It all started with Uber.. When Uber launched in Nairobi, in January 2015, few imagined the impact they would have on how people move around. Taking a taxi in Nairobi used to be a dreadful…
AfroChic Diani – a hidden gem!
Diani, in South Coast offers a far less congested option compared to the crowded beaches in Nyali, north of Mombasa. While Diani also has a good couple of mass tourism “machines”, there is also a number…
Diani – Tourism in Kenya Coming of Age
The South Coast in Kenya, generally defined as anything south of Mombasa, offers a far less crowded alternative to the tourism machinery of the North Coast. Getting to the South Coast either means flying in to…
Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant
It had been 10 years since our last visit to Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant. Back then, in 2007, the place was a hidden, romantic, and generally unknown gem. Even most visitors to the South Coast hadn’t…
Balancing Act Africa about the Savanna Sunrise – HotelOga merger
SmartMonkeyTV, sister publication of the Balancing Act Africa newsletter has a new article about the Series A and the Savanna Sunrise – HotelOga merger today
Finansavisen front page!
Finansavisen is the number 2 business daily in Norway. Being on the front page there, obviously means you have done something remarkable. “Ledende på hotellbooking i Afrika” means Market leaders on hotel bookings in Africa. The…
[Pulse Live] HotelOga and Savanna Sunrise merge together to take on the world
https://www.pulselive.co.ke/bi/strategy/merger-and-acquisitions-exclusive-hoteloga-and-savana-sunrise-merge-together-to-take/pffc6x8
The rise and rise of Kenya’s infrastructure
Kenya – Africa’s infrastructure powerhouse Kenya’s ongoing infrastructure boom started with former President Mwai Kibaki. Grand projects like Thika Road, and the Northern, Eastern and Southern Bypasses in Nairobi, ushered in a national sense of yes-we-can. This has…
Police corruption in Africa
Police Corruption in Africa Police corruption exists in all countries. In some places, the vice is more prevalent than elsewhere, though. While all African countries have their fare share of dirty cops, the phenomenon manifests…
Kitagata Hot Springs
Located about an hour’s drive from Mbarara in Western Uganda, the Kitagata Hot Springs are an important local attraction of the region. I say “local”, because you won’t find a lot of foreign tourists there….
Obama in Kenya – State visit or second coming of Christ?
Kenya ecstatic about the great “homecoming” When I first moved to Kenya in 2002, the then Illinois State Senator Barack Obama was already a name in the news, before 90% of Americans had even heard about…
Kenya’s tourism: a shot in the arm.. and one in the foot!
As the tourism sector gets a long needed reprieve, the new e-visa rules snap defeat from the jaws of victory! On June 18th, the British government finally eased the travel advisory on most of the…
JKIA – secrets of a frequent traveler
Seven points to remember when traveling via JKIA Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi is undoubtedly one of the most modern and efficient airports in Sub-Saharan Africa. Recently expanded with the new Terminal 1A, the old parts of…
Immigration Dept: Analogue relics in a digital government
Upon getting elected, President Uhuru Kenyatta promised to bring “digital government” to Kenya. A key part of his ambition is to bring service delivery by the national government online, eliminating paper trails, and endless queues…
Al-Andalus and September 11th
Al-Andalus, Al Qaeda, and the historic symbolism of September 11th It has been 12 years since the tragic events of September 11th 2001. By striking at the heart of one of the greatest cities of…
Nigerian Police: Armed Beggars in Uniforms!
Nigeria is a fascinating country with a lot of potential. The country is much better than its reputation. The Nigeria Police is, if possible worse, though! One of the worst parts of life in Nigeria,…
Fire at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Nairobi
Wednesday August 7th 2013. All was set for my trip to Nairobi, my suitcases were packed, and I had set the alarm before getting a good night’s sleep. As always, I was looking forward to…
Lagos – Life in an African mega-city
Lagos is, by far, the biggest city in Sub-saharan Africa. With its 10+ million inhabitants, it eclipses Johannesburg, Nairobi and Addis Ababa, and is second only to Cairo on the African continent. It is one of…
Zambia’s new currency
Zambia: New Currency – Three zeros gone Being back in Zambia after almost 10 months felt really good. After all the travelling there last year, it is a country that I had really come to…
Benin City
Capital city of a defunct empire, sleeping in its own ashes Cities that have been around for a long time have an “atmosphere of old civilization” that you simply don’t find in younger cities. Even…
Lagos – Cash is still king!
Having relocated from Nairobi to Lagos in January 2013, I have settled down, and gotten more or less used to living here. Apartment, car, driver, etc., are already in place, and I dare commend my own…
Chinese Restaurants in Nairobi
Chinese Restaurants in Nairobi Unless you live in a cave, you have probably heard about the rising influence of China on the African continent. Over the past decade, Kenya has attracted significant attention, and substantial…
Konza Technology City
Konza Technology City, Nairobi Konza Technology City, dubbed “Africa’s Silicon Savannah”, some 60km from Nairobi, is one of the most publicized elements of Kenya’s Vision 2030. The US $10bn project aims to create a world-class…