OUR STORY
A BROKE BARISTA AND AN ENCHANTED TOURIST
Hi, my name is Nick, Nick Aduda to be precise and I am the Founder and Managing Director of DUDUZ SAFARIS. I am a dead man, a dead man walking. The reason I say this is because I have had a gun pointed directly at my head on two separate occasions and on another occasion I should have been at the WESTGATE MALL on shift working for JAVA HOUSE when Terrorists stormed the mall on the 21st of September 2013. These events have ended up giving my life purpose, a HIGHER PURPOSE. I always used to get Sundays as my day off while working for JAVA HOUSE but on this particular week I was given Saturday as my day off and of all the days, this attack happened on the day that I should be at work but wasn't. Lucky or blessed? You decide.
These events have given me a reason to wake up every single day with energy to accomplish something, something bigger than myself. While this is a commercial enterprise I am most pleased with our CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAMME along with our efforts on REGENERATIVE TOURISM. I get really ecstatic when I see the faces of guests enjoying their Safaris or reading their comments and reviews after their Safaris of how they enjoyed their trips, the same fulfillment I used to get after making a tasty Latte and seeing the face of the guest brighten up after their first sip! I am the third of five children with the first two being ladies (two loud and energetic women I may add) and the last three being boys with myself being the the guy in between the two other boys.
(2018 DECEMBER WHILE AT %ARABICA SALHIYA, KUWAIT.)
Professionally my background has been in hospitality having been trained as a Barista at the famed NAIROBI JAVA HOUSE ( the best and biggest coffee brand in all of AFRICA) and it is this that got me working in the MIDDLE EAST (specifically Kuwait) for another powerful coffee brand, %ARABICA ( A really exciting Japanese brand with 162 stores worldwide at the time this is being written) and these two brands taught me much with regards to building a powerful brand with their similar foundations being delivering nothing but quality service and products to all their clients and it is exactly this mentality that we carry over to DUDUZ SAFARIS.
Now to the juicy part of this article, how I came to the decision to build a Travel Company. In 2018 while working for %ARABICA KUWAIT at ARRAYA TOWERS, KUWAIT CITY one Kuwaiti gentleman greeted me and asked where I am from and upon affirming that I was Kenyan the guest got really elated and begun to speak of how he had previously been to KENYA! Turns out he had been to KENYA on three previous occassions and was even on planning to visit for the fourth time only that this time he will come along with his wife and kids. He even knew the Country better than I did and I am a born and raised Kenyan!
What got me the most was his enthusiasm and the infectious positive energy he was exuding talking of the wildlife, beaches, pleasant weather and the lovely food he enjoyed during his trips and this led to me asking myself "Why would someone who could go to Bahamas, Maldives,Europe, United States choose to go to the same holiday destination on vacation three times?
This question stuck in my head and I had to conduct some research for myself and these were my findings:
1. WILDLIFE - Kenya is home to a diverse range of wildlife including "THE BIG FIVE" ( Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard) as well as Giraffes (our in-house favorites), Zebras, Cheetahs and Wildebeests. Many visitors come to Kenya specifically for the opportunity to go on a Safari to see these animals in their Natural Habitat as opposed to visiting a Zoo.
2. SCENERY - Kenya is blessed with some stunning landscapes with a mix of Savannas, Mountains, Forests and a stunningly Magical Coastline. From the snow capped peaks of Mt.Kenya to the undulating sand dunes of Suguta to the white sandy beaches you are guaranteed a proper feast for the heart and soul.
3. Culture - Kenya has a rich and diverse culture with over 40 different ethnic groups within it's borders with each having their own unique language and traditional practices. Through cultural immersion visits, our guests get to learn about the history of the different tribes in the country.
4. BEACHES - Kenya is endowed with a beautiful coastline dotted with some pristine beaches graced by turquoise waters which provide a serene and relaxed environment which has made millions of tourists book return flights to Kenya after their initial visits! Our guests can also get to engage in some Snorkelling , Marine park tours , Stand up paddling, lounging on the beach (we call it barefoot luxury, wink ) and our favorite, Sunset dhow rides to experience a sundowner watching the sun set on the Indian Ocean while cruising on a dhow guided by the soft winds of the Indian Ocean.
5. ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES - Kenya offers a range of adventure activities such as Hiking, Rock climbing, Hot air ballooning, Horseback Safaris, White water rafting among others to provide an adrenaline rush for the more adventurous souls.
6. CLIMATE - Kenya enjoys a pleasant tropical climate with the Equator running right across the country with plenty of sunshine throughout the year (over 300 days of sunshine per year) making it a pleasant destination for guests looking to escape some not so pleasant weather conditions in other parts of the world.
7. FOOD - Kenya is well known for the delectable food choices available and many a times food has turned out to be the favorite part of a Safari. Ranging from Chinese, Italian, Thai, Indian to Traditional Kenyan foods you are literally spoilt for choice. Hint, THE "Nairobi Street Kitchen" is a must visit but also "The JIKO" at the "TRIBE HOTEL" and in particular The "ANKOLE GRILL" holds a special place in our hearts!
8. WARM HOSPITALITY - Kenyans are well known for being an extroverted people. Coupled with being incredibly polite and courteous, Kenyans are without a doubt some of the most warm and pleasant people that you will come across on the whole planet.
- Kenya provides a touch of the Maldives with the beaches, a bit of South Africa and Tanzania with the magnificent and rich wildlife on display matched with the high level of luxury and service throughout the Safari period you will get to understand why nobody ever visits Kenya just once!