My Nairobi

Luxury, for me, isn’t just about opulent hotels or fine dining. It’s also about authentic experiences, local immersion, and cultural understanding. It’s the chance to connect with people and places on a deeper level. It’s about exploring local cultures, understanding how people live, and gaining insights into different ways of life. It’s about connecting with the world, not just indulging in it. It’s about traveling with a curious mind and an open heart, discovering hidden gems, meeting fascinating people, creating unforgettable memories, and gaining personal growth. My MBA trip to Nairobi, Kenya, earlier this year, was one such adventure.

Educational experiences

Despite my age, I’m incredibly grateful to have been accepted into a prestigious MBA program at Bayes Business School. This journey has been truly remarkable and transformative. Part of this experience and this course was the International Business Week in Nairobi, where we had to travel to the Kenyan capital, divided into groups, assigned companies, and worked on a project. It was my first time in Kenya and Africa, and the experience has opened my eyes to new cultures and perspectives.

You might wonder how spending countless hours working alongside international students and local businesses could be considered luxurious. However, the privilege of experiencing Nairobi first-hand, beyond the typical tourist attractions, the opportunity to learn about and from different cultures, work in real-world settings in a completely different environment, being exposed and out of our safe box, and building lasting relationships has been an amazing experience.

Fly, land, check, repeat

The moment I landed in Nairobi, I knew this was going to be a unique experience, despite having travelled extensively over the years. The endless queues at passport control, customs, and baggage claim were a stark contrast to my usual travels. It took over an hour and a half to navigate through the process. While everything eventually worked out, the pace was undeniably slower.

I often ponder… is luxury about avoiding these queues and detaching oneself from reality, or is it about immersing oneself in the authentic experiences of a place and its people? The wait wasn’t unpleasant, merely time-consuming. Fortunately, the airport offered free and reliable Wi-Fi, allowing me to stay connected during the downtime.

After navigating the airport and officially entering Kenya, we were greeted by a waiting car ready to whisk us to our hotel. Arriving late at night, tired and hungry, the welcoming sight of our driver was a much-needed relief. We opted for the expressway, a more efficient way to traverse the city, and made a late-night pit stop for pizza before checking into our hotel well past midnight. The local assistance proved invaluable during this time, and from the very beginning, I found the Kenyan people to be kind and helpful.

The Golden Tulip Westlands Nairobi, a premium 4-star hotel conveniently located in Westlands, was our chosen accommodation. Despite our late arrival, the hotel staff was incredibly helpful and efficient, quickly checking us in and getting us settled into our comfortable rooms. One of my favourite late-night and early-morning pastimes was enjoying a drink or a fresh Kenyan coffee on the rooftop, taking in the beautiful city views and the vast African sky.

Getting familiar

Our first day in Nairobi was a tour of some of the city’s landmarks and cultural experiences. We kicked off the morning at the KICC, a towering skyscraper that offers panoramic views of the city. As we ascended to the rooftop, we were treated to a breath-taking 360-degree vista, stretching from the city centre to the Nairobi National Park.

From the heights of the KICC, we descended to the Giraffe Centre, a unique sanctuary dedicated to the endangered Rothschild giraffe. We had the privilege of getting up close and personal with these gentle giants, feeding them from a raised platform and learning about the centre’s conservation efforts. Following our encounter with the giraffes, we indulged in a quick lunch at the Galleria Mall and a small souvenir shopping experience.

We continued our cultural journey to the Bomas of Kenya. This vibrant cultural centre showcases the rich diversity of Kenya’s ethnic groups through captivating dances and music performances. The energetic performances transported us to different regions of the country, right in the heart of Kenyan culture.

Consulting projects

On Monday morning, after a lively breakfast, we commenced our company visits, each group venturing to a different suburb of Nairobi. This provided us with a glimpse into the daily lives of the city’s inhabitants and the diverse industries that drive its economy.

While the groups had the opportunity to work with a variety of promising companies, including Knights & Apps, Afristec, Mdundo, Fort School, My Shamba Digital, and Timao, I was particularly fortunate to be placed with Pazurina Holiday Homes. This company is focused on developing holiday homes in the burgeoning coastal destination of Diani Beach, near Mombasa. The project aimed to develop a comprehensive strategy to promote the holiday homes to both Kenyans living abroad and international buyers. Given the global popularity of holiday homes in various destinations, the goal was to position Diani Beach as an attractive investment opportunity and a sought-after vacation spot. By working closely with local professionals, I gained valuable insights into the challenges and aspirations of the Kenyan real estate and holiday industry. Moreover, drawing on my years of experience in the travel industry and witnessing the negative impacts of poorly planned tourism development in many places around the world, this project reignited my interest in sustainable development. It reinforced my belief that only through environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices can we ensure a positive impact on both the local community and the natural environment.

Not just business, also pleasure!

While the trip’s primary focus was education, Nairobi’s vibrant nightlife provided ample opportunities for relaxation and fun. We visited the lively Alchemist Bar, a unique blend of food trucks, restaurants, and entertainment. It’s a must-visit for its live music, local atmosphere, and late-night camaraderie. For a more intimate experience, try the Hero Bar on the 9th Floor of Trademark Hotel, renowned for its innovative cocktails, delicious finger food, and stunning city views. This hidden gem, ranked #62 on The World’s 50 Best Bars, was chosen for a Bayes Alumni night in Nairobi.

For a taste of local luxury, About Thyme offered a serene garden setting and delectable cuisine. The lush, multi-level garden, adorned with fairy lights and candles, created a truly magical ambiance. It’s an absolute must-visit! Last but not least, the Carnivore is an iconic open-air restaurant offering a variety of meats. The restaurant specialises in an all-you-can-eat meat buffet, featuring classic cuts and exotic offerings like ostrich and crocodile. The meal began with a welcome Dawa drink, a refreshing alcoholic local beverage.

Someone said “safari”?

And you thought we were done? Not quite! No visit to Nairobi is complete without a safari adventure in Nairobi National Park. This unique park is the only one in the world located within a city’s boundaries.

Picture this: a day spent in a 4×4 vehicle, chasing lions and other wildlife. The entire experience is designed to capture the perfect shot, especially of lions, the undisputed stars of any African safari. The thrill of a close encounter with a lion, lazing around in the park, is an unforgettable experience. While they may not pay much attention to you, perhaps it’s best that way!

Nairobi National Park offers incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, including lions, zebras, hippos, ostriches, and various other animals, but it doesn’t have all the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo). Despite this, the Park remains a vital wildlife sanctuary, a constant challenge in balancing urban life with nature, as shown by the imposing Chinese-constructed Mombasa Railway that crosses the park on a bridge to facilitate the movement of large animals.

Nairobi: Wrapped up

Time flies, and it was already time to head back home. I was glad to return to London, once again with a broader perspective, having been exposed to completely different experiences. I tried to make the most of every moment, as I believe experiences alone don’t hold much value unless we learn from them and apply them to our lives.

I still reflect on the busy streets of Nairobi, the vast African sky, late nights working on the rooftop of the hotel as the city fell asleep, the flavours of the food, the warm and welcoming people, the crowded Sunday morning churches we drove by, the African bush and the joy of the safari, the vibrant colours of the traditional costumes, and the captivating rhythms of the music.

As I look forward to future adventures, whether as a student, professional, or simply a traveller, I realize once again how lucky and grateful I am for the privilege of immersing myself in new cultures and environments. It’s an incredible opportunity to grow, learn, and appreciate the world’s diversity and beauty.

Dimitrios Athanasopoulos

Dimitrios Athanasopoulos is Director of Fine Representation. Fine Representation is a London-based boutique and independent representation and consulting agency for exquisite travel and travel-related brands. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.