French fashion designer and founder of the famous fashion brand Chanel Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel once said “the best things in life are free. The second best things are very, very expensive.” Take tourism, for instance, that has been always been associated with the affluent as affordable and fulfilling escapes seem out of reach for the majority citizens of this country. A country ironically touted by most jet-setters to be among the world’s finest destination.

Those words by the icon renowned for her pursuit of expensive simplicity rang true after an exhilarating weekend getaway that was startlingly budget. It turns out that a premium experience does not necessarily have to cost and a leg after-all. This should read as good news for the not-so-gentlemen who exercise financial management every time Saint Valentine rears his head. All one needs to do is to cash in on their birthright. Thousands visit Kenya for its safaris yet the millions who live in its capital barely need to leave to savour that majesty.

Travel agents

Braving torrid afternoon heat, I joined 34 tourism industry players mainly consisting of travel agents for an expedition in East Africa’s oldest national park. This would be my second overnight stay at Nairobi National Park (NNP) gazetted on December 16, 1946. I sure have fond memories of the starry nights spent at Nairobi Tented Camp and hoped to match, if not better, the experience. I was in for a similar experience, albeit differently styled. Styled in a fashion one that I like most of my countrymen did not believe existed.

Now, unless you own a vehicle, the cut-price way to see the park is on the park shuttle, a big KWS bus that leaves the main gate at 2pm on Sunday for a 2 and a half hour tour. This would be the ride for the jolly bunch feigning shyness as a result of the seething unfamiliarity. The usual access of the park is through the KWS Headquarters situated on Lang’ata Road some seven kilometres from the CBD. Unknown to many, the park also has two secondary gates along Mombasa Road and three on Magadi Road. Taking the former, camping facilities unexpectedly cropped up 500 meters from the park’s East Gate, off Mombasa Road (opposite Sameer Business Centre, behind Libra House). The camping option christened Twiga Campsite earns the tag of hidden gem in my book for ability to provide nature enthusiasts with serene environment to live free.

Thumbs up to the landscaper who did a number on the place. Impressively, those who tremble at the thought of camping also find comfort in the hot water showers, modern kitchen area, and spick and span toilets the camp provides. Even more impressive is the cost implications.

It costs Sh200 per citizen adult per night to camp at this campsite. This is on top of this urban park entry fees of Sh500 and Sh200 for adults and children/students for 24 hours respectively. Note that entry is by Safari Card only. These may be obtained and loaded at the main gate.

Vehicles are also charged depending on seat capacity not number of occupants. A vehicle of less than six seats, for instance, is charged Sh350. Twiga campsite has ten two man tents for hire that can be booked at the East gate. Each tent (only the tent is provided with campers required to bring their own mattresses and/or sleeping bags) goes for Sh500 per night. In summary, Sh1,550 is the total cost.

After pitching our tents, what followed was a healthy serving of game on the evening game drive. Sightings of Black and White Rhino, Maasai Giraffe, Buffalo, Eland, Plains Zebra, Wildebeest, Common Reedbuck, Dik Dik, Warthog, Thompsons and Grants Gazelle Olive Baboon, Lion, and the elusive jackal and Leopard were a welcome delight. NNP remains an oasis for guinea fowl, Maasai ostrich, and vultures of many species.

Bird species

As a matter of fact, despite being one of the smallest parks in Africa at 121 square kilometres, NNP’s wetland areas, including man-made dams, sustain approximately 400 bird species, much more than the  entire UK. Sundowners at the Impala Observation Point, dinner, and singing games around a never-dying bonfire crowned what is a must-do experience. When the sun rays warmed the predominantly savannah park, the team performed the morning ablutions, reminisced over breakie before set offing off for a morning game drive whose end was at the Park’s Club house where the most sumptuous chicken wings awaited.

It was a farewell at the hour of meeting moment as the team promised for a repeat session. I would stay on for the tea and coffee festival at the same location before joining family for a session at the Nairobi Orphanage. Amusingly, not even a whole weekend was enough to savour the goodness that is NNP. Between 11 am and noon, you can watch keepers take orphaned baby rhinos and elephants for their daily mud baths in the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

On the western edge of town is the Lang’ata Giraffe Centre and adjoining Giraffe Manor hotel where giraffes poke their heads through the windows.

thornmulli@standardmedia.co.ke