Like me, you’ve probably ever ordered for a particular item in the restaurant just because you were blown away by its name. Filled with hot anticipation for a delicacy with a unique satisfying taste, you smiled the entire time as the waiter left for the kitchen to pick it up. To your dismay, the food’s presentation and taste was the total opposite of what you expected. In a heartbroken tone, you protested to the waiter for a refund, only to be reminded that food once ordered is not returnable. Similarly, it is typical for honeymooners to book up hotels just because it has a fancy name, only to learn the hard way that their pick isn’t their idea of fun.
Planning to travel around Africa? Here are categorizes of hotel facilities and what to expect of them.
Safari Lodge
In countries like Uganda, the word Lodge often pronounced as Lojji conjures the image of structures used as sex dens. Other than their fairly comfortable beds which are intended to facilitate quick erotic affairs, there isn’t much to fancy about these establishments. Most of them are found in settings that harbor drinking bars.
In contrast to this, a safari lodge is a commercial establishment, located within or near natural habitat rich in fauna and flora, normally in or near conservation areas, in which the majority of clients are leisure or adventure seekers.
In East Africa, the infrastructural design of most safari lodges is themed along the rich African heritage. Why? To re-connect one with the gallant Africa that existed before they were born. Primarily, they exist to detach one from the hustles and buzz of the city. They are intended to offer one the healing power of nature. As such, they are normally built out of eco-friendly materials that harmonize with the surrounding like thatched roofs, wooden walks and floors made of polished rocks.
Most of them price their services in currencies used globally, especially the US dollars.
This arises from that fact that their clientele largely comprises of foreign tourists. However, local currencies equivalent to these rates are equally applicable.
Most unique feature
Most safari lodges have eco-toilets (especially those in East Africa). Eco-toilets is a fancy word for latrines with a sitting bowl. They are fashioned to impress and constantly freshened. As such, they are the type one would dine in with a smile.
Motel
A motel is commercial establishment, located along a highway or motor way, catering mainly to motorists and other highway road users. The prime objective of a motel is to provide travelers with a comfortable dining and bedding experience as they journey to their destination. Compared to a safari lodge, they feature less amenities and luxuries as they are purposed to just facilitate a brief stopover, not holiday.
Located en-route roads, especially highways.
Tented Camp
It’s a permanent, semi-permanent structures usually located close to or within Eco-attractions inclusive but not limited to beaches, lakes, game reserves or forests.
It’s a must visit if are hands on person, the type who pleasures in giving a helping hand in organizing a pleasant vacation. Visitors of tented camps are engaged in all aspects of their holiday from the minute they set foot to the time they bid good bye. It could be pitching the tent for a night’s sleep, preparing bush breakfast or just about anything that keeps them busy as opposed to being bossy.
Tented camps especially the ones found in conservation areas are famed for attracting herbivores especially elephants, warthogs and hippos.
Most of these (wildlife) come in pursuit for fruits with strong scents like pine apples and bananas—as camping entails cooking outdoor.
Most unique feature
Tented Camps boast of fire places set up to facilitate storytelling and bonding. They are equally great spots for roasting foodstuffs, especially plantain and meat.
Country Hotels
Hahaha, trust me, you don’t want to come to these facilities at that time of the year when your wallet is constantly yawning. You will do dishes if you insist. I did. But that’s a story for another day. Country Hotels are high-end facilities located in quiet side of metropolitan towns, particularly affluent neighbourhoods. Their target niche comprises of folks with more than enough disposable income. The type who already have enough investments/savings to ferry them through the next five years +.
Their rates are intentionally structured to attract less crowds. They would rather have a handful of guests who can pay lump sums than many ordinary guests who will ask for a discount on an already given discount.
It’s the place where politicians meet renowned businessmen to seal multi-million deals financed by tax payers.
In the Uganda, most country hotels take on the shapes of luxuriant mansions. In the UK most of them are castles, a symbol of nobility.
Most Unique feature
The boast of recreational luxuries such as horses, golf courses, helipads. Some have casinos. Their rooms are spacious, well air conditioned and equipped with fully functioning electronics.
Vacation Hotel
A profitmaking creation, located within or near a holiday attraction area, normally in sub urban areas. Majority of clients here are holiday makers or leisure travellers. Beach front hotels fall in this category.
Villas and Cottages
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization: Villas and cottages refers to modern home-like buildings, located in sub-urban or country side areas. They are characterized by being autonomous, semidetached or in a cluster of lettable units for holiday accommodation. They may or may not provide full hotel services and facilities. The establishments include residential premises used for holiday making by owners, friends or relatives.
Serviced Apartments
These are commercial establishments offering facilities and services like a hotels for Guests staying a few days or weeks.
They currently represent the trendiest place where to stay for corporate, leisure travellers, people relocating to new cities and those seeking transit accommodations. By nature, they have catering facilities in form of kitchens which offers Guests the flexibility of preparing own meals.
The Madagascar currency is called the Malagasy ariary. The country’s currency used to be the Malagasy franc, but it was officially replaced by the ariary in 2005. Madagascar is the only country that uses the ariary for its currency.
Buses from Lamu to Mombasa are operated by multiple carriers. Tickets for buses from Lamu to Mombasa can be purchased from the ticket offices in Lamu Town.
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Senegal visa and passport requirements vary from country to country. The good news is that most people can travel to Senegal with a visa that is easy to acquire before arrival.
Nairobi airport has plenty of ATMs and cash points where you can use ATM and debit cards from all over the world to get Kenyan money upon arrival.
Malindi airport serves flights to Malindi from Nairobi, Lamu, and Mombasa.
There is a left-luggage office at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport.