Innehållsförteckning för Issue 181 - Oct-Nov 2023 från Msafiri

The world is changing… something the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's Now Generation Network (NGN) witnessed at the Ibrahim Governance Weekend in Nairobi back in April. The NGN is a coalition of African experts, practitioners and advocates committed to moving the development agenda forward. A pan-African network with members from all 54 African countries, it represents various sectors and disciplines. Almost 90 delegates, representing the best and brightest from across the African continent, discussed, debated and had frank conversations with world leaders in Nairobi – and unanimously agreed that the world is changing and, with it, Africa's place in the world. Thousands of delegates were in attendance, representing the global north and east, America, Europe, and emerging economies too. Think tanks, philanthropic organisations, multilateral institutions, religious institutions, private and public business organisations…

1 NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK Witness the astonishing sight of wildlife roaming against a city skyline backdrop. Home to 100 mammal species, including cheetah, giraffe, leopard, lion and zebra, this unique park captures the essence of the African savannah in an urban oasis. 2 NAIROBI NATIONAL MUSEUM Embark on a journey through Kenyan history, art and culture. From ancient artefacts to contemporary art, this museum unveils the nation's story through captivating exhibits, starting with the Cradle of Humankind Gallery. 3 DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST Operating the world's most famous orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust offers visitors a chance to watch dedicated caretakers tend to the young animals. At the Langata Giraffe Centre, meanwhile, you can connect with wildlife by hand-feeding Rothschild giraffes from an elevated…

Guess where… Once the capital of the country, this coastal city is famed for its fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and white sandy beaches. Founded around AD 900, it became a key trading centre with spices and gold among its exports. Travellers entering the city will pass under these impressive elephant tusks, which were constructed to honour the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952. But which KQ destination is it? TURN TO PAGE 80 FOR THE ANSWER…

Kenya Airways and Delta Air Lines (DL) have expanded their strategic codeshare partnership with the inclusion of KQ's nonstop Nairobi to New York service, the only nonstop flight from East Africa to the States. The agreement also offers customers additional travel options within the US and Canada to 57 cities and Africa to more than 31 destinations. Tickets will be available to purchase from kenya-airways. com as well as through trade and corporate channels, including travel agencies. As well as enjoying the benefit of having the most direct route and wider connectivity options between KQ and DL operated flights, frequent flyer customers of Kenya Airways’ Asante Rewards or Delta's Sky Miles programmes will also earn miles on the services. Commenting on the expanded codeshare, Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways CEO and…

network * Flights commence 21 November 2023 This issue: Tallest statues 1 STATUE OF UNITY, INDIA Near Kevadia in Gujarat stands the world's tallest statue, at a staggering 182m high. Depicting statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai patel – the iron man of india – it stands even taller if you include the 58m-high base. its construction was a colossal undertaking, taking five years and costing more than US$400m. 2 SPRING TEMPLE BUDHA, CHINA China's tallest - and the world's second tallst - statue resides in Zhaocun, Henan. Coming in at 153m high, the Vaircana Buddha is reported to contain alloy and 1500 tones of steel. The diamond seat below it comprises 6666 smaller buddhas. 3 VIRGIN OF THE MAS RILLIER, FRANCE While not the tallest statue in Europe (Russia takes that claim), La…

skyteam SkyTeam has launched a series of carefully curated Spotify playlists to put you on cloud nine as you cross our global network. Whether you're looking to unwind in one of SkyTeam's 750 airport lounges or chill at altitude, SkyTeam has selected a soundtrack for every step of your journey featuring some of the best tunes for travel. Each playlist features 20 tracks thoughtfully compiled by SkyTeam's globetrotting travel experts. PLAYLIST HIGHLIGHTS ● Born to Fly – Take a trip down memory lane with this list of classic rock, jazz and pop featuring iconic songs to inspire your inner wanderlust. Upbeat tunes include ELO's ‘Mr Blue Sky’, John Denver's ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ and ‘The Passenger’ by Iggy Pop. ● Cloud Surfing – This laidback, eclectic mix of indie…

1 EXPLORE THE GRAND PALACE AND WAT PHRA KAEW Embark on a cultural journey by visiting the iconic Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). Admire the intricate architecture and stunning mosaics that reflect Thailand's rich history and spirituality. 2 WANDER THROUGH CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET With over 8000 stalls, you can find everything here from clothing to handicrafts and delicious street food. 3 CRUISE THE CHAO PHRAYA RIVER Take a leisurely boat ride along the Chao Phraya River to admire the city's stunning skyline and historic landmarks. You can also visit various cultural sites located along the riverbanks. 4 EXPERIENCE THE FLOATING MARKETS Visit traditional floating markets like Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa where boats sell everything from fresh produce and handicrafts to Thai treats. 5 INDULGE…

“I would move here,” gushes my new friend Adhis. “Cape Town is such a pretty city.” There's a dreamy glint in her eye, as she draws in a deep breath as though trying to sniff the view into her very bloodstream. It is dawn and we are on a scooter tour up Table Mountain, watching the sun inch up the sky as the city's lights start to go off one by one. Cape Town has that effect on people. The city will seduce you so skilfully that, before you know it, you've extended your stay for two weeks. GETTING YOUR BEARINGS ¢APE tOWN IS EASY TO NAVIGATE. sANDWICHED BETWEEN MOUNTAINS AND THE SEA, ARTISTS HAVE WAXED POETIC OVER THE VIEWS. lION'S HEAD GREETS YOU AS YOU DRIVE IN FROM THE…

Celebrating 5 years of flights to New York 1 TIMES SQUARE Neon wonderland Times Square, often referred to as ‘The Crossroads of the World’, is a microcosm of New York's vibrant energy. The dazzling lights, gigantic digital billboards and bustling crowds create an electric atmosphere that encapsulates the city's dynamic spirit. Standing at the heart of Times Square is the TKTS booth, where you can secure discounted tickets to Broadway shows on the same day. It's a perfect opportunity to catch a performance that evening and dive headfirst into the city's artistic ethos. The ball drop on New Year's Eve, a globally recognised tradition, turns Times Square into a symphony of lights and celebration. 2 CENTRAL PARK: VERDANT HE ART OF MANHATTAN Central Park offers respite from the city's pulsating street life.…

TANZANIA few things jolt you more abruptly from a midday siesta than the rumble of an elephant's stomach – particularly if you open your eyes to find the culprit barely a trunk's reach away. Before dozing off in the deck chair outside my tent, I remember watching a lone male impala browsing along the lakeshore. There had also been two buffalo in the lake itself, egrets squatting on their backs like snagged laundry. The tents at Lake Manze Camp in Nyerere National Park – first stop on my 10-day fly-in safari of Southern Tanzania – were spread out along a path, and mine was at the far end, a dozen or so paces from the water's edge. The elephants had appeared almost silently. Not a single crack-of-twig between them. It…

Kenya's national carrier has reported an operating profit of Ksh998m (US$6.8m) for the first half of 2023, the first time the airline has been in the black for six years – a 120% improvement from the loss of Ksh5bn reported in the same period in 2022 – reaffirming its recovery progress. The group's revenue grew by 56% to Ksh75bn compared to the same period last year. Passenger numbers rose by 43% to 2.3 million. As a consequence of increased activity, operating costs grew by 40%. However, gross profit increased by 131%. During this period, the company mainly focused on improving the customer experience, operational excellence and cash conservation. The airline also exploited opportunities to raise much-needed revenue through passenger charters and rampedup scheduled operations. Other initiatives undertaken included partnerships with…

Wetland ecosystems cover a small percentage of the earth's surface, yet they are critical to life support systems and host 40 per cent of the world's biodiversity. Healthy wetlands can help solve global challenges such as climate change, human health, biodiversity and water security, yet they are often overlooked in national planning. Q WHAT ARE WETLANDS? The two general categories of wetland are inland and coastal wetlands. Inland wetlands are most common on floodplains along rivers (riparian wetlands); in isolated depressions surrounded by dry land; along the margins of lakes and ponds, and in other low-lying areas. Coastal wetlands are linked to estuaries where seawater meets freshwater. Mangroves have adapted to this environment. Q WHAT DOES WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL EAST AFRICA DO? We are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation and…

ZANDILE NDHLOVU Q Did you always have a love for the ocean growing up? I grew up in Soweto, a township in South Africa that's nowhere near the ocean. I was about 12 the first time I saw the sea while visiting my mother's side of the family in the Eastern Cape. Even then, as we frolicked in the shallows, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what lived underneath. Later in 2016 when I was 28, I was going through a hard time and ended up on a trip to Bali where I went on my first ever snorkelling experience on a whim. I jumped into the water and started freaking out, screaming, ‘I'm drowning! I'm drowning!’ because I didn't know how to swim. As soon as…

Kenya Airways has unveiled a newlook website to provide visitors with the ultimate user-friendly experience, including improved navigation and functionalities. Developed and designed with the customer in mind, the website has introduced features that will ensure guests can easily navigate and use the website with ample information as they make their bookings and searches. Some of the new features include: ● Histogram functionality – this will provide price visibility during the early stage of the booking process, giving customers insights on preferable travel periods and prices. ● Deals discovery – the ability to find exclusive deals, offers and premium services to enhance a customer's travel experience. ● Travel requirements pop-up – information on the travel requirements for selected destination/s. ● New online check-in features – a faster check-in process, an informative…

KQ's Ramp Services department has welcomed four e-tow trucks, as the airline looks to implement a faster and more efficient baggage delivery process. The acquisition is part of a wider plan to switch from fuelpowered to all-electric trucks. Tony Gathogo, head of Ramp Services, said sustainability remained core to the airline's purpose and that this was the beginning of more such investments. The e-trucks are expected to save on fuel costs, reduce KQ's carbon footprint and DREAM LINER COMPONENT DEAL SIGNED Kenya Airways and Lufthansa Technik have signed a long-term contract for the supply of aircraft components for the airline's long-haul Boeing 787-8 fleet. The deal enables KQ to receive proven total component support from the maintenance, repair and overhaul specialist until 2028. It will also give the airline access…

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER SCIENCE FICTION Directed by James Cameron and written by James Cameron, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, Avatar: The Way of Water is an American epic science fiction film. Starring Sam Worthington as Jake Sully alongside Zoe Saldana as Neytiri. Several years after the Na'vi repelled the RDA invasion, Jake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the extrasolar moon Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na'vi in a race to protect their home. It's been 13 years since the release of the first Avatar film. Are you ready to return to Pandora? DID YOU KNOW? Kate Winslet performed all of her underwater stunts herself and she broke Tom…