Charges down as hotels eye holiday makers

Philip Mwakio and Beatrice Obwocha

Christmas and New Year festivities are upon us again.

Unlike last year when most Kenyans did not make the most of the holidays due to the election fever, things are looking different.

A survey by The Standard in two of the most popular holiday destinations, the Coast and the Rift Valley — Nakuru, Naivasha, Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo — reveal many holiday destinations have drastically reduced fees to woo domestic tourists.

For those who will not be joining their folks upcountry, as is the tradition, there is a wide variety of options for everybody from the low spenders, through medium to high cost.

The hotels surveyed exclude those in national parks where costs remain relatively high.

Big cuts

At the Coast, many Mombasa hotels are making big cuts to attract local tourists who are expected to push the bed occupancy to 100 per cent in the two-week holiday.

The Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association estimates there are about 32,000 beds in more than 300 hotels, cottages and villas along the coastline from the South Coast to the North Coast in Malindi.

More than 70 per cent of hotels, which offer affordable prices, on average charge Sh3,500 a person a night sharing, double room on half-board basis (bed, dinner and breakfast).

Top of the range Sun n’Sand Beach Resort, which is among the cream of tourism in the North Coast, has advertised lowered rates at about Sh5,500 per person a night.

Beach cottages have the lowest budget packages, renting room, furniture and utensils at rates as low as Sh3,000 a day for a two-bedroom family cottage, at both North Coast and South Coast.

For those who shall be in Mombasa but stay away from the beach, the town has a variety of hotels which charge about Sh2,000 a night a person and then they can visit to the beach and other delights by day or night.

Special treat

For the middle-level spender, there is a wide range of hotels charging about Sh20,000 per double room.

The new Sunrise Beach Resort Apartments and Spa in the prime Nyali Estate offers deluxe rooms for Sh20,000 for double occupancy, while single occupancy will go for Sh18,000 per half board.

"We are offering a special treat for the festive season,’’ says Mr Titus Kangangi, the general manager of Sunrise.

Most hotel managers report full bookings through to New Year.

In Nakuru one can savour the tourism sites within the town and surrounding areas at an affordable cost.

Only two-and-half hours drive (156 km) away from Nairobi, this town is famous for flamingoes at Lake Nakuru.From Nairobi, there is the scenic landscape of the natural wonders of the Great Rift Valley.

There is a small game reserve on the shores of Lake Nakuru excellent for bird enthusiasts and nearby is the fascinating prehistoric site, Kariandusi.

There are four tourist sites near Nakuru — Lake Nakuru National Park, Menengai Crater, Hyrax Hill, and Lord Egerton Castle in Njoro.

It takes a day to visit Lake Nakuru National Park and enjoy the breathtaking sight of flamingos that form a pink blanket along the shores.

A game drive within the park will enable one to see four out of the Big Five namely rhinos, buffalos, lions, and leopards.

Other animals in the park are zebras, different types of antelopes, warthogs, baboons, and monkeys.

Designated picnic sites at Baboon Cliff or Makalia Falls offers a marvel of nature while holidaymakers enjoy their packed meals.

There is plenty of accommodation in Nakuru at different rates that average Sh3,000 per double room.

Also 30 minutes drive from town is the Menengai Crater that plunges 500m down from its rim. It offers a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside, nature reserve and Nakuru from the peak.

Visitors can also tour Lake Bogoria, famous for its hot springs and geysers, a drive of 100km (almost one-hour drive) from Nakuru and Lake Baringo nearby, a beautiful freshwater lake with excellent birdlife.

One can drive to the two lakes and back to Nakuru within a day but those wishing for a night’s stay, Soi Safari Lodge is just near Lake Baringo at between Sh4,800 to Sh7,600 per night.

Lake Naivasha, just before Nakuru, has various high-cost hotels but has picnic and camping parks, which are ideal for excursions at low budget rates.