#HistoryKeThread When The Concorde Called On The Home Of The Pride
In 1988, British Airway and Air France staged commemorative flights around the world on Concorde jets.
Nairobi was one of the stops of the 23-day around-the-world tour. The Kenyan government, intending to make hay out of the tour, laid down the red carpet for the passengers, who had each forked out up to $26,000 for the world tour tickets. 
Julia Mcleary, who was one of the passengers, recalled their Nairobi leg of the tour and wrote as follows:
"Concorde's route to Kenya was through Bombay for fuel. Kenya, a developing nation of about 30 million, is a manageable problem in contrast to India.
"Concorde's route to Kenya was through Bombay for fuel. Kenya, a developing nation of about 30 million, is a manageable problem in contrast to India.
But 'manage it' is the name of the game in Kenya. Concorde officials were met by an efficient customs system, ready and waiting to process tourists.
Outside, twenty white mini-vans appeared and, with two motorcycle officers, escorted the group to the Nairobi Hilton, stopping traffic as if we were Charles and Di.
Much about Kenya is impressive. Nairobi itself is busy, clean and very much 20th century.
The bright people who manage the country joined the first Concorde passengers to a cocktail and dinner.
The bright people who manage the country joined the first Concorde passengers to a cocktail and dinner.
Present, among others, were the Minister for Tourism, George Muhoho, and the director of the National Parks System, Perez Olindo.
Tourism brings in dollars, but they are aware that a balance needs to be maintained lest tourists destroy the very thing they come to see.
Tourism brings in dollars, but they are aware that a balance needs to be maintained lest tourists destroy the very thing they come to see.
Olindo is an earnest man. Educated at Michigan State University, he has a real understanding of the problem of protecting the endangered species under his care and in allowing the natural process of nature to take place without man's interference.
'We have elected to develop a quality of life here in Kenya', Dr. Olindo said. 'We will maintain a balance of population, economics and ecology'.
Passengers visited Amboseli and Maasai Mara, two of the forty-seven parks in the Kenyan system.
Passengers visited Amboseli and Maasai Mara, two of the forty-seven parks in the Kenyan system.
Transportation was by 10 chartered small planes with an overnight at a tented camp inside Maasai Mara.
The exclamation point at the end of the trip to Kenya was a quiet but colourful early morning balloon flight ending with a champagne breakfast on the plains...."
The exclamation point at the end of the trip to Kenya was a quiet but colourful early morning balloon flight ending with a champagne breakfast on the plains...."
