Msafiri

An exciting new magazine to enrich the lives of everyone who loves Africa, brought to you by your friends at Kenya Airways.

Msafiri

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LOVE AT FIRST BITE • Highly commended in the latest Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition in the Behaviour: Mammals category, William Fortescue's stunning image ‘Stormy Scene’ uses a backdrop of storm clouds lit by the setting sun to show mating lions. It was the rainy season when he visited the Serengeti National Park. He watched the lions mate several times before the female broke it off. It wasn't until William viewed an enlarged image that he noticed the saliva trails and the explosion of insects from the male's mane. Lions can mate throughout the year, but synchronising the births of cubs increases the reproductive success of a pride. Female pride members display cooperative behaviour, including raising cubs together to ensure their survival into adulthood.

WILD NIGHT OUT • Jasper Doest's striking image, ‘Curfew in Livingstone’ was highly commended in the Urban Wildlife category of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. It vividly highlights the coexistence of humans and wildlife as elephants march down a lane in the Zambian town. These elephants have come from the nearby Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, near Victoria Falls. Within the town itself, authorities continue to enforce the night-time curfew to allow elephants a trouble-free passage. Wildlife rangers have worked with the Livingstone community on methods to deter the elephants, such as digging trenches around fields. One conservationist devised a strategy of ‘beehive fences’, which deter elephants because the animals are nervous of the insects.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR HOW TO SURVIVE VALENTINE'S DAY • Kenyan men fear two days. Valentine's Day. And the day after. Every man in code two-five-four has this fear, whether he's single, in a relationship or in-between one…

NOTES TO MY FUTURE BETTER SELF 3 THINGS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP I WISH I KNEW EARLIER • Friendships can't be forced; they can only be watered and given sunlight to blossom

A CONVERSATION WITH JUNE CHEPKEMEI REDEFINING KENYA'S TOURISM LANDSCAPE • As Valentine's season sets the tone for love and adventure, msafiri spoke to Kenya Tourism Board's newly appointed managing director, June Chepkemei, who is charting a bold course for the future of Kenya's tourism industry. With a rich background in marketing, public relations and brand management, Chepkemei brings innovative energy to this pivotal sector, aiming to steer it toward resilience, growth and global acclaim.

5 OF THE BEST SOUTH AFRICAN WRITERS • South Africa is one of the most important centres of African literature. It has contributed many wonderful books to the pantheon of African writing, including winners of the Booker and Nobel Prizes

GADGETS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY LOVE IS… TECH! • Win their heart this Valentine's Day with 16 gift ideas that blend innovation with a personal touch…

PARTY TIME! • With a diverse, multi-racial population, South Africa is a melting pot of cultures and traditions. A natural flair for music, art and dance combined with world-class event-organising expertise has led to a wonderful array of festivals: there are prides, festivals of art, music, performing arts, wine and bubbles, foodie and sporting extravaganzas throughout the year. They're usually flamboyant affairs, so get your glad rags on, it's time to party.

FROM POACHING TO PEACE • The Elephant Crisis Fund and its evolution

GUIDING LIGHTS 6 African women mentoring the next generation • From bustling cities to the villages of Africa lies a profound tradition of wisdom passed from generation to generation. African women, who are the keepers of this wisdom, excel at merging secular activities with mentorship, seamlessly integrating their professional and...