from a range of sandwiches, including the classic BLT, steak sandwich and halloumi with roast

The chefs use only the best organic ingredients, with a focus on simple but flavoursome food that always hits the spot

By Kirsten Alexander Images by Jeez Outsource (www.jeezoutsource.com)

DELICIOUS  Buffet night at Le Rustique

AMBIENCE  A touch of Morocco

FINE DINING  One of Nanyuki's best restaurants

peppers and avocado; or there is a choice of mains from both the standard and special menus (when available). Drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean, the main menu features spaghetti Bolognese or carbonara, mushroom risotto, Venetian chicken with mushrooms, ham and cheese, fillet steak au poivre, Provençal lamb and more. Le Rustique also serves classic British fish and chips and Asian-inspired Thai red curry and crispy ginger beef. The restaurant’s wood-fired oven cooks pizzas to perfection, while the crêperie serves both sweet and savoury crêpes to enjoy at any time of day.

Wine list To complement the excellent Mediterranean-style cuisine, Le Rustique’s wine list is well considered, with a variety of Continental and New World wines. In addition, the bar serves delicious cocktails, beers, soft drinks, tea and coffee.

The spacious grounds are the perfect place to make the most of the fine weather, with plenty of tables to choose from. There is a children’s playground, the perfect

place for the little ones to let off some energy, as well as a selection of small boutiques dotted around the garden. The restaurant interior has a cosy, Moroccan ambience that will transport you to a faraway place. The colourful walls, vaulted ceiling and stone floor bring a yearround warmth to Nanyuki, coupled with a toasty fireplace to make even the cool evenings feel like the Mediterranean.

Le Rustique Mount Kenya Road Nanyuki Tel: +254 721 609 601 Email: eat@lerustique.co.ke Web: www.lerustique.co.ke www.fly540.com

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DRIVE TIME

Toyota Proace Verso

The car in front is a van with windows

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nd now for something a little different. Here’s an MPV with up to nine seats instead of the usual seven. It’s built by Toyota and badged the Proace Verso.

Nine seats may be handy, but is there really a market in East Africa for what appears to be little more than a crew bus?

Yet the Proace Verso may have an appeal for those running a taxi business or offering airport transfers or for customers with largish families. Or could this be the matatu of the future?

(On second thoughts, it’s too probably small.)

On the other hand, the Proace Verso may find favour with existing owners of the slimline Toyota Noah/Voxy (is there really a difference between the two?) and who wish to trade up to something a little more commodious.

In stark contrast to the Noah/Voxy, the angular Proace Verso is effectively a

The Proace Verso is a very practical option for those who want lots of seats and plenty of luggage space

SPACIOUS  Up to nine seats

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van with windows – and it certainly drives and feels like one when you’re behind the wheel.

Toyota may be adding leather seats and some chrome-effect trim in the cabin, but it’s impossible to hide this MPV’s prosaic pedigree.

Nevertheless, it’s a trick that works.

The French (in particular Peugeot and Citroën) have been transforming their vans into supremely practical and inexpensive MPVs for some time. These vehicles certainly lack refinement, but otherwise have many fine attributes.

So it comes as no surprise that there is, indeed, a strong link between the new

By Sam Gimson All images courtesy of Toyota

Toyota and France’s Groupe PSA (makers of both Peugeots and Citroëns). And to all intents and purposes the Proace Verso is pretty much the same vehicle as the Peugeot Traveller and the Citroën SpaceTourer.

Trim levels Rather incredibly, the Proace Verso comes in three different lengths (Compact, Medium and Long) with three levels of trim: Shuttle, Family and VIP. It’s all a bit complicated, but Shuttle versions come with nine (3x3x3) seats, Family variants have eight seats (just two at the front) while the Long-only VIP model has just seven seats in a 2x2x3 configuration.

There is also a choice of three (diesel)

VERSO  A matatu of the future?

engines: a 113 hp 1.6-litre diesel which would no doubt struggle a bit when tackling a steep incline with nine up and their luggage. Then there’s a more powerful 148 bhp 2.0-litre diesel with a manual gearbox as well as a pricier 178 bhp engine with automatic transmission.

Family and VIP versions get a 7.0 in touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, a DAB radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring and a USB socket. But customers who opt for the entry-level and very van-like Shuttle trim will get next to nothing in the way of refinement or gizmos.

At the end of the day, the Proace Verso is a very practical option for those who want lots of seats and plenty of

luggage space. The downside is that this MPV remains very much a van at heart and, perhaps surprisingly, comes with a fairly hefty price tag.

IMPORT MARKET It may take a while before Proace Versos are as plentiful on East Africa’s roads as the ubiquitous Noah/Voxy. But there will be a time when the now-new Toyota finds its way in to the local used-car/ grey import market. And there’s a fair chance you will have first read about Toyota’s something-different MPV here in 540 magazine.

SLEEP OVER

Tamarind Tree Hotel Nairobi

STYLISH PROPERTY IN A CHIC SETTING

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ajor hotels seem to be opening all the time in and around Nairobi; but one that couldn’t fail to grab our attention is the Tamarind Tree Hotel, a brand-new four-star property run by the Tamarind Group.

Founded in 1972, this highly successful company owns the iconic Tamarind Nairobi and Tamarind Mombasa restaurants as well as the Carnivore and Tamambo eateries.

Projects The Tamarind Group is currently active in a number of large-scale projects including The Tamarind Village – fully serviced luxury apartments overlooking the Old Town of Mombasa. Its latest development, the Tamarind Tree Hotel, is located near the Langata and Karen

suburbs, just 15 minutes from the city centre yet tucked away from the bustle of city life.

Carnivore Tamarind couldn’t have chosen a more popular setting for its newest property. The hotel is within the same grounds as the Carnivore Restaurant, renowned for its authentic African dining experience and a menu offering a range of meat varieties and ‘all you can eat’ dining options, including charcoal grilled ostrich and camel.

Hotel guests can expect a warm welcome at this popular restaurant.

Meanwhile, there are other fine restaurants on site. The hotel’s signature outlet is the Tamambo Restaurant, offering fish, burgers and vegetarian dishes accompanied by an impressive wine and dessert menu. Open until late, the

Tamarind’s new property has an all-African feel that sums up Kenyan life for the modern traveller and is a fine addition to Nairobi’s hotel portfolio

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Dawa Lounge is a social bar serving snacks, light bites and exciting cocktails. The hotel also has a coffee shop where guests can enjoy a salad, sandwich or dessert with their favourite beverage.

Accommodation consists of 160 en-suite guest rooms, including 15 suites with a lounge area. The hotel’s standard rooms are said to

ROOMS  Some of the most spacious in Nairobi

By Amy Laubach Images courtesy of Tamarind Group

Promotional feature

PALM VILLAGE, DAR ES SALAAM

L

MODERN  An all-African feel at the Tamarind Tree

be the largest in Nairobi with an area of 32 square metres. In family suites, the separate lounge area can be turned into a convenient second bedroom. The modern rooms make good use of natural light and feature dark wood and earth-toned decor. Throughout the hotel, the walls are hung with impressive local works of art.

Leisure facilities One of the standout features of this property is its state-of-the-art leisure facilities. The Tamarind Tree Hotel has a sleek 20 metre long heated outdoor pool surrounded by greenery and sun loungers as well as a smaller pool for children. Fitness fanatics will be impressed by the on-site gym equipped with cardio and weight training machines. The nearby forest has a suitable trail for

joggers and those who just want a peaceful nature walk. Business guests have the use of two meeting rooms, two executive boardrooms, team-building grounds, an events lawn and a ballroom with a capacity of 200 people.

Tamarind’s new property has an all-African feel that sums up Kenyan life for the modern traveller and is a fine addition to Nairobi’s hotel portfolio. The company has enhanced its reputation thanks to the property’s delicious catering options and exceptional leisure facilities.

Tamarind Tree Hotel Nairobi Next to Carnivore Restaurant Off Langata Road Tel: +254 709 240 000 Email: central.reservations@tamarind.co.ke www.tamarindtree-hotels.com

ocated in the beautiful city of Dar es Salaam, Palm Village is a residential complex based on Mwai Kibaki Road, Mikocheni. The complex allows residents to live, work and play in a unique complex at the heart of a bustling city.

Palm Village brings a whole new experience to Dar, with apartments, a shopping mall and a hotel for guests. You can own a slice of paradise with a range of deluxe two, three and four-bedroom apartments, many of which have ocean views. Residents have access to a wide range of facilities and amenities including a swimming pool, a health club and spa and a children’s club. The spacious on-site business centre looks over the ocean and features state-of-the art equipment.

The central feature of Palm Village is the shopping mall. Due to be completed in December of this year, this complex will come with stylish boutiques as well as furniture and appliance stores. There will also be an array of popular restaurants and bars. A supermarket, too, will be available soon for guests and residents.

For sales contact: Pangani Real Estate Services Bwawani Street, Kinondoni PO Box 72772, Dar es Salaam Tel: +255 783 944 114 Fax: +255 22 2119355 Email: sales@panganirealestate.com

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GADGETS

TECH TO IMPRESS HTC U11+

SONY EXTRA BASS SERIES WIRELESS SPEAKERS Sony has released three brand-new Bluetooth speakers: the SRS-XB41, SRS-XB31 and SRS-XB21.

These wireless portable speakers pack in plenty of interesting features, including EXTRA BASS and a LIVE SOUND button, which audibly spread sound wider. All three speakers feature line lights, while the XB41 also comes with flashing strobe lights. They’re all made of a high-quality waterproof and dustproof fabric to protect the speaker while you’re outdoors and on the move. A stand-out feature of the EXTRA BASS series is the ‘Party Booster’ mode, which allows you to add multiple sounds over the top of tracks to give a ‘disco dance’ flavour to your evening.

Prices: XB21 US$ 99.99, SXB31 US$149.99, XB41 US$ 249.99

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Africa’s low cost airline

The upgraded version of the HTC U11 squeezes in even more, with a new design featuring a sixinch screen and a reduced bezel size around the display. The smartphone has a longer battery life, meaning less charging time – a whopping 30 per cent extra in battery stamina compared with the U11. It also features advanced water resistance technology to prevent accidental damage to your phone. With edge sense engineering, the user can gently squeeze the sides of the device to access a customised toolbar showing your most used apps, contacts and settings. The new phone from HTC comes with Google Assistant and Alexa to help answer your questions and give you traffic reports and weather updates.

Price: US$ 649

NEST BLUETOOTH TEMPERATURE SENSOR The Google-owned company Nest has released a Bluetooth-operated temperature sensor that connects to the user’s thermostat, so he or she can easily control the temperature of every room in the house. This crafty piece of tech allows multiple rooms to be set at an optimal temperature during different periods of the day. The control sensor has a two-year battery life and is compatible with the Nest Thermostat E and the Nest Learning, using low energy to connect with the thermostat, which can be positioned up to 50 ft away. The temperature control can be placed on either a wall or shelf in the home and set up via the Nest app on a mobile device.

Price: US$ 39

GOPRO HERO The newest edition of the GoPro camera takes the look of the Hero5 and Hero6 with the exception of a big touch screen display.

Its durable and rugged design makes it ideal for younger users and those who want to shoot footage while travelling. The Hero captures the same high-quality photos and videos that made GoPro such a well-loved brand, with up to 40 metres water-resistant technology and Burst Photo, which captures fast-action sequences at up to five frames per second. User-friendly modes such as QuikCapture allow the user to power on the camera and start recording footage with a single button. Despite its bigger touch screen display, the GoPro Hero is small and lightweight; at less than four ounces, it’s the perfect size to fit in your pocket or bag.

Price: US$ 199

ENTERTAINMENT

Watch. Read. Listen.

MOVIES AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

DUCK DUCK GOOSE Director: Chris Jenkins Starring: Jim Gaffigan, Zendaya, Carl Reiner, Lance Lim Genre: Adventure, comedy

Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson Genre: Action, fantasy, science fiction While the Avengers have been busy protecting the world from large threats at hand, a new danger emerges from the shadows: Thanos. He arrives on Earth to collect all six of the Infinity Stones (artefacts of strong power) for a gauntlet that will allow him to bend and shape reality as he pleases. The Avengers must join sides with their allies, Guardians of the Galaxy, as they sacrifice everything in an attempt to defeat Thanos before he brings a terrible end to the universe.

After being kept on the ground by an injury, bachelor Peng (voice of Gaffigan), who previously rejected his tight-knit flock of geese in an attempt to live by his own rules, becomes attached to two orphan ducklings, Chi and Chao (Zendaya and Lim). After he rescues them from the deadly cat Banzou, the youngsters latch on to Peng and view him as a parent. With a harsh winter on the horizon, the unlikely trio must set out on a difficult journey down south to reach their respective flocks. For once, Peng must give up his independent attitude and learn to care for the ducklings, protecting them from Banzou and other predators.

STARS: 4/5

STARS: 3/5

BOOKS THE WITCH FINDER’S SISTER

HOW TO STOP TIME

BY MATT HAIG

BY BETH UNDERDOWN

It’s 1645 in Essex, England, and Alice Hopkins is left a widow after her husband dies in a tragic accident. She returns to her small home town of Manningtree where her brother Matthew still resides. Once a comforting place, the town is no longer safe for Hopkins. Her brother has changed and rumours are running through town: frightened talks of witchcraft, a stirring in the streets and a magical book that consumes Matthew’s interests. Torn between her love for her brother and morality, Alice is desperate to intervene. Alone, she must delve into her family’s past to find the terrifying truth and defeat evil.

Tom Hazard has a rare condition that allows him to live for centuries. After a busy past – which included performing with Shakespeare and sailing the seas with Captain Cook – Tom returns to London in the hope of a quite life working as a history teacher. His plans soon fall apart when a French teacher starts to take an interest in him, since the one thing forbidden by the Albatross Society (a secretive group that protects people like Tom) is falling in love. Tom’s painful memories, along with the society’s rules, threaten his relationship and he is forced to choose between his past and the present.

STARS: 5/5

STARS: 4/5

MUSIC 777

AMERICA

American R&B singer, songwriter and professional dancer Jason Derulo is back with his brand-new fifth album, ‘777’, which features some emotionally deeper tracks than his previous albums. The ballad ‘Point of View’ and the song ‘If I’m Lucky’ shed light on a mature side of Derulo never previously expressed in his music.

However, the album also features the usual fun party tracks for which Derulo is well known, such as ‘Tip Toe’ (featuring French Montana) and ‘Swalla’ (featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign).

‘America’ is the fifth album to be released by the American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars. This is their first album release since ‘Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams’ five years ago and is released alongside their new tour, ‘The Monolith Tour’. ‘America’ – which features 12 tracks including popular hits such as ‘Dangerous Night’ and ‘Walk on Water’ – focuses on the American dream and America as a concept, with uplifting anthems and euphoric tones.

JASON DERULO

THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS

STARS: 3/5

STARS: 4/5 www.fly540.com

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Network Map

The Fly540 Network

SOUTH SUDAN

Kisumu

LINE AIR

Lodwar

S LOW COS A IC

T

AF R

Juba

BO

wwwOK ONLINE .fly54 AT: 0.co m

Eldoret

KENYA Nairobi

Lamu Malindi

Mombasa

Zanzibar Dar es Salaam

TANZANIA

36

Africa’s low cost airline

Contacts

Contact Information

Fly540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS NAIROBI OFFICES

WILSON AIRPORT

MALINDI

540 SAFARI CIRCUIT SALES

HEAD OFFICE

Ground Floor, Langata House Tel: +254 (0)20 254 0206 Tel: +254 (0)729 540 540 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 540 Email: 540.safaris@fly540.com

540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

Baycourt Upper Floor, Suite 3&4 The Watermark Business Park Ndege Rd, Karen PO Box 10293-00100,Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)20 388 3060-2 Fax: +254 (0)20 388 3063

540 CALL CENTRE Ground Floor, Western Heights, Karuna Road PO Box 10293 Tel: +254 (0)722 540 540; 733 540 540; 710 540 540

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OFFICE Ground Floor, International Life House, Mama Ngina Street Next to Hilton Hotel Tel: +254 (0)702 540 540

JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

KENYA OFFICES ELDORET 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

1st Floor, Metro Towers Building Next to Safaricom Customer Care Oginga Odinga Street Eldoret Sales: +254 (0)736 540 540 Tel: +254 (0)53 203 3570/80; +254 (0)735 540 547

ELDORET INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE

Oasis Mall, Next to Mario's Restaurant, Lamu Road, Malindi Tel: +254 (0)422 120 370

MOMBASA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE

Ground Floor, Mombasa Trade Centre, Nkrumah Road Tel: +254 (0)41 231 9078/9 Cell: +254 (0)728 540 540; (0)710 540 540 Nyali Centre, next to Naivas, Links Road, Mombasa Tel: +254 (0)41 447 7540/2 Sales: +254 (0)41 540 540; 707 540 542

MOI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MOMBASA

Tel: +254 (0)53 203 0814 Tel: +254 (0)53 206 3823 ext 658

Tel: +254 (0)41 343 4821 Tel: +254 (0)32 540 540; (0)722 555 730

Unit 3 (Domestic Departures) Tel: +254 (0)20 827 523; +254 (0)20 827 366 Cell: +254 (0)727 532 273 Unit 1 (International Departures) Tel: +254 (0)20 827 521

KISUMU

UKUNDA

Kisumu International Airport Tel: +254 (0)254 707 540 560 Tel: +254 (0)737 540 546

Ground Floor, Bazaar Building Tel: +254 (0)732 540 559

LAICO REGENCY HOTEL

1st Floor, West End Mall Next to Uchumi Supermarket Achieng Aneko Road Tel: +254 (0)704 540 540; +254 (0)724 563 009; +254 (0)734 540 550

TANZANIA

540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE

540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

Mezz. Floor, Shopping Arcade Tel: +254 (0)20 224 3211/3/4 Cell: +254 727 540 540; (0)737 540 540 Fax: +254 (0)20 224 3219

NAIROBI CBD OFFICE

540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

KITALE 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

Ground Floor International House, Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)712 540 540; 0735 540 555; 0717 305 305; 0703 305 305 Email: bookings@fly540.com or bookings@fly-sax.com

Terminal Building, Kitale Airstrip Tel: +254 (0)770 639 429 Tel: +254 (0)724 457 374 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 547

NEW MUTHAIGA OFFICE

Seafront House Kenyatta Road Next to KPLC Tel: +254 (0)742 540 540; +254 (0)742 305 305

1st Floor, Thigiri Mall, New Muthaiga Tel: +254 (0)703 540 540

540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

DAR ES SALAAM IT Plaza, Mezzanine Floor Ohio Street/Garden Avenue PO Box 8606 Tel: +255 (0)222 110 601; +255 (0)759 306 306; +255 (0)765 306 306

ZANZIBAR AIRPORT

SOUTH SUDAN JUBA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE Juba International Airport

Tel: +211 959 540540 Tel: +211 999 540540 Email: Sales.juba@fly540.com

REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES GERMANY AVIAREPS AG Kaiserstrasse 77 60329 Frankfurt am Main RESERVATIONS

Tel: +49 (0)69 770 673 076 Fax: +49 (0)69 770 673 028 Email: Res540.FRA@aviareps.com SALES

Tel: +49 (0) 69 770 673 077 Fax: +49 (0)69 770 673 235 Email: sales540.FRA@aviareps.com

SOUTH AFRICA AVIAREPS (PTY) LTD 38 Wierda Road West Wierda Valley Sandton, Johannesburg RESERVATIONS

Tel: +27 (0) 11 722 0229 Fax: +27 (0) 11 783 8135 Email: Res540.JNB@aviareps.com SALES

Tel: +27 (0) 722 0229 Tel: +27 74 177 1596 Fax: +27 (0) 783 8135 Email: Sales540.JNB@aviareps.com

540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE

Tel: +255 762 540 540

LAMU 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS

www.fly540.com

37

Travel Info

Travel Information VISA INFORMATION  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.

HEALTH  Vaccination requirements for international travellers: • Only valid yellow fever vaccination certificates are required of all travellers over one year old, arriving from yellow fever infected countries.

• Vaccinations for international travellers are obtainable from all international air and sea ports, city and major municipal councils.

INSPIRING CAPTIVATING INFORMATIVE Multi-platform publishing and design services

For further information please contact:

Land & Marine Publications Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Email: info@landmarine.org

www.landmarine.org 38

Africa’s low cost airline

KENYAN VISAS  Under new rules, all foreigners requiring a visa for entry into Kenya must apply for one in advance via www.ecitizen.go.ke.

A visa is required by all visitors travelling to Kenya with the exception of those who are nationals of a number of countries, including – but not exclusive to – East African Community Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda).

• Multiple entry: US$100 • East Africa Visa: US$100 (for travel between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda) • Single entry: US$50 • Transit Visa: US$20 Persons aged 16 years and below will require a visa to enter Kenya. Diplomatic, Official, Service and Courtesy visas will continue to be issued Gratis. For more information, please visit your relevant Kenya High Commission website.

SOUTH SUDAN VISAS  Any visitor going to South Sudan requires a valid visa. Citizens of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Botswana can get visas upon arrival. Diplomats and officials with special passports are also given visas on arrival, and UN staff are given visas on arrival providing that they have an approval letter from the South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other nationalities must acquire referred visas or process for an entry permit in order to enter South Sudan.

Fees: • American Nationals: US$ 160 • African and Asian Nationals: US$ 50 • European Nationals: US$ 100 • All other passports assessed accordingly

TANZANIAN VISAS  All foreigners from non-Commonwealth countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have agreements with Tanzania under which the visa requirement 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.

Tanzanian visas are issued at entry points to Tanzania, including ports and airports, and any other gazetted entry point, from the Tanzanian High Commissions or embassies abroad, from the office of the Director of Immigration services in Dar es Salaam and the office of the Principal Immigration Officer, Zanzibar.

For more information visit: www.tanzania.go.tz/tanzaniaembassiesabroad.htm

Fleet

The Fly540 Aircraft Fleet

BOMBARDIER DASH 8 102 SERIES  Type: Twin-engined, medium-range, turboprop airliner Number in service: Two Fly540 operates modern aircraft and is constantly updating and modernising its fleet.

Capacity per aircraft: 37 passengers

The company uses aircraft such as the ATR 72-500, which burns only half as much fuel as some other aircraft and also emits less carbon into the atmosphere.

CANADAIR CL-600-2B19 REGIONAL JET 

This underlines the fact that Fly540 is a ‘green airline’ that cares for the environment.

Capacity per aircraft: 50 passengers

The crew and engineering team are professionally trained and certified to ICAO standards.

CESSNA CARAVAN C208 

Type: Twin-engine regional jet Number in service: Three

Type: Single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner Number in service: Two Capacity per aircraft: 10 passengers

FOKKER F28  Type: Twin engined medium range jet airliner Number in service: One Capacity per aircraft: 67 passengers

www.fly540.com

39

Kids’ Corner

Kids’

CORNER SALTY SEA

JOKES

Q. What do you call a big fish who makes you an offer you can’t refuse?

A. The Codfather.

Q. Which fish can perform operations?

A. A Sturgeon.

A. He got lockjaw.

Q. Where do fish wash?

Can you find the words listed below in the letter grid?

Tip: Some words are going backwards!

FISH SHARK WHALE OCEAN SEAWEED SNORKEL

TURTLE CORAL OCTOPUS STINGRAY MARLIN CRAB

Q. Why are crabs so greedy?

E W A E

I

T C N A E C O I

L B T R

G R R L

E A O K

N U O

R T A R G R P E A L

L A E C U L

Y E

S M F

I

ANAGRAMS

Q. Why did the whale cross the road?

Q. Why did the crab

1. Locra feer

5. Stayring

get arrested?

2. Erstlob

6. Tocosup

3. Quids

7. Shellyjif

Q. Where do little fishes go every morning?

A. To plaice school.

Q. What fish goes up the river at 100 mph?

A. A motor pike.

Africa’s low cost airline

S H

UNDER THE SEA

A. In a river basin.

A. Because he was always pinching things.

S

T K R A H S O N

A. Because they’re shellfish.

A. To get to the other tide.

40

WORDSEARCH

S D E

Unscramble the letters to reveal the names of these sea creatures

4. Phindol

(answers) 1. Coral Reef 2. Lobster 3. Squid 4. Dolphin 5. Stingray 6. Octopus 7. Jellyfish

Q. What happened to the shark who swallowed a bunch of keys?

UNDER THE SEA

540 MAGAZINE / ISSUE 29 / MAY – JULY 2018