Supporting Conservation and Local Tourism CABINET SECRETARY FOR EAST AFRICAN AFFAIRS, COMMERCE AND TOURISM VISITS OLPEJETA CONSERVANCY By Victoria Nyamunga April 2014: Olpejeta House, one of the two Serena Hotels’ properties in Nanyuki (Olpejeta Conservancy) had the pleasure of hosting the Hon. Phyllis Kandie- who is the Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism. Hon. Kandie was on a visit that saw her inspect some of the conservation projects undertaken by the Olpejeta Conservancy. The Cabinet Secretary applauded the exceptional efforts being made to protect endangered wildlife in Kenya. She visited “Sudan”- one of the northern white rhinos and noted that even though the Ol Pejeta Conservancy may be doing it best to ensure 24hour protection for this endangered rhino species, Kenyans and the World at large still had a personal responsibility to conserve wildlife and nature. In her statement to the team present, the Cabinet Secretary made a rallying call to the rest of the world to visit Kenya. “Kenya is a peaceful and one of the most beautiful countries in sub-Saharan Africa” she said. Her message to Kenyans was simple, “this is our heritage, let’s get out there and enjoy it in all beauty and glory. Tembea Kenya.” The Cabinet Secretary also made a call to Kenyans to continue supporting local tourism. Serena Hotels support this call noting that tourism is no longer the second largest source of foreign exchange revenue and thus the urgent need for local tourism support. Whilst the Kenya Tourism Board for instance may be responsible for maintaining information pertaining to tourism and marketing Kenya as a tourist destination Kenyans must first support the Kenyan economy and promote its rich heritage. According to Serena Hotels, a large proportion of Kenya's tourism focuses on safaris and tours of its great National Parks and Game Reserves. And whilst most tourists do visit for safari the country has so much more to offer in its beautiful sceneries, national parks, game reserves, conservancies and basically- its national heritage. Kenyans are urged to consider incorporating holiday plans into New Year resolutions for instance- and noted that this will ensure people plan and budget for holidays, and more so take advantage of the competitive holiday offers for a chance to explore some of Kenya’s magical destinations. For Serena Hotels, the local market currently contributes up to 30% of its business and this can increase if Kenyans actually purposed to travel locally. One way that local travel has now been made easier is by innovative payment plans such as its “Lipa Pole Pole” plan that allows clients pay for holidays to local destinations for up to 14 days before travel. The group further noted for instance that the trend in travel now indicates that local tourism booms at certain periods of the year only such as Easter holidays and the Christmas period which are basically the peak travel period and generally most expensive, and encouraged Kenyans to take advantage of the low seasons in the tourism industry which are April all through to end of June; and even the shoulder season which is November through to 20th December- because these periods traditionally have the industry offering the most affordable travel rates possible. Notably is that organizations such as Serena Hotels and other industry players have presented the Kenyan market and the rest of the world with a varied travel and holiday product portfolio and competitive rates to ensure accessibility- why not take advantage and help boost the economy? ENDS… MANAGEMENT For more information contact Serena Hotels at: Tel +254 20 2842000/ 284233; Fax +254 20 2718102 Reservations Email: [email protected]; Website: www.serenahotels.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/serenahotels; Twitter: www.twitter.com/serenahotels; Blog: www.theserenaexperience.com More information: The Ol Pejeta House was once the exclusive ranch house of multi-millionaire Adnan Khashoggi. This is where one of the World’s largest bed lies. Adnan Khashoggi, a Saudi billionaire had the bed built for him and his wife, though his wife lived in a separate room with a similarly larger than life bed. Unbridled opulence greets you as you enter the house. The polished wood and vanity mirrors lie breathtakingly across the rooms. The large glass doors open to a well- manicured compound with a swimming pool so blue that you simply cannot resist the freshness of the wild around you. Extravagance echoes throughout the house to the best that money can buy in furnishings and fittings. Set in extensive grounds, with glorious views of Mount Kenya, this opulent mansion features a series of reception rooms, including an elegant drawing room with baronial fireplace and a series of scenic verandas, which extend right around the house. The imposing dining room is served by its own dedicated chef and kitchens, and menus can be tailored exactly to suit guests' wishes. Accommodation includes a private guest cottage, two master suites and two guest bedrooms while the grounds include two private swimming pools and a barbeque and external dining area. The central Rhino Restaurant is housed in the former manager's house of this once colonial farm, and offers both regional and international cuisine. Also within the house is the Kashoggi Bar and lounge, which centers on a blazing log fire. The Waterhole Bar, built in the style of a game- viewing hide, overlooks the waterhole and offers unrivalled wildlife-watching. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which is host to all the members of the ‘Big Five', has a higher wildlife-to-area ratio than any Kenyan National Park and is one of only four private game conservancies to have been founded in Kenya. The conservancy boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and only recently hit the 100 mark in black rhinos. The conservancy also plays host to the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya, and shelters large numbers of rare and endangered species. What’s more? Over 300 species of birds can be found here! The Sanctuary: The 4,000 hectare Ol Pejeta Conservancy is home to the only Chimpanzee sanctuary in the country and houses endangered species such as the Grevy Zebra, Jackson’s Hartebeest and Spotted Hyenas. Home to 42 Chimpanzees that have been rescued in the past from the hands of captors who only kept them as pets and exposed them to the danger of animal trafficking, this conservancy also plays home to the black and white rhinos. Getting There: Olpejeta House, stand at the center of the 110,000-acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy- which lies on the Laikipia plains. This is a mere 17 kilometers from Nakuru and 217 kilometers from Nairobi. Road transfers from Nairobi take approximately 2-3 hours and a mere 45minute flight from Nairobi- landing at the private airstrip. Activities: Try out the guided nature and bird walks, day and night game drives, camel rides, lion tracking, bush breakfast at the hippo hide, safari sundowners, bush barbeque, dinner at the elephant swamp, visits to the Olpejeta information center and visits to the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Guests can also enjoy guided mountain bike safaris around the Olpejeta Conservancy and canoeing at the Ewaso Nyiro- all planned and coordinated by Rift Valley Adventures. Tourism Promotion Services (TPS) owns and operates Serena Hotels, a collection of 24 up- market hotels, safari lodges, resorts and camps. These are located in some of the most exquisite and prime locations in East Africa which are strategically selected to offer exciting circuits for our clients in Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda and Mozambique, and 11 other are located in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. The Serena Hotels service profile offers unprecedented comfort, amenities, warmth and personal attention. .