My Nairobi – Luxury Travel Blog

Luxury, to me, is not just fancy hotels or comfort food. It’s also about authentic experiences, local immersion, and cultural understanding. It’s an opportunity to connect with people and places on a deeper level. It’s about exploring local cultures, understanding how people live, and gaining insight into different ways of life. It’s about connecting with the world, not just indulging in it. It’s about traveling with a curious mind and an open heart, discovering hidden gems, meeting fascinating people, creating unforgettable memories, and achieving personal growth. My MBA trip to Nairobi, Kenya, earlier this year, was one such.

Educational experience

Despite my age, I am very grateful to have been accepted into the prestigious MBA program at Bayes Business School. This trip was truly amazing and transformative. Part of this experience and this course was the Global Business Week in Nairobi, where we had to go to the capital of Kenya, split into groups, get assigned to companies, and work on a project. It was my first time in Kenya and Africa, and the experience opened my eyes to new cultures and perspectives.

You may wonder how spending long hours working alongside international students and local businesses can be considered a luxury. However, the privilege of seeing firsthand in Nairobi, beyond the tourist attractions, the opportunity to learn and experience different cultures, to work in real world environments in a completely different environment, to be exposed and out of our safe box, and to build. lasting relationships have been amazing.

Fly, land, check, repeat

When I arrived in Nairobi, I knew this was going to be a unique experience, even though I had traveled a lot over the years. The endless lines at passport control, customs, and baggage claim were a stark contrast to my usual travels. It took more than an hour and a half to navigate this system. Although everything eventually worked out, the pace was undeniably slow.

I often think… is it a luxury to avoid these lines and distance yourself from reality, or is it about immersing yourself in the authentic experience of a place and its people? The wait wasn’t fun, it just took time. Fortunately, the airport provided free and reliable Wi-Fi, allowing me to stay connected during my layover.

After navigating through the airport and officially entering Kenya, we were met by a waiting car ready to take us to our hotel. When we arrived at night, tired and hungry, seeing the welcome of our driver was a much needed relief. We chose the expressway, a more efficient way to get through town, and made a late night pit stop for pizza before checking into our hotel after midnight. Local help was a big help during this time, and from the beginning, I found the Kenyans to be kind and helpful.

The Golden Tulip Westlands Nairobi, a luxury 4-star hotel conveniently located in Westlands, was our chosen accommodation. Despite our late arrival, the hotel staff were incredibly helpful and efficient, checking us in quickly and getting us settled in our comfortable rooms. One of my favorite things to do at night and early in the morning was to enjoy a drink or a fresh Kenyan coffee on the rooftop, looking at the beautiful city view and the big African sky.

Acquaintance

Our first day in Nairobi was a tour of some of the city’s historic landmarks and cultural experiences. We started the morning at KICC, a tall skyscraper that offers panoramic views of the city. As we climbed to the rooftop, we were treated to a stunning 360-degree view, stretching from the city center to Nairobi National Park.

From the top of the KICC, we descend to the Giraffe Centre, a unique sanctuary dedicated to the endangered Rothschild giraffe. We were lucky enough to get up close and personal with these gentle giants, feeding them at high altitude and learning about the conservation center’s efforts. After our encounter with the giraffes, we indulged in a quick lunch at the Galleria Mall and a little souvenir shopping experience.

We continued our cultural tour to the Bomas of Kenya. This vibrant cultural center showcases the rich diversity of Kenya’s ethnic groups through captivating dance and musical performances. The energetic concerts transported us to different regions of the country, right in the heart of Kenyan culture.

Consulting projects

On Monday morning, after a delicious breakfast, we started our company tour, each group heading to a different part of Nairobi. This gave us a glimpse into the daily lives of the city’s residents and the various industries that drive its economy.

Although the teams had the opportunity to work with many promising companies, including Knights & Apps, Afristec, Mdundo, Fort School, My Shamba Digital, and Timao, I was especially lucky to be placed with Pazurina Holiday Homes. The company specializes in developing holiday homes in the coastal area of ​​Diani Beach, near Mombasa. The project aims to develop a comprehensive strategy to promote holiday homes to both Kenyans living abroad and international buyers. Given the global popularity of holiday homes in various locations, the aim was to position Diani Beach as a great investment opportunity and sought-after holiday destination. Working closely with local professionals, I have gained valuable insight into the challenges and aspirations of the real estate and holiday industry in Kenya. In addition, due to my many years of experience in the tourism industry and seeing the negative effects of poorly planned tourism development in many places around the world, this project renewed my interest in sustainable development. It reinforced my belief that only through environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices can we ensure a positive impact on the local community and the environment.

Not just business, and pleasure!

While the tour’s main focus is education, Nairobi’s nightlife offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation and entertainment. We visited the lively Alchemist Bar, a unique combination of food trucks, restaurants, and entertainment. A must visit for its live music, atmosphere, and nightlife. For a deeper experience, try the Hero Bar on the 9th Floor of the Trademark Hotel, famous for its creative cocktails, delicious finger food, and amazing city views. This hidden gem, ranked #62 in the World’s 50 Best Bars, was chosen for the Bayes Alumni night in Nairobi.

For local comfort, About Thyme offers a tranquil garden setting and delicious food. A lush, multi-level garden, decorated with fairy lights and candles, creates a truly magical ambiance. An absolute must visit! Finally, Carnivore is an open-air restaurant that offers a variety of meats. The restaurant specializes in an all-you-can-eat meat buffet, featuring classic cuts and exotic offerings such as ostrich and alligator. The meal started with a welcome drink of Dawa, a refreshing local alcoholic drink.

Did someone say “safari”?

And you thought we were done? Not really! No visit to Nairobi is complete without a safari adventure in Nairobi National Park. This unique park is the only one in the world within city limits.

Imagine this: a day spent in a 4×4 vehicle, chasing lions and other wild animals. Every activity is designed to capture the best picture, especially of the lions, the undisputed stars of any African safari. The thrill of a close encounter with a lion, roaming the park, is an unforgettable experience. Although they may not pay much attention to you, it’s probably better that way!

Nairobi National Park offers amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, including lions, zebras, hippos, ostriches, and a variety of other animals, but not all of the Big 5 (lion, tiger, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo). Despite this, the Park remains an important place for wildlife, a constant challenge to balance urban life with nature, as shown by the large Chinese-built Mombasa railway that crosses the park on a bridge to facilitate the movement of large animals.

Nairobi: It’s over

Time flies, and it was already time to go home. I was glad to be back in London, again with a wider perspective, exposed to completely different experiences. I tried to make the most of each moment, as I believe that experiences alone are worthless unless we learn from them and use them in our lives.

I still think about the busy streets of Nairobi, the big African sky, late at night working on the roof of a hotel as the city sleeps, the delicious food, the warm and welcoming people, the busy Sunday morning churches we drove through. , the African jungle and the excitement of the safari, the bright colors of the traditional costumes, and the catchy rhythm of the music.

As I look forward to my future endeavors, whether as a student, professional, or just a traveler, I realize once again how lucky and grateful I am for the privilege of being immersed in new cultures and places. An amazing opportunity to grow, learn, and appreciate the diversity and beauty of the world.

Dimitrios Athanasopoulos

Dimitrios Athanasopoulos is Director of Good Advocacy. Fine Representation is a London-based boutique and independent representation and consultancy agency for travel and tourism related brands. If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog to raise your profile, please contact us.