“Africa Spirits” & 3 Great East African Finds on Booking.com

Here’s information about Africa Spirits Limited (ASL), the Kenyan beverage company that’s recently been in the news:

READ ALSO: My First Experience with Booking.com

Overview of “Africa Spirits” Limited

"Africa Spirits"  and owner Humphrey Kariuki
  • Founded: 2002–2004 by Kenyan magnate Humphrey Kariuki, ASL is a major producer of local spirits such as brandy, gin, vodka, and whisky, including recognizable brands like Legend Gold Brandy, Bluemoon Vodka, Gypsy King Gin, and Glen Rock Whisky.
  • The company has been an early adopter of non-refillable bottle caps since 2014–2015 to combat counterfeit alcohol.

Recent Troubles: Tax Dispute and Administration

2019–2022: Tax Raids & Reopening

  • In 2019, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) raided ASL’s Thika plant, seizing fake excise stamps and illicit ethanol, citing potential tax evasion worth approximately KSh 17 billion (some reports say up to KSh 41 billion).
  • The DCI and KRA closed the facility, and ASL faced criminal charges.
  • By December 7, 2022, following courts quashing some charges, ASL was handed back to Humphrey Kariuki, and the KRA allowed operations to resume.

June 2025: Placed Under Administration

  • On June 17, 2025, ASL was placed under administration by Peter Kahi of PKF Consulting (K) Ltd due to unresolved financial and regulatory issues linked to the 2019 tax evasion case.
  • The KRA’s investigations reportedly found counterfeit excise stamps and illicit products worth billions, leading to factory lockdown and financial strain.
  • Administrator Kahi now has full operational control. Directors, shareholders, and employees cannot make decisions without his approval.
  • Creditors have until July 18, 2025 to submit claims. The administration aims to evaluate restructuring possibilities or sell assets.
See also  Bwibo Restaurant Photos 2025 & Other Great Restaurants Around Nairobi

Implications and What to Expect

  • Operational Pause: ASL’s Thika plant remains under third-party control—production has not resumed as of July 2025.
  • Creditor Actions: Creditors must lodge claims by mid-July; their responses will shape the path forward.
  • Strategic Outcome: The options include restructuring the company or selling its assets. The future trajectory depends on the administrator’s strategy and KRA’s enforcement actions.

Summary

TimelineEvent
2019KRA raid for counterfeit stamps, illicit ethanol, alleged KSh 17–41 b tax evasion
2022Factory returned to Humphrey Kariuki after court dismissals
Jun 17, 2025ASL enters administration under Peter Kahi
Jul 18, 2025Deadline for creditor claims

In short: Africa Spirits Limited, once a prominent Kenyan spirits producer, is currently under administration due to ongoing tax and regulatory challenges. Its future—whether restructuring, sale, or closure—will depend on decisions by the appointed administrator and stakeholders over the coming weeks.

READ ALSO: Circumstances Force my Hand & More

In Town Tanza Price/In Town Hotel Tanza Rates/Intown Hotel Tanza Rates

Intown Hotel Tanza Price

In Town Hotel Tanza previously announced a general price increase as of April 1, 2022, but current room rates are not publicly listed.

It is recommended to contact the hotel directly for accurate and up-to-date pricing.

The hotel is located at A. Soriano Highway, Daang Amaya 1, Tanza, Cavite, Philippines.

For reference, hotel prices in Tanza generally start from around ₱1,260 per night, with rates varying by season.

This rest of this post is about Booking.com, my current favorite service through which to find and book accommodation whenever I travel.

READ ALSO: Where to Stay On Your Ngorongoro Holiday & More

Tanzanice Farm Lodge
Common area at TanzanIce Farm Lodge, Karatu

TanzanIce Farm Lodge, located 12 kilometers from the Lodoare Gate of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is a place I recommend highly.

A Tanzanian/Icelandic collaboration, TanzanIce Farm Lodge is a farmhouse located on an operational farm and fully fledged social enterprise.

See also  Nugumu & Serengeti Safari Operators

It is very neat and clean. The customer service is among some of the best I have encountered anywhere in years!

The accommodation is simple and well-priced.

The (super-)hot-water shower with strong pressure is a delight when you are on safari.

The food is good, but a little expensive for what it is.

Still, I recommend TanzanIce Farm Lodge wholeheartedly!

Blue Book Now Button

READ ALSO: Command Jumbo Universal Picture Hangers

READ ALSO: Zanzibar Best Places to Stay: Long Stays in Stone Town & More

Trivago Zanzibar

On the online Trivago platform, you can browse and compare prices from various booking websites for hotels, resorts, and guesthouses in Zanzibar.

This includes a wide range of places, from luxurious beach resorts to budget-friendly stays.

Visitors to Zanzibar often search for beachfront properties, all-inclusive resorts, or unique boutique hotels that reflect the island’s culture and natural beauty.

Trivago allows you to filter based on your preferences, such as price range, star rating, amenities, and proximity to popular attractions like Stone Town, Nungwi Beach, or Jozani Forest.

In Town Hotel Tanza/Intown Hotel Tanza

In Town Hotel is located along Antero Soriano Highway in Tanza, Cavite, Phillipines offering affordable accommodation. The hotel is near local attractions and dining options, such as Pilitas Restaurant, making it a convenient choice for travelers looking for budget-friendly stays.

The hotel provides basic amenities including food and drinks on-site. It is positioned in the Biwas area of Tanza, making it easily accessible from main roads​.


Happy new year, dear reader!

I hope you had an awesome festive season and that your year is off to a great start.

As we begin another year, which I am sure we all hope will be filled with fun, beautiful, amazing (travel) experiences and adventures, I want to take the time and tell you about my most memorable travel discovery of last year.

It all began last summer as I was planning a 3-week family road trip across Tanzania. I sort of stumbled across it by accident.

See also  Cinebinge Kemono & More

After three amazing finds using this service, though, I think I can rule out luck now.

Let me tell you a little more.

READ ALSO: How to Be a Blogger on the Road: Tips for Beginners

Visiting Ngorongoro

As I was planning the road trip I mentioned above, I decided to take my own advice about where to stay when visiting the Ngorongoro Crater and cut costs by staying in Karatu instead of inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

As I told you in this post long ago, my preferred way to plan trips had been to use not only travel guides but more particularly Rough Guides because, in my experience, they were great not only at giving you fantastic travel information but also at breaking down accommodation options by budget.

With Rough Guides, I found it very easy to focus on just budget accommodation, luxury accommodation, or mid-range accommodation depending on what type of trip I was planning.

My first move in planning my “summer” roadtrip, therefore, was to buy the most recent version of The Rough Guide to Tanzania.

With that in hand, I felt ready to plan my trip.

Needing to Look Beyond the Rough Guide

When I looked up accommodation in Karatu, though, all the options listed were either too budget (and I didn’t want my travel companions to hassle me once we got there) or not budget enough (when you are on the road for 3 weeks, costs add up quickly)!

I decided to take a look at TripAdvisor.

I am not sure what it was about TripAdvisor, but after checking my options there, I felt I didn’t have enough information to make a decision I was confident about.

This is when I remembered my youngest brother telling me about some super-cool accommodation that he’d found through Booking.com for his last boys’s trip to Nairobi.

I thought I’d give it a try.

READ ALSO: Skin Care Zanzibar & More

Photo Credits: Tanzanice Farm Lodge, AfricanMecca Safaris, MB-one, Shutterstock, Footprints.be, Rob, Voyage Privé, AfricanMecca Safaris, AfricanMecca Safaris, Trivago, Clara Sanchiz, In Town Hotel Tanza

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share via
Copy link