“Why I love Kenya?” Seven days in Kenya

BY LEULSEGED WORKU

The Swahili word “Karibu” is equivalent to the English “welcome” or the Amharic Enkwan Dehna Metu. If one lands in Kenya, one will hear this word mentioned thousand times a day. When Kenyans say 'Karibu', it is not from force of habit. They say it from the bottom of their heart. This is a virtuous culture of all Africans. There is no “fake” welcome when it comes to for Africans.

Despite their economic performance that is tardy in picking up, the vicious circle of wars and civil wars that plagued them, Africans knew the true meaning of “Karibu”. Their hearts are always open to outsiders. This is exactly what I witnessed in my brief stay in Kenya. Up on witnessing it firsthand I was impressed by how Kenyans cordially welcome their guest. My appreciation for Kenyans started from Addis Ababa Airport when the Kenyan Airways' ticket officers and flight attendants began treating me as if I were an honorary guest.
Tourism and Kenya:

Kenyans attach great value to tourism. It is the second source of foreign exchange earner for them and as such it contributes a lot for country's GDP. According to Kenyan Tourism Board, wild life in Kenya is legendary, Kenya has a wide range of bird species that run the gamut from the big five to 1132 species of birds. Nine marine parks serve as a habitat to millions of sea creatures. Kenya`s wilderness areas are famous known worldwide.
The striking experience about Kenyan wildlife,which got me wonder-struck,began unraveling starting from Severin Safari Camp in Tsavo West National Park. In the camp I found myself in a state of mingled ecstasy and fear. My ecstasy resulted from feasting my eyes on the wonderful view of the landscape,greenery and the wild animals that freely passed by my transparent tent in the safari camp . I was never out of Adids Ababa, a city where I was born and brought up .That was why I felt a strange fear welling up in me. If at all I had an exposure to wildlife it could be none other than to ' The National Geography' documentaries. I think that was why I spent the whole night panicking in my bed. For an urbanate like me, the chirping of birds, the darting of little squirrels, lizards, the fearless birds that attempt to go for my breakfast on the table, the crocodiles that bask under the morning sun in front of our camp fuel one's fascination.
The Tsavo National Park is one of East Africa’s main wildlife strongholds and Kenya’s largest national park. The park is dominated by open scrub land that is interspersed with forest mountains, green river banks, lava flows and craters. As to our guide and driver Rubin, if East and West Tsavo are put together they form a floor space equivalent that of Israel. Both parks are replete with abundant wildlife and abundant bird life. Despite its overall arid and rugged topography, the Tsavo National Park offers an interesting variety of habitats and ecosystems ranging from semi-desert, Savannah and open plains, to acacia woodland, palm thickets, mountain forest and riverine vegetation.

If you are lucky enough to visit this animal “paradise” you will notice how nature preserve her dignity through her creatures. The elephant, hippos, lions, cheetah, leopards, buffalo, giraffe, diverse plant and bird species are among the beautiful wildlife one will observe in Tsavo West.

During our game drive in the Tsavo West park, I did witness how magnificent life is. The freedom of zebras, the grace of elephants, the greatness of the Kilimanjaro mountain. Unless one experiences the reality there first hand, words lack power to tell the hidden secret of Tsavo West.
The memory of the elegant African woman- giraffe- with her beautiful eyelids and her magnificent walking style, the monogamous little antelope-- dik dik, the cruel buffalo that cries out loud if it fails to kill its contender, the secret of a crocodile that lives for a year without eating anything, the thousands years giant old bao bao tree, the termite and Mizimi spring are still fresh in my mind.
The Mzima Springs are breathtaking scenes that stand tall of Tsavo West Park. The water of this chain of lakes,which is crystal clear, is filtered through the volcanic sands,ashes and rocks of the Chyulu Hills just to the north. Shaded by majestic fig and acacia trees, the lakes abound with fish and marine crocodiles. Big pods of hippos are not difficult to come across. If you find yourself in Mzima Springs, you could get taken aback by the impressiveness of nature to the extent of finding yourself more on the earth. The music from insects, birds and unknown creatures is all ear pleasing. The underwater viewing chamber (a gigantic aquarium tank that has got a plate glass windows) offers a unique opportunity to feast one's eyes on a multitude of swimming fishes. If lucky enough, you could also chance to see the crocodiles plying the water and hippo swimming in a walking style.
The commitment of the little antelope --Dik Dik—for love and family is another mysteries the Tsavo West Park has in store for visitors. Dik diks are monogamous creatures and hence stick with their mates for life. Their gestation period is 6 months and the females give birth to one offspring at a time. Both parents take care of their off spring, which stays with them until chased away. Fathers antelopes takes the responsibility of chasing the elder son off the territory and the mothers run off the daughters. The males have horns about 3 inches long.
Bao Bao Tree is another precious gift of the Tsavo West Park. This tree differs from other trees that we know. Elephantine in size, nest for several birds and hive for bee colonies, is also the pride of Tsavo West. It is said to have the longest life span. It lives more than thousands of years.
Tsavo West is also a place where nature shrouds the secret of the harshest history of slave trade in secrecy. In the middle of nowhere at Tsavo West one will come across a scorched earth surrounded by bushes. According to our guide Rubin, this land-- the Arab Camp-- had been once used by Arab traders as a temporary slave camp. This was a place where slaves were encamped before they were taken into their destination via African Ports.
'Poachers Look Out' is another fascinating hilly point in Kenya. It is a vantage point where one sees the grace and greatness of Kilimanjaro. If one gets the chance to be in this 'Poachers Look Out,' one will be amazed by the secret of nature. Once, this 'Poachers Lookout' 'had been used by hunters for looking over their prey. However now, thanks to the growing tourism industry and strict measures of the Kenyan government, there is no wild animal that turns a soft target to poachers. Rather the lookout has now become the spot point where rangers hunt poachers. If one happens to get there in the morning, one will notice the giant Kilimanjaro mountain surrounded by thick clouds that appear as if sacrificing something to it. If one observes the same mountain at dusk, one will discover the moon playing a hide and seek game with observers at the back side of the giant mountain. The glittering color of the moon together with the thick clouds will add extra beauty to the mountain.
The Maasai people are the jewels on the crown of Kenyan tourism. They form a tribe that dwells in parts of Tanzania and Kenya. They are daredevils. Maasai men herd cattle and carry spears to protect their cattle from wild-animals such as lions. The Massai are easily recognizable by the special red cloth they wear. It is called Shuka. Massai are a nomadic people who relay on animals for their meals. They trek for many miles with their animals in search of fresh food and water. Bartering with some Massie people engaged in different activities, they get all the other foods they need. Maasai men herd cattle and carry spears to protect their cattle from wild animals such as lions. The Massai, though cattle herders they have also significant role in modern Kenya. They are the pride of Kenya. One sees them in markets trading their artifacts or, in resorts guarding tourists and visitors from wild beasts.
During my brief stay in Kenya I have observed how the Massai attach great value to their culture . Their attachment to their red cloth and spear is very strong. For a Massai warrior the red cloth he puts on is not only a means of covering his body, it is also an emblem of courage and heroism. When a Massie is well attired in his Shuka, conditioned, no wild animal (including a lion) dares to provoke him. This is what one of the Massaie men who escort me into my lodging assured me. For the same purpose he had put on the red cloth.
The memorable time in Diani:

Diani Beach is a beach resort on the Indian Ocean at Kenya's coast, found some kilometers south of Mombasa. Diani has a relaxing weather. The white sand and palm trees along Diani Beach have a lasting impression on a city-boy like me. Believe me I am not exaggerating thing. I saw it was on movies beaches or oceans.That was why, when I found myself on Diani Beach and saw the Indian Ocean at a close range, I was jumping and shouting like a baby. Can you imagine what it feels like for a person who grew up in a landlocked country? Wow..! I can't tell you the ecstasy watching an acrobatic dolphin making a somersault in front of the boat, I was aboard. The experience on the Wasini island and Kisite national park and the smell of the ocean.... still all arefresh in my mind.
During my sojourn in Kenya, I was also impressed by the reading culture of Kenyans. Their reading culture is very much striking. One can see a taxi or minibus driver or a tour operator reading a newspaper in his car. I had witnessed them how eager they were to read the daily English newspapers published in Kenya. I had also observed posts that promote reading. Wow..! what a culture?
The speed limit in public transport is another thing that left its imprint on my mind. Within those short but memorable days, I had observed a “80Kmph” sign put up on the back of public service giving vehicles. This sign prohibits drivers from going beyond the speed limit. If a driver attempts to drive beyond this speed limit, 'a beep' sound will alarm him to drive slowly. If he refused to do so, the apparatus attached to the car will not let him go any further. This speed limit apparatus is used as a black box to traffics or any other authority that deals with transportation. What a luck? How lucky Kenyan passengers are? Can you imagine what would happen if this system is practiced in Ethiopia?I am dead sure this system will minimize traffic accidents? This is specially true for those crazy and irresponsible minibus taxi drivers.
Observing things in the park I asked myself “Who is beast man or animal? “ During my stay in the Tsavo West park I had witnessed the harmonious relation of animals. I have seen how animals respect each other. Though they live in the bush, they have unwritten laws. Animals who live in the same kingdom respect the rights of others. They are also serious on “women's right”. I had observed that there is no harassment called rape, abduction or divorce in the animal kingdom. If a male animal falls in love with the female one it will show affection to its counterpart in different forms: The male may change the color of its body, or it will encircle the female in a fashionable way or it perform a wooing dance . If,rejected, the male would not attempt to rape the female. There are no such things among the animal kingdom.
Why tourists frequent Kenya?

Kenyans prove pastmasters in tourism. They know the potential of that particular sector. For that reason they are cautions in everything. They are always ready to fill gaps in the sector. During our game drive and even in the lodge, I had come across the names of newly married couples written by the feet of newly planted trees. As far as I am concerned, Kenya Tourism Board ,together with other stake holders, has given a special emphasis to the sector. They have confidence on their tour operators. The ethics of the tour guides, hotel managers and the guards in hotels and resorts is very laudable. As experienced experts, they run nice tourist destinations in Kenya. Be it in Tsavo or in Kisite or Mombasa, they know how to tell story. They are expert of the aquatic and the bush life.