Underneath the Baobabs

Ten seconds into the New Year countdown to 2019 I was in bed watching my best YouTube couple (Deara and Ken of DK4L) cuddling up in an Igloo at their secret new year’s trip destination.

- TRACY ACHIENG

This led me to start imagining how a perfect new year’s eve would be. It would definitely have to be on the beach because bikinis are considered as a full outfit choice, there would be a limitless supply of cocktails, good music and fireworks. That is how the dream of attending KilifiNew Year – Underneath the Baobabs was born.

This 3-day contemporary African Alternative Music Festival features over 40 of East Africa’s talented DJs, Singers and MCees. It is usually held under the stars and in the shade of the thousand-year-old Baobabs in Kilifi town on the coast of Kenya. Set on 20 acres of pristine lush plateau it is home to secret wild orange and lemon orchards, bamboo forests, in the upper reaches of Takaungu Creek on the Indian Ocean.

The early bird full festival ticket went for Ksh4,500 which was inclusive of access to festival camping grounds.

We traveled from Nairobi to Kilifi with a night bus, the grand plan was to arrive in the morning, relax during the day and head to the festival in the evening. Upon reaching Kilifitown, we crossed the scenic KilifiBridge which is actually the longest bridge in Kenya with a distance of 420 metres connecting Kilifito Mnarani. The turn off the highway to the event is known by the local area residents as Komaza.

Walking into the festival felt like entering another dimension. There was a forest trail decorated with canvas art posted onto the trees leading you on to the ticket centre. A wristband acted as the official tag for the festival. A cool glass of Tamarind Juice... everything felt great.

The general Camping and Glamping grounds was close to the entrance but since I am not much of an outdoor fan we rented a room for Ksh.1500 a night, quite a fair price compared to what hotels/Airbnb around were charging.

The event organizers had registered their own Tuk Tuk, boda boda and Taxi drivers for people traveling in and out of the festival.