Author: Yellow Duckie
•21:29
If it was not a dear friend who introduce this place to us, we would have not discovered this treasure trove that served excellent African dishes. I personally would not have gone in by myself as the look the this place itself was not all that inviting.

Situated on Banda Street (close to city market), The Rayan Hotel and Restaurants served a mixture of continental and African cuisines. I was recommended to try the African dishes which was indeed good.

Our personal favourite is the Dailo : Baked young goat. This dish is really delicious with the goat meat baked to perfection, slightly moist and the aromatic of the firewood was simply amazing! At only 400 KSH, this dish can easily served up to 3 people, accompanied with the Pilau rice.
Half portion of the Pilau Rice which comes with a good size chunk of Dailo ~ Easily feed 2 person at only 220 KSH!

Out of curiosity, we actually tried the Alleso : Boiled young goat and to our surprise, there was not a hint of the pungent goat smell which I fear most. The Dailo is still my favorite.


As I mentioned, this place does not look that inviting hence, we always do take-out and enjoy it at the comfort of our home.

Rayan Hotel and Restaurant
Banda Street
Phone: 020 221 5777, 071 328 3660
Author: Yellow Duckie
•18:07
I have to admit that there are not many resturants in Nairobi that I would crave for however, this particular one had me on my first bite of it's Chooza Chicken.

The heavily spiced and tangy spring chicken is roasted on charcoal fire is simply delicious and I could now seems to get enough of it.

You can eat it with their fluffy naan or chips. It also comes with a complimentary house salad and four types of dressings to go with your chicken! The available dressings as:
~ Chooza chicken sauce
~ Yogurt with Chili
~ Home ground Chili Sauce
~ Tamarind Sauce

To seal off the meal, you HAVE to try the home made Kulfi ice cream, I believe the best in Nairobi!

You can find this delicious meal at Hashmi BBQ in Nakumat Ukay, Westlands, Nairobi.
Contact number: 020 374 8704, 0733 721 786 (M), 0722 487 000 (M), 0722 555 505 (M)

Meal prices are affordable hence you can imagine the crowd they draw...
Author: Yellow Duckie
•15:34
As per my previous post on the Tipuana trees and the jacarandas, I realized that there is a pink and red tree as well.... it's really amazing! Unfortunately I do not know what they are called, in full bloom they really bring colors to the city!



Author: Yellow Duckie
•22:13
I am not too sure why I never notice this but the full bloom of the Tipuana trees that is grown all town is an amazing as the effect of the purple Jaracanda trees!

Standing out like bright yellow torches, the flowers of the Tipuana is quite a sight to behold especially when you have a bunch of Tipuana grown closely in a cluster.

Not too sure when is the season where these flower blooms but seems like now is the time....around Summer time in the Southern Hemisphere.
Author: Yellow Duckie
•22:18
I believe we were not the only ones trying to figure out if we should stick to the Zambia side or visit the falls from the Zimbabwean or just simply do both. My advise is, do both! After all you are already there! As for accommodation, there are more accommodation options available in Zambia in comparison to Zimbabwe.

So which is better? The view from the Zambian side or the Zimbabwean side? I have to admit that I did enjoy both as both has got quite different view to offer.

Personally, I enjoyed the Zimbabwean more as the pathway leading to the view of the fall is a very comfortable stroll (a.k.a flat land no hiking) and you get more of the view of the falls. If you mind being slightly wet, do remember to wear a poncho although many opt to use umbrella than looking like you have just stepped out of the thrash can by having the poncho on in pictures. The spray of the falls actually is quite intense depending on the wind.
Zimbabwe Vic Falls National Park

Zimbabwe Side - A real close view to the bottom of the falls without handrail so please take caution!

As for the Zambia side, you get less view of the fall and the crowd is more on this side hence making it a little unpleasant. However, the view is spectacular on it's own. On this side, the path will also lead to the river bank where you can take a dip by the Zambezi river as you see many of them do but at your own risk.

Pathway along the Zambian side is mostly guarded with handrail given the fact that it is much closer to the fall in comparison to the Zimbabwe side and a reasonable amount of "hiking" to be done on this side.

By the edge- Pathway along the Zambian Side

One bonus point of being on the Zambian side is that you could actually get to the bottom of the falls which is known as the Boiling Point. It is quite a hike and bare in mind, anything that goes down must come up. I must forewarn you that although it is said that you get to the bottom of the falls, you are actually at the bottom but you will not be able to see the falls. However, you have a good view of the bridge.
The Boiling Point