|||MAG||| August 30 - Sept 05, 2008

If the picturesque beauty of expansive greenery intrigues you and you crave for a relaxing yet highly adventurous leisure trip that would serve as a perfect interlude from the gruelling work schedule back at home then Nairobi is definitely the place to be. t was the streak of adventure and my undying curiosity that compelled me to embark upon this journey towards Africa. Though I was apprehensive of the mugging that goes on in that region especially at night and the horrific stories regarding it, I decided to take a chance and hence bundled up my baggage and kids to fly to the land of the wild, which by the way, is a fully developed cosmopolitan city now. The capital of Kenya, Nairobi is a modern city with all the amenities a metropolis has to offer, yet it has a very strong wild vein running right through it that brings it closer to nature as only minutes away from its bustling centre, one could see wildlife making its potent presence felt. The very spectacle brings home the fact that this very piece of land - perhaps a very long time ago, before any settlements - was once verdant woodland, home to many feral species. Coming from the scorching heat of Karachi, I found Nairobi to be a vivacious, attractive and pleasantly landscaped city that mirrors the modern African urban life and can be visited any time since it enjoys a moderate weather all year round. Staying with a close relative made it easier for us to move around and enjoy the various fun places at a safer time. Yes, it is true that one cannot enjoy nightlife in the city. It is not one of those places where you can party hard long after darkness has fallen. There is always this danger of being robbed even if the car stops at a signal. We were forewarned not to wear any gold jewellery or expensive ornaments while making it to various scenic sites. It is dangerous for the foreigners and I must say that the tall and lanky local inhabitants do seem threatening. The first place to visit once you are in the city is the national park, just a twenty-minute ride away from the hub. I was highly mesmerized by its beauty and it sure got my kids utterly excited. Here, different environments are created for different species that inhabit the place such as a highland and riverside forest, deep rocky valleys, gorges with shrubs and man-made dams. The park has an amazing birdlife. It makes you wonder how vast the exquisite beauty of nature is. The rhino sanctuary is another delight. Here, one can behold a black rhino loitering blissfully with high-rise buildings in the backdrop. Definitely a rare sight. There are many more animals, most of which we do not see in our homeland such as giraffes, lions, wildebeest, gazelle, leopard and baboons to name a few. Our next stop was the snake park situated within the compound of the Nairobi National Museum. Creepy crawlies might tickle your spine and make you feel uneasy but this is one place you shouldn’t miss. Here you can see the lethal reptiles such as cobras, puff-adders, mambas and pythons all under one roof. For those who have never seen a snake, long and slimy, utterly treacherous, this is an amazing sight and a very scary one too. The place also has crocodiles, alligators, tortoises, some species of lizards and many more reptiles. Have you seen giraffes from close quarters or fed them with your own hands? If not, then you must not miss the Giraffe Centre. Built on one of the preserved natural forests, here we get the opportunity to see the friendly, tall creatures welcoming ardent viewers. But beware, they are not all that amiable for if you turn around without realizing how close the giraffe is, he might hit you with his long neck, giving you a nasty blow. Coming from the one who actually experienced it, I must tell you it is extremely painful and the numbness would remain for days at stretch. If you haven’t had enough of the wildlife then gear up for a real excursion that will thrill you to the core. 390 kilometres away from Nairobi is a vast plain that is one of the biggest sanctuaries for wild animals - the Masai Mara National Reserve. It takes about six hours to reach this place that is simply outstanding. One passes through the Rift valley while driving to Mara, the vast crevice that stretches from Jordan to Mozambique. A continental fault, it is the longest valley in the world with a series of fresh water and soda-based volcanic lakes. It’s a real jungle out here with a breathtaking array of life. Here the great herds of shuffling elephants browse among the rich tree-studded grasslands with an occasional sighting of a solitary and ill-tempered rhinoceros. Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, topi and eland offer a rich choice of food for the dominant predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah, which hunt in this pristine wilderness. In the Mara River, hippos submerge at the approach of a vehicle only to surface seconds later to snort and grumble their displeasure. Seemingly drowsy crocodiles sunbathe on the river banks, mouth agape, waiting with subtle slyness for prey at which to pounce with lightning swiftness. One may also see baboons, giraffes, water buffaloes, ostriches, monkeys, hares, hartebeest, spotted hyenas, various species of birds, porcupines and many more animals. One can stay in the comfortable lodges across the Mara River and take safari trips across the reserve with a guide who would make it worth every penny for you. When I stayed at one of the lodges, I was woken one morning at the crack of dawn by the constant loud thumping. The floor seemed to be shaking and I thought it’s an earthquake only to see that it was actually a herd of wild elephants rushing by our lodge. I was awestruck by the amazing spectacle and a bit scared as well I must admit. I was told by our guide that each year the Mara plays host to the world’s greatest natural view, the mass Wildebeest and zebra migration from the Serengeti plains. It is the foremost attraction as from July to October, the promise of rain and fresh life brings more than a million Wildebeest together into a single massive herd. They pour across the border into the Mara, making an amazing entrance in a surging column of life that stretches from horizon to horizon. At the Mara River they mass together on the banks before finally plunging forward through the raging waters, creating frenzy as they fight against swift currents and waiting crocodiles. Many die as well while crossing the river. They do not come alone but bring with them the predators that follow the herd. If one goes to Kenya, then do reserve a couple of days for a stay at Mara. It will be your life’s best experience leaving an everlasting imprint on mind. History buffs should not miss the National Museum. It changes the image that we have of Africa, mostly created by the Hollywood movies, and makes one realize that this region has actually enjoyed some very vibrant yesteryears. Here one finds prehistoric relics, tribal cultural artifacts, Kenyan history and nature exhibits all under one roof. The museum that also houses botanic gardens tells vivid stories of human evolution and history. Nairobi is not much of a shopperís paradise. In fact it will be a waste of money to shop from the city unless you want to buy some souvenirs such as intricately carved wooden spoons, wall hangings et cetra. There are many shopping malls but they are very expensive and do not offer anything that you might not find at a lesser price back home. If you are looking for a shopping spree as well take the flight back via Dubai, that’s the only way you can satiate your spirit to spend. Yes, one thing that you must buy is the tea. Original Kenyan tea is amazing. If you have time and want to make the most of your vacation head towards the coastal city of Mombasa as well and enjoy its beautiful white sandy beaches and coral reef. Our trip to Kenya not only proved to be extremely exciting and enjoyable but highly informative as well. The fear that we had about the cities of Africa wore off once we settled down. Whatever stories are conjured up about the crimes in the continent are not altogether false, but travelling to this land is not at all a tough ride. It’s an exhilarating experience one should definitely have once in a lifetime.