A Journey from Abuja to Nairobi: A Sweet Tale of Discovery and Delight
The Prelude: Preparing the Scene
Finally deciding to take a vacation from Abuja to Nairobi was made on a cool morning in March. The fast rising city combined with the beauty of the natural environment was my home for some time now, Abuja.
But there was no denying the primal urge, the desire to traverse new territories and discover what lay beyond. Nairobi appeared all the more suitable with the promise of an enriched culture, picturesque geography and a variety of wildlife.
Departure: From Abuja with anticipation
My journey started with Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, that is a quite recognizable place, and it is quite new to me now. I remember when I was getting on the plane for the first time, there was a lot of energy.
The flight to Nairobi, which lasted several hours, felt like several minutes filled with excitement and dreams of the exciting time to come.
As I was flying over the African continent there was nothing that could grab my attention more than the vast stretches of land.
The change of venue from the hot and arid zone of the Sahel in Nigeria to the lush pastures of East Africa was in itself a spectacle. The flight was uneventful and the next thing I knew, it was time to land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Arrival: Nairobi, Here I Come
Landing directly in Nairobi, the first thing that I felt was the humidity of the air. The first thing that I bet was that the city is alive and it is rich in both modernity and tradition.
The airport was a busy place, and as I cleared customs, I could feel the tension rising up in me. Finally, Nairobi was anxious to open its treasures, and I was willing to discover them.
Day One: The City’s Beat
On my first day in Nairobi, I focused on exploring the environment and establishing my bearings. I booked myself at an elegant lodge in Westlands, a vibrant area famous for its vibrant restaurants. As soon as I was done with the initial wash, I set out to wander.
Nairobi and its streets bustled with business as usual. Minibuses known as matatus, moved in traffic, people selling various goods along the road, and the smell of food sold on the streets.
It became easy to get lost in the city centre and the numerous markets where one could spend hours shopping for Maasai beaded jewellery or fresh fruits and vegetables amongst other items.
At lunch I visited a local restaurant and ordered nyama choma, a grilled meat and ugali, a dish prepared from maize flour. The food was spicy, rich and every dish provided a tasting sample of what Kenyan food is all about.
Day Two: The Call of the Wild
The following day was spent at the famous Nairobi national park. Nairobi National Park is indeed located just a short drive from the city center; despite the urbanization, animals move freely in the park as if within a natural habitat.
When we began our game drive and crossed through the vast plains of the savannah I saw giraffes, zebras and even lions resting in the grass.
Our guide, who is also a seasoned ranger, educated and informed us about the park and the measures that are being taken to protect the inhabitants of the park. This was rather shameful, when I saw those splendid animals in their living environment and comprehended how they depend on each other.
Day Three: A brief note on history and culture
Karen Blixen Museum is one of the museums that is a must visit whenever one is in Nairobi. The museum, which was once the residence of the writer of “Out of Africa”, provided an insight of colonial Kenya, Blixen’s life and her work. This house was as it was at the time of Blixen, and seeing it one is impressed by the time itself.
Afterwards, I went to the Bomas of Kenya, a cultural station that provides information and tours on Kenyan traditions. Here I was able to watch and listen to some traditional dances and songs from the different Kenyan tribes. The performances provided were colorful, energetic, and engaging, which demonstrated the living culture of the Kenyan people.
Day Four: The Great Rift Valley Adventure
On my fourth day of the trip, I visited the Great Rift Valley, a scenic geographical feature whose stretch covers from the Middle East to Mozambique. The drive itself was something that they will never forget with the beautiful views of the valley and its steep slopes.
Reflection: Reminder of a trip
This I realized when I was packing to leave Nairobi having had what I could refer to as the most amazing week. The city had warmly embraced me within its complex social systems while being well furnished with art, history and impressive natural scenery. The trip from Abuja to Nairobi was not just a vacation; it was discovery and enjoyment at its very best.
The flight back to Abuja was full of memories that I received during my stay in Nairobi. The scenery, the animals, and the locals – I am grateful to have experienced the beauty of it all. Back at home I began to realize that this was just the tip of the iceberg to many other vacations that I was yet to take. Nairobi was also the beacon that sparked the wanderlust to travel and see more of the world and its beauty.
My field of interest was to tour around the Lake Nakuru National Park that is well known for many flamingos. I was pleased to watch thousands of these pink colored birds pecking on the water on the shallow region of the lake. I also got a chance to come across some rhinos, buffalos and different types of antelopes in the next national park to the one we were in.
Day Five: Café and biscuits
Whenever my day in the country was nearing its end, I spent the last day shopping for souvenirs. The Maasai Market that displayed various items that were manufactured locally was one of the best places to buy souvenirs. From the beadwork to the carved wooden souvenirs they had on the display were all equally a storytelling of Kenyan art and culture.
Pros and Cons
1. Traveling by Air
Pros:
Speed and Efficiency: Air transport is fast because it can comfortably be used for international transport since it will take a shorter time and actually cover a longer distance than other means of transport.
Convenience: Transport by air has always been very friendly since it offers many facilities and services that make travelling enjoyable. For many airlines, additional amenities such as in-flight entertainment, meals and other services are provided.
Global Connectivity: This way of transport also enables one to reach any part of the world in case, for instance, one desires to visit far-off places that might be very hard to access through other means.
Safety: As for safety standards, well, air travel is one of the safer means of getting from point A to point B out there, which has many safety rules and protocols in place.
Cons:
Cost: Long-distance most of the times result in many charges or even when one has to book their tickets at the last instance possible.
Environmental Impact: Airliners are the greatest source initiating carbon emissions and polluting the environment.
Security and Delays: Measures in security checks and potential flight delays that raises a concern and takes a lot of time to be handled.
Limited Luggage: One of the main issues that people face with most airlines is the fact that they have set very strict criteria regarding the luggage allowance, particularly for long-haul flights during which people would certainly require more than just a carry-on.
2. Staying in Boutique Hotels
Pros:
Unique Experience: While selecting the accommodations, it must be pointed out that boutique hotels differ from the chain hotels in that they are smaller in size and have specific themes for their interiors.
Personalized Service: As has been observed earlier in this paper, staff in boutique hotels want to pay much attention to their guests and are willing to do a lot for their guests.
Limited Amenities: They do not always include the exhaustive list of facilities (for instance, gym, a swimming pool) that are provided in giant hotels.
Inconsistency: A number of conditions of the numerous and different types of boutique hotels are different and therefore the quality and the style can also differ.
Availability: Smaller accommodations, such as boutique hotels, have fewer rooms, and as a result they can be occupied at any one time more easily and, therefore, need to be booked in advance.
3. Exploring Local Markets
Pros:
Cultural Immersion: Shopping at villages and local markets is much more informative and can give considerable idea about the customs, trends and patterns of the particular region.
Unique Finds: They are ideal markets where individuals can find various products that are tailored, self-made, or produced on a smaller scale than those in the common supermarkets.
Supporting Local Economy: A good number prefer shopping at local markets products made from local artisans and this in a way boosts local economy.
Authentic Food: Local markets are mostly selling products that can be cooked and are very fresh, sometimes served on the streets, hence giving customers a real feel of the culture of the given region.
Cons:
Crowds: Markets are also congested at certain parts of the day, and may prove to be too much for some people.
Haggling: Negotiation is typically anticipated which can be rather problematic in the case of people who are not prepared for it and subsequently may end up paying more than they have to.
Quality Variability: In this context, it might be difficult to distinguish between high-quality and lower-quality products and thus differentiate between the two types of goods.
Safety Concerns: People must always be on an alert when in crowded places such as markets because cases of pick pocketing and petty theft are not uncommon.
4. Going on a Safari
Pros:
Wildlife Viewing: The cultural aspects of food also make the Safaris an interesting event through which people can learn a lot about wildlife.
Scenic Beauty: The diversity of the physical environment is manifest in the fabulously beautiful geography witnessed in most safari destinations.
Adventure: Getting to follow animals and traverse through the wild zones makes it even more fun and exciting.
Photography: Tours also offer the best photography sessions, especially the photographers who like to capture stunning pictures of animals and beautiful sceneries.
Cons:
Cost: Safaris can also be intrinsically costly since there are additional expenses like the guide fee, accommodation, park fees, or transport.
Health Risks: Some of the areas that offer safari have health dangers such as malaria or other tropical health concerns hence the need to take anti-malarial or other boosters.
Environmental Impact: The exposure of such wildlife and their habitats to tourists is being felt; however, good tourism consumes endeavors to minimize the effects.
Unpredictability: Wildlife is something that is free and ranges across the savannah, and there are those that are rarely seen or not easily spotted, which is a let down to some people.
