17/04/2023
Holidaying in Voi, Taita Taveta!
Well, well, well… This might particularly be for December but it is not limited to the merry month.
I have ‘eaten’ a good chunk of Christmases around. YES! eaten.
I have traveled to a good number of jaw-dropping sites and local destinations.
I have woken up in a few comfy beds to watch the sun, rise and pierce through sheers.
I have munched sets of English breakfast, gobbled wholesome African Buffets, dined and wined in a couple of local gate-aways.
I have had a set of bites and enjoyed some delicacies in regional restaurants.
I have had a couple of cool dives in some refreshing pools in this semi-arid bit of KE.
I have danced (..a lie) and drunk(…a little)… some nights away in a couple of undisclosed locations locally.
I have attended a couple of functions and ‘festivals’, - much of them holiday-themed
– AND perhaps my modest experiences, so far, give me a little authority-kadogo tu- to empty a commentary on this subject- at least from a regional perspective.
If you may…, Allow me.
So here are my 2 cents- or maybe 10- I hope you scroll to the end.
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For insiders- well, maybe you have already explored all that there is to explore.
If so, I wouldn’t mind your takes or recommendations.
For outsiders- come with me.
So, Voi, or Taita at large is that ka-town or ka-zone in between Nairobi and Mombasa that people hardly think is in coast- ... Naam! ..., si’ ni wa Pwani pia!
Most of you, either on your way down to Mombasa, simply bypass it, some make involuntary stop-overs juu Mash East Africa ltd na Modern Coast husimama Voi, where-as some barely notice it. -AT ALL.
Smh!
OR- at least, to some, not only until we mention Tsavo, does the region ring a bell.
Yap! Even though Tsavo covers over 60 percent of the local landmass, Voi- Taita Taveta Takes great pride in hosting Tsavo- not the other way round- Wink.
Given the reputation of Tsavo, by default it makes this a destination town/region-or so, …I would think.
But is it really?
Speaking of tourism, destinations and parks, while many Kenyans and foreigners might still have a penchant for Maasai Mara and the Amboselis’, it’s time they added Tsavo, AND THE REGION, into their bucket list.
I advocate.
Even though I have had fantastic game drives in both wings, I am yet to exhaust the sites. And still’ It’s nothing short of a marvel.
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I might not have enough pages to document all there is within the great Tsavo East or Tsavo west National parks but trust you me-in the simplest terms it ought to be a-must-visit.
But then, what better way to answer WHY TSAVO than a recommendation by the 2022 Netflix special ‘OUR GREAT NATIONAL PARKS’ profoundly voiced by Obama himself.
Check it out and book your next tour ASAP!
Off the parks- Taita, aptly dubbed the Switzerland in Kenya, if not of Africa, given Its beauty akin to the Swiss landscape, has more to offer.
Ideally, If you desire a site-filled holiday, feel most welcome to explore a set of other zones, with their rich flora and fauna alike.
Still, I am yet to exhaust most but -these sites and spots are nothing short of marvels either.
Visit and snap the great crater lake Challa or risk a boat ride through the hippo-infested Lake Jipe.
Trek your way up to the beautiful Wesu peak and breathe in coast’s purest air atop Vuria hills.
Maneuver the enchanting Ngangao, hug the mother-tree and marvel at the rarity of the species abode.
Explore Kenyatta Caves and get face to face with the skulls of Dawida fore-fathers, among others.
Watch nature come alive. - but, careful, ...not to awaken the spirits.
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Allow me skip the rich socio-cultural history- just for today- But I kid you not- from the century-old churches and the mighty pre-colonial chiefs, the first flights and the World war battles, the rails and the man-eaters- and what-nots- every facet, to say the least- is intriguing.
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For starters, there are a few notable bodies or persons that can guide you to your desired destinations.
Broadly speaking, the big boys such Pollmans Tours and Safaris Ltd or BONFIRE ADVENTURES AND EVENTS of course have exclusive packages for the region. Got deep pockets?- check them out.
Voi Adventures a local tour company is increasingly becoming reputable in this niche. -Consider.
And even for Newbies such Nido Taxi AppTours – Why not?
Conveniently however, regional hotels and resorts are equally taking this up as part of their product line.
Thus, you can book stays as well as tours - as part of their packages either as complimentary or at an additional cost.
Two Oceans Travel, Vacani Travel, among others have been keen on taking this up.
Therefore, you can not only just stay but also feel free to explore the region in your next booking.
A morning or afternoon game-drive, won’t hurt your schedule.
Huh? I hope not.
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Where to stay...
Speaking of stays, they are quite a number of options, and a myriad of them litter the virtual booking sites e.g. Booking.com
Add referral bookings, complimented with the Airbnb craze, and you’ll surely get a good chunk at your disposal- all-year-round.
Sample a few and find out what suits, your staycation, getaway, honey-moon or that long-stay; Be it a contemporary establishment within the town centers, e.g. Two Oceans Hotel - voi or Taita Luxury Hotels in Wundanyi;
Be it an exciting establishment in the outskirts e.g. Voi’s Vacani Resort Mwatates’s Panlis Resort, Wundanyi’s Taita Rocks Hotel or Taveta’s Royal Luxury Apartments;
Be it the exquisite establishment adjacent to the parks- e.g. the Lion Hill Lodge, Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa, Voi Wildlife Lodge , and the Ngutuni’s;
Be it those exotic stops tucked right within the parks, Voi Safari Lodge, the Ashnil Aruba’s or the Saltlicks;
Be it hidden gems such as the Rugged Beulah Gardens Mbulia eco camp, the serene River Lumi Resort - Taveta or the unique Airbnb Tree House.(Search for it)
Be it the top-tier Exclusives e.g. The Hildana Lodge -s and the Lions Bluff Lodge, Tsavo, Kenya , the Finch Hattons… and so so so much more .... (Unsponsored mentions)
In summary, there is a whole basket of possible stays while in voi and Taita at large, consider a few options and make that booking ASAP.
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For those that I have sampled in the past- it’s been an experience, and the delicacies have been quite immaculate -to say the least.
I still do have a good chunk on my Wishlist- Feel free to share your recommendations and whys too.
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Form Je!? You may ask....
Now, ...Voi happens to be a chill town- in its most literal form. -Yaani imetulia. - tuli (see, told y'all 'si ni wa Pwani pia)
So, Yes, Voi and the region at large isn't a party spot or hyper-activity zone.- Per se!
At least not yet, even though there a couple of honorable mentions.
The region’s nightlife has been a sore, but we make do with what's available.
Gradually, the party lights have dimmed and the disco sounds have faded ever since the days of Club X-tacy, Club Lapaz & Rosewood Hotel AndGrill in their glory days.
- Pascal Jnr uli-left na form?
The recent efforts by Club’s Le-Grande, Angolo Lounge, Shalex Club Voi, Club RnB and the likes,- they evidently still call for more push.
As far as activities and ‘festivals’ are concerned, well, it is a pretty-dead end - or let’s say a dyeing area.
Whereas other zones merry and rave over sets of festivals with local and international A-List artistes gracing those occasions on and off-season, organizers and performers tend to make a delicate tread over here.- most usually get shots, shots, shots- to the head.
On the bright side though, a few commendable concepts continue to be tested but still- they have lacked oomph- Malaika Festival, TwenzetuTsavo, Tsavo Colour Marathon, Taita Cultural Night, etcetera- just to mention but a few.
Is it a low-ticket purchasing power scaring off organizers, could it be a mind-set thing, Or- am I simply just getting old and getting out of touch- na ground?
Yawa!
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Sports tourism as an effort to compliment the scene is commendable but perhaps it’s yet to solidify too.
Madoka Half Marathon was for the books- But was that page turned forever?
The Ndovu Run, Tsavo Run, and Lately Sagalla Hills Marathon have been interesting -But could these be over-riding concepts?
I know not.
Thumbs up! however to the initiators.-Resuccistate & Keep them up!.
Admittedly, Ruger-in-Voi is practically moons away.
Nyege Nyege Fest is still a long shot- but that shouldn’t stop you from coming- (Wink)!
So, Yap! Come One, Come All, but here is a disclaimer, you can consider holiday-ing in voi, Taita but don’t prioritize partying in your list of to-dos’ at least not just yet.
Unless there is some secret underground fest in the thickets of Mbololo, Werugha and Dembwa that am yet to discover.
Anyone?
Overall, holiday-ers bear different personalities and as a result, depending on which lens you use, you could see these as limited options or at least you could spot a couple of limited editions worth exploring.
I hope you Tour Taita Taveta
Photos: Predominantly Courtesy...
