Ghafla Visits and Unveils Chaka Ranch the New Secret Haven For Kenyan Celebrities #ChakaRanch

Apart from keeping you with tabs of the on goings of the tantalizing Kenya’s entertainment industry, we’re also keen on having fun and enjoying ourselves so if we’re not popping bottles at Skyluxx on a Friday night, we’re exploring and discovering the many gems in this our beautiful country.

Last weekend was one of those days and we went to unravel this gem hidden somewhere on the slopes Mt. Kenya. Word was going around about this place which apparently is owned by one of the most influential person in the media and which had become a celebrity haven.

Our journey was to commence at around 8AM on Saturday but we ended up leaving the CBD at around 10AM. Blame it on you our loyal readers as most of us spent Friday night sourcing for stories to tell; trust me it’s a difficult task to keep you people informed. So all 5 of us bundle up in this RAV 4 out to go and reveal this hidden gem. In this case I’m referring to Baba Ghafla who you all know is the founder of GHAFLA. Then is Tony our photographer, Chaonya the web developer, Sheila our customer relations head, Phyllis the sales executive and I as one of the writers.

As usual the drive is swerve and amazing as we get to crack jokes on everything. Mostly about what’s going on in our entertainment industry and partly about our sexual lives-yes at Ghafla we go TMI like that. We also diverge into other people’s sex lives for a second and the ranging topic ends being who is gay in the media industry and what our opinion on the same is. Of course we had conflicting opinions but be lest assured we’re coming up with a list on the same which is bound to blow you away. Things got a tad too interesting that we completely forgot about the sense of time and we only got wind of this as we soon approached Sagana.

The landscape here is completely amazing and thus we took some photos and after around 45 minutes we make our first stop in Karatina which definitely has to be our Hollywood in this part of the Sahara. They’re lucky to have a Starbucks in the vicinity, Chicken inn and even another Changes Bar and lounge; quite fascinating that we decide to make our first stop there. That’s when we embark on taking photos and the residents start giving us that quizzical look. Trust me; it’s really hard being a superstar that a newspaper vendor whispered some very insulting words when we failed to buy the paper. I guess she couldn’t understand how such posers lacked a meagre 60 bob. We enter Maathai supermarket, buy some refreshments and ask around for the directions of this hidden gem. It’s referred to as Chaka Ranch and lucky enough everyone seems to be familiar with the place. Open for a few weeks and the place had already made headway, what exactly was this place? We were getting a little inquisitive.

So without wasting time, we embark on our journey again up until the Nyeri Nanyuki junction. We make a slight stop as we contemplate on asking for more directions but fortunately see a very big sign board directing us to the place. Soon enough we’re on the Nanyuki road doing 80km/hr and listening to the funny stories being told by Chaonya; this guy has very weird stories regarding his escapades with women. We reach a small shopping Centre called Chaka and right ahead there is another sign board directing us to Chaka Ranch. I must say these signboards are very well designed and positioned. We follow a route which looks like a journey to nowhere. Very green vegetation, picturesque landscapes and very empty roads; this might be a place for selected few I figured; so serene with a very cool ambience. Soon enough we come to our last signboard which directs us to a murram road and that’s when we now we’re here. Our hearts melt with anticipation.

It seems not only us boiling with anticipation as a Landcruiser V8 soon bullies us wanting to pass and automatically assume it’s heading to the same place. I mean why else would someone be doing a 100 on such a rough road? By the way, take notes on this road as it is advisable to drive your way with a four wheel drive vehicle.

Soon enough we’re at the gate and the security is smiling and letting us in. Such polite people I must confess. The place is signified by savannah scrubs, tall grass and perfectly laid out flower beds. And the fresh air, my gaad! I could understand why Jeff Koinage couldn’t stop talking about the place. We make our entry and we’re welcomed by the courteous Wallace who happens to be head of operations. It’s a huge chunk of land with various sections my favourite being the quad bikes and the Magi buggies which were in close proximity-I couldn’t wait to get in one.

In close proximity there was also a well-stocked bar with a magnificent screen and properly laid out stools and I was told that’s place to be to catch the latest on the EPL. Hmmm, football in the wild, that got to be interesting. Before we could engage in any of the same, Wallace informed us that there was lunch to be served- our host was one of a kind I must say. As we made our way to the food court, Wallace was intent on educating us on what exactly Chaka ranch entailed. He referred to it as a small heaven on earth where dwellers of the capital could come and enjoy themselves away from the hustle and bustle. And surely, looking at the place I was pretty sure we were going to have fun.

We reached the food court which was a perfectly laid out garden with properly designed chairs, a grass carpet which is to die for and myriad of delicacies to savour from. It ranges from Nyama Choma, Kuku Choma to the more contemporary burgers, pizzas and hotdogs. Basically there was everything for everyone. We made our orders courtesy of Judy who was our service for the day, a very polite lady who was determined to satisfy our dietary needs to the fullest. As we enjoyed our delicacies- by the way you have to try out their Nyama Choma–our host, one of the most powerful media moguls and owner joined us. A very humble man considering his huge success he comfortably engaged us on his journey to the top which started off as a small editorial position and which has gradually grown over the years to the head of the largest media company in Kenya. He also talked about Chaka and where the whole idea was born from- that will teach you a lot on patience, following your passion and having resilience on whatever you embark on.

And he was keen on keeping us entertained so he insisted on us making our way to the quad bikes and having the time of our lives. And trust me we did and I think you should too. These things will blow you away and make you forget about everything else. We rode and rode some more to expansive lands and river beds of the deeper parts of Mt. Kenya never explored before. Some of us might have crushed in the process- sorry Phyll and Tony- but that is beside the point. We started off with the quad bikes which give you this enthralling feeing as you race along while overlooking the slopes of the Aberdares. This is up until you get on to the Magibuggys and that’s when your adrenaline senses come to life. Good enough this niceties come in various categories including some for kids as young as 8.

And the founder has more in store as he intends on introducing Racing buggies and turn the whole place into a racing arena. How cool is that? Taking you time and engaging in some racing competitions with friends and family in this hidden gem somewhere on the slopes of Mt. Kenya-I bet that’s we all we live for. And trust me many influential people have taken keen notice. I’m talking the likes of Churchill, Jeff Koinange as earlier mentioned and the recent person being Nyeri governor Nderitu Gachagua.

We continued to have fun our latest spot being the bar where we went to catch the Arsenal game. After one of us catching a drink, we were on our way back to Nairobi singing along to 2 chains but one thing stuck in our mind was this fascinating place. Truly Chaka Ranch you’re the best.