OSSN Agents Journey to Kenya
by Mary Ann Mari and Nazlin Kassamali

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This past spring, I had the privilege to accompany my good friend Nazlin on a safari in Kenya. The term “safari” means “journey,” and it truly was an amazing journey which has enriched my life. Nazlin was born in Mombasa and raised in Nairobi, and she is also an Ismaili Muslim. She was fortunate enough to have won a trip to her home country during a random drawing by the Kenya Tourist Board.

I consider myself to be a pretty savvy travel agent, and I have visited more than 85 countries to date. But, this was the “trip of a lifetime.” Our travels began in Nairobi, where we were hosted by Nazlin’s family, friends, and high school acquaintances. I was invited to visit the Ismaili Community Center associated with my host’s local mosque. It was very apparent that this recreation and social center was totally supported by the local community. Also, I got to visit the new wing of the Aga Khan Hospital, and I began to notice the Aga Khan Foundation’s presence in many local buildings such as health clinics and schools.

As our tour led us away from the “Big City,” we journeyed from the Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru where there is a pale pink cloud along the shore. The cloud is really millions of pink flamingos standing and floating along the edge of the lake.

We flew across Kenya to another game park and a stay at Borana Lodge. Flying at a low altitude gave us a chance to really see how vast the country is and how fertile the land is. We ended our weeklong safari and were able to spend a few days in Mombasa before heading back to the States.

I know that is was the Kenya Tourist Board’s wish to expose us to the wonders of Kenya, promote tourism, and invite our clients to visit this interesting country. It was most impressive for me to find how much the Aga Khan Foundation invests in time, money, and resources to promote tourism, support education, provide health services, and lift the role of women to a much higher level. As I said, this was truly a life-altering trip for me, and one I will not soon forget. I have always been told that travel is just another form of education, and this trip certainly proved to be enlightening to me.

From Nazlin:

What a truly awe-inspiring trip we had to Kenya! As guests of the Kenya Tourist Board, we stayed at the beautiful Hilton hotel in the heart of the capital city of Nairobi. The Nairobi city tour included the parliament house, the law courts, the Kenya Conference Center, the snake park, and lunch at the renowned Carnivore restaurant where (in addition to lamb, chicken, and beef) we were treated to crocodile meat!

That afternoon, we flew off to the Masai Mara game reserve on a Kenya Airways jet. From our tented camp perched high above the Mara River, we viewed hippos from the wooden deck where we were served afternoon tea and cake. Our own tent had wooden floors, double sinks, a shower, a desk and chair, and comfortable beds. There was a bathtub on the deck outside, in case you wanted to bathe under the stars. Drinks were served around an open fire, and then we enjoyed a gourmet dinner by candlelight on the open deck.

We enjoyed two nights here, and every morning we went on a game drive with our guide. The animals and birds we saw were truly amazing.

We also drove with our guide from Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru, where we saw literally millions of pink flamingos -- a truly breathtaking sight. We also saw Colobus monkeys and white rhino at the animal reserve near the lake.

The next morning, we drove to Rondo Retreat. We had a lovely colonial bungalow to ourselves. This retreat is located by the last equatorial forest (Kakamega Forest), with more than 600 species of birds, many butterflies, and monkeys. It is a very tranquil spot and ideal for birding enthusiasts.

The next day, we drove by Weeping Rock on the way to Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria. We flew over the Rift Valley and had beautiful views of the lush farmlands of Kenya, as well as Thompson’s Falls and Mt. Kenya. We stayed at the Borana Lodge, which is made up of 10 cottages that blend with the surroundings. Our cottage overlooked a watering hole where we saw a family of elephants playing in the water. It was such a treat to be woken up with a tray of hot Kenya tea delivered to your door. Later, we rode on horseback among the giraffes and zebras, with crisp, clear views of Mt. Kenya.

Back in Nairobi, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Nairobi Serena Hotel hosted by members of the Kenya Tourist Board as well as several local suppliers. The Serena chain of hotels can be found throughout eastern Africa, and they specialize in authentic African decor and world-class amenities.

Then, we continued on to our extension to Mombasa, the port and beach city on the Indian Ocean (an hour’s flight from Nairobi). We enjoyed four nights at the Mombasa Sarova Hotel. Mary enjoyed the dive experiences, too, since there is a beautiful coral reef along the coast of Kenya. We took the ferry across to visit some of the beautiful beach resorts on Kenya’s southern coast. While in Mombasa, we drove into the city center, where we viewed the elephant tusk arches over the main street. We enjoyed lunch at the historic Mombasa Club, and the Tamarind Restaurant is a must for seafood lovers where dinner is served on a terrace on the ocean front with beautiful views of Old Town Mombasa. (The crab is delicious.)

Kenya is a very exciting destination. We always felt that we were in good hands. The tour guides were all very competent, knowledgeable, courteous, professional, helpful, and friendly. Tourism is the number one income producer for the country, and the world-class facilities and hospitality will wow your clients. We were touched by the genuine friendliness and warmth of the people of Kenya. Everyone speaks English, so it was easy to talk to people about their country. The weather is moderate and spring-like throughout the year. Kenya is a must for those who are looking for a very unique safari experience with world-class hotels, lodges, food, and services.

Mary Ann Mari serves as director of the OSSN Inland Empire (Calif.) Chapter, and Nazlin Kassamali is a member of the chapter.

(Credits: Kenya Tourist Board; Matthias Kramer; Adrian Pingstone; Mary Ann Mari/OSSN)