kenya safari - tips and hints wanted

Hi

I fly regularly with Kenya Airways - very good airline, they have recently been adding new planes to the fleet and the service is very good.

I stay in Nairobi regularly (en route to Sudan) which is a city of contrasts - desperate poverty and shanty towns to world class awesome skyscraper buildings - fantastic range of designs.

Have travelled out of city a few times to local game parks and always been impressed with the wildlife to be seen, the locals are mainly very friendly and helpful and are very proud of their country - for most nothing is too much trouble and local guides are excellent adding enormously to your experience with their local knowledge and stories.

Warnings - be aware that in Africa most things want a bite out of you! From insect to human you need to take precautions - malaria is present so find out what to use and take it before during and after your visit. There is no 100% protection but the newer drugs offer increased protection.
Humans - there are beggars in Nairobi and there are dangerous criminals - take reasonable precautions - speak to local guides and hotel staff they will give you honest advice. Vaccinations - speak to your doctor - you may need a range of vaccinations some of which take a few days to become effective.

Animals - sometimes it is hard to remember they are wild - be careful and listen to your guides.
Photographs - Millions - take plenty of film (it is available quite cheaply out there) if you are taking digital cameras take plenty of memory with you - there is always a good photograph in Africa.

Hotels - I can tell you about a few in Nairobi but I guess you are going on a package?

Money - plenty of exchange bureaus - the dollar is widely accepted as cash for purchases, the Euro less so and the UK pound rarely - shop around for best exchange rates - avoid the hotels you will get much better rates elsewhere - even at Jomo Kenyatta Intl Airport. Local currency is Kenyan Shilling.

Visa - you will need to pay for an entry visa ranges from $20 to $50 per person so you will need to have some cash on arrival - if you can I suggest take dollars as it works out cheaper than paying in sterling or Euros.

Telephones - Kenyan telephone system is the worst I have ever come across - take a mobile (check the other boards here for advice on local SIM cards etc) - internet access is possible in main towns via cyber cafes which can be expensive.

Taxis - loads available - try and find ones from firms like Kenatco, JimCabs, Bunsens etc as they tend to be in better mechanical condition. AVOID the minibuses like the plague - called Matatus they are driven by madmen at breakneck speeds and are smelly dirty overcrowded death traps in the main.

Food & Water - bottled water advisable and readily available - in the bush I have had to drink bore hole water which is OK but NEVER drink from rivers streams etc without using filtration and purification tablets.
Food again I guess you will be hotel and package people so you will find it is excellent both in range and quality.

Prices - very cheap for most things but high end goods can be more expensive than UK
Fags and Booze are cheap - cigs about $7 for 200 last time I bought some

Have a great time - Africa gets in your blood it is a fantastic place
GoG

I love Kenya! We always stay South of Mombasa as the beaches are nicer. Basically you have two choices, you can do the week safari and then chill on the beach before coming home or you can just book a two or three week holiday and then sort your safaris out when you are there. I'm afraid that Kenya is one of those places that you will either love or hate, there doesnt seem to be a medium. Have a look at https://www.somak.co.uk or https://www.africansafariclub.com I hope the links work otherwise just swap the com for .co.uk.

My personal favourite hotel is Tiwi Beach on the South. It is isolated but the hotel has the main restaurant and then four restaurants that are included in your all inclusive menu, chinese, italian, seafood and indian. The Staff are wonderfull and have worked there for a long time under the owner Miss Indi.

As for your safari you can go the whole hog and do the week safari (which I have to ask the question after an 8 hour flight, at the airport 2 hours before plus travelling do you really want to go straight out there?), or book a holiday and if you are on the South then I can highly recommend https://www.safariland-kenia.de Dennis is German and wonderfull. You dont pay for your safari until you come back and if you are not satisifed then compensation is made. If you want to see your Big Five then the Mara is the only place to go....although I do love Tsavo East staying at Voi as I love elephants. When we were at the Mara earlier this year we paid £300 each for three days, two nights, full board with 9 game drives staying at the Mara Safari Club and we actually got to stand within 10 yards of Rhino (I have to add at this point my other half has been to Kenya about 20 times and never seen a Rhino, the picture of his face is memorable to the end).

You will have to take Malaria tablets which I would highly recommend Doxycycline, not only is it an anti-malaria but it also cures travellers tum! Neither me or my friends who have gone suffered any side effects.

If staying on the South Coast, catch a taxi from the hotel and go to Nomads for lunch or AliBabas for Dinner where you sit in the bottom of a cave looking up at the stars and it will be the best seafood you have ever eaten!

Please feel free to pm me with any questions or i can send you some photos of our holiday.

p.s. I dont how travelled you are but you just have to accept anything you see as a way of life for the Kenyans.

Somak are very reputable and have a history of arranging holidays in Kenya.

Kenya Airways is a decent airline. They are part owned by KLM BTW. Also look at the European airlines and the Middle Eastern ones to get to Kenya, the prices are normally very competitive.

Kenya is a great country. Not sure how much touristy stuff there is in Nairobi (I'm there because of lots of family living there, so I'm busy with the social thing there). Game parks are great. The coast is also fantastic. Try and see if you can do a safari and beach break.

Have some US$'s with you, can come in use, most big hotels, etc will accept it. However Shillings are fine for most places.

Went to Kenya some time ago, but still dream of going back one day, had an absolutely fantastic time there. Two weeks safari starting in Nairobi, Treetops/Samburu/masai Mara/Tsavo/Rift valley amongst places visited - all lodges were superb, local guide we had for the two weeks couldn't have done anymore. All booked through Kuoni on one of there packages, Kenyan airways was fully booked at the time so had to rough it on BA (not my favourite airline). So would suggest if you get the opportunity to go for it, if you like wildlife you won't regret it.

we stayed in the sun n sand mombasa too, it was fab. also went on a bush safari (yes camped in tents ) in tsavo east n west, it was fab. we arranged this through thomson holidays. the tents were plush and had a bed in them, it was a hotel room really.

during our tour we stopped off for breaks at different hotels / complexes, all were of supberb quality.

the food was to die for.

plenty of animals to see.

however you'll get filthy with the red dust, so you'll think you've got a suntan then it'll sadly wash off. take plenty of long sleeved / legged clothes and a pair of comfy shoes that will cover your feet because you'll definately need them.