Monika Solanki is a tour operator in Magical Kenya. She runs Lofty Tours, the company to contact for safari, excursions, airport transfers, information about Kenya, Kenyan culture, experiences, weddings on the beach, Hindu marriages, Nikka, and more. She has been to Uganda and enjoyed some experiences.
What comes to mind when the destination Uganda is mentioned?
Gonja, grilled Banana, Rolex, Great food cooked in banana leaves and with peanuts, great Safari destination, Ziwa Reserve for rare Rhino, chimpanzee, or gorilla trekking, Masindi Hotel with its nice colonial style Hotel, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley National Park, great landscapes, unspoiled nature, traffic jam of Kampala,
How would you describe yourself to a stranger?
I love to travel, see, and experience new places, and people. Lazy to walk,
Foodies can do the unexpected…
You’ve been to Uganda, what memories did you take with you?
Great people, and amazing landscapes.
What would make you want to return to Uganda?
Have not seen all the places in Uganda, still more than half of the places of interest are missing, Kibale etc. I am returning to Uganda.
What can Uganda learn from Kenya as a tourism destination?
It was some time back when I visited, but I felt at that time that Uganda Tourism needs to involve the communities next to places of interest for tourists, to get a sustainable return from the tourists; CSR.
How can East Africans share?
East Africa needs to wake up and open for tourists to travel easily. The Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and Kenya travel on ID cards is a good start, and single visas for the same countries are great as well, but are not yet really taken off.
Tour Operators of all East African nations need to wake up and start traveling the whole area, to be able to market and explain to clients on what to expect. Not only sell what you have been selling for the last 50 years, but open up new products.
What are the big lessons you’ve learned while doing tourism and travel?
There is no Safari as another one, the experience one gets while traveling, in different places, climates, and cultures is eye-opening and makes one to understand and respect others.
What is your top East African tourism destination, and why?
I live in Kenya so what a question, home is home. I have travelled all corners of this country, know the ability of a Kenyan, the standard/services…even small hotels are full of great surprises given the commitment to ensure the client gets what he needs.
What makes or breaks your experience while on travel expeditions?
The small unexpected positive surprises. Interact with locals and have a small talk in the middle of nowhere… talk with a smile as there may be language barriers.
What is on your bucket list?
Uganda still has half, so I must come again and finish. Botswana and Namibia, India to Shirdi. And the rest of the world….
Monika Solanki
Lofty Tours
Valentin Investment Co. (Msa) Ltd.
+254 41 2220241 Office
+254 707 707 020 Office
+254 722 412186 Mobile
lofty@lofty-tours.com
www.lofty-tours.com
