Geo Travel Blog

Travelers have a great opportunity to stop by Kenya on their way to, fro or in between the exhilarating World Cup 2010 games. A short four hour flight from South Africa is Kenya. Here travelers will be able to experience the real game in several world famous national reserves. This trip of a lifetime will have action packed games with the best national teams in the world strutting their stuff and the Big 5 animals too strutting their stuff on the sprawling savannah.

South Africa has made Africa very proud by hosting the World Cup the first time ever on the continent. Many hopes and dreams of a continent are pegged to the tournament with many children watching their first tournament being staged on African soil. Many Africans are hoping that an African team were to make it to the finals! The newly built Nelson Mandela Bay’s stadium has a capacity of 48,000 and will be a testament that Africa’s time has come. The vuvuzela (traditional horn) is a must for every true South African spirited fan.

The qualifying rounds continue with nail biting anticipation. South Africa, as host, automatically qualify for the tournament. So far Japan, Korea, Australia, Netherlands have all qualified for the World Cup. The FIFA President in his visit to the White House in July invited President Obama to South Africa 2010. The tournament is bound to have people from corners and walks of our globe united in their love of the beauty of the game – football or soccer as it is also known.

Africa is honoured to be hosting the World Cup and every nation is owning the pride that South Africa has brought to the continent. Travelers to South Africa will have the benefit of great airplane connections to several countries across the continent. From Botswana to Tanzania, Namibia to Kenya, this will be an opportunity to immerse oneself in African culture. With more than 10 flights a week to and from South Africa to Kenya, a safari in the home of the safari is only a 4 hour flight away.

Maasai Mara in Kenya, the home of the wildebeest migration, a seventh wonder of the world, is within easy reach! The Lake shores of Lake Victoria, the largest fresh water lake in the World, Lake Nakuru with majestic pink flamingoes and Lake Baringo with more than a thousand bird species are all part of the line up to be enjoyed. The Great Rift Valley has spectacular views and cuts across Kenya from North to South.

Interestingly from East to West, the Equator traverses this nation and you could enjoy seeing the loos drain in clockwise and anticlockwise routines in the same country – though I am sure this is far from the equator’s greatest attraction. Marvel at snow capped mountain of Mt. Kenya and fancy if you will, a climb up the second highest mountain on the African continent.

In case you just want some pampering you have several spas to choose from in the wild and on the beach. The Kenyan beaches and are amongst the world’s best! The beaches cover hundreds of kilometers with white sand and warm ocean waters protected from sharks by a shelf of coral. Malindi, is home to Star Dust, once the most exciting disco in sub-saharan Africa north of the Limpopo. Lamu, is a beautiful town, a reminder of the arabic, african cultural fusion. Mombasa is where the coast in Kenya is most indulgent. The variety of activity from kenya food, kenya animals at Shaba, the kenya people all form an intoxicating cocktail. Did we mention water skiiing, kite surfing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing…

Now Nairobi has so much to offer, we need a book to describe what is on offer. When you are next in town ask for the Nairobi Day Pass for all the exciting ideas of what to do whilst in town. Nairobi has amazing restaurants, lodges, bars and nyama choma joints. Foodies would be spoilt for choice with the fresh vegetables and fruits as well as the savannah-fed beef. A feast for the senses.

South Africa has done Africa proud for hosting the prestigious World Cup 2010. The continent is ready to welcome travelers to our beautiful lands. See you in Africa. See you in Kenya.

Nyaruita Gateri is the Chief Adventurer at Journey Kenya, a recognised expert in Kenyan safari and beach getaways. Journey Kenya, showcases great ideas for your complete World Cup 2010 experience. Check out great ideas and book your hotel for your holiday to Kenya