experience to remember. Witness the varied cultural
heritage of Kenya and get the true taste of Africa.
The Kenya Tourism Week 
The Safari Rally
Ferodo ConcourD'elegance
The World Tourism Day usually marked on 27th
September annually by the World Tourism Organization,
(WTO) member countries in recognition of the important
role tourism plays in national economies is widely
celebrated in here in Kenya. Kenya as a member of WTO
observed the event for the first time in 1991 - the year that
was also designated by WTO as "The Year of African
Tourism". Since then, Kenya's private and public tourism
stakeholders celebrate this day a whole week, with a
climax of activities on 27th September. Members of the
public and visiting tourists are invited to join the tourism
fraternity in these events which include: special offers by
service providers, free trips to selected sites, dinner
parties, music extravaganzas, game park clean-up, tree
planting, and launching of new products among others.
Nairobi Airshow 
The Rhino Charge
Migration of Plains Game
Internation Camel Derby
KSPCA Shaggy DogShow Music & Food Festivals 
The Duogong Festival/Lamu Donkey Race This is an international event organised by World Motor
Sports Council based in Paris, through the Safari Rally
Kenya Ltd. It is held only in Kenya each year, previously
always during the Easter holiday but dates are now
proposed and confirmed by the Sports Council.
Interested rally drivers are invited from all over the world to
take part and they look for sponsorship from recognised
companies or individuals, in terms of provision of cars,
fueling, prizes,etc.
The rally covers 3,000 Km of challenging terrain through
scenic sites in Kenya whose route is assessed and
selected by the Sport council officials. It takes 4 - 5 days
of racing.
For more information, contact:
The Safari Rally (K) Ltd.
P.O Box 59483, Nairobi
Tel: 254 2 723144 / 7
Fax: 254 2 723147
Nairobi & Mombasa Carnivals Art Festivals
Ferodo Councours d'Elegance has become one of Kenya's
major annual events having begun 29 years ago. Held at
the Nairobi Race Course, which is approximately 10 km
from the city centre, the Concours is a vehicle beauty
contest which attracts a wide variety of cars and motor
cycles which are checked for their cleanliness and
condition. This event is gaining international status with
entries from countries like Mauritius, South Africa together
with our neighbouring East African countries.
The Alfa Romeo Owners Club (Kenya) are the organisers
of the Concours which attracts cars and motorcycles as
old as 1910 models. It is a closed event for the club
members although temporary membership is available to
any driver holding a current license. The cars are classified
into groups such as the "Vintage" which are made
between 1914 and December 1930. Those made before
the first World War fall in the "Veteran" class. This year's
event had the oldest machine, an Otto Speedster which
was made in Philadelphia in 1910. Other attractions were
a 1924 fiat, 1928 Ford Tudor, 1934 Railton ports cars,
1966 Mercedes Benz 250 SE among others. A 1922
Triumphed marked the last event of the Century as the
oldest motorcycle.
During this event there is also a classic sale, which is
open to any car of motorcycle made in 1974 or earlier,
regardless of the machines condition.
The Concour d'Elegance of the year 2004 marked 34 great
years of this great event sponsored by Alfa Romeo Owners
club. To mark the memorable event a team of judges start
assessing the cars on a ramp in front of the Racecourse
grand stands. This is followed by a thorough scrutiny of
the external finish, the interior and boot and the engine
compartment. The Motorcycles are also assessed in a
similar way.
Families and friends also enjoy a fun day at the Race
Course on this day. For the there are bouncing castles,
face painting, clowns and a magic show. There is also a
spectacular parachute drop by the Smirnoff Sky team.
Gala events featuring acrobats, dancers and models are
also part of the entertainment.
"fastest growing Air show in Africa". It is organized by the
Aero Club of East Africa and is a display of aircrafts, which
goes on through out the day with overseas participants
joining in. Funds raised are used for deserving Charities.
Some of the aircrafts displayed in this show are:
Landrover Hawker Hunter - Remarkably fast for it's 40
year old design, it exceeds the speed of sound and is
capable of 1,200 km per hour at sea level. It can reach the
40,000 feet cruising level of a Jumbo Jet in 6.6 minutes.
F- 5E 'TIGER' - Dubbed "Freedom Fighter", it is America's
and the world's leading export fighter aircraft. There are
over 1000 serving in Europe, the Middle East, South East
Asia and Africa. The aircraft has a maximum speed of 710
kts (1500 km/h), with a combat ceiling of 50,000 feet,
which are powered by two General Electric (GE-85) turbo
jet engines.
Pilatus PC 12 - Made in Switzerland, this is a large single
engine turboprop aircraft. The entire range of Pilatus are
renowned for their Swiss precision engineering and are
born from years of extensive testing and refinement to
ensure speed, range, economy and above all safety and
comfort. The aircraft's performance is impressive with
models flying to an altitude of 30,000 feet. Range is 2,250
nautical miles at a speed of 240 knots, while maximum
cruise speed is 270 knots.
Whisper Class - The de Havilland DASH 7 is seen but not
heard. It is used to transport Tourists, so vital to Kenya's
economy, in and out of Kenya's major Game Parks and
Reserves due to its low disturbance footprint as it passes,
this being a great bonus for noise sensitive wildlife. It has a
maximum take-off weight of 20 tonnes and is capable of
carrying up to 48 passengers. It is powered by four Pratt &
Whitney turbo prop engines each developing 1,120 ship
horse power with very impressive STOL (Short Take-off and
Landing) which enables it to land at short, rough airstrips.
Besides this display of aircraft there is also the Smirnoff
Aerobatic and Skydiving Teams who grace this event with
their spectacular colourful shows of their parachutes
emblazoned with the SMIRNOFF LOGO and jumps that
include a massive Kenya flag, streamer displays, canopy
stacking, colored smoke, linkups in free fall and much
more.
The event this year will be held on 26-28 November 2000,
at the Wilson Airport, Nairobi. This years show is dubbed “
the air show and aviation trade show”
For further on Nairobi Air Show information contact:
The Director,
Aero Club of East Africa,
Tel: 254 2 500693,501772, 502174
Fax: 254 2 607654
Email: aeroclub.ea@swiftkenya.com
Non Governmental Organisation called Rhino Ark Trust
which is committed to saving the endangered rhino
species in Kenya. It is an event composed of a great
mixture of professionalism, fun and family as participants
who plus the organisers and individuals or companies who
give support and sponsorship are committed to completing
Rhino Ark's project to fence the Aberdare region near the
Aberdare National Park. This is acclaimed both nationally
and internationally for showing the world how determined
Kenyans are to secure the future of the Aberdare
ecosystem - which is a biosphere reserve and National
Park.
Participants race through a trackless drive of over 200 sq.
km. Their plotted path is blocked by dense bush, rock
outcrops, luggas and ditches and after this hardship and
fun making drive, they will have raised enough funds to
support the Rhino Ark. There is a comprehensive set of
rules and regulations to ensure the safety of entrants and
spectators.
It is usually held during an agreed weekend (2 -3 days)
between June and September each year. Only 4WD
vehicles are allowed for use in this race.
For more information contact:
Rhino Ark Trust
P.O Box 63410, Nairobi
Tel: 254 2 742472 / 90
Fax: 254 2 748750
Email: rhinoark@triad.co.ke
Website: www.rhinoark.org
Mara National Reserve in the imagination. With a lemming-
like instinct, finally gelled into mass movement, the herds
gather in their hundreds of thousands on the withering
plains of the Serengeti to begin the long, streaming
journey northward following the scent of moisture and
green grass in the Mara. They arrive in July and August,
pouring over the Sand River and into the eastern side of
the reserve around Keekorok, gradually munching their
way westwards in a milling, unsettled mass and turning
south again in October. Never the most graceful of
animals, wildebeest play up to their appearance with
frolicsome, unpredictable behaviour, bucking like wild
horses, springing like jack-in-boxes, or suddenly sprinting
off through the herd for no apparent reason.
The Mara River is the biggest obstacle they come up
against. Heavy rains falling up on the Mau range where the
river rises can produce a sudden brown flood, which claims
thousands of animals as they try to cross. Like huge
sheep (they are, in fact, most closely related to goats), the
brainless masses swarm desperately to the banks and
plunge in. Many are fatally injured on rocks and fallen
branches; others are skewered by flailing legs and horns.
With every surge, more bodies bob to the surface and float
downstream. Heaps of bloated carcasses line banks,
injured and dying animals struggle mournfully in the mud;
vultures and marabou storks squat in glazed, postprandial
stupor.
The migration's full, cacophonous impact is awesomely
melodramatic - both on the plains where the multitudes
graze and cavort, and at the deadly river crossings. This
superabundance of meat accounts for the Mara's big lion
population. Through it all, the spotted hyenas scamper and
loiter like psychopathic sheep dogs. Half a million
wildebeest calves are born in January and February before
the migration; two out of three perish without returning to
the Serengeti.
event organised by the International Camel Race
Association. It is usually held during a weekend (Sat and
Sun), either in August or September at an agreed venue in
the Northern Region of Kenya, which is sunny and dry,
and a favourable climate for the camels.
The Camel Race is recognised not only as a serious
international sport and a great tourist attraction but also as
a positive way to create awareness of the rapid
encroachment in the desertification of Kenya. The route,
which runs through the Semi deserted regions, involves
different phases of the event where only professionals are
allowed to race at certain regions. The aim also is to
create a focal point in justifying and attracting interest in
better camel husbandry among the people of N.E Kenya
and to better understand the benefits that such camels
can bring to these desert and arid land inhabitants.
Interested parties are invited all over the world to look for
sponsorship and participate in the race. The event has the
blessing of the Ministry of Tourism and for many years
now has been rated among one of the world's events in the
"Year of African Tourism".
For more information contact:
The Chairman
International Camel Derby
P.O Box 47874, Nairobi
Tel: 254 2 241177, 727551/2/3
Fax: 254 2 575006
Email: makini@arcc.or.ke
Animals is the only animal welfare society caring for
domestic animals in Kenya. It has been in existence for
more than eighty years and during that time the Society
has grown and now has two branches and four sub-
stations, which they hope to expand.
37 years ago they held their first Shaggy Dog Show which
has since then become more and more popular with
people from all over Kenya coming to enjoy the day, either
with their dogs or without. Every dog must have valid
Rabies Parvo and Distemper Certificates in order to enter
the competition.
Interested parties are invited all over the world to look for
sponsorship and participate in the race. The event has the
blessing of the Ministry of Tourism and for many years
now has been rated among one of the world's events in the
"Year of African Tourism".
The show attracts different classes such as: -
· The Dog Most like its owner
· The Dog in Best condition
· The Best Veteran Dog
· The Shaggiest Dog in the show
Attractive prizes are awarded to the owners whose Dogs
emerge the winners.
Entertainment is available for the whole family and also for
those who have no Dogs. There are Lucky Dips, Raffles,
Free Donkey & Cart Rides, Face Painting, Games and
much more for everyone to enjoy.
festivals for primary and secondary schools where
traditional dances and folk music is performed. This event
is held at different levels usually during the second term of
the academic year which falls between the months of May
to July each year. The general public is invited. Other
educational institutions like colleges and Universities are
also involved.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and National Heritage,
through its Department of Culture organises a Cultural
Music Festival annually; whose patron is the Head of
State. This is specifically for non-educational institutions
like Government departments, parastatals, and local
clubs. The event is held at each province every October
and at national level for a week at the Kenyatta
International Conference Centre usually in August. During
the event, traditional dances, acrobatics, folk music, etc.,
are performed.
Winners make their presentations at State House to the
President and become Kenya's cultural choir the whole of
the year where they are invited during national holidays
and functions to entertain the public.
During this cultural festival, traditional foods from different
ethnic groups are exhibited. Besides these traditional food
exhibitions, internationally recognised cuisine and food
specialities are organised for food exhibitions by interested
hotels whose restaurants specialise in that cuisine, and
co-sponsored by key industry players; both private and
public. These do not have regular timings but are
determined by the hotels.
The Kenya Utalii College organizes annually in July a one-
day food festival usually called the "Uhondo Africa".
Different cuisines from different parts of the world are
displayed together with Kenya's own dishes from different
cultural backgrounds. Visitors are welcome to have a true
taste of these
traditional architecture, curved doors, narrow streets,
absence of vehicles, many mosques, fishermen, women
dressed in black and wearing the bui bui and is rich in the
Muslim culture. The town is in the North Coast region of
Kenya and takes tourism seriously as this is the major
source of income. Residents of this historical town hold a
festival in May each year under the name of the "Lamu
Dugong festival" and incorporate the famous donkey race.
Donkeys are the sole means of transport in Lamu and are
found in large numbers! The festival lasts a week and
brings together people from all sectors including visiting
tourists. The major theme of the festival is to create
awareness to the residents and the public about the need
to conserve the Dugong found near the islands
(mythologically known as the mermaid), which is an
endangered species.
Other activities during
this festival include dhow racing,
water sports, traditional dances, food exhibitions fashion
and architectural displays.
music extravaganzas to celebrate the cities' birth.
Members of the public are usually invited and visiting
tourists too. The first one in October 1998 was
incorporated with the celebration of 50 years of the
Mombasa and Coast Tourism Association and over 7000
tourists joined. Entertainment, food, art and culture
displays, fashion shows and other outdoor sports form a
grater part of the fun filled day.
The carnival parade in Mombasa normally starts from Moi
Avenue and from Fort Jesus a place that reminds one of
the precious histories of Kenya. It proceeds up to Mama
Ngina Drive where there are a lot of activities.
The NAIROBI CARNIVAL will be a one-day celebration of
Kenyan culture, which will be held in Nairobi City on
December 13th each year. The carnival will involve a
parade of twenty sponsored 20ft trucks mounted with large
sound systems playing traditional and contemporary
Kenyan music. The Nairobi Carnival will be jointly
managed through a public private sector partnership,
Nairobi City Council Council and the Office of the
President. You can visit the carnival’s website on
www.nairobicarnival.co.ke for more information.
festival in Nairobi called the East African Art Festival. The
event takes three days only and draws exhibitors from the
whole of the East African region. Exhibitors display their
art works, paintings, traditional artifacts and architectural
designs among others. Related technical institutions and
colleges around the country hold other art exhibitions, and
your local safari operator can give the dates.
commemorate these important national days which
includes screening of films, performing plays and skits,
releasing songs, etc, all about these events. This is
organized by the National Museums of Kenya in
conjunction with the Department of Culture, Ministry of
Home Affairs.