Kahindo Karuga is a travel enthusiast who enjoys documenting the wonders of the natural world through photo and script. Follow his adventures on his creative venture SanaaStory
What’s on your 2020 travel bucket list?
I’ve had my eye on the little beautiful trinkets sprinkled all over Kenya. You know, those cozy cabins which no one tells you about but then show up on National Geographic. One of these is Rutundu Log Cabin on the slopes of Mt. Kenya by the shore of Lake Rutundu.
I also want to travel further North. The farthest I’ve been to is Samburu, so I do want to do a bit of camping in Marsabit and star-gazing in Turkana.
What travel lessons did you take out in 2019 and what do you hope to start doing/ do differently this year?
My biggest travel lesson in 2019 was surprisingly simple but I had to learn the hard way. Before travelling overseas, negotiate for a good rate at your bank and buy dollars at a favourable exchange rate. The rate on your visa card will lose you a lot of money at each transaction.
Hotels will hate my second travel lesson but it’s absolutely changed how I travel. I learnt to always book B&B whenever I can and not Full Board. The price per plate on buffet is always extravagant and it’s cheaper to do a la carte. Also, you get a chance to visit and explore different restaurants in town for lunch and dinner.
Third lesson and which I will carry in to this year, choose an airline and stick to it. When you start to accumulate your travel miles you get really good offers on subsequent trips as well as upgrades!
What’s your advice on achieving Work and Travel balance?
I’m fortunate to have my work involve a bit of travel so I capitalize on that. But I’d say there is no short-cut. The three principles are: Plan, Budget & Save. When you plan early you can get good offers on hotels or airlines; you are then able to get an estimate and set a budget for yourself and save towards it. Also, don’t be afraid to go at it alone whenever you can’t get a group of friends together or the schedules don’t coincide.
Favourite destinations in Kenya so far?
Mt. Kenya does it for me. I went there for the first time three years ago and I’ve been going back ever since. It’s an untouched mystery with stunning views. I’m also very much into game drives so Samburu with its vibrant and rare wildlife has a soft spot in my heart. The open savanna in the Mara is East Africa at its best. The night sky in Laikipia is like a dream. Another gem that isn’t explored enough is Kericho with its beautiful green landscapes.
What do you think will be Kenya’s / Africa’s favourite travel destinations this year?
Definitely Laikipia! It’s quickly becoming a favourite to a lot of Kenyans due to its accessibility and gourmet restaurants. The increase of Airbnbs has also made it a popular weekend get-away from the city.
When it comes to Africa, I’d rally behind Ghana. You go there once and fall in love forever. The vibrance, the food, the music and the warm hearted people will ignite your soul. Especially as an African.
Some of the travel highlights you had from your trips in 2019?
Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in California from San Francisco to Los Angeles was surreal. The road is by a cliff with the Pacific Ocean breaking beneath you and as the sun begins to set you are treated to a fantastic display of colours. It’s very cinematic.
I also enjoyed eating street food in India’s vegetarian city of Ahmedabad. Never before have I ever seen such a diverse array of street food, it was both impressive and delicious.
Last but not least, I got a chance to spend some nights aboard SS Queen Elizabeth, a retired cruise ship by Cunard that is currently docked in Dubai’s Port Rashid.
What are your five favourite accessories that you cannot leave behind during your travels?
- Earphones
- My cowboy hat
- A nice warm shuka
- Any African accessory I can get my hands on
- Sunglasses
What notable travel trends should people look out for in 2020?
Sustainable travel. Climate change is real and we should hold those in the travel industry accountable for sustaining the fauna, flora and cultural societies which they stand to profit from. This should include hotels/touring companies participating in proper conservation programs, supporting and cultivating vegetation and providing employment to the surrounding communities.
Your parting shot:
If I had only one breathe left to talk about travel, then I’d spend it to implore on all of us to take the sustenance of earth seriously.
‘Let travel be a positive transformation of the self & our planet’ – Stephanie Rafanelli, Conde Nast Traveller.
