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 and I should be a dead man. The reason I say this is because I have had a gun pointed directly at my head on two separate occasions and in another instance, I should have been at the WESTGATE MALL in the morning shift working for JAVA HOUSE with my then colleague Elijah 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, blessed or I am here for a purpose? 

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These events have given me a reason to wake up every single day with the 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 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.

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 (2018 DECEMBER WHILE AT %ARABICA SALHIYA, KUWAIT.) 

Professionally, my background has been in hospitality having started as a kitchen steward making sure the dishes and utensils are cleaned, scrubbing floors and making sure that the washrooms are forever clean at Java House along Ralph Bunche road (Ground floor of Upper Hill Medical Center) from May of 2012 where at the same time I would show up to work early so that I could get to train as a Barista and it is this that got me the opportunity to work in the MIDDLE EAST (specifically Kuwait) for another powerful coffee brand, %ARABICA ( A really exciting Japanese brand with over 200 stores worldwide at January 2025) and these two brands taught me much with regards to building a powerful brand  with their foundations being quite similar with a keen focus on delivering nothing but quality service and products to all their clients and it is exactly this mentality that I carry over to DUDUZ SAFARIS not only as a solid part of our ethos but literally forms the fabric of our DNA as a travel company.

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​ (Our founder Nick with %ARABICA's Founder Ken Shoji and then %ARABICA's global Head Barista, Junichi Yamaguchi)

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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 gentleman 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 occasions and was even planning to visit for the fourth time only that this time he will travel along with his wife and kids! He even knew the Country better than I did and I am a born and raised Kenyan!

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What got me the most was his enthusiasm and the infectious positive energy he was exuding talking of the wildlife, beautiful 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 different occasions?

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This question stuck in my head and I had to conduct some research for myself and these were my findings:

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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. Kenya is quite probably the most popular safari especially knowing that this country is where the trend of Safaris begun.

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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, you are guaranteed a proper feast for both your eyes and soul.

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3. Culture - Kenya has a rich and diverse culture with over 40 different ethnic groups within it's borders with each tribe 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.

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4. BEAUTIFUL BEACHES - Kenya is well known worldwide for being the world's premier Safari destination for the large variety and quantity of wildlife found in the country but one less known fact is that it is endowed with a beautiful coastline dotted with some stunning 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) 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.

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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.

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6. CLIMATE - Kenya enjoys a pleasant tropical climate with the Equator running right across the country with over 300 guaranteed 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.

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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! With available food choices 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!

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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.

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- As a holiday destination Kenya provides a touch of the Maldives with the beaches, a bit of South Africa and Tanzania with the magnificent and rich wildlife variety on display and 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!

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