My Nairobi – Luxury Travel Blog

Luxury, to me, is not just about fancy hotels or fancy restaurants. It’s also about authentic experiences, local immersion, and cultural understanding. It’s a chance to connect with people and places on a deeper level. It’s about exploring the local culture, getting to know people’s way of life, and gaining insight into different ways of life. It’s about connecting with the world, not just enjoying it. It’s about traveling with a curious mind and an open heart, discovering hidden gems, meeting amazing people, making unforgettable memories, and achieving personal growth. The MBA trip to Nairobi, Kenya, earlier this year, was one adventure.

Educational experience

Despite my age, I am extremely grateful to have been accepted into the prestigious MBA program at Bayes Business School. This journey has been incredible and transformative. Part of this experience and this course was the International Business Week in Nairobi, where we had to travel to the capital of Kenya, split into groups, assigned companies, and work on projects. It was the first time in Kenya and Africa, and the experience has opened my eyes to new cultures and perspectives.

You may wonder how spending countless hours working with international students and local businesses can be considered a luxury. However, it is a privilege to experience Nairobi first hand, beyond the typical tourist attractions, the opportunity to learn about and from different cultures, work in real settings in very different environments, look and get out of the safe box, and build. Lasting relationship has been an amazing experience.

Fly, land, check, repeat

The moment I landed in Nairobi, I knew it would be a unique experience, despite having traveled extensively over the years. The endless queues at passport control, customs, and baggage claim were a stark contrast to my travels. It took more than half an hour to navigate through the process. While everything eventually works out, the pace is undeniably slower.

I often wonder… is luxury about avoiding those queues and detaching yourself from reality, or about immersing yourself in an authentic experience of a place and its people? Waiting is not fun, it just takes time. Fortunately, the airport offers free and reliable Wi-Fi, allowing me to stay connected during my downtime.

After navigating the airport and officially entering Kenya, we were greeted by a waiting car ready to whisk us to our hotel. Arriving late at night, tired and hungry, the welcoming sight of our driver was the relief we needed. We chose the freeway, a more efficient way to cross the city, and made a late night pit stop for pizza before checking into our hotel past midnight. Local help proved to be very helpful this time, and from the beginning, I found Kenyans to be kind and helpful.

Golden Tulip Westlands Nairobi, a premium 4-star hotel located in Westlands, is the chosen accommodation. Despite our late arrival, the hotel staff was incredibly helpful and efficient, quickly checking us in and getting us settled in our comfortable room. One of my favorite pastimes at night and in the morning is drinking or sipping fresh Kenyan coffee on the roof, taking in the beautiful view of the city and the vast African sky.

Familiar

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

From the heights of KICC, we descended to the Giraffe Centre, a unique sanctuary dedicated to the endangered Rothschild giraffe. We had the privilege of getting up close and personal with these gentle giants, feeding them from a raised platform and learning about the center’s conservation efforts. After meeting the giraffes, we indulged in a quick lunch at the Galleria Mall and a little souvenir shopping experience.

We continue our cultural journey to the Bomas of Kenya. This vibrant cultural center showcases Kenya’s ethnic diversity through exquisite dance and musical performances. The energetic show takes us to different parts of the country, in the middle of Kenyan culture.

Consulting project

On Monday morning, after a hearty breakfast, we started our company visit, each group going to a different suburb of Nairobi. It provides us with a glimpse into the daily lives of the city’s inhabitants and the various industries that drive the economy.

While the group had the opportunity to work with various promising companies, including Knights & Apps, Afristec, Mdundo, Fort School, My Shamba Digital, and Timao, I was very happy to be included in Pazurina Holiday Homes. The company is focused on developing holiday homes in the growing coastal destination of Diani Beach, near Mombasa. The project aims to develop a comprehensive strategy to promote holiday homes to Kenyans living abroad and international buyers. Due to the global popularity of holiday homes in various destinations, our aim is to position Diani Beach as an attractive investment opportunity and desirable holiday destination. By working closely with local professionals, I gained valuable insight into the challenges and aspirations of the Kenyan real estate and holiday industry. In addition, with many years of experience in the travel industry and witnessing the negative impacts of unplanned tourism development in many places around the world, this project drew my attention to sustainable development. This reinforces my belief that only through environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices can we ensure a positive impact on local communities and the natural environment.

It’s not just business, it’s fun too!

While the main focus of the trip is education, Nairobi’s lively nightlife provides plenty of opportunities for relaxation and fun. We visited the lively Alchemist Bar, a unique combination of food trucks, restaurants, and entertainment. It’s a must-visit for its live music, local atmosphere, and late-night camaraderie. For a more intimate experience, try the Hero Bar on the 9th Floor of the Trademark Hotel, known for its innovative cocktails, delicious finger food, and stunning views of the city. This hidden gem, ranked #62 in the World’s 50 Best Bars, was chosen for the Bayes Alumni night in Nairobi.

For a taste of local luxury, About Thyme offers a tranquil garden setting and delicious cuisine. The lush, multi-level garden, decorated with fairy lights and candles, creates a magical atmosphere. It is an absolute must-visit! At the very least, Carnivore is a great open-air restaurant that offers a wide variety of meats. The restaurant specializes in all-you-can-eat meat buffets, featuring classic cuts and exotic offerings like ostrich and crocodile. The meal starts with Dawa drinks, a refreshing local drink.

Did someone say “safari”?

And you think we’re done? Inadequate! No visit to Nairobi is complete without a safari adventure in Nairobi National Park. This unique park is the only one in the world located within city limits.

Picture this: a day using a 4×4 vehicle, chasing lions and other wildlife. The whole experience is designed to capture the perfect picture, especially the lion, the undisputed star of the African safari. The sensation of meeting a lion, lazing around in the park, is an unforgettable experience. Even if he ignores you, it might be better that way!

Nairobi National Park offers incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, including lions, zebras, hippos, ostriches, and a variety of other animals, but not all of the Big 5 (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and African buffalo). Despite this, the Park remains an important wildlife refuge, a constant challenge to balance urban life with nature, as shown by the Chinese-built Mombasa Railway that crosses the park on a bridge to facilitate the movement of large animals.

Nairobi: Wrapped up

Time flew by, and it was time to go home. I am glad to be back in London, once again with a broader perspective, having had a different experience. I try to make the most of every moment, because I believe that experiences are meaningless unless we learn from them and apply them to our lives.

I still remember the busy streets of Nairobi, the vast African sky, the nights working on hotel roofs while the city slept, the taste of the food, the warm and friendly people, the bustling Sunday morning churches. , the African bush and the joy of the safari, the vibrant colors of the traditional costumes, and the soothing rhythm of the music.

As I look forward to my future adventures, as a student, professional, or just a traveler, I realize once again how lucky and grateful I am for the privilege of immersing myself in a new culture and environment. This is an incredible opportunity to grow, learn, and appreciate the diversity and beauty of the world.

Dimitrios Athanasopoulos

Dimitrios Athanasopoulos is the Director of Fine Representation. Fine Representation is a London-based boutique and independent representation and consultancy agency for fine travel and travel brands. If you would like to be a guest blogger on the Luxury Travel Blog to enhance your profile, please contact us.