kenya tourism board
A land of many faces Kenya is a land of many faces… World renowned for the abundance of her wildlife, the wonder of her wilderness areas, and the brilliance of her Indian Ocean coastline, she is also known as the ‘Birthplace of Mankind’, and the venue for the ‘Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth’, the annual migration of the wildebeest. Kenya also offers an unrivalled destination for conferences, exhibitions, product launches and business incentives. Her range of venues is WILD indeed. In Nairobi is the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre, as well as a stunning range of world-class hotels. Mombasa too offers a glorious range of Indian Ocean venues; and for those who would like to do business in the wilderness, Kenya promises an unrivalled range of tented conference venues. After hosting the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in 2016, and being the first African country to host the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in 2015, Kenya has proved that she can host high profile events. The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has also recently partnered with a range of international airlines to host over 150 travel agents and hoteliers from 15 African countries, all of whom have gathered together to explore the unparalleled richness of Nairobi as a business and leisure destination. When it comes to hosting the commercial sector, Nairobi has it all. Business visitors to Nairobi can, for instance, explore Nairobi National Park, the only national park in the world located in the city. With an hour or two to spare they can get up close and
personal with a Rothschild giraffe at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Giraffe Centre. They can also experience the enchantment of the orphaned baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. For the culturally inclined there are dance displays at the Bomas of Kenya, dramas at the National Theatre, and a fascinating array of contemporary music events. For the shoppers there’s a sumptuous array of traditional craft markets, modern malls and art galleries to be explored. For the heritage hunters Nairobi plays host to three museums, the National Museum, the Railway Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum. For nature lovers there are forests and nature trails to be enjoyed. There’s even a walk up the famous Ngong Hills. Alternatively, visitors can travel back in time by taking a walk through Nairobi’s very own ‘Cradle of Mankind’ – the prehistoric site at Olorgesailie, just a short drive out of town. Finally, Nairobi offers such a spectacular line-up of restaurants and bars that a gourmet safari while in the capital is an absolute ‘must’… and the glitz and glamour of the city nightlife has to be experienced to be believed. So… if you’re planning a conference, why not take it out of the board room….and into the bush? And if you’re organizing an international event, why not consider staging it in Kenya, the theatre of the wild. For more information: www.magicalkenya.com
Some of Kenya’s most magical settings are only a few hours from the capital © Fairmont Hotels
44 WHY I LOVE KENYA July-August 2017