kenya travel

Old Jan 2nd, 2003, 03:49 PM
  #1  
c
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kenya travel

I will be traveling to kenya in Feb. Do you use traveler checks ? carry cash? How much money should I exchange? I will need to call home at least once of twice what is the best way? where can i get an international calling card? Are ATM's readily available? what if any are you opinons of the hot air balloon tours? one last question I would like to buy tanzinite jewlery while I am there are the prices good? and any reputable shops? sorry so long thanks in advance
 
Old Jan 5th, 2003, 05:15 PM
  #2  
dcp
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I was there in October and found traveler's checks to be quite a hassle. Not too mention I got poor exchange rates when using them. If possible, I'd see if a bank in your area has their currency that you can purchase before going over (not sure the length of your trip but I'd buy around $300-$500 worth). For most things, try and use your credit card since you will get the going bank rate and won't have to worry about the exchange rate and hassle. I found ATM's in Nairobi but few and far between in outer areas. I did not go on a hot air balloon ride but know they are very very popular and can sell out quickly (even at $350 per person w/ no multiple rider discounts). I talked to the guy that ran the one at the Masai Sopa Lodge and he said that weather is always an issue. The Masai is a very windy area and they will only go up when it is relatively calm. Have a great time! PS: Lots of shops but I found the best deals from the people on the street corners or out in front of the Masia Mara entrance. FYI- Take lots of Bic pens (the cheap kind- no joke). This was tip that was passed along to me and found the people on the street, etc will trade goods for pens. Pens make great handouts and bartering tools with the locals.
 
Old Jan 7th, 2003, 04:51 AM
  #3  
Patricia
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We were in Kenya in April and had no problem at all with cashing travelers' checks. First of all, we went across the street from the airport and cashed enough to give us a total of a couple of hundred dollars (U.S. and Kenya) for our safari-ing. We needed virtually no money on safari. Stopped at a couple of souvenir shops, but didn't really buy much. And tip for our guide. We went almost straight from safari to the airport to fly to Cape Town. So we had no other need for cashing them in. We did take the balloon ride from the Mara Sopa Lodge. He took a credit card--arranged all that in the lobby the night before. We didn't see many animals, unless you count the single pride of 22 lions--what a sight! It was my first time up, so just doing it was a thrill for me, plus being out in the middle of the savannah afterward sipping champagne with a chef asking how I wanted my eggs cooked. A lot of people wouldn't have thought it was worth it since we saw almost no animals while we were up. But I loved it. Even at $350 each. The man who took us up was from Syracuse, N.Y.
 
Old Jan 7th, 2003, 08:51 AM
  #4  
darlene
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Just a quick note, US money was happily taken everywhere in Kenya and Tanzania, even in rural areas. I wouldn't exchange too much into local currency. Didn't see ATMs, but lodges and bigger extablishments took credit cards.
 
Old Jan 8th, 2003, 03:25 PM
  #5  
c
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Thanks for the replies it helps.I can't wait to go.
 
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