IMPRESSIVE KENYA
The Wilson airport in Nairobi leaves one wondering how a ‘poor’ country like Kenya could have such a wonderful domestic air service, while countries like India are still struggling to conceptualise the system.
Our governments are still talking about building airports in every district and is still in the process of acquiring land. But Wilson airport has done it long ago and Air Kenya, the government’s domestic airlines, though fighting with private operators is still doing good. That does not mean that the private operators are doing bad, they are doing wonderful too.
The question here is whether one wants to drive or fly between places. Travelling by both these means are almost the same but for the fact that driving may be a little more expensive and time consuming. Flying in small aircrafts can be a wonderful experience altogether.
Inside the Wilson airport, I saw a number of small aircrafts belonging to many private operators. Besides, four or five choppers belonged to the Kenya police, which demonstrated the seriousness of the government.
The airstrips are not like the ones you see in small airports in India. They are jungle roads, which are broader full of gravel and straight for over a kilometre. Surprising, isn’t it.
While landing at these ‘small airports’, one can see the elephant and giraffe herds grazing, while hippos lazing around river Mara. As you land, the antelopes, zebras and wilderbeestes just stand and gaze at you. Once the aircrafts land, they get back to their business, grazing. I had this amazing experience on my way to Masai Mara (David Livingstone resorts), which had one single stop. Landing in the wild is truly a sight and a sight to behold.
Amazing Maasais
Once you land in Maasai Mara, a group of youth greet you, leaving you to wonder. You see Suzuki motorcycles parked around the resort and the representatives come to collect your baggage. The youths ask you for your check in details, which may surprise you. They verify if you have paid the park entry fee – USD40 per person, per day.
Who are these youth? Yes, they are Maasais - custodians of the park. They are courteous and friendly who welcome with a greeting word `Jaambo’.
David Livingstone is one of the three resorts in Maasai Mara, located on the banks of Mara. Shailesh Patel, a Gujarati, is the manager here. My joy knew no bounds as I met Patel, firstly because he was Indian and secondly he had studied in Bangalore. I Other than Patel, the rest of the staff at the resort are local Masais - from receptionist to bartending girls and steward boys.
The resort is located in an excellent location just teen feet away from the banks of the Maasai river. The river takes a steep turn – almost a U-turn, in front of the resort. If you just slip down your cottage you will land on the back of either a hippo or a crocodile. No joking!
Tracking the trails to trek
The resort organises for a short trek to familarise the guests with the surrounding. Moosa, dressed in a traditional Maasai attire, was our guide. Each group will not have more than six people. Moosa spoke impeccable English, little German and French. Language is the key for these Maasai guides. Moosa was holding a long stick while the Masai sword was dangling on his waist with a mobile phone in a pouch next to it. Ways to stay connected, you see.
The Maasai guides have tremendous knowledge about the topography of Maasai Mara, and the neighbouring Sarangetti. The Scientific knowledge about the animal behaviour as well as that of birds are unmatchable. In Maasai Mara, there is little difference between wild and domestic animals. The cattle are owned and guarded by Maasais, while wild animals live on their own. Wilderbeasts, Zebras, Giraffes and a variety of antelopes walk around like nobody’s business. While elephant herds move around at their whim, one has to look into the bushy patches for carnivores like lions, leopard and cheetah. By evening, Hyena and silver back jackals start peeping out of their dens, even as the Ostrich start moving around. Well, you are lucky enough to see these animals and experience the wilderness, but from inside a caged in a jeep.
Maasai Mara
07-12-2008.
The Wilson airport in Nairobi leaves one wondering how a ‘poor’ country like Kenya could have such a wonderful domestic air service, while countries like India are still struggling to conceptualise the system.
Our governments are still talking about building airports in every district and is still in the process of acquiring land. But Wilson airport has done it long ago and Air Kenya, the government’s domestic airlines, though fighting with private operators is still doing good. That does not mean that the private operators are doing bad, they are doing wonderful too.The question here is whether one wants to drive or fly between places. Travelling by both these means are almost the same but for the fact that driving may be a little more expensive and time consuming. Flying in small aircrafts can be a wonderful experience altogether.
Inside the Wilson airport, I saw a number of small aircrafts belonging to many private operators. Besides, four or five choppers belonged to the Kenya police, which demonstrated the seriousness of the government.
The airstrips are not like the ones you see in small airports in India. They are jungle roads, which are broader full of gravel and straight for over a kilometre. Surprising, isn’t it.
While landing at these ‘small airports’, one can see the elephant and giraffe herds grazing, while hippos lazing around river Mara. As you land, the antelopes, zebras and wilderbeestes just stand and gaze at you. Once the aircrafts land, they get back to their business, grazing. I had this amazing experience on my way to Masai Mara (David Livingstone resorts), which had one single stop. Landing in the wild is truly a sight and a sight to behold.
Amazing Maasais
Once you land in Maasai Mara, a group of youth greet you, leaving you to wonder. You see Suzuki motorcycles parked around the resort and the representatives come to collect your baggage. The youths ask you for your check in details, which may surprise you. They verify if you have paid the park entry fee – USD40 per person, per day.
Who are these youth? Yes, they are Maasais - custodians of the park. They are courteous and friendly who welcome with a greeting word `Jaambo’.
David Livingstone is one of the three resorts in Maasai Mara, located on the banks of Mara. Shailesh Patel, a Gujarati, is the manager here. My joy knew no bounds as I met Patel, firstly because he was Indian and secondly he had studied in Bangalore. I Other than Patel, the rest of the staff at the resort are local Masais - from receptionist to bartending girls and steward boys.
The resort is located in an excellent location just teen feet away from the banks of the Maasai river. The river takes a steep turn – almost a U-turn, in front of the resort. If you just slip down your cottage you will land on the back of either a hippo or a crocodile. No joking!
Tracking the trails to trek
The resort organises for a short trek to familarise the guests with the surrounding. Moosa, dressed in a traditional Maasai attire, was our guide. Each group will not have more than six people. Moosa spoke impeccable English, little German and French. Language is the key for these Maasai guides. Moosa was holding a long stick while the Masai sword was dangling on his waist with a mobile phone in a pouch next to it. Ways to stay connected, you see.
The Maasai guides have tremendous knowledge about the topography of Maasai Mara, and the neighbouring Sarangetti. The Scientific knowledge about the animal behaviour as well as that of birds are unmatchable. In Maasai Mara, there is little difference between wild and domestic animals. The cattle are owned and guarded by Maasais, while wild animals live on their own. Wilderbeasts, Zebras, Giraffes and a variety of antelopes walk around like nobody’s business. While elephant herds move around at their whim, one has to look into the bushy patches for carnivores like lions, leopard and cheetah. By evening, Hyena and silver back jackals start peeping out of their dens, even as the Ostrich start moving around. Well, you are lucky enough to see these animals and experience the wilderness, but from inside a caged in a jeep.
Maasai Mara
07-12-2008.
No comments:
Post a Comment