Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas Mavericks Marries Long-time Girlfriend in Kenya

Published in the North Dallas Gazette  

Dirk Nowitzki and Jessica Olsson tied the knot in Olsson’s native country of Kenya. The African themed wedding is reported to have taken place last weekend. The couple also plans to wed again in Nowitzki’s native home country of Germany. The two have been engaged since Valentine’s Day of this year. Nowitzki is an all-time scoring lead for the Mavericks team, and was 2011 MVP for NBA Finals where Dallas beat the Miami Heat. Before being with Olsson, Dirk was in a tumultuous relationship with Cristal Taylor.

“”Jessica is probably the best thing that happened to me this year. After the incidents in 2009, I never thought that I was so quickly on what can engage new. She is a great woman, smart and intelligent. Now let’s see just how that develops over time with us. It feels great in any case; we wait for what will come of it,” Nowitzki said of his new wife in an interview with ballerswives.com last year.” 

A Million Wildebeest Are About to Storm Through Kenya. Be There.

Published in Conde Nast Traveler Online

WINDOW SEAT

The ground looks empty in this aerial photo, but at the end of July 1.3 million wildebeest, 360,000 Thompson’s gazelle, 190,000 zebra will be crossing the Mara River en route to the grasslands of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. The exact timing of the annual wildebeest migration, a 300-mile round trip, can vary according to rain patterns. But generally the great herds remain in the Mara ecosystem, which also includes the northernmost portion of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, until early October when thunderheads on the horizon and the promise of fresh grass lures the grazers south again towards the southern Serengeti where the wildebeest calve en masse toward the end of January. 

The great migration dates to the 1960s, when the vaccination of cattle against rinderpest reduced the incidence of the disease among wild herbivores and led to a population explosion. The Mara River is the setting for the migration’s biggest drama. In July, herds mass on the southern bank waiting for the first lone animal to take the plunge, emboldening the rest to follow. Huge crocodiles lie in wait, while lions and leopards stalk the undergrowth of both banks waiting for easy pickings. Throughout the summer smaller herds cross and re-cross the Mara River and its tributaries following instinct and mysterious climate signals.

Back in the 1960s and '70s, travelers followed the herds by staying in mobile tented camps set up by private guides. These days the trend is toward ever more luxurious fixed lodging (check out the trips designed by our Condé Nast Traveler–vetted Africa specialists). Also, new website Safarious.com is offering a meeting place for wildlife enthusiasts and professional guides for hire and hosts many galleries and blogs great for nature travel research.

If you’re thinking about a river-crossing-themed migration safari, know that it’s not for the impatient or the queasy. Herds can linger by the river for days before one animal dares to take the plunge. So as not to spook the wildebeest, your guide will park the game-viewing vehicle at a distance from the bank, and in high season safari vehicles can line up for hours like spectators along a football field. Flies abound, and food is so plentiful that lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as scavenging hyena, often don’t bother to finish a carcass. When I was in the northern Serengeti last fall, half-eaten wildebeest corpses lay everywhere. The spectacle is a dream for photographers, but can be extremely disturbing to children. I’ll never forget the sights and sounds of my first migration safari: a huge male lion ambushing a wildebeest just as it was about to leap into the river; the plaintive bleating of a young wildebeest that had broken a leg and gotten separated from its mother; a black funnel in the sky that turned out to be hundreds of vultures circling a sandbank where more than 40 drowned wildebeest provided a banquet for crocodiles.

At Kenya's High-end Safari Camps, Civilized Living is the Name of the Game

Published in Travel Weekly 

By Felicity Long

The days when travelers had to choose between luxury and safari adventure are long gone, thanks to a surge in popularity of high-end camps in Africa that cater to clients looking for both.

This season, the Kenya Tourist Board is trumpeting a handful of posh properties that not only offer upscale, tented accommodations but are also strategically located in the path of the Great Migration, which takes place annually from July through October. The migration refers to the mass movement of some 2 million zebra, wildebeest and gazelle from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

The Royal Mara Safari Lodge, for example, situated along the migration route in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, features eight riverfront suites with carved furnishings, canvas walls and terraces from which guests can view wild game as well as guided game drives.

The 40-tent Kichwa Tembo Camp, also in the Maasai Mara, is best known for having housed Robert Redford and Meryl Streep during the filming of "Out of Africa." Features include a swimming pool, a fine-dining restaurant and safari guides.

Travelers looking for an even more remote experience can try Little Governor’s Camp, which features 17 tents with wooden decks and verandas for optimum game viewing. Bear in mind that access to the camp is by boat across the Mara River and an escorted hike through the Riverine Forest in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Finally, the Kicheche Mara Camp offers eight tents, including triple and quad tents for families, in the Acacia Valley in Mara North Conservancy, all with views of the Olare Orok stream.

For rates and camp amenities, visit the Kenya Tourist Board at www.magicalkenya.com and, above all, don’t forget your camera.

Around the World in 80 Desserts

Published in the Daily Meal 

Mandazi (Kenya)

What are mandazi? Mandazi are a common pastry throughout East Africa that are typically served with tea and coffee. Though less sweet than typical Western donuts, mandazi are often infused with spices and topped with powdered sugar.

Where to try mandazi: Tusks Restaurant and Terrace, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Nanyuki, Kenya

Top 5 Places to Stay During the Great Migration

Published in Examiner.com

Top 5 places to stay during the Great Migration in Kenya

This month, travelers can once again watch in awe during one of the greatest animal shows on Earth, the Great Migration. Each year, from July through October, millions of zebra, wildebeest, and Thomson's Gazelle venture from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park to Kenya's sprawling Maasai Mara National Reserve, making way for one of the most amazing natural spectacles in the world.
Kenya offers a host of options for viewing this annual wonder. From the supreme luxury of Kichwa Tembo Camp to the intimate safari experience of Little Governor's Camp, and the world-class safari drives at the Kicheche Mara Camp, Kenya boasts a myriad of accommodations ideal for game viewing.

Here is a roundup of five fantastic properties that put you in the midst of the Great Migration:

1. THE CLASSIC SAFARI ESCAPE – Royal Mara Safari Lodge
Situated directly on the wildebeest "Great Migration" route, near two world famous wildebeest migration Mara River crossing points, including the popular Hippo Bend Lagoon, the Royal Mara Safari Lodge is ideal for an unforgettable safari experience. With eight intricately carved riverfront suites, Royal Mara offers a blend of the classic tented safari camp with all the amenities of a lodge. For more information, visit www.royalmara.com.

2. THE ‘OUT OF AFRICA' EXPERIENCE – Kichwa Tembo Camp
Located in the heart of the Maasai Mara, this 40-tent luxury camp is ideal for first time travelers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Made famous by Robert Redford and Meryl Streep who stayed here while filming ‘Out of Africa,' Kichwa Tembo Camp features a swimming pool, fine-dining restaurant, and specialist guides fully equipped to offer guests an exhilarating safari experience. For more information, visit www.kichwatembo.com.

3. THE INTIMATE GETAWAY – Little Governor's Camp
With just 17 luxury en-suite tents tucked around a large watering hole, Little Governor's Camp offers travelers a friendly respite for game viewing. The camp is reachable by boat across the Mara River and a quick escorted walk through the Riverine Forest. Its recently renovated guest tents feature beautiful wooden decks with large verandahs, ideal for constant game viewing around the camp. For more information, visit www.governorscamp.com.

4. THE HEART OF AFRICA – Mara Serena Safari Lodge
The Mara Serena Safari Lodge offers a ringside seat to the Great Migration. Set high on a bush-cloaked hill with sprawling views of the savannah and the hippo-filled Mara River, it stands centre-stage to one of Africa's most dramatic wildlife arenas. The lodge features 74 traditionally Maasai-decorated rooms, a swimming pool, bar, and a restaurant. For more information, visitwww.serenahotels.com.

5. THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S PARADISE – Kicheche Mara Camp
Hidden in a beautiful acacia valley overlooking the Olare Orok stream, Kicheche Mara Camp features eight stunning luxury tents amidst serene surroundings. Renowned for its excellent food and guides, the camp is very popular with photographers, especially during the Great Migration season. For more information, visit www.kicheche.com.

The Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) is an organization representing Kenya's public and private tourism sectors. The KTB is charged with the responsibility of marketing and promoting Kenya as a preferred tourist destination internationally, while encouraging development of Kenya's domestic tourist market. The KTB fosters quality service and sustained excellence of tourist facilities and amenities. In addition, the KTB works with national and regional authorities to ensure protection of the environment and wildlife, and also works closely with various relevant organizations to promote quality of service and excellence. The Board members are representatives of Kenya's various tourism organizations, including Kenya's Ministry of Tourism, Kenya Association of Tour Operators, Kenya Association of Travel Agents, Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers, Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Airways. The KTB is headquartered in Nairobi and has U.S. offices in Los Angeles and New York. For more information, visit www.MagicalKenya.com.

Kenya Tourist Board Lists Top Places for Great Migration

Published in Travelpulse.com

Kenya Tourist Board Lists Top Places for Great Migration

The Kenya Tourist Board released a list of what it calls “The Top Five Places to Stay During the Great Migration in Kenya.” The Great Migration, which takes place on the Serengeti plains across both Kenya and Tanzania, takes place each year from July through October, and is widely acknowledged to be one of the most spectacular displays of wildlife anywhere in the world.

Millions of zebra, wildebeest, and antelope travel from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park to Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve following the seasonal growth of fresh grasses, and they are in turn followed by the predators, such as the lions, leopards and cheetahs.

Kenya tourism selected five of a great many wilderness lodges from which visitors may witness the Great Migration. For the “Classic Safari Escape,” it suggests the Royal Mara Safari Lodge on the path of the migration, near two major wildebeest crossing points at the Mara River. The property comprises eight intricately carved riverfront suites and offers a blend of the classic tented safari camp with all the amenities of a lodge.

For the “Out of Africa” experience, Kenya Tourism recommends Kichwa Tembo Camp, a 40-tent luxury camp in the heart of the Maasai Mara. It was the headquarters of Robert Redford and Meryl Streep during the filming of “Out of Africa.” It has a swimming pool, fine-dining restaurant, and specialist guides.

For an “Intimate Getaway,” there is Little Governor's Camp, with 17 luxury en-suite tents around a large watering hole and accessible by boat across the Mara River and an escorted walk through the Riverine Forest. Its recently renovated guest tents have wooden decks with large verandahs, ideal for constant game viewing around the camp.

The “Heart of Africa” selection is Mara Serena Safari Lodge, which is set high on a hill over the savannah and the Mara River. It has 74 rooms with Maasai decorations, a swimming pool, bar and a restaurant. And the “Photographer’s Paradise” is the Kicheche Mara Camp in an acacia valley overlooking the Olare Orok stream. It has eight luxury tents in a serene setting.

The Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) is an organization representing Kenya's public and private tourism sectors. The KTB is charged with the responsibility of marketing and promoting Kenya as a preferred tourist destination internationally, while encouraging development of Kenya's domestic tourist market.

For more information on Africa, visit Sell Africa Travel.