Simon Marsh
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As seen in:
Autocar,
The Star (Kenya),
Insider Media,
FCPA Blog,
Ski Racing,
Navajo-Hopi Observer,
Travel Africa Magazine,
Sony Cine
Covers:
Travel, Safari, Wildlife, Beach, Adventure, Corruption, Organised Crime
Kenya based sleuth, passionate about natural places and the creatures that inhabit them. occasional travel journalist.Proud husband and dad.
Articles by Simon Marsh
Thrills and Tranquillity on the Zambezi River
The Zambezi River provides a magnificent setting as well as the opportunity for both thrills and relaxation There are times when you think twice about your life decisions. This was such a time, standing on the end of a wooden platform, looking down the hundred or so metres to the frothing water of the Zambezi River, suspended by a variety of ropes to which my life was now entirely entrusted.
A Road Trip Through Namibia’s Wild Heart
A road trip around Namibia delivers adventure, wildlife interactions and epic landscapes It was shortly before midnight, and we were snoozing happily in our roof-mounted tent after a steak on the braai and a beer or two when there was suddenly a metallic bang close outside, bringing me straight out of my slumber while Mia slept on unperturbed. My initial reaction was that a hyena must have raided the dustbin that came with each of the excellent campsite pitches at Waterberg Wilderness.
VCs invest $3m in crypto startups to top up 2025 funding bonanza
The Weekly Raise Trading tech and blockchain infrastructure are big themes. DefiLlama data shows funding rounds are on a record pace in 2025. In a relatively quiet week, venture capitalists and other backers invested $3 million into crypto startups this week, according to DefiLlama data. The performance tops up a run that’s already raised more than $7.7 billion in 2025.
Discover Nairobi's Unique Wildlife Experience with the City as a Backdrop
Rich wildlife experience takes place with a major city in the background As your aircraft descends into Nairobi and prepares to land, a look out of the window might give the impression that the airport is in the middle of the countryside, as you see open green plains, rivers and lakes on the descent.
Lockdown Sidings in OO gauge
Gauge: 'OO' | Period: 1950s | Region: Industrial | Operating team: Simon Marsh and friends Lockdown Sidings started with a spare 1,100 x 600mm baseboard, two Peco points, a desire to see whether after a very long break and several false starts I could still build a model railway, and spare time during the first coronavirus lockdown. After a lot of trial and error and placing of old kits around the baseboard, I settled on a plan a bit different from most micro layouts.
MARSH: Transformation begins with complete transparency
BIG NO TO GRAFT MARSH: Transformation begins with complete transparency Corruption which is perceived to have become worse under Ruto fueled the anti-government protests across the country
Sweet escape to the Enasoit lodge
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Bliss in the shadow of war
Latvia was incorporated into the Soviet Union during World War II and was only able to gain its independence in 1991, during the early days of the occupation. The Russians allegedly murdered many of the key Latvians in power and replaced them with their own nominees to ensure that it gave a token appearance of having made the decision to fall under Soviet rule.
Safari Series simple yet fun dynamic camp
When we visited, Laikipia had been suffering from a period of prolonged drought, the rains hadn’t lived up to their potential and the dams had shrivelled into puddles. In times of plenty it's very possible to kayak or swim, it's best to take advice on which are leech free and you need not worry about crocodiles or hippos as there are none about. It gets cold here, really cold at times and the hot water bottle and blanket in the vehicle can be the difference between a fun safari and a shiver fest.
Secrets of Shompole Wilderness in Kajiado
It is not often I go back to one place time and time again. There are so many interesting locations to visit and so many things to see in this wonderful country we call home. But sometimes, when venturing to different parts of Kenya, a stiff drink is required upon arrival to calm the shattered nerves. This after avoiding marauding trucks and buses careering down the wrong side of the road with an apparent desire to end the lives of both themselves and you.
How red-listing southern Africa put the ‘X’ in Christmas
While I’ve never lived in Cape Town, it is somewhere that has felt like home for a long time and I never tire of returning. The view of the monolithic mountain and the ever-changing ocean never gets old, and there is a beach party vibe all the time. It is a melting pot of people from all over the country and indeed the world. Almost every taxi driver has stories to tell and a different accent but has chosen to make their home in the Mediterranean city at the base of Africa.
SIMON MARSH: Plenty more fish in the sea? Not if we carry on like this
On a recent trip to Lake Naivasha, I was overwhelmed by how many nets crossed the water, held up by floating polystyrene cubes. There were so many that the tourist boat I was on was frequently having ...
Inside sanctuary saving orphaned chimpanzees
Approaching the turn-off for the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, on the outskirts of Sierra Leone’s capital city of Freetown, the forested green hills disappear into the cloud canopy, giving them a mystical appearance, and for me, an urge to discover what lies within them. The sanctuary sits within the Western Area Peninsular National Park on land allocated by the government for the recovery and rehabilitation of the country’s national animal.
Chui Lodge offers serenity by the lake
The trip to Chui lodge was one of those elusive moments when all the day-to-day worries and concerns are shelved and replaced by the simple and absolute pleasure of sitting in the sunshine, watching wild animals come and go from the waterhole surrounded by beautiful pristine bush. Chui lodge is situated in the 18,000-acre Oserengoni wildlife sanctuary, which is one of those special places that just oozes tranquility and peace.
The thrill of the ride at the Rhino Charge
As a first time-charger, substituting for my injured wife in car 15 branded Kifaru Kwanza (Rhino First), I didn’t really know what to expect or what was expected of me. I was to be one of the runners in the team, responsible for finding the quickest and most direct route the car could take between guard posts without tearing itself to bits. The Rhino Charge is an annual event that exists to raise funds for Rhino Ark Charity.
SIMON MARSH: It’s time to modernise graft war
In Summary • We can improve the capability to capture evidence from the computers, phones and other digital media in the possession of suspects • There are also technological developments that law enforcement can utilise such as software to analyse bank statements and hardware to crack encrypted applications.
Sailing through the white water
Everyone has heard of Africa’s legendary white water rafting venues: on the Nile in Jinja, Uganda and on the Zambezi between Zimbabwe and Zambia. But I had never really heard anyone talk about rafting in Kenya. Well, I can only wonder why we don’t market it more because quite frankly, it’s fantastic! Savage Wilderness was founded by Mark Savage in 1990 near Sagana on the banks of the Tana river.
Emboo leads the way to sustainable safaris
I must admit, I get excited about renewable energy. I’ve even started using solar at home and I’m amazed at how efficient it is. When I heard about this place, I knew I had to go and see for myself! The term eco lodge is frequently mooted when promoting the credentials of a particular lodge or camp in Kenya and is, in my experience, very liberally interpreted.
Perched atop the summit
Il Ngwesi was built in 1996, following collaboration between the community and the neighbouring Lewa downs conservancy. It took 10 months to build the lodge, with 80 people involved and a few of those were subsequently retained to run it. It proudly claims to be the only luxury lodge that is both owned and operated by the community, which, in these tough times for tourism, gives it particular significance.
Seven activities for the family this festive season
Magical Kenya, as our beautiful land in the eastern end of Africa is known by the world, offers so many varieties of experiences and tasteful adventures as well as culturally diverse communities, that cannot be explored in a short amount of time. And yes, 'Magical Kenya' is the main mantra by which tourism buffs and all the world explorers of today refer to our magnificent country under the sun.
Mahali Mzuri, a really good place
After many years of visiting unique lodges and camps in the Mara ecosystem, I feel I can be rather difficult to impress, but Mahali Mzuri sure managed it. Everything about this place came with a massive dose of wow factor. One of only five lodges in the 35,000 acre Olare Motorogi conservancy, this property is the only Kenyan member of the Virgin Limited Edition global collection owned by Sir Richard Branson.
Rekindling the love of Old Africa
Safari makes you hungry and the chefs can create something in the bush kitchen that would rival the world class restaurants of Nairobi frequented by the social elite. Dietary needs are carefully catered for unlike so many places with not just the basics but checking that the ingredients themselves do not themselves contain even a trace or that there is a risk of cross contamination.
International cooperation key to hooking big fish
On Thursday, June 25, John Waluke, the Sirisia MP and Grace Wakhungu were sentenced for fraudulently acquiring Sh297 million from the National Cereals and Produce Board. In what may be a truly groundbreaking case, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was able to prove to the court that the pair had illegally obtained the money from the state agency in a scam related to the procurement of 40,000 tonnes of maize.
Rustic charm on the edge of Nairobi National Park
With the travel restrictions renewed for the Nairobi Metropolitan district in June, it has become more of a challenge than usual to find a change of scenery without breaking the bank. But the Nyati Hills offered just that and is definitely the find of the lockdown. Located overlooking the national park near the Silole sanctuary, which is a buffer zone on the open side of the park, it is made up of six individual rooms that vary in size.
A sanctuary for a stressful time
There are several special places in Laikipia. Turning left in Nanyuki after the mall and passing the British Army barracks is always one of my favourite moments on any safari in this part of the country. As the tarmac disappears and the countryside opens up, there is always something interesting to see.
Corruption is the real virus
There is a high chance that the pangolin that may have carried Covid-19 to Wuhan originated from East Africa and passed through our country and out from the port thanks to corrupt officers, blind eyes and greased palms. There is a simple word for this: Corruption. There is not a person in Kenya who does not have strong views on this word. Most have experienced it several times and for some, it is an everyday occurrence.
Lodge that offers luxurious stay, satisfying game drives
It must have taken a great deal of vision and foresight for Emma and Anthony Childs to picture where the Emakoko Lodge would be best positioned. And subsequently, a terrific eye for design in its construction to end up with a product that blends luxuriously fitted accommodation into the natural environment. Positioned close to the Moikoyet picnic site across the Mbagathi river is the reception area, which welcomes hot and thirsty visitors with a cool towel and a tangy refreshing juice.
Captivated by the magnificent Victoria Falls
The international media paint Zimbabwe in a dim light, and for many, this would be sufficient to deter them from visiting one of the mightiest natural features in Africa. However, for many years, Victoria Falls had been on my bucket list. And now, together with family, it was time to live the dream. Sitting on the Zambezi river between Zimbabwe and Zambia, 10 million cubic litres of water per second pour over the top when the flow is at its strongest, normally in May or June.
Putting money recovered from graft to good use against Covid-19
On Monday, April 6, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that Sh2 billion (just under $19 million) recovered by the mandated agencies in the fight against corruption would be allocated to the Treasury for the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. This was quite some announcement and showcases, in my opinion, how recovered funds should be utilised to the benefit of the mwananchi. This is particularly true in this time of crisis.
Nature’s waterpark around Ndoto hills
I had to think hard whether to write this article about such a little-known gem, but its only one for the adventurous and resourceful, so mass tourism seems unlikely. From Nairobi, you go north, a long way north, past Nanyuki, Isiolo and Archers Post, headed towards Marsabit on the excellent and quiet road, with occasional sightings of impassive camels. After the town of Laisamis is the turning on the left towards South Horr, mostly good, though with a few points where flooding has caused damage.
Skimming over the treetops on the Flying Fox
Just over an hour's drive from Nairobi, in the Aberdare ranges, is The Forest, an activity centre overlooking a beautiful lush green valley. It has an array of activities, including horse riding, hiking, mountain biking, paintball and Segway tours. The big draw, however, is the Flying Fox, a series of six zip lines that traverse the valley, spanning over 2km and offering international levels of safety standards and highly trained instructors.
Gluten-Free Travel: Savor the View, World-Class Wine in Stunning Cape Town
As a family of three, we include one person with coeliac and another with a serious allergy to wheat and gluten, so we are demanding customers and relatively accustomed, especially living in East Africa, to being extremely restricted as to what we can eat and where we can eat it. Cape Town and the Western Cape province offer levels of service and hospitality that are very much first-world standards with many of the most well-known sights and experiences of Africa.
A weekend in the trees
When your child is selected to play for the school sports team against their counterparts in Gilgil, it gives a much-anticipated opportunity to try somewhere new and different. So, together with another family, we looked around and came up with the treehouse at Malu. A discreet signpost on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway indicates the turn-off, and a thirty-minute African massage leads to the gate of the 1,800 acre reserve.
Treat wildlife trafficking like drugs trade
The recent arrest of Liberian wildlife trafficker Moazu Kromah in Uganda made only modest international headlines. But it was one of the most significant events in the history of illegal wildlife trade investigations in sub-Saharan Africa. I hope it marks a turning point in the approach combating wildlife trafficking and makes it clear to those in charge that IWT must be treated as transnational organised crime. On June 12, Moazu Kromah, a Liberian citizen code-named Kampala Man.
There's room for everyone in graft war
There has been a lot of press coverage recently of comments made by politicians and heads of entities investigating graft about mandates and responsibilities. Let’s be clear, there is enough to do for everyone and then some. The most effective response to a never-ending stream of corruptions scams is for the investigative agencies, working in parallel with the intelligence and prosecutorial entities and supported by the private sector, to be comprehensive.
SIMON MARSH: Resources needed to end wildlife trade
At the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) conference on Thursday and Friday, global leaders and senior officials will gather in London to talk about the rampant trafficking of ivory, rhino horn and other wildlife products. Will all the talking translate into action this time? Because the organised crime groups that profit from this multibillion-dollar market don’t care about toothless commitments and pledges.
Fenner and Marsh: Fight poachers by fighting graft - The FCPA Blog - The FCPA Blog
At the Illegal Wildlife Trade conference in London on October 11 and 12, global leaders and senior officials will gather to talk about the rampant trafficking of ivory, rhino horn and other wildlife products. Will all the talking translate into action this time? Because the organized crime groups that profit from the multi-billion-dollar market in illegal wildlife products don’t care about toothless commitments and pledges.
Is there light at the end of the tunnel in the fight against corruption?
Kenyans have been cynical whenever corruption is mentioned in conversation, and with good reason. “It’s ingrained in our culture” or “No one gets punished here” are phrases we hear every day. I have always quietly advocated that there are rays of light in the gloom and a great deal of effort and energy is expended in investigating complex cases and recovering looted assets.
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