Planning Travel Archive
Kenya’s Biggest Party Ever!
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Politics on August 23, 2010
The joy, exuberance and incredible hope spawned by last week’s election victories in Kenya is absolutely amazing! Get ready for the biggest party ever in Kenya!
The last few years have brought social and political transformations around the world but you would be hard pressed to find a more radical one than in Kenya.
Those [...]
Global Warming Hits Safaris
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Weather on August 17, 2010
A year ago we were waiting anxiously for the droughts across Africa to subside. Today the place is flooded.
Extreme climate is nothing new to Africa. But I’m ready to call it a reflection of global warming. And I think it should govern all plans for future safari travel.
I’m writing this as Pakistan [...]
Impenetrable Rides
Posted by jimheck in OnSafari, Planning Travel, Uganda on August 10, 2010
Particularly in Uganda where charter flying remains in its infancy, a comprehensive safari has to include long drives. Today we traveled from Ishasha to Bwindi.
Forget about asking me how many kilometers we had to travel; that’s useless. Consider that Alex calculated that for much of our safari from today on we were averaging [...]
‘NO’ for Violence in Kenya
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Politics, Safety on July 26, 2010
There’s going to be trouble in Kenya on August 4 and for a few days afterwards, but not as serious as in 2007. Continue on safari, but be vigilant.
A week from Wednesday Kenyans go to the polls for the first time since the violent election of December, 2007. This time they aren’t electing [...]
More Trouble for Uganda?
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Terrorism on July 14, 2010
Ugandan police gave indications, yesterday, that Al-Shabaab plans further bombings in Kampala next week during the OAU conference.
I imagine that several Heads of State who had planned to attend will not, now, or will greatly reduce their stay. In this regard, the Sunday bombings would have achieved their objectives, so further disruption wouldn’t be [...]
Bombings in Kampala
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Politics, Safety on July 12, 2010
More than 60 people were killed yesterday in two separate bomb attacks in Kampala, a signature Al-Qaeda attack. Curiously, the terrorist organization has not claimed responsibility.
I’ve increasingly written about Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda in Somalia, and their increasing power and influence in East Africa. With last week’s peaceful elections in the southern third of Somali [...]
On Safari: Homeward Bound
Posted by jimheck in OnSafari, Planning Travel on June 10, 2010
There’s no easy way to get home. You just have to grunt and bear it!
But before leaving Debbie enjoyed a final view out our dining area deck over Muhabura to the volcano Gahinga that she and the others had conquered the day before!
The electricity of having completed the trek and been so close to [...]
Catching your Insight in Nairobi
Posted by jimheck in Nairobi, OnSafari, Planning Travel on June 8, 2010
I have often recommended that people take some time to enjoy Nairobi’s attractions. Today, the Cronan family did just that.
After a final dawn game drive in the northern end of the reserve and a fine breakfast at Olonana, we fly back to Nairobi and the family headed to Karen.
Karen is the suburb outside Nairobi [...]
Overland to the Mathews
Posted by jimheck in Mathews Mountains, OnSafari, Planning Travel on June 3, 2010
It’s a shame that so many safaris just fly from place to place. They miss all the wonderful things we saw, today.
Admittedly the drive was longer than I or either of the camp staffs expected. We left Saruni around 8:30a and expected to be in our camp, Kitich, in the Mathews Mountains by [...]
Beautiful Saruni
Posted by jimheck in OnSafari, Planning Travel, Samburu on June 2, 2010
The new Chinese road has made travel from the Aberdare to Samburu easy, just like in the old days. More for less, again!
On the third day of our Cronan safari we left The Ark after a wonderful night which included sightings of all the regulars (lots, and lots, and lots of elephant; buffalo, hyaena, [...]
A Lovely May Safari
Posted by jimheck in Nairobi, OnSafari, Planning Travel on May 30, 2010
My Cronan Family Safari began on a brilliantly beautiful Sunday in Nairobi.
Father John (Cronan) had called my wife, Kathleen, while I was on the Great Migration Safari in March, and the vagaries of my own schedules, his as a very active scientist, and his children and sigoths meant that we had to “Do It!” right [...]
Kenya ‘Gets it’ too
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Politics, Safety on May 19, 2010
The Times Square Bomber says his radical Muslim cleric “gets it.” So does Kenya.
NPR reported this morning that Faisal Shahzad, the Times Square bomber, attributed his radicalization to Abdullah Al-Faisal, a convicted felon in the UK who Kenya recently deported to Jamaica.
I wrote earlier about the Al-Faisal controversy in Kenya and how Kenya stood [...]
The Flame Tree Road
Posted by jimheck in Culture, Economy, Planning Travel on May 17, 2010
Three years ago China started building roads all over Kenya, including an 8-line highway between Thika and Nairobi. It’s now 30 miles of 12 lanes!
(Stop! Yes, the Kenyan wilderness away from Nairobi is still beautiful and healthy. You still will find lions in the Kenyan wilderness. Not to worry, there.)
In the few [...]
iTravel Where?
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel on May 12, 2010
Last week Apple Computers filed a patent for a travel app called iTravel.
Where?
That’s something I’ve always wanted to know. I seem to be traveling so much these days if someone could just give me a device or an app for my other devices so that the first device knows where I misplaced the second [...]
Tears of Rain as Camping Ends
Posted by jimheck in Planning Travel, Tourism Trends on April 27, 2010
The ending of the recession and its accompanying surge in bookings are redefining the American safari travel market. One important change: luxury camping is OUT!
Yesterday I discussed how the market will evaluate permanent lodging, but it’s with some sadness that I conclude the era of camping might be over in East Africa.
And it might [...]