Kenya: The construction of the 110 kilometres Voi- Taveta Road to an all-weather tarmac traversing across the vast county into neighbouring Tanzania has seen investors set up businesses in the area.
Hospitality investor Lavendar Group of Hotels that owns prime hotels in Mtwapa, Kilifi and Wundanyi has developed a boutique and luxurious tented camp on the shores of Lake Jipe increasing the number of tourists establishments in Taita Taveta County.
In an interview with Weekend Business, Lavendar Group of Hotels CEO, Mr Pascal Sio Msangi, a civil engineering expert said the tarmacking of the Voi-Taveta Road is a boom for investments.
The Lake Jipe Safari Camp is located on the Southern edge of the sprawling Tsavo West National Park and has seven luxurious cottages each with balconies with one facing the towering Mt Kilimanjaro, two facing Lake Jipe and the other with direct views of the National Park.
Lavendar Group’s other establishments include the Merry Villa Hotel & Apartments in Mtwapa and the Lavendar Garden Hotel in Wundanyi.
Taita Taveta County Governor, Eng John Mruttu said the construction of the road, alongside the ongoing construction of Taveta one stop border point are important projects that will dramatically change the way Taita Taveta residents and other Kenyans do business with their neighbours. “I wish to express my gratitude to the government for initiating and implementing development projects which are dream come true,’’ Governor Mruttu said. At the same time, two Kenyan owned tour firms have become the first entities to come up with battle field tour packages designed to take visitors to the popular battle field sites of the First World War in Taita Taveta County as the country gears to celebrate 100 years centenary celebrations.
Karibu Paradise East Africa based in Nairobi and Mlilo Community Tours and Safaris have developed a four day camping safari that will take visitors to the former war sites. Ambassador Anastancia Wakesho, managing director of Karibu Paradise East Africa and National chairperson of Domestic Tourism said the battle field packages are tailor-made with clients specification put into consideration. “This is a first one. We are keen to tap into the potential of the battle field tourism that specialises in tours of battle field, cemeteries, war memorial sites and all related sites,” she said.
Wakesho said that trips to the battle field sites will be by overland open trucks that come complete with camping gear. Visits to Mahoo- Taveta Commonwealth Graves Commission (CWGC) European cemetery, the former Taveta Police station where the first gun shot was fired from, Maktau Sniper Baobab and climbing of Salaita Hill to view close range bunkers used during the war which are still intact and visits to Maktau CWGC at the Indian Memorial are among the sites in the itinerary.
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