The Norfolk Hotel - One Hundred Years of Romance (Source - Magical Kenya)

Kenya has always been Africa's prime safari destinations, and for one hundred years, travelers have started their great adventure from the front steps of East Africa's first hotel - The Norfolk. This year, the hotel celebrates a century of romance and adventure in style. It has long been said that "Mile 39" on the East African Railway – now known as Nairobi, may have remained a sleepy outpost had it not been for the Norfolk- one of the earliest structures built in the new Kenya colony at the beginning of the 20th Century. The Norfolk was the base from which many great adventurers began their exploration of the region, making the hotel the place where the "safari" was born. This was where US President Roosevelt began his world famous safari in 1909 setting out from the front steps of the hotel into the wilderness. The Norfolk officially opened on Christmas Day in 1904, offering elegance and comfort in the wilds of Africa. Lions roamed the plains opposite the hotel, and hippos lived in the river at the rear of the grounds. Guests would arrive at the hotel by rickshaws, to spend long lazy afternoons on the Lord Delamere Terrace and often enjoyed wild parties long into the night. The exotic blend of romance and intrigue that characterized the Kenya colony was centered on the Norfolk Hotel. Throughout the 20th Century adventurers, the safari set, royalty, world leaders, statesmen and movie stars have all enjoyed the Norfolk's stylish ambience and relaxed charm. Writers ranging from Hemingway and Elspeth Huxley to Kenya's most famous author – Karen Blixen have all immortalized the hotel. The Norfolk, which is part of the Lonrho Group and a member of the association of the Leading Hotels of the World, plans to celebrate its centenary in style. The hotel is producing a commemorative newspaper, the Norfolk Telegraph to mark the centenary year. Celebrations began on the 11th of June, with a gala fashion parade inspired by the era when Kenya attained independence - The swinging Sixties. On the 7th of November, the hotel is staging a Vintage Car Rally to bring to life Kenya's bygone colonial era. The Rally will be flagged off from the hotel steps and the finishing line will be the Nairobi Race Course, which is also celebrating its centenary this year. Vintage and racing enthusiasts from around the world are expected to participate and attend the rally and the race meeting. The premiere event for the year will be the biggest birthday party Kenya has even seen - a night of true elegance that will mark the Norfolk's history from 1904 to the present day. Many past guests including some famous faces and the Who's Who of Kenyan society are expected to attend the Norfolk's Centenary Gala Ball Dinner Dance on the 4th of December.

For further information and rates please contact: info@extreme-safari.com or call (+44) (0)207 652 7577 or (+44) (0)7818 007 163.