Explore Kenya

Explore Kenyahttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/africa/kenyaExplore Kenyahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/africa/kenya/the-swahili-coast-multicultural-lamu-islandNeema Githere traces her family roots to coastal Kenya, where centuries of intercultural exchange have blended to form a distinct marvel of an archipelago.2020-05-15T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/africa/kenya/the-swahili-coast-multicultural-lamu-islandhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#lamu">Lamu Island: A journey into the past</a></li> <li><a href="#old-town">The diverse heritage of Lamu Old Town</a></li> <li><a href="#trip-notes">Trip Notes</a></li> </ul> <p>My grandfather, Bethuel Githere, was one of the earliest African workers for the East African Railways in the 1960s. The railway was the first nationalized transport that carried passengers and goods from Uganda via Nairobi to the coastal port town of Mombasa. Previously, those positions had been reserved for British and Indian laborers stationed in Kenya. It was not until the Africanization program of 1964 that local Bantu Africans were able to get the required training to replace those non-citizens.</p> <p>It was this personal history that piqued my interest in the Kenyan Coast, and inspired me to venture to the island of Lamu, about 150mi (240km) northeast of Mombasa. Thanks to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island and its ancient architecture remain largely unchanged; in fact, the island has no roads, and the only way to get around is by boat, on foot, or on a donkey.</p> <p>The island’s colorscapes are warm, and distinctly tropical – stucco walls lined by bright flowers, as though the desert met the sea and the two made a commitment to unite. This charm makes Lamu Island – one of the oldest parts of the Kenyan coast – an ideal alternative to the conventional safari route that many travelers most immediately identify with Kenya.</p> <h2 id="lamu">Lamu Island: A journey into the past</h2> <p>When I arrive at the Manda Airport (the regional airstrip located on neighboring Manda Island) for my weekend sojourn, I am met by the desert heat and my own nostalgia. I remember roaming the narrow, unnamed streets on a previous trip, and being comforted by the profound sense of community which defines the archipelago’s culture – the product of a rich history both dazzled and made heavy by the presence of royalty from the Omani and Yemeni kingdoms dating back to the 16th century.</p> <p>Though I relish in the opportunity to practice my Swahili – a language born from the coastal mixing of local Bantu languages, Arabic, Hindi, and a touch of Farsi – I am reassured by the fact that most people on the island also speak English fluently. There are two main inhabited locales on the island: Lamu Town itself, which is the historical center of the UNESCO-protected island, and Shela Village. Whereas Lamu Town is home to the bulk of the island’s markets and local trade infrastructure; Shela Village is comprised more of hotels and private residences, which attract the majority of foreign visitors.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/kenya/lamu-dhow.jpg" /><figcaption>A traditional dhow off the coast of Lamu. Image credit: Getty Images / WLDavies</figcaption></figure> <p>One of my first outings is a sunset dhow ride. Dhows – large wooden sailing vessels traditional to the Arabian region – decorate the island’s shores, and are one of the most telling artifacts of the diasporic mixing on the island. A ride costs around USD $30, depending on whether you take it alone or share it with other travelers, and lasts two hours. Riding on the dhow, with its large mast and distinct wooden architecture, feels akin to traveling through time – getting a distant view of the dozens of other boats docked by the shore, and weaving through the thick mangroves that border the other islands on the archipelago.</p> <h2 id="old-town">The diverse heritage of Lamu Old Town</h2> <p>Keen to dig deeper into this history, I make a point to visit the Lamu Musuem the next day – only to discover that the museum is closed on Sundays. However, I meet an island tour guide on the steps of the museum and, after a bit of negotiating, we embark together on an alternative to the museum visit. Tours can be arranged via the hotels and lodging, or visitors can take the route I did, and book with the guides who are available around the museum, upon arrival.</p> <p>As we begin to stroll through the Old Town, he tells me about the materials that are used to make local homes – roofs made of mangrove leaves, and doors carved intricately from African mahogany from Manda Island. The buildings date back to the 1500s, and are made of limestone which has withstood the test of time.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/kenya/lamu-carved-doors.jpg" /><figcaption>Carved mahogany door in Lamu Old Town. Image credit: Getty Images / tropicalpixinsingapore </figcaption></figure> <p>My tour guide tells me about a local family who traced their lineage back to a marooned Chinese ship – presumably from 15th century Chinese navigator Zheng He’s merchant expeditions. Not only did they confirm their Chinese ancestry via DNA tests, they’re still in possession of fine ceramic ware from centuries past. In fact, Shanga Island takes its name from the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, in modern-day China.</p> <p>I was entranced by this tale, mainly because it challenged so many of my own preconceptions of this island as being uncontacted, unconnected land, when in fact, intercultural exchange is precisely what has shaped these islands into being what they are today. Lamu is a rich mix of Bantu, Arabic, Persian, Indian, and Southeast Asian cultures which, through the centuries have blended and molded to form a distinct marvel of an archipelago. Visiting this charming island is a must for all who feel called to explore the rich and interconnected history of the Swahili Coast – and perhaps even discover remnants of their own culture along the way.</p> <h2 id="trip-notes">Trip Notes</h2> <h3>Getting there</h3> <p>Local airlines – Kenya Airways, Jambojet and Fly540 – make the journey by flight from Nairobi in just under an hour (~USD $200 roundtrip).</p> <h3>Accommodation</h3> <p>Lamu has a diverse and compelling range of accommodation offerings on Airbnb, as well as a range of mid- to high-range hotels.</p>Getty Images / Tuul & Bruno Morandi 0939687514 Getty Images The waterfront of Lamu Town, coastal Kenya.

The Mt. Kenya Vendetta | Travel Storyhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/fear/the-mt-kenya-vendettaThe Mt. Kenya Vendetta | Travel StoryFri, 02 Feb 2018 19:07:53 GMThttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/stories/fear/the-mt-kenya-vendettahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/africa/kenya/volunteer-africa-what-to-consider-before-choosing-a-projectSarah Graham from African Impact tells us what to look for when booking a volunteer project, so you can avoid doing more harm than good.2019-04-17T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/africa/kenya/volunteer-africa-what-to-consider-before-choosing-a-projecthttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>To benefit the lives of people in disadvantaged communities, you need to give back to make a difference. But where do you start? Type in the phrase ‘volunteer projects’ on the internet and there are more than 260 million hits. The voluntourism industry is now overflowing with organisations that promise a life changing experience, but not all of them go about their work in a sustainable and responsible way.</p> <p>Here are the top five things to consider before signing up for a volunteer project in Africa.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#money"> Where Will My Money Go? </a></li> <li><a href="#sustainable"> Is the Volunteer Work Sustainable? </a></li> <li><a href="#research"> Research the Company You Want to Book With </a></li> <li><a href="#preparation"> How to Prepare Before Departure </a></li> <li><a href="#safety"> Safety Tips </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="money">1. Where Will My Money Go?</h2> <p>This should be the number one question asked by prospective volunteers. While volunteering is about your participation and your physical input, it's important to know how much of your project fee is actually reaching the community. And it varies widely.</p> <p>The company you choose should be transparent, and will be more than happy to give you a breakdown. Keep in mind that not all the money goes directly to the project, as there are costs involved with marketing online, producing brochures, staff salaries and paying the lease on an office.</p> <p>However, the local communities should be receiving the bulk of these benefits, as that is the sole purpose of the organization you are booking with, right?</p> <h2 id="sustainable">2. Is the Volunteer Work Sustainable?</h2> <p>With so many volunteer programs out there, you should be asking detailed questions about the work you will be participating in, and especially what long-term benefits to the communities/environment your work will have.</p> <p>We need to take responsibility here, volunteering is not about ‘saving the world’, it’s about the skills that we can pass on to aid long term sustainable development, and your contribution to a longer-term plan which will continue to change lives even long after you have made your contribution.</p> <h2 id="research">3. Research the Company You Want to Book With</h2> <p>There are so many volunteer organizations offering a variety of exciting projects, but do your research carefully. Thoroughly review their social media networks, blogs and website information, and do a quick Google search to see if any news or media have revealled questionable details about their operations. Just because someone says they are 'responsible and sustainable', it doesn't mean they are.</p> <p>Here are a few important questions to ask:</p> <ul> <li>What are past volunteers saying about them?</li> <li>Are they located on the ground in country?</li> <li>Do they employ local staff?</li> <li>Do they specialise in a particular field or in a certain destination?</li> <li>Do they make an effort to dispose of waste in a sustainable way?</li> </ul> <p>It's important for you to understand the ethos of the company that you are booking with – are they really committed to working towards making a difference with your help? Or is their underlying motivation profit?</p> <p>Avoid any volunteer work that involves short-term work with children, orphanages, handling wildlife, or work that locals could learn to do themselves. Instead of this, find work where you can teach locals how to do the job or where you can use your skills to teach them better. That way, when you leave, the power is in the communities hands to continue doing good things with the knowledge you have passed on.</p> <h2 id="preparation">4. How to Prepare Before Departure</h2> <p>Attention to this detail is paramount. A company should completely prepare you on what to expect from your project, and everything that you should know before you go. This will include extensive pre-departure information, such as kit lists and medical/heath precautions. It’s also important to understand what is included and what’s not in order to manage your own expectations.</p> <h2 id="safety">5. Safety Tips</h2> <p>One of the major benefits of undertaking volunteer projects is that you will be looked after. You should be met at the airport and transported to your project site, a full orientation program should be included and you should feel safe at all times while on your projects and in your accommodation. Make sure you are happy with all these elements to ensure maximum fulfilment from your time volunteering.</p> <p>The organization should never ever put your health or life at risk. If you are asked to do anything that you think is dangerous, you have the right to question this and say no. At the end of the day, you are there to help, not put yourself in any unnecessary danger.</p> <p><b>Have you volunteered in Africa? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.</b></p>Unsplash/Chen Hu 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/africa/kenya/november-mombasa-carnival-kenyaBoogie alongside a Swahili float at Mombasa Carnival, with parades held throughout November.2019-07-03T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/africa/kenya/november-mombasa-carnival-kenyahttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p><span>Moi Avenue, Mombasa, Kenya</span></p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p><span>Throughout November.</span></p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>This street party cranks up the multicultural energy that normally pulses through Kenya’s second city. The largest coastal port in East Africa, Mombasa has been a popular stop-off for traders since at least the 12th century. It welcomed ships from as far afield as the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula and changed hands among the Arab-Swahilis, Portuguese, Omanis and Brits. Today, the Swahili centre’s stew of sights, sounds and smells reflects both sub-Saharan and Arabic influences.</p> <p>During the carnival, your eardrums are as likely to be blasted by sassy Afropop as they are to be soothed by traditional religious songs. Many sound systems pump out <span><em>taarab</em></span>, which fuses the music of countries from Mozambique to Egypt.</p> <p><span>The party revolves around two parades, which converge on main drag <strong>Moi Avenue</strong>. Mombasa’s melting pot of communities is represented by the floats, costumes and dancers, while stalls sell items ranging from woodcarvings to bootlegged reggae CDs. Artists from across Kenya</span><span> join in the proceedings, making the carnival an inspiring introduction to East Africa’s diverse culture.</span></p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p><span>2 – boogie alongside a Swahili float.</span></p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p><span>Head to the old town for cheap Swahili cuisine, normally served in Muslim-run restaurants, where alcohol is not allowed.</span></p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p><span>Overlooking the harbour, <strong>Fort Jesus</strong> was built by the Portugese in 1593. Inland are the <strong>Rift Valley</strong> and <strong>Masai Mara National Reserve.</strong></span></p>iStock/dwl 0139396946 iStock Colorful fabrics blowing in the wind