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Maulidi Celebrations
Lamu is famous for its holy ‘Maulidi’ Celebrations which mark the birth of the Prophet Mohamed. It is a month long Celebration throughout the month of Rabi al-Awal of the Islamic Lunar Calendar, and culminates in four days of joyous cultural festivities in Lamu. This year the festivities fall during the week just after Easter starting on the 09th April. Thousands of Muslim Pilgrims from all over the East African Region travel to Lamu for this special celebration.
There are various Community events and competitions which take place during the Celebrations: Dhow Races, Swimming races, Calligraphy Competition, Henna Painting Competition, Tug-of-War and Donkey Races. The main religious evening celebrations held in and around the Riyadh Mosque involve traditional dances, drumming and music groups from the various towns in the archipelago.
During the Festival, in homes and in mosques, the people of Lamu recite religious poetry, based on the history and life of the Prophet Mohamed, with lines and concepts from the Qu’ran. Of all the major cities and ports in this part of the World, East African Muslims choose Lamu to visit and observe this special time. The Swahili music, dance and rituals are unique and Lamu, a town rich in culture, history and tradition will continue to host the biggest Maulidi Festival on the East African Coast, welcoming Pilgrims and visitors interested in participating in this unique Cultural experience.
On the last day of Maulidi, the men of Lamu gather at the town cemetery. Following quiet prayers, groups of men and boys join together and begin a procession through the town, holding hands and interlinking arms. This colourful, energetic procession winds along the seafront towards the centre of town, with the crowds singing and dancing together. Visitors to the island are welcome to watch and enjoy the festivities during Maulidi. The people in Lamu are very proud of their culture and heritage, and are very happy to share their island with visitors.
Museums & Historical sites
Kenya is rich with history hence the reason for numerous museums and protection of historical sites spread across the country. The museums include: Nairobi national museum, Kisumu museum, Kitale museum, Meru museum, Maa cultural museum, Kabarnet museum, Fort Jesus museum and Kapenguria museum. Below is a list of the museums and the sites in Kenya.
THE NAIROBI NATIONAL MUSEUM
Located within the city of Nairobi, the museum has a wider range of preserved animal species from different part s of the world. A part from the preserved species, the museum contain live different species of snake in a snake park which houses both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes.
THE KISUMU MUSEUM
On a tour of western circuit, you have the chance of visiting the kisumu museum located in Kisumu town in Nyanza province. Here you can see cultural artifacts such as musical instruments; (drums, stringed instruments, trumpets, flutes), food vessels, and tobacco smoking pipes and other cultural items of the tribes found within the region. Combine your tour of the museum with a visit to the adjacent snake park which has different types of snakes and crocodiles. Besides the animals, there is also a traditional Luo homestead, which is very popular to the tourists. Prehistoric site photographs of the archeological sites found in Nyanza are housed in the museum. Acquire some of the cultural artifacts which are available for sale in the Kisumu museum shop for the memories of your trip in Africa.
THE KITALE MUSEUM
Constructed in 1973, in honour of colonel Stoneham, who had built a private museum at Cherengani, the Kitale museum in Kitale town houses archeological evidence materials like replica of skulls, stone artifacts, and paintings cultural artifacts among the Luhya, Pokot, Marakwet and Turkana people. Visitors also see the traditional homesteads of some of the tribes found in the region including the Saboats, the Luhyas, the Nandi and the Luos.
Incentive Travel
Why East Africa?
An incentive tour is either a reward or marketing strategy and therefore the destination and the itinerary we offer there-in must be as attractive and appealing as possible. While East Africa is well known for the lands of real safari – wild animals in wild places, a lot is yet to be explored; the diverse yet interesting culture still intact and not swayed by demands of civilization, rich history, warm climate, white sandy beaches washed by an opal ocean, breathing taking sceneries and active and passive adventure activities among other attractions and activities. Combined with proper planning and excellent services, you have a true reward and impact destination for your incentive holiday. Trails of Africa Tours and Safaris is your true partner in organizing you next incentive trip.
Why Trails of Africa Safaris?
At Trails of Africa, we realize the importance attached to incentives by companies; the image and integrity of your company on show for all to see and this enormous responsibility is entrusted to another organization. It is this awareness of that fact that has enabled us to successfully operate many successful incentives for local and international companies.
Our knowledge, creativity and experience in East Africa has enabled us to, often, lead the way in offering imaginative ideas and extraordinary activities for the incentive market. We are alert to the need for a flawless transport service, and a meticulously sensitive understanding to the importance of attention to detail. Flowers of company colors in bedrooms, theme evenings, cultural dancers, gourmet meals, bush banquets, hospitality desks, and memorable giveaways are just normal plans.
Our Hot Air Balloon Safari
Our hot air balloon safaris features Masai Mara, Serengeti, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Tsavo and Amboseli. These luxurious hot air balloon safaris that offers one an aerial view of Africa savannah grassland are available upon prior notice and at an extra cost. For the adventure of a lifetime we can offer a group the unique experience of a Balloon Safari providing a breathtaking area view of the plains and animals on the ground.
Our balloon safaris depart early in the morning to the launch site for the hot air balloons – early departure allows our clients to enjoy the calm morning sky. The balloon pilot will guide the balloon low enough, providing you with the chance to see the different wildlife at their early morning activities: hippos returning to the water after wandering for food in the dark, elephants coming out for their morning feeding, lions returning from the hunt.
If there is a special activity going on, the pilot will bring the balloon down close to the treetops for a better view.
Skimming over the treetops, you will have a chance to see the game in action and up close. The flight lasts about an hour with ample opportunity for photography. After landing, there is a traditional champagne toast, followed by breakfast cooked on the balloon burners in the middle of the Serengeti plains.
Historical Products
Gede Ruins
The Gede Ruins are located in Gede off the Malindi-Mombasa Road along the road to Watamu. The ruins date back to the late 13th century and were abandoned in the early 17th century. The exact reason for the abandonment is not actually known though it is assumed that the town was plundered and destroyed by unknown invaders in the 17th century. Another school of thought alleges that the inhabitants of the town abandoned it after receding ocean waters depleted the available water from their wells.
In 1927, the Gede ruins were declared a historic monument and much excavation and preservation work was carried out such that large areas of this ancient town are now revealed, including the pillar tombs, the palace and a great mosque.
A Nature Trail of deciduous forests dominates the inner and outer walls of the ruins bearing testimony to the vegetation that used to exist in this place before colonisation by humans. A small museum has been set up to exhibit ancient Arab, Chinese and Phoenician porcelain excavated from the ruins. Guided walks can also be arranged.
Vasco da Gama Pillar
The pillar is situated on the seafront road near the jetty. It is accessed from Scorpio Villas or alternatively from the silversands area. The pillar is one of the oldest remaining monuments in Africa and was built in 1498 by the great Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama as a sign of appreciation for the welcome he was given by the Sultan of Malindi.
The Coastal Region
The coastal area of Kenya has a history stretching back over 1,000 years when Arabic traders wanted some of the trading action between east and west - Asia, Arabia and Africa. Many Arabs settled at the coast and married Africans resulting in the melodic Swahili language and a strong Afro-Arabic culture. By the 1500's, the seafaring Portuguese dominated the region and brought Catholicism with them. But they never managed to purge the inhabitants of Islamic religion and when the Sultans of Oman assumed control in 1698, Arabic culture ruled once more.
This culture became known as Swahili, derived from the Arabic word "Sahel" which means coast. The Swahili culture, and its language became a strong influence throughout Kenya which ultimately led to Swahili becoming the most commonly spoken language in Africa.
The impressive Fort Jesus was built in 1598 and became the staging ground for a turbulent and bloody war for control of the coast between the Portuguese and the Shirazi and Omani Arabs that lasted over 400 years. You can also trace the journey of Vasco da Gama to Malindi, which became an important center for Portuguese settlement. To the north, the island town of Lamu remains a Swahili community unchanged by the outside world, where life is lived at a very relaxed pace.
If Lamu is the most exotic Swahili town, then Gedi is the most mysterious. Gedi is a puzzle to both historians and archaeologist; it was suddenly abandoned in the mid-16th century and no reason is clear for this desertion as no record was made of fate of its population.
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