False msafiri KENYA TRAVEL 76 A ccording to locals, the Aberdares were the original Garden of Eden – and it’s not difficult to see why. A mist- wreathed realm where elephants roam through lichen- clad forests, spectacular waterfalls plunge into churning pools and trout- filled streams cascade through mossy dells, this beautiful national park is one of the gems of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. When the mist clears, the Aberdares offer matchless views of Mount Kenya’s glittering coronet, while the dense forest is home to the elusive and endangered bongo antelope ( below right). Black leopards can also be found here, and there have even been reports of an exceptionally rare golden cat. Other species more likely to be spotted include black rhino, elephant, hyena, giant forest hog, buffalo, eland and some 290 species of birds. Trek above the forest and you enter a surreal moorland plateau. Grey- green lichens and mosses smother rocky outcrops, while giant lobelias and groundsel loom above swathes of wind- combed tussock grass. Several rivers spring from here, including the Tana, which begins its journey to the Indian Ocean as a frothing stream, squirming with trout. But it’s not the superb fishing, the rich wildlife, nor even the magnificent scenery that elevates the Aberdares into the upper echelons of world- class safari destinations. The park’s biggest claim to fame is actually man- made. Nestling deep in the forests of Aberdare National Park, Treetops – the original tree lodge – rises straight out of the ground on stilts and has four decks and a rooftop platform – perfect for viewing the rhinos, elephants and other wildlife that are attracted to the waterhole and salt lick in front of the iconic property. Inspired by a two- room tree house built in a fig tree in 1929, the original Treetops was constructed in 1932. It was here that the current British monarch arrived as a princess in February 1952 and left the following A lodge on stilts, a fantasy forest, mist- shrouded mountains and rare wildlife… it’s small wonder that the Aberdares have such a powerful lure morning as queen after hearing of her father’s death. The lodge now has 48 cosy rooms and two suites, a lounge overlooking the waterhole and two bars. Meals are served in the charming and atmospheric dining room. Located near the path of an ancient elephant migratory route between the Aberdare Mountains and Mt Kenya, Treetops almost guarantees riveting wildlife viewing. As well as watching the daily dramas unfold at the waterhole from the safety of the viewing decks and rooftop platform, guests can also enjoy close- up views from two photographic hides at ground level. Die- hard animal lovers needn’t worry about missed sightings, even into the early hours of the morning. An optional buzzer in the rooms alerts guests when a spectacle is unfolding at the waterhole. further information Q Treetops is approximately 17km from Outspan Hotel, where guests begin and end their journey to the famous lodge- on- stilts. Activities include two- hour game drives, as well as excursions to the moorland zone, passing through bamboo forest and visiting spectacular waterfalls, such as Chania, Magura and Karuru. Q Aberdare Safari Hotels, www. aberdaresafarihotels. com Kenya’s Garden of Eden

False AERC’s vision is of sustained development in sub- Saharan Africa, grounded in sound economic management and facilitated by well- trained, locally based professional economists. PROMOTION 77 msafi ri A 20th anniversary is a milestone to be celebrated. Steady growth and success over two decades are a landmark for any organisation. For a not- for- profi t, grant-dependent and service- oriented organisation based in sub- Saharan Africa the achievement is particularly signifi cant. The African Economic Research Consortium ( AERC) is in September marking just such an event. The key events of the 20th Anniversary will be: Convening of an international conference, production of a documentary and publishing of the history of the Consortium. Established in 1988, AERC’s mission is to strengthen local capacity for conducting independent, rigorous inquiry into problems facing the management of economies in sub- Saharan Africa. There are two principal approaches to this: learning by doing research in thematic, collaborative and other modalities, and support for postgraduate training in economics. In its 20- year history AERC has supported over 500 Africa- oriented economic research projects conducted by more than 1,000 African researches. AERC has also helped more than 1,300 African economists to further their education through both master’s and PhD programmes. A comprehensive communications and outreach strategy encourages the application of AERC products to economic policy making. ANNIVERSARY OBSERVANCES AERC is looking to refl ect on its history and prospects – and the economic growth of sub- Saharan Africa as it marks its 20th Anniversary on 15- 18 September 2008. Among the major events planned is a regional conference on Natural Resource Management and Climate Change. Renowned economists and other dignitaries from the continent and around the world will participate through commissioned papers and discussion. THE CONFERENCE ON NATU-RAL RESOURCE MANAGE-MENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE From the time of our inception AERC has been responding to emerging issues, challenges and opportunities confronting The parallel presentations of research papers by researchers will be made during the conference’s concurrent sessions. The research papers will focus on the following themes: PAPERS ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL BE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: • Climate Change , Poverty, Income Distribution and Labour Market Issues • Climate Change, Macroeconomic Policies, Investment and Growth • Climate Change, Finance and Resource Mobilisation • Climate Change, Trade and Regional Integration • Political Economy and Sectoral Issues in Climate Change and Economic Development PAPERS ON NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL BE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: • Natural Resource Management, Poverty, Income Distribution and Labour Market Issues • Natural Resource Management, Macroeconomic Policies, Investment and Growth • Natural Resource Management, International Trade and Regional Integration • Natural Resource Management, Finance and Resource Mobilization • Political Economy and Sectoral Issues in Natural Resource Management and Economic Development For more information about AERC and participation in AERC activities refer to our website, www. aercafrica. org, or contact us at: African Economic Research Consortium P. O. Box 62882 – City Square Nairobi 00200, Kenya Email: exec. dir@ aercafrica. org www. aercafrica. org African economies. Accordingly, the AERC thematic and collaborative research, and capacity building programmes have evolved from macroeconomic stabilisation and growth in the late 1980 and early 1990s to its current focal areas: • Poverty, income distribution and labour market issues • Macroeconomic policy, investment and growth • Finance and resource mobilization • Trade, regional integration • Political economy and sectoral issues CONFERENCE PLAN The three- day conference itself will commence with an opening session during which one of Africa’s leading global fi gures will present a keynote address. Besides this opening session, four plenary papers will be presented in two sessions by those considered to have accomplished considerable research work on the conference theme. The fi rst plenary session will be devoted to Natural Resource Management and will feature two presentations and the second to Climate Change. Four leading scholars have been identifi ed to present papers at the plenary session. These include: Prof. Paul Collier, Centre for the Study of African Economies, University of Oxford, who will present a paper on Natural Resource fl ows and their Management in sub- Saharan Africa; Prof. Anthony Venables, University of Oxford, whose paper will focus on the link between Natural Resources, Geography and Environment; Prof. Richard Odingo, the Vice Chair of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change ( IPCC) and faculty member at the University of Nairobi, will present a paper on Climate Change and its interactions with Economic Development in sub- Saharan Africa, while Prof Rashid Hassan’s paper will be on Effects of Climate Change and African Agriculture focusing on coping and adaptation mechanisms within sub- Saharan Africa. The conference will also feature fi ve parallel sessions led by resource persons. African Economic Research Consortium marks 20th Anniversary TWO DECADES OF BUILDING CAPACITY IN SUB- SAHARAN AFRICA