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Hallo;
Welcome to this issue of the Menengai Holidays Travel
Bulletin
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Publisher: Menengai Holidays Ltd
Editor:
Daniel Njaga
Feedback:
bulletin@menengaiholidays.com
Website: http://www.menengaiholidays.com
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December 2005
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The Menengai Holidays Travel Bulletin is a monthly
newsletter on topical travel highlights, events and titbits to
keep our clients and potential clients updated on travel,
environmental and social landscape in Kenya and the rest of East
Africa.
In this issue, we focus on the controversy dogging the proposed
translocation of wildlife to Thailand. What began as an
innocent offer by Kenya government has grown into a monster
attracting all shades of opposition from interest groups in
Kenya and abroad. But why now, when there are so many examples
of species exchange internationally? Read on.
Should you, for any reason, not wish to receive further editions
of this bulletin, kindly follow the unsubscribe details at the
end.
Wishing you an enlightened and fulfilling travel always.
Verbatim from our clients:
“…Thank you again for such a great holiday for us both,
and the trouble you took to please us. We have returned
refreshed and with memories of wonderful and purposeful
moments...” Martyn and Pili, UK; November 2005
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In this edition:
i.
Animal Sale to Thailand Stopped by Court
ii.
Celebrating Domestic Tourism
iii.
Hundreds Turn up for Free Park Entry Offer
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Animal Sale to Thailand Stopped by Court
Perhaps no other “conservation” initiative has attracted as much
controversy in recent history in East Africa. A project that
started innocently as a conservation extension service to the
world has attracted so much adverse publicity to a point of
being ridiculous. It has recently culminated to the intervention
of the Kenyan High Court, which has stopped the government’s
proposed sale of about 175 wild animals to stock a Thailand zoo.
The court decision was announced on 21st December
2005 in response to an application by two conservation groups
who argued that the proposed animal sale is a violation of
conservation treaties and national laws that grant such mandate
to the Kenya Wildlife Service – rather than the government.
Earlier in the year, the government sent a team of officers from
the KWS to study the conditions of the proposed zoo after the
Thai government requested Kenya’s assistance in stocking the zoo
with different species of wildlife for education and tourism.
The KWS team is reported to have certified suitability of the
zoo and recommended the said translocation. It is then the
matter came to public limelight thence igniting fierce
controversy and spirited opposition from animal welfare movement
whose clout in the country is significant.
Is it right to give or sell Kenya’s wildlife to another country
Critiques feel its wrong and must not be done at all. They argue
that Kenya’s wildlife is its sole heritage and giving it away at
whatever price is wrong since it’s an invaluable resource. They
further cite Thailand as a country not very famous for upholding
the rights of animals and the fact that zoos are no longer
morally acceptable forms of “conservation”. Hence, to give away
animals to a zoo undermines animal rights and welfare.
Supporters of the translocation, on the other hand, view this
opposition as sheer mischief. They cite the many species
introduced all over the world and even those in Kenya from other
countries as an example species exchange without which modern
conservation is unthinkable. In Kenya alone we have white rhinos
in Lake Nakuru National Park, chimpanzees in Sweet Waters
Sanctuary in Laikipia; Pygmy Hippos at the Nairobi Safari Walk
and many others that are not indigenous to the country.
On the question of welfare, the translocation proponents argue
that most of these animals would end up dying here of drought,
predation or even poaching through the rampant bush meat trade.
Yet, animals in a zoo a more cushioned against natural vagaries
and for which reason they even tend to outlive their
counterparts in the natural environment.
Well, conservation has no single answer and we appreciate all
these arguments as long as they are in good faith and meant to
further the cause of conservation. We would be happy to hear
comments from our readers.
info@menengaiholidays.com
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Celebrating Domestic Tourism
The Kenyan tourist is not that bad after all. According to
recent statistics by the Kenya Tourism Board, Kenyan visitors
are averagely better spenders than their counterparts from
foreign countries.
We celebrate this great news and call on Kenyans to tour their
country even more. This does not only inspire pride and
patriotism but also promotes national integration while
improving general awareness.
We welcome our Kenyan readers to sample what we offer as
domestic tourism packages and promise our total commitment to
assist Kenyans explore their very beautiful country. This month
we hosted the Mustard Group, an organisation of family groups in
Nairobi and Kiambu, to a visit to Tsavo West National Park and
Amboseli. This is was their response after the visit:
“..We liked everything that we saw and especially the Mzima
Springs… we must go back, perhaps to the same place, next
year...”
Contact us for any inquiries on our services and forthcoming
domestic tourism packages.
http://www.menengaiholidays.com/contactus
(See related story below)
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Hundred Throng Parks at Independence Anniversary
In line with its previous practice, which has won public
support, the Kenya government offered free entry to national
parks to Kenya residents for three days running to commemorate
independence anniversary on 12th December.
As expected, hundreds of Kenyans turned up and visited the
national parks in all parts of the country. Most affected was
the Nairobi Safari Walk (and Animal Orphanage) in Nairobi and
Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha, perhaps because vehicles
are not a must to enter; and given that vehicle requirement is a
genuine handicap to majority of the population.
That notwithstanding, the turn up in all national parks from
Kenyan residents was very high even among the upper classes who
can afford to drive into the parks supposedly even without free
entry offers.
When I witnessed the long queues of motorists waiting to enter
Nairobi National Park, the question that immediately came to
mind was “why now?” To a Kenyan, entrance fee is not a major or
even a significant component of a park visit budget as it is
only 100 Kenya Shillings. It was therefore surprising that free
entry offer would have been that attractive.
So why do we flock to national parks when entrance is free? Does
that imply that 100 shillings is the reason why we do not
ordinarily visit national parks? Or is it a mere impulse and
allure of “free” things.
Any comments out there?
We fully support the government’s effort to endear people to
their national parks, and the fact that Kenyan people are the
ultimate custodians of national parks. However, we expect to see
more Kenyans visiting parks and reserves and not just when it is
free to do so. Kenyans must learn to pay a little price to see
and appreciate their own heritage so that we can free
conservation from external dependence at whose mercy it
currently is.
Send us your comments
info@menengaiholidays.com
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Last Word
We are happy to share with our readers and friends that we adorn
a new website. Log on
http://www.menengaiholidays.com and let us hear your
comments.
To arrive at this design we incorporated views from readers,
clients and friends who are the focal point of everything we do.
We thank all those who commented on our previous website and
offered very helpful proposals. Some ideas are still under
implementation and will be complete by end of this month.
The website is our primary window of interaction with the world
and we shall constantly review the contents and design to ensure
we remain trendy, informative and lovely as always.
Merry Christmas…!!
Menengai Holidays thanks all our customers, friends and readers
for continued support and useful comments on our services and
products. We wish you all a merry Christmas and a prosperous new
year.
Our offices remain closed from 24th December 2005 to
2nd January 2006 and look forward to continuous
partnerships and mutual growth.
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Who we are
Menengai Holidays Ltd is a tours and safaris firm with
headquarters in Nairobi offering general and specialised study
tours packages to the increasing number of East African visitors
with specific travel needs.
To view our different packages, go to:
http://www.menengaiholidys.com/packages
We also offer booking services for hotels, car rentals and
flights for all your destinations in East Africa.
Verbatim from our clients:
We got home safely. Our trip to Kenya was great
experience… We liked every place we visited, even more
than we would have expected; especially your beautiful
landscape and the chance we got to meet and chart with
many peoples… many kisses from Spain!”
Cristina, Gloria and Maria, Spain; November 2005
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Bon Voyage!
We wish you a safe and wonderful travel in our beautiful country
and elsewhere. Always choose Kenya as your first choice
travel destination and let us show you the rest.
Note:
Comments on this bulletin most welcome. Send them to:
bulletin@menengaiholidays.com
Copyright 2005 Menengai Holidays
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